Ministry of Earth Sciences has landmark achievements to its credit in last one year. Following are a few of them.
Desalination Technology-Seawater into Potable Water: A totally indigenous and environmental friendly technology, for conversion of seawater into potable drinking water has been developed, demonstrated and commissioned at select island territories and coastal power plants. During the year 2011, two more desalination plants of 1 lakh litre capacity were established one each in Minicoy and Agatti, in March, 2011 and August 2011, respectively. These plants have been contributing significantly to the drinking water needs of the local population of these islands.
District-level agro-meteorological advisory service to farmers: A quantitative district-level agro-meteorological advisory service covering 560 districts, has been made operational for farmers in partnership with a number of Central Government Ministries and organizations, state level institutions, private agencies, NGOs, progressive farmers and media. This service encompasses a 5-day weather forecast and advisory proposed out agricultural practices. About 30,00,000 farmers have already subscribed for receiving the information through mobile for planning their agricultural activities.
Fishing Zone Advisories to fisherman: An integrated and unique fishing zone advisory system has been made operational to coastal fishermen community which provides timely information on the fish abundance locations and local weather conditions.
Island Development Programme: Hatchery technology for spat development of black-lip pearl oyster has been perfected in Andaman islands . A full-fledged hatchery unit for breeding and rearing ornamental fishes was established at Agatti in Lakshadweep . A set of 10- Open sea cage culture were developed and deployed at selected locations of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman islands for rearing of Parrot and milk fish. All the technology development on commercial scale has significantly contributed to the income of the local population of the islands.
Research Station in Antarctic: The Third Station was established in March 2012 in the Larsemann Hills in the Antarctica towards conducting front-ranking research in the area of polar research in India
Disasters Alleviation Support: On October 12, 2011 a Pan–India mock drill exercise was successfully conducted as part of early Warning System for Tsunami in the Indian ocean, in coordination with twenty nine countries of the Indian Ocean under the overall framework of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The Indian Tsunami warning System is capable of issue of tsunami warning for India and the Indian Ocean Rim countries within 8 minutes of occurrence of the earthquake in the Indian Ocean . The Indian Tsunami Warning System has been recognized as Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) for the Indian Ocean Region and has started operations to the Indian Ocean Rim countries.
Coral Bleaching Alert System (CBAS): A coral bleaching alert system for providing bimonthly status on 5 major coral environments of India , viz., Andaman Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar,Gulf of Kutchchh
Monsoon Mission: Towards improve the seasonal and Intra-seasonal Monsoon Forecast and to improve Medium Range Forecast, the ministry had launched a programe “ Monsoon Mission” with a view to focus research by national and international research groups with definitive objectives and deliverables. This aims to improve models in the short, medium, extended and seasonal range scales through setting up of a framework for generating dynamical forecasts and improving skill of forecasts.