Current Affairs - National

PM launched the Shinkun La Tunnel project on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The tunnel, set to be the world's highest, will be constructed in Ladakh at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet. This 4.1-km-long twin-tube tunnel will be part of the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road and is being built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) with an investment of Rs 1,681 crore.

Researchers at IIT Guwahati are studying the p30 protein of the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), a highly contagious virus affecting pigs and causing significant economic losses for pig farms. The p30 protein plays a crucial role in helping the virus evade the host’s immune system. Understanding this protein is essential for developing effective measures to combat ASFV, which is transmitted through tick bites, direct contact, and contaminated food and is resistant to standard cooking methods. This research highlights IIT Guwahati's involvement in critical agricultural and veterinary science studies.

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was formed on June 6, 2007, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The WCCB is headquartered in New Delhi and plays a crucial role in combating organized wildlife crime in India. It became fully operational in 2008 and focuses on various functions such as data collection, advisory roles, and international cooperation to curb wildlife offences and prevent illegal trade.

The Government has approved the setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks with world-class infrastructure. These parks are intended to enhance the textile sector's infrastructure, aiming to generate significant direct and indirect employment. Each park is expected to provide 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employment opportunities. The initiative includes substantial investments and the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of these projects, particularly in Tamil Nadu, to boost exports and generate employment in the textile sector.

India’s first integrated agricultural export facility is being developed at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai. This initiative, valued at Rs. 284.19 crore, aims to streamline logistics, reduce multiple handling, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products, thereby enhancing India's export capacity. The facility will support prominent export items such as non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onion, and wheat. It will also include cold storage and frozen storage facilities, ultimately empowering farmers and small exporters, creating employment opportunities, and stimulating rural development.