Cabinet approves O-Smart scheme aimed to step up ocean research

The Cabinet today approved a scheme aimed at stepping up ocean research and setting up early warning weather systems, a government statement said.

The 'Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-SMART)' scheme encompasses 16 sub-projects related to ocean development activities and science for implementation during 2017-18 and 2019-20 at an overall cost of Rs 1,623 crore, the statement said.

Under the scheme, the important deliverables envisaged in the next two years include strengthening of ocean observations, modelling, ocean services for fishermen, setting up marine coastal observatories for tracking marine pollution in 2018, setting up Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant (OTEC) in Kavaratti in Lakshadweep.

The scheme also includes acquisition of two coastal research vessels, continuation of ocean survey and exploration of minerals and living resources, technology development for deep ocean mining- and setting up six desalination Plants in Lakshadweep, according to the statement.

The O-SMART is expected to provide necessary scientific and technological background required for implementation of various aspects of Blue Economy.

This also includes setting up of the state-of-the-art Early Warning Systems to effectively deal with ocean disasters like tsunami, storm surges, the statement said.

The technologies being developed under this scheme will help in harnessing the vast ocean resources of both living and non-living resources from the seas around India.

The implementation of O-SMART will help address issues relating to Sustainable Development Goal-14, which aims to conserve use of oceans, marine resources for sustainable development, the statement said.

"As the resources on land are not adequate enough to meet future demands, India is also looking at the blue economy for effective and efficient use of the vast ocean resources in a sustainable way, which would require a great deal of information on ocean science, development of technology and providing services," it added.