Indian presence in Antarctica

[Cutting Edge 2]

Scientists at Hyderabad-based NGRI find volcanic margins in East Antarctica
Aug 30, 2017

Scientists at city-based National Geographical Research Institute (NGRI) have found volcanic passive continental margins beneath the Maitri Station in the East Antarctica. They have inferred that these margins are affected by the thermal events which were responsible for the Gondwana supercontinent break-up, including the Indian sub-continent.

Maitri is India’s second research station in the Antarctica. Studies are conducted there on intra crustal layers beneath this region.

NGRI scientists, led by Sandeep Gupta and Nagaraju Kanna and A. Akilan, conducted seismic studies and published a paper in the Polar Research journal.

Mr Sandeep Gupta said, “The earth is made of plates which constantly move and get together and get apart. This is called plate tectonics. The Gondwana supercontinent existed till 542 million years and broke into two 180 million years ago. The Western Half included America, Africa and the Eastern Half included the Indian sub-continent, Madagascar, Australia and Antarctica. Around 140 million years ago, Africa and America separated from the Western Half and in the Eastern Half, India and Madagascar separated from Australia and the Antarctica. Around 90 million years ago, Madagascar separated from the India sub-continent and 65 million years ago India got separated for Seychelles.”

“In our study, we tried to understand how this separation of Gondwana took place. The magma came up and plates got thinned up. Whatever is happening inside the earth is expressed on the surface. To know what is happening beneath the Maitri station we used seismic imaging. We have observed signatures at this crucial part that explained how the Antarctica got separated from Africa. We have used data collected over years. It is called passive as there is no activity,” Sandeep Gupta said.

“We investigated the crustal shear wave velocity model beneath the Maitri station, situated in the central Dronning Maud Land of the East Antarctica, through the receiver function modelling,” said the researchers.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/scie...find-volcanic-margins-in-east-antarctica.html

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

India’s re-election as observer to the Arctic Council

India is one of the very few countries to set up a permanent station in the Arctic for the purposes of scientific research. The station has been used to carry out a variety of biological, glaciological and atmospheric and climate sciences research projects in the last one decade.

India’s role in Arctic Council
India, along with 12 other countries, is Observers to the Arctic Council. So are 13 intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary organisations like the UN Environment Programme, and the UN Development Programme, and 12 other non-governmental organisations. The Observers are not part of the decision-making processes, but they are invited to attend the meetings of the Council, especially at the level of the working groups.

The Observer status is granted to entities that support the objectives of the Arctic Council, and have demonstrated capabilities in this regard, including the ability to make financial contributions. The renewal of Observer status is a formality. The status, once granted, continues till there is a consensus among the members that the Observer was engaging in activities that run counter to the objectives of the Arctic Council.

India had been given the Observer status in 2013, along with five other countries — China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Prior to this group, only France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom were granted Observer status. In 2017, Switzerland too became an Observer.

India’s involvement in the Arctic
India is one of the very few countries to set up a permanent station in the Arctic for the purposes of scientific research. The polar regions offer some unique opportunities to carry out research related to atmospheric and climate sciences that cannot be done anywhere else.

The Himadri research station, located in Ny Alesund, Svalbard in Norway, about 1200 km south of the North Pole, was started in July 2008. The Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCOAR) is the nodal organisation coordinating the research activities at this station.

The station has been used to carry out a variety of biological, glaciological and atmospheric and climate sciences research projects in the last one decade, with over 200 scientists from a number of institutions, universities and laboratories having accessed the facilities at the station.

Himadri came on the back of India’s three-decade experience of carrying out scientific research in the polar regions of Antarctica which began in 1981. India’s first permanent station in Antarctica was set up way back in 1983. In 2010, Indian scientists undertook a scientific expedition to the South Pole as well. India is now among the very few countries which have multiple research stations in the Antarctic.

Commercial and strategic interests
The Arctic region is very rich in some minerals, and oil and gas. With some parts of the Arctic melting due to global warming, the region also opens up the possibility of new shipping routes that can reduce existing distances. Countries which already have ongoing activities in the Arctic hope to have a stake in the commercial exploitation of natural resources present in the region.


