State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 23 Oct 2025

FAO Honours SAIME Model

Why in News?

The Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), a West Bengal-based NGO, has received Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations for developing an innovative model — Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME).

• The recognition was conferred during FAO’s 80th Anniversary and the World Food Forum held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Key Points About SAIME Model

• Objective: To integrate mangrove conservation with sustainable aquaculture practices, promoting climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal regions.
• Coverage: Implemented across 29.84 hectares by 42 fish farmers in the Indian Sundarbans.
• Key Feature: Ensures 5%–30% mangrove coverage within aquaculture ponds to maintain ecological balance.
• Approach: Follows a community participatory model encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly aquaculture aligned with climate adaptation goals.
• Implementation: The SAIME model is implemented in Chaital (North 24 Parganas) and Madhabpur (South 24 Parganas) districts of West Bengal’s Sundarbans region.
  • Farmers use mangrove litter as natural fodder for cultivating Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), promoting chemical-free aquaculture and aiding mangrove restoration.
• Significance: The SAIME model boosts farmers’ income by over 100% while enhancing mangrove restoration, carbon sequestration, coastal resilience, and reducing pollution and habitat loss.

INS Sahyadri Participates in JAIMEX-25

Why in News? 

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, participated in the Sea Phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) from 16th–18th October 2025, followed by a Harbour Phase at Yokosuka, Japan, on 21st October 2025.

Key Points 

• Objective:  
  • JAIMEX-25 reinforces the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ between India and Japan established in 2014, aiming to promote peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific, while reflecting their shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive maritime region. 
• Phases:  
  • The Sea Phase featured INS Sahyadri, JMSDF ships Asahi, Oumi, and submarine Jinryu, conducting advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises, missile defence drills, flying operations, and underway replenishment to enhance interoperability. 
  • The Harbour Phase at Yokosuka focused on professional and cultural exchanges such as cross-deck visits, operational planning, sharing of best practices, and a combined Yoga session, as part of INS Sahyadri’s Long Range Deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Other Excercises: Other bilateral exercises between India and Japan include the Malabar exercise (Naval Exercise), ‘Veer Guardian’ (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army). 
• About INS Sahyadri: 
  • INS Sahyadri, commissioned in 2012, represents India’s advancement in indigenous defence technology and aligns with the nation’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India). 
  • The multi-role stealth frigate has actively participated in numerous operational deployments as well as bilateral and multilateral naval exercises.