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The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) was India has a coastline of about 7500 km, and Exclusive
established in the year 2006 by bringing the Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2.02 million sq km
meteorological agencies and ocean development (our landmass area being about 3.27 million sq km)
department under one umbrella considering which also forms a key multi-disciplinary research
the importance of coupled ocean-atmosphere which is again closely linked to societal benefit.
processes for understanding the variability of
weather, climate and hazards. The MoES aims Thus a wide range of activities are covered
at looking at the planet in a holistic way so as contributing to various societal benefits in the areas
to develop a comprehensive understanding of Weather (General), Weather advisories specific to
of interplay of earth processes. The vision of agriculture, aviation, shipping, sports, etc, Monsoon,
the Ministry is to emerge as a knowledge and Disasters (cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, sea level
information technology enterprise for the earth rise), Living and non-living resources (fishery
system science (atmosphere, hydrosphere, advisory, poly-metallic nodules, gas hydrates, etc),
cryosphere and geosphere) realm for the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change.
Indian subcontinent and Ocean. This planet The programmes of the ministry have been recast
offers immense opportunities and challenges broadly into various categories viz., (i) Atmospheric
through its varying nature manifested through Science & Services; (ii) Ocean Science & Services;
weather and more evidently in the ever-dynamic (iii) Cryosphere/Polar Science; (iv) Ocean Resources;
oceanic and atmospheric conditions. (v) Ocean Technology; (vi) Coastal Marine Ecology;
(vii) Climate Change Science; (viii) Disaster Support;
The earth system science is a science of national (ix) Vessel Management; (x) R&D in Earth Sciences;
importance. We need to develop scientific and (xi) Outreach.
understanding of the earth system and earth
processes as well as their response to the natural In view of this mandate, the Ministry supports
and human-induced changes. We need to record focused process studies, development of earth
various environmental variables which record system models, information system for societal,
the vital signs of change and their causes. It is environmental and economic benefits. The
essential to distinguish between the variability major agenda is to promote discovery of a new
and changes of the earth system. This is vital to perspective on earth system science, better
improve prediction of the climate, weather and understanding of earth processes and apply
natural hazards. knowledge for sustainable use of earth resources.
Earth
Earth Science System
Commission Organisation
(Policy (Programme
Support) Planning)
Table 2.1: Summary of the long range forecasts southwest monsoon, 2009
Region Period Issued on Forecast Actual
All India June to September 17th April, 2009 96% ± 5% of LPA 78% of LPA
24th June, 2009 93%± 4% of LPA
All India July 24th June, 2009 93%± 9% of LPA 96% of LPA
All India August 24th June, 2009 101% ± 9% of LPA 73% of LPA
North-West India June to September 24th June, 2009 81% ± 8% of LPA 65% of LPA
North-East India 92% ± 8% of LPA 77% of LPA
Central India 99% ± 8% of LPA 80% of LPA
South Peninsula 93% ± 8% of LPA 94% of LPA
Wide range of ocean information services, ocean workshops were conducted at Nochikuppam–
data, information and advisory services are being Santhome on 30th October, 2009 and 20th November,
provided to society, industry, government and 2009 at Thiruvanmiyur Kuppam on 11th December,
scientific community through sustained ocean 2009 and at Purseine Association office at Bhatkal
observations, and constant improvements through and Honnavar, on 06th November, 2009. The first
systematic and focused research, data, information two workshops were in Tamil Nadu and the third
management and ocean modelling. was in Karnataka.
3.1 Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Service In addition to the awareness workshops for
fishermen, a four-day long training programme on
The advisories generated using the satellite data, “Fish Forecasting–Generation and Dissemination”
thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) was also conducted for the delegates from the
on cloud free days during non-fishing ban days, Malaysia during 16-19th November, 2009 at INCOIS
were disseminated to the fishermen of the on request from Malaysian Fishery Department.
country using innovative electronic display boards
installed with fishing harbours, information kiosks 3.2 Ocean State Forecast
in the fishing villages, Doordarshan, print media,
emails, telephone, Fax, SMS on mobile phones This service informs the community about the
and through INCOIS website. state of the ocean
The forecasts of ocean state represented by wave
The service is provided in eight local languages to heights and wave directions were continued.
136 nodes spread in the coast of India The use of Reliable forecast of the ocean state is vital for
PFZ advisory resulted in the reduction of search shipping, fishery, offshore industries, ports and
time up to 70% in the case of pelagic fisheries. harbours as well as for Navy and Coast Guards.
During the past year, 87 Integrated PFZ advisories The forecasts on wave heights and directions
were generated for the sectors of east and west (separately for swells and waves) were provided
coast of India. To strengthen the dissemination for five days at six hourly intervals. The forecasted
systems, during the past year, seven new generation winds from NCMRWF are used to forecast the
Electronic Display Boards (EDBs) were installed. waves over the global at 1° x 1° spatial resolution.
Regional forecast are made available at 0.5° x 0.5°
During the past year, rapid progress on issuing spatial resolution for seven days at three hourly
experimental forecasts for Tuna fishery was intervals. The forecasts are disseminated through
made. Thirty-three experimental advisories, were website. The forecasts are also given for the nine
generated and provided to designated Tuna long coastal regions adjoining the nine coastal states
liners on Tuesdays and Thursdays in map and text of India at a finer resolution of 0.25° x 0.25° for
form together with satellite images via emails. seven days at three hourly intervals. Validation of
the forecast is done regularly using both in situ
To educate the fishermen on how to use and observations from moored buoys and satellites
benefit from the Potential Fishing Zone Advisories, derived wave heights (Fig. 3.1).
50 Error during South West monsoon 50 Error during extreme conditions AKASH
45 Off Paradeep (DS4) 45 NARGIS
40 Off Vizag (DS5) 40 SIDR
Puducherry coast
35 35
Percentage error
Percentage error
Tuticorin Coast (SW5)
30 30
25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
5 5
0 0
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
Four new parameters, namely, sea surface INCOIS website as well as provided to the users as
currents, MLD, depth of thermocline and SST were per their requirement.
also added to Ocean State Forecasting services.
The ocean general circulation model, Regional The following in situ data from various PIs and
Ocean Model System (ROMS), has been set up institutions were added to the database. The data
and adopted for the Indian Ocean region for this are processed, quality checked and added to the
purpose. Five day forecasts of surface currents, sea existing database.
surface temperature, mixed layer depth and depth CTD (677 stations during 1998-2002),
of 20°C isotherm (as an indicator of the depth of ADCP and Sea-truth data from CMLRE
thermocline) are made available for five days in Wave rider buoy data off Gopalpur
advance over the Indian Ocean region at 0.25°x (May 08-Jun 09) from ICMAM
0.25° spatial resolution. The forecasted winds and AWS onboard ORV Sagar Nidhi ( Jul 2009-
air-sea fluxes available from NCMRWF are used to till date)
force the model. Hydrographic Data for the Indian Ocean
1976-2005 from NIO
A new web interface was designed to disseminate SeaWifs (1999-2003).
the forecasts together with the forecasts on waves
and winds. One of the major achievements of the data
management group during the past year is the
3.3 Ocean Data Management and development of an ‘Integrated in situ data and
Dissemination information system’ and its integration with
the existing data base. This allows the user for
INCOIS the dissemination of moored buoy data to querying, searching, visualising and downloading
the users [IMD (Delhi and Chennai), Directorate of in situ data from wide variety of in situ ocean
of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (Mumbai, observing systems.
