BASES IN ANTARCTICA - GEOGRAPHY
News: China opens Qinling Station
for Antarctic scientific investigation
What's in the news?
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China's fifth scientific outpost in the Antarctic,
Qinling Station, was officially named and opened recently.
Key takeaways:
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Qinling station is the third Chinese research base in Antarctica able to
operate all year, hosting up to 80 people in the summertime and 30
during wintertime.
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The new facility, constructed on the rocky,
windswept Inexpressible Island near the Ross Sea of the Antarctic, utilizes an
integrated spatial system and green technology given the unique environmental
conditions at the site.
Ross Sea:
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The Ross Sea is one of the few polar regions on
Earth that remains close to its original
state.
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It boasts rich
marine biodiversity and a complete ecological network, hosting
approximately 50 percent of the world's C-type killer whales, 40 percent of
Adélie penguins, and 25 percent of emperor penguins.
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The Ross Sea coast enjoys a geographical advantage, with vast glaciers from the Transantarctic
Mountains flowing into the sea, forming the famous Ross Ice Shelf.
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The Ross Sea region is characterized by the
concentrated interaction of typical natural geographic units, such as the
lithosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere, making it of high
scientific value and attracting many countries to establish research stations.
Research Stations in
Ross Sea:
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Previously, six
countries had established seven research stations in the Ross Sea region,
namely the United States' McMurdo Station, New Zealand's Scott Base, South
Korea's Jang Bogo Station, Russia's Russkaya Station and Leningradskaya
Station, Italy's Zucchelli Station, and Germany's Gondwana Station.
India's Research
Stations:
Dakshin Gangotri:
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Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian scientific research base station established in
Antarctica, as a part of the Indian Antarctic Program.
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It has weakened and become just a supply base.
Maitri:
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Maitri is India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica. It was built and
finished in 1989.
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Maitri is situated on the rocky mountainous region
called Schirmacher Oasis. India also
built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadarshini.
Bharti:
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Bharti, India’s latest research station operation
since 2012. It has been constructed to help researchers work in safety despite
the harsh weather.
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It is India’s first
committed research facility and is located about 3000 km east of Maitri.
Sagar Nidhi:
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In 2008, India commissioned the Sagar Nidhi, for
research.
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An ice-class vessel, it can cut through the thin
ice of 40 cm depth and is the first
Indian vessel to navigate Antarctic waters.
National Centre for
Polar and Ocean Research:
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It is an autonomous
R&D institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
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It is the nodal agency for India’s polar
explorations.
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It is responsible for planning, promotion,
coordination and execution of India’s entire Polar and Southern Ocean
scientific research.
Polar Science and
Cryosphere (PACER) Scheme:
It encompasses the following components such as
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Construction of polar research vessels.
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Construction of the third research base in
Antarctica.
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Indian scientific endeavours in the Arctic.
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Polar expeditions-Antarctica.
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Southern Ocean Expedition.
Go back to basics:
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India is a party to the Antarctic Treaty, which seeks it shall
be used for peaceful purposes only.
● Indian Antarctic Act, 2022, provides measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and associated ecosystems etc.