Rs 4,797 cr PRITHVI to boost atmosphere, polar and ocean research, says Rijiju

With climate change and its adverse impacts affecting globally, be it in the form of extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, floods, rising sea levels, depleting glaciers, cyclones of higher intensities or prolonged dry spells — the need for improving understanding the roles of atmosphere-ocean-poles has become increasingly necessary.

“It is a continuing programme. While earlier, research in all these key areas were being carried out under different sub-heads for which different budget allocations were to be made, but now all these have been amalgamated. In case funds from one research sub-head remains under utilised, it can be used to support any other research area,” M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, told The Indian Express.

Some of the ongoing research that will now come under PRITHVI include Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS), Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART), Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER), Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE) and Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT).

Importantly, for the first time, PRITHVI will open doors for Indian scientists to join hands with international experts.

“We can now have international collaboration. Upon receiving any proposal to work, we can now consider them,” he added.

Updating on Rs 4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission launched by MoES in 2021, Rijiju, in another reply, said that an extensive survey and exploration for metals like cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese have been carried out in the central Indian Ocean basin. In addition, explorations along south western and central ridges have identified potential locations for carrying out hydrothermal activities and zones suitable for sulphide mineralisation.