Context

• The Government of India plans to build a new research station near the existing Indian research base Maitri in East Antarctica.

Key Points

• A suitable location has been selected for this new research station.
• Preliminary topographic survey work is going on for the link road related to this.
• It is noteworthy that India's existing research station 'Maitri' is very old.
• In such a situation, it has become necessary to create a new research station.
• The proposed project envisages adherence to environmental protocols for Antarctica and improvement in the quality of Indian scientific research in Antarctica.

Main features of Antarctica

• The Antarctica is uninhabited except for about 40 permanent stations established by several countries, including India, for scientific research.
• Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth.
• It geographically includes the South Pole and is located in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere.
• Spread over 1.4 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles), it is the fifth largest continent in the world.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

South Gangotri

• Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian scientific research base station established in Antarctica as a part of the Indian Antarctic Programme.

Maitri

• Established: 1989
• Maitri is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica.

Bharti

• Established: 2012
• This is the latest research station of India.

Indian Antarctic Program

• Established: 1998
• It is a scientific research and exploration program under the National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
• NCPOR is the nodal agency for planning, promotion, coordination and execution of polar and southern ocean scientific research as well as related logistics activities in the country.