(a) whether it is true that the Government has taken up various activities under the Indian Antarctic program;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is also a fact that India has successfully launched the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica; and
(d) if so, the details and the objectives of the said
expedition program thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Yes, Sir. India has launched 41stIndian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) to carry out various scientific activities in Antarctica and to maintain India’s two research stations viz Maitri and Bharati.
(b) The major thrust area of the scientific projects being taken up in Antarctica are focused on furthering the existing knowledge under various themes such as Climate Process & Linkages to change, Crustal Evolution, Environmental Processes & Conservation, Ecosystem of Terrestrial & Nearshore, Observational Research. Institute and universities from all over the country participate in the Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) with the operational support provided by NCPOR.
(c) Yes Sir, the 41stIndian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) has been successfully launched.
(d) The first batch of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Maitri station on November 10, 2021. The 41stexpedition has two major objectives. The first encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station to understanding the geological link between India and Antarctica in the past. The second goal involves ice core drilling work near the Maitri station, focusing primarily towards improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea ice and greenhouse gases. Apart from these, other long-term observations in the field of geology, glaciology, ocean observations, and upper atmospheric sciences are continuing.