New application for integrated and improved oceanographic data for India launched 

New Delhi (India Science Wire):  The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) launched a new application to integrate and enhance the accessibility and utility of oceanographic data in the country. The application is named Digital Ocean and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology, Health and Family Welfare, and Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan through a virtual event webcast live.

Digital ocean is a web-based platform that integrates all oceanographic data available in the country and aids its analysis, visualisation, fusion, management, and faster dissemination on a user-friendly interface. It is developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, which is an autonomous organisation under the MoES, Government of India. In addition to the scientific community and academia, the portal will benefit several stakeholders, including disaster management authorities, industries, navy and coast guards, and the public, especially coastal communities. 

Dr M Rajeevan Nair, Secretary, MoES said “Ocean services generate data that needs to be well-organised with quality control and needs to be distributed in real-time to all stakeholders. The Digital Ocean platform will serve to integrate this information, and with advanced information technology tools, will provide insights to improve our understanding of oceans and serve our country and the Indian Ocean rim countries”. 

Dr M Mohapatra, Director General, IMD; Dr Vipin Chandra, Joint Secretary, MoES; and Shri Gopal Iyengar, scientist and Director of MoES institutions also graced the occasion. “Digital Ocean is aimed to be a one-stop solution for all Indian oceanographic data, including instant access and to serve as its repository. We are proud that it is now live and available for societal benefit”, said Dr T Srinivasa Kumar, Director, INCOIS.  (India Science Wire)