Port Blair, Vizag, Goa, Kochi), and Coast Guard
(Chennai)] by email and also continued to receive, Other notable achievements are: (i) development of
process and archive the remote sensing data from software application for automatic data reception
AVHRR (NOAA-17,18) and MODIS (Aqua and from AWS, conversion, processing and loading that
Terra) data in real time. The data products (SST, in oracle database; (ii) generation of the metadata
Chlorophyll, Aerosol Optical Depth, Clouds etc) from moored buoys in OceanSITES format; (iii)
were generated and published in real time on development of codes for the processing of data
from NCMRWF. The INDOFOS gives the forecasts long wave and shortwave radiation and SST.
on sea surface currents, sea surface temperature, The data are being received at INCOIS in real
mixed layer depth and the depth of the 20 degree time through INSAT. This was undertaken as
isotherm. These forecasts are also being validated a pilot experiment for establishing a network
on a continual basis. (Fig. 3.3) of ship mountable AWS in the Indian Ocean
region with real time data transmission through
3.5 Ocean Observation System INSAT. The data are used for real time validation
of ocean forecasts as well as for weather
An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) was predictions. (Fig. 3.4)
installed onboard ORV Sagar Nidhi to measure
wind, air temperature, humidity, air pressure, 3.5.1 Argo Network
INCOIS continued to act as Argo Regional Data
Fig. 3.4: AWS onboard ORV Sagar Nidhi Centre (ARC) for the Indian Ocean region. 15 floats
that use Iridium communication and 22 floats that
use ARGOS communication were procured during
the year. Eighteen Argo floats with facility for the
measurement of near surface temperature were
deployed in the Indian Ocean; of which seven were
deployed in the Bay of Bengal.
The surface currents using Argo drift locations Under the programme closely linked with the
for the past 5 years was estimated which was international initiatives such as ChloroGIN and
compared with other climatologies based on ship Indian Ocean GOOS (IOGOOS) continued the
drifts and surface drifters. The surface current generation and dissemination of satellite data
derived from Argo floats are overestimating the products at near real time for the Indian Ocean
surface currents of climatology. region countries, namely, India, Sri Lanka, Iran,
Kenya, Maldives, Oman, Tanzania and Thailand.
Ocean temperature and salinity data from Argo An automatic data processing chain (ADPC) was
profiling floats, satellite measurements of sea set up at INCOIS to generate ocean colour products
surface height (altimeter) and the time variable using MODIS – Aqua data.
gravity field (GRACE) were used to investigate
the causes of Indian Ocean mean sea level rise The in situ, sampling established along nine
between 2003 and 2008. It was found that the transects in the Indian coastal waters continued
total sea level rise in the Indian Ocean is due to the sampling once a month. At each station, the
the contribution of both thermal expansion and SatlanticTM hyperspectral radiometer (Hyper-OCR
increase in water level due to the ice melt. II) was operated together with the collection of
water samples for the estimation of chlorophyll,
3.5.2 Other Observations CDOM and TSM following appropriate sampling
Twenty drifting buoys and four additional deep protocols and standard operation procedures of
sea current meter moorings were deployed in the deploying the radiometers.
Indian Ocean during 2009. The XBT and XCTD
observations were also continued on a routine The development of an index based on MODIS
basis along major shipping lines (412 XBT profiles – Aqua data to identify the harmful algal bloom in
and 56 XCTD profiles). the Indian waters also is in progress.
As part of efforts establishing the Bay of Bengal 3.7 Coral Reefs Research
observatory, one mooring consisting of current
meters and CTDs at different levels (up to 100m) Coral reef enables the formation of associated
was deployed in the northern Bay of Bengal during ecosystems which supports essential habitats,
November 2009. This mooring will provide the fisheries and livelihoods. In addition, coral reefs
high frequency temperature, salinity and currents also provide an accurate record of the climate
in the top 100 m layer. change and help in extending our knowledge
of seasonal climate variability in many remote
RAMA moorings were deployed using organising tropical oceans.
cruises on board Sagar Kanya and Sagar Nidhi.
The cruise organised onboard Sagar Kanya in The activities undertaken towards the research
April 2009 was abandoned due to operational on coral reefs culminated in the preparation of an
reasons after the recovery of 2 ADCP moorings atlas on eco-morphological classification of coral
and the deployment of one. The cruise organised reefs on 1:25000 scale. The key activities include
onboard Sagar Nidhi during August-September the eco-morphological classification using IRS-
2009 (33 days) deployed 6 ATLAS, 2 flux and 6 P6/LISS-III and IV data and the validation of
ADCP moorings and recovered 1 flux, 2 ATLAS and classification results through in situ campaign.
Scientific research expeditions on annual basis to Committee on the Antarctic Programme (NCAP),
Antarctica have been launched since 1981 to utilise various studies were undertaken in the Larsemann
its singular environment as a great natural laboratory Hills and Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica. A
for scientific investigations. India established its summarised account is as follows:
first station at Dakshin Gangotri (lat 70°05' South,
long 12°00' East) in 1983. The second permanent 4.1.1.1 Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
station Maitri was established at the Schimacher An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) installed
Ranges (lat 70°46' south, long 11°50' East) in 1989. onboard the vessel continuously recorded hourly
The Dakshin Gangotri station is now being used as synoptic weather observations which were provided
supply base and transit camp. The Maitri Station is to various institutions for analysis. Uninterrupted
manned throughout the year for scientific activities. synoptic data collection, launching of radiosonde
The Antarctic programme is a multi-disciplinary and ozonesonde balloons continued at ‘Maitri’.
and multi-institutional endeavour. Scientific
investigations and researches are undertaken Magnetic observations using Digital Fluxgate
to understand the various phenomenon and Magnetometer (DFM), 30 MHz analog Rio-meter
processes at the Antarctica and link of some of and a Proton Precession Magnetometer (PPM)
these with Indian and global processes particularly were continuously undertaken by IIG scientists. To
those of climate and weather. Investigations and understand the electrical climate of the Antarctica
observations are also being pursued at the Arctic plateau and some of the problems associated with
through the station ‘Himadri’ at the Norwegian global change, the Global Electric Circuit (GEC)
location at Svelbard. experiments were also undertaken. Measurements
of atmospheric current density, atmospheric
4.1 28th Indian Scientific Expedition to electric field and conductivity were made using
the Antarctica various instruments.
Experiments to study short and long-term for neo-tectonics and monitoring of inter-plate
variation of ionosphere and the magnetospheric movement in the Antarctic region. Large scale
-ionospheric coupling between high and low mapping of the designated area in Schirmacher
latitudes during space weather events were Oasis on 1:5000 scale and contour interval of 5m
conducted by NPL and the Barkattulah University. was completed.
For this, a digital Ionosonde system with two cross
delta antennas were installed at Maitri. Under a project on building late quaternary
Palaeoclimatic history of Schirmacher and
4.1.1.2 Earth Sciences Larsemann Oasis, East Antarctica, Birbal Sahni
Regional geological mapping over 250 sq km area Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) carried out a
was undertaken by the Geological Survey of India. multi-proxy approach based on lake sediments
Geological mapping between latitude 71°59’and collected from the lakes in these areas. The Institute
72°07’ South and longitude 02°51’ and 02°28’ East collected moss peat, fossil soil, varves samples to
was carried out in the Gjelsvikfjella mountains establish an absolute chronology by C14 and AMS
using Norwegian station ‘Troll’ as a base. The area dating technique.
is entirely covered by rugged peaks and saddles
with the highest peak rising 2000m above m.s.l. 4.1.1.3 Glaciology
Geological studies/observations were also carried During the year 2009, NCAOR collected on surface
out in the Zweissel Mountains using helicopter and sub-surface snow samples from the coastal and
drop points. A total of 19 drop points were covered inland regions of East Antarctica to study the spatial
in two days. A total of approximately 150 rock and temporal variability in snow accumulation
samples were collected for further petrological, and its characteristics from the ice edge to inland
geochemical and magnetic studies. polar plateau region as also to evaluate the natural
background of aerosols accumulated in the
Geophysical studies pertaining to seismotectonics Antarctic snow, their source and the processes
and geodynamical processes between the Antarctic involved in controlling the biogeochemical cycling
and the Indian Peninsula, i.e. Continuous GPS of various species. (Fig. 4.3)
monitoring constitutes a long-term project of NGRI.
(Fig. 4.2) Geological Survey of India embarked upon a long-
term project on delineation of the Land–Ice Sea
Survey of India completed the task of large scale (LIS) interface (Hinge-line) around Schirmacher
topographical mapping in the Larsemann Hills Oasis, Central Dronning Maud Land (CDML), East
Region and continued the geophysical studies Antarctica.
