Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended a program organized by the Indian Navy at Kochi, India, to support the sustainable use of oceans on World Hydrography Day. The program was held at the hydrography ship South Jetty, Indian Naval station Kochi. The event hosted senior officers of the Navy, sailors, and hydrographers. The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) operates under the Indian Navy as the nodal agency that conducts hydrographic surveys and produces nautical charts in India. INHD aims to undertake hydrographic surveys and create accurate navigation charts for maritime purposes, which can help improve knowledge of the seas and oceans.
World Hydrography Day is celebrated every year on June 21 to raise awareness about hydrography and its importance in helping people understand the oceans. Cdr Vivek Madhwal PRO Navy said, The theme for 2023 is ‘Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital Twin of the Ocean’ which is in keeping with the development of virtual representation. Till now, INHD has published 650 electronic and paper navigation charts covering national and international waters for merchant mariners and Navies worldwide. Last year, the department distributed over six lakh Electronic Navigation Charts to seafarers operating in these waters and has generated more than 7000 lakh rupees revenue, which is estimated to grow significantly in the future.
In line with the Government of India’s SAGAR initiative, the survey ships of the Indian Navy have conducted various joint survey operations with friendly foreign nations covering an area of 89000 sq km. The department has also assisted them with capacity building and knowledge-sharing, which are undertaken by the seven Aatma Nir Bhar indigenously built survey ships mapping the vast Indian Ocean Region. The department also serves as the NAVAREA 8 coordinator, covering an area of 26 million sqkm of the Indian Ocean, sharing information regarding sea navigation safety through India WINS’s web module – Indian Warnings Information and Navigation Services. This module provides near-real-time information and has received over One Million views since its launch last December. It averages over 3500 visitors per day, keeping with the Digital India initiative of the Government.
The National Institute of Hydrography (NIH) at Goa is the center for imparting training in Hydrography accredited by the International Hydrographic Organization for National and International Trainees. So far, more than 800 trainees from 41 different countries have been trained at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The initiative aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the oceans and prepare people for hydrographic surveys and other activities related to the preservation of marine life.
