Context: Himadri, India’s Arctic research station at Ny-Alesund in the Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean, will now remain operational throughout the year.
Research Bases in the Arctic
- At least 10 countries have set up permanent facilities at the International Arctic Research base in Ny-Alesund a small town above the 78th parallel north.
- Svalbard group of islands is the closest human habitation to the North Pole.
- India will join a small group of countries that operate their Arctic Research bases through the winter.
- Due to the extreme cold, taking scientific observation or sampling has remained largely limited to the summer months.
Arctic Region
- The area above the Arctic circle, north of 66 degree and 34’ minutes is part of eight countries- Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US forms the Arctic Council plus Arctic Ocean.
- Scientific research in the Arctic regions is governed by international legal instruments like the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, and UN convention on the laws of the sea, apart from the Individual jurisdictions of the Arctic countries.
India and the Arctic
- India signed the Svalbard Treaty in Paris in 1920. However, it took until 2007 for the first Indian expedition comprising five scientist to visit the International Arctic research facility at Ny-Alesund with the purpose of initiating studies in Arctic microbiology, atmospheric sciences and geology.
- India’s permanent research station, Himadri, began operation in July 2008.
- Dakshin Gangotri in Antarctica was set up much earlier in 1983, two years after India’s first expedition there. NOTE: Dakshin Gangotri is now submerged under ice, but India’s two other stations Maitri and Bharti, are in use.
- Himadri which currently manned for 180 days every year, has so far hosted more than 400 Indian researchers who have made a total of about 200 visits to Svalbard.
- Scientists will also study lightning over the Arctic in winters, the role of precipitation in climate change, characteristics of radio frequency environment, and the role of aerosols on climate change.
- Himadri has been equipped for observations during polar nights and supplied with special winter gear, transport, and logistics support from Norwegian agencies.
Impact of warming on Arctic
- Temperature in the Arctic region has risen by about 4 degrees Celsius on average over the last 100 years.
- 2023 was the warmest year on record in the Arctic region.
- According to IPCC, the extent of Arctic sea-ice has been declining at the rate of 13 percent per decade. At this rate, the Arctic could become ice free in less than 20 years.
Negative Impacts
- The melting sea ice can have global impacts reaching beyond the Arctic region. Rising sea levels can influence atmospheric circulation.
- An increase in tropical sea surface temperatures could lead to increased precipitation in the tropics, a shift in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, and high chances of an increase in extreme rainfall events.
Positive Impacts
- On the other hand, milder weather due to global warming could make the Arctic a more habitable and a less hostile place.
- There could be a rush to explore and exploit the Arctic’s resources, including its minerals, and countries will seek to control trade, navigation, and other strategic sectors in the region.