Daily Current Affairs MCQ- February 13, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Article 25 lays down an individual’s fundamental right to religion; Article 26(b) upholds the right of each religious denomination or any section thereof to “manage its own affairs in matters of religion”; Article 29 defines the right to conserve distinctive culture. An individual’s freedom of religion under Article 25 is subject to “public order, health, morality” and other provisions relating to fundamental rights, but a group’s freedom under Article 26 has not been subjected to other fundamental rights.

Violence erupted in Uttarakhand recently after a mosque and a madrasa standing on Nazool land were demolished.

About Nazool Land:

• Nazool land is owned by the government but is most often not directly administered as state property. 
• The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.
• In case the lease term is expiring, one can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the Revenue Department of the local development authority. 
• The government is free to either renew the lease or cancel it, taking back Nazool land.
• In almost all major cities in India, Nazool land has been allotted to different entities for a variety of different purposes.
• How did Nazool Land emerge?
• During British rule, kings and kingdoms which opposed the British frequently revolted against them, leading to several battles between them and the British Army.
• Upon defeating these kings in battle, the British would often take their land away from them.
• After India got Independence, the British vacated these lands. 
• But with kings and royals often lacking proper documentation to prove prior ownership, these lands were marked as Nazool land—to be owned by the respective state governments.
• How does the government use Nazool land?
• The government generally uses Nazool land for public purposes like building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc. 
• Several cities in India have also seen large tracts of land denoted as Nazool land used for housing societies, generally on lease.
• How is Nazool land governed?
• While several states have brought in government orders for the purpose of framing rules for Nazool land, The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956, is the law mostly used for Nazool land adjudication.

Hence both statements are correct.

Forest authorities have recently suspended six of their staff for being negligent in controlling teak smuggling in Kawal Tiger Reserve.

About Kawal Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
• It is located in the north-eastern part of Telangana (Old Adilabad district), with the Godavari River on one side and the Maharashtra border on the other.
• It forms part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
• The government of India declared Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary a Tiger Reserve in 2012.
• Rivers: The reserve is the catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
• Geographically, the reserve is situated at the southernmost tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, having linkages with the Tadoba-Andhari (Maharashtra) and Indravati (Chhattisgarh) tiger reserves.
• Habitat: It has diverse habitats comprising dense forests, grasslands, open areas, rivers, streams and water bodies.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
• Flora:
• Teak is found extensively, along with Bamboo.
• As many as 673 plant species have been recorded, and the important ones are Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata, etc.
• Fauna:
• It has a faunal diversity which is typical of the Deccan Plateau.
• The major wild animals include: nilgai, chousinga, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer, wild dog, wolf, jackal, fox, tiger, leopard, and the jungle cat.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Jeera is an extremely weather-sensitive crop. It requires a moderately cool and dry climate sans any humidity, which is conducive for fungal infestation during the crop’s flowering and seed development stages. That naturally limits the area of cultivation to Saurashtra, Kutch and the northern parts of Gujarat and adjoining districts of western Rajasthan such as Jalore, Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pali and Nagaur. Unjha, enjoying the strategic advantage of being in the centre of the country’s jeera cultivation belt, has become the price-setting market for the crop.

India accounts for some 70% of the world’s production of this seed spice. Other countries such as Syria, Turkey, UAE and Iran make up the balance 30%.

India’s jeera production is meant for both its domestic market as well as for export. The top export destinations include China, Bangladesh, US, UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. China has been importing Indian cumin aggressively.

An elderly man from Alaska recently become the first person to die after contracting Alaskapox.

About Alaskapox:

• It is an orthopox virus that was first discovered in Alaska, USA, in 2015.
• It is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the same genus (Orthopoxvirus) as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox.
• Orthopoxviruses are zoonotic viruses that can infect various mammals, including humans.
• Current evidence indicates that the Alaskapox virus primarily occurs in small mammals. The virus has been most commonly identified in red-backed voles and shrews.
• Signs and Symptoms:
• Symptoms of Alaskapox have included one or more skin lesions (bumps or pustules) and other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and joint and/or muscle pain.
• Nearly all patients had mild illnesses that resolved on their own after a few weeks.
• Immunocompromised people might be at increased risk for more severe illness.
• Can people with Alaskapox infect other people?
• While human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox has not yet been observed, some orthopoxviruses can spread by direct contact with lesions (particularly broken skin contact with lesion secretions).

