National Hydrography Day

24 June 2019

Remarks by High Commissioner Tanmaya Lal

Hon’ble Minister of Housing and Lands,

Senior Chief Executives and Permanent Secretaries of various Ministries,

Commandant National Coast Guard,

Colleagues.

I thank you for inviting me today at this special event to mark the World Hydrography Day.

Most of you are experts and very knowledgeable in the field of Hydrography.

As a non-expert, I understand that charting of the sea surface and waterways along the coastal areas has been an important pre-requisite ever since man took to sea to venture into new territories.

The techniques of such exploration and charting have continued to improve with the changes in technology. Its uses have also expanded manifold. Besides safe navigation, the information generated by Hydrography is useful for a number of other areas such as developing Ocean Economy, disaster risk reduction, developing fisheries and tourism, mineral exploration and marine environment conservation.

As many of you are aware, India has a long tradition in hydrography. The National Institute of Oceanography in Dehradun traces its roots from the Indian Marine Survey Department that was set up in 1874 in Calcutta during the British times. This was converted into the Marine Survey of India at the time of our Independence seven decades ago in 1947. A few years later the office was shifted to Dehradun in 1954 when it became the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). The NIO is headed by the officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral who is India’s Chief Hydrographer. Another institution, the National Institute of Hydrography was set up in Goa 40 years ago in 1978.

Today India engages eight naval vessels manned by 100 officers and 500 sailors to conduct Hydrography activities. India has partnered nine countries in conduct of hydrography exploration. These are in alphabetical order Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. India has also partnered 55 countries to train their experts in this field.

Our partnership with Mauritius in Hydrography was formalized in 2005 as part of a Memorandum of Understanding. These efforts have covered all major areas of Mauritius including the Port Louis Harbor, The Grand Port Area and the major islands of Mauritius. 8 navigation charts and 10 electronic charts prepared on the basis of these surveys have been handed over to the Government of Mauritius. Earlier this year, I was privileged to be part of the ceremony at which the charts relating to Rodrigues and South Mauritius were handed over.

India has also been very active with the International Hydrographic Organization that was established in 1921. India has held the Chair of the organization for three consecutive terms from 1972-87. India chaired the North Indian Ocean Commission during 2017-18. India hosted the session of this Regional Commission in April 2018 in Goa.

We all know that exploration and curiosity drive the development of science and technology. It is often noted that we perhaps know more about the surface of the Moon than we know about the surface of the ocean floor on this earth. I might add that in India scientists are actively engaged in the exploration of both these surfaces - of the ocean as well as of the Moon. In fact, next month the second lunar mission of India known as the Chandrayan-II is all set to launch.

We salute this spirit of scientists around the world whose work not only helps in knowing more about our surroundings but helps ultimately in improving the daily lives of common people.

It is also in this spirit that we look forward to strengthening the collaboration between the scientists and experts of our countries in various fields, especially in hydrography which is so important for both our countries - Mauritius an ocean state and India with its large coast line and both countries with huge Exclusive Economic Zones.

May I conclude by again expressing my thanks for this kind invitation.

Thank you.