Significance of Deep Ocean Mission
This mission is important for the nation as it will help India develop and enhance the capabilities for exploiting the available resource in the CIOB, Central Indian Ocean Basin, which is around 75000 sq. kilometers (as approved by UN international SeaBed Authority). The major objective of this mission is to mine and dig out PMN.
India and Deep Ocean Mission:
Along with many countries like France, China, Germany, Russia, South Korea, and Japan, India has even taken a significant measure regarding ocean missions. The Indian government in 2019 has started a plan worth ₹8,000-crore to thoroughly explore the ocean depth for fulfilling the multidimensional aims like an exploration of resources (metals and minerals). Moreover, UN International Sea Bed Authority has allotted India a 75,000 sq. km. site in the CIOB (Central Indian Ocean Basin) for PMN (polymetallic nodules) exploitation.
Note: Utilizing just 10 percent of the polymetallic nodules reserve available in the given area, the nation can easily meet the country’s energy requirement for the coming 100 years.
Deep Ocean Mission
We, humans, are highly inquisitive beings. Our journey to exploring this planet has no end. We have made immense progress in exploring space, but the world underwater remained untouched for long. It was only recently that a mission was launched to explore the world underneath, and efforts are being made to support the blue economy initiatives of the GOI. Deep Ocean Mission is an ambitious mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.