Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• The Thadou community is not associated with Sikkim. Instead, Sikkim is home to communities like the Bhutia, Lepcha, and Limbu, who form significant portions of the state’s indigenous population. These communities have unique cultural identities tied to the Himalayan region.
• The Thadou community is primarily found in Manipur and is one of the oldest and largest non-Naga tribes in the state. Recently, the Thadous voiced support for the Manipur government’s initiatives, including the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the campaign against drugs. This highlights the community’s active role in regional socio-political issues. The Thadous, like other tribes in Manipur, have a distinct cultural identity and history within the northeastern region of India. (Option (b) is correct)
• Rajasthan is known for its rich diversity of tribal communities such as the Meena, Bhil, and Garasia tribes, each with unique cultural practices rooted in the desert and Aravalli regions of the state.
• Himachal Pradesh has indigenous communities like the Gaddi, Kinnaura, and Lahaula, who are primarily concentrated in the mountainous areas and have distinct traditions tied to the Himalayan culture.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur/manipurs-thadou-community-extends-support-to-nrc/article68828679.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Kalka-Shimla Railway is indeed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was recognized as part of the Mountain Railways of India heritage sites in 2008, along with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. This heritage status was given due to its historical significance and engineering marvels that navigate challenging mountainous terrain. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Kalka-Shimla Railway primarily runs through mountainous terrain, with steep gradients and numerous curves. The railway covers a distance of 96 km, passing through 102 tunnels, 864 bridges, and over 900 curves, making it an engineering feat. It was designed to access Shimla, a hill station located in the Himalayas. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Kalka-Shimla Railway is currently powered by diesel locomotives, not green hydrogen. Although India is exploring hydrogen-based technologies for trains, the Kalka-Shimla line has not yet adopted this energy source. Diesel engines are commonly used on this route due to the rugged terrain and reliability. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Kalka-Shimla Railway was constructed by the British in 1903 to establish a reliable connection between Shimla—the summer capital of British India—and the rest of the Indian railway network. This railway facilitated administrative and logistical operations and allowed easier access to Shimla’s cooler climate for British officials. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/himachal-pradesh/himachal-urges-centre-to-explore-possibility-of-running-trains-on-green-hydrogen-on-kalka-shimla-heritage-rail-track/article68828638.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC in 2015, includes the provision for setting a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.
• Article 9 of the Paris Agreement stipulates that developed countries shall provide financial resources to assist developing countries with respect to both mitigation and adaptation. It also calls for setting a new collective quantified goal from a floor of USD 100 billion per year, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries, before 2025.
• This NCQG is intended to build upon the existing commitment and aims to scale up climate finance to meet the increasing needs of developing nations in combating climate change. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, was the first major international treaty under the UNFCCC that set legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. It did not include provisions for a new collective quantified goal on climate finance like the NCQG. The Kyoto Protocol focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and Emissions Trading.
• The Cancun Agreements were outcomes of COP16 held in 2010. These agreements formalized the commitment by developed countries to mobilize USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.
• The Glasgow Climate Pact was adopted at COP26 in 2021. While it emphasized accelerating efforts to meet the USD 100 billion climate finance goal and urged developed countries to fully deliver on this commitment urgently, it did not specifically establish the NCQG.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/time-for-action-on-the-climate-conference-huddle-in-baku/article68829617.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Sterols are a subgroup of steroids that are essential components of cell membranes in plants, animals, and fungi. They play a crucial role in maintaining cell structure and function. Different organisms have distinct sterols: cholesterol is predominant in animals, while phytosterols are found in plants, and ergosterol in fungi. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Sterols, such as cholesterol, help to modulate membrane fluidity and make membranes more rigid by stabilizing the structure of the lipid bilayer. This rigidity is particularly important in maintaining cell shape and integrity, as well as in facilitating proper cell signalling and function. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Cholesterol is the primary sterol found in humans and other animals. It is crucial for maintaining cell membrane stability, producing steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. Cholesterol’s presence in human cell membranes helps regulate fluidity and permeability, making it essential for various biological processes. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/unexpected-link-between-nickel-toxicity-cholesterol-levels-found/article68827699.ece#:~:text=The%20researchers%20also%20grew%20human,ergosterol%20reduction%20in%20C.%20neoformans.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework includes a target to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, often referred to as the “30×30” target. This goal is part of the broader commitment to conserving biodiversity and addressing ecosystem degradation globally. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The framework also addresses pollution reduction, specifically targeting plastics and pesticide use, to help protect biodiversity. This provision aims to reduce environmental contamination that threatens ecosystems and species, especially in sensitive habitats. (Statement 2 is correct)
• While the framework includes financial commitments, it does not mandate annual contributions. It encourages developed countries to increase funding, with a target of mobilizing at least USD 200 billion per year by 2030 for biodiversity initiatives globally, including support for developing countries. However, this is a target rather than a strict mandate for annual contributions. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/ahead-of-cop29-rich-countries-expect-private-money-to-fill-green-funding-gap-analysis/article68827790.ece