Fig. 4.4: Moss Sample (Balsud, Maitri) Fig. 4.5: Lichen Sample (Kailash Hill, Maitri)
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) monitored birds 4.2.1 Launching of the 29th Expedition
and mammals during the sea journey and at areas The year 2009 marked the preparation of our plans
close to stations. Data such as species, location for the construction of the 3rd Indian Research Base
and density (number) were recorded along with at the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Expedition
data on relevant environmental variables. was planned and executed for putting in place
the infrastructure/equipment necessary for the
At the Larsemann Hills, land based surveys were construction of the new station in coming years
carried out at the proposed site of the Indian as well as for undertaking the ongoing scientific
station, the Fisher and Stornes islands, for birds activities at the Maitri entailing the necessary
and seals. Aerial surveys were carried out along the logistics for maintaining the year round station.
coastline from the Clements Bay to western part of
the Stornes Island and at the India Bay, and aerial The 29th expedition team has 53 members (30 for
surveys were carried out along the ice shelf (10° 40’ Summer and 23 for Winter) including 29 members
E to 13° 30’E) for estimating the population of seals for the Larsemann Hill expedition for undertaking
in that stretch. activities related to the establishment of the
3rd Indian station. The team is drawn from IIG,
During the sea journey from Cape Town to the CGHS, SASE, NGRI, NPL, IMD, DEAL, ITBP,
Larsemann Hills, 36 species of birds and 6 species NCAER, BRO, GSI, SAC, IITM, SIIRM, WII, SOI
of mammals (hump backed whales, fin whales and NHO. Most of the logistic personnel of
and others) were recorded. During the sea journey winter over team and the summer scientists, led
from the Larsemann Hills to the India Bay (Maitri), by the expedition leader Mr. P. Elango along with
21 species of birds and 4 species of mammals were necessary scientific equipment and provisions,
recorded. Significant change in the distribution were flown to Maitri in November 2009. The
and abundance of birds has been observed at Leader and the first batch of 29th Indian Antarctic
different latitudes. Expedition was flagged off on 5th November,
2009 by Director, IIG. Scientific activities are in
Institute of Science undertook physiological progress as per schedule and ground preparation
responses on the Antarctic krill due to temperature for installation of Imaging Rio-meter at the Maitri
changes. Krills were collected between 55°S and site has been completed.
70°S. Water samples, zooplanktons and bird
feathers were also collected during the voyage In order to overcome the unpredictability of
to and from the Larsemann Hills. the extent of sea ice in space and time in the
Larsemann Hill region, two ships, an Ice Breaker
4.1.1.6 Human Medicine and Physiology and a multi-purpose cargo vessel were engaged.
Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied A team of 29 members led by the voyage leader,
Sciences (DIPAS) studied the effect of the Antarctic Mr. Rajesh Asthana, was flagged off for the
environment on the Immune Response of 28th Indian Larsemann Hills by the Secretary, Dr. Shailesh
Expedition members. It was observed that the level Nayak in Cape Town on 29th November, 2009 on
Fig. 4.7: Chartered ship MV Ivan Papanin on way Genetic diversity of Marine Vibrios and other
to Larsemann Hill area organisms isolated from Arctic realms/fjords
(Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology,
Trivandrum): Sampling of the lake and fjord of Ny-
Alesund was carried out to enumerate the Vibrios.
Total genomic DNA of the sediments were isolated
for the study of arctic microbial biodiversity and
genomic diversity.
Sedimentology of Enderbyland
Sedimentological analyses carried out at the shelf
of the Enderby land showed that the shelf, texturally
Oceans are important to us in many ways. Oceans as a part of the First Generation Mine site has
are huge storehouse of resources like minerals, been carried out. An area of about 13,965 sq. km
oil, food and energy. The greatest unexploited has been identified in the Central Indian Ocean
mineral resources on earth are on the deep sea Basin (CIOB) based on consistent abundance of
floor, including manganese nodules; cobalt-rich high grade nodules found during the survey and
manganese crusts that contain nickel, copper, exploration work within the Retained Area for the
cobalt, and manganese; and hydrothermal possible location of the first generation mine site.
deposits that contain copper, lead, zinc, gold Detailed chemical analyses, interpretation of the
and silver. samples collected during survey and exploration
were also undertaken.
5.1 Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)
Programme 5.1.2 Environment Impact Assessment Study
In order to study the effects of sediment
India is the first pioneer investor to have been re-suspension and resettlement, monitoring
allotted a site of 1,50,000 sq km in the Central of the environmental parameters were carried
Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by International out by collection of samples at the test and
Sea Bed Authority (ISBA) of United Nations for reference areas for the benthic disturbance
harnessing the Polymetallic Modules (PMN) lying experiment periodically. As a part of this study,
on the seabed at 4000 to 6000 m water depth. We a dimensional model for sediment dispersion
have retained 75000 sq km area for detailed survey. has been developed and integrated with the
A comprehensive PMN Programme consisting of graphical user interface. Initial runs of the model
four components viz. Survey and Exploration, have been carried out for testing the model set-
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study, up using constant current flux along the open
Technology Development (Mining and Extractive boundaries. The Model is capable of predicting
Metallurgy) is being implemented. suspended and bed load sediment movement
for any geographical locations including deep
5.1.1 Survey and Exploration sea sediment sludge disposal into seawater,
A comprehensive resource analysis has been dispersion of plume and settling. The model can
carried out by sampling at grid interval of 100 km be used for either continuous or instantaneous
x 100 km, 25 km x 25 km, 12.5 km x 12.5 km of the plume sedimentation sources and the model
retained area of 75000 sq km and subsequently takes into account processes including advection
at 6.25 km x 6.25 km interval in selected blocks. and dispersion.
Bathymetric maps were made for almost the entire
75,000 km2 of the Retained Area for nodules in the During the year 2009, one cruise was conducted
Central Indian Ocean. for environmental data collection in the Central
Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) involving box coring
The retained area was mapped with multi-beam operations and CTD data collection. Onboard
survey and sea bottom topography with high analyses of samples for environmental parameters
resolution acoustic systems. Slow scan mapping are continuing.
The following activities were carried out at National The outer limits of the Continental Shelf where it
Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur extends beyond 200 M have to be established by
during 2009: physical surveys involving the determination of the
Reduction roasting of sea nodules with coal and water depth and the thickness of the sediments.
leach ammoniacal leaching on 1 Kg scale were
completed with metal recoveries of Copper and Considering that India’s continental shelf extends
Nickel >90% and Cobalt >70%. beyond 200 M from the territorial sea baselines,
Ammoniacal leaching of coal reduced sea a major multi-institutional national programme
nodules at 10 Kg scale with metal recoveries of was undertaken of collecting, processing,
Copper and Nickel >90%, Cobalt >70%. analysing and documenting the requisite scientific
Reduction smelting of sea nodule with and technical information for delineating the
variation of coke was optimised on 20 Kg scale outer limits of the continental shelf in the
with metal recovery value of Cu: 91%, Ni: 93% Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal including
& Co: 85%. the western offshore areas of the Andaman and
By addition of elemental sulphur, matte Nicobar Islands. The task was implemented by
containing 20-24% sulphur was produced from the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean
the Cu-Ni-Co-Fe alloy. Research as a lead agency in association with
Acid pressure dissolution of matte with >97% Cu Naval Hydrographic Office, National Institute
and >98% Co and Ni recoveries were achieved. of Oceanography and National Geophysical
Cu extraction from leach solution using solvent Research Institute, Geological Survey of India,
DEPHA and LIX84 was achieved with more than Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, and Oil
99% separation efficiency. and Natural Gas Corporation.
