In a major step toward strengthening India’s coastal governance and blue economy framework, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Puducherry, on 12 February 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance marine research, infrastructure development, and ocean-based economic initiatives in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and Dr Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry. The collaboration follows high-level discussions between Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri K. Kailashnathan, aimed at addressing regional maritime priorities and enhancing coastal resilience.
A Strategic Push for Science-Led Coastal Development
The MoU reflects the Government of India’s emphasis on science-driven policy, sustainable development, and climate resilience in coastal regions. By combining MoES’s technical and scientific expertise with Puducherry’s strategic maritime location, the partnership seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, improve infrastructure, and unlock new opportunities in the blue economy while safeguarding coastal ecosystems.
The collaboration is designed to deliver end-to-end support, ranging from real-time ocean and climate services to the deployment of advanced desalination and renewable energy technologies.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation across six strategic focus areas:
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Sustainable Marine Fisheries:
Enhancing livelihoods through promotion of deep-sea fishing, seaweed cultivation, and scientific identification of migratory routes and fishing grounds. -
Offshore Wind Energy:
Undertaking feasibility studies and providing end-to-end technical support to help diversify Puducherry’s energy portfolio toward renewable sources. -
Desalination Technologies:
Deploying seawater desalination plants with MoES’s technical support to address long-term freshwater scarcity in coastal areas. -
Ocean Climate Advisory and Real-Time Monitoring:
Establishing dedicated observation infrastructure in Puducherry to enable reliable forecasting and support climate-resilient planning. -
Permanent Coastal Management:
Implementing science-based shoreline monitoring and erosion control measures to protect and stabilise the coastline. -
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP):
Upgrading the existing MSP pilot framework into a fully functional model integrating offshore wind development, resource mapping, and multiple marine sectors.
Science at the Service of Coastal Communities
Speaking on the occasion, Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, said that the partnership marks a significant step in harnessing science for the benefit of coastal communities. He подчеркed that by integrating MoES’s technical expertise with Puducherry’s maritime potential, the collaboration will not only address immediate challenges such as coastal erosion and freshwater scarcity but also lay the foundation for a robust, sustainable blue economy.
The focus, he noted, will remain on delivering end-to-end solutions—from real-time climate monitoring to the operationalisation of advanced desalination and renewable energy systems.
Implementation Framework and Institutional Mechanism
To ensure effective execution, both parties will designate Nodal Officers and establish Joint Working Groups to oversee and monitor specific projects under the MoU. The agreement will remain valid for an initial period of five years, with progress reviews to be conducted at least annually to ensure timely implementation and course correction where required.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Dr M.V. Ramana Murthy (Mission Director, Deep Ocean Mission), Shri D. Senthil Pandian (Joint Secretary, MoES), Dr Vijay Kumar, Scientist G & Adviser, MoES, Dr Balaji Ramakrishnan (Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology), along with officers from the Government of Puducherry and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Conclusion
The MoU between the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Government of Puducherry marks a milestone in India’s coastal and ocean governance framework. By aligning scientific capability with regional development priorities, the partnership aims to strengthen coastal resilience, promote sustainable livelihoods, and accelerate the growth of the blue economy. The agreement underscores how science, policy, and cooperative federalism can come together to build climate-resilient and economically vibrant coastal regions.
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Source: PIB
