Lok Sabha Question No. 5666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Biophysical Variability
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5666

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2019

## BIOPHYSICAL VARIABILITY

## 5666. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of Earth Sciences will be please to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  encourage  scientific community to conduct research to further understand the Indian Ocean's biophysical variability in respect of monsoon and human activities;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the significant steps taken by the Government to carry out Oceanographic research in the Indian Ocean during the last three years; and
- (d) the funds allocated and utilized for the research activities/studies in this regard during the above period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- Yes, Sir.
- (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences has dedicated projects on Ocean Observation Networks, Ocean Modelling and a multi-institutional project on monsoon mission. Scientists from various national institutes are involved in these projects.  Coupled  physical-biological  models  together  with  the  data collected using ship cruises and profiling platforms are used to study the biogeochemical  and  ecological  responses  to  physical  forcing  towards understanding the monsoon and forecasting the changes due to climate change.  The  observations  made  in  the  coastal  waters  of  eastern  and western continental shelf of India combined with model simulated data are  used  to  assess  the  coastal  marine  ecosystem.  The  data  collected helped in understanding the health of coastal waters and the vulnerability  of  our  coastal  zones  to  adverse  human  impacts  and industrialization.
- (c) Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  formulated  an  umbrella  scheme  on  Ocean Services,  Technology,  Observations,  Resources  Modelling  and  Science through  which  projects  are  executed  primarily  by  the  institutions attached  to  the  ministry  in  collaboration  with  the  other  research  and academic institutions in the country. Other significant steps pertaining to oceanographic research in Indian Ocean includes, commencement of construction of two  new  coastal  research  vessels, restoration of beaches  at  Puducherry  and  Kadalur  using  technology  interventions, commencement of setting up of 6 low temperature thermal desalination plants in Lakshadweep islands, exploration of deep sea mineral resources viz. polymetallic nodules and polymetallic sulfides from Indian Ocean, bathymetric survey of major portion of deep waters in Exclusive Economic Zone of India , development of ocean technologies etc.
- (d) The  fund  allocated  and  utilized  for  this  purpose  during  the  last  three years are as under:

Amount in crores of rupee

| Budget Head                                                                          | Year    |   Budget Allocated (Plan) |   Expenditure (Plan) |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------------------------|----------------------|
| Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-STORMS) | 2016-17 |                     305   |               297.65 |
| Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-STORMS) | 2017-18 |                     316   |               310.63 |
| Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-STORMS) | 2018-19 |                     440.5 |               434.49 |

*****