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1. Maramon Convention sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statement is correct regarding this?
(a) It is one of the largest Christian conventions in Asia.
(b) It is related to Protection of Human Health.
(c) It is related to Prevention from Toxic Substances arising from Benzene
(d) None of the above
2. Consider the following statements regarding Bodo Agreement.
1. The Agreement will provide political, economic, executive and land rights to Bodo tribals.
2. This Agreement proposes to set up a commission under Section 14 of the 6th Schedule to the Constitution of India.
3. It is the third tripartite agreement to end the violence in the Bodo region.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Consider the following statements with respect to The Rohingya.
1. Rohingya is an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, largely comprising Muslims.
2. They speak a dialect of Burmese language.
3. They reside predominantly in Rakhine state of Myanmar.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
4. Consider the following statements with Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India.
1. Asiatic Cheetahs are categorised as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List.
2. Nauradehi is found to be the most suitable area for the cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast movement of Cheetahs.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
5. The equator passes through which among the following countries of African continent?
1. Kenya
2. Malawi
3. Somalia
4. Uganda
5. Rwanda
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
1.Answer-a
Explanation-
The Maramon Convention, one of the largest Christian conventions in Asia, is held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organised by Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.
The origin and growth of this annual get-together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum during the reformation period in the Syrian Church’s of Kerala under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan in the latter part of 19th century. This brought about the transformation in resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church’s in Kerala founded by St. Thomas the Apostle approximately in AD 52. In the Syriac-speaking culture of upper Mesopotamia and Syria the apostle was called Judas Thomas. Thomas (Tau’ma) means twin in Syriac.
2.Answer-d
Explanation
Bodo Accord
The Centre, the Assam government and Bodo groups have signed an agreement for peace and development.
Bodos are the single largest community among the notified Scheduled Tribes in Assam. Part of the larger umbrella of Bodo-Kachari, the Bodos constitute about 5-6% of Assam’s population.
The Union government has recently signed an accord with the Assam-based different insurgent groups and civil societies including the National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
The tripartite agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Negotiations were held with Bodo organizations for a comprehensive and final solution to their demands while keeping intact the territorial integrity of Assam.
The accord will provide political, economic, executive and land rights to Bodo tribals and also will safeguard their cultural and linguistic identities.
The Centre and State Government will provide financial assistance of 1,500 crore rupees for the economic development of the community.
This agreement will maintain the territorial integrity of Assam and will also provide an opportunity for the holistic development of the Bodo community.
The current agreement proposes to set up a commission under Section 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, which will recommend the inclusion or exclusion of tribal population residing in villages adjoining BTAD areas.
The commission will include representatives of State Government and other stakeholders.
It will submit its recommendation within six months from the date of notification.
3. Answer-c
Explanation-
Rohingya are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, largely comprising Muslims, who predominantly live in the Western Myanmar province of Rakhine.
They speak a dialect of Bengali, as opposed to the commonly spoken Burmese language.
They are not recognised by the Myanmar government as an official ethnic group and are therefore denied citizenship.
While it is claimed that there were no Rohingyas in Myanmar before the British brought ‘Bengalis’ to Burma, there is sufficient evidence to show for the Rohingyas’ pre-existence.
They are often said to be the world’s most persecuted minority.
Thousands of Rohingya have been fleeing Myanmar, many of whom are moving to Bangladesh and India, which is leading to a refugee crisis.
4.Answer-c
Explanation-
The Supreme Court (SC) has recently given a green signal to introduction of African Cheetahs in a suitable area in India. This signal has revived a decade-long debate over the controversial plan first floated in 2009 and shot down by the SC in 2013.
Cheetahs are the only large carnivore to have gone extinct in India.
In 2009, the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh cleared a proposal to import a few cheetahs back in the Indian wild.
At a 2009 meeting, the Namibia-based Cheetah Conservation Fund offered to help bring in African cheetahs in stages over the next decade, possibly starting in early 2012.
By 2010, India’s cheetah plan was ready and the Centre approved Rs 50 crore for the programme in 2011.
In 2012, the SC stayed the cheetah plan and in 2013, it ordered translocation of lions while quashing the plan to introduce African cheetahs to Kuno-Palpur.
The cheetah plan was revived in 2017 when the government sought the SC permission to explore possibilities to reintroduce cheetahs from Africa to suitable sites other than Kuno-Palpur.
The 3rd National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) released in 2017 said that the identification of an alternative home for the Asiatic lion will be completed during 2018-2021.
Then, Kuno resurfaced as a potential cheetah site in the court. But, much of its grasslands have naturally progressed to woodlands, they are not suitable for the African import.
In the sanctuary, there is barely any presence of the four-horned antelope, chinkara or blackbuck – potential prey for the cheetah.
Nauradehi in Madhya Pradesh will be the host to the first batch of imported animals, as other sites were not feasible. Wolves are the keystone species in Nauradehi and would have to compete with cheetahs.
The Madhya Pradesh forest department has only sought to revive the reintroduction project, by writing to the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Nauradehi was found to be the most suitable area for the cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast movement of the spotted cat.
5 Answer-b
Explanation-
Countries On The Equator
The Equator passes through the land of 11 countries of the world. Also, the equator traverses the territories of two island nations but does not make a landfall in either. The 11 countries traversed by the equator include São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.
Some notable aquatic features through which the Equator passes include the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Victoria, the Indian Ocean, the Karimata Strait, the Makassar Strait, the Gulf of Tomini, Molucca Sea, Halmahera Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.