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Hydrography

26th December, 2023

Hydrography

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Context

  • The Maldives Cabinet decided against renewing a Memorandum of Understanding with India for cooperation in hydrography.

What is Hydrography?

  • It is the science of studying oceans, seas, and other water bodies, by compiling and analyzing data, maps, and charts.
  • Branching off from applied sciences, it looks at measuring and describing the physical attributes of water bodies and predicting how they might change over time.
  • While it is said to be undertaken primarily for the safety of navigation, it also supports other activities, such as economic development, security and defence, scientific research, and environmental protection.
  • Hydrographical measurements include tidal, current, and wave information. 

What is India’s expertise?

  • India has been an active member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) since 1955.
  • The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD), or the Marine Survey of India earlier, was established in 1874 in Kolkata. It is the nodal agency for hydrographic surveys and has a fleet of indigenously built modern survey ships.
  • India partners with many countries in the Indian Ocean Region and African and East Asian countries such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Maldives, Mozambique, Vietnam, Myanmar, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.
  • According to the INHD, its role has broadened over time, owing to the heightening global character of hydrography and “its growing potential as a force multiplier” in terms of maritime diplomacy.
  • Personnel from 39 countries have trained at the National Institute of Hydrography, functioning under the INHD.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What is hydrography? India's role in Hydrography has broadened over time, owing to the heightening global character of hydrography and “its growing potential as a force multiplier” in terms of maritime diplomacy. Analyze.