Current Affairs 07-NOV-2023 (The Hindu)

Leopards

(C => Pg-5)

Leopards

Scientific Information

• Scientific Name: Panthera pardus
• Genus: Panthera
• Family: Felidae (Cat family)
• Notable Characteristics: Well-camouflaged fur, opportunistic hunting behavior, etc.

Habitat and Distribution

• Habitat: Ranges from rainforest to steppe, including arid and montane areas.
• Worldwide Distribution: Found in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southern Russia.
• Indian Distribution: Central India, Eastern Ghats, Northeast hills.
• Population Numbers:
  • Madhya Pradesh - 3,421 leopards
  • Karnataka - 1,783 leopards
  • Maharashtra - 1,690 leopards

Unique Characteristics

• Behavior: Solitary, nocturnal, and a skilled climber.
• Feeding Habits: Stores hunted remains in the branches of trees.

Threats

• Forest Fragmentation: Disruption of natural habitats.
• Human-Leopard Conflicts: Interactions leading to conflicts.
• Poaching: Illegal hunting.
• Depletion of Natural Prey: Impact on the leopard's food source.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix-I
• Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule-I

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about leopards:

1. They are social animals like Lions.

2. The spots of leopards are called rosettes, as they resemble the shape of a rose.

3. Maharashtra has the largest population of leopards in India.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Quad & IPDMA

(D => Pg-12)

Quad & IPDMA

About Quad

• Full Form: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
• Type: Informal strategic dialogue forum
• Members: US, India, Australia, and Japan
• Aim: To promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region
• Joint Statement (2021): The Spirit of the QUAD
• Objectives: Outlined in The Spirit of the QUAD

About IPDMA

• Full Form: Indo Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness
• Aim:
  • Strengthen peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region
  • Ensure transparency in critical waterways of the Indo-Pacific region
  • Utilize innovative technology for real-time information on maritime activities

Working of IPDMA

• Tracking "Dark Shipping":
  • Turning off Automatic Identification System (AIS) in ships at sea
  • Track Dark Ships to ensure maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region
• Real-time Maritime Picture:
  • Provide faster, wider, and more accurate maritime information
  • Cooperation in various areas, including tracking enemy activities, responding to climate change, and addressing humanitarian events
• Combating Chinese Naval Expansion: Counter the expansion of Chinese naval presence across the Indo-Pacific region
• Regional Information Fusion Center (IFC): Assist countries in working with the regional IFC in the Indo-Pacific region

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about the QUAD grouping:

1. It is a strategic alliance between USA, Japan, India, and Australia.

2. The headquarters of Quad is located in New York.

3. The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) is an initiative of the QUAD.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

(D => Pg-12)

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

About FATF

• Established: 1989 at G7 Summit in Paris
• Objective:
  • Initially focused on combating money laundering
  • In 2001, expanded efforts to combat terrorist financing
  • Works to stop funding for Weapons Of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Working of FATF

• Set International Standards: To prevent illegal activities and harm
• Policy-making Body: Generates political will
• Key Recommendations:
  • 1990 - 40 Recommendations: Comprehensive plan of action to fight against money laundering
  • 2004 - 9 Special Recommendations: Combined with the 40 Recommendations (40+9 Recommendations)
  • 2012 - Recommendations expanded to include financing of proliferation of WMD
• Global Reach: Over 200 jurisdictions around the world

Sessions

• FATF Plenary: Decision-making body, meets thrice a year
• Annual Typologies Workshop: Held once a year, also meets out-of-session

Consider the following statements about Financial Action Task Force (FATF):

1. It was formed in 1989 with India as one of the founding members.

2. Its Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

3. The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

Which of the following statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 only

C. 3 only

D. 1 and 3 only