'Need to understand ocean is ever-increasing'

Panaji, June 22: With the increasing emphasis on the maritime activites, the Naval Hydrograpic Department has to constantly update itself and evolve new strategies with the latest equipment available today, said Goa Governor S C Jamir.

Speaking after inaugurating a two-day national seminar on Impact of Technology in the field of Hydrography at Dabolim, Mr Jamir said ''By drawing inspiration from the age-old rich martime legacy and with the emerging knowledge and techonological capability, we should be able to take the maritime industry to the new heights of progress.'' He said during the last 50 years, India's overseas trade has expanded significantly both in terms of value and volume due to the policy of export promotion being pursued by the government. In both the defence and civil organisations, the need to understand the ocean is on the rise as man is increasingly looking towards the sea for food, energy and natural resources as well.

Chief Hydrographer of India Rear Admiral B R Rao, in his address, said hydrography for nautical charting is a precise exercise, where safety of life at sea and protection of the environment depends upon the accuracy and integrity of the resultant data.

UNI