Solution (a)

The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT), is a tribunal that adjudicates the dispute over River Mhadei water allocation. The sharing of the waters of this river is a cause of dispute between the governments of Karnataka and Goa

It originates in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, briefly passes through Maharashtra and flows through Goa (where its known as Mandovi), and drains to the Arabian Sea.

Since the eighties, Karnataka has been was contemplating linking of Mahadayi with Malaprabha river, a tributary of Krishna.

In 2002, Karnataka gave the idea a shape in the form of the Kalasa-Bhanduri project.

Goa strongly opposed it as Mahadayi is one of the two rivers the State is dependent on and thus Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was set up in 2010.

Solution (d)

In news: While novel coronavirus is undergoing many mutations, one particular mutation called D614G, according to a study, has become the dominant variant in the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Mutation is the change in our DNA base pair sequence due to various environmental factors such as UV light, or mistakes during DNA replication.

D614G mutation

• When the virus enters an individual’s body, it aims at creating copies of itself. When it makes an error in this copying process, we get a mutation.
• In this case, the virus replaced the aspartic acid (D) in the 614th position of the amino acid with glycine (G). Hence the mutation is called the D614G.
• This mutated form of the virus was first identified in China and then in Europe. Later it spread to other countries like the U.S. and Canada and was eventually reported in India.

Solution (d)

In news: 21st December or the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The same day marks the Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day, in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and is also known as the ‘first day of winter’ in the Northern Hemisphere as well as ‘Hiemal solstice or Hibernal solstice’.

During this, countries in the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Sun and the Sun shines overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° south).

This situation will be reversed on 21st June, when the Northern Hemisphere will see the Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day and the Southern Hemisphere will see the year’s shortest day.

Solution (c)

In news: auditing and an impact assessment of utilisation of funds from the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) for the financial years 2017-2020 will be taken place in Jharkhand.

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana(PMKKKY)

Nodal Ministry: PMKKKY is a scheme by the Ministry of Mines for the welfare of people & affected areas 

Objectives:

• To implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government.
• To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts.
• To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.

Implementation:

• The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) will be implemented by the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) of the respective districts using the funds accruing to the DMF.
• At least 60% the fund will be utilized for “High Priority Areas” like Drinking water supply, Environment preservation & pollution control measure, Health care, Education, etc.
• Rest of the fund will be utilized for “Other Priority Areas”, such as Physical infrastructure, Irrigation, Energy & watershed development and Measures for enhancing environmental quality.

Solution (b)

In news: As per a recent report ‘Status of leopards in India, 2018’ released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change there has been a “60% increase in the population count of leopards in India from 2014 estimates’’.

The 2014 estimates placed the population of leopards at nearly 8,000 which has increased to 12,852.

The largest number of leopards have been estimated in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).

Region wise distribution:

• Central India and Eastern Ghats have the highest number of leopards at 8,071.

• Western Ghats: 3,387 leopards

• Shivalik and Gangetic Plains: 1,253 leopards
• Northeast hills: 141 leopards

Conservation Status:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Vulnerable

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule 1