Editing Indian Antarctic Programme

{{Short description|Scientific programme started in 1981}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}

[[File:An ariel view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on February 2,2005 (1).jpg|thumb|An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri on 25 February 2005]]

The '''Indian Antarctic Programme''' is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional programme under the control of the [[National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research]], [[Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)|Ministry of Earth Sciences]], [[Government of India]]. It was initiated in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to [[Antarctica]].<ref name=Walawalkar05&Gad08>Walawalkar (2015), Gad (2008)</ref> The programme gained global acceptance with India's signing of the [[Antarctic Treaty System|Antarctic Treaty]] and subsequent construction of the [[Dakshin Gangotri]] Antarctic research base in 1983,<ref name=Walawalkar05&Gad08/> superseded by the [[Maitri (research station)|Maitri]] base from 1989. The newest base commissioned in 2012 is [[Bharati (research station)|Bharati]], constructed out of 134 [[shipping container]]s.  Under the programme, [[atmospheric science|atmospheric]], [[biological science|biological]], [[earth science|earth]], [[chemistry|chemical]], and [[medical science]]s are studied by India, which has carried out 40 scientific expeditions to the Antarctic.
[[File:Zaman (1).jpg|thumb|Mohammed Ghous uzzaman, a member of 7th Indian Antarctic Expedition Team at library, Dakshin Gangotri. (26 January 1988)|alt=]] [[File:Zaman (2).jpg|thumb|Mohammed Ghous uzzaman (Left) and M.Vyghreswara Rao (Right), members of 7th Indian Antarctic Expedition Team at Dakshin Gangotri, Antarctica. (26 January 1988)|alt=]] [[File:Bajaj-Polar-1.jpg|thumb|Col. Jatinder Kumar Bajaj, a member of one of the Indian expeditions to Antarctica, standing at the South Pole (17 January 1989)|alt=]]

[[File:Deck of the excursion ship Finnpolaris.jpg|thumb|Deck of the excursion ship Finnpolaris which was used for the second Indian expedition to Antartica.]]
==History==

The origin of the  Indian missions to the Antarctic are traced to the joint [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] – [[Hydrometeorological Centre of Russia]] agreements, which led to Indians, such as Dr. Paramjit Singh Sehra, joining the 17th Soviet Antarctic expedition of 1971–1973,<ref name="Anas 07">Anas  (2007)</ref> Parmjit Singh Sehra - With rockets to India's Antarctic Program (in References).

India officially acceded to the [[Antarctic Treaty System]] on 1 August 1983. On 12 September 1983, the country became the fifteenth Consultative Member of the Antarctic Treaty.<ref name="Annual report">Department of Ocean Development, Government of India. ''Annual Report 1983-1984'', TECHNICAL PUBLICATION NO. 3., Printed at Dee Kay Printers Kirtinagar, New Delhi</ref>

==Organization==

<!--[[File:Antarcticanbases.PNG|thumb|Nations of the world [[List of research stations in Antarctica|that have stations on the continent of Antarctica]] as of October 2006.]]-->

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research—a [[research and development]] body functioning under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, [[Government of India]]—controls the Indian Antarctic Programme.<ref name=Gad08>Gad (2008)</ref> The NCPOR and the Department of Ocean Development select the members for India's Antarctic expeditions.<ref name="Anas 07" /> After medical tests and subsequent acclimatisation training at the [[Himalayas]], these selected members are also trained in survival, environment ethics, firefighting and operating in a group.<ref name="Anas 07" />

One expedition costs up to {{INRConvert|200|m}}.<ref name="Anas 07" /> Logistical support to the various activities of the Indian Antarctic Programme is provided by the relevant branches of the [[Indian armed forces]].<ref name=Gad08/> The launching point of Indian expeditions has varied from [[Goa]] in India to [[Cape Town]] in South Africa on 19th expedition during the time of NCAOR Founding Director [[Prem Pandey|Dr. P C Pandey]] in December 1999.<ref name="Anas 07" /> Over 70 institutes in India contributed to its Antarctic Programme as of 2007.<ref name="Anas 07" />

==Global cooperation==

The Indian Antarctic Programme is bound by the rules of the [[Antarctic Treaty System]], which India signed in 1983.<ref name=Gad08/> Pandey (2007) outlines the various international activities that India has undertaken as a part of its Antarctic Programme:

