Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 10th September 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the primary function of DAMUs, which is to provide farm planners and farmers with advance weather information through localized advisories. Statement-II is also correct as it explains why DAMUs were shut down, attributing it to NITI Aayog's push for privatization based on a misunderstanding that agro-meteorological data was automated, disregarding the crucial role of DAMU staff in creating advisories. Thus, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II provides a context that supports Statement-I.

1. Correct - Myristica swamps are indeed primarily composed of evergreen trees from the Myristicaceae family.

2. Incorrect - While Myristica swamps are predominantly found in the Western Ghats, they are not exclusive to this region. Smaller areas of Myristica swamps can also be found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya.

3. Correct - The Myristica Swamp Treefrog (Mercurana myristicapalustris) is a species that has been found in these swamps, particularly in areas like the Shendurney and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the right answer.

- Statement 1: Correct. The "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024" highlights that states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh have road accident death rates exceeding 17 per 100,000 people.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. The report indicates that in six states, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, road injuries were among the top ten causes of health loss, not the top five.

- Statement 3: Correct. The report emphasizes that low helmet usage among two-wheeler riders significantly contributes to fatality rates, with only seven states reporting over half of riders wearing helmets.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

Myristica swamps are crucial for carbon sequestration, as they are more effective in sequestering carbon compared to regular forests. Additionally, these swamps support a rich biodiversity due to their stable environmental conditions, providing habitats for various species of vertebrates and invertebrates. This unique ecosystem plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and preserving diverse wildlife populations.

1. DAMUs under GKMS scheme were indeed established in 2018. This pair is correctly matched.

2. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and UAE was signed in February 2022, not 2020. This pair is incorrectly matched.

3. The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd. (ISPRL) is indeed located in Mangalore, Karnataka. This pair is correctly matched.

4. An IIT Delhi campus is scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi following an MoU signed in 2023. This pair is correctly matched.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The primary goal of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, facilitated by District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs), is to provide weather-based agricultural advisories to farmers. These advisories are crucial for assisting farmers in managing their crops efficiently, reducing losses, and improving productivity. By utilizing weather data and generating localized advisories, the DAMUs aim to enhance farmers' decision-making processes in their daily agricultural operations.

Let's analyze each statement:

1. Statement 1: Correct. DAMUs were indeed established in 2018 by the IMD in collaboration with ICAR. This initiative was part of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme aimed at providing localized weather-based advisories to farmers.

2. Statement 2: Incorrect. The primary function of DAMUs is not to provide long-term weather forecasts but to offer medium-range weather forecasts, typically covering a period of 5-7 days. These forecasts help farmers in making more immediate and practical decisions related to their agricultural activities.

3. Statement 3: Correct. DAMUs disseminate weather-based advisories through a variety of channels including SMS, mobile applications, radio broadcasts, television, and local government bodies. This ensures that the advisories reach a wide audience of farmers, helping them make informed decisions.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Uttar Pradesh - Road accident death rates among the top ten causes of health loss: Correct. The article mentions that road injuries are among the top ten causes of health loss in states including Uttar Pradesh.

2. Tamil Nadu - Road accident death rate less than 10 per 100,000 people: Incorrect. Tamil Nadu is reported to have death rates exceeding 17 per 100,000 people.

3. West Bengal - Road accident death rate around 5.9 per 100,000 people: Correct. West Bengal has lower road accident death rates, around 5.9 per 100,000 people.

4. Telangana - Road accident death rate exceeding 17 per 100,000 people: Correct. Telangana is one of the states with death rates exceeding 17 per 100,000 people.

So, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the decline in India's copper production to 3.78 million tonnes in FY24 from 4.13 million tonnes in FY19, attributing it to rising global demand.
Statement-II accurately states that India possesses around 2% of the global copper reserves, with significant reserves concentrated in states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. However, Statement-II does not directly explain the decline in copper production mentioned in Statement-I but provides additional context about India's copper reserves. Hence, both statements are correct but do not have a direct explanatory relationship.

The "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024" emphasizes the limited availability of trauma care facilities as a significant concern, particularly in rural areas. This inadequacy in trauma care infrastructure contributes to a higher rate of fatalities due to delayed critical care post-accidents. Improving trauma care facilities and ensuring rapid medical responses after accidents are essential steps in reducing the death toll from road accidents, highlighting the critical nature of this challenge in the realm of road safety in India.