Current Affairs MCQs – July 03

With reference to Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) in India, consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity Heritage Sites may be declared to protect areas containing wild ancestors of domesticated crop species.
2. They are notified by the State Government on the recommendation of the State Biodiversity Board, in consultation with local bodies.
3. Once notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, all traditional livelihood activities and ownership rights within the area cease to exist.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

• The Borjuli wetland in Assam, known for harbouring a wild rice species called Oryza rufipogon, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).

Statement 1 is correct

• Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) may be declared for areas possessing unique biodiversity values, including the presence of wild ancestors of domesticated or cultivated species. For example, Assam’s Borjuli wetland harbours Oryza rufipogon, the wild progenitor of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa), making it an important genetic resource for climate-resilient agriculture.

Statement 2 is correct

• BHS are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 by the State Government, based on the recommendation of the State Biodiversity Board and in consultation with the concerned local bodies.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Unlike National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries, notification as a Biodiversity Heritage Site does not generally affect ownership rights or impose major restrictions on traditional livelihood practices. The objective is biodiversity conservation while allowing sustainable community use.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Easy

 GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN?

1. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity.
2. It will allow more uniform and high-quality air traffic management.
3. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1 and 2 only

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• GAGAN is designed to provide additional accuracy, integrity, and availability of GPS signals.
• It enables users to rely on satellite-based navigation for all phases of flight, from en route to precision approaches at airports.
• GAGAN also provide the capability for increased accuracy in position reporting, allowing for more uniform and high-quality Air Traffic Management (ATM).

Statement 3 is incorrect

• In addition, GAGAN provide benefits beyond aviation to all modes of transportation, including maritime, highways, and railroads.

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), consider the following statements:

1. The scheme adopts decentralised state-level planning with project-based execution to improve irrigation and water-use efficiency.
2. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) focuses on promoting micro-irrigation technologies to maximise water-use efficiency at the farm level.
3. The Integrated Watershed Management Programme was subsumed under PMKSY.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• PMKSY is implemented in an area development mode through decentralized State-level planning and projectized execution, providing an end-to-end solution across the irrigation supply chain—from water sources and distribution networks to efficient on-farm water application and extension services.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) aims to create new water sources through minor irrigation (surface and groundwater) and expand cultivable areas under assured irrigation. Promoting micro-irrigation and improving farm-level water-use efficiency is the objective of the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of the Department of Land Resources was subsumed under PMKSY and now functions under its Watershed Development component to improve the productivity of rainfed and degraded lands.

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to India–Japan bilateral relations, consider the following statements:

1. JIMEX, Dharma Guardian, and Veer Guardian are bilateral military exercises conducted respectively between the navies, armies, and air forces of India and Japan
2. Japan became the first country to conclude a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with a non-NPT state when it signed the agreement with India in 2016.
3. The Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission is a joint mission of ISRO and JAXA to investigate water ice near the Moon’s south pole.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• JIMEX (Navy), Dharma Guardian (Army), Veer Guardian (Air Force), Malabar (multilateral naval exercise between US-India-Japan-Australia).

Statement 2 is correct

• The 2016 India–Japan Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement made Japan the first country to extend civil nuclear cooperation to a non-NPT state. The agreement also contains a provision permitting its termination in the event of an Indian nuclear test.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission is a collaborative mission between ISRO and JAXA to explore the Moon’s south polar region, with the objective of studying and confirming the presence of water ice and advancing lunar science and exploration.

Answer: (c) All three; Difficulty Level: Easy