Biotic and marine resources of India

Introduction

The oceans are one of the Earth’s most valuable natural resources, providing a wealth of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) resources. These marine resources are crucial for sustaining life, supporting livelihoods, and maintaining ecological balance. From providing food in the form of fish and shellfish to being a source of valuable minerals, oil, and renewable energy, oceans play a pivotal role in our lives. This article will explore the various aspects of biotic and marine resources, their classification, and their significance.

Oceans

• One of Earth’s Most Valuable Natural Resources:
  • Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface, making them one of the planet’s largest natural resources.
• Provides Food:
  • Oceans are a primary source of food, supplying fish and shellfish, which are staple proteins for billions of people worldwide.
• Mined for Minerals:
  • Oceans are rich in minerals such as:
    • Salt
    • Sand
    • Gravel
    • Manganese
    • Copper
    • Nickel
    • Iron
    • Cobalt
• Drilled for Crude Oil:
  • The ocean floor is drilled for crude oil, which is an essential energy source.
• Plays a Critical Role in the Environment:
  • Oceans help remove carbon from the atmosphere, acting as a carbon sink.
  • They provide a significant amount of the oxygen we breathe.

Ocean Resources

• Materials and Attributes:
  • Oceans provide a vast array of materials and have unique attributes that are essential for human life and the planet’s health.
• Include a Wide Range of Resources:
  • Biological diversity
  • Fish and seafood supplies
  • Oil and gas reserves
  • Minerals
  • Sand and gravel
  • Renewable energy resources
  • Tourism potential
  • Unique ecosystems such as coral reefs
• Provide Jobs, Goods, and Services:
  • Ocean resources are a source of employment and provide goods and services that support billions of people globally.

Classification of Ocean Resources

Biotic Resources

• Characteristics:
  • Biotic resources are living organisms found in the ocean.
• Includes:
  • Fishes
  • Crustaceans
  • Mollusca
  • Corals
  • Reptiles
  • Mammals
• Further Divided Into:
  1. Planktons:
     • The diverse collection of organisms found in water that cannot propel themselves against currents.
     • Autotrophs like algae and diatoms are common examples.
     • Phytoplankton: Floating and drifting micro plants.
     • Zooplankton: Floating and drifting micro animals.
  2. Nektons (or swimmers):
     • Organisms that can swim and move independently of currents at various ocean depths.
     • Fishes are classified into:
       • Pelagic: Fish living in the open water, neither near the bottom nor the shore.
       • Demersal: Fish living on or near the seabed.
     • Mammals are also part of the nekton category.
  3. Benthos:
     • Organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone.
     • Lives in various habitats, from tidal pools to abyssal depths.
     • Can be further categorized into:
       • Mobile Benthos
       • Immobile Benthos

Abiotic Resources

• Characteristics:
  • Abiotic resources are non-living elements found in the ocean.
• Further Divided Into:

1. Marine Mineral Resources

• The oceans contain a significant amount and variety of mineral resources.
• Three Types:
  • Minerals Dissolved in Seawater:
    • Includes Salt, Bromine, Magnesium, Gold, Zinc, Uranium, and Thorium.
  • Continental Shelf and Slope Deposits:
    • Examples include:
      • Monazite sand (source of thorium) found on the Kerala coast.
      • Gold in Alaska.
      • Zircon in Brazil and Australia.
      • Diamond in South Africa.
    • Common deposits include:
      • Sand and Gravel: Significant building materials found on continental shelves.
      • Fishes rich in nitrate, phosphate, high protein, and medicinal use.
      • Pearls
  • Deep Ocean Bottom Deposits:
    • Major resources include:
      • Manganese Nodules: Containing minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and zinc.
      • Cobalt-rich Marine Deposits: Found in association with sea mounts and guyots.
      • Phosphate: In the form of phosphoritic modules on shallow seabeds.
      • Polymetallic Nodules: Rounded accretions of manganese and iron hydroxides covering vast sea floor areas.

2. Marine Energy Resources

• Further Divided Into:
• Renewable Energy Resources:
  • Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC):
    • Uses the temperature difference between cooler deep waters and warmer surface waters to generate energy.
  • Wave Energy
  • Tidal Energy
  • Wind Energy
• Non-Renewable Energy Resources:
  • Gas Hydrates:
    • Crystalline forms of methane and water, considered a major future energy resource.
    • Found in shallow sediments of outer continental margins.
    • In India, estimated reserves are around 1,894 trillion cubic meters.
    • Significant deposits are located in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) and Mahanadi basins.
    • Recent large reserves have been discovered in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Mineral Oil:
    • A distillation product of petroleum, used as a lubricant, moisturizer, and laxative.
  • Natural Gas

India’s Marine Geography

• Surrounded by the Indian Ocean:
  • India is bordered by the Indian Ocean on three sides, making it the third-largest oceanic area in the world.
• Long Coastline:
  • India has a coastline of approximately 7,516 km, which includes the coastline of islands.
• Exclusive Marine Rights:
  • According to the law of the sea, India has exclusive rights over marine resources up to 200 nautical miles from its coastline.
  • This covers a total marine area of about 2.1 million square km.
• Diverse Marine Ecosystems:
  • India is home to all the different types of marine ecosystems found worldwide, making it one of the most ecologically diverse regions.

