(a) whether Government proposes to set up a third expedition station at Antarctica;
(b) if so, the details thereof: and
(c) the time by which the expedition station is likely to be set up ?
(a) whether Government proposes to set up a third expedition station at Antarctica;
(b) if so, the details thereof: and
(c) the time by which the expedition station is likely to be set up ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN
DEVELOPMENT (KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) & (c) The Ministry of Ocean Development has selected a site in Larsmann Hills at 69°
South Latitude and 76° East Longitude after conducting preliminary surveys during the Antarctic
summer of 2003-04 and 2004-05. Further surveys on environmental parameters as mandated under
the Environmental Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty and also from logistics and scientific
considerations have been carried out during February,2006. The setting up of the new station
at Larsmann Hill will start after obtaining necessary approval of the consultative body of the
Antarctic Treaty as mandated under the Environmental Protocol.