June 16-17-18-2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

• A Pakistani delegation, along with a World Bank-appointed neutral expert, is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to discuss and examine hydroelectric projects.
• Article IX of the Indus Waters Treaty is a dispute resolution mechanism – graded at three levels to resolve a difference or a dispute related to projects on the Indus waters.
• Firstly, either party has to inform the other side if they are planning projects on the Indus river with all the information that is required or asked for by the other party. This process is done at the level of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC).
• If the question raised by the other is not resolved, then the level is raised and the question becomes a difference. The second grade is the World Bank appointing a neutral expert to resolve the differences.
• If a neutral expert cannot resolve the issue, the difference becomes a dispute. It is only then that the matter goes to a Court of Arbitration (CoA) whose chair is appointed by the World Bank.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

• India hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Kochi.
• Organised by: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• India last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

Statement 1 is correct

• The original twelve Parties to the Treaty and those Parties that demonstrate their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial research activity are together called the Consultative Parties.
• From 1961 to 1994, the ATCM met every two years. Since 1994, the meetings are annual.
• They meet to exchange information, consult on common interests in Antarctica, and formulate and recommend measures to their governments.
• The meetings are hosted by Consultative Parties in alphabetical order of their English names.

Statement 2 is not correct

• ATCM approval is required for new construction or initiatives in Antarctica.
• Only Consultative Parties participate in decision-making.
• Consultative status is open to any country that can demonstrate its commitment to Antarctica by conducting significant research.

• India is not among the Original signatories.
  • Original signatories to the Antarctic: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983.

• Saudi Arabia became the latest entrant to the club, taking the total Antarctic Treaty parties now to 57.

Answer: (a) 1 and 4; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The sanctuary is spread across an area of 368.62 sq km, in the districts of Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) in western MP, right on the border with Rajasthan.

  

Statement 2 is correct

• It sits atop a flat rocky plateau, with the Chambal river cutting the sanctuary into two almost equal halves.
• The Gandhi Sagar dam, constructed on the river in 1960, lies within the area of the sanctuary, and so does parts of its reservoir, 726 sq km large in area and third largest in the country.

Statement 3 is correct

• Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters are also part of the same Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary.
• The Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters date from the pre-pastoral (over 6,000-12,000 years old) to the early medieval age (10th century) and are often compared to the UNESCO-approved Bhimbetka rock shelters.
• These paintings use shades of red, ochre, white and black.
• These paintings depict ancient lifestyles, such as men riding cattle, women dancing, warriors marching, and hunting scenes portraying rhinos, hump-less cattle, and deer being chased and hunted with arrows.

Statement 4 is correct

• Just like in Kuno, the leopard population in Gandhi Sagar will pose a threat to cheetahs, with the two feline predators competing for the same prey, and possibly even clashing with each other in wild encounters.

Answer: (d) All four; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

• In recent years, Europe has seen a significant rise in locally transmitted dengue cases, with 2022 and 2023 surpassing the combined total of the past seven decades.
• Factors Contributing to the Rise in Locally Transmitted Dengue Cases:
  • Extended periods of warm conditions facilitate mosquito breeding and increase mosquito populations.
  • Aedes albopictus mosquitoes have spread across Europe, particularly in Mediterranean and Central European regions, thriving near densely populated areas. I
  • ncreased Travel-Related Transmission: With global dengue cases doubling from 2010 to 2022, travellers returning from endemic regions contribute to the virus’s spread.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

• The Kafala system, prevalent in the Gulf countries, is a complex of laws and practices that ensure the state and citizens hold all the power.
• At the same time, individual migrants are treated as temporary.
• It ties migrant workers’ visas to their employers and allows employers significant control over workers’ lives, including housing, food, and transportation.
• This system is the root cause of the vulnerability and exploitation of migrant workers in the region.
• Low wages and restricted movement prevent workers from challenging poor conditions.
• The absence of worker unions further silences them and hampers their ability to organise for better rights.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, GCC states, including Kuwait, confined migrants in crowded accommodations, limiting access to services and deporting thousands.

Answer: (c) Migrant Worker; Difficulty Level: Medium