Basic Information

Location: (70°45'57"S, 11°44'09"E) The station is situated over the rocky area of Schirmacher oasis in east Antarctica.
Completed: 1988-89.

History

India started its first expedition to Antarctica on the year 1981led by Dr. S.Z. Qasim, Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, Govt.of India. The expedition code named `Operation Gangotri', was undertaken in an ice-breaker M.V. Polar Circle chartered from A/S. G.C. Reiber Bergen, Norway. Twenty one scientists, technicians and naval personnel selected from seven different institutions participated the first Indian Antarctic Expedition. The ship set sail from Mormugao harbour on 6 December 1981, and after 77 days covering a distance of 21 thousandkilometers, the ship finally touch the Mormugao harbour on 21 February 1982. Thefirst permanent station known as `Dakshin Gangotri' was established during the third expedition, 1983-84. Twelve members over wintered in thisstation from March 1, 1984 and returned to Goa on March 25, 1985. Since than India had been continously launching the expedition and sending the wintering members every year. In the year 1989 a new permanent station Maitri' was commissioned. Maitri lies at the `Schirmacher Region' of east Antarctica at the 70 45'58"S Lat. and 11`43'56"E Long. The areaof Schirmacher oasis is around 35 sq.km. Dakshin Gangotri was abandonedin the year 1990-91. After the establishment of the modern permanent station Maitri', in 1990-91 more than 250 scientists, technicians,army and naval personnels had over winterred during this decade. Presently,26 members from 8 different organizations has been over wintering during thislast year of the century.

Science

The scientific program is a interdisciplinary one with members drawn from various national organisations and universities. The main organisations participating are Geological Survey of India, National Physical Laboratory, India Meteorological Department, R&DE (Engg.), Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, National Geophysical Research Institute, Defence Electronics & Application Laboratory, Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment, National Institute of Oceanography,and various universities like Barkatullah University, Roorkee University, Banaras Hindu University etc. In addition, members have participated from Botanical Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Physical Research Laboratory, Survey of India, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Osmania University and Jadhavpur University. Physicians and surgeons are drawn from Railways, Armed Forces, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indo Tibetian Border Police and various hospitals in India. The logistic team are drawnfrom the Indian Army to help in maintaining the sation, generators and land convoy. The scientific endeavour are varied; from the study of moving glaciers to ionospheric study. The ongoing programmes of meteorology geomagnetism, biology, geology and environmental impact assessmentare carried out on regular basis. Study on ozone depletion, green house effect on earth and monitoring of UV-B radiation are carried out most significantly in the sattion. The contributions of the scientist here makes India's image bright and high in the international scenario.

Other Information

Schirmacher Oasis is a typical desert oasis of Antarctica, with a group of low lying hills interspersed with a few glacial lakes. Maitri is surrounded by one of the biggest lakes in the area (0.75 Sq km) called Zublake or Priyadarshni lake. The Maitri Station is reinforced with iron bars to withstand high wind speed(upto 320 km/hr) and the walls are thermally insulated for protection against low temperature. The energy is supplied by generatorsin the station. The station is kept warm ( ~ 25 C) by circulating hot water from the boilers. The Maitri Station represent a microclimate where all the activities are carried out, it is totally in contrast to the ambient environment. There are also several insulated huts for the summer team, which are used as laboratory during winter. A lake known as `Priyadrashani Lake' provides palatable water and is totally frozen upto 20ft during winter. Most of this Schirmacher Region is uncovered by ice round the year.

Geographic Location