Man has been exploring land, ocean and space. It is, therefore, natural that he should turn to the frozen regions of the earth.
Indians may also feel an attachment to Antarctica because it is believed that India, Latin America and Antarctica were once a single landmass.
Antarctica is ice bound and un-inhibited. But penguins and about twelve species of birds live there. The frozen sea has varieties of fish and other creatures.
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There is night for six months continuously. The sun shines continuously for six months-i.e. day for six months.
The region is free from pollution. The air is fresh and wholesome. The only problem is that of cold. Antarctica is called a sealed paradise on the earth.
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In July, 1981 the Government agreed that India must begin scientific exploration of the continent of Antarctica because it was expected that the region might be rich in oil and other minerals.
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Preparations were begun. A 21-man team of Indian scientists landed at a point 70 degree three minute south and 41 degree two minute east on January, 1982. They had sailed in 600-ton Norwegian ship, Polar Circle.
The journey was completed in two phases-from Goa to Mauritius and from Mauritius to the landing site on Antarctica.
The first phase was smooth and the team could do its work well. They flew balloons for meteorological observations.
They were able to perform the difficult work of charting the ecograms and recording the magnetic anomalies of the bottom of the sea. The noise level was also recorded.
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Then began the second phase. The journey through the ‘roaring forties’ as the 40-5 degree latitudes is known. It was turbulent.
The ship was small and the going was rough. Beyond the ‘roaring forties’ was the region of ‘pack ice’. Between latitude 55-60 there were icebergs floating with greater intensity from the side of Indian Ocean.
An attempt was made to land near the Japanese station but the ice was impenetrable. The Indian team finally landed further west.
The base-camp was set up and equipment and stores were transferred to it by helicopter. During the course of their survey, the Indian scientist landed by a helicopter near a fresh water lake. Here they established a weather station ‘Dakshin Gangot which is powered by solar energy and records meteorological data. The team spent ten days there.
The expedition got certain achievements. A mount beneath the waters, at the height of 3500 meters from the sea bed was discovered.
It was named “Sea-Mount Indira’. Data of various kinds were collected. It helped studies in meteorology, ocean logy, glaciology, acrosal measurements, magnetic measurements, Geology, Chemistry, Biology, atmospheric pollution and radio-wave propagation.
The region has great riches- 90 percent of the world’s usable water, largest coal-field and vast deposits of iron ore 50 billion barrels of oil, enormous quantities of uranium and platinum, tantalum and lithium.