The survey covered 20 States of India, and focussed on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat, which are India’s tiger reserves and protected forest areas. Unlike tigers, which are largely confined to forest reserves, leopards are far more adaptable and tend to be found in significant numbers, in villages and, sometimes, even in cities. They are also known to prey on cattle and thus be involved in conflict, resulting in higher mortality.
“About a third of the leopards are within protected areas. When we conserve tiger reserves, we also conserve leopard habitat,” said Qamar Qureshi of the Wildlife Institute of India and one of the authors of the report.

Source – https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/

Passage 2

Thailand has replaced its Ambassador to WTO from here following a strong protest lodged by India on her contentious comment on New Delhi’s procurement programme, a top government official said on Friday.
The official said that ambassador has been asked to report back to Thailand after the 13th ministerial conference (MC), which has entered the fifth day of talks. She has been learnt to have replaced the Thai foreign secretary.
India has expressed strong disappointment over her remarks during a consultation meeting on Tuesday accusing New Delhi that India’s procurement programme at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the public distribution system is not for people but for capturing the export market, the official said.
“The Thai Ambassador has been replaced. She has ridiculed India’s PSH (Public Stockholding) programme” the official said, adding that the language and behavior of the Thai ambassador were not in good taste.

Source- https://indianexpress.com/article/world/

2nd MAR 2024

First Name

Passage 1

1. The Environment Ministry, in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), unveiled the __th cycle of leopard population estimation in India.

A. 3rd

B. 4th

C. 5th

D. 6th

2. Which state has the highest number of leopards in the country?

A. MP

B. Maharashtra

C. Gujarat

D. Karnataka

3. As per the report which of this is incorrect?

A. Only three States reported over a 1,000 animals each — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

B. While Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the big cat numbers — reportedly due to poaching and man-animal conflict.

C. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.

D. None

4. The Indian leopard comes in the IUCN Red list, which denotes?

A. Highly vulnerable

B. Vulnerable

C. Endangered

D. Highly Endangered

5. Who is the current Union Environment Minister?

A. Aswini Vaishnaw

B. Girraj Singh

C. Arjun Munda

D. Bhupendra Yadav

Passage 2

6. The strong protest lodged by India on her contentious comment on New Delhi’s procurement programme for which of this?

A. Rice

B. Wheat

C. Cooking Oil

D. Bio Gas

7. Thailand has replaced which of its Ambassador to WTO?

A. Phumthum Nukura

B. Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield

C. V Silpa-archa

D. Parnpree Bahidaa

8. The 13th ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (MC13) that ended on Friday, in?

A. Bangkok

B. Baku

C. Abu Dhabi

D. New Delhi

9. In the meet, it was noted that accession processes for the Comoros and Timor-Leste are nearing completion which will expand WTO membership to how many total countries now?

A. 166

B. 171

C. 176

D. 181

10. Which of this is incorrect?

A. WTO General Council Chair Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba presented a report outlining progress since the last ministerial conference in 2021.

B. The Indian delegation is led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

C. Both

D. None

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