21. Dr. Jaya Arunachalam, veteran social activist has passed away. She was from which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Answer: D [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Dr. Jaya Arunachalam (87), founder of Working Women’s Forum (WWF), has passed away in Chennai on June 29, 2019. She is best known for her social service contributions through WWF which she initiated in 1978. Through WWF, she helped several lakhs of women from underprivileged background to organise themselves towards becoming financially independent. Dr. Arunachalam was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India (GoI) in 1987.
She received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 2009 for her work towards the welfare of women and children. A graduate in Economics and Geography, she was awarded a honorary doctorate by the University of Lueneberg, Germany in 1999. She is a recipient of the International Activist Award by Glietsman Foundation in 2003, and the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Social Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. She has also served as vice president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) and member of All India Congress Committee.
22. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Monastery State
(a) Dhankar Monastery : Himachal Pradesh
(b) Rumtek Monastery : Sikkim
(c) Tabo Monastery : Himachal Pradesh
(d) Kye Monastery : Arunachal Pradesh
23. With reference to the NGT directive to Arunachal Pradesh government to identify illegal deforestation hotspots in Pakke Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements the protected site:
1. The reserve represents the range limits of Indochinese tigers and Bengal tigers.
2. The reserve is known for the ‘Hornbill Nest Adoption Program’.
3. The forest belongs to evergreen category.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2 are correct
[B] Only 1 and 3 are correct
[C] Only 2 and 3 are correct
[D] All are correct
Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct:
The reserve is located in the Chittagong hill region. This region marks the north-western limit of the Indochinese tiger’s range. It also marks the eastern limit of the Bengal tiger’s range. Tigers are territorial and require huge areas to support a relatively small population.
Statement 2 is correct:
The Pakke Tiger Reserve was awarded the India Biodiversity Award in 2016 for its ‘Hornbill Nest Adoption Program’. Hornbills are slow breeders and are monogamous. The reserve forest has Great Hornbill, the Wreathed Hornbill, the Oriental Pied Hornbill and the Rufous-necked Hornbill. The program involves the cooperation of the native Nyishi community to protect hornbill nesting sites.
Statement 3 is correct:
The Pakke tiger reserve is represented by evergreen forests. The region also contains semi-evergreen forests and Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf forests. It is in a major biodiversity hotspot. The forests are vital for conservation of species like the hornbill, which are very vulnerable to habitat loss.
24. India’s APEDA introduced its kiwi wine in Greece. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. The Indian Kiwi wine is produced in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Wine is being produced by the Apatani tribe.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Answer: D [Both 1 and 2 are correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct:
Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley is known for kiwi cultivation. In 2018, the region started producing wine out of it. This is the first-ever kiwi wine produced in north-east India. Most of the wine production takes place in the western states.
Statement 2 is correct:
Wine production is traditionally done by the Apatani tribe. The kiwi wine was introduced during the Thessaloniki Trade fair in Greece. Recently, the product was also launched in Indonesia’s Jakarta. The product was launched by APEDA/ Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in a multi-product road show in Indonesia.
25. With reference to the recent discussions about the Galo tribe, consider the following statements:
1. They are designated as a ‘particularly vulnerable tribal group’.
2. They are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Answer: B [Only 2 is correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect:
The Galo tribes are designated as ‘Scheduled Tribe’ by the Indian government. They are descendants of the Abo Tani (a primal ancestor of Tani people in the North-east India). They are known for their naming system which enables preservation of the record of their lineage.
Statement 2 is correct:
The Galo tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh region. They are one of the most populous tribes of the state. They speak the Galo language which is of the Tibeto-Burman branch. They maintain record of their genealogy through prefixes and suffixes in their names.
26. In October, an MoU was signed in relations to the Feni River. In this context, consider the following statements about this river:
1. The river is a source of dispute between India and Nepal.
2. The river originates in Arunachal Pradesh.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Answer: C [Neither 1 nor 2 is correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect:
The Feni River is a trans-boundary river between India and Bangladesh. It has been the source of water sharing disputes between the two countries. In October, the two countries signed an MoU for using 1.82 cusecs of its water for drinking purpose in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
The Feni River originates in South Tripura district and passes through Sabroom town. It then enters into Bangladesh. The river features the bridge project that connects the landlocked Sabroom with the Ramgarh region. The project is also to connect the north-east Indian states with Bangladesh’s Chittagong port.
27. The achievements of the Border Road Organisation has been highlighted recently. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Project Brahmank of BRO is implemented in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. The Diffo Bridge was constructed as a part of Project Brahmank.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Answer: A [Only 1 is correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct:
Project Brahmank is an initiative of BRO. It is being implemented in Arunachal Pradesh. In November, as a part of this project, the BRO had inaugurated the Sisseri Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh. Other projects in this state are Vartak, Udayak and Arunank.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
The Diffo Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh was constructed by BRO in January, 2019. This construction was under the project Udayak of BRO. This bridge across the Diffo River connects the Dibang Valley with the Lohit Valley in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh.
28. In context of the recent signing of agreements for the Z Morh Tunnel project, consider the following statements:
1. It is to be constructed in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. It is to be an all- weather connectivity project.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Answer: B [Only 2 is correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect:
The Z Morh Tunnel project is to be constructed in Jammu and Kashmir. The government had recently awarded over 2,000 crore INR for the project’s completion in the next 3 and a half years. The concession agreement was signed in January.
Statement 2 is correct:
The Z Morh Tunnel is an all- weather connectivity project in Jammu and Kashmir which will give better access to Sonmarg tourist area. Currently, the route is closed for most of the winter due to snowfall in Gagengar area. It is a 6.5km long two lane, bi-directional tunnel with parallel escape routes.
29. In which year, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were granted Indian statehood?
[A] 1972
[B] 1977
[C] 1982
[D] 1987
Answer: D [1987]
Notes:
The two north-eastern states Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday observed their Statehood Day on February 20.
On the same day in the year 1987, the two states were granted Indian statehood. Mizoram was a part of the state Assam until 1972, the year in which it was made a separate Union Territory. Subsequently, it became the 23rd state of India on February 20, 1987. The North East Frontier Agency was named Arunachal Pradesh and made a union territory in 1972, and then made a state in 1987.
30. Which newly discovered species in Arunachal Pradesh has been named after Salazar, a fictional character of the Harry Potter series?
[A] Spider
[B] Viper
[C] Turtle
[D] Grasshopper
Answer: B [Viper]
Notes:
A team of Indian herpetologists, who study about amphibians and reptiles, have recently discovered a new species of viper family.
The green pit viper, which was found at the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, has been named after Salazar Slytherin, a fictional character of the Harry Potter series, as Trimeresurus Salazar. The male viper has orange to reddish stripe on its head and body.