Lok Sabha Question No. 2803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Deep Ocean Mission
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah, Feroze Varun Gandhi, V. Kalanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2803

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY,12TH MARCH, 2021

## Deep Ocean Mission

## 2803.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH: SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI: DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

## Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch Deep Ocean Mission in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  aims  and  objectives  and  the  goals  set  by the Government under the Mission;
- (c) the details of funds allocated under Deep Ocean Mission along with the states/UTs likely to be covered thereunder;
- (d) whether the Government is also collaborating with the Non-Governmental organisations for research and explorations and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the efforts being made by the Government under Deep Ocean Mission for exploring in Central Indian Ocean Basin?

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed as multi-ministerial multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep sea technology, exploration of deep sea mineral resources  and  biodiversity,  acquisition  of  a  research  vessel  for  exploration,  deep  sea observations, and capacity building. Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal agency for implementing the programme. The major objectives proposed under Deep Ocean Mission are as follows:
- i. Development  of  technologies  for  deep  sea  mining,  underwater  vehicles  and underwater robotics;
- ii. Development of ocean climate change advisory services;
- iii. Technological  innovations  for  exploration  and  conservation  of  deep  sea biodiversity;
- iv. Deep ocean survey and exploration;
- v. Proof of concept studies on energy and freshwater from the ocean; and
- vi. Establishing advanced marine station for ocean biology
- (c) The year wise and component wise estimates of the scheme are as follows:

| S.No    | Sub-scheme                                                                                    | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   | Subtotal Phase I   |                   | 2024- 25   | 2025- 26   | Subtotal Phase II   | TOTAL    |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|--------------------|-------------------|------------|------------|---------------------|----------|
| 1       | Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, Underwater Vehicles and Underwater Robotics. | 293.4     | 406.6     | 377.4     | 1077.40            | Review of Phase-I | 268.8      | 191.8      | 460.60              | 1538     |
| 2       | Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services,                                        | 22.3      | 21.05     | 23.75     | 67.1               | Review of Phase-I | 18.7       | 14.2       | 32.9                | 100      |
| 3       | Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep sea biodiversity,          | 157.25    | 143.52    | 59.78     | 360.55             | Review of Phase-I | 43.1       | 21.35      | 64.45               | 425      |
| 4       | Deep Ocean Survey and                                                                         | 189.5     | 242       | 298       | 729.5              | Review of Phase-I | 307.5      | 248.5      | 556                 | 1285.50  |
| 5       | Energy and freshwater from the Ocean                                                          | 6.8       | 19.8      | 29.2      | 55.8               | Review of Phase-I | 27.1       | 17.1       | 44.2                | 100      |
| 6       | Advanced marine station for Ocean Biology                                                     | 181       | 198       | 188       | 567                | Review of Phase-I | 72         | 81         | 153                 | 720      |
|         | TOTAL                                                                                         | 850.25    | 1030.97   | 976.13    | 2857.35            | Review of Phase-I | 737.2      | 573.95     | 1311.15             | 4168.50  |
| Phase I | Phase I                                                                                       | Phase I   | Phase I   | Phase I   | Phase I            | Review of Phase-I | Phase II   | Phase II   | Phase II            | Phase II |
| 2857.35 | 2857.35                                                                                       | 2857.35   | 2857.35   | 2857.35   | 2857.35            | Review of Phase-I | 1311.15    | 1311.15    | 1311.15             | 1311.15  |

The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed to be a Central Sector Scheme and no separate allocation for States is envisaged. The funds are expected to be allocated based on the above estimates. Yes, Sir. It is proposed to collaborate with non-governmental organizations for research

- (d) collaboration for various components of Deep Ocean Mission.
- (e) Under Deep Ocean Mission, it is proposed to develop, test and demonstrate the mining technology  for  harvesting  of  polymetallic  nodules  from  the  Test  Mine  Site  (TMS)  in  the allocated  area  of  75000  sq.  km  in  the  Central  Indian  Ocean  Basin  (CIOB).  A  manned submersible for 6000 m depth is also proposed to be developed as an ocean exploratory tool.

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