Maitri

Introduction

"MAITRI", the Indian station in the continent of Antarctica, is situated on the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. It has all modern facility to carry out research in various disciplines such as Biology, Earth Sciences, Glaciology, Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Cold region Engineering, Communication, Human Physiology and Medicine. It has a capacity to accommodate 25 people for winter. The fresh water supply is provided through fresh water lakes around Maitri. By virtue of India’s sustained interest and demonstrative capabilities in the domain of polar science, the country has achieved several milestones.

Milestones

India was admitted to the Antarctic Treaty on the 19th August, 1983 and soon there after obtained Consultative Status on the 12th September 1983.

India was admitted as a member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) on the 1st October 1984.

India became a member of Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in 1986.

India ratified the Environment Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty in 1997, thus upholding its commitment to preserve the pristine continent.

First Wintering was conducted in the permanent station Dakshin Gangotri built in 1983.

India built its second indigenous station ‘Maitri’ in 1988-89.

International bilateral co-operations in various domains of polar science were pursued with various Treaty nations.

Expeditions

The chapter of Indian Antarctic Programme opened way back in 1981 when the first Indian Expedition was flagged off for Antarctica from Goa. Subsequently, annual Antarctic expeditions are being sent through Department of Ocean Development / National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research. So far, twenty-one such expeditions have been launched including one to the Weddell Sea and one being the krill expedition to the Southern Ocean. Dr. S. Z. Quasim was the leader of the first Indian Expedition, which was launched in December 1981.

External link: http://ncaor.nic.in/welcome.htm