Aim: To explore and harness the immense potential of ocean’s depths.
Objectives:
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- To address issues arising due to climate change.
- Developing deep sea technologies like underwater vehicles.
- Provide ocean climate change advisory.
- Develop techniques for offshore desalinization and renewable energy generation.
- To support blue economy.
Features:
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- It is launched as a central sector scheme.
- Period: 5 years, to be implemented in a phased manner.
- It has 6 components:
| COMPONENT |
ABOUT |
TARGETED AREA OF BLUE ECONOMY |
| Technologies for deep sea mining and manned submersible |
Developing a manned submersible to carry 3 people to depth of 6000 meters in ocean and an Integrated Mining system for mining of poly metallic nodules in the ocean. |
Exploring and harnessing deep sea minerals and energy. |
| Developing Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services |
A suit of observations and models be developed to understand and provide future projections of important climate variables. |
Benefiting coastal tourism. |
| Technological innovation for exploration and conservation of deep sea biodiversity |
Bio- prospecting of deep-sea flora and fauna including microbes and studies on sustainable utilization of deep sea bio-resources will be the main focus. |
Supporting marine fisheries and allied services. |
| Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration |
To explore and identify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralization along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges. |
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 |
offshore energy development. |
| Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology |
development of human capacity and enterprise in ocean biology and engineering to translate research into industrial application and product development through on-site business incubator facilities |
Marine Biology, Blue trade and blue manufacturing. |
Significance:
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- Economic growth: Oceans support fisheries, aquaculture, blue trade etc. for 30% of India’s population living on coasts.
- Energy and mineral resources: Oceans are storehouse of food, energy, minerals, medicines etc. Just utilizing 10% of the PMN reserve available in area allotted to India, it can meet its energy requirements for the next 100 years.
- Understanding deep seas helps in predicting the climate trends. Thus, it goes a long way in mitigating climate change crisis.
- Polymetallic nodules comprise metals like copper, nickel, manganese, etc. which are utilised in electronic devices, smart phones, and even solar panels.
- It aligns with the ‘New India 2030’ vision, focusing on blue economy as a core component of India’s growth.
