Latest news with #NationalInstituteofOceanTechnology
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin reviews environmental impact of MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting at the secretariat to address the environmental impact of the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck off the Kochi coast. The Liberian-flagged cargo vessel capsized 38 nautical miles off Kerala, releasing plastic nurdles, fuel, and other hazardous materials into the sea. Due to the southwest monsoon, debris washed ashore along parts of Kerala and the west coast of Kanniyakumari district. The meeting focused on safe disposal of plastic nurdles along the southern coastal districts of Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram. An environmental impact assessment is being done by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), in coordination with the National Institute of Ocean Technology and other expert agencies. The fisheries department has restricted fishing activities in affected areas and is investigating the possibility of nurdle ingestion by marine species. District collectors, under the guidance of the State Disaster Management Authority, have been directed to coordinate with the police and volunteers for safe clean-up, a release said. While no hazardous materials have reached Tamil Nadu shores so far, the chief minister has ordered officials to ensure continous monitoring, conduct both short- and long-term impact studies, and expedite assessments of marine life health. Stalin highlighted the importance of protecting the region's marine ecosystem, drawing parallel with the 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka. TN constitutes committee, seeks public opinion on bus fare revision Chennai: The state government has issued a notification inviting public opinion on a proposed hike in bus fare. A committee headed by the transport commissioner has also been constituted to examine the proposal, following a directive from the Madras High Court. The court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the Private Bus Operators Association seeking a fare revision. As per the notification, public can send their comments by post to the office of the transport commissioner in Guindy.
India.com
26-05-2025
- Science
- India.com
95-Century-Old City Discovered Beneath Ocean – Oldest Civilisation Ever?
Ne Delhi: Does the story of human civilization begin where we think? Do the true origins of our societies, cultures and cities stretch back far earlier than the history books suggest and perhaps hidden beneath the very waters we see today? A startling revelation off India's western coast has led the above questions. It casts shadows over our conventional understanding of the past. An underwater site in the Gulf of Khambhat has puzzled archaeologists and scientists for more than two decades. It has stirred debate and raised the possibility of a city submerged under the ocean. Is it a myth or the elusive trace of an ancient civilization that could rewrite the timeline of human history? The Discovery That Shook History Marine researchers from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), during a routine pollution survey off India's coast in 2000, stumbled upon something remarkable. Their sonar equipment revealed geometrically structured and large formations on the seabed. It was something that defied natural explanations. It laid about 120 feet below the water's surface. Stretching over five miles in length and two miles in width, this ancient site could be older than any civilization we have historically recognised. Human remains, sculptures, ancient beads and pottery shards, the artifacts found from the depths offer tantalising clues. Carbon dating of the artifacts reveals that they are nearly 9,500 years old. The discovery pushes the boundaries of human history. This discovery, if verified, could challenge everything we thought we knew about early human settlements – especially in relation to the Indus Valley Civilization that has long been considered one of the oldest known advanced cultures. A Window Into Prehistoric Civilization Can this submerged city provide a clue to understand how early societies thrived and developed? The chief geologist for the NIOT team, Dr Badrinaryan Badrinaryan, too believes the same. According to him, the artifacts point to a civilization lost beneath water because of increasing sea levels at the end of the Ice Age. Known for its remarkable advanced culture and urban planning, this theory suggests that the Harappan civilization may have evolved from this older 'mother culture'. This, if true, may upend the prevailing belief that well-organised societies did not exist before 5500 BCE. Of course, the idea of a submerged city is not new. Myths and legends suggest that entire civilizations disappeared beneath the waves. But the discovery of such an ancient site presents a real-world mystery that potentially has enormous implications for our understanding of human development. Ongoing Debate Several scholars are convinced with the exiting discovery. Experts such as Dr. Akko Parpola and Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan have cast doubt on the interpretations. Though Dr. Mahadevan argues that certain structures seem man-made, yet he cautions that the artifacts might have been carried by ancient rivers and not necessarily pointing to a lost city. Similarly, Dr. Parpola has questioned the reliability of carbon dating. He says that natural processes might have