PANAJI: After its successful foray into the Antarctic region, India, now in the silver jubilee year of Antarctic expeditions, has ambitious plans to explore the Arctic region and the southern ocean during the 11th Plan.

"The Ministry of Ocean Development has drawn up an exciting and ambitious agenda for polar science during the 11th Plan period," Ocean Development Secretary P. S. Goel said.

He was participating in a two-day national seminar "Antarctic Science: Indian Contributions in Global Perspectives,' organised by the South-Goa-based National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research on Thursday.

The meet was to mark the silver jubilee celebrations of the Indian expeditions to Antarctic.

Private participation

Stating that Antarctic becomes a crucial part of the Ministry's various programmes, Mr. Goel said, " we plan to take new initiatives like students' participation, broad-base the programme with private participation and multi-organisations in research."

An integrated and sustained multi-institutional programme in Southern Ocean studies is another important aspect of our plans, he said. "Establishment of the third Indian Antarctic Research Base in the Larsemann Hills is an equally important priority area. We are also optimistic that very soon India will have her own ice-class vessel." The Ministry (Now, part of Ministry of Earth Sciences) would also give much more thrust on institutional approach with a larger role for institutions taking part in expeditions.

"In the past 25 years we have also the privilege of participation of over 1500 scientists and officials from over 60 national institutes, organisations and universities, in addition to the able logistic support provided by the Indian defence personnel," he said.

The Government would take stock of the experiences gained in the last 25 expeditions to Antarctica before embarking on new areas that could further strengthen study of polar sciences, he said.

Prof. U.R. Rao, NCAOR Research Advisory Committee Chairman underlined the need to have a combined effort by all the sciences in the Antarctic region.

"A holistic approach of all the sciences may attain the goal to develop essential drugs for which potential is available in that region. Independent approach of various sciences has shown the ill-effects in different fields, such as fish production and atmospheric conclusions."

Contribution recalled

The leader of the first Indian expedition, S.Z. Qasim, who was the guest of honour at the seminar, nostalgically recalled the contribution of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, who he said, was solely instrumental in launching the Antarctic expeditions in 1981.

He said persons such as J.R.D. Tata and S. P. Godrej, among others, gave her the idea that such expeditions would not only enhance India's prestige amongst international communities but also fetch immense long-term scientific benefits to the country.

Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, in his inaugural address, said that the geopolitical and geo-economic relevance of the Antarctic region had now been acknowledged and the sustained efforts of our scientists in the area might possibly bring out a solution to overcome natural calamities such as tsunami. He offered all possible assistance from Government in the endeavour.

Rasik Ravindra, NCAOR Director, welcomed the gathering of scientists. N. Khare, Programme Director, Science spoke.

A large number of scientists from various national institutes and universities are participating in the two-day seminar. More than 40 research papers will be presented during the five technical sessions.

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