O-SMART

Aug. 30, 2018

Union cabinet has approved the umbrella scheme named O-SMART which includes 16 sub-projects for addressing ocean development activities.

About:

  • O-SMART is an acronym for “Ocean services, technology, observations, resources modelling and Science”.

  • Implementing ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences.

  • Implementation Period of scheme: 2017-18 to 2019-20 at an overall cost of Rs.1623 crore.

  • Areas covered: 16 sub-projects addressing ocean development activities such as Services, Technology, Resources, Observations and Science.

  • Target activities during the next 2 years:
    • Strengthening of Ocean Observations and Modelling,

    • Strengthening of Ocean Services for Fishermen,

    • Setting up Marine Coastal Observatories for monitoring marine pollution in 2018,

    • Setting up Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant (OTEC) in Kavaratti,

    • Acquisition of 2 Coastal Research Vessels for Coastal research,

    • 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.



  • Significance/Impact of technologies developed under O-smart:
    • Providing economic benefits to communities involved in the coastal and ocean sectors, namely, fisheries, offshore industry, coastal states, Defence, Shipping, Ports etc.

    • Addressing issues relating to Sustainable Development Goal-14, which aims to conserve use of oceans, marine resources for sustainable development.

    • Implementation of various aspects of Blue Economy (for efficient use of the vast ocean resources in a sustainable way).

    • Dealing with ocean disasters like Tsunami, storm surges (with the help of Early Warning Systems established under the O-SMART Scheme).

    • Harnessing the vast ocean resources of both living and non-living resources from the seas around India.



Source : PIB