Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 29, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Wildlife enthusiasts and experts are abuzz with excitement after the recent sighting of Indian grey wolf in the expansive confines of National Chambal Sanctuary in Etawah.

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus pallipes
• It is a subspecies of grey wolf that ranges from Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent.
• They live in warmer conditions.
• It is intermediate in size between the Tibetan and Arabian wolf and lacks the former’s luxuriant winter coat due to it living in warmer conditions.
• It travels in smaller packs and is less vocal than other its variants. They are nocturnal and hunt from dusk to dawn
• Description: It is of intermediate in size lies between the Tibetan and Arabian wolf, and lacks the former’s luxuriant winter coat due to its living in warmer conditions.
• Habitat: The Indian wolf inhabits areas dominated by scrub, grasslands and semi-arid pastoral agro-ecosystems.
• Distribution: It has a wide distribution range that extends from the Indian subcontinent to Israel. There are about 3,000 animals in India, some in captivity.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN: Least concern
• Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 : Schedule I
• CITES : Appendix 1 
• Threat: Habitat loss and depletion of prey species etc.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Alabama successfully executed a man who spent decades on death row using a new method called nitrogen hypoxia.

• Hypoxia is a medical term for a state of insufficient oxygen in the body. 
• Nitrogen hypoxia is a process where pure nitrogen gas, or nitrogen gas at concentrations high enough to be lethal, is inhaled to the point of causing asphyxiation.
• It is a relatively new alternative to more common forms of capital punishment, like lethal injection and electrocution
• In this method of execution, a respirator mask is placed over the inmate's face, pure nitrogen is pumped into person's lungs instead of oxygen.
• It leads to unconsciousness and then death from lack of oxygen.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the union government of India conferred Padma Shri award to Jammu’s Dogri folk dancer Romalo Ram.

• It is a dance performed in Duggar region of Jammu.
• It is generally performed by a group of artists whose main leader sings the song as well as dances while others are in the sitting position providing beats of Drums and Chimta.
• It is performed in functions and social gatherings.
• There are other varieties of this dance with the men and women or only women performing dance in groups to the music of some famous folk song in colourful traditional dresses.
• Dogra folk-dances have an important role as a part of worship, ceremonies and a pastime but the main force behind the folk-dances is the celebratory mood.
• Other dance forms of Jammu region: Dheku, Phummani, jagarana, Ckauki, Chhajja, Kuddha, Hirana etc. are main dances. Bhagtan, Raas, Chandrauli etc. are main folk-drama styles.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Recently, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) in Argentina alerted the World Health Organization of a human case of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) infection. 

• It is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV), which belongs to the Togaviridae family of viruses.
• The virus has an approximately 11.5 kilobases long single-stranded RNA genome.
• It is a recombinant of the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and a Sindbis-like virus.
• Passerine birds are thought to be the reservoir and equine species as intermediate hosts.
• The primary mode of transmission of the infection to humans is through mosquitoes which act as vectors for the virus.
• Symptoms:
• While most of the infections are asymptomatic, the infection may lead to severe consequences in rare cases.
• An estimated 4-5% of cases may manifest as infection/inflammation of the brain, resulting in neurological symptoms and sequelae of disease.
• Treatment: With no specific antiviral treatment, symptomatic care is crucial, especially for neurologic symptoms.

Hence both statements are correct.

Astronaut Lora O'Hara, currently stationed aboard the International Space Station, recently shared images showcasing the Alpenglow phenomenon near the Hindu Kush mountain range.

About Alpenglow:

• It is a natural phenomenon when mountain slopes are illuminated by the sun as it rises or sets.
• The slopes turn a rosy, reddish, or orange hue depending on the angle of the sun and atmospheric conditions.
• It occurs during the twilight hours before sunrise or after sunset. It can also occur in the first minutes after the sun rises or sets.
• Alpenglow typically occurs in the range of colors between red, pink, and orange.
• This is because, these are the longest warm rays of electromagnetic wave (light) — they reach various surfaces, while cold rays are shorter and disappear faster in the atmosphere.
• Its vibrancy and color depend on the location of the sun, the angle of the light, and other atmospheric conditions like clouds, humidity, and particulates.
• It can change quickly depending on how fast the sun sets on any given day.

Hence both statements are correct.

Dr Nitya Anand, who discovered India’s first oral contraceptive pill, ‘Saheli’, passed away recently.

About Saheli:

• Saheli is the world’s first and only oral non-steroidal contraceptive pill.
• ‘Saheli’, aka Centchroman (ormeloxifene 30mg), is the only non–steroidal pill with zero side effects available in the world.
• The pill, launched by HLL in 1991, is free from side effects like weight gain, nausea, vomiting and headaches as it contains the molecule Centchroman (ormeloxifene) as the active ingredient.
• All common brands of oral contraceptive pills contain hormones like oestrogen or progesterone, or a combination of both; only Saheli is free of these steroids and hence has no side effects. 
• This drug was included in the National Family Welfare Programme in 1995.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

The canopy walk facility at a height of 25 feet at the Dalma Sanctuary will be set up soon.

About Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location:
• It is located 10 kilometers from the city of Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand. 
• It is situated around the Dalma Hillson the Chottanagpur Plateau.
• The Sanctuary gets its name from the "Dalma mai" a local goddess who is revered and worshipped by the local people and the people of adjoining villages of Dalma. 
• Inaugurated in 1975, it contains a significant population of Indian Elephants.
• The sanctuary covers almost 193 sq. km. of forest area.
• The entire forest of Dalma Sanctuary falls in the catchment of the Subarnarekha River and Dimna Lake of Jamshedpur.
• Vegetation: The forests of Dalma come under the category "Dry peninsular Sal" and "Northern dry mixed deciduous Forest".
• Flora: Medicinal plants like Ananatmula, Satawari, Sarpgandha, etc. are abundant in the sanctuary. Various types of trees, climbers, herbs, shrubs, and orchids are found here. 
• Fauna:
• Beside elephants, the sanctuary has a considerable population of other wildlife like barking deer, wild boar, giant squirrel, porcupine, pangolin, sloth bear, etc. 
• Commonly seen birds in the sanctuary are falcons, golden oriole, Indian tree pie, paradise fly catchers, grey hornbills, Indian peafowl, etc.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Arunachal Pradesh, at the recently held Republic Day parade, showcased its Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve, a 17-square-kilometre biodiversity hotspot.

About Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve:

• It is a 17-square-kilometre biodiversity hotspot located in Arunachal Pradesh, around 40 km from the famous Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The reserve was created in 2017 to protect biodiversity in the region.
• It is home to critically endangered species such as the passerine bird Bugun Liocichla (Liocichlabugunorum), which is named after the Buguns community.
• It was one of the first bird species to be discovered in India since the country’s independence in 1947, and it lives only on the Buguns’ community lands.
• The Buguns are an indigenous community with a population of about 2,000 people, spread across 12 villages that are dotted outside the forests of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

What is a Community Reserve?

• Conservation reserves and community reserves in India are terms denoting protected areas of India which typically act as buffer zones, connectors, and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests in India.
• Such areas are designated as conservation reserves if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities, and community reserves if part of the land is privately owned. 
• These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) of 1972. 
• These categories were added because of reduced protection in and around existing or proposed protected areas due to private ownership of land, and land use.
• The provisions of the WLPA apply to an area once it has been declared a community reserve.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

French President recently visited the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in south Delhi.

About Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah:

• It is located in Delhi's Nizamuddin West area. 
• It is the mausoleum of the famous Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325 CE).
• It was built in the 14th Century C.E.
• Features:
• It consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings, while its roof is surmounted by a dome pringing from an octagonal drum.
• The dome is ornamented by vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by a lotus-cresting.
• Inside the dargah complex, one can find the tombs of Nizamuddin Auliya's saints: Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter, and poet Amir Khusru.
• Towards the north side of Dargah, there is a stepwell.  
• On the north-eastern side, there is a 16th-century tomb of Atgah Khan, who was a powerful minister in Emperor Akbar’s court.
• The site is also known for its evening qawwali devotional music sessions.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

Jharkhand's tableau in the recently held Republic Day parade showcased the skill of tribal women in the production of Tasar silk.

About Tasar Silk:

• It is a type of wild silk, which is made from silkworms that feed on plants like Asan and Arjun.
• People from different parts of India call it tusaar, tusser, tushar, tusa, tassore, and tasar etc.
• Producers:
• Globally, it is produced in China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
• India is the second-largest producer of tussar silk and the exclusive producer of Indian tussar (also known as tropical tussar), which is largely tended to by tribals. 
• In India, it is primarily produced in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Currently, Jharkhand is one of the largest producers. 
• Features:
• It is famous and valued for its natural golden colour. The silk can also be found in shades of brown, cream, and orange.
  • The color is caused by the production process due to the presence of carotenoids in the silk.
• It is known for its distinctive texture, which is often described as being 'rough' or 'crinkly.'
  • This is due to the fact that the fibers of tasar silk are shorter than those of other silks, such as mulberry silk.
  • As a result, tasar silk fabrics are less smooth and have a more uneven surface.
• Tasar silk fabrics have a characteristic weave that is different from other types of silk.
  • The threads of tasar silk are often thicker than those of other silks, and they are woven in a way that creates a 'checkerboard' pattern. 
• It is lightweight yet surprisingly strong, with a luxuriously soft feel often compared to that of cashmere or velvet. 
• It does not retain moisture, and this quality makes it a delight to wear in warmer climates of the world. 
• Tasar silk is more porous, which makes it more wearable.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.