- Three underwater structures in the Indian Ocean were named as Ashoka, Chandragupt, and Kalpataru, which reflect India’s growing influence in marine science and its commitment to exploring and understanding the Indian Ocean.
- This naming was proposed by India and approved by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)
- It is an intergovernmental consultative and technical body established in 1921 to enhance navigation safety and protect the marine environment.
- India is a member of the IHO.
Objectives
- Coordinating the activities of national hydrographic offices.
- Achieving the highest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents.
- Promoting the adoption of reliable and efficient methods for conducting and utilising hydrographic surveys.
- Advancing the sciences of hydrography and the techniques used in descriptive oceanography.