Deep Ocean mission

Deep Ocean mission is the Government of India mission to study the various aspects of ocean in an integrated frame work as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been studying the space. It focuses on giving a boost to exploration of India's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf.

Deep Ocean Mission
Public research agency overview
Formed2018
JurisdictionIndia
Annual budget ₹8,000 crore (US$1.1 billion) (FY20)
Minister responsible
Parent Public research agencyMinistry of Earth Sciences

History

The study of the ocean in India has begun when the Government sponsored the program on polymetallic nodules (PMN) initiated at CSIR-NIO with the collection of the first nodule sample from Arabian sea on board the first research vessel Gaveshani on 26 January 1981. India was the first country in the world to have been given the pioneer Area for exploration of deep sea mineral viz polymetallic nodules in the central Indian ocean Basin in 1987 .This was based on the extensive survey carried out by the scientists of CSIR-NIO on several research ships leading to the allocation of an area of 150,000 km2 (58,000 sq mi) to the country with exclusive right under the UN law of the sea.

Background

Exclusive Economic zones are boundaries prescribed by the United nations Convention on the law of the sea which give the rights to a state regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. India has an Exclusive Economic zone allocated 2,200,000 km2 (850,000 sq mi) which is unexplored and unutilised. Beside India has been allocated a site of 150,000 km2 (58,000 sq mi) in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the United Nation's International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN) which is an amalgamation of iron and manganese hydroxide. It has been estimated that 380 million metric tonnes of PMN are available at the bottom of the seas in the Central Indian Ocean. It is estimated that 10% of recovery of that can meet India's energy requirement for next 100 years.

Goal and objectives

The centre has drawn up a five-year plan with a cost of ₹8000 crore to mining, researching and studying about the ocean floor that can help in forming solid decision on climate change and develop a desalination plant, powered by tidal energy and a submersible vehicle that can explore depths of at least 6,000 m (20,000 ft).

Progress made

Indian Space Research Organisation developed the design of a Submersible Capsule capable of travelling 6,000 m deep for the mission. The development was announced on the sidelines of the silver jubilee celebrations of the National Institute of Ocean Technology.[1]

See also

References
  1. "ISRO Develops Submersible Capsule Capable of Travelling 6,000 Meters Deep for Ocean Mission". Retrieved 5 November 2019.
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