Photo Courtesy: nenow
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul ordered a speed-up of geothermal and mineral exploration on Monday, August 10. She chaired a review meeting at her Itanagar office to push for better coordination between government agencies, scientific bodies, and public sector firms. The state wants energy security. It needs economic growth.
The review covered geothermal assessments currently run by the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES&HS) and Oil India Limited (OIL) in Tawang. Officials analyzed both power generation potential and direct heat use. Pul pointed to geothermal drying technology at Dirang as a model for agriculture and local livelihoods. She stated, "Technologies such as geothermal drying can have direct livelihood applications, particularly in agriculture and allied sectors. Successful models should be identified, refined and replicated wherever feasible."
Exploration of the Phop Graphite and Vanadium Block also took center stage. OIL picked up this block during the Ministry of Mines Tranche-IV auction. CES&HS earned praise for its early drone mapping and geological planning work at the site. Science and Technology Secretary Wayong Khimhun, CES&HS Director Tana Tage, and OIL Resident Chief Executive Binayananda Bharali attended the session alongside staff from Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL). Pul emphasized that scientific expertise must guide these efforts.
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