{{Quotation|1=On 12 September 1983, India achieved the status of Consultative Party, on 1 October became a member of [[Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research]] (SCAR), and in 1986 became a member of the [[Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources]] (CCAMLR). In 1997 India also ratified the [[Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty]] thus reaffirming India's commitment to protecting the Antarctic environment. India hosted the eleventh [[COMNAP]]/SCALOP (Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics and Operations) meeting in Goa in 1999, and the working group meeting on eco-system monitoring and management of CCAMLR in August 1998 at [[Cochin]]. India occupied the CCAMLR chair beginning in November 1998 for a period of 2 years.<ref name="Anas 07" />}}

India also collaborates with the international community as a member of the [[Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission]], Regional Committee of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Coastal Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO), [[International Seabed Authority]] (ISBA), and the State Parties of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).<ref name=Gad08/><ref name=IAS_book_351>Pursuit and Promotion of Science – The Indian Experience (2001), 351</ref><ref name=Walawalkar05>Walawalkar (2005)</ref>

==Research==
[[File:krilldistribution.jpg|thumb|[[Krill]] distribution on a [[NASA]] [[SeaWIFS]] image – the main concentrations are in the [[Scotia Sea]] at the [[Antarctic Peninsula]]. India carries out krill exploration in the [[Southern Ocean]] region of the Antarctic.<ref name=Gad08/><ref name=IAS_book_352>Pursuit and Promotion of Science – The Indian Experience (2001), 352</ref>]]

Antarctica holds scientific interest for global research projects due to a number of reasons: 'Origin of continents, climate change, meteorology and pollution' are among the reasons cited by S.D. Gad (2008).<ref name=Gad08/> Mrinalini G. Walawalkar (2005) holds that: 'ice–ocean interaction and the global processes; paleoenvironment and paleoclimatic studies; geological evolution of earth and [[Gondwanaland]] reconstruction; Antarctic ecosystems, biodiversity and environment physiology; solar terrestrial processes and their coupling; medical physiology, adaptation techniques and human psychology; environment impact assessment and monitoring; enabling low temperature technology development; and studies on earthquakes' are among the areas of study under the Indian Antarctic Programme.<ref name=Walawalkar05/>

Close to 1,300 Indians had been to the continent as of 2001 as a part of the country's Antarctic Programme.<ref name=IAS_book_352/> Indian expeditions to the Antarctic also study the fauna and the molecular biodiversity of the region.<ref name=IAS_book_173>Pursuit and Promotion of Science – The Indian Experience (2001), 173</ref><ref name=IAS_book_213>Pursuit and Promotion of Science – The Indian Experience (2001), 213</ref> A total of 120 new microbes had been discovered as a result of international scientific effort in the Antarctic by 2005.<ref name=Walawalkar05/> 30 of these microbes had been discovered by Indian scientists.<ref name=Walawalkar05/> India has also published over 300 research publications based on Antarctic studies as of 2007.<ref name="Anas 07" />

The 'ice cores' retrieved by drilling holes in Antarctic's vast ice-sheets yield information 'on the [[palaeoclimate]] and eco-history of the earth as records of wind-blown dust, [[volcanic ash]] or [[radioactivity]] are preserved in the ice as it gets accumulated over time'.<ref name=Gad08/> The NCAOR developed a polar research & development laboratory with a 'low-temperature laboratory complex at −20&nbsp;°C for preservation and analysis of ice core and snow samples' according to S.D. Gad (2008).<ref name=Gad08/> The 'ice core' samples are held, processed, and analysed in containment units designed by such technology.<ref name=Gad08/> Storage cases made of poly propylene also ensure that the samples do not alter characteristics and are preserved for analysis in the form that they were recovered.<ref name=Gad08/>

==Research stations==
In 1981 the Indian flag unfurled for the first time in Antarctica, marking the start of Southern Ocean expeditions under the [[environmental protocol]] of the [[Antarctic Treaty]] (1959).

=== Dakshin Gangotri ===
{{Main|Dakshin Gangotri}}

The first permanent settlement was built in 1983 and named [[Dakshin Gangotri]]. In 1989 it was excavated and is being used again as supply base and transit camp. Dakshin Gangotri was decommissioned in the year 1990 after half of it got buried under the ice. It is nothing more than a historical site now. In its times, it used to double up as a place for multiple support systems, including the presence of an ice-melting plant, laboratories, storage, accommodation, recreation facilities, a clinic and also a bank counter.

