The Department of Ocean Development was created in July,1981 as a part of the Cabinet Secretariat directly under the charge of the Prime Minister. From March, 1982 it became a separate Department. Department of Ocean Development has been functioning as a nodal Department for organising, coordinating and promoting ocean development activities in the country, in line with the Ocean Policy Statement.The salient features of the Policy Statement relate to :

Mapping of living marine resources and preparing an inventory of commercially exploitable resources.

Optimum utilisation of living resources and sea weeds, exploitation of non-living resources such as hydrocarbons and heavy placer deposits, harnessing of renewable resources of ocean energy from the waves, temperature difference in water column, etc.

Technological advances geared to the conservation and protection of the marine environment.

Research and development in basic ocean sciences.

Development of indigenous technology relating to instrumentation, diving systems, position fixing, materials development, oceanic data collecting devices, submersible etc.

Broadening and strengthening of available infrastructure facilities for research, development and operational services.

Establishment of a centralised data system with appropriate mechanism for collection, collation and dissemination of ocean related information both from indigenous and foreign sources.

Training of skilled manpower and creation of self-reliant technological base.

Establishment of an integrated legal framework and commitment for its enforcement.

Cooperation with both developed and developing countries.

The Department of Ocean Development functions in association with other concerned agencies.

The major thrust areas of development pursued by the Department over the years relate to:

Development of technologies relating to seabed mining, extractive metallurgy and ocean energy.

Contribution towards front ranking research in polar sciences.

Exploration of marine resources and their correlation with oceanographic parameters, studies to evolve exploration parameters and strategies.

Development of technologies and infrastructure for exploration and sustainable and rational utilisation of marine living and non-living resources.

Developmental activities related to integrated coastal and marine area management, coastal community development, ocean information services, etc., with direct application to the welfare of the society.

Basic research in Ocean Science and Technology, Human Resource Development, creation of Centres of Excellence in academic institutions and public awareness on the potential and uses of ocean.

The underlying philosophy of the programmes and activities undertaken by the Department of Ocean Development is one of sustainable and environment friendly exploration and utilisation of marine living and non-living resources for the socio- economic benefit of the country.

The programmes of the Department, which have been reoriented and revamped during the 9th Five Year Plan period cover: -

Polar (Antarctic) Science
Marine Living Resources
Marine Non-Living Resources
Marine and Coastal Area Management
Ocean Observation & Information Services
Marine Research and Capacity Building
Coastal Community Programmes
Ocean Awareness, and
International Cooperation

While formulating the research and development programmes, stress is laid on accelerated development of applied technology and the benefits those will give to society.

Intensive review and evaluation of the Antarctic research programme had led to revised priorities in scientific programmes taking into consideration the increasing importance and the relevance of Antarctic research in understanding the global change and environment.

In the field of Polymetallic Nodules Programme, emphasis so far had been on the utilisation of the technologies in the survey and exploration. However, in the recent years, the programme has been expanded to development of technologies for deep sea mining, recovery of metals, etc., and for application in our Exclusive Economic Zone.

Priority is also being accorded to integrated coastal and marine area management, ocean observation and information services including use of satellite remote sensing for exploration and sustainable utilisation of the living and non-living resources, pollution monitoring, monitoring of climate change, sea level variations, etc., collection and dissemination of oceanographic and meteorological data on real-time basis, development of technologies for tapping ocean energy, coastal and environmental engineering, marine instrumentation, enhancement of marine living resources and coastal community programmes. Continued support is being provided to Universities and R&D Institutions for conducting basic and applied research in various disciplines related to ocean sciences and technology and establishment of Ocean Science and Technology Cells.

India is elected Chairman of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) for a two-year term from November ‘98. India is a Member of the Antarctic Treaty System with a consultative status, Council of Managers of the National Antarctic Programme, Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics and Operations, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. India’s nominees are also working as elected members in various important institutions established under the UN Convention on Law of the Sea such as: International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Finance Committee of the International Seabed Authority (ISBA), Legal and Technical Commission of the Council of the Authority, Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf, etc. India also is actively taking part in the Inter-Governmental Oceanographic Commission and Regional Seas Programmes.

In accordance with of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), claims of the delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf are required to be submitted within 10 years of coming into force of the Convention for the country concerned. Since India ratified the convention in June 1995, the claims are required to be submitted to UNCLOS by June 2005. The claims will be based on the hydrographic survey data. India is likely to gain an additional area of about 1 million sq.km outside the Exclusive Economic Zone, where the rights of India can be duly exercised for resources on the seabed and below. The basic components of the proposed programme are the baseline survey, bathymetric survey, seismic survey and data processing. A comprehensive programme for this purpose has already been approved by the government, involving an outlay of Rs. 47.46 crore and the entire survey work is expected to be completed by end 2000 and the claim will be submitted to UNCLOS in 2001.

The organization and activities of the Department and the programmes and projects implemented by the Department during 1999-2000 are given in the organization chart furnished below: