The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on "Deep Ocean Mission".
Context
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on "Deep Ocean Mission".
About the Deep Ocean Mission
- It is started to explore the deep ocean for resources and develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.
- The Mission will be implemented for 5 years in a phase-wise manner.
- Deep Ocean Mission is a mission mode project to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of India.
- Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional ambitious mission.
- The Deep Ocean Mission consists of the following six major components:
- Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining for polymetallic nodules at 6000m, and Manned Submersible
- Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services
- Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity
- Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration
- Energy and freshwater from the Ocean
- Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology
- Attempts will be made to indigenize technologies by collaborating with leading institutes and private industries.
- A research vessel for deep ocean exploration would be built in an Indian shipyard which would create employment opportunities.
- This mission is also directed towards capacity development in Marine Biology, which will provide job opportunities in Indian industries.
- In addition, the design, development, and fabrication of specialized equipment, ships, and setting up of required infrastructure are expected to spur the growth of the Indian industry, especially the MSME and startups.
Polymetallic nodules
- These are small potato-like rounded accretions composed of minerals.
- These minerals include manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper, and iron hydroxide.
- They lie scattered on the Indian Ocean Floor at depths of about 6000m.
- Their size can vary from a few millimeters to centimeters.
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Ocean for sustainable development
- Considering the importance of the oceans on sustainability, the United Nations (UN) has declared the decade, 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
- The Government of India's Vision of New India by 2030 enunciated in February 2019 highlighted the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.