In one of the largest ever marine geophysical data has been organised on a suitably structured
surveys conducted by India, over 31,000 line RDBMS, as a centralised national facility.
km of multi-channel seismic reflection, gravity
and magnetic data together with bathymetric On 11th May, 2009, India filed to the CLCS, her
information were acquired along 42 pre- first partial submission under the provisions of
determined profiles. In addition, 100 Ocean Article 76 for a continental shelf extending beyond
Bottom Seismometers (OBS) were deployed with 200 M from the Indian baselines (Fig. 5.2).
a significant retrieval rate of 92% and high quality
wide angle seismic reflection and refraction data The Data Centre currently in an advanced stage
were obtained at critical locations. of development would describe the content,
format and access methodology with abundant
The integration of the analytical results and their metadata describing the primary details in
documentation in accordance with the Scientific terms of when and how the data was collected,
and Technical Guidelines of the UN CLCS were the nature of data collected, how the data was
carried out at the National Centre for Antarctic and processed, necessary supporting information
Ocean Research (NCAOR) by a team of scientists that went in to the processing, etc. The database
from several institutions. The final documents were format is also planned to be flexible enough to
again reviewed by a Group of Experts constituted allow for both vertical and lateral growth. In
by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The entire addition, it would facilitate: (i) migration of data
from its various formats to the database; (ii) 2.02 million sq km. Our EEZ has many economically
customised GIS-based interface for easy retrieval exploitable minerals and hydrocarbon resources.
of data based on various scientific inputs; (iii) The project on the topographic survey of EEZ is a
easy data input interface to insert new data from continuation from X Plan, being implemented by
time to time; (iv) queries based on different three national institutions, viz., National Centre
scientific inputs; (v) input of historical data for for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR, Goa),
the purpose of comparing and analysis; and (vi) National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT,
web based input/output interface to facilitate the Chennai) and National Institute of Oceanography
application to run on internet/intranet with login (NIO, Goa).
authentication.
The main objective is to prepare a comprehensive
5.3 Comprehensive Topography Survey seabed topographic map for the entire EEZ of the
of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) country using multi-beam swath bathymetric
systems which will be a boon for the defence,
India has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, communication, navigation, oceanographic
extending to 200 M from the coast) of about research, etc.
Major findings of the survey are presented below: iv) The survey also provided the first detailed
i) The survey confined between Ninety east description of pockmarks noticed off-Goa
Ridge to its west and Andaman Trench in east, continental slope (15˚34´N, 72˚50´E) of the
revealed the presence of a long river channel eastern Arabian Sea at approximately water
exhibiting meandering disposed more or less depth of 200m.
in NNW-SSE (North North West – South South v) A 3D map of a submarine terrace in Mumbai
East) direction. high area off Tarapur was obtained through
ii) High resolution acoustic seafloor geophysical the multi-beam echosounding survey. Further,
mapping studies, involving swath bathymetry a near oval shaped, extremely even (slope
and shallow acoustic seismic sediment 1:10) Fifty-Fathom-Flat (FFF) is a prominent
profiling carried out in the Lakshadweep topographic feature along the west coast off
region, revealed the presence of two seamounts Mumbai, India. This has been mapped.
as shown in Fig. 5.3. vi) Gaveshani bank and another coral bank (3D
map) off the Karnataka coast have also been
iii) Several mound-like features were found in the mapped.
survey area to the west of Kilthan Island.
5.4 Gas Hydrates Exploration
Fig. 5.3: Site I: Seamounts off Lakshadweep
Gas hydrates with their abundant resource
potential is emerging as a potential fuel resource.
The preliminary assessment of geological condition
and limited available seismic data suggests high
possibility of occurrence of large quantity of gas
hydrates within the EEZ of India.
The Ministry has been pursuing multi-disciplinary a mother vessel. The submersible equipped with
technology developments towards harnessing the cameras and mechanical devices such as movable
resources from oceans in sustainable manner arms is normally used for researching the ocean and
primarily through NIOT, an autonomous institute ocean floor. They aid in conducting undersea surveys,
under the MoES. Details of significant technology searching for new mineral deposits, performing
developments during this year are provided salvage, and monitoring installations such as oil rigs
below: and pipelines.
a
b
Pick up device
A mechanical tinned pick up device has been
designed, fabricated and tested. The total structure
was built with aluminium except the tines to reduce
its weight. The system is operated hydraulically. The
comb like structure conveys the nodules collected
from the sea bed to the collector conveyor belt.
Initially, a single unit was fabricated and tested in a
bentonite tank to evaluate its performance. Based
on the performance tests, two more units were
fabricated. The pick up unit was integrated with the
developed collector and crusher system and tested
with the new sub sea valve pack. The integrated test
along with collector, pick up and crusher system is
being tested in a separate test set up in a bentonite
The second deep water exploration trial of tank with actual manganese nodules.
ROSUB-6000 system has been performed during
October 2009 at the gas-hydrate site in the KG A collector unit having a belt conveyor was
Basin off Kakinada. During this trial, the vehicle designed and fabricated indigenously. The
has been manoeuvred to acquire under water structure similar to pick up device is completely
videos, bathymetry, water sample, sediment core built of aluminium to reduce the overall weight
sample and several other useful data. Interfaced and the same was tested for its performance.
sub-sea sensors were tested and qualified during Integrated tests with pick up and crusher are
the deep sea work. Deep water organisms such being carried out.
as holothurians, serrated whip coral colony,
fishes and shrimps were observed first time in Pumping system
Indian deep waters, in real time. These organisms, The pump has been designed and developed with
indirectly, indicate the presence of nearby methane a S-transfer type head to handle solids of 30 mm
venting sites. size. The pump is undergoing tests at the hydro
transport test set up developed at IIT, Madras.
6.1.2 Deep Sea Mining System At present, pumping trials of solids up to 20m
Earlier, NIOT had developed a crawler for were done. Experimental studies were done for
qualification at 500m depth. This existing deep flow rates varying from 8.72 – 58.55 m3/hr for
sea crawler at NIOT is being modified with the pumping clear water and for slurry flow from
addition of collector, crusher, enhanced slurry 40 to 60 m3/hr.
pump and hydraulic power pack to the crawler.
Its estimated weight in air with collector-crusher Instrumentation and control
system is approximately 16 tons. The nodule The Underwater Data Acquisition and Control
collecting device of this system would pick (DAC) system is one of the most important
up manganese nodules from the deep ocean component in the control of underwater mining
floor, separate the sediments, and convey them machine on seabed. The existing DAC system was
to the next stage of crushing. The nodules augmented to meet the requirement of the new
collected by the collector would be transferred collector and crusher system. Due to the expansion
to the crusher through a belt conveyor. The of the system, the hardware is split/distributed
in two parts having two separate pressure rated was tested for its envisaged functionality when
enclosures. it could drill 67.27m through a cemented floor,
during June 2009. A total of 112m of cement core
Fig. 6.3 shows the overall view of the assembled has been drilled and recovered using the system
unit of mining system. The integration of collector, on land. An under water core of 35.59 m in length
crusher and crawler systems is under progress. was obtained during first shallow water sea trial at
the Puget Sound on July 2009. A 55.14m long core
6.1.3 Autonomous Coring System (ACS) was drilled during the second phase of shallow
Remotely operated Autonomous Coring System water trials at the Puget Susan in Seattle, during
(ACS) is a device equipped with tool handling August 2009. The system has been qualified
system and cam gate assembly to drill each section for operation in water depths of a maximum
of about 3 m [approximately 100m sediment core], of 100m.
retrieve the sample, and store in magazine at the
seabed in deep sea operation [3000 m]. The system Fig. 6.4: ACS system being deployed at the
is first of its kind and it is under development in Puget Sound
collaboration with M/s Williamson & Associates
(W&A), USA since August 2007.
