The government on Wednesday approved a proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, relating to the “Deep Ocean Mission” with an estimated investment of Rs 4,077 crore over a period of five years. The mission aims to conduct exploration up to 6,000 metres under the sea to look for resources, and also to develop deep-sea technologies and a deep-sea station.
Announcing the decision of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, the mission would be implemented in a phased manner, as in the first phase (2021-24), the government would spend Rs 2,823.40 crore.
The ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ will help in exploration of marine resources and development of marine technology. Javadekar told reporters that there is a different world under the deep sea. Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is ocean. Not much study has been done about it yet. He said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the “Deep Sea Mission”.
“This will strengthen the blue economy, on the one hand, as well as help in the exploration of marine resources and development of marine technology,” Javadekar said, adding that there are many types of minerals below 6,000 metres in the sea. “These minerals have not been studied. Under this mission, study and survey work will be done about minerals. Apart from this, studies will also be done about changes in the deep sea, including climate change and rising sea level,” he said.
Javadekar said that under the “Deep Sea Mission”, a study about biodiversity will also be done. He said that under this, an advanced marine station would be established to gather information about marine biology. Apart from this, thermal energy will be studied.
“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,” the minister said.
Javadekar said that only five countries of the world, America, Russia, France, Japan, and China, have the technology in this regard. Such technology is not freely available. In such a situation, this mission itself will also pave the way for the development of technology. The minister also said that India has a unique maritime position, and its 7,517 km long coastline is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands.
