Today in History (August 05th, 1775)
A significant event in the annals of British rule in India occurred on August 5, 1775. Maharaja Nandakumar met his end by hanging in Calcutta (now Kolkata). This marked a historic moment as it represented the final instance of execution for fraud perpetrated under British jurisdiction in India.
Let’s revise
A) Where is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) located?
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer:(3)
Explanation: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala.
B) Which biosphere reserve was the first from India to be included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves?
- Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Answer: 3)
Explanation: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first from India to be included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2012.
C) In what year was the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve designated as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves?
- 2005
- 2010
- 2012
- 2015
Answer: 3)
Explanation: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2012.
D) Which of the following wildlife parks is NOT part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bandipur National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Periyar National Park
Answer: 4)
Explanation: Periyar National Park is not part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The parks within the reserve are Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Mukurthi, and Silent Valley.
E) Which of the following is a wildlife park in Karnataka within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
- Bandipur National Park
- Silent Valley
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: 1)
Explanation: Bandipur National Park is located in Karnataka and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
F) The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an integral part of which larger ecological reserve?
- Western Ghats
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Sunderbans Reserve
- Western Plains Reserve
Answer: 2)
Explanation: The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
G) Which of the following wildlife parks is located in the state of Kerala?
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bandipur National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: 4)
Explanation: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala.
H) Which national park within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is known for its silent environment and rich biodiversity?
- Mukurthi National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Silent Valley
- Nagarhole National Park
Answer: 3)
Explanation: Silent Valley is renowned for its rich biodiversity and silent environment.
I) Which of the following parks is situated in the state of Karnataka and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mukurthi National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: 3)
Explanation: Nagarhole National Park is located in Karnataka and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Summary of Today’s News
Violance in Bangladesh
The recent violence in Bangladesh has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 97 people, including 14 policemen, killed and hundreds injured amid widespread clashes. The unrest, sparked by protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has intensified as demonstrators, primarily students, faced opposition from ruling party supporters. The situation has escalated with attacks on police stations, ruling party offices, and vehicles, leading to a nationwide curfew and internet shutdowns.
Prime Minister Hasina has condemned the protesters, labeling them as terrorists and calling for a strong response to suppress the unrest. The government has mobilized troops, paramilitary forces, and elite anti-crime units to manage the situation and has imposed a three-day general holiday to ensure public safety. This surge in violence follows earlier deadly clashes over a controversial job quota system, highlighting ongoing tensions and instability in the country.
Kerala government demands central government to declare Wayanad landslide a national disaster
The Kerala government has urged the central government to declare the recent landslides in Wayanad a national disaster due to their unprecedented scale and impact. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the severity of the destruction, which has affected at least three villages and resulted in 221 confirmed deaths, with over 200 individuals still missing. The disaster has displaced around 9,000 people who are currently sheltered in relief camps.
Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi indicated that the central government is reviewing the legal aspects of the request and has sought a detailed report from Kerala. Declaring the landslides a national disaster could facilitate increased federal assistance for immediate relief, rehabilitation, and long-term climate change mitigation, including relocating communities from high-risk areas. Additionally, Kerala’s opposition leader, V.D. Satheeshan, supports the call for national disaster status. The state government plans to establish a new township for the survivors as part of its recovery efforts.
A big loophole in IRCTC data
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has successfully addressed a significant security vulnerability on its insurance portal that previously allowed unauthorized access to passengers’ travel details and the ability to alter nominee information. Discovered by cybersecurity researcher Nilabh Rajpoot, the issue was reported on July 23, 2024, and involved unauthorized access through a link provided by SMS, which exposed sensitive travel and insurance details and allowed modifications without proper authentication.
The vulnerability was promptly communicated to the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In), which confirmed that the issue was resolved by July 30, 2024. Despite being managed by a third-party organization, the flaw raised serious data security and privacy concerns for IRCTC as the custodian of the affected data. The resolution of this issue highlights the importance of stringent security measures in safeguarding passenger information.
At least 44 killed as Israeli air strikes hit Gaza schools, hospital compound
On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in significant casualties and damage. At least 44 Palestinians were killed, with strikes targeting two schools and a hospital compound. The attacks on the schools in Gaza City led to 25 fatalities, including children, while the strike on the al-Aqsa Hospital compound in Deir el-Balah caused additional deaths and injuries. The Israeli military claims the strikes targeted Hamas military positions embedded in civilian structures, a claim denied by Hamas. Gaza officials report that 172 shelters, mainly schools housing displaced families, have been hit since October 7. The escalating violence and destruction underscore the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
