UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 26th JUNE 2021

Solution (a)

According to a global study by an NGO Cotton 2040, Climate change could expose half of all global cotton-growing regions, including India, to high risks from temperature increases, changes in rainfall patterns and extreme weather events by 2040.

The study further revealed that while this temperature increase ranges from very low to very high risk, half of the world’s cotton-growing regions will face drastic changes with high or very high-risk exposure to at least one climate hazard.

Cotton makes up about 31 per cent of all raw material used in the global textile market, with a yearly economic impact of over USD 600 billion.

India is the highest cotton producing country globally, engaging around 60 million people directly or indirectly in its cotton value chain, with about 40 to 50 million people employed in the cotton trade and its processing. The majority of Indian cotton is grown on small farms of less than 1 hectare.

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana are three of India’s major cotton-growing states followed by Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

Article Link: Half of global cotton growing regions may face severe climate risks

Solution (c)

The Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Programme which is jointly launched by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is intended to support developing countries to strengthen national tax administrations through building audit capacity and to share this knowledge with other countries.

The TIWB Programme aims to strengthen tax administrations of developing countries by transferring technical know-how and skills to their tax auditors, and through the sharing of general audit practices and dissemination of knowledge products with them.

The TIWB Programme complements the efforts of the international community to strengthen cooperation on tax matters and contribute to domestic tax mobilisation efforts of developing countries. India has been supportive in capacity building in tax matters in developing countries.

India being a global leader in this respect has a very important role to play in South-South Cooperation in tax matters.

Related Links: Bhutan’s Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) programme launched in partnership with India

Solution (d)

The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth’s only continent without a native human population. 

For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. 

The treaty entered into force in 1961 and currently has 54 parties. India became a member of this treaty in 1983. The original signatories were the 12 countries active in Antarctica. They were: : Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The treaty is remarkably short and contains only 14 articles. Principal provisions include promoting the freedom of scientific research, the use of the continent only for peaceful purposes, and the prohibition of military activities, nuclear tests and the disposal of radioactive waste.

Article Link: The Antarctic Treaty is turning 60

Solution (b)

Build Back Better World (B3W) is an initiative undertaken by G7 countries. 

The initiative is designed to counter China’s strategic influence by providing an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative for the infrastructural development of the low and middle income countries.

Led by the United States, the G7 countries will provide around $40 trillion to the developing countries by 2035 under the plan. The funds will be generated from the private sector and will be invested to improve conditions in “climate, health and health security, digital technology, and gender equity and equality”.

Article Link: G7 rivals China with grand infrastructure plan

Solution (a)

The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and thus forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. 

The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state.

The National Chambal Sanctuary is located along river Chambal, is known for critically endangered ghariyal, the red- crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganga river dolphin.