Tuna Fish Cluster

Context:

Recently, The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the Development of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

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• Tuna Cluster are being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer around 6.0 lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly Tuna and Tuna like high valued species, estimated at 60,000 metric tons. 

About Tuna fish

• Tunas are pelagic fish, as they live beyond the continental shelf in open sea.
• These marine animals are integral to the diet of millions of people and are one of the most commercially valuable fish.

Significance of the Cluster

• Cluster is expected to generate economies of scale, increase incomes, and accelerate organized growth in fisheries across the country. 
• The initiative will prioritize key investments, including organizing investor meetings to build partnerships with tuna-fishing nations and establishing training, capacity-building programs, and exposure visits for stakeholders.

Exercise AUSTRAHIND

Context:

India is hosting the 3rd edition of the annual joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND.

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• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 8th to 21st November 2024 at Foreign Training Node, Pune in Maharashtra.
• The Indian contingent comprising 140 personnel will be represented mainly by a battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and 14 personnel from the Indian Air Force. 
• The Australian Army contingent comprising 120 personnel will be represented by the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade of 2nd Division.
• It aims to enhance interoperability in the conduct of joint subconventional operations in semi-urban environments of semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
• The exercise will be conducted in two phases – combat conditioning and tactical training phase and validation phase. 

ICAR-NRC Equine to Get WOAH Reference Laboratory Status

Context:

Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, (ICAR-NRC) laboratory to receive WOAH Reference Laboratory status.

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The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has facilitated the designation of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar (ICAR-NRC Equine) as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis. 

NRC Equine will now play a key role in international collaborations, providing advanced diagnostic services, sharing technical expertise, and leading research initiatives on equine piroplasmosis.

This recognition makes ICAR-NRC Equine the fourth laboratory in India’s Animal Husbandry sector to receive WOAH Reference Laboratory status. 

The other three laboratories are:

• ICAR- National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal (Avian Influenza); 
• Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bangalore (Rabies); 
• ICAR- National Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bangalore (PPR and Leptospirosis)

The official designation of ICAR-NRC Equine as a WOAH Reference Laboratory will be formally announced at the 92nd WOAH General Session and World Assembly of Delegates in May 2025. 

India’s Equines Livestock

• According to the 20th Livestock Census, India possesses around 0.55 million Equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules) of which 0.34 million horses and ponies, 0.12 million donkeys, and 0.08 million mules.