Current Affairs Quiz 29 July 2023

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change report on the “Issue Of Poaching in The Andaman and Nicobar Islands” states that the volume of the poaching has “considerably increased” over the years, in spite of the “best efforts by administration” to contain the menace. The islands marine habitats host the majority of fauna (with 5,859 species). The rest of the species (around 35.82%) thrive on land. Interestingly, a high percentage of endemism is noted in the terrestrial fauna24.95%. high percentage of endemism in terrestrial fauna to the isolation of land masses and their faunal elements from each other while the low endemicity in the marine faunal elements is due to continuity of the water medium.

What are Biologics?
• Medicines known as biologics or biological products are created using living organisms through extremely intricate production procedures.
• The term “biologics” refers to a broad range of goods, including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and gene and cell therapies.
What are Biosimilars?
• A biosimilar is a biologic that is “similar” to another biologic medication.
• Biosimilars and reference products are very similar in terms of safety, purity, and potency, but may differ somewhat in clinically inactive components.
• They are duplicates of biologic medications that have been utilized to treat a variety of diseases and disorders rather than brand-new pharmaceuticals.
• Every biosimilar is produced utilizing the same amino acid starting materials and exact, step-by-step procedures as its reference medicine, a well-researched, widely-used biologic drug that has been available for years. Biosimilars are all prescribed medications.
• The same raw materials and production techniques as the original biologic are used to create biosimilars. They are created and developed to be close to the original medication on which they are based.
Challenges of Biosimilars
• The pricey and drawn-out development process might take up to six or seven years.
• The temperature has a significant impact on the maintenance of biosimilars because of their great sensitivity. They must therefore be distributed via a cold chain network.
• Biosimilars and generic products differ significantly in terms of manufacturing costs and the required capital expenditures for machinery, buildings, and other assets.

Important Dams on the Yamuna:
o Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand),
o Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.

Acequias
• These are the network of water channels created by the Moors, who conquered and settled in the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages, are being excavated and brought back to life to adapt to the crises of climate change.
• These are mutually managed irrigation channels that have been in continuous operation in the arid region.
• These water systems trace its roots to the Spanish conquistadors, who brought their traditions to the territory in the 1600s, and who themselves borrowed it from the Muslims who invaded Spain in the 8th century.
o The word acequia is an adaptation of the Arabic as-saqiya, meaning water carrier or water conduit.

As per United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities PWDs include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.