Daily Current Affairs Quiz August 19, 2025

Statement 1 is correct: The Western Ghats do block the southwest monsoon winds, causing heavy rainfall on their windward side.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Thar Desert experiences an arid climate, not a maritime climate.

Statement 3 is correct: The northeastern states receive rainfall from both the southwest monsoon and the retreating northeast monsoon.

Statement 4 is correct: The cold weather season in northern India is influenced by western disturbances.

Statement 1 is correct: Equatorial vegetation refers to tropical rainforests found in regions close to the equator (e.g., Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia). These forests are known for their dense canopy (top layer of tall trees that block sunlight from reaching the ground). They have a multilayered structure, including emergent trees, canopy, understory, and forest floor.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While the equatorial region has a favourable climate (warm and humid), the soil is not highly fertile. The soil is often lateritic and nutrient-poor due to heavy rainfall, which leaches away minerals. Agriculture in these regions is usually subsistence-based, focusing on crops like yam, cassava, and bananas. Commercial agriculture (e.g., plantations of rubber, cocoa, and palm oil) exists but is not widespread or dominant because of soil limitations and dense forest cover.

Statement 3 is correct: Equatorial rainforests are known for their rich biodiversity, including valuable hardwood tree species such as Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood, and Teak.

Mediterranean climate regions are characterized by dry summers and wet winters. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in these areas, affecting water availability, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Statement 1 is correct: Savanna climates have a distinct wet and dry season, and the long dry season often leads to wildfires, which are a natural part of the savanna ecosystem. These fires help regenerate vegetation but can become destructive if uncontrolled.
Statement 2 is correct: Overgrazing by livestock in savanna regions reduces vegetation cover, making the soil vulnerable to erosion and resulting in land degradation over time.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The introduction of non-native plant species generally reduces biodiversity rather than increasing it because invasive species often outcompete native plants, leading to a decline in species richness and disrupting the natural ecosystem.
Statement 4 is correct: Climate change threatens savanna ecosystems by altering rainfall patterns (leading to prolonged droughts or floods) and increasing temperatures, which affects both plant and animal life.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Increasing the use of fossil fuels in farming machinery would raise greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change rather than adapting to it.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Expanding areas under rain-fed agriculture makes farming more vulnerable to rainfall variability, which is increasing due to climate change.
Statement 3 is correct: Developing and planting climate-resilient crop varieties (drought- and flood-resistant) is a widely recommended adaptation strategy by IPCC and FAO.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Reducing genetic diversity of crops decreases resilience to climate shocks, pests, and diseases. Adaptation strategies emphasize greater diversity.