India’s Polar research stations

Union Minister for Earth Sciences engaged virtually with scientists stationed at Bharati Station in Antarctica.

About India’s research stations in-

Antarctic

• Dakshin Gangotri, 1^st permanent research station established in 1983 over Ice shelf in Central Dronning Maud Land region. (abandoned in 1990)
• Maitri, located in Schirmacher Oasis, was opened in 1989.
• Bharati, located between Thala Fjord & Quilty bay, east of Stornes Peninsula, is operational since 2012.
  • Maitri and Bharati are currently operational.

ARCTIC

• Himadri: India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2007 and opened a research base named “Himadri” at the International Arctic Research Base at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway in July 2008.
• Its aim is to carry out studies in disciplines like Glaciology, Atmospheric sciences & Biological sciences.
• Management and upkeep of the Indian Antarctic Research Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri” is responsibility of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.