UPSC Articles
Exploring the Arctic circle
Part of: Prelims and GS-III Science and technology
Context: According to Arctic Policy document, India aspires to have a permanent presence with more research and satellite ground stations in the Arctic region.
Key takeaways
- India now has a single station, Himadri, in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, where research personnel are usually present for 180 days.
- India is in the process of procuring an ice-breaker research vessel that can navigate the region.
- Through its existing satellites, India aspires to capture more detailed images to “assist in the development of the Arctic region”.
- Eight nations — Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Russia, Sweden and the United States — make up the Arctic Council.
- India has the status of ‘Observer’ member — 12 other countries have such a status — in the Arctic Council and participates in several meetings.
- Arctic weather influences the Indian monsoon and hence has been of interest to Indian researchers for decades. Climate change and the melting of ice caps imply changes to the Arctic weather
News Source: TH
