Question : EXPLOITATION OF MARINE WEALTH



(a) whether the Government have any scheme to exploit marine wealth;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the budgetary provisions made/being made for this purpose; and

(c) the details of schemes/products likely to be extracted?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER FOR OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a), (b) & (c): The schemes implemented by the Govt. for exploiting the Marine Wealth include the following:
Development of Marine Fisheries - a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the Ministry of Agriculture with a budgetary provision of Rs. 16 crore during the 1999-2000. The sub-components of the project include Motorisation of Traditional Craft and reimbursement of Central Excise Duty on High Speed Diesel Oil.
Development of Drugs from Sea, A National Research & Development Project under the Department of ocean development with the budgetary provision of Rs. 1.6 crore during 1999-2000.
Polymetallic Nodules Programme - a programme of the Department of Ocean Development with an outlay of Rs. 14.05 crore for 1999-2000. This programme has four components namely Survey and Exploration, Environmental Impact Assessment Studies, Technology Development for Mining and Technology Development for extractive Metallurgy.