ACS Trials
Integration of the components was done and
their performance was tested for stability, during
the parking lot testing and sea trials at the Puget
Sound, in Seattle, U.S.A (Fig. 6.4). The ACS system
6.2 Desalination
cages. Attempts are also being made to progress. A total of 29 isolates were screened
demonstrate open sea cage culture of seabass for growth, biomass and lipid production. The
in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi biomass and lipid production ranged between
Centre for Aquaculture and The Waterbase 50 and 418 mg/l and 4.4 to 30.93 mg/100 mg
Limited, Nellore. Growth studies conducted of dry biomass. Further screening experiments
on juveniles of black spot snappers and for biomass and lipid production by the marine
carangids sp. had shown encouraging results. micro algal isolates are in progress. A preliminary
experiment on mass culture of marine micro algae
b) Marine Micro Algal Biotechnology: Mono- in tubular photobiorector has been carried out.
species cultures of 103 strains of marine micro Exponential increase in cell count and biomass
algae isolated from the Bay of Bengal and the was recorded on the second day. A maximum wet
Andaman sea are being maintained in agar slant. biomass of 4.4 Kg/tonne with a maximum lipid
Isolation of micro algae from the coastal water of production of 240 mg/g was recorded on fifth day.
the Arabian Sea was carried out onboard FORV Further experiments on selected algal isolates are
Sagar Sampatha cruise No. 272. Experiment on in progress. Tubular photo bioreactor of 133mm
doubling time and biomass production is in diameter transparent polycarbonate pipe
A national coordinated research and development out in June and July 2009 near the mouth of
scheme on “Coastal Marine Ecology” has been the Kali river (Karwar), the Saravathi River
implemented. It addressed the following thrust (Honnavar) and the Udayavara river (Padukare)
areas: (i) Coastal erosion and protection measures; to understand the influence of fresh water on
(ii) Drugs from sea; (iii) Aquaculture and Meri culture; coastal current and sediment transport. Based
(iv) Harmful Algal Bloom; (v) Ecosystem modelling; on the data collected, numerical modelling of
and (vi) Coastal Water quality monitoring. the hydrodynamics and wave transformation
studies have been initiated.
7.1 Coastal Erosion and Protection iii) SMP for Gopalpur Coast: The seasonal data
Measures collection programme includes deployment of
a wave rider buoy, tide gauge and current metre
Several places along the coastal belts are subjected at 8m, 18m and 23m depths at four locations.
to severe erosion due to natural forces and The beach profiles and shoreline positions
alteration of coastal processes by man-made were also collected at monthly intervals. One
structures established along the shoreline. Hence, year observation of wave climate indicates that
technological tools/interventions based on swells approach mostly from S-SE-SSE and
comprehensive studies and analysis of the problem wave heights are fairly high during southwest
of erosion and accretion need to be developed so as monsoon months. On an annual basis, the
to prescribe effective coastal protection measures/ most dominant wave heights are 0.5 to 1m with
Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). time period 12-20 seconds.
Monitoring of beach profiles and shoreline
7.1.1 Development of Shoreline Management at monthly intervals indicated that southern
Plans (SMP) beaches of the port are accreting in a year
i) The numerical model studies for Muthalapozhi up to 140m width, while northern beaches
sector have been calibrated and validated are eroding up to 70m width near the newly
with the data collected during pre-monsoon, constructed groins and the effect is felt up to
monsoon and post-monsoon. Waves, near- 2km on both sides.
shore circulation and sediment transport iv) SMP for Gangavaram Coast: A detailed
have been simulated for the entire study area climatology of Gangavaram has been prepared
of St. Andrews-Nedunganda coastal stretch of based on the previous research studies. Past
Muthalapozhi. data on predominant wave characteristics and
ii) Four sites along Karnataka coast (Devbhag: currents along the coast for different seasons
Karwar, Pavinkurve: Honnavar Kundapur Kodi: were collected. Preliminary beach survey
Kundapur, Uliargoli Padukere: Malpe) have was conducted during September 2009 and
been selected to develop SMPs, in association December 2009 along the coast on either side
with NIO, Goa. Data on tides, waves, currents, of the study area (Gangavaram port). Coastline
sea levels and beach profiles along with changes were monitored using LANDSAT
shoreline mapping were carried out at monthly multi-temporal images (1988 to 2009).
intervals from April – December 2009. River The nearshore wave refraction patterns are
discharge measurements were also carried studied using a Numerical Wave refraction
model. (Fig. 7.1) It could be noted that Lucknow. This multi-institutional programme is
convergence of wave rays occur near the south being carried out with the active participation of
breakwater of the port and also at a few other following reputed national/state R&D laboratories
locations still further southward. and academia:
The sediment deposition is clearly observed at R.K. National R&D Labs: (a) Central Drug Research
Beach and Palm beach but near the submarine Institute (CDRI), Lucknow; (b) National Institute
museum and further northward towards Lawson’s of Oceanography (NIO), Goa; (c) Central Salt and
Bay the beach is undergoing erosion. At Yarada, Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI),
the shoreline is observed to have been shifted Bhavnagar; (d) Indian Institute of Chemical
by about 3m landward, denoting deposition; but Technology (IICT), Hyderabad; (e) Institute for
further northwards erosion has been observed. Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT),
Similarly at the Appikonda Beach (south of the Bhubaneswar; (f ) National Institute of Ocean
Port), there is erosion near the Pigeon Hill to the Technology (NIOT), Chennai; (g) Advanced Centre
extent of 40m wide beach over length of 0.8 km, for Treatment, Education and Research (ACTREC),
while further south deposition is observed. Mumbai; and (h) Central Institute of Fisheries
Education (CIFE), Mumbai.
7.2 Drugs from the Sea
State Government Institutions: (a) Department of
The marine organisms are a very high potential Fisheries, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata and
source for bioactive compounds to develop drugs (b) Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai.
for human therapeutic purposes. In this context,
a national coordinated research programme on Universities: (a) Andhra University, Visakhapatnam;
“Development of potential drugs from the Ocean” (b) Calcutta University, Kolkata; (c) Annamalai
has been implemented under the leadership University, Parangipettai; and (d) University of
of Central Drugs Research Institute (CDRI), Madras, Chennai.
Pearl Farming
A new wooden raft with surgical implantation
facility was deployed in Panighat in Port Blair. This A mono-specific bloom of dinoflagellate
raft now holds more than 1500 adult oysters and Pyrophacus steinii (Fig. 7.4) was observed off
hatchery produced spats (Fig. 7.3). Mangalore on 1st October 2009 without any
discolouration of the surface waters. This was,
Fig. 7.3: Hatchery produced spat to our knowledge, the first record of bloom of
Pyrophacus sp. in the Indian waters.
The main objective of the MLR programme is Primary production in the euphotic column
to correlate living resources with the physical was maximum (>1000 mgC/m2/day) during the
environment and establish response strategies of initial phase (June) compared to the withdrawal
living organism to changes in the environment. phase (September) of the upwelling process
Spatio-temporal progression of Summer (800 mgC/m2/day). (Fig. 7.8)
Monsoon (SM) upwelling along the southwest
(SW ) coast and associated productivity patterns Highest density of fish eggs was recorded along
including the distribution and abundance of fish 30m stations off Kochi followed off Valappad and
eggs and larvae and, the hydrography especially off Trivandrum.
warming of the Lakshadweep area and its
influence on MLR were studied. The studies A dedicated site on Indian Ocean Biogeographic
indicate that, the forcing mechanisms and Information System (IndOBIS) has been
upwelling patterns are not homogeneous to the established at CMLRE as the regional node of the
entire coast and shows high degree of variability Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
both in time and space. Other activities under (IOC) global biodiversity programme. The site
MLR includes preliminary assessment of the currently holds information on the species diversity
impact of closed fishing season on the marine and abundance of 8722 species of marine animals
benthos along the Kerala coast, studies on the and 1268 species of marine plants recorded from
marine mammal diversity and distribution and the Indian Ocean region.
Droughts are the result of acute water shortage The North Indian Ocean witnessed the formation
due to lack of rains over extended periods of of eight cyclonic disturbances during 2009
time affecting various human activities and including one severe cyclonic storm, three
lead to problems like widespread crop failure, cyclonic storms, one deep depression and three
unreplenished ground water resources, depletion depressions. Out of these disturbances, five
in lakes/reservoirs, shortage of drinking water and, formed over the Bay of Bengal and three over
reduced fodder availability, etc. Often a region the Arabian Sea. Out of four cyclones, the Bay of
adapts itself to a certain level of water shortage Bengal witnessed cyclonic storm, BIJLI during
based on the long-term climatic conditions April, severe cyclonic storm, AILA during May,
experienced by it. Any negative departure from cyclonic storm, WARD during December and the
these levels creates conditions of drought, Arabian Sea witnessed the only cyclonic storm,
depending on the intensity and duration of this PHYAN during November 2009. The tracks of the
deficit. Thus drought conditions differ from cyclonic disturbances during 2009 are shown in
region to region. In India, drought essentially Fig. 9.1. The salient features of these cyclones are
occurs due to failure of south-west monsoon (June discussed below.
