Two-Day Workshop-cum-Brainstorming Session on ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Programme Held at ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam

The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, in association with the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), organised a two-day workshop-cum-brainstorming session on the ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) – Coastal Carbon Dynamics and Ocean Colour Monitoring during 12–13 February 2026 at the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI.

The programme was attended by eminent dignitaries including Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC; Dr. Shubha Satyendranath, Chair, International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG); Dr. N Aparna, Deputy Director, NRSC; Dr. J Jayasankar, Principal Scientist & Head, Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division, ICAR-CMFRI; and Dr. Vinod K, Principal Scientist & Head, Mandapam Regional Centre.

The session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Vinod K., followed by an overview of ICAR-CMFRI activities presented by Dr. J. Jayasankar. Dr. Prakash Chauhan highlighted NRSC’s initiatives in ocean colour monitoring and coastal carbon dynamics, while Dr. Shubha Satyendranath emphasised the strategic direction for advancing ocean colour science within the scientific community.

The workshop also featured expert deliberations by leading scientists from premier institutions including NRSC, NERCI, CMFRI, NIO, IISER Kolkata, CUSAT, IIT Bhubaneswar, Andhra University, Pondicherry University, and Annamalai University.

The programme concluded with a consensus on the need to harmonise ongoing efforts in ocean colour monitoring across agencies and to effectively leverage emerging technological advancements like UAVs for strengthening research and management of coastal and marine ecosystems.