Syllabus: GS3/Economy
In News
- India has secured its first-ever global exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphide nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge.
| Do you know? – India had applied in January 2024 for exploration rights in two Indian Ocean regions—Carlsberg Ridge, which has now been granted, and the Afanasy-Nikitin Sea (ANS) mount, still pending approval. The ANS region is also claimed by Sri Lanka. 1. India previously obtained ISA permits in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge, with these contracts valid through 2027 and 2031, respectively. |
Carlsberg Ridge
- It is a 3,00,000-sq km stretch that lies in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the Arabian Sea and northwest Indian Ocean.
- It forms the boundary between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates, extending from near Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone.
Significance for India
- Enhances India’s role in strategic deep-sea mining and access to critical minerals.
- Strengthens India’s resource security in key industrial metals like copper, zinc, gold, and rare earths.
- Supports India’s “Deep Ocean Mission” and transition to mineral self-reliance.
| The International Seabed Authority (ISA) – It is an autonomous body established under the 1982 UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement, tasked with regulating mineral-related activities in the deep seabed—referred to as the Area—for the benefit of humankind. Headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, ISA became operational in 1996 and now includes 170 members (169 States + EU). – It ensures environmental protection from seabed mining and oversees resource management in the Area, which spans 54% of the world’s ocean floor, recognized as the common heritage of humankind. 1. To explore mineral resources in the high seas—areas beyond any national jurisdiction—countries must obtain permission from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (a). So far, 19 countries have been granted such exploration rights. |
Source :TH
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