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Prime Minister will inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

About Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS):

• BAPS is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas.
• It is based on the Vedic teachings propagated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE).
• It was formally established in 1907 CE by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj. 
• Founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, the BAPS reaches out far and wide to address spiritual, moral and social challenges and issues.
• No Alcohol, No Addictions, No Adultery, No Meat, No Impurity of body and mind are the five lifetime vows of BAPS followers.
• Its global network of mandirs and centres hosts many moral, social, cultural, and spiritual activities.
• Education and women development are other focus areas, with many schools, hostels, and community development activities targeted at women being managed by BAPS. 
• It is also engaged in a variety of humanitarian activities that include services in times of natural calamities, primary schools, students’ hostels, hospitals, diagnostic camps, anti-addiction drives, environment-awareness programs, tribal uplift, and literacy campaigns.
• BAPS is an NGO with a Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 

Hence option c is the correct answer.

The Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) recently sought Rs 1 crore for various works to start wildlife safaris in the Bangdapur and Hingni forest ranges.

About Bor Tiger Reserve:

• It is a wildlife sanctuary which was declared a tiger reserve in July 2014.
• Location: It is located in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. 
• It is the smallest tiger reserve in India by area.
• The reserve covers an area of 138.12 sq.km, which includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam.
• It is centrally located among several other Bengal Tiger habitats.
• Towards the North-east lies the Pench Tiger Reserve, towards the east is Nagzira Navegaon Tiger Reserve, to the South-east is Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located to the southeast, Melghat Tiger Reserve stands to the west; and Satpura Tiger Reserve lies to the north-west.
• Vegetation: The area is populated by Dry Deciduous Forest type.
• Flora: Teak, tendu, bamboo, tarot, and gokhru are some of the abundant species.
• Fauna: Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to several other mammals like leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, Indian bison (gaur), chital, wild boars, and more. 

Hence option c is the correct answer.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has now mandated that Resolution Professionals (RPs) provide a copy of its report to both creditor and debtor in all cases. 

About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI):

• The IBBI was established on October 1, 2016 in accordance with the provisions of the ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016’.
• It is responsible for the implementation of the IBC. The IBC amends and consolidates the laws relating to the insolvency resolution of individuals, partnership firms, and corporate persons in a time-bound manner. 
• The IBBI regulates professionals as well as processes.
• It has regulatory oversight over the insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, insolvency professionals, and information utilities.
• It enforces rules for processes of corporate insolvency resolution, individual insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, and individual bankruptcy under the IBC.
• It has also been designated as the ‘Authority’ under the Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation Rules), 2017 for the regulation and development of the profession of valuers in the country.
• Constitution of the Board: The Board consists of the following members who are appointed by the Central Government: 
• A Chairperson. 
• Three members from among the officers of the Central Government equivalent or not below the rank of a Joint Secretary. Out of the three members, each will represent the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and the Ministry of Law, ex -officio. 
• One member nominated by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), ex-officio. 
• Five other members nominated by the Central Government, out of which at least three should be whole-time members. 
• The term of office of the Chairperson and members (other than ex-officio members) is five years or until they attain sixty-five years, whichever is earlier, and they are eligible for re-appointment.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

In a remarkable display of citizen science and enthusiasm for birdwatching, India emerged as a key participant in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). 

About Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC):

• It is an annual, four-day event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages around the world in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. 
• It was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
• It was established to help researchers learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment.
• How is it done? Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online.
• Who can participate? Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts. One can participate from his/her backyard, or anywhere in the world.
• Significance: Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are distributed across the country and how they are affected by changes in habitat and weather.
• India and GBBC:
• Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since 2013.
• In India, GBBC is coordinated by the Bird Count India (BCI) collective, a coming-together of a number of groups and organisations that are interested in birds, nature, and conservation.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the Odisha government has declared the Gupteswar forest in Koraput district as its fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).

• These are areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the components such as;
• species richness, high endemism, presence of rare, endemic and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or land races or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having cultural or aesthetic values.

Who can declare BHS?

• Under section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, the State Governments are empowered to notify in the official gazette, in consultation with ‘local bodies’, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
• Under sub section (2) of Section 37 of the BD Act, the State Government in consultation with the Central Government may frame rules for the management and conservation of BHS.
• Under sub section (3) of Section 37 of the BD Act, the State Governments are empowered to frame schemes for compensating or rehabilitating any person or section of people economically affected by such notification.
• Importance of Biological Diversity Heritage Sites: Biodiversity is closely linked to ecological security. Loss of biodiversity and bioresources show an increasing trend mainly due to human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to instil and nurture conservation ethics in the community.

Hence both statements are correct.