Marine Ecosystems in India

The Zoological Survey of India has identified various ecosystems present in the ocean, which include:

• Coral Ecosystem:
  • One of the most dynamic ecosystems providing shelter and food to thousands of marine flora and fauna.
• Mangrove Ecosystem:
  • Acts as a barrier against coastal erosion.
  • Provides wood products and serves as a nursery ground for various marine species.
• Estuary Ecosystem:
  • Rich in fishery resources and supports a large-scale fishery wealth.
• Seaweed Ecosystem:
  • Contains numerous trace elements, minerals, proteins, iodine, and vitamins.
• Pelagic Ecosystem:
  • Comprises organisms that live in the open ocean, away from the coast.
• Benthic Ecosystem:
  • Includes organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed.

Types of Marine Resources in India

1. Marine Food Resources

• Major Source: Fish
  • As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report in 2018, India ranked 4th in marine fish production globally, following China, Indonesia, and Peru.
• Leading State: Gujarat
  • Gujarat tops marine fish production in India.
• Challenges:
  • Despite being rich in marine resources, there are issues such as lack of technology and unorganized fishing practices.

2. Marine Minerals and Fuels

• Poly Metallic Nodules:
  • These nodules comprise copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, iron, and rare earth elements.
  • They are crucial for manufacturing modern gadgets, from smartphones to hybrid cars.
  • Copper, nickel, and cobalt are essential for clean power generation and making batteries.
• Other Minerals:
  • Seawater Magnesia
  • Pelagic Deposits
  • Petroleum Resources
• Exploration Rights:
  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA), under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has granted India the right to explore 75,000 square km or 2% of its country size in the seabed area.

3. Marine Salt

• Global Ranking: India is the third-largest salt-producing country, after China and the United States.
• Leading Producer: Gujarat
  • Gujarat produces about 70% of India’s salt.
• Other Salt-Producing States:
  • Rajasthan (from salt lakes)
  • Tamil Nadu

4. Marine Renewable Energy

• Alternative Energy Sources:
  • Offshore Wind Energy
  • Tidal Energy
  • Wave Energy

Blue Economy in India

The Blue Economy refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. It focuses on harnessing ocean resources in a sustainable manner.

Key Developments Initiated by India:

1. Sagarmala Project:
   • Aims to enhance the performance of India’s logistics sector through port-led development.
2. O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources, and Technology):
   • This initiative focuses on the development of ocean technology, services, and modeling.
3. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM):
   • Aims to promote sustainable coastal and marine resource management.
4. Development of Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs):
   • Under the Sagarmala Project, CEZs are being developed to boost industrial growth along the coastline.
5. Blue Growth Initiative:
   • An initiative to promote the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods.

Conservation and Management of Ocean Resources

To ensure a continuous and sustainable yield from marine resources, it is crucial to manage and conserve these resources effectively. Some of the key measures include:

• Rational Exploitation:
  • Ensuring that marine resources are used wisely and not over-exploited.
• Optimum Utilization:
  • Making full use of marine resources without causing harm to the marine environment.
• Conservation and Preservation:
  • Special efforts are needed to conserve rare species and maintain marine biodiversity.
• Pollution-Free Marine Environment:
  • Ensuring that marine ecosystems remain free from pollution is vital for their sustainability.

Conclusion

India’s vast marine resources offer immense potential for economic growth, employment, and ecological sustainability. The country’s rich marine ecosystems, minerals, renewable energy sources, and blue economy initiatives make it a significant player in the global marine sector. However, sustainable exploitation, conservation, and rational management of these resources are essential to ensure that they continue to benefit current and future generations.

1. How do biotic and abiotic marine resources contribute to the global economy and livelihood? (250 words)
2. Examine the potential of the blue economy in India, highlighting the initiatives taken by the government to promote sustainable ocean resource management. (250 words)
3. What are the major challenges faced by India in harnessing marine resources, and how can they be addressed to ensure sustainable development? (250 words)