ANSWER: D

 ANSWER: B

 ANSWER: C

ANSWER: B

• Recently in Budget 2023-24, the Finance Minister has announced that India will eliminate the sickle cell Anaemia condition in a mission mode by 2047.

Current Scenario

• India is the second-worst affected country in terms of predicted births with SCA — i.e. chances of being born with the condition.
• Research and screening programmes have found that the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies — disorders of the blood — is more common among tribal populations than non-tribal communities in India.
• SCA is prevalent in communities residing in areas where malaria is endemic. The sickle cell trait thus gave an evolutionary advantage, offering immunity to some people during malaria epidemics.
• Prevalence of SCA is higher in communities that practice endogamy, as the chances of having two parents with sickle cell trait is higher.

About sickle cell anaemia

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited (genetic) red blood cell disorders.
• Red blood cells (RBCs) contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the RBCs to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.”
• It is transmitted by parents carrying a defective ‘beta globin’ gene.
• The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of RBCs.
• When they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious complications (health problems) such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke.

Cure

• SCA is a genetic disorder, making complete “elimination” a challenge that requires a major scientific breakthrough. The only cure comes in the form of gene therapy and stem cell transplants — both costly and still in developmental stages.
  • Gene Therapy: The DNA inside the haemoglobin gene is edited to stop the disease.
  • Stem cells Transplant: the bone marrow affected by sickle cell anaemia is replaced with healthy bone marrow from a donor.
  • Blood Transfusion: RBCs are removed from donated blood and given to a patient, but challenges include a scarcity of donors, fears around safe supply of blood, risk of infection etc.

Efforts by India to eliminate SCA

• The Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Rural Health Mission in different States are undertaking outreach programmes for better management and control of the disease. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched a portal wherein people can register themselves, in order to collate all information related to SCA among tribal groups.
• The National Health Mission guideline on Hemoglobinopathies also identifies “establishing services at the community level for pre-marital and pre-conception screening backed by genetic counselling services” as a strategy for addressing SCA.
• In the Budget, the Union Health Minister said the government plans to distribute “special cards” across tribal areas and the mission will receive funding under the National Health Mission.
• The mission will entail awareness creation, universal screening of seven crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in effective tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and State governments.

 ANSWER: A

• Underwater noise emissions by ships pose threat to Indian marine species, as per a study.
• The noise results in injuries and changes in their behavioural response besides a shift in their migration route much to their loss.
• The measurement of the ambient noise levels was carried out by deploying a hydrophone autonomous system around 30 nautical miles from the Goa coastline.

Highlights of the Study

• Increased UNE Levels:The sound pressure levels of UNE in the Indian waters are 102-115 decibels, relative to one microPascal (dB re 1µ Pa). (Scientists have agreed to use 1µPa as the reference pressure for underwater sound).
• The East Coast level is slightly higher than that of the West. There is an increase by a significant value of about 20 dB re 1µPa.
• Factors: major source is continuous shipping movement.

Impact:

• The frequencies of ships’ underwater self-noise and machinery vibration levels are overlapping the marine species’ communication frequencies in the low-frequency range of less than 500 Hz.
• This is called masking, which may lead to a change in the migration route of the marine species to the shallow regions and also making it difficult for them to go back to the deeper water.
• However, the sound that radiates from ships on a long-term basis affects them and results in internal injuries, loss of hearing ability, change in behavioural responses, masking, and stress.
  • UNE is posing a threat to the life of mammals like Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees, Pilot Whale, Seal, and Sperm Whale.
  • The main form of energy for multiple behavioural activities of marine mammals, which include mating, communal interaction, feeding, cluster cohesion and foraging, is based on sound.

About Marine Sound Pollution

• Marine sound pollution is the excessive or harmful sound into the ocean environment. It is caused by a variety of human activities, such as shipping, military sonar, oil and gas exploration, and recreational activities like boating and jet skiing.
• It can have many negative impacts on marine life.

 ANSWER: D

• Recently, Sagar Parikrama Program Phase III was initiated by the Department of Fisheries from Surat, Hazira Port, Gujarat.
  • The Phase –I and Phase- II programmes of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ were organized in March 2022 and September 2022 respectively.
• Sagar Parikrama program shall be celebrated in all coastal States/UTs through a pre-decided sea route from Gujarat, Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands.
• The Parikrama shall be accompanied by the State Fisheries officials, Fishermen representatives, Fish-Farmers entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and Scientists from across the nation.

About

• Sagar Parikrama is an initiative of Government of India in the sea across the coastal belt demonstrating solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders as a spirit of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Objectives

• to resolve the issues of the fishers and other stakeholders.
• facilitate their economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes and programs being implemented by the Government of India such as PMMSY.
• to focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for the food security of the nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities.

