Context:
At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France, India called for urgent global collaboration on marine conservation and ocean governance. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh led the Indian delegation, reaffirming India’s commitment to SDG-14 (Life Below Water).
Launch of SAHAV Digital Ocean Data Portal
- India introduced SAHAV, a real-time digital portal that:
- Facilitates open access to oceanic data
- Promotes transparent, evidence-driven ocean governance
- Aims to support climate forecasting, marine resource tracking, and disaster early warnings
Key Highlights:
- Call for Global Pact & Legal Frameworks:
- India advocated for a Global Ocean Pact and speedy ratification of the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).
- Supported the creation of a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty to combat marine pollution.
- Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan:
- Progress on ‘Samudrayaan’, India’s first manned deep-sea submersible, targeting ocean exploration up to 6,000 meters by 2026.
- Represents a leap in India’s marine scientific capabilities.
- Marine Conservation & Biodiversity:
- Expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to 6.6% of India’s EEZ.
- Restoration of 10,000+ hectares of mangroves and launch of shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions.
- Marine Pollution & Plastic Cleanup:
- ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign cleaned 1,000+ km coastline and removed 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
- Draft Marine Litter Policy prepared; India committed to supporting global plastics treaty negotiations.
- Blue Economy Investment & Fisheries Modernization:
- Highlighted progress under Sagarmala and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
- Climate Resilience and Paris Commitments:
- Integrated ocean-based climate actions into India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement.
- Promoted marine spatial planning through India-Norway collaboration.
