Samudra Manthan: Harnessing Odisha's Marine Bioresources for Blue Economy
Odisha's launch of the five-year 'Samudra Manthan' project marks a strategic pivot towards marine biotechnology, underscoring the untapped potential of India's 7,500-km coastline in fostering sustainable development. Amid global quests for blue economy solutions, this initiative assumes salience for civil services aspirants, linking GS-3 themes of S&T innovation, resource utilisation, and coastal governance.
Initiated by the Odisha government in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), and other institutions, Samudra Manthan aims to conduct a comprehensive scientific survey along the state's 574-km coastline. The project seeks to create an atlas of undersea bioresources, establish a marine biorepository, and promote bioprospecting for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and industrial applications. Drawing from the mythological 'Samudra Manthan' symbolising oceanic bounty, it aligns with the national Blue Economy Policy (2020), targeting $100 billion in marine GDP by 2030.
Political and Governance Dimensions: Politically, the BJP-led Odisha government leverages this as a flagship for 'Viksit Odisha', integrating with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Governance-wise, it exemplifies Centre-State synergy, with potential funding from the National Blue Economy Mission. Constitutionally, it invokes Entry 52 (industry) and Entry 56 (sea fisheries) of the Union List, necessitating inter-ministerial coordination via the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP).
Economic and Environmental Perspectives: Economically, Odisha's marine sector—contributing 5% to GSDP via fisheries—stands to gain from bio-startups and patents, mirroring Kerala's seaweed cultivation model yielding ₹500 crore annually. Environmentally, sustainable bioprospecting could mitigate overfishing pressures, with 70% of Odisha's fish stocks depleted. However, risks of biodiversity loss loom if extraction exceeds ecological carrying capacity, as seen in the Lakshadweep coral damage cases.
Social and Ethical Considerations: Socially, it promises livelihoods for 2 lakh fisherfolk through skill upgradation under Skill India, addressing malnutrition via marine nutraceuticals. Ethically, equitable benefit-sharing is paramount, guided by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which mandates prior informed consent and fair compensation to coastal communities, preventing 'biopiracy' akin to the Neem patent controversy.
Pros and Cons: Proponents highlight innovation-led growth, with global precedents like Norway's krill oil industry generating $1 billion yearly. Nationally, it complements Tamil Nadu's marine biotech hubs. Cons include high initial costs (estimated ₹50 crore), technological dependency on IITs, and vulnerability to cyclones, which ravaged Odisha's coast thrice in 2023-25.
Challenges Ahead: Key hurdles encompass inadequate deep-sea survey vessels, regulatory silos between the Odisha Biodiversity Board and MoEFCC, and climate-induced ocean acidification eroding bioresources. Criticisms centre on exclusion of traditional knowledge holders, echoing the Andaman community's marginalisation in prior projects.
The Way Forward: Robust implementation demands a dedicated Blue Biotech Mission under NITI Aayog, integrating AI for resource mapping and blockchain for traceability. Policy recommendations include 10% revenue sharing with fisher cooperatives, mandatory EIA for bioprospecting sites, and R&D linkages with CSIR-IMMT. Globally, emulating Japan's 'Ocean Policy' could position Odisha as India's blue biotech vanguard.
UPSC Relevance: Prelims: Odisha coastline length (574 km); Blue Economy Policy year (2020). Mains: Examine marine biotechnology's role in sustainable development (GS-3); Coastal state initiatives and federalism (GS-2). This project exemplifies S&T-driven inclusive growth, pivotal for 2026 OPSC/UPSC papers.
Prelims Questions
1. With reference to the 'Samudra Manthan' project launched by the Odisha government, consider the following statements:
1. It aims to create an atlas of undersea bioresources along Odisha's 574-km coastline.
2. The project is a collaboration involving IIT Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (A) 1 only
- (B) 2 only
- (C) Both 1 and 2
- (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Both statements accurately describe the project's core objectives and institutional partners, as outlined in the initiative's framework.
2. The 'Samudra Manthan' project draws symbolic inspiration from:
- (A) Rig Vedic hymns on ocean exploration
- (B) The mythological churning of the ocean in Hindu Puranas
- (C) Ancient Tamil Sangam literature on marine trade
- (D) Buddhist Jataka tales of sea voyages
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The name evokes the Puranic 'Samudra Manthan', symbolizing extraction of oceanic treasures like Amrita, paralleling modern bioprospecting.
3. Which of the following is a key constitutional entry relevant to Odisha's marine biotechnology initiatives like Samudra Manthan?
- (A) Entry 24, Concurrent List (Forests)
- (B) Entry 52, Union List (Industries)
- (C) Entry 17, State List (Water supplies)
- (D) Entry 56, Union List (Sea fisheries)
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Entry 56 empowers the Centre on sea fisheries beyond territorial waters, crucial for deep-sea bioresource regulation.
4. Consider the following pairs related to national blue economy initiatives:
1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – Fisheries infrastructure
2. National Blue Economy Mission – Marine GDP target of $100 billion by 2030
3. Biological Diversity Act, 2002 – Biopiracy prevention
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (A) 1 only
- (B) 1 and 3 only
- (C) 2 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: All pairs align with policy goals; PMMSY boosts fisheries, Blue Economy Policy sets GDP targets, and BD Act ensures equitable benefit-sharing.
5. What is the primary economic contribution of Odisha's marine sector to its GSDP, as highlighted in the context of Samudra Manthan?