 ANSWER: C

• A recent study shows that tsetse flies produce volatile pheromones that control their mating behaviour and the dangerous diseases they carry. With climate change projected to expand the areas in which tsetse flies can survive, more humans and animals are expected to be affected by these diseases in the coming years.
• Tsetse flies are known to carry parasites called African trypanosomes.
• When the insects bite humans or animals, they transmit these parasites, spreading diseases such as African sleeping sickness, which can be fatal to humans, and nagana, a disease that affects livestock and other animals.

ANSWER: A

• The growing demand for the popular Teja variety of red chilli, famous for its culinary, medicinal and other wide-ranging uses, in the export market is proving to be a boon for the Khammam Agriculture Market, Telangana.
  • Khammam district, the largest producer of the Teja variety of red chilli, is the leading exporter of pungent fruit.
• The huge demand for Oleoresin, a natural chilli extract, is mainly driving the export of Teja variety of red chilli from Khammam district to various spice processing industries in several Asian countries.
• Exported to China, Bangladesh and a few other south Asian countries.
• The pungent fruit is most sought after in China and various south Asian countries including Thailand due to its unique flavour and wider applications as a natural colouring agent.

 ANSWER: A

• Soil Health Card Day is celebrated on February 19 every year to celebrate launching of the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme in 2015.
  • 2015 was also marked as the International Year of Soils.

Objectives of Soil Health Card Scheme

• To issue soil health cards every two years to all farmers, so as to provide a basis to address nutrient deficiencies in fertilization practices.
  • Soil Health Card is a printed report that a farmer is given for each of his holdings. It contains the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely
    • N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), K (Potassium) [Macro-nutrients];
    • S (Sulphur) [Secondary- nutrient];
    • Zn (Zinc), Fe (Iron), Cu (Copper), Mn (Manganese), Bo (Boron) [Micro – nutrients]; and
    • pH levels , Electric Conductivity, Organic Carbon (Physical parameters).
  • Based on these, the SHC will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm.
• To strengthen functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) through capacity building, involvement of agriculture students and effective linkage with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
• To diagnose soil fertility related constraints with standardized procedures for sampling uniformly across states and analysis and design taluka / block level fertilizer recommendations in targeted districts.
• To develop and promote soil test based nutrient management in the districts for enhancing nutrient use efficiency.
• To provide financial assistance to farmers to apply corrective measures for deficiencies and popularizing balance and integrated nutrient management practices for their cropping systems.
• To build capacities of district and state level staff and of progressive farmers for promotion of nutrient management practices.

 ANSWER: D

• In India, Ayushmann Khurrana will represent UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund). The actor’s designation as the National Ambassador was announced by UNICEF.

About UNICEF

• UNICEF is an organisation of the United Nations tasked with delivering humanitarian and developmental aid to children all over the world.
• Formerly known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in full, UNICEF is now formally known as the United Nations Children’s Fund.
• Headquarters: New York, United States of America.

ANSWER: B

• Divya Kala Mela 2023 is a unique event showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country.
• It is a 10-day fair being organized at Mumbai by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).
• Around 200 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from about 24 states/UTs will be showcasing their products and skills at the fair.
• The event would present an enthralling experience to the visitors as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, Northeastern states, handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works, packaged food, etc. will be seen together.

 ANSWER: B

• The fourth iteration of the biennial training exercise DUSTLIK (2023) will be held in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, from February 20 to March 5, 2023, as part of a military-to-military exchange programme between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.

ANSWER: A

• For the first time, Himachal Pradesh (HP) has begun the commercial cultivation of liquor ice (Mulethi) with the distribution of planting material among the farmers by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT).
• Mulethi fetches high demand in India which is not only used as a spice but in ayurvedic medicines also due to its medicinal properties, presently it is largely imported from other countries.

About Mulethi

• Mulethi is a perennial shrub having sweet roots due presence of glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose and it is used as a natural sweetener in herbal medicines, flavouring in candies and tobacco. It is also used in traditional medicine against treating chest and lung diseases etc.
• Mulethi is grown mainly in Afghanistan, while minor producing countries include Pakistan, China, Nepal and India.
• India imports 8047 tonnes of liquorice annually from Afghanistan, China and Nepal.
• Realising the large import of liquorice in the country, it was envisioned to extend its production area through initiating organized cultivation after identifying the potential areas in HP The districts of Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Una, Solan and Sirmour in HP have potential areas for its cultivation.

 ANSWER: C

• The state government is planning to generate employment opportunities and boost the economy by strengthening the tourism sector in the state.
• The proposed ‘tent city’ at the Dhauladhars would have around 200 camps, which would be equipped with luxury and comfort elements.
• The government will also enhance the water sports facilities at the reservoirs of dams such as Chamera Dam in Chamba and Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur.
• The government will also promote mountain biking, golf, hot-air ballooning, heli-skiing, winter games such as snow marathon and ice hockey. It will also ensure basic amenities at the Bir-Billing paragliding site.
• The government will also develop 25 sites as tourist attraction places under the Vibrant Village Programme.