ENVIRONMENT & SCIENCE
Environment Policies
Varanasi Breaks Guinness World Record for Mass Tree Plantation
Varanasi has set a new Guinness World Record by planting 2,51,446 saplings within a single hour at the Sujabad Domari area.
The record surpassed the previous milestone of 1.53 lakh saplings held by China since 2018.
The project utilized the Japanese 'Miyawaki technique' over 350 bighas of land to create a dense urban forest consisting of 27 native species like teak, sheesham, and giloy.
Perspective: This achievement highlights the effectiveness of drone-based verification and community-led afforestation in urban climate mitigation.
The record surpassed the previous milestone of 1.53 lakh saplings held by China since 2018.
The project utilized the Japanese 'Miyawaki technique' over 350 bighas of land to create a dense urban forest consisting of 27 native species like teak, sheesham, and giloy.
Perspective: This achievement highlights the effectiveness of drone-based verification and community-led afforestation in urban climate mitigation.
Key Facts / Static GK
Miyawaki Technique Founder: Akira Miyawaki
Varanasi Mayor: Ashok Kumar Tiwari
Guinness World Records Adjudicator for this event: Rishinath
UP CM: Yogi Adityanath
Varanasi Mayor: Ashok Kumar Tiwari
Guinness World Records Adjudicator for this event: Rishinath
UP CM: Yogi Adityanath
Practice Quiz — 5 March 2026
Q1. Which of the following statements regarding the new Risk-Based Premium (RBP) framework is incorrect?
Answer: (C) The framework introduces a uniform risk-based incentive of 50% for all high-performing banks. — Statement C is incorrect because the maximum risk-based incentive is capped at 33.33%, not 50%. Additionally, a vintage incentive of up to 25% is provided for long-term distress-free contributions.
Q2. Under the new SEBI framework, what is the revised minimum equity allocation required for Dividend Yield and Value funds?
Answer: (D) 80% — SEBI has increased the minimum equity allocation for Dividend Yield Funds, Value Funds, and Contra Funds to 80%, compared to the earlier requirement of 65%.
Q3. What is the primary objective of the Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) between India and Japan?
Answer: (B) To provide a financial safety net and enhance bilateral financial cooperation. — The BSA is a two-way currency swap framework designed to strengthen financial safety nets, promote regional/global stability, and enhance bilateral financial cooperation by allowing local currency exchange for US Dollars during liquidity stress.
Q4. The LKR 3 billion Blue Bond issued by DFCC Bank Plc will primarily fund which of the following activities?
Answer: (B) Sustainable fisheries and marine conservation projects. — Blue Bonds are specialized financial instruments designed to fund marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, ocean-based economic development, and clean water projects.
Q5. Regarding the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, which of the following eligibility criteria is mentioned?
Answer: (D) The benefit is limited to a maximum of two living girl children per family. — According to the scheme details, it is limited to two living girl children per family. Other criteria include an income limit of Rs 1.20 lakh, being born in Delhi, and a minimum of three years of residence in Delhi.
Keep Learning with PrepZen
Get daily current affairs, live mock tests, mistake bank, vocab builder & more — all free on your phone.