Daily Quiz – 5th Jan 2024

Explanation:

Article 28 of the Indian Constitution states that-

• Article 28(1): No educational institution entirely financed by State funding may provide religious instruction.
• Article 28(2): Nothing in clause (1) shall apply to a government academic institution founded on the foundation of an endowment or trust that requires the supply of religious instruction there.
• Article 28(3): Except if that person or, is if the person is indeed a minor, his custodian has provided his consent, no individual able to attend any academic establishment officially recognised or getting help from State assets must therefore be entailed to become part of any religious education that may be conferred in this type of institution or even to join any religious worship that could be conducted in these kinds of the institution or any site attached to the above.

Explanation:

Keibul Lamjao National Park is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity.

• Keibul Lamjao National Park
  • It is the only floating park in the world located in the Bishnupur district of the North Eastern state of Manipur.
  • It is an integral part of Loktak Lake (140 km²), the largest natural freshwater lake in the north-eastern region with a unique ecosystem called ‘Phumdi’ (a Manipuri word meaning "floating mats of soil and vegetation"); south western portion of Loktak Lake forms the Keibul Lamjao National Park which is a continuous mass of Phumdi occupying an area of 40 km2.
  • The lake is rich in biodiversity and has been designated as a wetland of International Importance under RAMSAR Convention in 1990 and was also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993, "a record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur" and is therefore also governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • Phumdi are floating swampy islands made of thick mat of humus and dead vegetation, 1/5 of which is above water and the remaining 4/5 are below the surface of water.
  • Phumdi are a heterogeneous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter at various stages of decomposition. It provides a magnificent vista of green floating islands all over the lake.

Explanation: 

• The Ministry of Railways has launched “One Station One Product” (OSOP) scheme with the objective to promote the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of the Government of India, provide a market for local/indigenous products and create additional income opportunities for the marginalised sections of the society.
• This scheme aims to provide enhanced opportunities for livelihood to local artisans, potters, weavers /handloom weavers, craftsmen etc, through provision of sale outlets at Railways Stations across the Country.

Explanation:

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation today released the report on the 6th census on minor irrigation schemes.
• As per the report, 23.14 million minor irrigation (MI) schemes have been reported in the country, out of which 21.93 million (94.8%) are Ground Water (GW) and 1.21 million (5.2%) are Surface Water (SW) schemes.
• Uttar Pradesh possesses the largest number of MI schemes in the country followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Leading States in GW schemes are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
• In SW schemes Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand have the highest share.
• GW schemes comprise dugwells, shallow tube wells, medium tube wells and deep tube wells.
• The SW schemes comprise surface flow and surface lift schemes.