Daily Prelims Quiz : Issues relating to the development and management of social sector

Answer: Option B- Kerala

Explanation:

• The new damselfly species Euphaea wayanadensis was discovered in the Wayanad region of Kerala’s Western Ghats.
• Identified by scientists from Kerala and Maharashtra, it belongs to the family Euphaeidae.
• The species thrives in fast-flowing streams within evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
• With a highly restricted habitat, conservation efforts are crucial for its survival.
• This discovery marks Kerala’s 191st odonate species and the 223rd recorded in the Western Ghats.

Answer: Option A - Chandrayaan-3 (India)

Explanation:

• Chandrayaan-3’s ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) became the first instrument to successfully measure temperatures beneath the Moon’s surface.
• The probe used a rotation-based mechanism to penetrate the lunar soil, providing critical temperature data.
• Other missions like Chang’e 4, Luna 25, and Blue Ghost Mission 1 focused on other scientific objectives but did not achieve subsurface temperature measurements due to design limitations.

Answer: Option A - Amazon rainforest conservation activist and tribal empowerment efforts.

Explanation:

• Raoni Metuktire is a Brazilian indigenous chief and a longtime advocate for the protection of the Amazon rainforest.
• He has been actively fighting against illegal mining, logging, and deforestation, while also working to empower indigenous communities.
• His recent efforts include urging the Brazilian government to stop a proposed oil mega-project in the Amazon, which threatens indigenous lands and biodiversity.

Answer: Option D - It naturally maintains Earth's temperature but human actions can intensify it.

Explanation:

• The greenhouse effect is a natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat, maintaining Earth's temperature for life.
• However, human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation increase these gases, intensifying the effect and causing global warming.
• Unlike ultraviolet radiation, which is mostly blocked by the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect involves trapping infrared radiation.
• While essential for survival, excessive greenhouse gas emissions disrupt climate balance, leading to environmental issues.

Answer: Option B - Myanmar

Explanation:

• The Sagaing Fault is a 1,400 km-long strike-slip fault in Myanmar, one of the most seismically active regions in Southeast Asia.
• It accommodates 50-55% of plate motion, with a slip rate of 15-25 mm per year, making it prone to major earthquakes.
• The recent earthquake occurred due to the high seismic activity along this fault, causing widespread destruction, especially in Mandalay, due to amplified seismic energy in alluvial soil.