A three-day conference of the States coming in close proximity of the Indian Ocean was conducted from March 20 to 22. The international conference was organized by India at Bhubaneswar and Union Minister Sushma Sworaj inaugurated it, where 20 States participated out of 40 which are economically dependent on the Indian Ocean.
The initiative was taken by India for saving the Indian Ocean from pollution and degradations since the ocean supports largely the life systems of the Indian sub – continent and other parts of the globe of Indo- Pacific region.
The Indian Ocean forms the boundary of African continent in the west, Asia in the north and Australia in the east. The ocean is a continual miracle and can be told as a water planet. Over two thirds of the surface of our planet is covered with water. In fact the water expanse is divided in to five oceans.
The sailors of the past once boasted of crossing seven seas of the globe but actually they travelled an ocean in their journey. Millions of water molecules circulate endlessly in the water planet.
It is ocean that creates the climatic conditions of the landmass. It is very much peculiar that the temperature of the sea rarely exceeds 27c0 and falls to -10c. It shows water is much better heat conductor or distributer than earth and air. It needs huge quantity of heat for evaporation and much less degree of heat for freezing.
Hence, the ocean is great climate moderator of our globe. This can also be considered as a gigantic weather machine which distributes heat and cold through currents and imposes control over rains, air pressure of the land including humidity.
The Indian Ocean is the 3rd largest ocean of the globe, the southern tips of which right from Australia to Africa covers more than 10,000km. Again the Indian Ocean covers 20 per cent of the world’s total oceanic areas. The average depth of which is 4,000 meters.
The Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans are also connected to both north and south poles which are interconnected to both the north Indian Ocean, but the Indian Ocean has free and direct access to the south pole.
Similarly its northern boundary is unique which forms the southern boundary of Asian continent and eastern boundary of the African continent. The saltiest areas of the oceans are found in Indian Ocean, which belong to Red Sea. The Indian Ocean has unique formations, which are not found elsewhere. Such unique sights are the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The Bay of Bengal occupies north- east position of the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Ocean is said to be a tropical ocean when most part of the ocean comes within southern hemisphere. The countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Iran form the north boundary of the ocean. Its southern boundary is formed by Antarctica. Similarly, the western limit of the ocean touches the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. The eastern boundary is formed by Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Indo-China peninsula.
Two greatest Himalayan rivers like the Ganga and the Brahmaputra flow into Indian Ocean. Many marine and submarine islands are formed due to action of these two rivers. Due to constant discharge of fresh water in the Bay of Bengal, its salinity is lower than the water of Arabian sea, which alone accounts for 3 per cent of the global oceanic surface. So the physical and physiological actions should be scientifically looked up for healthy scientific management of Indian Ocean.
India is greatly concerned with the Indian Ocean for its survival. India occupies the largest coast line while one fifth of the Indian population is found in coastal areas.
Our coastline is broadly distinguished as eastern coast and western coast. The eastern coast comprises Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh including the coast of Andaman Nicober. This coast is more prone to cyclone. Maintenance of a healthy ocean climate is the need of the hour. Pollution must be put under leash by all accounts.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)