UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 2 August 2024

Solution: c)

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary  is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in Assam. The sanctuary was officially constituted and renamed in 1997. Set aside initially in 1881, its forests used to extend to the foothills of the Patkai mountain range.

Since then, the forest has been fragmented and surrounded by tea gardens and small villages.

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary contains India’s only ape and gibbon specie – the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.

The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the hollong tree (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), while the nahar (Mesua ferrea) dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs. 

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

China is set to build the world’s first nuclear power plant using molten thorium salt in the Gobi Desert, aiming for operation by 2025.

About Thorium-based nuclear power station:

It utilizes thorium instead of uranium as fuel. Unlike uranium, thorium must first be converted to U-233 in a reactor to produce nuclear energy. This station’s reactor uses liquid salt or carbon dioxide for heat transfer and electricity generation, eliminating the need for water cooling and significantly reducing the risk of meltdowns. It will also be the first molten salt reactor since the United States shut down its test reactor in 1969.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

About the Gobi Desert:

It is a vast, arid region in northern China and southern Mongolia. It’s known for its dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels. In the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the Khongoryn Els sand dunes are said to sing when the wind blows. The park also features the deep ice field of Yolyn Am canyon. Dinosaur fossils have been found at the red “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayanzag.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

An Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas. The fund will aim at bringing innovative and affordable solutions for challenges faced by farmers. It will also bring in modern technologies to transform agricultural practices, and increase productivity and profitability.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India. It reports to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture. The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president. It is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.

Role of ICAR: ICAR manages various research programmes, such as horticultural research, soil fertility, agricultural mechanisation and pest management, aimed at improving the productivity and profitability of Indian agriculture.

• • ICAR established Krishi Vigyan Kendras for the vocational training of farmers.
  • It also assists farmers with access to improved technologies, efficient use of resources and technical support services.

Solution: d)

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has updated its Integrated Fire Management (IFM) voluntary guidelines to address wildfire risks, incorporating new strategies developed by the Global Fire Management Hub (GFMH), launched by FAO and UNEP in 2023.

Solution:  c)

The Sot River, a crucial water source in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, dried up due to decades of neglect and encroachment. In 2022, IAS officer Manish Bansal took charge and initiated a comprehensive river rejuvenation project. The district administration conducted surveys, cleared illegal encroachments, and desilted the riverbed with the help of MGNREGA workers.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

The Union Education Minister launched the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal.

• The portal aims to enhance the skilling and employability of youth in various sectors like IT, manufacturing, and automobiles.
• It will help apprentices register and apply for opportunities, while establishments can manage vacancies and contracts.

Solution: c)

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) launched the ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS).

• This initiative unites DAE and its 60 subunits under a single umbrella, providing access to national and international research papers and scientific journals.
• The ODOS will allow DAE scientists, engineers, students, and researchers to access a broader range of knowledge and publish in open-access journals.
• This initiative aims to make knowledge more accessible and will eventually merge with the larger ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative.

The agreements include perpetual rights to journals and cover Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing in open-access journals.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a Master Direction on the treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters.

• Under this directive, banks and NBFCs must scrutinize all non-performing asset accounts with outstanding amounts of Rs 25 lakh and above for wilful default.
• All RBI-regulated entities must report credit information of large defaulters, including both suit-filed and non-suit-filed accounts classified as doubtful or loss, to credit information companies (CICs) monthly.