(a) whether the permanent station Himadri has been set up for the research and study of climate change;
(b) if so, whether action has been taken for procurement of Polar Research Vessel;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore; and
(d) whether research and study relating to climate change has been affected due to the delay in the procurement of the Polar Vessel and if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) Yes Madam. The Indian research station Himadri is operational at Ny-Ålesund, in Svalbard region in Arctic since August 2008 for the research and study of climate change.
(b) Yes Madam, actions has been taken for procurement of Polar Research Vessel.
(c) The Cabinet has approved the Revised Cost Estimates for Acquisition of a Polar Research Vessel (PRV) at an estimated cost of Rs.1051.13 crore. The vessel, as per the concept design, is 132m long, Polar Class 5, 120 days endurance, multidisciplinary scientific facilities, capable of carrying helicopters, 50 numbers of containers and fuel required for Antarctic bases. The PRV is expected to contribute to India’s scientific expeditions towards sustaining two Indian research bases in Antarctica (Maitri and Bharati); dovetail research initiatives in the Southern Ocean domain with those in the proximal regions of the Antarctic continent.
(d) No Madam.