Sunday, Jan 02, 2005
Move to set up another Antarctica station
By Anil Sastry
VASCO DA GAMA (GOA), JAN. 1 . The Department of Ocean Development and the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa, plans to establish the third state-of-the-art habitat in the Antarctica.The 23rd Indian Scientific Expedition (2003-04) has identified a suitable location for it. A four-member task force comprising Rasik Ravindra, Director, Geological Survey of India, S. Rajan, Scientist, NCAOR, Ajay Dhar, Scientist, IIG, Mumbai, and P. Malhotra, CGHS, Kolkata, undertook reconnaissance surveys in the Amery Ice Shelf - Prydz Bay area between 66° E and 78° E longitude for the purpose.
Dr. Rajan said the team identified a tentative location on an as-yet unnamed promontory in the Larsemann Hills, about 600 km from Maitri.
The site was easily accessible from the ocean, had a number of fresh water lakes and provided a relatively flat terrain for building living and laboratory complexes.
Prem Chand Pandey, Founder-Director of NCAOR said the task force also identified several thrust areas that could be considered for initiation at the site. Further studies were planned during the recently launched 24th Expedition.A report on the proposal would be submitted to the Antarctic Treaty System.
Dr. Pandey said the base would be a reality within five years as NCAOR had been given the go ahead.However, it was yet to be decided whether the proposed station would be a winter station or summer one. The cost could range between Rs. 18 crores to Rs. 20 crores.India made its foray into Antarctica research in 1981 when the first Indian Antarctic Expedition was launched.
The first Indian permanent station, "Dakshin Gangotri," was established during the third Indian Expedition (1983-84) under the leadership of H. K. Gupta, presently Secretary, DoD, paving the way for the country's sustained scientific endeavour in the icy continent throughout the year.
The second permanent station, "Maitri," followed it during 1988-89 on the ice-free rocky terrain of the Schirmacher Oasis.
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