Mumbai University, INCOIS sign MoU for coastal research centre

Mumbai University has signed an MoU with the Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to establish a joint marine research centre for Maharashtra’s coast.

The proposed centre will focus on warnings and public preparedness for tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, swell surges and sea-level changes. Mumbai is among the coastal communities identified for the work, along with Palghar, Ratnagiri and Vengurla.

Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Prof Ravindra Kulkarni and INCOIS Director Dr T.M. Balakrishnan Nair exchanged the agreement in Hyderabad in the presence of Union Earth Sciences Secretary Dr T. Srinivasa Kumar.

Kulkarni said the partnership would build awareness, improve early-warning mechanisms and strengthen disaster-management systems for coastal communities. The institutions also plan joint research and development in marine science, ocean technology and disaster-risk reduction, as well as work on coastal protection and the sustainable use of marine resources.

The institutions will next work to establish the proposed centre and develop its warning and preparedness programmes.