Ocean Development

India's coastline sprawls over a distance more than 7,500 km long, and its territory includes 1,256 islands. Its exclusive economic zone covers about an area of 20 lakh sq. km and the continental shelf stretches upto 350 nautical miles from the coast. The domain for the development of oceanic resources and preservation of the marine environment extends from the coastal land and islands to the Indian Ocean. The Government of India has established the Department of Ocean Development in 1981, to promote and coordinate the many endeavours required to accomplish the task, as well as to develop the emerging frontier of Antarctic research and deep seabed mining. Antarctic Research Programme Antarctica provides great scope for the conduct of scientific research for the betterment of all mankind. It is an impressive, pristine laboratory, of global importance, which has enabled scientists and researchers to detect and monitor global environment phenomena such as the depletion of the atmospheric zone, global warning and sea level changes. Antarctic meteorological research has supplied data vital to forecasting in the southern hemisphere. Glaciological research provides important data about the heat exchange budget and Antarctica's influence on the weather.Geological and geophysical research in the continent provides great insights into global geological history and the formation of continents. The earth's geomagnetic field renders Antarctica especially well suited to the study of solar-terrestrial interactions and cosmic rays which travel from outer space. The continent's environment provides unique opportunities to study the specialised adaptations of organisms with their environment and biological research presents data essential for decision-making about marine living resources. Human biology and medicine provides information on the physiological adaptation of man to extreme climates and isolation. The Antarctic Treaty parties are totally dedicated to scientific research in the continent. The initiation, promotion and the coordination of the Indian Antarctic Research, which began with the launching of the first expedition during 1981 continues to cover a wide range of scientific activities. These activities have become a regular feature since 1981-82, with such expeditions being sent every year. The scientific programmes are a vital part of these long-term programmes : a) ice ocean atmosphere system in Antarctica and global environment; b) Antarctic lithosphere and Gondwanaland reconstruction, frame-work for delineating plate tectonic processes and assessment of mineral resources hydrocarbons; c) Antarctic ecosystems and environmental physiology; d) solar terrestrial processes; e) innovative technologies for support system; f) environmental impact assessment; and g) generation and structuring of databases (geological topographic, thematic mapping and ecosystems changes, environmental parameters and health care.) The annual expeditions to the continent since 1981 have provided a much needed fillip to front ranking endeavours in basic and environmental sciences and have won for India well deserved recognition amongst the Antarctic Treaty Nations. India has a consultative status in the Antarctic Treaty System and is member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and also party to the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. Fourteen scientific expeditions to Antarctica have been launched in continuation of scientific research programmes on atmospheric science, meteorology, biology, oceanography, earth sciences etc.  Deep Seabed Exploration India was recognised as a pioneer investor in 1982, as a result of pioneering work done in the area of deep seabed exploration with special emphasis on the location and processing of polymetallic modules. A mine site of 1,50,000 sq. km in the central Indian Ocean was allotted by the Preparatory Commission for the International Seabed Authority in August 1987. India was the first country in the world to achieve pioneer status in August 1987 on the basis of delineation of a prospective area covering 3,00,000 sq.km. The survey for mapping and detailed bathymetry of the pioneer area has been subsequently strengthened by the use of a multi-beam swath bathymetric system (hydrosweep) on ORV Sagar Kanya. The survey of the entire area has been completed using the hydrosweep. Consequently vital environmental data, baseline oceanographic data on physical, chemical and biological maps parameters has also been collected. Five pilot plant campaigns at National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur and Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar for obtaining material and energy balance under the extractive metallurgy project have been completed. A joint workshop with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation on Marine Industrial Technology for development of marine non-living resources was organised. A second permanent station, indigenously designed, Maitri was set up in the ice-free area about 70 km away from Dakshin Gangotri, which was established as the first year round base during 1984-85. The Antarctic centre started functioning in a rented accomodation at Vasco during 1992-93. National Institute of Oceanography The National Institute of Oceanography was established in 1966, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. The principal objective of the Institute is to develop sufficient knowledge related to physical, chemical, biological, geological and engineering aspects of the seas around India through : study of physical process in the ocean including the monsoon  exploration of living resources of the sea  sea-farming technology  bio-active substances from marine plants and animals  development of offshore oilfields deep-sea exploration for minerals coastal zone and harbour development studies for effective control of marine pollution ocean modelling  processing of satellite imagery data  acoustic topography The Institute is also involved in research and development projects for exploration and utilisation of natural resources of the seas. The Institute manages research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya of the Department of Ocean Development. The Marine Biotechnology Information Centre at the Institute has developed a data base on marine life of India providing information on taxonomy, biology, ecology, biogeography, commercial uses, collection techniques etc. National Institute of Ocean Technology The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was set up in 1993 under the Department of Ocean Development, as a society registered under registration of Societies Act. The Institute functions in coordination with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras with a view to develop and promote technology related to ocean development. The principal objectives of the Institute are : i) to apply the experience and information acquired through ocean research to develop technology in specific fields like sea-bed mining, ocean energy etc.; ii) to assist the ocean scientists in the development of appropriate ocean engineering and instrumentation systems; iii) to develop necessary technologies for the concept of Coastal Zone Management for comprehensive and sustainable development of the coastal belt and islands of the country and iv) other objectives pertaining to Ocean Technology being coordinated by the DOD. The institute has identified four major time-bound user oriented technology missions like Wave Energy, Deep Sea Technology and Ocean Mining, Coastal Zone Management and Marine Instrumentation.

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