India’s first winter scientific expedition to the Arctic

• Ministry of Earth Sciences recently flagged off India’s first winter scientific expedition to the Arctic from the MoES headquarters in New Delhi.
• Indian scientific expeditions to the Arctic during the winter (November to March) will allow researchers to conduct unique scientific observations during polar nights, where there is no sunlight for nearly 24 hours and sub-zero temperatures (as low as -15 degrees Celsius).
• The first batch of the maiden Arctic winter expedition comprises researchers from the host NCPOR, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi; Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune; and Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru.
• This will aid in expanding understanding of the Arctic, especially climate change, space weather, sea-ice and ocean circulation dynamics, ecosystem adaptations, etc., which affect weather and climate in the tropics, including monsoons.
• Priority research areas include atmospheric, biological, marine, and space sciences, environmental chemistry, and studies on cryosphere, terrestrial ecosystems, and astrophysics.

FACTS

• Since 2008, India operates a research base in the Arctic named Himadri, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic, which has been mostly hosting scientists during the summer (April to October).
• India has three research stations in Antarctica, namely Bharati (newest), Dakshin Gangotri (now a supply base) and Maitri.

ABOUT PACER SCHEME

• Indian scientific expeditions to the Earth’s poles (the Arctic and the Antarctic) are facilitated under the PACER (Polar and Cryosphere) scheme of the MoES, solely through the aegis of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, an autonomous institution of the MoES.
• It has four sub- schemes under it, namely, the Antarctic Program, Indian Arctic Program, Indian Southern Ocean Program and Cryosphere and Climate Program.
• Major objectives-
  • To ensure the country’s strategic and scientific interests in the Polar Region and the surrounding oceans.
  • To continue the long-term frontline scientific programmes in Antarctica, Arctic, Himalaya and Southern Ocean, which are pertinent to the national needs and having potential societal, strategic and global relevance.
  • Planning, coordination and implementation of the annual Indian Antarctic, Arctic, Himalayan, Southern Ocean expeditions.
  • Maintenance of Indian Research bases at Antarctica, Arctic and Himalaya.
  • Establishment of a state-of-the-art polar research and logistic facilities in the country.