Deep Ocean Mission In India
Source : The Hindu 
GS III : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Why in News ?

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on Deep Ocean Mission with a view to explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.

Key Facts

• The estimated cost of the Mission will be Rs. 4077 crore for a period of 5 years to be implemented in a phase-wise manner.
• The estimated cost for the first phase for the 3 years (2021-2024) would be Rs.2823.4 crore.
• Deep Ocean Mission with be 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.
• Integrated Mining System will be also developed for mining Polymetallic Nodules.
  • Commercial exploitation code is evolved by the International Seabed Authority an UN organization.
  • It allotted India 75000 sq. kilometers in Central Indian Ocean Basin(CIOB) for the exploration of these polymetallic nodules.

Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)?
Polymetallic nodules are Fe-Mn oxide deposits are of a black earthy colour. Rare earth minerals are considered as a great source of valuable minerals 

Major Components of Deep Ocean Mission

• Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining and Manned Submersible
  • A manned submersible will be developed.

    

  • To carry three people to a depth of 6000 metres in the ocean with suite of scientific sensors and tools.
  • Integrated Mining System will be also developed for mining Polymetallic Nodules from 6000 m depth in the central Indian Ocean.
• Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services
  • A suite of observations and models will be developed
  • Aims to understand and provide future projections of important climate variables on seasonal to decadal time scales under this proof of concept component.
  • This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of coastal tourism.
• Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity
  • Bio-prospecting of deep sea flora and fauna including microbes.
  • Studies on sustainable utilisation of deep sea bio-resources will be the main focus.
  • This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of Marine Fisheries and allied services.
• Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration
  • To explore and identify potential sites of multi-metal Hydrothermal Sulphides mineralisation along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges.
  • This component will additionally support the Blue Economy priority area of deep sea exploration of ocean resources.
• Energy and freshwater from the Ocean
  • Studies and detailed engineering design for offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant.
  • This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of off-shore energy development.
• Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology
  • Aimed as development of human capacity and enterprise in ocean biology and engineering.
  • This component will translate research into industrial application and product development through on-site business incubator facilities.
  • This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of Marine Biology, Blue trade and Blue manufacturing.

Advantages For India in Deep Ocean Mission In India

• Research vessel for deep ocean exploration would be built in an Indian shipyard which would create employment opportunities.
• Directed towards capacity development in Marine Biology.
• Design, development and fabrication of specialised equipment, ships and setting up of required infrastructure are expected to spur the growth of the Indian industry.
• Three sides surrounded by the oceans and around 30 per cent of the country’s population living in coastal areas, ocean is a major economic factor supporting fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods and blue trade.
• Its 7517 km long coastline is home to nine coastal states and 1382 islands.

Challenges for Deep Sea Mining

• Technologies required for deep sea mining have strategic implications and are not commercially available.
• Initially indigenise technologies by collaborating with leading institutes and private industries.

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