In recent happenings, the Ministry of Earth Sciences launched a web-based application called DigitalOcean. The application was developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and introduced during a virtual meeting held in New Delhi.
Digital Ocean: A New Era of Ocean Data Management
DigitalOcean is a groundbreaking platform that specializes in managing ocean data. It is the first of its kind that brings all ocean data-related services under one roof. The platform incorporates advanced geospatial technology applications to efficiently organize and display diverse oceanographic data. Moreover, it offers an interactive online environment for data integration, 3D and 4D data visualization (3D space with time animation), and data analysis, helping assess the evolution of oceanographic features.
Significance of Digital Ocean
DigitalOcean takes a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister’s vision of a digital India, aiming to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It offers a comprehensive solution for all data-related needs across a wide range of users including research institutions, academic communities, operational agencies, maritime industry, policy makers, and the general public.
The platform is anticipated to contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while playing a central role in sustainable management of oceans, thus expanding the government’s Blue Economy initiatives. Furthermore, DigitalOcean will be promoted as a platform for capacity building on Ocean Data Management for all Indian Ocean Rim Countries.
Another Related Initiative: Deep Ocean Mission
Launched in 2018, the Deep Ocean Mission focuses on exploring the deep ocean. Its emphasis lies on deep-sea mining, providing ocean climate change advisory services, and developing underwater vehicles and robotics related technologies. Two key projects proposed within this mission include a tidal energy-powered desalination plant and a submersible vehicle capable of exploring depths of at least 6,000 meters.
This mission carries significant weight as it allows India to develop the capabilities necessary to exploit resources within the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
INCOIS is an autonomous organization operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Established in 1999 and situated in Hyderabad, it forms part of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) based in New Delhi.
ESSO functions as the executive arm of MoES for policymaking and program implementation. The organization’s goal is to advance and enhance the capability to forecast weather, climate, and hazard-related phenomena. This objective serves social, economic, and environmental benefits, tackling aspects related to climate change science and services.
As its mandate, INCOIS aims to provide the most accurate ocean information and advisory services to various sectors including industry, government agencies, scientific communities, and the general public. This task is accomplished through sustained ocean observations and constant improvement via systematic and focused research.
Various state-of-the-art technologies and tools have been adopted and developed by INCOIS. These include Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, Ocean State Forecast (OSF), High Wave Alerts, early warnings for Tsunamis, Storm Surge and Oil-Spill advisories, among others. Notably, INCOIS serves as both the National Argo Data Centre and the Regional Argo Data Centre for the International Argo Programme.