O - Smart Scheme operational in 25 Indian Ocean Countries

NewsBharati    23-Sep-2020 14:23:12 PM
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New Delhi, Sept 23: Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsha Vardhan has stated in Rajya Sabha that the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre ( ITEWC ) is serving 25 Indian ocean countries under the O - SMART Scheme started by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
 
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The Union Minister has submitted the revised objectives of the O - Smart scheme in the house;
  1. To monitor free water pollutants in order to do health assessment of coastal waters of India.

  2. To develop the shore line change maps in order to assist the coastal erosion due to anthropogenic activities and natural calamities.

  3. To develop wide range of ocean observation systems to help acquire real time data from the seas in India.

  4. To provide warnings, advisories and user-oriented Ocean information.

  5. To develop Ocean forecast and Re analysis system.

  6. To develop technologies in order to tap marine bio-resources.

  7. To provide algorithms in order to help in validating satellite data related to coastal research.

  8. To establish water treatment facilities.

  9. To operate and maintain the 5 research vessels deployed in Ocean survey monitoring and demonstration programmes.

  10. To carry out exploration of polymetallic nodules from the water depth of 5500 metres.
The ITWC was established at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services ( INCOIS ), Hyderabad, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2007. Since then until now, the Centre has been providing tsunami warning services to 25 Indian ocean countries under the Inter governmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO.
 
Among the various projects, that the Government has started to develop research in various sectors, this scheme adds value to the existing research and technology for marine and maritime activities. It generates and updates information Marine living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ). The extension of the Indian scheme towards 25 Indian ocean countries is a positive step towards maintaining foreign relations among Asian countries. The scheme will also provide crucial data beneficial for maritime security.