Current Context : The third largest tiger reserve in the country is set to come up in Chhattisgarh after government gave approval to notify the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve comprising Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla wildlife sanctuary.

• Named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve — after integrating the regions of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary located in the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur,
• Currently, Chhattisgarh has three tiger reserves — Indravati in Bijapur district, Udanti-Sitanadi in Gariaband and Achanakmar in Mungeli.
• Largest tiger reserve in the country – Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve of Andhra Pradesh with an area spread over 3,296.31 sq km.
• Second largest tiger reserve in the country – Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve with an area of 2,837.1 sq km.

ABOUT GURU GHASIDAS-TAMOR PINGLA TIGER RESERVE

Location:  located in the northern part of Chhattisgarh, covering the districts of Bilaspur, Korba, and Raigarh.

Area: It spans approximately  2,829.387 sq.km, making it the third-largest tiger reserve in India.

Current Context : A deadly strain of mpox variant, previously confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been spreading fast in Kenya and multiple African countries,

Burundi and Rwanda were among the countries that reported mpox virus for the first time recently.

ABOUT MPOX

• Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
• Symptoms: flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Transmission : by direct contact with an infected person or animal, their body fluids or during physical contact.
• The virus can enter the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, eyes, nose, or mouth.

Also known as August Kranti Day, observed annually on August 8th

• This day serves as a reminder of the power of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience in achieving social and political change, in addition to underscoring the values of democracy, freedom, and unity.
• On August 8, 1942, during the All India Congress Committee session in Bombay, the Quit India Resolution was adopted, demanding an end to British rule. Gandhi’s clarion call, “Do or Die,” resonated throughout the country, urging Indians to engage in non-violent resistance against colonial authorities.

Current Context : Shooter Manu Bhaker  is set to be India’s flag bearer at the Olympic closing ceremony in Paris on August 11.

ABOUT MANU BHAKAR

• Born on February 18, 2002 in Jhajjar, Haryana
• Sport: Shooting
• Discipline: Air Pistol
• Achievements : won two bronze medals at the Paris Games 2024
• Bronze medals: Shooting at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Team 10 metre air pistol.
• Gold medals: Shooting at the 2022 Asian Games – Women’s team 25 metre pistol.
• Awards : Arjuna Award for Shooting

Flag bearer : It is a prestigious honor that symbolizes national pride and achievement.

• It is awarded to athletes who have demonstrated exceptional performance and embody the spirit of the Games.
• Indian Representation : India’s participation in the Olympics and the selection of prominent athletes as flag bearers reflect the country’s evolving role and achievements in international sports.

Current Context : Supreme Court has recommended a ban on entry of private vehicles by March 2025 and the creation of a special tiger protection force to PROTECT tigers and their habitats in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), Rajasthan.

• The STR sees heavy traffic of unregulated vehicles as a large number of devotees visit the numerous temples inside the reserve, including the famous Pandupol temple that is located 22 km inside the core area.

ABOUT SARISKA TIGER RESERVE (STR)

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan, India
• Area: 881 square kilometers (340 square miles).
• Established: in 1955 as a wildlife sanctuary and designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
• Flora: Vegetation mainly includes dry deciduous forests with species like teak, bamboo, and various shrubs.
• Fauna: wildlife including Bengal tigers (historically and through reintroduction efforts), leopards, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boars, and several bird species like the Indian Peafowl, Crested Serpent Eagle, and the Indian Vulture.
• Water Bodies: Siliserh Lake, which support the wildlife by providing drinking water and habitat.

Current Context : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed a battery that functions efficiently in sub-zero temperature.

ABOUT ZINC AIR BATTERIES

• Zinc-air batteries are a type of metal-air battery that uses zinc as the anode and oxygen from the air as the cathode.
• They are known for their high energy density and are used in various applications.

• Components:
  • Anode: Typically made of zinc or a zinc alloy.
  • Cathode: Usually consists of a porous carbon material that allows oxygen to diffuse through and react.
  • Electrolyte: An alkaline electrolyte, often potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), facilitates the ion transfer between the anode and cathode.
  • Separator: A material that prevents short circuits by separating the anode and cathode while allowing ionic movement.
• Benefits: Portable, flexible, lightweight and can be used in extreme cold conditions.
• Uses : used in hearing aids due to their high energy density and small size, in some medical devices and  small electronics  include backup power systems

Current Context : Recently, Haryana government announced the procurement of all crops in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), thus becoming the first in the country to procure all crops at MSP.

• Government is already buying 14 crops on MSP.
• Addition of 10 crops to the MSP (Minimum Support Price) list include Ragi, Soybean, Kalatil (Nigerseed), Safflower, Barley, Maize, Jowar, Jute, Khopra and Moong (Summer).
• By adding these crops Haryana will be the first state to procure 24 crops at the MSP.

MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP)

• MSP is a government policy that guarantees a minimum price for specific crops, ensuring farmers receive a fair return on their produce.
• Aim : to stabilize farmer incomes, prevent distress sales, and ensure food security by encouraging the production of essential crops.
• It is set by the Government of India based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
• Factors include the cost of production, market trends, and expected returns.
• Procurement agency : Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• Ministry : Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

Current Context : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has given clearance to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to produce 200 Astra air-to-air missiles for its Su-3O and LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.

ABOUT ASTRA MARK 1 MISSILE

• It is an air-to-air missile developed by India for use in its fighter aircraft.
• Type: Air-to-air missile
• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India
• Manufacturer: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
• Range : Approx,. 80-100 kilometers (about 50-62 miles)
• The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System integrated with SU-30Mk-I aircraft is being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Current Context : Recently, the department of Posts released a set of commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris Olympics.

ABOUT COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS:

• Commemorative stamps are special issues by postal authorities to honor or commemorate significant events, people, places, or anniversaries, national/international issues, games
• These stamps are only available at Philatelic Bureauxand counters or under the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme.
• They are typically issued in limited quantities and for a limited period.
• Some of the rules for issuing Commemorative Postage Stamps
• Proposals for issueof Commemorative Postage Stamps may be sent by any citizen of India.
• Stamps issued to mark the 50th, 60th, and 75th anniversaries of India’s independence.
• Stamps featuring prominent personalities such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Rabindranath Tagore, and other significant leaders.
• No stampwill be issued on a living personality.
• These are released by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.

Current Context : Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah launched e-Sakshya, Nyaya Setu, Nyaya Shruti and e-Summon App for three new criminal laws.

• These apps will strengthen the technical competency of the entire system.

e-Sakshya : It is an initiative aimed at digitizing court documents and evidence management. It helps in the efficient management and retrieval of documents and evidence in judicial proceedings.

• It provides a digital platform for the submission, storage, and management of court records and evidence, enhancing transparency and reducing paperwork

Nyaya Setu : It focuses on providing accessible legal aid, legal advice, and connecting people with legal services.

• It aims to bridge the gap between the legal system and the common people, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Nyaya Shruti :  It involves the digitization and online availability of court judgments and proceedings, making it easier for legal professionals and the public to access legal information and track case statuses.

e-Summon App : It allows for the electronic issuance of summons to parties involved in legal proceedings. This helps in reducing delays and improving the efficiency of the judicial process.