Why is it in the News

The government Friday approved an initiative that will give it the flexibility to pursue research and use funds allocated to five different sub-schemes related to earth sciences over a five-year period.

About the PRITHVI Scheme:

• The PRITHVI Scheme is an initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) designed to deepen our understanding of the Earth and its essential indicators.
• With a substantial allocation of Rs 4,797 crore spanning 2021-26, this comprehensive initiative aims to significantly advance research, modeling, and service delivery in critical domains like weather, climate, oceans, and polar regions.
• The scheme amalgamates five existing sub-schemes:
  • Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
  • Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
  • Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
  • Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
  • Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).
• Collectively, these programs strive to deepen our comprehension of Earth's vital signs and translate scientific knowledge into practical services for the benefit of society, the environment, and the economy.

Objectives:

• A primary aim of PRITHVI is to enhance and sustain long-term observations across the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth.
• This facilitates the recording and monitoring of vital signs and changes within the Earth System.
• The scheme places emphasis on developing predictive models for weather, ocean, and climate hazards while advancing our understanding of climate change science.
• Exploring polar regions and high seas is a significant aspect, targeting the discovery of new phenomena and resources.
• The scheme underscores the development of technology for exploring and sustainably harnessing oceanic resources for societal applications.

Implementation:

• Various components of the PRITHVI scheme are interdependent, executed in an integrated manner through the collective efforts of the institutes under the MoES.