Question : SURVEY OF MARINE ZONE



(a) whether the Government propose to conduct a survey of the marine zone of the Country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the benefits likely to be derived from the said survey; and

(c) the time by which the said survey is likely to be conducted?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a), (b) and (c) The government proposes to conduct marine survey to prepare India`s claim on the continental shelf in accordance with the provisions of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. The survey is proposed to be carried out in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to collect the scientific and technical data. The continental shelf would be extending beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone. Upon acceptance of the claim, India would be in a position to exercise its exclusive right over the mineral resources on the delineated continental shelf. The survey is likely to be conducted during 2002 and 2003.