**Summary:**
This document clarifies the distinction between two initiatives named "Mission Mausam" and "Project Mausam," addressing potential confusion arising from their similar names. "Mission Mausam" is a project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), while "Project Mausam" is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture (MoC).
**Project Mausam (Ministry of Culture):**
Launched at the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO in Doha, Qatar on June 20, 2014, this transnational project focuses on maritime routes and cultural landscapes across the Indian Ocean rim. It aims to revive lost linkages with nations, redefine cultural landscapes, create links with existing World Heritage sites, and achieve transnational nominations under World Heritage, utilizing a unique cross-cultural convention approach for UNESCO. Key activities include creating a comprehensive database, identifying potential archaeological sites, and preparing draft tentative list proposals for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has prepared a draft thematic study framework and three draft tentative list proposals, which have been approved by the Ministry of Culture and shared with the Permanent Delegate of UNESCO to India. The draft proposals and associated countries are: "On the Trail of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea" (Egypt, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Somalia, Sri Lanka), "Bronze Age Maritime Trade Networks of the Western Indian Ocean" (Iran, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait), and "Architectural Testimonies of Early Buddhism across the Indian Ocean" (Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam). Other activities include lecture series, conferences, international seminars, and side events. A national conference titled 'Jaladhipurayatra: Exploring crosscultural linkages along the Indian Ocean Rim countries' was held on October 7-8, 2022, in New Delhi. An interactive panel discussion was also organized on July 26, 2024 during the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting in India.
**Mission Mausam (Ministry of Earth Sciences):**
This initiative aims to make Bharat a "weather-ready and climate-smart" nation. Its objectives include strengthening observations (in-situ and remote sensing), improving the understanding and use of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Data Science for societal benefit, enhancing Model/Data Assimilation/HPC for accurate information dissemination, developing advanced Earth System Models and data-driven methods (including AI/ML), training manpower in Earth System Science, and improving forecast dissemination through effective communication and early warning systems.
The Ministry of Culture has established a Project Mausam cell with a multidisciplinary team. This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences: A ministry of the Government of India, also referred to as MoES, responsible for weather and climate related initiatives like Mission Mausam.
Project Mausam: A transnational project of the Ministry of Culture, focusing on maritime routes and cultural landscapes across the Indian Ocean rim.
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, involved in the World Heritage Committee and related activities, particularly concerning Project Mausam.
Indian Ocean: A major ocean basin that is the focus of Project Mausam, due to its historical significance in facilitating cultural exchange.
Archaeological Survey of India: An Indian government agency (ASI) involved in the activities of Project Mausam.
New Delhi: Location of India Habitat Centre where the 'Jaladhipurayatra: Exploring crosscultural linkages along the Indian Ocean Rim countries' conference was held.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Qatar: Location of Doha, where Project Mausam was discussed at the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: MISSION MAUSAM
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 6:30PM by PIB Delhi
The ‘Mission Mausam’ mentioned here with related topics such as cultural link and maritime history is not a
project of Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is mistaken for the 'Project Mausam' of the Ministry of Culture (MoC),
Government of India. The ‘Project Mausam” is a transnational project on maritime routes and cultural
landscapes across the Indian Ocean rim, at Doha, Qatar, on 20th June 2014, at the 38th Session of the World
Heritage Committee, UNESCO.
Mausam, refers to a distinctive wind-system of the Indian Ocean region that follows a regular pattern: southwest
from May to September; and northeast from November to March. This regular pattern facilitated the movement
of people, goods, and ideas across the Indian Ocean, enabling cultural interactions and exchange until when
steam-powered cargo carriers reduced reliance on sailing ships. Project 'Mausam' focuses on how this natural
phenomenon has shaped interactions between countries and communities connected by the Indian Ocean. Aims
and objectives of Project Mausam
Reviving lost linkages with nations
(cid:108)
Redefining 'Cultural Landscapes'
(cid:108)
Creating links with existing World Heritage sites
(cid:108)
Achieving transnational nomination under World Heritage, using a unique Cross Culture
(cid:108)
Convention approach for UNESCO
Preparing a Transnational World Heritage Nomination Under Project Mausam
(cid:108)
The “Mission Mausam” project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has completely different objectives as
compared to the “Project Mausam” of the Ministry of Culture. The Mission Mausam is launched by the MoES
to make Bharat a "weather-ready and climate-smart" nation, with the following objectives:
Strengthening observations (in-situ & remote sensing)
(cid:108)
Gaining a better understanding and use of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Data Science for
(cid:108)
societal benefit
Improve our Model/Data Assimilation/HPC for giving accurate information to the Public and
(cid:108)
stakeholders (Numerical+Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
Developing advanced Earth System Models and data-driven methods, including the use of AI/ML
(cid:108)
Trained Manpower in Earth System Science
(cid:108)
Forecast dissemination: Effective communication with Society: Early Warning for ALL
(cid:108)
The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has set up a Project Mausam cell comprising of a multi-disciplinary team with
specialized expertise in accordance with the directions on the Project Mausam SFC Extension order dated
10.02.2021, having concurrence of the IFD and approval of the HCM. The research cell has created a
comprehensive database, bibliography, identifying potential archaeological sites and monuments for a
transnational nomination, preparing draft tentative list proposals and more comprehensive thematic papers as
well.
As part of the ongoing activities under Project Mausam, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has prepared
a draft Thematic Study framework and three draft Tentative List (TL) proposals. The tentative list proposals
have been approved by the Ministry of Culture and shared with the Permanent Delegate of UNESCO to India
for the views and comments of experts of the countries whose heritage sites have been identified as potential
components in the TL proposal. The intention is to coordinate with respective delegations, engage with
technical experts and work towards consensus building on tentative list proposals. The draft proposals and
associated countries are as follows:
On the Trail of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea – Egypt, Oman, UAE,
(cid:108)Yemen, Somalia, Sri Lanka
(cid:108)
Bronze Age Maritime Trade Networks of the Western Indian Ocean –
(cid:108)
Iran, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait
(cid:108)
Architectural Testimonies of Early Buddhism across the Indian Ocean –
(cid:108)
Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam
(cid:108)
Besides the above, various activities such as lecture series, conferences, international seminars and side events
are also organized under Project Mausam.
Other Key activities:
A National Conference on Project Mausam titled 'Jaladhipurayatra: Exploring cross-cultural linkages along the
Indian Ocean Rim countries' was held on 7th and 8th October 2022 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The
conference was inaugurated by Hon'ble Ministers of State, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi and Shri Arjun Ram
Meghwal and was attended by delegates of more than 16 countries associated with Project Mausam. Twenty-
two papers were presented at this conference by academicians and officials of ASI.
An interactive panel discussion on cross-cultural heritage was organized under Project Mausam on 26 July 2024
during the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting in India, which saw participation from officials of the
World Heritage Centre, ASI, scholars, and ambassadors. A Digital exhibition was also on display at the venue
th
of the 46 World Heritage Committee.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
*****
NKR/PSM/AV
(Release ID: 2159348)