Central Idea

Launch of Winter Expedition: India embarks on its first-ever winter expedition to the Arctic, starting this week.
Significance: With this initiative, India’s Himadri becomes the fourth research station in the Arctic to be manned year-round.

Arctic Region and Its Global Impact

Geographical Location: The Arctic Circle lies north of latitude 66° 34’ N, encompassing the Arctic Ocean.
Climate Change Concerns: Scientific studies highlight the Arctic’s influence on global sea levels and atmospheric circulations due to ice melt.
Rising Temperatures: The Arctic region has experienced an average temperature rise of 4 degrees Celsius over the past century.
Declining Sea Ice: The Arctic sea ice extent is decreasing at a rate of 13% per decade, potentially leading to an ice-free Arctic Ocean by the summer of 2040.

Harsh Environmental Conditions: The extreme cold, with February temperatures averaging minus 14 degrees Celsius in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, poses significant challenges.
Limited Research Stations: So far, only three research stations in the Arctic have had permanent staff year-round.
Geopolitical Constraints: The presence of multiple state jurisdictions and geopolitical tensions, like the Ukraine-Russia war, complicates Arctic exploration.

Expedition Team: A team of four scientists, funded by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, will conduct the expedition from December 19, 2023, to January 15, 2024.
Research Areas: The expedition will focus on atmospheric sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, climate studies, and more.
Himadri Station: The team will be based at Himadri, India’s sole research station in Ny-Ålesund, located 1,200 kilometres from the North Pole.
Special Preparations: Himadri has been equipped for polar night observations, with support from Norwegian agencies.

Historical Treaty: India signed the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, allowing operations in the Svalbard archipelago under Norwegian sovereignty.
Initial Expeditions: The first Indian expedition to the Arctic was in 2007, leading to the establishment of Himadri in 2008.
Research Developments: India set up the IndArc observatory in 2014 and the Gruvebadet Atmospheric Laboratory in 2016 in Svalbard.
India’s Arctic Policy: Released in May 2022, it outlines six pillars including science, environmental protection, and international cooperation.

First Research Station: Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research established the first station in Ny-Ålesund in 1990.
International Collaboration: Ten countries, including India, have established eleven permanent research stations in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard.
Year-Round Human Presence: Until now, only three stations in the Arctic have been manned throughout the year.

Enhanced Research Capabilities: India’s first winter expedition to the Arctic marks a significant advancement in its polar research capabilities.
Global Significance: This initiative contributes to the broader understanding of climate change impacts and fosters international scientific collaboration in the Arctic region.