29 October 2022

1. Take into account the following statements regarding Blue Flag accreditation:

1. A beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourist provider can receive it.
2. The World Tourism Organization bestows it.
3. In all, India has 30 beaches that have earned the blue flag designation.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1,2 and 3

Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• One of the most well-known voluntary recognitions for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourist providers is the Blue Flag.
• A number of strict environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility requirements must be met and upheld in order to qualify for the Blue Flag.
• The second statement is untrue.
• The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a nonprofit organisation with its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, runs the Blue Flag initiative in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The third statement is untrue.
• There are 12 Blue Flag-certified beaches in India (As of October 2022)
• An distinctive eco-label or certification known as the “Blue Flag” is presented to coastal areas all over the world as a mark of environmental distinction.
• In 1987, the Blue Flag initiative was launched, first in Europe. Every year, certification is given out.
• The badge has so far been given to 5,042 beaches, marinas, and tourist vessels throughout 48 nations. A marina is a small harbour where primarily yachts and recreational vessels dock.
• A global jury that includes representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in addition to FEE, awards the certification.

2. Which of the following states/UTs is home to Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach, which were recently featured in the news?

Islands of Andaman and Nicobar

Islands of Lakshadweep

Odisha

Andhra Pradesh

Explanation

• Kadmat Beach and Minicoy Thundi Beach are included on the coveted list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the world’s cleanest beaches.
• They are in the Lakshadweep UT region.

3. Take into account the following statements about the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank:

1. An international development bank with the goal of financing infrastructure for the future is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
2. The USA holds a controlling interest in 50% of the voting shares of this bank.
3. Its main office is in Tokyo, Japan.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with the goal of funding sustainable infrastructure known as the Infrastructure for Tomorrow.
• Its goal, like that of other development banks, is to enhance social and economic outcomes throughout Asia and beyond. As of July 30, 2022, the bank had 105 approved members globally when it first opened its doors in January 2016.
• The second claim is untrue.
• China holds half of the voting shares in this bank, which promotes the impression that the AIIB will act in the interests of the Chinese government.
• The third statement is untrue.
• Its main office is in Beijing, China.
• India joined the AIIB at its inception.

4. Take a look at the statements made about the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC):

1. The Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986 established the statutory committee known as the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
2. It works for the Ministry of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
3. The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops into the environment requires approval from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

• The statements are all true.
• The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986’s “Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” created the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), a legislative committee.
• The committee is in charge of evaluating requests for the release of genetically modified (GE) products and organisms into the environment, including field tests.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change houses the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) (MoEF&CC). According to Rules, 1989, it is in charge of evaluating from an environmental standpoint operations requiring extensive use of risky microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production.
• The committee is also in charge of evaluating requests for the release of genetically modified (GE) products and organisms into the environment, including field tests.
• The Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and a representative from the Department of Biotechnology co-chair the GEAC (DBT). It now has 24 members and meets once a month to examine applications in the aforementioned categories.

5. Recently reported DMH 11 is a/an:

Asteroid

Spyware

Gene-Modified Crop

 fresh kind of matter

Explanation

• The transgenic hybrid mustard DMH-11 for seed production and the execution of field demonstration studies with regard to its effects, if any, on honey bees and other pollinating insects were recommended for “environmental release” on October 18 by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• using genetic engineering (GM). The hybrid mustard DMH-11 was created by researchers at Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), and it has two alien genes that were taken from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

6. Which of the following states/UTs contains Khangkhui Mangsor Cave, which was recently featured in the news?

Kerala

Manipur

Gujarat

J & K

Explanation

• In order to make a cave system in Manipur more accessible to tourists, a colony of bats had to be removed.
• The Khangkhui, also known as Khangkhui Mangsor locally, is a limestone cave that is located about 15 kilometres from Ukhrul, the district’s administrative centre.
• Essentially, it is a limestone cave found in nature.

7. Take into account the following claims about “Dirty Bomb”:

1. It is a typical explosive device that has been poisoned with nuclear material.
2. Instead of producing an atomic explosion that would level a whole city, dirty bombs are made to disperse poisonous waste.
3. It is primarily regarded as a tactical tool for use by opposing sides in hostilities.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

 Explanation

• The first and second claims are true.
• A conventional explosive device packed with radioactively hazardous substance is known as a “dirty bomb.”
• Instead of producing an atomic explosion that would level a whole city, dirty bombs are made to disperse poisonous waste.
• The third statement is false.
• Security experts have been more concerned about them as a type of terrorist weapon that may be deployed on cities to terrorise populations than as a tactical tool for use by opposing sides in a combat.
• Since the majority of people in an impacted area would be able to flee before receiving lethal quantities of radiation, experts believe the immediate health impact would likely be minimal. But the need to flee metropolitan areas or even abandon entire cities could cause significant economic harm.

8. Which of the following was the domain of Rani Didda?

Hyderabad

Kashmir

Awadh

Satara

Explanation

• Simharaaja, the King of Lohara’s, daughter, was Didda (lying in the Pir Panjal range)
• The status and authority of women in Kashmir at the period are shown by the reign of this Parvagupta dynasty queen.
• She was Kshemagupta Deva’s wife.
• The proof is found in the bronze coins of Kshema Gupta, which bear the legend “Didda Kshemagupta Deva” in Sharada script.
• She served as her son Abhimanyudeva’s regent queen upon the death of her husband. For nearly 22 years, Queen Didda was the sole monarch and regent of Kashmir.
• Didda Rani once more assumed the role of regent for her grandson Bhima Gupta after her son Abhimanyudeva passed away from illness. But fate and the political climate worked against her, and her grandson died under mysterious circumstances. Queen Didda minted coins bearing the inscription “Sri Didda” and became the sole ruler of Kashmir as a result of this tragic turning point.

9. Which of the following groups releases the Emission Gap Report?

UNEP

IUCN

WEF

Network for Climate Action

Explanation

• The Emissions Gap Report is made available by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The international community is falling well short of the Paris goals, and there is no plausible road to 1.5°C in place, according to The Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window – Climate crisis calls for fast transformation of societies.
• The paper claims that the only way to prevent a climate catastrophe is through an urgent systemic overhaul.
• This research offers a thorough examination of how to implement this change, looking at the necessary steps in the sectors of the building and transportation sectors, as well as the food and finance systems.

Indian Express as the source

10. Which of the following organisations publishes the World Energy Outlook?

OECD

IEA

IAEA

UNEP

Explanation

• An annual publication of the International Energy Agency is called World Energy Outlook 2022. (IEA).
• The World Energy Outlook 2022 offers insightful analysis on changes in energy supply and demand, as well as what they mean for economic growth, environmental preservation, and energy security.
• As stated in the study:
• The breadth and complexity of the current global energy crisis are unparalleled.
• Although the crisis is mostly affecting Europe, it has a significant impact on markets, laws, and economies all around the world.
• The “greatest growth in energy demand of any country” will occur in India. By 2025, India will have the largest population.
• According to the STEPS scenario, this will cause an enormous increase in energy consumption of more than 3% per year from 2021 to 2030 together with urbanisation and industrialization.