NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE ON EQUINES
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

The NRCE website has been developed by ARIS Cell in co-ordination with the NIC, Hisar unit and launched on the URL registered with NIC server (URL http://nrce.nic.in) in 2002. The website was formally inaugurated by the then Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister, Sh. Ajit Singh. The home page of the site is in Hindi with links to detailed pages in Hindi and English versions. The site depicts background, mandate, organizational set up, facilities, programmes and activities, research achievements and scientists’ profile of NRCE. A brief account of equines in India, their habitat, distribution, breeding tract and information on their morphometry has also been included for the benefit of visitors. The latest annual report and newsletters of the Centre are also available on the site. A page on the Right to Information has also been added in the NRCE site. Few additional useful links have been provided for cross references and further information to the user. The site is regularly updated.

Library
The Centre has small library units both at Hisar and Bikaner campuses with a collection of about 850 books in all. In addition, several scientific International and Indian Journals pertaining to equine researches are subscribed. Annual Reports alongwith Information Bulletins and Newsletters from sister institutes of ICAR and other organizations are collected and maintained. Several databases in electronic form are also procured for the use of scientists at the Centre.
Farms
The Centre has the support of Animal and Agriculture farms; one at Hisar (area 200 acres) on National Highway No. 10, 4 kilometers from city, another at Jorbeer (area 100 acres) 10 kilometers from Bikaner. The farms are adequately equipped for cultivation of feed and fodder for the equines and for providing grazing and shelter.

ARIS Cell
Information technology tools are provided to the staff for better research output in the Centre. In this direction, personal computers (PCs) have been issued to various sections/scientists for proper maintenance of data as well as smooth flow of information. PCs have been provided to each section and on each scientists' and officers' desktop for proficient organization and management of information and data. These stand alone units are connected with the server to make the Local Area Network. For getting reliable Internet connectivity, the Centre has procured the Broadband VSAT link under ICAR-Net (NATP) through ERNET India to communicate with outside world and getting recent information on the desired topics.

Development of High security containment (BSL-3) laboratory
National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar is establishing a high security laboratory facility for working on highly pathogenic animal microorganisms. BSL-3 laboratory is a mandatory requirement for handling of high-risk pathogens that are highly infectious and harmful for animal and human health. BSL-3 facility safeguards the environment and laboratory personnel while working on such infectious agents.
Recognizing the expertise and dedication of this centre in the area of animal health, Indian Council of Agricultural Research selected this centre for establishing BSL-3 facility and sanctioned a grant of Rupees three crore for this purpose. The highly specialized and sophisticated facility at Hisar is coming up with the help of Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (an enterprise of Ministry of Health and family welfare, Govt. of India). This laboratory will be first of its kind in north Indian states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, U.P., etc.

The infrastructural facilities of the Centre were strengthened during last five year plan, both at Hisar and Bikaner campuses by constructing an Infectious Diseases cum Small Animal House complex including postmortem cum incinerator facilities, equine sick line and ARIS Cell, plantation of trees and development of agro-forestry in the premises of the Centre etc.
Other infrastructural facilities which include Animal Sheds, Water Tank, Tube-wells, Implement Shed and internal roads have been constructed and made operational. Similarly, adequate facilities for functioning of laboratories, housing of equines and supply of electricity were commissioned. Other facilities generated include telephones, fax, computers, e-mail and internet. An EPABX system has been in working for intercom facilities for interaction and communication between various section of the Centre to give a better and faster output. An 110 kVA generator is also available to cope up with the breakdown of electricity besides creation of central facilities for maintaining ambient temperature for deep freezes and central instrument facility at the Centre.

Latest state-of-art equipments are available in various laboratories for research on different aspects of equine health and production. In order to strengthen the infrastructural facilities, a new laboratory complex at EPC, Bikaner and extension of existing laboratory cum administrative building at Main Campus, Hisar has been constructed.

Creation of National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures
A new scheme, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures (NCVTC), was approved as a national facility to be established at Hisar under NRCE by the 11th Standing Finance Committee meeting of X Plan of DARE/ICAR held on 24th February 2004 at New Delhi with the initial outlay of Rs.780 lakhs in the X plan. The objectives of the NCVTC are:
1. National repository of microorganisms of animal origin including recombinant cultures and plasmids.
2. Identification, characterization and documentation of microorganisms.
3. Conservation, maintenance and utilization of microorganisms.
4. Surveillance of indigenous/exotic microorganisms.
5. Human resource development.
The construction of new building for NCVTC at Hisar has been initiated, however, the work in the new scheme has been initiated within the existing facilities and framework of NRCE.