10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #9 August 10, 2019

Explanation: CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union). The Convention was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington DC, USA on 3 March 1973, and on 1 July 1975 CITES entered in force. CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention (‘joined’ CITES) are known as Parties. Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, in other words they have to implement the Convention. It does not take the place of national laws.
Annexes I, II and III list the species covered by the Convention
•Appendix I includes all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade. Trade in specimens of these species must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger further their survival and must only be authorized in exceptional circumstances.
•Appendix II includes:
all species which although not necessarily now threatened with extinction may become so unless trade in specimens of these species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival; and
other species which must be subject to regulation in order that trade in specimens of certain species referred to in subparagraph above may be brought under effective control [e.g. species that are similar in appearance to those included in Appendix II].
•Appendix III includes all species which any Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the control of trade. The Parties may not allow trade in specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III except in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
•Appendix IV contains the information to be included in a CITES permit or certificate.

Explanation: Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) has released its latest variety, Arka Suprabath, much to the delight of fruit connoisseurs. Developed by crossing four different varieties, the Arka Suprabath tree is said to live for up to 60 years. It is a double-cross hybrid developed by using parents Amrapali (which is a cross of Dashehari and Neelam) and Arka Anmol (which is a cross of Alphonso and Janardhan Pasand). Arka Suprabath is a rare variety as it has got Alphonso shape with the pulp colour of Amrapali. Tastewise, it is sweet with less acidic properties (0.12%). Its deep orange firm pulp is less fibrous than other varieties. Alphonso tends to show irregular bearing after 15 to 20 years of cultivation, but Arka Suprabath grows consistently in bunches.

Explanation: As floodwaters gush to the Srisailam dam, the authorities have lifted four gates letting out over one lakh cusecs into the Krishna river. The dam has been getting heavy inflows, as much as 3.60 lakh cusecs, as rains lash Karnataka and Maharashtra. The authorities are also releasing 735 cusecs of water to the KC Canal through Muchumarri, 1,350 cusecs of water to Handri Neeva. The Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy is drawing 1,600 cusecs of water.

Explanation: Gujarati film ‘Hellaro’ was declared Best Feature Film winner while ‘Badhai Ho’ bagged the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Hindi movie ‘Padman’ was declared Best Film on Social Issues, while Kannada film ‘Ondalla Eradalla’ got Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.
Ayushman Khurana and Vicky Kaushal jointly won Best Actor Award for their performances in ‘Andhadhun’ and ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, while Keerthy Suresh was declared winner of Best Actress trophy for her performance in Telugu movie ‘Mahanati’. Aditya Dhar won Best Director Award for ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’. Marathi movie Naal got the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director. ‘Andhadhun’ won the Best Hindi film Award.
Uttarakhand was declared the Most Film Friendly State.

Explanation: Expressing its abhorrence over the rising incidents of lynching across the country, the 2018 Supreme Court bench comprising the then Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud issued several guidelines as preventive measures. The Manipur Assembly has passed a bill which recommends life imprisonment for those involved in mob violence, if it results in the death of a person.
Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 gets passed, and Rajasthan became the second State after Manipur to have a dedicated law criminalizing mob lynching as a special offence.
Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 aims to provide for effective protection of the Constitutional rights of vulnerable persons, to punish the acts of lynching, to provide for designated courts for the expeditious trial of such offences, for rehabilitation of victims of mob lynching and their families and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.