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■ African Swine Fever (ASF): • African swine fever is a contagious, viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boar, leading to high mortality. Its mortality can reach 100% • African Swine Fever is a different disease to swine flu. • ASF is not a zoonotic disease (it does not spread from animals to humans). Hence, the virus does not affect people and there is no impact on human health. • It is not a public-health threat or a food-safety concern. • Dirrect contact with infected pigs, eating pork originating from infected pigs cannot transmit the ASF virus to humans. • There is no treatment or vaccine available for this disease. • The symptoms of ASF in pigs are high-grade fever, poor appetite, coughing, breathing problems, diarrhoea, vomiting, and red lesions. □ Where it is found? • The disease was first detected in Africa in the 1920s and slowly spread into other parts of the world. • ASF continues to spread worldwide as it has reached multiple countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific, affecting both domestic and wild pigs. • ASF was first detected in India in 2020. □ How to prevent it and what are the other concerns? • This disease can only be prevented by taking some very strict biosecurity measures. • According to World Health Organization for Animal Health (WHOA), the virus is “highly resistant in the environment”. This means that it can survive on clothes, boots, wheels, and other materials. • Hence, we need to maintain impeccable hygiene conditions. • The only way to prevent the spread is by culling the animals. • ASF which is responsible for massive losses in pig populations and drastic economic consequences, has become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years. • The disease is a great cause of concern for biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems, as it not only affects the domestic farmed pigs, but also wild boars, including native breeds.

📰 India, Oman to hold military exercise: • India and Oman will carry out a 13 day military exercise beginning August 1, with a focus on counter-terror cooperation. • "The fourth edition of India-Oman joint military exercise 'AL NAJAH-IV' between contingents of Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman. • The previous edition of the exercise was organised in Muscat in March 2019. 📰 Postage stamp to be released to honour freedom fighter Ondiveeran: • The Government of India has recently approved a proposal to release a commemorative postage stamp to honour freedom fighter Ondiveeran, who had fought against the British rule. • Ondiveeran was a trusted lieutenant in the Pulithevan Army that had taken on the imperialist forces. • The stamp is likely to be released in August, officials said. Since August 20 is the death anniversary of the freedom fighter and this year marks his 250th death anniversary, it may be chosen for the release, they said. • Ondiveeran was a native of Nerkattum Seval near Sankarankoil in the erstwhile Tirunelveli district (since bifurcated and now in Tenkasi district) of Tamil Nadu. • In 2011, the DMK government, under Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, laid the foundation for a memorial, named ‘Maveeran Ondiveeran Manimandapam’, in Palayamkottai. • In 2016, the AIADMK government, under Jayalalithaa, inaugurated the Manimandapam with a statue of Ondiveeran. 📰 Orunodoi scheme to aid Assam's Tricolor plans: • The Assam government has been transferring ₹1,000 as monetary benefit to the bank accounts of economically weak women on the 10 th of every month under the Orunodoi scheme. • The programme, launched in October 2020, initially entailed ₹830 per month. • “We shall be transferring ₹1,018 to the account of each of the Orunodoi beneficiaries for August so that they can buy the national flags for gifting,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. • The extra amount would enable each beneficiary to either buy a larger national flag priced at ₹18 or two smaller ones of ₹9 each. • A fixed deposit certificate of ₹7.5 lakh each was handed over to eight children who lost both parents to COVID-19. • Under the scheme named Mukhya Mantrir Shishu Seva, ₹3,500 as interest on the fixed deposit would be credited in the bank account of each child until they attain 24 years of age. • “After 24 years, they can withdraw the principal amount or reinvest it,” Mr. Sarma said.

■ Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): • PMBJP was launched with an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all. • Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November, 2008. • The Scheme is implemented by a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, viz., Pharma & Medical Bureau of India (PMBI) [erstwhile Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI)]. • Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) formerly known as Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the only agency for opening PMBJP Kendra across India, and it does not have any subsidiary. • Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). PMBI was established in December, 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India. □ Objectives: • Ensure access to quality medicines for all sections of the population especially the poor and the deprived ones. • Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is synonymous with high price only. • Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in opening of PMBJP Kendra. □ Salient features: • The Scheme is operated by government agencies as well as by private entrepreneurs. • The incentive provided to the Kendra owners has been enhanced from existing Rs. 2.50 lakh to up to Rs. 5.00 lakh to be given at 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- per month. • One-time incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh is to be provided for furniture & fixtures and computer & printers to the PMBJP Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational district by NITI Aayog or opened by women entrepreneur, Divyang, SCs& STs. • Prices of the Jan Aushadhi medicines are 50%-90% less than that of branded medicines prices in the open market. • Medicines are procured only from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers for ensuring the quality of the products. • Each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ (NABL) for ensuring best quality. □ Janaushadhi Kendras: • Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices. • As on 5th October, 2021, the number of stores has increased to 8355.  • The Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by the end of March 2025. • Product basket of PMBJP comprises 1616 drugs and 250 surgical items. □ "Jan Aushadhi Sugam" mobile Application: • Mobile application “Jan Aushadhi Sugam” was launched in the month of August, 2019. • The App has various user-friendly features like – to locate nearby Jan Aushadhi Kendra through Google map, search Jan Aushadhi generic medicines, compare prices of Generic v/s Branded medicines in terms of MRP, overall savings, etc.

■ Ramsar sites in India (Statewise list): • Ramsar sites are those wetland sites that are considered of international importance. These sites are protected under the Ramsar Convention. • The International Treaty for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands was signed at a city in Iran called Ramsar in 1971. It came into force in 1975. • It entered into force in India on 1 February 1982. • February 2 is celebrated as International Wetlands Day, as the Ramsar Convention was signed on February 2, 1971. • Currently, India has 54 Ramsar sites. • Uttar pradesh has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India. It has 10 Ramsar sites. □ Andhra Pradesh (1): • Kolleru lake. □ Assam (1): • Deepor Beel. □ Bihar (1): • Kanwar Lake or Kabal Taal lake. □ Gujarat (4): • Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary. • Thol lake Wildlife Sanctuary. • Wadhvana Wetland. • Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary □ Haryana (2): • Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary. • Sultanpur National Park. □ Himachal Pradesh (3): • Chandra Taal. • Pong Dam Lake. • Renuka lake. □ Jammu and Kashmir (3): • Hokera Wetland. • Surinsar-Mansar lakes. • Wular lake. □ Kerala (3): • Vembanad Kol Wetland. • Sasthamkotta lake. • Ashtamudi Wetland. □ Ladakh (2): • Tso Kar Wetland Complex. • Tsomoriri Lake. □ Madhya Pradesh (2): • Bhoj Wetlands. • Sakhya Sagar wetland. □ Maharashtra (2): •  Nandur Madhameshwar. • Lonar Lake. □ Manipur (1): • Loktak lake. □ Mizoram (1): • Pala wetland. □ Odisha (2): • Chilika Lake. • Bhitarkanika Mangroves. □ Punjab (6): • Beas Conservation Reserve. • Harike Wetlands. • Kanjli Wetland. • Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve. • Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary. • Ropar Wetland. □ Rajasthan (2): • Keoladeo National Park. • Sambhar Lake. □ Tamil Nadu (4): • Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. • Karikili Bird Sanctuary. • Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest. • Pichavaram Mangrove. □ Tripura (1): • Rudrasagar Lake. □ Uttarakhand (1): • Asan Barrage. □ Uttar Pradesh (10): • Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary. • Parvati Aranga Bird Sanctuary. • Saman Bird Sanctuary. • Samaspur Bird Sanctuary. • Sandi Bird Sanctuary. • Sarsai Nawar Jheel. • Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. • Upper-Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch). • Haiderpur Wetland. • Bakhira Wildlife sanctuary. □ West Bengal (2): • East Kolkata Wetlands. • Sunderbans Wetland.