Structure:

Introduction: (up to 30 words) Give a brief introduction to what Neutrinos are and a background to INO.

Body: (up to 100 words)  Lay down the significance of the research proposed to be carried out at INO and what this could mean for India in the International scientific fora.

Conclusion: (up to 30 words)  Conclude by pointing out how India could contribute to answering fundamental questions in Science and the opportunities it will hold for Indian scientists.

Supporting Points:

A neutrino is a subatomic particle that is very similar to an electron, but has no electrical charge and a very small mass, which might even be zero. The neutrino is so named because it is electrically neutral and because its rest mass is so small that it was long thought to be zero. Neutrinos are one of the most abundant particles in the universe. Because they have very little interaction with matter, however, they are incredibly difficult to detect.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the environmental clearance granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO), a major research facility proposed in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the biggest experimental particle physics projects undertaken in India and the project includes:

1. Construction of an underground laboratory and associated surface facilities at Pottipuram in Bodi West hills of Theni District of Tamil Nadu.
2. Construction of an Iron Calorimeter (ICAL)detector for studying neutrinos, which will include the world's largest magnet, and
3. Setting up of National Centre for High Energy Physics at Madurai, for the operation and maintenance of the underground laboratory, human resource development and detector R&D along with its applications.

Significance of INO

1. It will give a boost to scientific studies in India and encourage students to take up Science and Research as profession.
2. It has been gaining urgency in the recent years with China announcing the construction of a similar neutrino observatory in Jiangmen province.
3. Nicknamed the ‘blueprint of nature’ by scientists, neutrinos are an important tool for mankind to learn how matter evolved from simple particles into more complex composites, creating everything around us.

Delays in clearance

1. NGT had suspended environmental clearance (EC) granted to INO and demanded the project to make a fresh application.
2. MoEFCC categorized it as a Category B project for which Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not necessary. However, Madhikettan Shola
3. National Park in Idukki district of Kerala was just about 4.9 km from the proposed project site and the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border was just a km away, making it a Category "A" project
4. Being located within 5 km of a wildlife sanctuary, it requires specific approval by the National Board for Wild Life Potential ecological concerns
5. Contamination of ground water due to leaching of chemicals
6. Negative impact on the aquifers and nearby dams due to the vibrations caused by blasting the rocks
7. Tectonic fracturing may make geological structure unstable, increasing vulnerability of already ecologically sensitive Western Ghats
8. If INO moves from studying atmospheric neutrino properties to probing accelerator-produced neutrinos, it would require precision underground facilities to contain radioactivity

How neutrino research is useful?

1. Can revolutionize the existing understanding of Astrophysics, astronomy and communication
2. Basic building blocks of matter, along with quarks and electrons. Enhance understanding of basic physical laws
3. Role in nuclear non-proliferation through remote monitoring of nuclear reactors, where neutrinos are produced in abundance
4. As they change their direction and spin based on the medium, they can be used to map natural resources inside the earth
5. Helpful in understanding of dark matter (which constitute 95% of earth), as they are one of the few particles that can pass through it
6. Provide vital seismographic information & may help us detect early defect inside the earth
7. Neutrinos can pass right through the earth and thus, neutrino-based communication systems are better than round the earth communication through cables, towers and satellites. No data transmission loss as they rarely interact with other particles. If there is any extra-terrestrial life, most effective way to communicate with them