Daily Current Affairs MCQ- April 17, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

A pack of wild dogs, or Dholes, in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) have suffered severe exfoliating mixed skin infections.

About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
• It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, spread over 321 sq. km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• It lies on the Northeastern and Northwestern slopes of the Nilgiri hills, which is a part of the Western Ghats.
• It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in India.
• It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the north, the Nilgiris North Division on the south and east, and Gudalur Forest Division on the south-west.
• The name Mudumalai means ”the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65 million years when the Western Ghats were formed.
• Terrain: The terrain is undulating, with the elevation ranging from 960m to 1266m.
• Habitat: A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands, and swamps are found here.
• River: The Moyar River runs through the reserve.
• Flora:
• It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, bamboo of the giant variety, and valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
• It has wild relatives of cultivated plants, viz. wild rice, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.
• The habitat also has swampy areas (Vayals) and grasslands.
• Fauna:
• The faunal assemblage includes: elephant, gaur, sambar, four-homed antelope, spotted deer, barking deer, blackbuck, wild pig, mouse deer, and predators like tigers, leopards, and wild dogs.
• Around 8% of the total bird species in India can be found in the region.
• The recent Oscar-winning ‘Elephant Whisperers’ was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, located inside the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Hence both statements are correct.

Water levels at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe have dropped dramatically because of the latest El Nino drought.

About Lake Kariba:

• It is the world’s largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume.
• It lies approximately 1300 kilometers upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. 
• It is 200 kilometers downstream of Victoria Falls.
• The lake was filled following the completion of the Kariba Dam wall at its northeastern end, flooding the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River.
• The Kariba Dam consists of a double-arch wall.
• The wall extends across the Kariba gorge, creating a border crossing between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• It took up to three years for the dam wall to be completed. Construction began in 1956 and was finished in 1959.
• It provides considerable electric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry.
• It is roughly estimated to be about 280 km long and 40 km at its widest. It covers an area of nearly 6,000 square kilometres.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recently commenced in New York, United States. 

About UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII):

• It was created in 2000 as an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health, and human rights.
• According to its mandate, the Permanent Forum will:
• Provide expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programmes, funds, and agencies of the United Nations, through the Council.
• Raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system.
• Prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues.
• The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was held in 2002, and yearly sessions take place in New York.
• It is one of three UN bodies that is mandated to deal specifically with Indigenous Peoples’ issues.
• The others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Members:
• It is comprised of sixteen independent experts, functioning in their personal capacity, who serve for a term of three years as members and may be re-elected or re-appointed for one additional term.
• Eight of the members are nominated by governments, and eight are nominated directly by indigenous organisations in their regions.
• The Permanent Forum holds annual two-week sessions.
• The annual sessions provide an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples from around the world to have direct dialogue with members of the Forum, Member States, the UN system, including human rights and other expert bodies, as well as academics and NGOs. 
• It prepares a report of the session containing recommendations and draft decisions, which is submitted to the ECOSOC.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

According to a new study, bumblebees appear to be quite resistant to common pesticides.

About Bumblebees:

• They are large, hairy, social bees belonging to the family Apidae (subfamily Bombinae).
• The family Apidae includes the well-known honey bees and bumble bees, as well as carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, digger bees, stingless bees, and orchid bees.
• Distribution:
• They occur throughout much of the world but are most common in temperate climates.
• There are over 250 known species, existing primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.
• They are known for their ability to collect nectar from flowers and pollinate plants.
• Features:
• They are large, yellow, and black flying insects with a distinct buzz. 
• There is variation in coloration among bumblebees, and some species have bands of red, yellow, and black.
• They have stocky bodies that are covered with many hairs to which pollen adheres.
• Bumblebees have four wings; the two rear wings are small and usually attached to the fore wings by a row of hooks called hamuli.
• The wings move rapidly, at 130-240 beats per second.
• They are social insects that live in colonies. The queen bee, drones, and worker bees all have specific tasks to help support the colony. 
• Unlike the honeybee, bumblebees do not make honey, as they do not need to store food for winter. Instead, the season’s new queens hibernate and emerge to find their own nests in the spring.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Indian Army contingent departed recently for the 5th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK. 