influenced the patterns and shapes on the seafloor. The debate highlights the complexities of interpreting underwater archaeological sites. The ocean is a harsh and ever-changing environment, and distinguishing between human-made structures and natural formations is no easy task. Can This Discovery Redefine History? Can this discovery lead to rewriting of the history of early civilizations? The Gulf of Khambhat site, if confirmed, will suggest the existence of a culture far older than the Indus Valley. It can also prompt us to reevaluate the factors – which shaped ancient societies. Rising sea levels, shifting coastlines and natural disasters could have submerged civilizations long before the first written records emerged. Researchers are exploring this submerged enigma as the world watches in anticipation. The idea that ancient human civilization might have evolved in ways we have not yet fully comprehend can lead us to untold histories. The Gulf of Khambhat is considered to be the first chapter of a much larger story – which has been hidden beneath the waves for thousands of years.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Lost civilisation discovered beneath the Indian ocean could be older than the Harrappan civilisation
What if the roots of human civilization stretched back far earlier than we ever imagined so far, in fact, that entire cities may now lie forgotten beneath the sea? It sounds like something from a myth or a lost chapter of history, yet off the coast of western India, a mysterious underwater discovery has brought up this very question. Found in the gloomy depths of the Gulf of Khambhat, this ancient submerged site could potentially rewrite the timeline of civilization itself. The discovery was made more than two decades ago by Indian marine researchers and has never been conclusively accepted or rejected. But what exactly was found beneath the sea and why does it continue to stir such controversy even after 25 years? A look into prehistoric civilization In December 2000, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) made a massive discovery in the Gulf of Khambhat, off India's western coast, that happened to take place in routine pollution surveys. Sonar technology showed large, geometric structures on the seafloor, suggesting the existence of a submerged city. This alleged city is located approximately 120 feet underwater, and spans over five miles in length and two miles in width. Artifacts recovered from the site include pottery, beads, sculptures, and human remains. On being carbon-dated, it was found that these artifacts date to be nearly 9,500 years old, potentially predating the Indus Valley Civilization. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo As per reports by Indy100, Dr. Badrinaryan Badrinaryan, chief geologist for NIOT's scientific team, proposed that these findings indicated the existence of an advanced civilization submerged by rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. He suggested that the Harappan civilization might have descended from this "mother culture," challenging the belief that well-organized societies couldn't have existed prior to 5500 BCE. Experts like Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan and Dr. Akko Parpola have questioned the interpretations. Dr. Mahadevan acknowledged the man-made appearance of certain structures but cautioned that some artifacts might have been transported by ancient rivers. Dr. Parpola raised concerns about the reliability of carbon dating and the potential for natural processes to have shaped the site. Credits: Images generated by canva
News18
16-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Inside Samudrayaan: India's Mission To Send 3 Scientists 6,000 Metres Under The Sea
Last Updated: As part of 'Samudrayaan', India will deploy a submersible named Matsya - a 25-tonne titanium-hulled vehicle designed to endure the extreme pressure and cold of the deep ocean. India is preparing to embark on a deep-sea mission of unprecedented scale, one that will send its scientists 6,000 metres beneath the ocean surface – a technological feat achieved by only a handful of nations. The mission, titled Samudrayaan, will mark India's first manned expedition to such depths, placing it in a select global club and expanding its reach from the skies to the seafloor. The announcement was made during a session held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi on Tuesday, May 13, where Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), outlined the government's plans and timelines. NIOT, which functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is spearheading the mission. As part of Samudrayaan, India will deploy a submersible named Matsya – a 25-tonne titanium-hulled vehicle designed to endure the extreme pressure and cold of the deep ocean. The submersible will carry three crew members into the abyss, where they will collect biological and geological samples, conduct environmental observations, and explore mineral resources critical to future technologies. Next is 'Samudrayaan"This is 'MATSYA 6000' submersible under construction at National Institute of Ocean Technology at Chennai. India's first manned Deep Ocean Mission 'Samudrayaan' plans to send 3 humans in 6-km ocean depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and… — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 11, 2023 The mission is currently in its preparatory phase. A 500-metre test dive is expected by the end of this year, after which the full-depth expedition to 6,000 metres will follow in stages. Each dive is projected to take about four hours for descent and another four for return. 