UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Oceans Heating Up

Apr 16, 2024

Q: How much did ocean heat content increase in 2023, and what does it mean? A: Ocean heat content reached record highs in 2023, with a staggering increase compared to previous years. This translates to: ● Enough energy to boil billions of Olympic-sized swimming pools. ● The equivalent of billions of atomic bombs worth of heat energy. Read More...

Kerala: AMRITH vs AMR Resilience

Apr 16, 2024

Kerala's Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Q: What is Operation AMRITH? A: Operation AMRITH is a Kerala government initiative aimed at ending the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Key components include: Surprise Raids: Checking pharmacies fo... Read More...

Kumki Elephants

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What are kumki elephants? A: Kumki elephants are trained, captive Asian elephants used in India for various purposes related to managing wild elephant populations. Read More...

Making Himalayan Cities Climate-Resilient

Apr 16, 2024

Protecting Cities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Q: What are the main factors exacerbating flood risks in HKH cities? A: Key factors include: Unplanned Urbanization: Encroachment on natural floodplains and riverbanks for construction reduces the land's capacity to handle excess water. Waste & Debris: Dumping debris into ... Read More...

SNOW LEOPARDS IN INDIA

Apr 16, 2024

Q: How many snow leopards are there in India? A: According to a government report released on January 30, 2024, India is home to 718 snow leopards. Q: What percentage of snow leopard habitat in India is legally protected? A: Only 34% of the snow leopard habitat in India, spanning 120,000 square kilometers, is under legal protection. The remaining 70% of their crucial habitat remains unprot... Read More...

FRAMEWORK FOR VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET IN AGRICULTURE

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What is the purpose of the new framework for the Voluntary Carbon Market in the Agriculture Sector? A: The framework aims to introduce small and medium farmers to carbon markets, providing them with opportunities to earn carbon credits. This initiative seeks to encourage the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices and contribute to emission reduction efforts. Q: Who launched... Read More...

KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE (KFD) OUTBREAK IN KARNATAKA

Apr 16, 2024

Q: What is Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)? A: Kyasanur Forest Disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the KFD virus, which belongs to the Flaviviridae family. It's transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with animals carrying infected ticks. Q: How does KFD spread? A: The disease spreads through the bite of infected ticks, specifically the Haemaphysalis spinigera spec... Read More...

The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)

Apr 15, 2024

Q: What is the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)? A: The GBFF is a fund created to finance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It aims to provide critical financial support for biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide. Q: When and why was the GBFF established? A: The GBFF... Read More...

Super Pollutants and Climate Action

Apr 15, 2024

Q: What are 'super pollutants'? A: Super pollutants are short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) that have a much stronger warming effect on the planet than carbon dioxide, even though they remain in the atmosphere for a shorter time. Key examples include: ●Methane: A potent greenhouse gas emitted from agriculture, waste, and fossil fuel production. ●Black Carbon: Soot particles from burning biomass a... Read More...

Understanding Nutraceuticals: Benefits, Safety, and Selection

Apr 15, 2024

Q: What are nutraceuticals? A: The term "nutraceutical" combines "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical." Nutraceuticals are food-derived substances or supplements that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They often contain concentrated nutrients, botanical extracts, or specific bioactive compounds. Q. What are some common types of nutraceuticals? Read More...

37TH AFRICAN UNION(AU) SUMMIT

Apr 15, 2024

Q: What was the main focus of the 37th African Union Summit? A: The 37th African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, centered on various crucial issues, including education, climate, economy, and more. A significant focus was on the transformation of the global financial system to better address climate and development needs, particularly for African countries. Q: Why do African leaders ... Read More...

Disaster Management and Himalayas

Apr 15, 2024

The Risk of Natural Disasters in the Himalayas The Himalayan region accounted for 44 per cent of all the disasters reported in India Q: Why is the Himalayan region so prone to natural disasters? A: The Himalayas are a geologically dynamic region with several factors contributing to their vulnerability: Youthful Geology: The Himalayas are still actively forming, leading to frequent seismic activity, unstable slopes prone to lan... Read More...

Climate Change: Planning for Sustainability in Himalayan Towns

Apr 15, 2024

Q: Why can't traditional planning methods fully address the challenges of Himalayan towns? A: Here's why: Unique Geography: Slope, drainage, and vegetation significantly impact how much stress an area can withstand. Traditional planning often overlooks these factors. Climate Change: Increased extreme weather events (floods, landslides) demand a different approa... Read More...

India's Leopard Population

Apr 15, 2024

Q: How many leopards are there in India according to the latest report? A: The report estimates the pan-India leopard population at 13,874 individuals, with significant populations in Central India, the Western Ghats, and the Eastern Ghats. Q: How does this compare to previous estimates? A: This shows a stable and potentially growing population compared to 2018, indicating a positive trend in leopard conservation in India. Read More...

Single-Use Plastics in India

Apr 15, 2024

Q: What are single-use plastics (SUPs)? A: SUPs are plastic products designed to be used once and then discarded. Common examples include straws, plastic bags, cutlery, certain food packaging, and many more. Q: Why are single-use plastics a major problem? A: Here's why SUPs are harmful: Environmental pollution: SUPs often e... Read More...