About Exercise Dustlik:

• It is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.
• It is conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan.
• The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in 2019.
• The last edition was conducted in Pithoragarh in 2023.
• Dustlik-2024:
• It is the fifth edition of the joint exercise. 
• The exercise will be conducted at Termez in Uzbekistan.
• The Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising 60 personnel, is being represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, primarily from a battalion of the JAT Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force.
• The Uzbekistan contingent, comprising approximately 100 personnel, from the Uzbekistan Army and Air Force, will be represented by personnel from Southern Operational Command, part of the South-West Military District.
• The aim of Exercise DUSTLIK is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi urban terrain.
• It would focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills, and the basics of special arms skills.
• The complexity of this edition of Exercise DUSTLIK has been enhanced with the conduct of multi domain operations, as the contingent comprises personnel from combat support arms and services besides infantry.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

The correct statement about Chagas Disease is:

1. 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Chagas Disease is not caused by a virus; it is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans primarily through the feces of triatomine bugs. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Statement 2: There are indeed no vaccines available for Chagas Disease, and while there are medicines available for treatment, they are not fully effective in all cases. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

Archaeologists in Pompeii recently uncovered a black-walled banqueting hall adorned with vivid frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology.

About Pompeii:

• It is a preserved ancient Roman city located near modern-day Naples, Italy.
• It lies at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius.
• The area was originally settled in the Bronze Age on an escarpment at the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) River. 
• Pompeii was built on a spur formed by a prehistoric lava flow to the north of the mouth of the Sarno River.
• It was conquered and absorbed into the Roman Empire in 80 BCE.
• At its height, the small city had a thriving economy based on trade and agriculture.
• The population of the town has been estimated at 10-12,000, with one third being slaves. 
• The city featured a complex municipal water system, an amphitheater, and a gymnasium.
• The city was buried in volcanic ash following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE. 
• Pompeii was basically lost and forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1748.  
• Its excellent state of preservation gives an invaluable insight into Roman everyday life.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Forest department personnel in Odisha recently arrested four poachers and two timber smugglers from Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district during patrolling.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR):

• Location: STR is located within the Mayurbhanj District, in the northernmost part of Odisha.
• It was declared a 'Tiger Reserve' in 1956 and included under the national conservation programme 'Project Tiger' in 1973.
• It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m above mean sea level).
• The STR, along with a 'transitional area' of 2250 sq. km, was included as a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2009.
• Terrain:
• The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
• The inclined plateau has risen abruptly from the low coastal plains. The steep side faces the Bay of Bengal and runs northwards to finally merge with Chhota Nagpur.
• The water level is high, and the tract is woven with perennial water sources converging into rivers like Budhabalanga, Salandi, and many tributaries of the Baitarani River flowing from the Reserve.
• Vegetation: It is a mix of different forest types and habitats, with Northern tropical moist deciduous dominating some semi-evergreen patches.
• It is the only landscape in the world that is home to melanistic tigers.
• The region around STR is home to a variety of tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
• Flora:
• An astounding 1078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, are found here.
• Sal is the dominant tree species here.
• Fauna: Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin etc.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

In a continuing aerial strike on Ukraine, Russia recently employed its AS-24 KILLJOY hypersonic missile, which the country has projected as an “invincible weapon”.

About AS-24 Killjoy:

• It is the western reporting name of the Kh-47M2 (Kinzhal), a nuclear-capable, Russian air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile.
• It was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech in March 2018.
• Features:
• It can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/hr).
• It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with a payload of up to 480 kg and a thermonuclear option with a 10-50 kt warhead.
• It has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km.
• It has a length of 8 m, a body diameter of 1 m, and a launch weight of approximately 4,300 kg.
• It is designed to be launched from MiG-31 fighter jets at altitudes of about 18 km (59,000 ft).
• This missile manoeuvres during all stages of its flight to overcome hostile air defence systems.

What are Hypersonic Weapons?

• Hypersonic weapons fly at speeds of at least Mach 5 and are highly maneuverable and able to change course during flight.
• They are different from ballistic missiles, which can also travel at hypersonic speeds (of at least Mach 5) but have set trajectories and limited maneuverability.
• There are two main categories of hypersonic weapons: hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles.
• Hypersonic glide vehicles are launched from a rocket. The glide vehicle then separates from the rocket and “glides” at speeds of at least Mach 5 toward a target.
• Hypersonic cruise missiles are powered by high-speed, air-breathing engines.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched MedTech Mitra portal.

• It is an online portal that aims to assist medtech innovators in clinical evaluation, regulatory facilitation, and uptake of new products.
• The portal will be coordinated collaboratively by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the guidance of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission.
• The MedTech Mitra platform, along with the recent medical devices policy and the production-linked incentive scheme, will together provide a boost to the medical devices sector and encourage domestic manufacturing of these devices, 
• Significance
• The new initiatives would facilitate indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics, leading to a considerable reduction in the import dependence of this sector.
• It will ensure ease of innovation and doing R&D for emerging start-ups.
• It would provide end-to-end guidance to startups, making their journey from idea to product smooth. The platform will also help them bridge gaps and help in animal as well as clinical trials.
• It would also foster partnerships between engineers, scientists and clinicians, which was lacking in the sector.

Hence both statements are correct.