Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, three State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel tragically lost their lives when their boat capsized during a rescue operation in the Pravara river. Pravara River is a major tributary of the Godavari River, situated in Maharashtra. It is the smallest among the seven major tributaries of the Godavari. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

It flows eastward through Bhandardara, where the Bhandardara Dam forms Arthur Lake and Umbrella Falls during downstream release. The Pravara River receives contributions from various tributaries, among which Mahalungi and Mula are notable. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Bhandardara Dam also known as Wilson Dam has its existence on Pravara River. Nilwande dam, also called as Upper Pravara dam, in the Indian state of Maharashtra is the second largest dam on the Pravara river. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, 'mad honey' from rhododendron flowers in the Pontic Alps, touted for its health benefits, has been displayed in a shop in Cayeli, Turkey. Rhododendron is a genus of flowering plant that is native to many regions of the world, including Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

In India, 132 taxa (80 species, 25 subspecies and 27 varieties) of rhododendrons are found, with more than one-third (34%) of all rhodode ndron types found in India in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Rhododendron arboreum is the state flower of Nagaland and the official State Tree of Uttarakhand, while Pink Rhododendron is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recent study indicates the magnetic field is generated about 20,000 miles below the surface, contradicting earlier estimates of 130,000 miles. The Sun's magnetic field is generated by the movement of charged particles, which is a natural process that creates magnetic fields. Hence, statement I is correct.

The Sun's magnetic field is created by a complex process called the solar dynamo, which is generated by electrical currents from the flow of hot, ionized gases in the Sun's convection zone. It is roughly straight lines between the north and south poles, but it changes polarity every 11 years at the peak of each solar cycle. . Hence, statement II is correct.

Here, statements I and II both are correct and statement-II is not the correct explanation for statement-I. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Bachendri Pal, an Indian mountaineer was born to a Bhotiya family on 24 May 1954 in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. On May 23, 1984, Bachendari Pal became the first Indian woman to set foot on the summit of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. She reached the Everest through the South Col route along with two male colleagues, mountaineering Inspector Lhatoo Dorjee, 39  and Nepalese Sherpa Sardar Ang Dorjee. She authored her autobiography titled "Everest - My Journey to the Top ". Bachendri Pal was awarded Padma Shri award in 1984. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Mad honey (komar honey in Turkish) is a dark, reddish honey that contains grayanotoxins and is produced from the nectar and pollen of genus Rhododendron. It has intoxicating effects and is used as a traditional medicine and recreational drug in Turkey and Nepal. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

In the Hindu Kush Himalayan range, it's produced by Himalayan giant honey bees (Apis laboriosa). Mad honey' can cure heart palpitations, digestive issues and even impotence. Hence, statement 2 is correct.