1) South Lhonak Glacier, sometimes seen in the news recently, is located in which of the following states?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
South Lhonak Glacier
The recent flood situations in Sikkim was due to Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that was triggered by the South Lhonak Glacier.
The South Lhonak glacier is located in northern part of the Sikkim.
It is one of the fastest retreating glaciers.
The glacier receded nearly 2 km in for the past 46 years (1962 to 2008).
It further retreated by 400m (approximately) from 2008 to 2019.
There are an estimated 7,500 glaciers in the Himalayas which have caused Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), have been associated with major disasters through the years.
Sikkim, comprising 0.5 % of India's landmass, has 84 glaciers, the largest number as compared to any other state or union territory.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to Kaaka Aazhi, sometimes seen in the news recently
Mytella strigata is a mussel species referred locally as ‘kaaka aazhi’.
It is an invasive species native to South America.
It spreads over the riverbed and prevents prawn from grazing.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Mussel Species
Recently National Green Tribunal has sought a report on removal of invasive mussel species from Ennore-Pulicat wetland of Tamil Nadu.
‘Mytella strigata’ is an invasive South American mussel species.
Mytella strigata is referred locally as ‘kaaka aazhi’.
It is wiping out the locally prevalent and commercially valuable yellow clams (manja matti) and green mussels (pachai aazhi).
It has spread over the riverbed, preventing prawns from grazing or burying themselves in the sediment.
Because of the invasive mussels, the river bottom is suffocated with one foot-deep sludge of black, foul-smelling slimy excreta.
kaaka aazhi is not an alien species as it has an entry in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA).
‘Unionidae’ is the largest family of freshwater mussels that is found mostly in USA.
The National Green Tribunal do not have jurisdiction over the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to the Yom Kippur war
It was fought between Israel on one side and Egypt and Syria on the other side.
It is a war prior to the Six-Day War of 1967.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Yom Kippur war
The recent surprise attack by Hamas on Israel has brought back memories of the Yom Kippur war, which started 50 years ago that reset equations in the Middle East forever.
The other names of the Yom Kippur war includes October War, the Ramadan War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War.
The war was fought between Israel on one side and Egypt and Syria on the other.
The Six-Day War of 1967 – Is a brief war that took place “between” June 5–10, 1967 and was the third of the Arab-Israeli wars.
Israel won the war and captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt Golan Heights from Syria Gaza Strip, West Bank and Old City of Jerusalem.
To retaliate and desperate of acquiring lost territories the Yom Kippur war was initiated by Egypt and Syria in 1973, on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
After the ceasefire by the UN, a peace process was set in motion.
Under the 1978 Camp David Accords, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
The 1979 Egyptian–Israeli peace treaty was the first instance of an Arab country recognising Israel as a state.
4) Consider the following statements with respect to the Hirakud Reservoir
It is a human-made reservoir located in Odisha.
It is one of the Ramsar sites in India.
Hirakud dam is built across the river Mahanadi.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Hirakud Reservoir
The recent findings published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’ indicate that High levels of cancer-causing heavy metals such as lead and chromium have been found in 8 wetlands in Odisha, including Hirakud.
Hirakud Reservoir is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in India, built across the Mahanadi River.
Hirakud Reservoir is located in the north western part of Odisha.
It provides habitat for over 130 bird species and about 54 fish.
21 fish species are economically important to the region as they provide a total yield of 480 tonnes per year, supporting the livelihoods of over 7,000 fishermen.
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Surkhab Birds
It is endemic to Indian Subcontinent.
They are also called as ruddy shelduck.
These migratory birds has ‘Least Concern’ status in the IUCN.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Surkhab Birds
Recently the first batch of about 50 members of the Surkhab birds have arrived in Asan Barrage, barrage in the Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border region for 6 month winter stay.
Surkhab birds is also known as Ruddy Shelduck and Brahminy duck.
It is a member of the family Anatidae, the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese and swans.
It has orange-brown body plumage with a paler head, while the tail and the flight feathers in the wings are black, contrasting with the white wing-coverts.
It is distributed across Europe, Asia, Indian Subcontinent and a few pockets in Africa.
It is a migratory bird, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and breeding in South Eastern Europe and Central Asia, though there are small resident populations in North Africa.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) status is "Least Concern".
