New Delhi/IBNS: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, for implementation during the period from 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crores. 

The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes namely “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)”, “Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)”, “Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)”, “Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)” and “Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)”.

Reacting to the development, PM Modi tweeted: "Today, the Union Cabinet has approved the transformative 'PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)' scheme. This initiative marks a significant stride in our journey towards advanced earth system sciences. It covers critical areas such as climate research, ocean services, polar science, seismology and more."

"Our commitment is not just to enhance understanding of the Earth System, but to translate this knowledge into practical applications for societal, environmental, and economic benefits. This scheme will strengthen India's capabilities in predicting and managing natural disasters, thereby safeguarding lives and property," he wrote.

The major objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are:

•  Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth  System and change
•  Development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change
•  Exploration of polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources;
•  Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications
•  Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental, and economic benefit.   

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is mandated to translate Science to Services for the Society in providing services for weather, climate, ocean and coastal state, hydrology, seismology, and natural hazards; to explore and harness marine living and non-living resources in a sustainable manner for the country and to explore the three poles of the Earth (Arctic, Antarctic, and Himalayas).

These services include weather forecasts (both on land and in the Oceans) and warnings for various natural disasters like tropical cyclones, storm surges, floods, heat waves, thunderstorms, and lightning; alerts for Tsunamis and monitoring of earthquakes, etc.

The services provided by the Ministry are being effectively used by different agencies and state governments for saving human lives and minimising damages to properties due to natural disasters.

Earth System Sciences deal with all the five components of the earth system: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere, and their complex interactions.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) holistically addresses all the aspects relating to the Earth System Science. 

The overarching scheme of PRITHVI will holistically address all five components of the earth system to improve the understanding of the Earth System Sciences and to provide reliable services for the country. Various components of the PRITHVI scheme are interdependent and are carried out in an integrated manner through combined efforts of the concerned Institutes under MoES.

The scheme of Prithvi Vigyan will enable the development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and innovative programs across different MoES institutes.

These integrated R&D efforts will help in addressing the grand challenges of weather and climate, ocean, cryosphere, seismological science, and services and explore the living and non-living resources for their sustainable harnessing.