Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 26th October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. The Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) indeed showed that biodiversity declined more in protected areas (by 2.1 percentage points) than in non-protected areas (by 1.9 percentage points) between 2000 and 2020.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Emissions Gap Report 2024 emphasizes the need for a 42% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to meet the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Begonia neisti is classified as Data Deficient (DD) by the IUCN Red List, not as Endangered. This means there is not enough data to assess its risk of extinction.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

• Statement-I: The Kadar tribe is indeed recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Government of India. This is a fact as per the provided information.
• Statement-II: However, the statement that the Kadar tribe primarily relies on agriculture for sustenance is incorrect. The information states that while some members of the Kadar tribe have recently engaged in small-scale agriculture and wage labor, they continue to heavily depend on forest produce. Traditionally, they have been known for their hunter-gatherer lifestyle and extensive knowledge of forest resources, relying on gathering honey, fruits, tubers, and medicinal plants for sustenance.

Therefore, Statement-I is correct based on the provided information, but Statement-II is incorrect as it does not accurately reflect the primary livelihood source of the Kadar tribe.

1. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in northern Delhi: Incorrect. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in southern Delhi, extending into the northern regions of Faridabad and Gurugram in Haryana, not northern Delhi.

2. Prosopis juliflora - Dominant native species of the sanctuary: Incorrect. Prosopis juliflora is an exotic species, not a native species. The dominant native species is Diospyros montana.

3. Livestock Census - Conducted every five years: Correct. The Livestock Census is indeed conducted every five years and is a comprehensive survey to enumerate domesticated animals in India.

4. SIMBEX Exercise - Originally named Exercise Lion King: Correct. The Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) was originally named Exercise Lion King when it first started.

Thus, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making the total number of correctly matched pairs: two.

- Statement-I correctly identifies Nemaline myopathy as a rare genetic muscle disorder characterized by thread-like structures within muscle fibers, impacting mobility and functionality.
- Statement-II accurately states that Nemaline myopathy is caused by genetic mutations affecting muscle proteins and occurs in about 1 in 50,000 live births. This statement complements Statement-I by providing additional information on the genetic basis of this disorder, explaining why it occurs and how it affects individuals.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the genetic underpinnings of Nemaline myopathy as described in Statement-I.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed an integral part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor. This makes it a crucial ecological link between the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and the Delhi Ridge, highlighting its importance in regional biodiversity and wildlife movement.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect: The sanctuary's vegetation is classified under the Northern Tropical Thorn Forests type, according to Champion & Seth (1968), not the Southern Tropical Thorn Forests type. This classification is vital as it describes the xerophytic adaptations of the flora to arid conditions, such as thorny appendages and succulence.

3. Statement 3 is correct: The sanctuary extends into the northern regions of Faridabad and Gurugram in Haryana, making it a trans-state wildlife sanctuary. This geographical spread underscores its significance in both Delhi and Haryana, contributing to its ecological diversity and conservation importance.

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

1. Statement 1: The Kadar tribe is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in India.

- This statement is correct. The Government of India recognizes the Kadar tribe as a PVTG due to their vulnerable socio-economic status, limited access to resources, and distinct cultural practices.

2. Statement 2: Traditionally, the Kadar tribe has relied on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood.

- This statement is incorrect. The Kadar tribe has traditionally been a nomadic group with a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, relying primarily on gathering forest products such as honey, fruits, tubers, and medicinal plants. Although some members have engaged in small-scale agriculture recently, it has not been their primary traditional livelihood.

3. Statement 3: The Kadar people are known for their expertise in traditional medicinal practices using forest resources.

- This statement is correct. The Kadar tribe has significant knowledge of forest resources and is known for their traditional medicinal practices, particularly in the use of herbs and plants for healing.

Given these explanations, only statements 1 and 3 are correct. Hence, the correct answer is Option C.

The primary objective of the 21st Livestock Census (LC) launched by the Centre in 2024 is to enumerate all domesticated animals within households, enterprises, and institutions across rural and urban areas in India. This comprehensive survey aims to provide detailed data regarding the population, breeds, and distribution of livestock, encompassing animals such as cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, donkey, and elephant. Conducted every five years, the Livestock Census plays a crucial role in policy formulation, rural economy support, livestock development programs, and indigenous breed conservation.

The decline in biodiversity within protected areas is primarily attributed to the prioritization of specific species over the entire ecosystem. This often leads to a failure in maintaining overall biodiversity intactness, causing a faster decline compared to non-protected areas. It underscores the importance of adopting an ecosystem-centric approach to conservation to ensure the comprehensive protection of habitats and their interdependent species.

Statement-I is correct as per the information provided in the source material, which states that there has been a faster decline in biodiversity within key protected areas compared to non-protected areas.
Statement-II is also correct based on the text, as inadequate ecosystem protection and pre-existing degradation are highlighted as reasons contributing to the decline in biodiversity within protected areas. These factors are supported by the details provided in the text regarding the prioritization of specific species over entire ecosystems and the impact of pre-existing degradation on the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving biodiversity. Hence, Statement-II explains the situation described in Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

The Karmayogi Saptah program emphasizes on-site learning as a key feature to enhance the capacity of civil servants. This approach ensures that practical experience complements off-site learning, allowing civil servants to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. This model is designed to prepare them better for future challenges by fostering creativity and innovative solutions in governance. An additional fact is that the program is part of a larger initiative, the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB), which aims to create a more effective and skilled civil service workforce.