=== Maitri ===
{{Main|Maitri (research station)|l1=Maitri}}

The second permanent settlement, [[Maitri (research station)|Maitri]], was put up in 1989 on the [[Schirmacher Oasis]] and has been conducting experiments in geology, geography and medicine. India built this station close to a freshwater lake around Maitri known as [[Lake Priyadarshini]]. Maitri accomplished the mission of geomorphologic mapping of Schirmacher Oasis.

=== Bharati ===
{{Main|Bharati (research station)|l1=Bharati}}

Located beside Larsmann Hill at 69°S, 76°E, [[Bharati (research station)|Bharati]] is established in March 2012. This newest research station for oceanographic research will collect evidence of continental break-up to reveal the 120-million-year-old ancient history of the Indian subcontinent. In news sources this station was variously spelled "Bharathi",<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/20/stories/2009022052310500.htm |title=The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Cuddalore News : Third Antarctica research station by 2011 |date=11 April 2009 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411063558/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/20/stories/2009022052310500.htm |archive-date=11 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> "Bharti"<ref name="timesofindia">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025174421/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-06/chennai/28199800_1_antarctica-new-station-maitri "Bharti to be 3rd Indian station in Antarctica"], ''The Times of India'', 6 August 2009</ref> and "Bharati".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/holnus/008200902161911.htm |title=The Hindu News Update Service<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107085557/http://www.hindu.com/holnus/008200902161911.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== India Post Office in Antarctica ===
It was established in the year 1984 during the third Indian expedition to Antarctica. It was located at Dakshin Gangotri. As many as 10,000 letters were posted and cancelled in this post office in total in the first year of its establishment. Although the post office is no more there, it is a favourite stopover for Indian tourists who visit the place in cruise ships.

The current Indian post office in Antarctica is situated at Maitri, where the country's current research station is also situated.

==Air Support Operations==

The Indian Air Force has supported logistical operations in Antarctica, including air-dropping critical supplies to research teams in remote camps. In the 1980s and 1990s, IAF’s Helicopters—most notably the Mi-8 played a role in delivering equipment and airdropping scientists and material near Indian research stations. IAF aircrew flying these missions was referred to as "Flyboys in the land of flightless penguins", a nod to the extreme flying conditions and novelty of these high-latitude operations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gupta |first=Anchit |title=Flyboys in the Land of the Flightless Penguins |url=https://iafhistory.in/2024/02/10/flyboys-in-the-land-of-the-flightless-penguins/ |website=IAFHistory |date=10 February 2024 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>

==Indian Antarctic expeditions==
<!---Dr. Sayed Zahoor Qasim, an Indian  meteorologist, was the first Indian to visit Antarctica when he accompanied an Australian polar expedition in 1960. He died in a road accident in 1961.{{cn}}--->
{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! Expedition
! Leader
! Deputy Leader
!Leader (Summer Team)
!Deputy Leader (Summer Team)
|-
| 1981–1982
| First Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| [[Zahoor Qasim|Dr. Sayed Zahoor Qasim]]
|  C. P. Vohra, Dr. B. N. Desai, [[Hassan Nasiem Siddiquie|H. N. Siddiquie]]
|
|
|-
| 1982–1983
| Second Indian Expedition to Antarctica
|  [[Vijay Kumar Raina|V. K. Raina]]
| Dr C. R. Sreedharan
|
|
|-
| 1983–1985

