India is all set to be designated as the global hub for forecasting and managing natural disasters like tsunamis, cyclones and earthquakes. An international conclave to be held at the picturesque Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala in the last week of February will come out with a series of recommendations in this regard for consideration by the Heads of Global Space Agencies who are meeting in Mexico in September 2015 under the auspices of International Academy of Astronautics.
“India’s candidature for the coveted post got brightened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to ISRO scientists to fabricate a SAARC satellite so that we can share our expertise in space science with the international community. The advancements made by Indian National Centre on Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences in forecasting of earthquakes and tsunamis too has been taken note by the IAA,” G Madhavan Nair, president, International Academy of Astronautics, which is hosting the conclave in association with ISRO, Ministry of Earth Sciences and International Institute of Space law told The Pioneer.
The Paris-headquartered IAA has 65 space faring nations as members. The 55-year-old organisation brings together nations in sharing the non-military uses of space with the have-nots and for developing astronautics for peaceful purposes. According to Nair, the IAA is of the strong view that inter-planetary explorations because of their high costs could be taken up only as joint ventures by space-faring nations so that the benefits could reach the global community at reduced costs.
Nair, who headed the ISRO, said the fact that the IISl has come forward to be a partner of the conclave is noteworthy. “There are certain laws and legislations which prevent nations from sharing satellite images, data and pictures with each other. If these laws are amended without diluting the sovereignty and security of the member countries, it could go a long way in sharing real time information which will save millions of lives,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation from the Master Control Room of Satish Dhavan Space Centre at Sriharikotta last year had asked Indian space scientists to develop a SAARC satellite for assisting the neighbouring countries. “This is the first directive of its kind from the head of a space faring nation which has been appreciated globally. India’s willingness to help neighbouring counties which are yet to make it big in space science is being seen as a sign of openness and international understanding. The theme of IAA is space for humanity,” pointed out the IAA chief.
The three-day conclave titled “International Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Management” will chalk out strategies for data sharing on climate change and disaster management between haves and have nots “Right now, disaster management and forecasting are based mainly on space related technologies.We have to address the lacuna associated with the existing legislations so that flow of data and information become a smooth process,” said Dr Shylesh Naik, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, who is expected to play a key role in the meeting.