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The much anticipated Deep Ocean Mission of Indian government has received a handsome amount from the recent Union Budget. Critically analyse the merits and challenges associated with this mission.
The much anticipated Deep Ocean Mission of Indian government has received a handsome amount from the recent Union Budget. Critically analyse the merits and challenges associated with this mission.
Deep Ocean Mission:
- It is the proposed project of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences to explore the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.
- Setting up desalination plants supported by tidal energy and
- Developing a submersible vehicle to explore depths of at least 6000 metres are also the key components of this mission.
Why this mission?
- India has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.2 million Sq.km, which lies unexplored and unutilised.
- Besides India, has been allotted a site of 1,50,000Sq Km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules.
- It has been estimated that 380 Million Metric Tonnes of PMN are available at the bottom of the seas in the Central Indian Ocean,
Potential benefits:
- India’s energy security could be beefed up as the polymetallic nodules are rich in Iron, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese.
- It is estimated that 10% recovery of that reserve can meet India’s energy requirements for the next 100 years.
- Our knowledge and prediction could widen on the future climate change impacts and the disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis and the like.
- Underwater vehicles and underwater robotics would also get a major boost.
- New sources of food, medical drugs and other products can be obtained.
- Can inspire young people to seek careers in Ocean studies and Marine Biology.(thus increasing employment opportunities)
- The declining population of endangered animal and plant species in Indian ocean can be arrested (using research done with submersible vehicles)
Challenges:
- Huge expenditure due to the usage of various state-of-the-art technologies.
- Deep sea mining could jeopardize the habitat of marine living organisms.
- Accidental spillage of fuel in the ocean is also to be reckoned with.
Road Ahead:
- Considering the multidimensional benefits which can be accrued from this mission, India should wisely run this project without risking its marine ecosystem.
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