UPSC EXAM QUIZ 12.09.2024

Explanation:

• Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board hosted the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies or Swach Vayu Diwas on 7 September 2024 in the pink city of Jaipur.
• Along with the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies or Swach Vayu Diwas, the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was also held in Jaipur on 7 September. It was chaired by Bhupendra Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Background to the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

• The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 19 December 2019 to celebrate 7 September every year as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
• The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is celebrated as Swach Vayu Diwas in India.
• The first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was observed worldwide on 7 September 2020.

Explanation:

• NASA has officially approved the launch of the Europa Clipper mission, which is scheduled to take off on October 10, 2024.
• This decision comes after a successful review of the spacecraft’s design to ensure it can handle intense radiation.
• The announcement was made on September 10, addressing previous concerns about the spacecraft’s electronics.

Launch Details

• The Europa Clipper mission has a budget of $5 billion and will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
• The mission must be launched within a specific three-week period to ensure the spacecraft can reach Jupiter using gravity assists from Mars and Earth.
• This carefully timed launch is crucial for the spacecraft to follow its planned trajectory.
• Earlier concerns about the spacecraft’s electronics involved the reliability of its transistors, which could be affected by radiation.

Explanation:

• A group of researchers from Dodamarg, a few kilometers away from Goa-Maharashtra border have discovered a sacred grove— a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, which is protected by the local community.
• Myristica magnifica is a species of plant native to Karnataka and Kerala, and is classified as endangered.

Myristica magnifica

• Myristica magnifica is an endangered plant species mainly found in Karnataka and Kerala. It plays a key role in the ecosystem, providing food for wildlife, including the threatened hornbill birds.
• This tree is part of the nutmeg family and can grow up to 50 meters tall. Though its seeds resemble nutmeg, they are not as commercially valuable. Its wood is used locally, and the tree’s essential oil has potential in aromatherapy.

Explanation:

• A critically endangered elongated tortoise species has been spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area.
• During a research survey in the Aravallis, a critically endangered tortoise species was spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area.
• The tortoise has been medium-sized with a yellowish-brown or olive shell and distinct black blotches at the centre.
• This tortoise has been found in the Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests.
• Sunil Harsana and Nitesh Kaushik have discovered this tortoise.
• This tortoise is generally found at wetter places but discovering in Aravallis is an aberration than a norm.
• Elongated tortoises were assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species in 2018.
• They are listed as critically endangered under the criteria A2cd.

Explanation:

• Indian Army and Indian Airforce inked a pact with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
• To enhance the skills and capability building of personnel in logistics operations, the Indian Army and Indian Airforce signed a MoU.
• It is a partnership to build a world-class and future-proof logistics system and achieve self-reliance in the defence sector.
• Vishwavidyalaya act as a vital partner in empowering the Armed Forces with cutting-edge logistics education, research and innovation.
• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) is a central university located in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• It was established in 2018 as a Deemed-to-be University and was converted into a central University under The Central Universities (Amendment) Act, 2022.1.5 lakh crore rupees will be invested in these four units.
• These units have a daily capacity of roughly seven crore chips.