Question : RESEARCH IN ARCTIC ANTARCTICA.

(a) Whether the Government is conducting research & development in Arctic and Antarctic region;

(b) If so, the details and the findings thereof so far along with the expenditure incurred during the last three years and the current year in this regard;

(c) Whether the Government proposes to increase research stations/centres in Arctic and Antarctic and if so, the details thereof along with the number of scientists/ technicians likely to be deputed to the above centre;

(d) Whether the Government has made agreement with foreign countries for research & development in the region and if so, the details thereof along with the works proposes to be conducted in this regard;

(e) Whether the Government has Ice- breakers for exploration and research in the above places; and

(f) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof along with the steps taken / being taken by the Government for construction of indigenous ice-breakers?

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The details and the findings so far has been furnished at Annexure-I. The expenditure incurred during 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and current year i.e 2014-15 (as on 31-1-2015) are Rs.249.79 crores, Rs. 190 crores, Rs.196 crores and Rs. 169 crores respectively. The enhanced expenditure during 2011-12 was due to the construction of the new Research Station at “Bharti” in Antarctica.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Earth Sciences through its autonomous institute, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) has entered into a MoU with the Norwegian Polar Institute for scientific and logistic co-operation in the Arctic. India has a station “Himadri” at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway.

(e & f) No, Madam. However, India has the capability to build ice class vessel. Indian ship building industry has yet to build a Research Vessel cum ice breaker.