| Third Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr [[Harsh Gupta|Harsh K. Gupta]]
| Lieutenant Colonel Satya Swarup Sharma
|
|
|-
| 1984
| Fourth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr B.B. Bhattacharya
| Col. P. Kumaresh
|
|
|-
|1985-86
| Fifth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| M.K. Kaul
| Dr Vinod K Dhargalkar
|
|
|-
|1986-87
| Sixth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
|Dr A M Parulekar
|Col. V.S.Iyer (V.S.M)
| 
|
|-
| 1987-1989
| Seventh Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr R. Sen Gupta
| Col P Ganeshan
| Dr G. S. Mittal
|-
| 1988–1990
| Eighth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr Amitava Sen Gupta
| Col S Jagannathan
| Lt Col J P Khadilkar
|
|-
| 1989–1991
| Ninth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Rasik Ravindra
|
|
|
|-
| 1990–1992
| Tenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr A. K. Hanjura
|
|
|
|-
| 1991–1993
| Eleventh Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr Shardendu Mukherjee
|
|
|
|-
|1992-94
| Twelfth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr Vinod K Dhargalkar
|
|
|
|-
|1993-95
| Thirteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| G Sudhakar Rao
|
|
|
|-
| 1994-96
| Fourteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr S D Sharma
|
|
|
|-
| 1995-1996
| Fifteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Arun Chaturvedi
|
|
|
|-
| 1996-98
| Sixteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr Anand L. Koppar
|
|
|
|-
| 1997-99
| Seventeenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| K. R. Shivan
|
|
|
|-
| 1998-2000
| Eighteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Ajay Dhar
|
|
|
|-
| 1999-2001
| Nineteenth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Arun Chaturvedi
| M. Javed Beg
|
|
|-
| 2000-2003
| Twentieth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Marvin D'Souza
|
|
|
|-
| 2001–2003
| Twenty first Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Ram Prasad Lal
|
|
|
|-
| 2002-04
| Twenty Second Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr Arun Hanchinal
|
|
|
|-
| 2003-05
| Twenty third Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| S. Jayaram
|
|
|
|-
| 2004-06
| Twenty fourth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Rajesh Asthana
| M. Javed Beg
|
|
|-
| 2005-2007
| Twenty fifth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| L. Prem Kishore
|
|
|
|-
|
| Twenty sixth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
|
|
|
|
|-
|
| Twenty seventh Indian Expedition to Antarctica
|
|
|
|
|-
| 2008–2009
| Twenty eighth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr. P. Malhotra
| Ajay Dhar
|
|
|-
| 2009–2010
| Twenty ninth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| P. Elango
| Rajesh Asthana
|
|
|-
| 2010–2011
| Thirtieth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| K. Jeeva
| Rajesh Asthana
|
|
|-
| 2011–2012
| Thirty first Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr. Rupesh M. Das (Bharati) & Shree Uttam Chand (Maitri)
| Rajesh Asthana
|
|
|-
| 2013–2014
| Thirty third Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Mohd. Yunus Shah (Bharati)
| Abhijit Patil (Bharati)
|
|
|-
| 2014–2015
| Thirty fourth Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Kailash Bhindwar (Bharati)
| Syed Shadab (Bharati)
|
|
|-
| 2017–2018
| Thirty seven Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| Dr. Shailesh Pednekar (Bharati)
| Bagati Sudarshan Patro (Bharati)
|
|
|-
| 2018–2020
| 38th Indian Expedition to Antarctica
| K. Jeeva, Matri- P. Elengo, Bharati
|
|
|
|}

==Notes==

{{reflist}}

==References==
* Gad, S. D. (2008), "India in the Antarctic", ''Current Science'', '''95''' (2): 151, Bangalore: Indian Academy of Sciences.
* Pandey, P.C. (2007) in "India: Antarctic Program", ''Encyclopedia of the Antarctic'' edited by Beau Riffenburgh, pp.&nbsp;529–530, Abingdon and New York: Taylor & Francis, {{ISBN|0-415-97024-5}}.
* ''Pursuit and Promotion of Science – The Indian Experience'' (2001), New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy.
* Walawalkar, M. G. (2005), "Antarctica and Arctic: India's contribution", ''Current Science'', 685, Bangalore: Indian Academy of Science.
* {{Cite web |url=http://14.139.119.23:8080/dspace/bitstream/123456789/126/3/INTRODUCTION.pdf |title=Scientific Report of First Indian Expedition to Antarctica|date=2016 |publisher=Department of Ocean Development, Government of India}}
* Wenger, M. (2022), Parmjit Singh Sehra - With rockets to India's Antarctic Program, Polar Journal AG, Zurich, Switzerland, polarjournal.net.

==External links==
* [http://www.ncaor.gov.in/ National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research (NCAOR)], Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

{{Science in India}}
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[[Category:Indian Antarctic Programme| ]]
[[Category:Science and technology in India|Antarctic programme]]
[[Category:Antarctica research agencies|India]]