TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The Union Cabinet has granted approval for ‘Prithvi Vigyan’ (PRITHVI), an extensive initiative aimed at facilitating research and utilizing funds allocated to five sub-schemes within the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) over a five-year period.
EXPLANATION:
- This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to earth sciences research, pooling together a total allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for various sub-schemes.
Sub-Schemes Under ‘PRITHVI’
- The PRITHVI initiative encompasses five sub-schemes, namely:
- Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services
- Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources, and Technology
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
- Seismology and Geosciences
- Research, Education, Training, and Outreach
- These sub-schemes cover a spectrum of earth science domains, aiming to streamline research efforts and utilize funds more flexibly across disciplines.
Objectives of the ‘PRITHVI’ Scheme
- The overarching goal of the PRITHVI initiative is to consolidate earth system sciences into a cohesive unit, transcending individual domains like atmosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and ocean science.
- This consolidation allows for interdisciplinary projects and the combined utilization of allocated funds, fostering ease of research collaboration and resource allocation across different verticals.
Focus Areas and Integrated Efforts
- The PRITHVI scheme aims to integrate multi-disciplinary earth science research efforts across MoES institutes.
- These consolidated research and development endeavors seek to address significant challenges in weather, climate, oceans, cryosphere, seismology, and the exploration of living and non-living resources for sustainable utilization.
Specific Objectives of ‘PRITHVI’
The objectives of the PRITHVI initiative include:
- Augmentation and maintenance of long-term observations of earth’s vital signs and changes in the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth.
- Development of modeling systems for predicting weather, ocean behavior, and climate-related hazards.
- Exploration of polar regions and high seas for discovery of new phenomena and resources.
- Technology development for sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications.
- Translation of insights from earth systems science into services for societal, environmental, and economic benefit.
Collaborative Efforts and Research Institutes
- The PRITHVI scheme fosters interdependency among its various components, encouraging an integrated approach through collaborative efforts among MoES institutes.
- The Ministry comprises ten research institutes specializing in meteorology, oceanography, seismology, and earth sciences, among others.
Support and Research Infrastructure
- To facilitate research under the PRITHVI initiative, the Ministry possesses a fleet of oceanographic and coastal research vessels.
- These vessels provide essential research support for various facets of earth sciences, enhancing the initiative’s ability to undertake comprehensive studies across different domains.
Conclusion
- The ‘PRITHVI Vigyan’ initiative underscores a holistic approach to earth sciences research, consolidating resources and efforts to tackle significant challenges in understanding the earth system’s dynamics, climate change, natural hazards, and sustainable resource utilization.
- Through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach, the initiative aims to drive advancements in earth sciences and translate research findings into practical applications for societal and environmental benefit.