New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh today informed the Lok Sabha that the first batch of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Maitri station on November 10, 2021, under the 41st Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) launched recently.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister said that the expedition will carry out various scientific activities in Antarctica, besides maintaining India’s two research stations – Maitri and Bharati.
Also read: India launches 41st scientific expedition to Antarctica
Dr. Singh said, the 41st expedition has two major objectives. The first encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station to understand the geological link between India and Antarctica in the past. The second goal involves ice core drilling work near the Maitri station, focusing primarily on 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.
The major thrust area of the scientific projects being taken up in Antarctica is 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.
Picture Credit: Wikimedia common
-global bihari bureau
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