About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu.
• It is at the tri–junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in India.
• It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the north.
• Vegetation: A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands, and swamps are found here.
• River: The Moyar River runs through the reserve.
• Flora: It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, bamboo of the giant variety, and valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
  • It has wild relatives of cultivated plants, viz. wild rice, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.
• Fauna: It includes elephant, gaur, sambar, four-horned antelope, spotted deer, barking deer, blackbuck, wild pig, mouse deer, and predators like tigers, leopards, and wild dogs.

About Measles:

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus.
• Cause: It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.
• Transmission:
  • It spreads by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions (coughing or sneezing) or breathing the air that was breathed by someone with measles. 
  • The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. 
  • The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications, and even death.
• Measles Symptoms:
  • The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
  • A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
  • A rash erupts after several days, usually on the face and upper neck.
• Who is at Risk of Measles?
  • Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.
  • Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at the highest risk of severe measles complications.
• Measles Treatment
  • No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
  • It can be prevented with a safe and effective measles-rubella (MR) vaccine that gives long-term immunity.

About BioNEST :

• The Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (Bio-NEST) was launched by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
• It was launched with a vision that focused on fostering the biotech innovation ecosystem in the country.
• The BioNEST Incubators provide access to high end infrastructure, specialized and advanced equipment, business mentorship, IP, legal and regulatory guidance and networking opportunities to start-ups.
• The main objectives of the BioNEST scheme are to promote and establish Bioincubators in India which will:
  • Support and encourage startups and entrepreneurs in the biotech sector
  • Connect Industry and Academia and enable interactions for efficient exchange of knowledge as well as facilitate technical and business mentorship.
  • Provide enabling services and required mentorship for IP and Technology management, legal support, certifications, validation, regulatory requirements, resource mobilization and a unique networking platform.
• Funding: The BIRAC funding for the BIRAC BioNEST Centres will be done in alignment with the Government’s umbrella scheme ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development’ (Bio-RIDE).

About Afghanistan:

• Location: It is a landlocked mountainous country in Southern Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by six nations – by Pakistan in the east and south; Iran in the west; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north and China in the northeast.
• Capital City: Kabul
• Geographical Features of Afghanistan
  • Climate: It has hot summers and extremely cold winters which are typical in a semiarid steppe climate.
  • Mountain ranges: It consists of Hindu Kush, Pamir Mountains in the northeast and Safed Koh range in the south.
  • Major rivers: River Amu Darya, Helmand River, Kabul River
  • Highest Point: Nowshak
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of coal, copper, natural gas, petroleum, gold, lithium, uranium, gold, rare earth elements.