Government to launch pilot project on ornamental fisheries

Government to launch pilot project on ornamental fisheries 

The Union Government is going to launch pilot project on ornamental fisheries in 8 potential States with total outlay of over 61 crore rupees. These 8 potential States identified includes Assam, West Bengal , Odisha, Maharashtra , Gujarat , Karnataka , Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 

What is Ornamental fishery?

 It is a sub-sector of the fisheries sector dealing with breeding and rearing of coloured fish of both freshwater and marine water. There are about 400 species of marine ornamental fishes and 375 freshwater ornamental varieties are available in various parts of the India.

 Need for such project

Ornamental fishery industry does not directly contribute to the food and nutritional security, but it generates livelihood and income for the rural and periurban population, especially women and unemployed youth as part-time activities. In India, ornamental fishery industry is small but vibrant, with potential for tremendous growth. The low production cost and high returns within a short span of time and the ever growing demand, both in international and domestic markets, are the major attractions for this industry.

Key Facts

 Objectives of pilot project are Promote ornamental fish culture with cluster-based approach, augment ornamental fisheries trade, export earnings and create employment opportunities for the rural and periurban population and use of modern technology and innovation to make ornamental fisheries a thriving activity. It will be implemented by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) through the Fisheries Departments of States and Union territories.

Hyderabad best Indian city in living standards: Mercer

Hyderabad best Indian city in living standards: Mercer  

Charminar Hyderabad According to Mercer’s Quality of Living index rankings 2017, for the third consecutive time, Hyderabad (Telangana) has emerged as the best Indian city in terms of quality of living. Globally, Vienna (Austria) for the fourth time in a row has emerged as world’s best city for overall quality of living for the eighth year running.

 Key Facts

 In this edition of rankings, 8 European cities are in the top ten list: Vienna (1), Zurich (2) Munich (4), Dusseldorf (6), Frankfurt (7), Geneva (8), Copenhagen (9) and Basel (10). The only non-European cities in the top ten are Auckland (3) and Vancouver (5). The highest ranking cities in Asia and Latin America are Singapore (25) and Montevideo (79), respectively. Both Hyderabad and Pune ranked higher 145 and 146, respectively than the country’s traditional business centres Mumbai and New Delhi, which were ranked at 154 and 161, respectively. In terms of city infrastructure rankings, Singapore has topped the list followed by Frankfurt and Munich both in 2nd place. Baghdad (230) and Port au Prince (231) ranked at the bottom for city infrastructure. Amongst Indian cities, Mumbai is ranked the highest at 141, followed by Kolkata (149) and Pune (151) in city infrastructure rankings. Bangalore was rated the lowest (177) by the report.

Background

 Mercer, head-quartered in New York, is a global human resources consulting firm. Its survey, covering over 230 cities across the globe, is conducted annually to enable MNCs and other employers compensate its employees fairly, while sending them on international assignments. Its city infrastructure ranking that assesses each city’s supply of drinking water, electricity, public transportation and telephone and mail services as well as traffic congestion and the range of international flights available from local airports.

Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submits report

Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submits report 

The Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection has submitted its report to the Union Government to strengthen border protection and address vulnerabilities in fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border. It was announced by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha.

 Key Facts

The committee has given broad recommendations on the issues of Threats and Border Protection, assessment of force level, deployment on the border, infrastructure and technology issues for protection of border and administrative issues. The Union Government has decided to initiate action in light of the recommendations of the Committee in consultation with the stakeholders. Background The Committee was constituted under chairmanship of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta in April 2016. It was tasked give recommendations for strengthening border protection and addressing the issue of gaps and vulnerability in border fencing along India-Pakistan Border. It was constituted three months after the terror attack on Pathankot IAF base in January 2016 by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists from Pakistan. These terrorists had infiltrated into India by beaching the India-Pakistan border (through porous border) in Punjab especially from the riverine stretch. Note: Four Indian states share 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan. Of this, 1,225 km falls in Jammu and Kashmir (including Line of Control), 1,037 km in Rajasthan, 553 km in Punjab and 508 km in Gujarat.