Ans: A

Exp: 

Madhya Pradesh state wildlife board has accorded approval to declare Ratapani wildlife sanctuary, on the outskirt of Bhopal, as eighth tiger reserve of MP.

About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh, spread across 823 sq. km.
• Statement 1 and 2 is incorrect: Geography: The sanctuary is situated on the Vindhya Hills and runs parallel to the northern side of the Narmada River. 
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Kolar River forms its western boundary.
• History: The sanctuary was first notified in 1976, extended in 1983.
• Landscape: The landscape of the sanctuary is rugged with hills, valleys, plateaus, and plains.
• Flora: The forest in this sanctuary is of dry deciduous and moist deciduous types. 
  • About 55% of the area is covered by teak, with the remaining area consisting of various dry deciduous species.
• Fauna: The sanctuary is home to an estimated 40 tigers. 
• Statement 4 is correct: World Heritage Site: The sanctuary includes Bhimbetka, a group of rock shelters and rock paintings, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ans: D

Exp: 

With five cases of Amoebic meningoencephalitis being reported in adolescents in the State in the past three months and with three young lives lost, Kerala issues technical guidelines for diagnosis, management of amoebic meningoencephalitis possibly the first set of guidelines in the country on this rare but fatal infection.

About Primary amebic meningoencephalitis:

• Statement 1 is correct: It is a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba. It lives in warm fresh water and soil around the world.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Infection: Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose, usually when people are swimming. It then travels up to the brain, where it destroys the brain tissue and causes swelling.
• Found: The amoeba can be found in warm freshwater, such as lakes and rivers, swimming pools, splash pads, surf parks, or other recreational venues that are poorly maintained or minimally chlorinated.
• Statement 3 is correct: This disease occurs more often during the warmer months of the year and in warmer climates. Patients with PAM typically have a history of swimming, diving, bathing, or playing in warm, generally stagnant, freshwater during the previous one to 9 days.
• Symptoms of PAM: In the initial stage, the symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Later on, the patient may have a stiff neck and experience confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and slip into a state of coma.
• Treatment for PAM: Currently, there are no identified effective treatments for the disease. Doctors treat it with a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.

Ans: C

Exp: 

India is looking to enter into a carbon trading and carbon credit adjustment mechanism with Japan.

About Carbon credits:

• Statement 1 is correct: Carbon credits are part of a market-based approach to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. Each carbon credit permits the emission of one ton of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas. This system allows companies to buy or sell credits, promoting investment in sustainable practices and technologies.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The usual direction of carbon credit trading is from developing countries to developed countries. This is because developing countries can implement emission reduction projects (like reforestation) and generate carbon credits, which are then sold to developed countries to help them meet their emission targets. Developed countries typically purchase these credits rather than sell them.
• Statement 3 is correct: Carbon credits can be generated through reforestation projects, as these projects sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Answer: D

Exp: 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has “repeatedly” raised his concerns about the annual flooding of the Bagmati river with multiple leaders from Nepal

About Bagmati River:

• It is a river in south-central Nepal and northern Bihar state, India.
• The Bagmati River is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Bagmati River originates from the Bagdwar area in the Shivapuri Hills, located in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley, central Nepal.
  • It is fed by springs and monsoon rainfall and a number of tributaries as it flows down from the Kathmandu valley floor and passes through the valley at Chovar.
  • It flows southward through the Shivalik Range, the southernmost range of the Himalayas. It continues across the plains of Tarai into Bihar.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Bagmati River flows southeastward to enter the Burhi Gandak River in Bihar, India, after traversing a distance of 225 miles (360 km).
• Statement 3 is correct: The temple of Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on an outcrop above the Bagmati River north of Kathmandu. It is an important holy place for Hindus.

Ans: D

Exp: 

Madhya Pradesh has secured the first place under the ‘Best Performing State‘ category in the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme.

About PM-SVANidhi:

• • Statement 1 is incorrect: It is a Central Sector Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide financial assistance to street vendors.
  • Aim: To empower street vendors by facilitating access to formal credit, enabling them to improve their business and livelihoods.
  • The scheme was announced to provide economic stimulus under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, implemented from 1st June 2020.
  • Implementation Partner:
    • Statement 2 is incorrect: SIDBI:  Along with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will be implementing the scheme.
    • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Helps beneficiaries by reaching them to connect under the scheme efficiently.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: It’s a collateral-free loan of up to Rs 50,000 in incremental tranches for eligible street vendors
    • First tranche of Rs 10,000 (The Initial working capital loan is upto `10,000/- for a tenure of one year).
    • Second trench of Rs 20,000 subject to repayment of the first trench.
    • Third trench of Rs 50,000 after the repayment of the second trench.
  • Breaking community barriers: It connected marginalised urban vendors, in which more than 75% of loans were given to non-general categories. 
  • Interest subsidy: It offers an interest subsidy of 7% per annum on regular loan repayment.
  • No penalty on early repayment: No penalty will be made on clearance of debt before the scheduled time.

• Eligibility:

• • Statement 3 is incorrect: All the beneficiaries belonging to those States/UTs, notified under Rules and Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014, are eligible under the scheme. Even the vendors from Meghalaya, the state having its own state street vendors act, are eligible under the PM-SVANidhi.