– September). Areas affected by drought need to
wait till the next monsoon, as more than 73% of Cyclonic Storm - ‘BIJLI’ (14-17 April 2009)
annual rainfall in the country is received during The cyclonic storm, ‘BIJLI’ developed from a
the SW Monsoon season. persistent convective cloud cluster over the
southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Andaman
The IMD carries out the function of drought Sea from 10th April and the system concentrated
monitoring and forecasting. Weekly scale into a depression on 14th April afternoon. Moving
monitoring of the district/sub-divisional/state in a northwesterly direction, it intensified into a
level rainfall and temperature scenarios are cyclonic storm “BIJLI” over the west-central Bay
analysed using all available observations and of Bengal on 15th April. It then re-curved in north-
provided to the state governments. Rainfall forecast easterly direction towards Bangladesh coast on
assessment at the sub-divisional scale is provided 16th April. However, it gradually weakened prior
for the subsequent week on every Friday at the to landfall and crossed the Bangladesh coast
Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG) meetings of close to south of Chittagaon around 2130h IST of
the Agricultural Ministry at Delhi. 17th April 2009 as a depression. Climatologically,
cyclogenesis during first fortnight of April is rare.
A weekly National Agro-meteorological Advisory Only a few number of cyclones have developed
Bulletin (NAAB) is prepared with a comprehensive over the Bay of Bengal during 1891-2008 in April.
analysis of the prevailing temperature and rainfall The tracks of the systems were climatological in
scenario and the forecast assessment of the nature as most of the storms developing in the
rainfall for the next week along with specific crop month of April during 1891-2008 have recurved
advisories at the meteorological sub-division scale towards north-east.
for regularly assessing the prevailing scenario/
emerging prospects for the various weather Severe Cyclonic Storm, AILA (23-26 May 2009):
dependent agricultural operations. NAABs are The severe cyclonic storm, ‘AILA’ developed over
widely circulated to various central and state the Bay of Bengal in association with the onset
surge of southwest monsoon. A low pressure area the system continued to move in a northerly
formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal over direction, gradually weakened into a well marked
22nd May morning. It lay over east central and low pressure area over the sub-Himalayan West
adjoining the west central Bay of Bengal on 22nd Bengal and neighbourhood in the afternoon of
May evening. It concentrated into a depression 26th May and became less marked on 27th May.
and lay centred at 1130h IST of 23rd May about Following are the salient features of the cyclonic
600 km south of the Sagar Island. The depression storm:
moved mainly in a northerly direction and i) The system moved in a near northerly direction
intensified into a deep depression in the morning throughout its life period.
of 24th May. It further intensified into a cyclonic ii) Its intensification was rapid only a few hours
storm ‘ALIA’ in the same evening. It continued before landfall.
to move in northerly direction and intensified iii) The system maintained intensity of the cyclone
into a severe cyclonic storm in the forenoon of even up to 15 hours after the landfall.
25th May over the northwest Bay of Bengal, close iv) Widespread rain/thundershowers with
to the Sagar Island. The system crossed the West scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall and
Bengal coast close to the east of the Sagar Island isolated extremely heavy rainfall occurred
between 1330h and 1430h IST as a severe cyclonic over Orissa on 25th May, over West Bengal
storm with wind speed of 100 to 110 km/h. The and Sikkim on 25th and 26th May. Widespread
lowest estimated central pressure was about 967 rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy
hPa at the time of landfall. After the landfall, rainfall also occurred over Assam and
9.5 Early Warning System for Tsunami Coast, Cuddalore and Kalpakkam of Tamil Nadu
Coast, Gopalpur and Puri of Orissa Coast, and Jegri
9.5.1 Tsunami Monitoring and Wasi of Gujarat Coast) locations are received at
The tsunami warning centre operated on 24x7 basis. INCOIS in real time.
It detected and reported 125 major earthquakes
during 01st Apr-31st Dec, 2009. The centre located 9.5.2 Indian Ocean Wave (IO Wave 09) Exercise
the earthquake that occurred in the Samoa Island India participated in the major Indian Ocean Wave
Region on 29th Sep, 2009 17:48:10 (UTC) 29th Sep, 09 drill coordinated by IOC on 14th October, 2009.
2009 23:18:10 (IST), within four minutes and the A table-top exercise was conducted on September
initial bulletin/emails were disseminated at 23:28 14, 2009 at 1400h in the Tsunami Warning Centre,
IST (within 10 minutes) stating that “Tsunami threat INCOIS to test the procedures, bulletin formats and
does not exist for Indian Ocean region”. The centre functionality of software. Later the Indian Ocean
also located the earthquake that occurred in the Wave (IO Wave 09) exercise was conducted on
Southern Sumatra, Indonesia on 30th September, 14th October, 2009. The exercise was carried out
2009 10:16:07 (UTC), 15:46:07 (IST) within 4 minutes in real time mode, during 6:30 IST and 18:30 IST
and disseminated the first bulletin/email at 15:51 IST (12 hrs), and the scenario of 26th December, 2004
(after 6 minutes of the occurrence of earthquake). tsunami of Northern Sumatra was taken as an
The second bulletin was issued after examining example. INCOIS disseminated timely bulletins to
the model generated scenario at 16:24 IST (after 38 MHA, MoES and RTWPs (Australia and Indonesia).
minutes of earthquake occurrence) with updated INCOIS received timely tsunami information
information on earthquake and the statement that bulletins from PTWC and JMA. All Indian Ocean
“Model simulations do not indicate any significant Countries participated in this exercise.
change in water level at the Indian coast, there is NO
tsunami threat for Indian Region”. 9.5.3 Tsunami Early Warning Web-site
Shri M. Shashidhar Reddy, Hon’ble Member of
The data from 329 seismic stations (27 national and NDMA, launched the tsunami website during
302 international) were received and processed the inauguration of International Society of
in Seiscomp software for real time detection of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
global earthquakes M>5.0. 21 tide gauges installed WG IV/1, IV/3 and VIII/1 workshop at INCOIS on
and maintained by the Survey of India (SOI) are 25th November, 2009. (Fig. 9.2)
reporting to INCOIS in real time. Currently, INCOIS
is receiving data from 60 international tide gauges Preparation of coastal vulnerability maps for
stations in the Indian Ocean on real time. Data from Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra states
three international DART buoys in the Indian Ocean are progressing. The case study for the multi-
are also received at INCOIS in real time. Data from hazard mapping for Cuddalore area has been
seven CODAR (Machilipatnam of Andhra Pradesh completed.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences provides support The Ocean and Atmospheric Science and
to basic and applied research in the universities/ Technology Cells (OASTCs) regularly organise
institutes for promotion of front-ranking research advanced training programmes and workshops to
in the specialised areas of earth system sciences generate skilled manpower in the identified areas
and related subjects. of ocean sciences. The cells at the Goa University
and the Annamalai University are functioning as
10.1 Ocean and Atmospheric Science Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Marine Microbiology
and Technology Cells (OASTC) and Marine Biology, respectively.
engineers, technologists, experts, social scientists This year the National Awards were given to:
and user communities. The beneficiaries are i) Dr. George Joseph, Director of ‘Centre for
Indian Institute of Technology/Indian Institutes Space Science and Technology Education
of Management, CSIR labs, universities, non in Asia and the Pacific’ (CSSTEAP) affiliated
governmental organizations, government to the United Nations for Ocean Science &
bodies, etc. Technology
ii) Prof. S. K. Dube, Former Director of IIT
Few major areas where the Ministry supported Kharagpur for Atmospheric Science
were climate change and impact on health;
weather modification technology and disaster b) Certificate of Merit
management; coastal dynamics; aquaculture; Outstanding scientists and engineers working
environmental pollution and its effects on in autonomous institutes of the Ministry and
agriculture and production and human health; attached offices were also awarded for their
marine ecosystem; disaster management; agro- outstanding contributions in the field of Ocean,
meteorological services, space technology and Atmospheric Science and Technology. The
applications; geological science; snow and awardees were:
avalanches processes; mathematical modelling
and simulation; fish development, etc. Certificate of Merit for Young Scientists/
Engineers in Ocean Sciences
10.7 Awards i) Shri K. Mullai Vendhan
ii) Dr. Pattabhi Rama Rao
a) National Awards iii) Shri A. J. Luis
In recognition of significant contributions iv) Shri D. Mohan
on Ocean Science and Technology and v) Shri D. Saravanane
Atmospheric Science, the Ministry gave
National Awards for lifetime contribution to Certificate of Merit for Young Scientists/
scientists. Each of these awards carries with it a Engineers in Atmospheric Sciences
cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh along with a citation. i) Dr. N. Chattopadhyaya
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has a (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
fleet of scientific research vessels to conduct the etc. It is also catering to other projects of the NIOT
oceanographic research programmes/projects and various R&D institutes in the country.
