Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Assam is part of India’s Northeast region, which shares power grids with neighboring countries like Bhutan and Bangladesh. Some power projects in the region contribute to cross-border energy supply, but they do not exclusively supply all their generated power to another country. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• West Bengal is part of the Eastern Regional Grid, which is interconnected with Bangladesh, and some power exchanges do occur, but no entire power plant in West Bengal is dedicated solely to exporting power. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Godda power plant in Jharkhand, operated by Adani Power, is India’s first transnational power project that supplies all the power generated to another nation, specifically Bangladesh. The plant has a capacity of 1,496 megawatts, and the power is supplied under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for 25 years. This agreement is significant as it marks a major step in energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh. (Option (c) is correct)
• Like Assam and West Bengal, Bihar is part of regional grids that are connected to neighboring countries, but there is no dedicated plant in Bihar for exporting all generated power. (Option (d) is incorrect)
• Chhukha Hydropower Plant, Bhutan exports most of its generated power to India.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-change-in-indias-power-export-rules-explained/article68544254.ece#:~:text=The%20story%20so%20far%3A%20On,in%20payments%20from%20partner%20countries.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Lungkar Valley and Nilung Valley are located in the Eastern Ladakh area of the Trans-Himalayan region. This region lies between the main Himalayan range and the Tibetan Plateau and is characterized by its arid, cold desert environment.
• These valleys are situated near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, making them geopolitically sensitive areas. The region recently garnered attention due to reports of Chinese yaks crossing into these valleys for grazing, which highlighted ongoing border issues and the importance of maintaining vigilance in these remote border areas. (Option (a) is correct)
• The North Eastern region of India is known for its lush hills, such as the Khasi and Jaintia hills, and famous valleys like the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Deccan Plateau region is located in southern India, characterized by its elevated landmass and rivers like the Godavari and Krishna. Famous valleys in this region include the Bhima Valley. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Chota Nagpur region is part of the Eastern Plateau in eastern India, rich in minerals and known for the Damodar Valley. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chinese-yaks-stray-onto-indian-side-held-by-villagers-in-eastern-ladakh/article68544052.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Ants do not use the waggle or circle dance but instead rely on pheromone trails to communicate with each other. When an ant finds food, it lays down a chemical trail on its way back to the colony, which other ants can follow to the food source. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Honeybees use the waggle dance and circle dance as a form of communication to inform other bees in the hive about the location of a flower patch rich in nectar or pollen. The waggle dance indicates both the distance and direction to the food source.
• The bee moves in a figure-eight pattern, where the straight part of the dance (the “waggle run”) shows the direction relative to the sun. The circle dance, on the other hand, only indicates the proximity of the food source without giving direction. (Option (b) is correct)
• Fireflies are known for their bioluminescent communication, where they emit light to attract mates. Different species of fireflies have unique flash patterns. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Termites communicate primarily through pheromones and vibrations. They do not have a specific dance like the honeybees. Termites can detect vibrations through the soil and use them to alert the colony to danger or to coordinate activities like tunnel construction. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/mandyam-srinivasan-of-bee-studies-fame-faces-misconduct-allegations/article68542267.ece#:~:text=Two%20scientists%20have%20flagged%20what,neuroscience%20at%20Queensland%20University%2C%20Brisbane.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Banni Grasslands are not located in Rajasthan but in the Kutch district of Gujarat. These grasslands are one of the largest tropical grasslands in Asia and are situated on the northern border of the Rann of Kutch. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• The Banni Grasslands fall under the Dichanthium-Cenchrus-Lasiurus type of grass cover. This classification refers to the dominant grasses found in these grasslands, which are adapted to the arid and semi-arid conditions of the region. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The Maldhari are a pastoral community residing in the Banni Grasslands. They are known for their traditional livestock-rearing practices, particularly of cattle, buffaloes, and camels. Many Maldharis speak Sindhi as they have historical connections with the Sindh region (now in Pakistan). (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://gec.gujarat.gov.in/Home/Bannigrassland & https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/how-the-banni-grasslands-of-kachchh-gujarat-can-be-restored/article68544243.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
• NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council). (Statement 1 is correct)
• NMCG has a two-tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee.
• Both of them are headed by Director General, NMCG. Executive Committee has been authorized to accord approval for all projects up to Rs.1000 crore.
• Similar to structure at national level, State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Implementation of the National Mission for Clean Ganga is undertaken across three phases –
  • Entry-level activities: Include immediate, visible-impact activities such as river surface cleaning, rural sanitation to prevent pollution entering the river through rural sewage drains, renovation, modernisation, and construction of crematoria & ghats to improvise the human-river connect.
  • Medium-term activities: comprise activities that arrest municipal and industrial pollution entering the river.
  • Long-term activities: consist of providing adequate flow to the river, enhancing usage efficiency, and improving efficiency of surface irrigation. It also includes preparation of guidelines on techno-economic practicability to implement zero liquid discharge (ZLD) treatment process. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://nmcg.nic.in/about_nmcg.aspx & https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/clean-ganga-mission-head-flags-extremely-slow-pace-of-project-expenditures/article68543219.ece#:~:text=In%20all%2C%20nearly%20%E2%82%B937%2C550,15%2C039%20crore%20of%20the%20latter.