10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #80 February 5, 2020

Explanation: Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps. Coastal wetlands include saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs. Fish ponds, rice paddies, and saltpans are human-made wetlands. 2 February each year is World Wetlands Day to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Wetlands and Biodiversity is the theme for 2020. Wetlands are rich with biodiversity and are a habitat for a dense variety of plant and animal species. Latest estimates show a global decline of biodiversity, while wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. This year’s theme is a unique opportunity to highlight wetland biodiversity, its status, why it matters and promote actions to reverse its loss.

Explanation: India is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) surpassing the burden of Communicable diseases like water-borne or vector-borne diseases, TB, HIV, etc. The Non-Communicable Diseases like Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), Cancer, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Diabetes and other NCDs are estimated to account for around 60% of all deaths, thus making them the leading causes of death. Losses due to premature deaths due to these NCDs are also projected to increase over the years. Therefore, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) was launched in 2010 in 100 districts across 21 States, in order to prevent and control the major NCDs. The main focus of the programme is on health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral of cases, besides strengthening the infrastructure and capacity building. The funds are being provided to States under NCD Flexi-Pool through State PIPs of respective States/UTs, with the Centre to State share in ratio of 60:40 (except for North-Eastern and Hilly States, where the share is 90:10).

Explanation: The maternity benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) are available to all Pregnant Women and Lactating Mother (PW&LM), except those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force, for first living child in all parts of the country, including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Under PMMVY, maternity benefit of ₹ 5,000/- is provided in three installments to eligible PW&LM during the period of pregnancy and lactation.

Explanation: The Gram nayalayas Act passed by Parliament in 2008 provided for setting up of ‘Gram Nyayalayas’ at the grass roots level for providing access to justice to citizens at the doorstep and to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to anyone by reason of social, economic or other disabilities. Recently the Supreme Court has directed the states, which are yet come out with notifications for establishing ‘Gram Nyayalayas’, to do so within four weeks, and asked the high court’s to expedite the process of consultation with state governments on this issue.

Explanation: The Chola Dynasty port city Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu that vanished from maritime history around 1,000 years ago will be digitally reconstructed by a consortium led by the Department of Science and Technology. The reconstruction of Poompuhar is a part of DST’s Indian Digital Heritage (IDH) project. The project involves underwater surveys and photography by remotely operated vehicles and remote sensing-based geodynamic studies to bring out comprehensive information on the time series evolution and extinction.