The Arctic Council does not prohibit the commercial exploitation of resources in the Arctic. It only seeks to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner without harming the interests of local populations and in conformity with the local environment.

https://indianexpress.com/article/e...n-observer-arctic-council-importance-5727126/

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Indian permanent arctic station

Himadri Station

HIMADRI 'the abode of snow' is India’s first research station located at the International Arctic Research base, NyÅlesund, Svalbard, Norway. It is located at a distance of 1,200 kilometres from the North Pole. It was inaugurated on the 1st July, 2008 by Shri. KapilSibal the-then Hon. Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, in the presence of dignitaries from Norway, UK, Germany and other countries besides India. This station was opened considering the sustained interest shown by Indian scientists in pursuing scientific studies in the Arctic. Himadri provides extensive field and laboratory support required for pursuing research activities in the Arctic. NCAOR as nodal agency make sure availability of the requisite facilities at the Himadri.

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

India needs a nuclear Icebreaker ship on high priority.

- We are using Russian ships for Antarctic and arctic transport purpose.

- We are spending lots of money on rental arctic transport.

- Our IPRV; (Indian Polar research Vessel) program is running slow (isn't moving)

- Instead we should jump to INPRV (N stands for Nuclear).


This will boost out strategic ability to sail cold waters as well. Couple this with an Indian Ice-field airport in Antarctica. It will the be biggest jump in our ability in frozen lands.

 

[Cheran]

Good thread.

India Launches Another Scientific Expedition To Antarctica, First Batch Of Scientists Reaches Indian Antarctic Station

India has successfully launched the 41st scientific expedition to Antarctica with the arrival of the first batch of its contingent at the southern white continent

swarajyamag.com

India Launches Another Scientific Expedition To Antarctica, First Batch Of Scientists Reaches Indian Antarctic Station

India has successfully launched the 41st scientific expedition to Antarctica with the arrival of the first batch of its contingent at the southern white continent.

The first batch comprising of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri last week.

Four more batches will be landing in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility and onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin by mid-January 2022, the Ministry of Earth Science said on Monday (15 November).

The 41st Indian expedition to Antarctica has two major programmes.

The first programme encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station, which will help in exploring the link between India and Antarctica in the past.

The second programme involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 meters of ice core near Maitri. It will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea-ice and greenhouse gases from a single climate archive for past 10,000 years.

The ice core drilling will be done in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute. In addition to accomplishing scientific programmes, it will replenish the annual supplies of food, fuel, provisions, and spares for operations and maintenance of life support systems at Maitri and Bharati.

The Indian Antarctic programme, which began in 1981, has completed 40 scientific expeditions, and built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica, named Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1988) and Bharati (2012).

As of today, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa - an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences - manages the entire Indian Antarctic programme.

According to the ministry, as India is committed to maintaining the continent of Antarctica free of COVID-19 and the highest standards of safety, the Indian contingent has reached Antarctica following a strict medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; training for snow-ice acclimatization and survival at the Mountaineering and Skiing Institute, ITBP Auli, Uttarakhand; and a stringent sanitary protocol including a 14 days quarantine at Cape Town, South Africa.

The crew is expected to return to Cape Town in late March/early April of 2022, leaving a team of 48 members for over winter. It will also bring back the over winter team of the preceding 40th expedtion.

The 41st expedition is being led by Dr. Shailendra Saini, Scientist National Centre for Polar & Ocean Research (Voyage Leader), Huidrom Nageshwar Singh, Metrologist, India Metrological Department (Leader, Maitri Station) and Anoop Kalayil Soman, scientist Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (Leader, Bharati Station)

 

[Swesh]

I just found this @Vamsi @Indx TechStyle @Varoon2

 

[Swesh]

Ok i am posting source

https://vedas.sac.gov.in/static/pdf/Exploring_the_Antarctic.pdf

 

[Swesh]

Ok i am posting source

https://vedas.sac.gov.in/static/pdf/Exploring_the_Antarctic.pdf

@Indx TechStyle @Vamsi @HawkisRight @Varoon2

 

[Swesh]

https://npdc.ncaor.gov.in/npdc/homepage.action

 

[Swesh]

https://npdc.ncaor.gov.in/npdc/homepage.action

@Vamsi @Indx TechStyle @HawkisRight visit this site

 

[Swesh]

India needs a nuclear Icebreaker ship on high priority.

- We are using Russian ships for Antarctic and arctic transport purpose.

- We are spending lots of money on rental arctic transport.

- Our IPRV; (Indian Polar research Vessel) program is running slow (isn't moving)

- Instead we should jump to INPRV (N stands for Nuclear).


