Indian plans for Arctic and Antarctic Expedition in 2008
A two day National Workshop on Review of Research Projects for planning of Indian Scientific Expedition to Arctic & Antarctic was organized by National Centre For Antarctic & Ocean Research (NCAOR, under Ministry of earth Sciences), Vasco-da-Gama, Goa during May 21-22, 2008 to identify the thrust areas and various scientific programmes of polar science and technology. During this workshop, 18 research proposal for Arctic & 41 for Antarctic were reviewed that would be carried out during the 2nd expedition to Arctic & 28th expedition to Antarctica. The focus was on synergising the research efforts and to formulate inter-disciplinary, long-term studies with collaboration between different institutes to achieve the optimum use of resources and to make impact in polar science. The scientific projects covered diverse subjects in atmospheric and biological sciences, geology, geophysics, glaciology, oceanography and paleoclimate.
The workshop was attended by many distinguished and eminent scientists from different parts of the country. India has been successfully carrying out scientific research in Antarctica since 1981-82 from already existing research base – Maitri. A new station is likely to come up at Larsemann Hills shortly. India has recently made a beginning in Arctic region with launching of first expedition to Arctic in August 2007. Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal is scheduled to inaugurate the Indian Arctic station- Himadri in Ny-Ålesund (78°55´ N, 11°56´ E), area of Svalbard Archipelago.
Polar Regions viz. Arctic & Antarctica are the pulse of earth’s climate. Recently they have attracted world’s attention as they are the first one to be affected by human induced climate change, the effects of which have beginning to show up. For example, Arctic Ocean experienced the lowest sea-ice extent in 2007 & it has been estimated that seasonally ice free Arctic Ocean may be a reality after about 30 years from now. In view of this, it’s very important to understand the processes occurring in Polar Regions as they may help humanity in better preparing against the onslaught of climate change. Several countries of the world are engaged in this endeavor with India being one of the select few that have presence both in Arctic & Antarctica.
