Current Affairs PDF

India, Norway to conduct Marine Spatial Planning in Lakshadweep & Puducherry

AffairsCloud YouTube Channel - Click Here

AffairsCloud APP Click Here

India and Norway agree to conduct marine spatial planningIndia & Norway agreed to collaborate in the area of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Oceanic space for the next 5 years.  Lakshadweep & Puducherry have been identified as Pilot sites for the Project.

  • National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai will be preparing the MSP framework for Puducherry & Lakshadweep in the initial phase of the project.
  • The framework of these 2 environmentally critical areas (Pondicherry & Lakshadweep) will be replicated to other coastal regions of India.
  • The 2 places have been chosen due to their potential to Flourish in multiple sectors such as Industries, Fisheries & Tourism.
  • MSP is part of India’s (draft) Blue Economic Policy being developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Background

  • The MSP project is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the 2 countries in 2019.

Objective

  • For optimum utilisation of Sustainable Ocean Resources for economic & social development in coastal areas and as a Societal-beneficial initiative for India’s coastal regions.

Implementing Agencies

  • India – Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR)
  • Norway – Norwegian Environment Agency through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway

Funding

  • At the Initial stage, Government of India is planning to invest around INR 8-10 crores per annum.
  • The World Bank & United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have expressed Interest in supporting the MSP Project.

1st MSP Project Steering Committee

The India-Norway Integrated Ocean Management & Research Initiative, 1st Project Steering Committee on MSP was convened virtually on February 26, 2021.

  • During the meeting, both sides prepared a plan to ensure that human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe, and sustainable manner in areas like energy, transportation, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism & other sectors.
  • It was attended by representatives from Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC); Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping; Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Fishery, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; Ministry of Tourism & state governments of Tamil Nadu & Lakshadweep.

NCCR’s Earlier Experiences

NCCR had earlier developed coastal management plans for Chennai, Goa, and Gulf of Kachchh which were successful.

New India by 2030

  • The Government of India’s vision of New India by 2030 highlights the Blue Economy as one of the 10 core dimensions of growth.
  • MSP is a tool for sustainable and integrated ocean management.

Recent Related News:

i.On April 29, 2020 The World Bank approved USD 400 million multi-year financial support to help India enhance its coastal & marine resources, protect marine resources & coastal populations from pollution, erosion, sea-level rise, and improve livelihood opportunities for coastal communities over the next decade.

About Norway:

Prime Minister– Erna Solberg
Capital– Oslo
Currency– Krone

About National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR):

It is an attached office of MoES
Director – Dr M V Ramana Murthy
Location – Chennai, Tamil Nadu