Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 17-03-2023

Q1. Consider the following statements

1. The Election Commission (EC) has the jurisdiction to restrict caste- based political rallies held by political parties during non-election period

2. Once a political party is registered, there is no provision in the Law for review of the registration or for canceling the registration of any political party on any ground.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

EC tells Allahabad HC that it does not have power to ban caste-based political ralliesThe Election Commission (EC) does not have the jurisdiction to restrict caste-based political rallies held by political parties during non-election period, nor does it have the power to ban such parties from contesting subsequent elections, the election watchdog has submitted before a Bench of the Allahabad High Court, responding to a writ petition that sought a ban on all such political rallies.

The EC’s response before the court on February 16 was to a petition filed by advocate Moti Lal Yadav, who had also sought that any political party holding such rallies should be de-registered. Mr. Yadav had filed the petition in 2013, following which the HC had issued notice to the EC and other respondents in July while at the same time issuing interim directions to ban all such caste-based rallies across Uttar Pradesh until the EC “took suitable measures” and appeared before court.

Responding to the prayer to de-register such political parties, the commission submitted that “once a political party is registered, there is no provision in the Law for review of the registration or for cancelling the registration of any political party on any ground...”

Q2. Which of the following countries is the world’s largest importer of arms as per latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report?

a. France

b. India

c. Pakistan

d. Saudi Arabia

Answer (b)

Explanation:

India remains world’s largest importer of arms: SIPRI report

India’s arms imports from France, which included 62 combat aircraft and four submarines, increased by 489%. It, however, registers a 11% drop in imports between 2013-17 and 2018-22; Russia remains the largest supplier to India, followed by France

India remained the world’s largest arms importer for the five-year period between 2018 and 2022 even though its arms imports dropped by 11% between 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, according to the Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Russia was the largest supplier of arms to India from 2013 to 2022, but its share of total imports fell from 64% to 45% while France is the second largest supplier.

As per latest SIPRI data, among the top 10 arms exporters for the period 2018 to 2022, India was the biggest arms export market to three countries — Russia, France and Israel — and the second largest export market to South Korea. India was also the third largest market for South Africa, which was ranked 21 in the list of arms exporters.

Q3. Which of the following vultures are found in India?

1. White-rumped vultures

2. Red-headed vultures

3. Egyptian vultures

4. Himalayan Griffon

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a. 1 and 4 only

b. 2, 3 and 4 only

c. 2 and 3 only

d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

246 vultures spotted in synchronized survey in T.N., Kerala and Karnataka The vantage point count method was chosen as the survey methodology given the terrain’s hilly. As many as 246 vultures were spotted in the first-ever synchronized survey conducted along the borders of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka on February 25 and 26.

The estimation was carried out in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the adjoining landscape consisting of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Tamil Nadu, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in Kerala, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) and the Nagerhole Tiger Reserve (NTR) in Karnataka. A total of 98 vultures were seen in MTR, two in STR, 52 in WWS, 73 in BTR, and 23 in NTR.

During the survey, conducted in four sessions and six hours, volunteers sighted White-rumped vultures (183), Long-billed vultures (30), Red- headed vultures (28), Egyptian vultures (3), Himalayan Griffon (1), and Cinereous vulture (1).

Based on inputs from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Vulture Specialist Group, the vantage point count method was chosen as the survey methodology given the terrain’s hilly and undulating nature. The survey area was divided into hundred grids and one vantage point (a hilltop or the centre of an open plain that would provide a clear view) from each grid was selected. Ease of accessibility was also considered as a criterion for the vantage point, the report said.

The current estimates cannot be considered a sign of a healthy population, S. Bharathidasan of Arulagam, an environmental organization, said. Increasing wild carcass availability was one of the major steps needed to be taken for vultures to thrive, he added.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Notified disasters in India

1. They are notified by the Home Ministry under the Disaster management act 2005

2. The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) with state governments can be used for responses to notified disasters

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

• The SDRF is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and is the primary fund available with state governments for responses to notified disasters.

• The Ministry of Home Affairs decides on treating certain disasters as a notified disaster under the DM act 2005.

• The Central government contributes 75 per cent towards the SDRF allocation for general category states and UTs, and over 90 per cent for special category states/UTs, which includes northeastern states, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). For SDRF, the Centre releases funds in two equal instalments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission. On the other hand, the National Disaster Response Fund, which is also constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 supplements the SDRF of a state, in case of a disaster of severe nature, provided adequate funds are not available in the SDRF.

Q5. Consider the following statements Migratory birds

1. There is no dedicated convention to protect Migratory birds

2. Migratory birds are beneficial because they provide critical services such as seed dispersal, pollination and pest control

Which of the above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Significance of Migratory birds matter

1. Migratory birds are beneficial to us and the planet’s ecosystems because they provide critical services such as seed dispersal, pollination and pest control.

2. They are not only vital to sustaining life on Earth, but also provide major economic benefits and jobs through tourism, research and education, and leisure activities such as bird-watching and photography.

3. They are central to our cultures and have been reflected in our art, music, theatre and belief systems throughout history.

4. Birds inspire us and help us to connect with each other and reconnect with nature.

Ecological Connectivity and its significance:

1. Connectivity is essential for migratory species and important for a wide variety of ecological functions.

2. It describes the natural and necessary movement of species and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth. With 1 million species facing the risk of extinction within our generation, connectivity has become a central topic for biodiversity and sustainability.

Connectivity and Birds

1. The flyways used by migratory birds connect different habitats. Often, these long-haul flight paths cross inhospitable terrains, such as deserts and open seas.

2. Migratory birds have evolved incredibly complex migration strategies that require suitable habitats for wintering, stop-over, staging and breeding sites that are crucial for their survival.

3. The ecological connectivity of these sites is important to the survival of migratory birds, but this is being threatened by habitat loss and degradation.

4. World Migratory Bird Day 2020 will therefore help raise awareness on the importance of ecological connectivity for migratory birds and complement the efforts of CMS to promote ecological connectivity and functionality, international cooperation and the conservation of migratory species within the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Bonn Convention:

1. The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species is also called Bonn convention.

2. The convention enlists more than 173 migratory species all over the world. As of November 2019, 130 parties have joined the convention.

3. The Maldives was the latest country to join the convention in November 2019 appendix 1 of the convention list of endangered or threatened migratory species.

4. Appendix II to list the migratory species that are currently under unfavorable conservation status.

5. Appendix II species required International agreements to conserve them.

6. The COP 13 Bonn was held in India. It is proposed to include 10 new species under the Convention on the conservation of migratory species. It included three Indian species namely Asian elephant, Great Indian Bustard and the Bengal florican.