Lok Sabha Question No. 3952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Ocean Resources
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3952 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016

## OCEAN RESOURCES

## 3952. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  conduct  detailed study and research on ocean resources in Indian Ocean;
- (b) whether the Government is working on a plan along with other countries for proper and long standing use of ocean resources;
- (c) If so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the total number of ocean research vessels functioning for ocean research along with the number of vessels which have outlived their utility?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI. Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) Government of India signed a 15 year contract with International Seabed  Authority  (ISA)  for  exploration  of  polymetallic  nodules from  Central  Indian  Ocean  Basin  (CIOB)  in  2002.  Extensive survey  has  been  carried  out  in  75000  sq  km  area  retained  by India in CIOB.

Seven  cruises  were  undertaken  to  collect  scientific  data  and samples pertaining to polymetallic sulfides along Central Indian Ridge (CIR) & Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) region of the Indian Ocean  in  the  year  2012-13.  Based  on  the  outcome  of  these surveys,  India  submitted  an  application  for  exclusive  rights  of exploration  of  polymetallic  sulfides  at  a  site  of  10000  sq  km along CIR & SWIR in Indian Ocean in 2013, which was approved by International Seabed Authority (ISA) in 2014. The Cabinet has for recently approved the signing of contract with ISA exploration of polymetallic sulfides.

Exploration of Gas Hydrates has been carried out by conducting 3D  seismic  survey  in  the  Krishna-Godavari  and  the  Mahanadi basins.

Preliminary exploration has been carried out to identify occurrence of cobalt-enriched ferromanganese crusts and assessment of resource potential of cobalt rich deposits in the Afanasiy-Nikitin Seamount region.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute under Indian Council of  Agricultural  Research, Ministry of Agriculture undertakes the study  pertaining  to  marine  fisheries  including  fishery  resource monitoring; fisheries and ecosystem modelling; sustainable management  of  fishery  resources;  fish  genetics  and  genomics; fish  nutrition;  fish  health  and  bio  prospecting;  brood  stock development  and  seed production; marine biodiversity; and marine habitats etc.

(b&c) Yes,  Madam.  A  Test  Mine  Site  (TMS)  has  been  tentatively identified  with  in  the  First  Generation  Mining  Site  (FGMS)  for further detailed studies pertaining to polymetallic nodules. In this regard,  as  a  part  of  development  of  a  pilot  mining  system  in  a phased  manner,  a  crawler  based  prototype  shallow  bed  mining system has been developed and demonstrated at a water depth of 512 m. Extraction of copper, nickel and cobalt from polymetallic nodules has been demonstrated in a pilot plant with a capacity to process 500 kg nodules per day at Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udiapur. There is no collaboration with foreign government/foreign organisation in this regard.

(d) Oceanographic Research vessels Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar  Manjusha  and  Sagar  Nidhi  of  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences, Samudra Ratnakar of Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines  and  Sindhu  Sankalp  and  Sindhu  Sadhana  of  National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research are deployed for ocean research. Oceanographic Research vessels Samudra Manthan of GSI and Gaveshani of NIO have outlived their utility.

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