In recent news, the Ministry of Earth Science has announced the anticipated realization of the Samudrayaan Mission by the year 2026. This pioneering mission aims at sending three personnel to an impressive depth of 6000 meters in the deep sea. The personnel will explore the ocean depths in a specially designed vehicle, ‘MATSYA 6000’, for the purpose of investigating undersea resources like minerals.
Unveiling the Samudrayaan Mission
Developed by Chennai’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the MATSYA 6000 vehicle is a significant component of the Rs 6000-crores Deep Ocean Mission. Boasting an endurance of 12 hours under normal operation and a remarkable survival capacity of 96 hours under emergencies, this manned submersible is India’s first step into manned ocean missions.
The mission holds great potential for understanding the nature and diversity of deep-sea areas, as the scientific personnel can directly interact with the unexplored environment. Moreover, it aligns perfectly with the central government’s Blue Economy vision; one of the ten core dimensions of growth in the new India.
India’s Unique Maritime Position
India’s distinctive maritime position, with its 7517 km long coastline housing nine states and 1,382 islands, warrants attention towards marine resources. Approximately 30% of the nation’s populace resides along the coastlines and consequently, coastal regions play a pivotal role in the country’s economy. Besides providing livelihood opportunities, coastal areas support fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and blue trade.
The Deep Ocean Mission
Approved in June 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Deep Ocean Mission’s objective is to explore the ocean depths for resources, develop sustainable deep-sea technologies, and reinforce the government’s Blue Economy initiatives. The mission, estimated to cost around Rs. 4,077 crores over five years, will be implemented progressively.
Parallel Oceanic Initiatives
Several other ocean-related initiatives are currently in progress. In 2020, the India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development was jointly inaugurated by the two nations, aiming at collaborative initiatives.
The Sagarmala project is another strategic initiative focusing on port-led development through extensive use of IT-enabled services for port modernization. India also has an umbrella scheme named ‘O-SMART’ that targets regulated use of oceans and marine resources for sustainable development.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management prioritizes conservation of coastal and marine resources and improving livelihood opportunities for coastal communities. India’s National Fisheries Policy promotes the ‘Blue Growth Initiative’, concentrating on sustainable utilization of fisheries wealth from marine and other aquatic resources.
Through these various initiatives and the upcoming Samudrayaan Mission, India continues its commitment to exploring, conserving, and sustainably utilizing its abundant marine resources.
