ANSWER: A

• The International Civil Aviation Day was observed on December 7, 2021 to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States.

About International Civil Aviation Day

• The day also aims to throw light on the unique role of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in helping States to cooperate and realize a global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

International Civil Aviation Day theme 2021

• The ICAO Council has established a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day every five years that coincide with the ICAO anniversaries such as 2014, 2019, 2014 and 2029. The council representatives choose a single theme for full 4-year intervening period between the anniversaries.
• The International Civil Aviation Day theme from now till 2023 will be “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.

International Civil Aviation Day Significance

• The importance of civil aviation as an engine of global connectivity is even more relevant now as the United Nations and world nations have adopted Agenda 2030 and have embarked towards a new era in global sustainable development.

ANSWER: A

• The comet, also known as C/2021 A1, will appear brighter as it nears Earth’s horizon during its flyby during December, 2021.

About Comet C/2021 A1

• The comet, named Leonard after the astronomer Gregory Leonard, who discovered it earlier this year, is likely to be bright when it makes its closest approach to Earth on December 12.
• In fact, the comet is still visible in the sky in the east, before sunrise. Stargazers can spot it between the Big Dipper’s handle and Arcturus, one of the brightest stars seen from Earth.
• NASA says the comet, also known as C/2021 A1, will appear brighter as it nears Earth’s horizon during its flyby. This will make it difficult for stargazers to view it. However, after the close encounter on December 12, the comet will be visible in the evening sky, especially right after sunset, around December 14, says the space agency.

ANSWER: B

• The Nagaland government has recently scraped the Hornbill festival celebrations

About Hornbill festival

• Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal interaction.
• It is one of the largest indigenous festival organised by the state government of Nagaland to promote tourism in the state.
• The festival is celebrated annually in the first week of December in order to preserve, protect and revive the uniqueness and richness of the Naga heritage.
• The festival is considered the “Festival of Festivals” in Nagaland.
• The festival is named after the bird – Hornbill which is the most revered and admired bird for the Nagas.
• The festival is a tribute to this bird, known for its qualities of grandeur and alertness.
• The bird is also closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas, as reflected in various tribal dances, songs and folklores.
• Hornbill festival exposes the culture and tradition of the tribal people and reinforces the identity of the Nagaland.

ANSWER: C

• PANEX-21 a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise is being held in the backdrop of the emergence of the Omicron variant.

About PANEX-21

• It is to be held for the BIMSTEC countries. It is a multinational disaster relief exercise. The exercise is to be held among the BIMSTEC countries: Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
• The aim of the exercise is to foster joint planning and build regional cooperation for responding to natural disasters.
• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a body of seven countries for cooperation in areas of common interests. PANEX 21 is planned to be conducted at Pune from December 20-22, 2021.
• The exercise will be based on three scenarios built on the theme of disaster management in the backdrop of a pandemic. The participants will be divided into eight syndicates, with one syndicate each from the participating countries and two syndicates from India.
• The exercise will look at analysing capabilities of member states and share best practices, review existing procedures for notification, preparedness and response and recommend the evolution of an organised structure with mechanisms for response to disasters including capability development, training, the regional pool of experts. Protocols for military-to-military cooperation will also be discussed.

ANSWER: D

• Tamil Nadu has declared 5,151 hectares of Kaliveli wetlands in Villupuram as bird sanctuary.

About Kaliveli wetalnds

• Kaliveli wetland system is one of the largest waterfowl congregation sites in Tamil Nadu, and a well-known raptor roosting site for some bird species.
• Tamil Nadu government on Monday has declared 5,151.60 hectares of swamp/wetlands in Villupuram district as Kazhuveli Wetland Birds Sanctuary effectively putting brakes on some of the controversial infra projects proposed in the ecologically sensitive region.
• The declaration was made in exercise of the power conferred in subsection (1) of section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Kazhuveli or Kaliveli wetland system is one of the largest waterfowl congregation sites in Tamil Nadu, and a well-known raptor roosting site for species like the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Red-necked Falcon and several harriers. The Grey-tailed Tattler, a rare migratory wader, has been recorded only here and in Pulicat across the country.
• Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary will be the 16th Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and will help to preserve the biological diversity of the region and conserve the future of threatened bird species in their natural environments.