UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 7th February 2024

·       It was adopted by the CBD in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010 and entered into force on October 12, 2014, 90 days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.

·       It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

·       It applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization.

·       It also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising from their utilization.

·       Key Facts about Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

·       CBD, with currently 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive binding international agreementin the field of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

·       It was opened for signing at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

·       Also known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC), the Messinian event was a geological event during which the Mediterranean Sea went intoa cycleof partial or nearly complete desiccation (drying up).

·       It was one of the most severe ecological crises in the Earth’s history.

·       The MSC began approximately 6 million years ago (MYA) and lasted until around 5.3 MYA.

How has it unfolded?

·       It began when the connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea was cut off.

·       This occurred due to a combination of lowered sea levels in the global oceans and collision between the European and African plates that caused the land to lift.

·       Normally, there is much more evaporation than precipitation over the Mediterranean Sea. This means that much more water is leaving than entering the sea.

·       Without a significant source of water from the Atlantic Ocean, this led to the evaporation of much of the Mediterranean Sea.

·       A large underground canyon formed, and rivers made deep incisionsinto the bottom of the basin. This canyon was much larger than the Grand Canyon and had a depth of up to 2,000 meters (6562 feet).

·       As the water in the Mediterranean evaporated, the salt that was in the water was left behind and began to build up in layerson the floor of the Mediterranean.

·       Two major salts that were deposited on the floor were Halite and Gypsum. Some of the salt deposit areas were 800 meters (2,500 feet) deep.

·       However, the salt in the Mediterranean did not deposit on the floor as quickly as the water was evaporating. This means that whatever water was left in the Mediterranean became very salty.

·       This high amount of salt in the water (also known as salinity) caused the Mediterranean to become deadly to all marine life.

·       The Mediterranean continued to dry up until there was almost no water left.

·       It ended with the Zanclean flood, when the Atlantic reclaimed the basin.

·       Mission: To build and share knowledge that drives regional policy and action and attracts investment that enables the diverse countries and communities of the HKH to transition to greener, more inclusive, and climate resilient development.

·       Functions

·       It serves the region through information and knowledge generation and sharing to find innovative solutions to critical mountain problems.

·       It bridges science with policies and on-the-ground practices.

·       It provides a regional platform where experts, planners, policymakers, and practitioners can exchange ideas and perspectives towards the achievement of sustainable mountain development.

·       Headquarter: Kathmandu, Nepal

·       It seeks to compile comprehensive information detailing the life, history, and ethos of Indian villages and to make the same available to virtual and real-time visitors.

·       Through MGMD, people will get an opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse and vibrant cultural heritage of India.

·       The core idea behind this project is to encourage appreciation for India’s culture and traditions, paving way for economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities.

·       Financial outlay of Rs.353.46 Crore is approved under the scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture

·       Habitat and Distribution – It is native to Asia.

·       This species is found in India, China and Bhutan and breeds in high altitude wetlands in the Tibetan plateau at elevations.

·       A small wintering population is also found in Sangti and Zimithang valleys of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

·       Protection – It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

·       The important habitats of Black-necked Crane have been notified as a Protected Areas.

·       Major threat – To the successful breeding of black-necked crane is the damage to the eggs and chicks, caused by feral dogs.

·       Assessment – It was recently carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Zoological Survey of India.

·       As per the survey conducted by Wildlife Institute of India in 2016-2017 in Ladakh region, the population size of black necked crane was around 66-69 individuals.

·       In Arunachal Pradesh, a small population of approximately 11 individuals arrives during winter months.