Deep-sea discovery, environmental responsibility, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• India holds three International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploration contracts covering approximately 95,000 sq km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, Central Indian Ridge, and Carlsberg Ridge.
• These exploration areas contain an estimated 366 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules, rich in metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese.
• Under the Deep Ocean Mission, India is developing advanced deep-sea mining technology, underwater robotics, and the MATSYA-6000 human submersible.
• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has successfully tested a deep-sea mining machine at depths of about 5,270 meters.
• India's deep-sea biodiversity surveys have identified around 1,300 deep-sea organisms, including nearly 23 species new to science.

Deep Sea Ocean Mission.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The article questions whether technological capability for deep-sea exploitation should automatically lead to its implementation.
• The deep ocean is a poorly understood ecosystem, making the consequences of large-scale seabed disturbance unpredictable.
• India's investment in deep-ocean science can focus on knowledge and environmental baselines without committing to commercial mining.
• The current exploration phase allows India to set a high ecological threshold for any future decision on deep-sea exploitation.
• The core question should be "Do we need to mine at all?" rather than "How can we mine with minimum damage?".
• Strategic importance for renewable energy should not automatically justify ecological permission for deep-sea mining.
• India should prioritize alternatives like recycling, efficiency, substitution, and a circular economy before extraction.
• Mission LiFE aligns with reducing dependence on extraction through promoting sustainable consumption and resource efficiency.
• India can lead in deep-sea ecological governance by recognizing the ocean as a precious ecological asset, not just a mineral reserve.
• Sustainable development requires preserving natural capital and reducing resource consumption, as highlighted by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nature-based Solutions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• International Seabed Authority (ISA): An intergovernmental body regulating mineral-related activities in the international seabed area.
• Polymetallic Nodules: Mineral concretions on the deep seabed, rich in metals like manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• Deep Ocean Mission: India's initiative for deep-sea exploration, resource assessment, and technology development for ocean sustainability.
• Mission LiFE: India's global initiative promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle, focusing on mindful and sustainable consumption.