4th December, 2024 Current Affairs

Current Affairs

NATIONAL
India’s Tiger Population Doubles Since 2006, Reaches 3,682 in 2022.
•    India’s tiger population has grown remarkably, reaching 3,682 in 2022 from 1,411 in 2006, doubling in just over 15 years. The rise reflects a significant annual increase of 6% in consistently monitored areas, with numbers rising from 2,967 in 2018. This achievement has been driven by focused conservation efforts under Project Tiger and measures implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Parliament was informed.
•    Increased from 1,033 in 2018 to 1,439 in 2022, including significant growth in Madhya Pradesh (526 to 785) and Maharashtra (312 to 444). However, declines were noted in Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
•    Under Project Tiger, funds are allocated based on Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs), mandated by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These plans guide habitat improvements, dispersal facilitation, and man-animal conflict minimization.
•    Tigers, designated as India’s National Animal, are listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, ensuring the highest degree of protection. Their critical habitats have been declared as Protected Areas, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to their conservation.

QUESTIONS ON PROJECT TIGER:
1. When was Project Tiger launched in India?
A)1972
B)1973
C)1975
D) 1980
Answer: B) 1973

2. What is the main objective of Project Tiger?
A)Conservation of elephants
B) Conservation of tigers and their habitats
C) Conservation of wildlife corridors
D) Eco-tourism development
Answer: B) Conservation of tigers and their habitats

3. Which of the following tiger reserves is not a part of Project Tiger?
A) Corbett Tiger Reserve
B) Kanha Tiger Reserve
C) Periyar Tiger Reserve
D) Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: D) Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

4. What is the name of the agency responsible for implementing Project Tiger?
A) National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
B) Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
C) Indian Wildlife Board (IWB)
D) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Answer: A) National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

5. What is the current status of tiger population in India, according to the latest tiger census?
A)Increasing
B)Decreasing
C)Stable
D) Unknown
Answer: A) Increasing

6. Which of the following is a major threat to tiger conservation in India?
A) Habitat fragmentation
B) Human-tiger conflict
C) Poaching
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

7. What is the name of the scheme launched by the government to involve local communities in tiger conservation?
A) Eco-Development Plan
B) Tiger Conservation Plan
C) Wildlife Conservation Plan
D) Community-led Conservation Plan
Answer: A) Eco-Development Plan

8. Which of the following tiger reserves is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh?
A) Kanha Tiger Reserve
B) Pench Tiger Reserve
C) Panna Tiger Reserve
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

INTERNATIONAL 
Oxford Picks “Brain Rot” as 2024’s Top Word
•    Oxford University Press’ word of the year for 2024 is “brain rot,” an expression — written as two words — that saw a 230% increase in usage over the last year, according to lexical authorities.
•    Brain rot is defined by Oxford as: “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”

India Highlights Green Initiatives at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh
•    India joins 197 nations at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which commenced on December 2, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the convention’s first-ever session in West Asia. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lead India’s delegation, presenting the ambitious Aravalli Green Wall Project and showcasing India’s commitment to combating desertification.
•    The 16th COP centers on the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” emphasizing sustainable land management to reverse desertification and land degradation globally. The UNCCD, one of the three agreements from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, entered into force in 1996 and includes 197 parties. The conference occurs biennially, with COP15 held in May 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
•    UNFCCC COP29: Held in Baku, Azerbaijan (November 11-22), focusing on global warming and the Paris Agreement targets

ECONOMY 
Government Ends Windfall Tax on Crude Oil and Petroleum Exports.
•    The Indian government has abolished the windfall tax on crude petroleum oil, petrol, diesel, and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), effective November 2, 2024. Additionally, the Road and Infrastructure Cess on the export of petrol and diesel has been scrapped. 
•    Initially imposed on July 1, 2022, to curb abnormal profits by oil companies during the Russia-Ukraine war, the tax aimed to stabilize domestic supplies and fund welfare programs. However, its removal follows a review by the PMO, Revenue Department, and Petroleum Ministry, citing stabilizing crude prices and reduced revenue from the tax.
•    Crude oil prices in the international market have stabilized, reducing the likelihood of abnormal profits.
•     A special tax on companies gaining excessive profits due to sudden price spikes is called Windfall tax.

SPORTS 
Pavan Kampelli Wins Bronze in eFootball at Asian Esports Games.
•    India’s Pavan Kampelli has made history by securing a bronze medal in eFootball at the 2024 Asian Esports Games held in Bangkok. This marks India’s first-ever podium finish in the eFootball category, a monumental achievement in the country’s esports journey. Known as ‘Mr Tomboy’, Pavan showcased his exceptional skill and determination throughout the competition, battling some of the best eFootball players in Asia.
•    Pavan Kampelli won India’s first-ever medal in eFootball at the Asian Esports Games.
•    The bronze medal marks a significant milestone in India’s growing presence in the esports arena.
 

Published date : 06 Dec 2024 11:01AM