This will boost out strategic ability to sail cold waters as well. Couple this with an Indian Ice-field airport in Antarctica. It will the be biggest jump in our ability in frozen lands.

Failed EOI BY NACOR

 

[Swesh]

 

[Tshering22]

Failed EOI BY NACOR

Russians are the only ones who make nuclear-powered ice breakers and that too, the biggest one. Why the fuck do we need an EOI? A direct government-to-government deal between the Shipping Corporation of India and Rosatomflot would do the job.

 

[Tshering22]

I just found this @Vamsi @Indx TechStyle @Varoon2 View attachment 196836

What planes do we use to get there? IL-76? They are the only ones that can land on ice runways without any modifications. Also, any documents on how we transport them there? ILs don't have that kind of range, unless South Africans are providing us with an aerial fuel tanker for the mission and there are mass fuel depots at both Maitri and Bharati.

 

[Cheran]

India To Deploy Its First Polar Research Ship In Five Years, Will Help In Sustaining Indian Bases In Antarctica

India is planning to have its first Polar Research Vessel (PRV) within the next five years, according to Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju

swarajyamag.com

India To Deploy Its First Polar Research Ship In Five Years, Will Help In Sustaining Indian Bases In Antarctica

 

[Swesh]

 

[Swesh]

 

[Swesh]

 

[Swesh]

OPERATIONALISATION OF MAITRI – II STATION IN ANTARCTICA


Posted On: 21 DEC 2023 4:09PM by PIB Delhi

The government intends to operationalize a new research station in East Antarctica, near existing Indian research base Maitri.

Site for new station has been identified. Preliminary topographical survey for approach road is underway.

The details of the scheduled timelines for its completion are as follows:

1. Development of Master plan, hiring of consultant & designing: 18 months.
2. Drafting of tender and tendering, award and signing of contract, site survey by consultants, road cutting and formations at site: 18 months.
3. Prefabrication/procurement's at mainland, transportation to Cape Town/ Antarctica/ Indian Barrier to site and preparation for construction in Antarctica by the construction company: 18 months.
4. Transportation of final components from Indian Barrier to site and construction in Antarctica by the construction company: 12 months.
5. Completion of construction: January 2029.

The existing Indian research station ‘Maitri’ is very old. It is imperative to build a new research station. The proposed project envisages adherence to environmental protocol for Antarctica and improving the quality of Indian scientific research in Antarctica.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1989168

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India to replace ‘very old’ Maitri research station in Antarctica by 2029

maitri Photograph (Agencies )
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The Maitri-2 station will be established in East Antarctica near the existing one, and it will be able to house about 90 scientists.

India has decided to build a new research station in Antarctica, replacing its “very old” predecessor Maitri station.

The Maitri-2 station will be established in East Antarctica near the existing one, and it will be able to house about 90 scientists. The establishment of the new research facility will enhance the quality of Indian research regarding the White Continent.

The existing station, Maitri, was set up in 1988 and was supposed to be operational for ten years only.

Initial plan revealed in 2017

There was a need to replace the 35-year-old facility for two decades, but it was only in 2017 that then-secretary to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, revealed that the government planned to replace the Maitri station “in the next three to four years.”

India’s Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju on December 21 stated that the station will be ready to use by 2029.

In a written reply to the parliament’s upper house, Rajya Sabha, the minister stated that the site for the new research station -- Maitri-II -- has been identified and a preliminary topographical survey for the approach road is underway.

Indian Antarctic Act 2022

The new research base will adhere to environmental protocols laid out by international bodies and the Indian Antarctic Act passed in 2022.

“India passed the Indian Antarctic Act in 2022. Moreover, the Indian Antarctic Environmental Protection Rules, 2023, clearly state our commitment to protect the Antarctic environment,” said Dr Thamban Meloth, director at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).

NCPOR submits proposal to the centre

Goa-based NCPOR has already submitted a proposal for the approval of the central government.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences has already approved a design competition for the upcoming project.

According to NCPOR, master planning, hiring of consultants and designing of the infrastructure will take 18 months, after which the contract of the project will be awarded.

Countering the China threat

India’s strategic Antarctica move comes at a time when China is making wide strides in the research space for the White Continent.

China is already on its way to building its fifth research base on the continent, for which it has dispatched more than 450 personnel to the snowy continent.