Union Minister visits Indian Subcontinent’s Pioneer Research Vessel Ship “Sagar Nidhi” and interacts with top Scientists on the deck

What is the News?

The Union Minister visited the Indian Subcontinent’s Pioneer Research Vessel, Ship “SagarNidhi” and interacted with the Scientists on the deck.

What is Sagar Nidhi?

Oceanographic Research Vessel(ORV) Sagar Nidhi is an ice-strengthened multidisciplinary vessel operated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology(NIOT).

Note: An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are made to get through the ice in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Purpose: 1. Exploring the ocean resources, 2. Participation in search and rescue operations and in implementation of Deep Ocean Mission, 3. Carrying out geoscientific, meteorological and oceanographic research.

Significance: First Indian flagged research ship that reached the Antarctic waters.

What is a Research Vessel?

Research Vessel (Ships) is an important tool for ocean research and the development of ocean technology. 

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has at present has 6 ships namely Sagar Nidhi, Sagar Manjusha, Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar Tara and Sagar Anveshika.

India’s Maritime Boundary

India has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2.37 million square kilometres wherein India enjoys the exclusive legal right to utilize all living and non-living resources. 

Apart from this, India has been allotted 75000 square kilometres in the Central Indian Ocean and 10000 square kilometres in the Southern Indian Ocean by the International Seabed Authority. These areas are rich in minerals like Manganese, Cobalt and Nickel.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister visits Indian Subcontinent’s Pioneer Research Vessel Ship “Sagar Nidhi” and interacts with top Scientists on the deck” published in PIB on 31st October 2021.