Answer: B

Explanation:

MethaneSAT is a satellite aimed at changing how we perceive methane emissions from oil and gas production has been launched from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. It has been developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in partnership with Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the New Zealand Space Agency. Orbiting the Earth 15 times a day, MethaneSAT will monitor the oil and gas sector to track methane emissions. It will provide detailed data on emission sources and trends in near real-time, aiding stakeholders and regulators. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. It's responsible for 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution and is 80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period. Methane also contributes to ground-level ozone formation, which could be causing about one million premature deaths annually. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

MethaneSAT is equipped with a high-resolution infrared sensor and spectrometer for accurate methane detection. It can identify emissions sources as small as three parts per billion and larger emitters over a wide area of about 200 km by 200 km. Data analysis will be done using cloud-computing and AI technology developed by Google, a mission partner. It provides transparency by making emission data publicly available, although it may not directly compel polluters to reduce emissions. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Supreme Court has condemned the illegal felling of over 6,000 trees within the Jim Corbett National Park. Jim Corbett National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and is India's oldest and most prestigious national park. The park is part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, which is the largest tiger reserve in the world. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Jim Corbett National Park is also being honoured as the place where Project Tiger was first launched in the year 1973. It has been divided into six major different tourism zones- Bijrani Safari, Jhirna Safari, Dhela Safari, Dhikala, Durga Devi and Sitabani Buffer. It is also home to leopards and various other mammals including jungle cats, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar deer and sloth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the Maldives signed its first military cooperation agreement with China, securing free "non-lethal" military equipment and training to strengthen national autonomy. Non-lethal weapons (NLWs) are weapons that are designed to minimize injury or death. They are used by law enforcement and the military for protection and security missions. These weapons encompass bean bags, rubber bullets, pepper spray, electric stun guns, police batons, tear gas, water cannon and acoustic weapons. It can be effective for self-defense, but they are not as effective as lethal weapons. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct while statements 2 and 4 are incorrect.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, the head of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) expressed confidence that the organization would secure a larger share of India's oil imports in the coming decades. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-exporting developing nations. However, Angola withdrew its membership effective 1 January 2024.

Hence, at present, the Organization has a total of 12 Member Countries (Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela). It was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1960, with an agreement signed by five countries: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The United Arab Emirates joined OPEC in 1967 and Nigeria in 1971. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, a state government notification in Rajasthan has sparked fear among community dwellers about potential loss of access to forest produce and livelihoods due to the proposal to classify Orans as deemed forests.

Orans, also known as Sacred groves in India, are patches of forested areas or woodlands dedicated to local deities or spirits, often protected by communities due to religious or cultural significance. They hold immense cultural and religious importance for communities, serving as sites for worship, rituals and ceremonies. They are considered sacred and are often associated with legends, myths and traditional beliefs passed down through generations. They act as biodiversity hotspots, preserving unique flora and fauna due to minimal human interference. Orans often provide valuable ecosystem services, including the provision of forest products such as medicinal plants, timber, fruits and non-timber forest produce (NTFP), which contribute to the livelihoods of local communities.  Hence, option (b) is correct.