'Samudrayaan is not just a milestone in ocean research; it is a statement of India's technological capacity and long-term vision," Ramakrishnan said at the event. He added that the mission would significantly boost India's ability to study deep-sea biodiversity, climate change impacts, and rare-earth deposits found in the seabed. Matsya, built entirely with indigenous technology, is equipped to navigate one of the harshest environments on the planet – a region of pitch darkness, near-zero temperatures, and pressures over 600 times that at sea level. The data and materials brought back from these missions are expected to inform marine science, pharmaceutical research, and climate modelling. Also unveiled during the session was Samudrajivah, a parallel technological initiative focused on offshore aquaculture. The system uses electronic fish cages capable of operating in nutrient-rich waters away from the coastline. These cages can monitor the growth, health, and habitat of fish populations in real time, offering a scalable solution to enhance India's food security. While Samudrajivah is currently in the demonstration stage, officials say it has the potential to transform India's marine farming sector and reduce dependence on coastal and inland aquaculture zones. The government's dual push – into the deep ocean and sustainable offshore fisheries – signals a strategic expansion of its maritime capabilities. As global competition intensifies over seabed resources and oceanic research frontiers, missions like Samudrayaan represent a shift in India's scientific and geopolitical posture. Though countries like the United States, China, and Russia have already made advances in deep-sea exploration, India's entry into this exclusive space underscores its growing ambitions in both civilian research and marine technology.
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
India's First Manned Deep Ocean Mission To Be Launched By 2026 End
Kochi: India's first manned deep ocean mission 'Samudrayaan' into a 6,000-metre depth using the manned submersible vehicle 'Matsya' is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Director Balaji Ramakrishnan said on Tuesday. He was speaking after inaugurating a five-day national training programme on the 'role of fisheries in the blue economy' at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here. "The mission will enable deep-sea exploration down to 6000 metres, carrying three scientists on board 'Matsya.' The NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the implementing nodal agency of the deep ocean mission," he said. Developed with India's indigenous technology, this advanced 25-tonne 4th generation vehicle is specifically engineered to withstand extreme pressure and temperature in the deeper ocean, with a hull made of titanium. "This mission is expected to be a game-changer for India's deep-sea research, opening avenues for the assessment of both living and non-living resources in the deep ocean, comprehensive ocean observation, and the potential for deep-sea tourism," Ramakrishnan said. The launch is planned as a step-by-step process, and a crucial phase of the 500 m depth trial is anticipated by the end of this year," he said, adding the journey to dive deep will take four hours, and the same time is expected to come out. The mission will be instrumental in collecting critical samples from the deeper oceanic zone, offering opportunities for scientists to understand the unique characteristics of the organism and the water in the region, the NIOT director said. Citing another breakthrough in the sector, he said an innovative technology named 'Samudrajivah' has been developed to focus on improved large-scale open sea age farming. "The technology is currently in the demonstration phase," he said, pointing out that these electronically monitored submerged fish cages are designed for offshore regions, capitalising on the nutritionally rich deep-sea environment to optimise the fish growth. Having different sensors, Samudrajivah is capable of remote monitoring of individual fish biomass, growth and movement and water quality parameters, he added. "The technology is expected to be one of the major developments in India's food security," he said. These emerging technologies would be crucial for sustainable development in the marine fisheries sector and will significantly support the country's blue economy initiatives, Dr Ramakrishnan said. The training programme on fisheries is being jointly organised by the CMFRI and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). In his presidential address, CMFRI director Dr Grinson George said integrating NIOT's technology with CMFRI's marine research achievements would be instrumental in the advancement of a healthy blue economy in India. "Technological enhancement is an urgent need to fully exploit the potential of mariculture activity in India, especially seaweed cultivation", he said and stressed the need for advisories or early warning systems for jellyfish blooms and harmful algal blooms to support fishermen and fish farmers. Former director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Satheesh Shenoi, VIBHA secretary general Vivekananda Pai, and former director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Dr S Prasanna Kumar also spoke on the occasion, a release from the CMFRI here said.
