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Cabinet approves continuation of the umbrella scheme "Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)

The scheme encompasses seven sub-schemes

• Ocean Technology
• Ocean Modelling and Advisory Services (OMAS)
• Ocean Observation Network
• Ocean Non-living Resources
• Marine living resources and ecology
• Coastal research Operation and
• Maintenance of Research Vessels

O-SMART scheme

Ocean – Services, Modelling, Application, Resources, and Technology (O-SMART) is an umbrella scheme that was approved by the Cabinet Committee on 29 August 2018 for implementation during 2017-18 and 2019-20 at an overall cost of Rs. 1.623 crores.

Aim
Promoting ocean research and setting early weather systems

Objective

• It provides forecasts and services based on continuous oceanographic research activities.
• It promotes front-ranking research in ocean sciences.
• The scheme develops technologies and conducts exploratory surveys to harness ocean resources sustainably.

Significance

• The O-SMART scheme augments the capacity building of India in the oceanographic field at an international level through extensive research and technology development activities. .
• It further provides comprehensive coverage to deliver cutting edge technology in the next five years.
• The ongoing extensive research and technology development activities would augment the capacity building of the nation in the oceanographic field at the international level.
• The present decade has been declared as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable
  Development by the United Nations (UN) and the continuation of the scheme would strengthen our stand in the global oceanographic research and technology development.
• The continuation of the scheme would contribute significantly towards a national policy on the blue economy.
• It will help us in achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal-14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
• A significant contribution to the national GDP is being made and to be continued through the
  ocean advisory services and technologies developed benefiting communities and several sectors working in the marine environment, particularly in the coastal states of India.
• It will provide a comprehensive coverage by strengthening the ongoing activities towards delivering innovative technology applicable for marine domain, forecast and warning services to various coastal stakeholders, understanding biodiversity towards conservation strategy for marine living organisms.