- (A) 2% via shipbuilding
- (B) 5% via fisheries
- (C) 10% via coastal tourism
- (D) 15% via port activities
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Fisheries form the backbone, supporting 2 lakh fisherfolk, with bioprospecting poised to diversify revenue streams.
6. Which global precedent is cited for sustainable marine bioprospecting in the Samudra Manthan analysis?
- (A) Iceland's geothermal energy model
- (B) Norway's krill oil industry
- (C) Australia's Great Barrier Reef tourism
- (D) Chile's lithium extraction
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Norway's $1 billion krill sector exemplifies commercializing marine biotech without depleting stocks.
Mains Questions
10-Markers (Answer in 150 words):
1. Examine the role of marine biotechnology in advancing Odisha's blue economy through initiatives like Samudra Manthan.
2. Discuss the governance challenges in implementing coastal bioprospecting projects in India.
3. Highlight the environmental risks associated with marine resource extraction in cyclone-prone regions like Odisha.
15-Markers (Answer in 250 words):
1. Critically analyse how the Samudra Manthan project balances economic gains with ethical concerns of benefit-sharing under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
2. Coastal states like Odisha can lead India's blue revolution if federalism is harnessed effectively. Comment, with reference to Samudra Manthan.
Model Answers
10-Marker 1: Examine the role of marine biotechnology in advancing Odisha's blue economy through initiatives like Samudra Manthan.
Introduction: Odisha's blue economy, encompassing fisheries and emerging biotech, contributes 5% to GSDP. Samudra Manthan, a five-year project with IIT Bhubaneswar, exemplifies S&T-driven growth via coastal bioresource mapping.
Body:
- Economic: Catalyses bioprospecting for pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals, akin to Kerala's ₹500 crore seaweed industry; fosters startups under PMMSY.
- Innovation: Creates biorepository, enabling patents and $100 billion national marine GDP target.
- Livelihoods: Upskills 2 lakh fisherfolk via Skill India.
Conclusion: Integrating with National Blue Economy Mission, it positions Odisha as a biotech hub. Way forward: Public-private partnerships and R&D funding to sustain momentum. (148 words)
10-Marker 2: Discuss the governance challenges in implementing coastal bioprospecting projects in India.
Introduction: Bioprospecting under Samudra Manthan demands multi-stakeholder coordination, invoking Union List Entry 56.
Body:
- Regulatory Silos: Odisha Biodiversity Board vs. MoEFCC overlaps hinder EIA compliance.
- Centre-State Ties: Funding dependencies delay ICZMP integration.
- Community Exclusion: Neglects traditional knowledge, risking biopiracy like Neem case.
- Tech Gaps: Limited deep-sea vessels exacerbate implementation.
Conclusion: Way forward: NITI Aayog-led Blue Biotech Mission with blockchain traceability ensures inclusive governance. (152 words)
10-Marker 3: Highlight the environmental risks associated with marine resource extraction in Odisha.
Introduction: Odisha's 574-km coast faces depletion of 70% fish stocks; Samudra Manthan risks amplifying this.
Body:
- Biodiversity Loss: Over-extraction mirrors Lakshadweep corals.
- Climate Vulnerability: Cyclones (thrice in 2023-25) disrupt surveys.
- Ocean Acidification: Erodes bioresources.
- Pollution: Biorepository runoff threats.
Conclusion: Mandatory EIA and 10% revenue-sharing with cooperatives promote sustainability. Emulate Japan's Ocean Policy. (149 words)
15-Marker 1: Critically analyse how the Samudra Manthan project balances economic gains with ethical concerns of benefit-sharing under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Introduction: Samudra Manthan promises blue economy dividends but must adhere to BD Act's prior informed consent (PIC) and fair benefit-sharing to avert biopiracy.
Body:
- Economic Gains: Bio-atlas enables nutraceutical patents, boosting GSDP like Norway's krill model; supports 2 lakh livelihoods.
- Political/Governance: BJP's 'Viksit Odisha' aligns with PMMSY, but silos persist.
- Social/Ethical: PIC protects fisherfolk; violations echo Andaman marginalisation.
- Pros: Innovation-led growth. Cons: High ₹50 crore costs, exclusion risks.
- Case Study: Neem patent debacle underscores need for equitable IP.
Conclusion: Way forward: 10% revenue to cooperatives, AI-mapping, and NBA oversight. This ensures inclusive growth for GS-3. (248 words)
15-Marker 2: Coastal states like Odisha can lead India's blue revolution if federalism is harnessed effectively. Comment, with reference to Samudra Manthan.
Introduction: India's 7,500-km coastline holds blue economy potential; Samudra Manthan tests cooperative federalism via Entry 52/56.
Body:
- Economic: Odisha's fisheries (5% GSDP) via biotech outpaces Tamil Nadu hubs.
- Political: Centre-State synergy under Blue Economy Policy; contrasts regulatory hurdles.
- Social/Environmental: Livelihoods vs. cyclone risks; BD Act mandates equity.
- Global Comparison: Norway's federal model vs. India's silos.
- Challenges: Tech dependency, criticisms of fisher exclusion.
- Examples: PMMSY success in Kerala.
Conclusion: Way forward: NITI forum for states, blockchain traceability, EIA reforms. Effective federalism can realise $100 billion vision, pivotal for GS-2/3.