Current Affairs Quiz Today – 22nd Dec. 2020

Answer: The United Kingdom and France

ANS: Both 1 and 2

Explanation

• The ‘Status of leopards in India, 2018’report released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change states that there has been a “60% increase in the population count of leopards in India from 2014 estimates’’.
• The 2014 estimates placed the population of leopards at nearly 8,000 which has increased to 12,852.
• The largest number of leopards have been estimated in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).
• Region wise distribution:
  • Central India and Eastern Ghats have the highest number of leopards at 8,071.
  • Western Ghats:3,387 leopards
  • Shivalik and Gangetic Plains:1,253 leopards. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Northeast hills: 141 leopards

• Conservation Status:
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Vulnerable. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • CITES: Appendix I
    • Appendix I: It lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
    • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule 1
    • Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection to threatened species. Offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.

Answer: Intense winter period of Kashmir valley

Explanation

• ‘Chillai Kalan’ is the 40-day intense winter period started in Kashmir valleyon 21^st December with sub-zero night temperatures across the region. Hence, option C is correct.
• It will continue till January 31
• Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai-Khurd and Chillai-Bachha.
• Considered to be the core of winter, Chillai Kalan usually brings snowfall, sub-zero temperatures causing freezing of water bodies including the Dal lake, closure of highways, etc.

ANS: Both 1 and 2

Explanation

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

• C-DOT was established in 1984 as an autonomous Telecom Research & Development (R&D) centre of DoT, Government of India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is a registered ‘public funded research institution’with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology.
• The Union Cabinet recently cleared a proposal by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to set up public Wi-Fi access network interfaces called ‘PM-WANI’. These would be provided through Public Data Offices (PDOs).
• A central registry will be set-up which will maintain details of all app providers, PDOAs and PDOs. The registry will be handled by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT). Hence, statement 2 is correct

ANS: Both (b) and (c)

Explanation:

• What is the ‘Christmas Star’ conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter?
  • After nearly 400 years, Saturn and Jupiter the two largest planets in our solar system will be brought closest in the night sky by an astronomical event called the “great conjunction” and popularly referred to as the “Christmas Star”.
• So, what is the “Great Conjunction”?

• A conjunction is not unique to Saturn and Jupiter however, it is the name given to any event where planets or asteroids appear to be very close together in the sky when viewed from the Earth.
• Astronomers use the word “great” for the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn because of the planets’ sizes.
• The “Great Conjunction” happens once in about 20 years because of the time each of the planets take to orbit around the Sun.