INDIA'S EMPHASIS ON BLUE ECONOMY

INDIA'S EMPHASIS ON BLUE ECONOMY

  • Keywords- Deep Ocean Mission, 'Matsya-6000', Blue Economy, Marine Economy, Coastal Economy and Ocean Economy Deep Ocean Mission, Submarine named Matsya, Importance of Blue Economy and its scope, National Institute of Ocean Technology, 'Green Revolution' and 'White Revolution', 'Blue Revolution', Sagarmala Program
  • GS Paper-3: Indian Economy and Planning, Development of Resources and Issues related to Employment Inclusive Growth and issues arising out of it.

Reference:

  • Recently, with an emphasis on Blue Economy, India is starting a campaign to explore resources like minerals in the depths of the sea under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • The campaign aims to promote the Union government's vision of a 'New India' that highlights blue economy as one of the 10 key dimensions of development.
  • In this campaign, three people will do research by going to a depth of 6,000 meters in the sea from a submarine named Matsya.
  • The mission is expected to be completed in the next three years.
  • It is a joint program of Deep Ocean Mission and other Ministries with emphasis on development of deep sea technology.

What is Blue Economy:

  • An economy in which the means of economic development, livelihood and employment are obtained through the proper use of resources of the ocean ecosystem.
  • The entire business model of Blue Economy is built keeping the environment in mind.
  • Blue economy is also known as marine economy, coastal economy and ocean economy.
  • In an effort to develop the Blue Economy of the Indian Ocean, India is witnessing an encouraging growth in fish production with the 'Blue Revolution'.

Importance of Blue Economy and its areas:

  • Fish farming and employment: Coastal areas of India are very important from the point of view of fish production and employment. About 1.5 million people in India are employed by this sector, with fish production contributing 6 percent to the agricultural sector. The sector contributes $270 billion to the world's GDP in fish exports.
  • Aquaculture: These oceans are very important for the food security of about 135 crore population of India. At present, about 60 percent of the total fish production consumed in the world is produced from aquaculture.
  • In addition to fish, many types of aquatic animals and plants are produced in aquaculture.
  • Marine Biotechnology: Marine biodiversity is important for the manufacture of medicines, food items, decorations etc. There is immense potential in this field for India.
  • These oceans are very important for getting fresh water through desalination, by which water scarcity can be met in different areas.
  • Renewable energy production: Coastal areas of the ocean are very useful in terms of renewable energy production.
  • The sector has the potential to reduce the carbon emission intensity of India by 33-35 per cent by 2030.
  • This area is highly useful for the growing sea tourism of India. In India, foreign exchange and means of employment can be developed by the development of marine tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Kerala, Goa, Gujarat.
  • Mangroves, marshes, sea grasses and algae present in marine and coastal ecosystems are capable of reducing the threats of climate change by absorbing excessive carbon emissions.

Deep Ocean Mission:

  • This mission was launched by the Government of India in October, 2021.
  • The mission is a multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary program with an emphasis on the development of maritime technology.
  •  It includes activities like development of manned submersibles, research related to ocean exploration and capacity building in marine biology.
  •  The objective of the mission is to support fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihood and blue trade.
  •  India has joined the league of countries like America, Russia, Japan, France, and China due to the special achievements of Deep Ocean Mission.
  • Oceans provide an alternative and cleaner source of energy.

Significance of Deep Ocean Mission:

  • The mission enables India to develop capabilities to exploit the resources in the Indian Ocean.
  • The mission studies life-friendly biological components in the deep sea, which will try to throw light on the origin of life on Earth.
  •  It supports India's Blue Economy initiatives.
  • This mission helps in studying the effect of climate change on the ocean.
  • It helps India to deal with any disaster due to climate change.
  • This mission plays an important role in the security of the nation by obtaining rare earth elements required for military technology in abundance from the ocean.

Matsya-6000 Submarine:

  • This submarine has been developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
  • Under normal operating conditions, this submarine has the capability to run for 12 hours.
  • Also, this submarine has the ability to run for 96 hours for human safety in an emergency.

National Institute of Ocean Technology:

  • This institute is functioning since 1993 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
  • Objective- Energy and storing pure water from sea water, deep sea technology, coastal and environmental engineering, marine acoustics, marine science and technology for islands and ocean supervision etc.

Conclusion:

  • Major part of India's trade is through sea route. In such a situation, the objective of this scheme is to link the country's economy with the maritime sector.
  •  India's maritime position is unique in the world.
  •  Three sides of India are surrounded by oceans and about 30 percent of the country's population lives in these coastal areas. With a total coastline of 7,517 km, India is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands.
  • Blue economy is an important part of India's economic development program as more than 95 percent of India's trade is carried out by sea.
  • The ambitious Sagarmala program of the Government of India will revolutionize the movement of goods through sea and the operation of this campaign in port development in India.
  •  In view of this, considering the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region for the country, this mission will help India strengthen its hold in the South Asia region.
  •  Like the 'Green Revolution' and the 'White Revolution', the Government of India and the State Governments need to work with full determination for the success of the 'Blue Revolution' i.e. 'Blue Economy' in the future.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mains Exam Question- What is Blue Economy? Write about its importance and areas?