News Excerpt:

The Union Cabinet has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)”.

About:

• Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme:

• • Augmentation and sustenance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change.
  • Development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change.
  • Exploration of polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources.
  • Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications.
  • Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.
• Components: The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes namely -
  • Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)
  • Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
  • Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
  • Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
  • Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)

• Implementation authority:

• It is to be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, from 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crore.

Significance of the Scheme:

• The overarching scheme of PRITHVI will holistically address all the five components of the earth system to improve the understating of the Earth System Sciences and to provide reliable services for the country.
• Earth System Sciences deal with all the five components of the earth system: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere and their complex interactions.
• The overarching scheme of Prithvi Vigyan will enable development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and innovative programs across different MoES institutes.
• These integrated R&D efforts will help in addressing the grand challenges of weather and climate, ocean, cryosphere, seismological science and services and explore the living and non-living resources for their sustainable harnessing.