of the country. Presently, there are six research
vessels in operation; undertaking scientific 11.1 Oceanographic Research Vessel
research activities in the Arabian Sea, Bay of (ORV) Sagar Kanya
Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Oceanographic
Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Kanya is undertaking During this year, three significant cruises were
scientific programmes in the areas of survey and undertaken by the vessel for the Deep Swath
exploration of non-living ocean resources and the Bathymetric Surveys in the Indian Exclusive
Fisheries Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Economic Zone (EEZ), two cruises for studying
Sagar Sampada. biogeochemistry and hydrodynamics of the
Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) during summer
The two coastal research vessels, CRV Sagar Purvi and winter; and one cruise each for CTCZ in Bay
and CRV Paschimi are used for the implementation of Bengal, Trichodesmium Bloom studies in the
of Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Arabian Sea, PMEL-INCOIS RAMA moorings,
System (COMAPS) and Integrated Coastal and Equatorial current-meter moorings and UNEP-
Marine Area Management (ICMAM) programmes. SACEP training programme, (ICARB-Winter
These vessels also provide services to many other campaign and Satellite Validation).
user agencies like; universities and research
institutes in the country for oceanographic surveys 11.2 Fisheries Oceanographic Research
and for marine scientific data collection. The BTV Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada
Sagar Manjusha is actively involved in the logistics
for timely execution of desalination projects at It had undertaken eight scientific cruises (FORV 265
islands, in addition to the National Data Buoy – FORV 272) in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone
programmes. The TDV Sagar Nidhi is catering to during the period from April 2009 to mid October
the on-going and several new programmes of the 2009, involving 137 days of sailing. Scientists
MoES such as; the deep sea mining programme, from Centre for Marine Living Resources and
demonstration of Remotely Operable Vehicle Ecology-Kochi, Goa University-Goa, Annamalai
Fig. 11.1: TDV Sagar Nidhi 11.5 Coastal Research Vessels (CRV)
Sagar Purvi and CRV Sagar Paschimi
The sanctioned strength of the Ministry of Earth The Ministry is implementing 3% reservation in
Sciences including attached offices is 297 during Government jobs for handicapped and disabled
the year 2009-10. The detailed break up may be seen persons.
at Ministry’s website which includes 121 Scientific/
Technical and 176 Non-Technical posts. Four 13.3 Gender Budget
autonomous institutes Viz. IITM-Pune, NCAOR-
Goa, NIOT-Chennai, INCOIS-Hyderabad under Most of the activities undertaken by the Ministry
administrative control of MoES have sanctioned in the "earth sciences" are in the nature of research
strength of 351, 63, 139 & 53 respectively. Similarly, and technology development and demonstration
IMD, a subordinate office under this Ministry, has projects. However, the Ministry through its
a sanctioned strength of 6737. Details are available autonomous institute, NIOT, Chennai has taken up
at their respective websites. certain programmes on marine culture to improve
the livelihood of fishers where the women folk
13.1 Implementation of the 15-Point also participate. NIOT also imparts training to the
Programme on Minority Welfare fishermen/women.
Due care has been taken for proper 13.4 Right to Information Act
implementation of the 15-point programme on
minority welfare including, inter alia, ensuring Information about the activities of the Ministry and
adequate representation of minority communities staff have been put on website. Public Information
while making recruitment or forming Selection Officer and Assistant Public Information Officer
Committee set up for filling up of vacancies in have been nominated in respect of the Ministry
Group A, B, C, and D. proper and its attached/subordinate offices and
autonomous institutes. Between April 2009 and
13.2 Grievances of Public and Staff and December 2009, 53 requests under the Right to
their Redressal Information Act, 2005 were received in the Ministry
of Earth Sciences and replies were given.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is a scientific
Ministry and has no direct public dealings. 13.5 Vigilance Activities and Achievements
However, the Ministry has taken steps to ensure
that due attention is paid to the public/staff Shri D. P. Singh, Joint Secretary has been declared
grievances. Staff Grievances Redressal Officer and as Chief Vigilance Officer in consultation with the
Public Grievances Officer have been nominated. Central Vigilance Commission. Vigilance Officers
Details are given on website of the Ministry. To have been appointed in attached/subordinate offices
address the grievances of female employees, and autonomous bodies of the Ministry. The Ministry
a lady officer has been nominated as per the is continuing with preventive as well as punitive
guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women & vigilance monitoring rigorously through the Central
Child Development. Vigilance Commission and other Vigilance Officers.
During the year 17 officers/staff of this Ministry All the judgements/directions/orders of Hon'ble
(from the Headquarters) were sent for different CAT's or any other courts have been implemented
training/workshop/seminar programmes to or contested in proper fora within the stipulated
update their knowledge and skills. period of time.
The Ministry is constantly working for promotion 18th National Scientific Hindi Seminar on the topic
and propagation of the Official Language. During "Jalvayu Parivartan ka Samaj Par Prabhav” on
2009-10 also, efforts were made to promote the 8th February 2010 at New Delhi. Shri Shyam Saran,
progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry. Special Envoy to the Prime Minister, was the Chief
Guest. On this occasion, the Ministry released a
As per the directives and guidelines on Official Hindi book titled "Jalvayu Parivartan”,
Language policy all official works like the Annual
Report, Outcome budget, Demand for Grants, Under the Prithvi Vigyan Mantralaya Maulik
all Cabinet notes, reports, monthly summary to Pustak Lekhan Yojana-2009, the Ministry awarded
Cabinet and documents relating to Consultative first, second and third prizes to the books titled (i)
and Standing Committees, parliamentary papers, "Hind Mahasagar ki Samudri Khanij Sampada by
etc. were prepared bilingual. The Ministry also Premchand Srivastava; (ii) Hind Mahasagar avam
organised Hindi fortnight from 1st to 14th September, Salagn Rashtra-Ek Bhu-Arthik avam Bhu-Samarik
2009. During the period, various competitions Adhyayan by Dr. Tara Devi Singh; and (iii) Sagar
including Hindi essay writing, noting, drafting, Sampada-Mahatva avam Prabandhan by Professor
debate and recitation were held. This was followed Madhu Sudan Tripathi. Prize worth Rs. 50,000/-,
by a Hindi Kavi Goshthi, wherein poets of repute Rs. 40,000/- and Rs. 30,000/- respectively were
enthralled the audience. The Ministry organised given as prize money.
Table 16.1: Details of Budget Expenditure and Actual Expenditure for the year 2008-09
Rupees in crore
S. Scheme name Major 2009-10 Budget 2009-2010 Revised 2010-11 Budget 2008-09 Actuals
No. head
Plan Non- Total Plan Non- Total Plan Non- Total Plan Non- Total
CAPITAL SECTION
5 Capital Outlay on 5403 28.00 0.00 28.00 29.50 0.00 29.50 32.77 0.00 32.77 1.12 0.00 1.12
Oceanographic
Research
6 Capital Outlay 5425 8.00 0.00 8.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.00 0.00 14.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
on Other
Scientific and
Environment
Research
7 Capital Outlay 5455 251.88 2.50 254.38 185.08 2.38 187.46 235.02 2.50 237.52 156.43 0.17 156.60
on Meteorology
Grand Total 900.00 313.35 1213.35 793.00 344.35 1137.35 1000.00 305.35 1305.35 489.05 262.61 751.66
Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of
17 India for the Year Ended March 2008
S. Year No. of paras/PAC Details of the paras/PAC reports on which ATNs are pending
No. reports on which
ATNs have been
submitted to PAC after
vetting by Audit
No. of ATNs No. of ATNs No. of ATNs No. of
not sent by sent but which have been ATNs
the Ministry returned with finally vetted with
even for the observations by Audit but Audit
first time and Audit is have not been
awaiting their submitted by the
re-submission Ministry to PAC
by the Ministry
1 2006 1
2 2007 2
3 2008 3 2
4 1997 1
Karamcharis)
Total 5944 1469 352 492 18 03 01 02 840 154 46 - - -
Representation of SCs/STs/OBCs in
Table 18.2: Representation of SCs/STs/OBCs in Autonomous Institutes/Centres of MoES: NIOT/IITM/NCAOR/INCOIS
Number of employees Number of appointments made during the previous calendar year (2009)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Group A 222 23 07 31 19 03 - 04 28 04 01 01 _ _
Group B 105 21 07 32 12 02 _ 03 09 03 03 _ _ _
Group C 75 12 03 18 24 02 _ 09 _ _ _ _ _ _
Group D 33 06 03 03 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
(Excluding Safai
Karamcharis)
Group D (Safai 08 08 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Karamcharis)
Total 443 70 20 84 55 07 _ 16 37 07 04 01 _ _
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Group A 310 _ 03 _ _ 03 03 06 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Group B 3235 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Group D 30 _ _ 01 _ _ 01 01 _ _ 01 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Total 5944 _ 05 12 _ 03 04 20 _ _ 02 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
19 Government Services
Representation of Persons with Disabilities in
Table 19.2: Representation of PWDs in Autonomous Institutes/Centres of MoES: NIOT, IITM, NCAOR and INCOIS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Group A 222 _ 01 02 01 _ _ 01 _ _ 01 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Group B 105 _ _ _ 01 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Group C 75 _ 01 01 _ _ 01 02 _ 01 01 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Group D 41 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Total 443 _ 02 03 02 _ 01 03 _ 01 02 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The Citizens’ Charter in its present form is available To encourage dissemination of information
at the website on the Ministry. However, the vision in Ocean sector regarding work being
and mission of the Ministry is as follows: performed by the department and its
autonomous bodies, to stakeholders and
Vision promote establishment of an ocean related
information system.
The vision of MoES is to emerge as a To bring about desired level of
knowledge and information technology transparency in the management of funds
enterprise for the Earth System Science received by the autonomous bodies by way
(atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and of grants and also to make public the work
geosphere) realm for the Indian subcontinent done by the bodies out of such grants.
and ocean. To tune the system with a view to
encourage formulation of research and
Mission development schemes in the Ocean sector
in a transparent manner, promote capacity
To cover wide range of activities contributing building and human resource development
to various social benefits in the areas of by encouraging research.
weather (general), weather advisories specific To process research proposals for schemes
to agriculture, aviation, shipping, sports etc., on basic research, application areas and
monsoon, disasters (cyclone, earthquake, manpower development programmes for
tsunami, sea level rise), living and non-living Ocean Sciences in a transparent and time-
resources (fishery advisories, poly-metallic bound manner.
nodules, gas hydrates etc.), coastal and To extend support for seminars, symposia,
marine ecosystems, climate change and conferences etc. and process application
providing drinking water to the population in for grants to organise seminar/symposium/
the islands of Lakshadweep (UT), through use conference in a transparent and time-
of ocean science and technology. The frontline bound manner.
areas of MoES with immense potential for the To create awareness about Ocean sector by
benefit of the humankind and promotion of participation in educational programmes,
marine industry are: exhibitions and trade fairs and through
To provide services in the areas of partnership with NGOs, in order to
research, infrastructure and generation of appreciate the role of the Ocean system
human resources, popularisation of Earth both as a provider of living and non-living
System Science (atmosphere, hydrosphere, resources, and as major contributor to
cryosphere and geosphere) mission to earth’s climate and ecological balance.
establish as information network for the
scientific community.
27. Mukhopadhyay P., Taraphdar S., Goswami 34. Safai P.D., Kewat S., Pandithurai G.,
B.N., Krishna Kumar K., Indian summer Praveen P.S., Ali K., Tiwari S., Rao P.S.P.,
monsoon precipitation climatology in a high Budhwant K.B., Saha S.K., Devara P.C.S.,
resolution regional climate model: Impact of Aerosol characteristic s during winter fog at
convective parameterization on systematic Agra, North India, Journal of Atmospheric
biases, Weather and Forecasting, 2009, doi: Chemistry, 61, 2008, 101-118
10.1175/2009WAF2222320.1
35. Naseema Beegum S., Krishna Moorthy
28. Bhattacharya S. K., Borole D. V., Francey K., Suresh Babu S., Satheesh S.K., Vinoj V.,
R. J., Allison C. E., Steele L. P., Krummel P., Badarinath K.V.S., Safai P.D., Devara P.C.S.,
Langenfelds R., Masarie K. A., Tiwari Y. K. Singh Sacchidanand, Vinod, Dumka U.C.,
and Patra P.K. Trace gases and CO2 isotope Pant P., Spatial distribution of aerosol black
records from Cabo de Rama, India, Current carbon over India during pre-monsoon
Science, 97, 2009, 1336-1344 season Atmospheric Environment, 43, 2009,
1071–1078
29. Preethi B., Kripalani R.H., Krishna Kumar
K., Indian summer monsoon rainfall 36. Gustafsson O., Krusa M., Zencak Z., Sheesley
variability in global coupled ocean- R.J., Granat L., Engstrom E., Praveen P.S.,
atmospheric models, Climate Dynamics, Rao P.S.P., Leck C., Rodhe H., Brown Clouds
2009, DOI 10.1007/s00382-009-0657-x, 1-19, over South Asia: Biomass or Fossil Fuel
Published Online Combustion?, Science, 323, 2009, 495-498
30. Borgaonkar H.P., Somaru Ram, Sikder 37. Budhawant K.B., Rao P.S.P., Safai P.D., Ali K.,
A.B., Assessment of tree-ring analysis of Chemistry of monsoon and post-monsoon
high-elevation Cedrus deodara D. Don rains at a high altitude Location, Sinhagad,
from Western Himalaya (India) in relation India, Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 9,
to climate and glacier fluctuations, 2009, 65-79
Dendrochronologia, 27, 2009, 59-69
38. Ali K., Beig G., Chate D.M., Momin G.A.,
31. Yadav R.K., Rupa Kumar K., Rajeevan M., Sahu S.K., Safai P.D., Sink mechanism for
Increasing influence of ENSO and decreasing significantly low level of ozone over the
influence of AO/NAO in the recent decades Arabian Sea during monsoon, Journal of
40. Ghude S.D., Jain S.L., Arya B.C., Beig G., 45. Deb Roy S., Beig G., Ghude S. D., Exposure-
Ahammed Y.N., Arun Kumar, Tyagi B., Ozone plant response of ambient ozone over
in ambient air at a tropical megacity, Delhi: the tropical Indian region, Atmospheric
characteristics, trends and cumulative ozone Chemistry and Physics, 9, 2009, 5253–5260
exposure indices, Journal of Atmospheric
Chemistry, 60, 2008, 237-252 46. Joshi R.R., Singh Narendra, Damle S.H.,
Pant G.B., Scale-size calculations, energy
41. Ghude S. D., Jain S.L., Arya B.C., Temporal dissipation rates and height coverage of a
evolution of measured climate forcing agents 404 MHz wind profiler at IMD, Pune, Current
at South Pole, Antarctica, Current Science, 96, Science, 96, 2009, 1176-1181
2009, 49-57
47. Kulkarni M.N., Pawar S.D., Murugavel P.,
42. Kulkarni P. S., Jain S. L., Ghude S. D., Arya Gopalakrishnan V., Diurnal variation of
B. C., Dubey P. K., Shahnawaz, On some surface currents at tropical station, Journal
aspects of tropospheric ozone variability of Atmospheric and Solar Terrestrial Physics,
over the Indo-Gangetic (IG) basin, India, 2009, doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2009.10.010, 1-6,
International Journal of Remote Sensing, 30, Published Online
2009, 4111 – 4122