(a) whether the Government proposed for more funds for the awareness of earth science in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has proposed any plan for the earth science activities in the country for the next three years: and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
The MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y.S.CHOWDARY)
(a) Yes Madam. The Government has proposed more funds for the Awareness of the Earth Sciences in the Country. Proposed fund of estimated cost of Rs. 75 Crore in Current 12th Five Year plan for “Awareness & Outreach programme”. The total expenditure of incurred on awareness of Earth Sciences in 11th Five Year plan was Rs. 26.0522 crores.
(b) Details of major activities under the Outreach and Awareness Programme of Ministry for Current 12th Five Year plan are as following:
1. Exhibitions and Fairs (National & International)
2. Seminars, Symposia, Conferences, Workshops, Trainings, etc.
3. Collaboration of important international days/events every year, e.g. World Earth Day, World Ozone Day, National Science Day, World Meteorology Day, World Water Day, World Environment Day, etc.
4. Awareness, Propagation and publicity of the Ministry’s activities through print and audio-visual media, Exhibition on Move and Exhibition on Wheels.
5. Foundation Day Celebrations.
6. International/National Earth Sciences Olympiad.
(c) Yes Madam.
(d) The Government has proposed plan for activities of Earth Sciences in the country for next three years, as per details given below:
1) Atmosphere & Climate Research - Modelling, Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
2) Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources, Modelling And Science (O-STORMS)
3) Polar And Cryosphere Research ( PACER )
4) Seismological And Geosciences (SAGE)
5) Airborne Platforms for in-situ observations – Ocean Research Vessel (APOORV)
6) High Performance Computing (HPC)
7) Research Education , Outreach Training (REACHOUT).