There is a need to continuously upgrade knowledge through assimilation of new ideas and application of new knowledge in the field of earth Sciences for improvement of weather and climate forecast. This can be effectively done through adoption of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary approach involving amalgamation of expertise existing in various R & D institutes of the country. Therefore ESSO proposes to support focused R & D through networked projects involving various institutes within India and abroad during the XII plan. To facilitate exchange of ideas and to keep abreast with latest scientific and technology developments in the field of earth Sciences, special orientation programme for scientists through visit to various national/ international labs are proposed to be organized in their respective field either through international fellowships or sponsorships. To address the issue of depleting scientific manpower in the field of Earth Sciences, the Ministry would continue funding of MTech, MSc and PhD programmes at premiere institutes of the country during the 12th plan, establishment of MoES Chairs at IIT’s and IISER, opening of Centers of Excellence at various Universities with state-of the art research facilities.

a) Objectives:

1. Tosupport Human Resource Development programmes through establishment of Chair in IITs and IISERs;
2. Initiation of academic programmes at IITs and IISER;
3. Opening of Centers of excellence in universities;
4. International fellowships and sponsored fellowships to train our scientists in specialized Universities/Labs will be taken up;
5. Network projects on focused research areas of National importance through integration of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary scientific expertise ;

Studies on Changing Water Cycle will be taken up with special reference to response of forests and agro-ecosystems to extreme rainfall events in the Western Ghats, South Asian Precipitation, Hydro-meteorological feedback and changes in water storage and fluxes in northern Indian basins, mitigating climate change impacts on India agriculture through improved irrigation water management, structure and dynamics of groundwater systems in northwestern India under past, present and future climates, and understanding the role of different regional drivers on erosion and flood risk hazard in the Ganges – Brahmaputra Basin. Thrust on indigenous capability will be given through support of joint activities in areas of common interest. Scientific and technical cooperation with national and international scientific groups in earth system science will continue. In order to get constant feedback of the impact of the services provided by the Ministry and the benefits accrued by the end-user in economic terms, the Ministry will continue to support third party evaluation of its services periodically.

b) Participating Institutions:

Earth System Science Organization, Delhi

c) Implementation Plan:

1. Proposals related to the activities of the Ministry will be considered for funding
2. The research proposals will undergo a review mechanism established at the Ministry while proposal for Chairs and Center of excellence will be considered case-to case basis depending upon the scientific caliber existing in the implementing institute
3. The proposal once funded will undergo a review mechanism at the mid-term stage
4. Further funds will be released subject to submission of Annual reports and utilization of funds
5. At the completion stage a Project Completion Report will be submitted.

d) Deliverables:

The deliverables of the network projects, if found good, will be translated into operational use for overall improvement of weather and marine services of the country

It is expected that the MSc and PhD programmes will help in capacity building in Earth Sciences and thereby cater to the depleting scientific manpower in the MoES institutes. The establishment of Center of Excellence and MoES Chair/Professorship will help in encouraging focused research activities in the field of Earth and climate science.

e) Budget requirement : 290 crores

(Rs. In crores)