In News:

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated two landmark facilities—Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan—at the NCPOR campus in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

About NCPOR

• Established: 25 May 1998 (originally as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research – NCAOR).
• Status: Autonomous R&D institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Headquarters: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Governing Body: Includes 13 members; the Secretary of MoES serves as the ex-officio Chairman.

Mandate and Key Functions

• Polar Research Leadership:
  • Manages India's scientific stations:
    • Antarctica: Maitri and Bharati
    • Arctic: Himadri
    • Himalayas: Himansh
  • Coordinates India’s Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayan expeditions.
• Oceanic Research:
  • Implements projects under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • Conducts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) mapping and continental shelf surveys.
  • Explores deep-sea minerals, gas hydrates, and metal sulphides.
• Policy Implementation:
  • Supports India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022):
    • Antarctic Act: Provides legal framework for governance and environmental protection via CAG-EP (Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection).
    • Arctic Policy: Based on six pillars—science, environment, development, connectivity, governance, and capacity building.
• Scientific Logistics and Collaboration:
  • Operates research vessels (e.g., ORV Sagar Kanya).
  • Engages in international polar networks and climate monitoring programs.
  • Maintains India’s Antarctic Data Centre and conducts climate modelling.

New Facilities at NCPOR

Polar Bhavan:

• Area: 11,378 sq. m | Cost: ?55 crore
• Features:
  • Advanced polar and ocean research laboratories
  • Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D visualization platform
  • Accommodation for 55 scientists
  • Conference halls, library
  • Home to India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum

Sagar Bhavan:

• Area: 1,772 sq. m | Cost: ?13 crore
• Features:
  • Two -30°C ice core laboratories
  • +4°C storage units for biological and sediment samples
  • Class 1000 clean room for trace metal and isotope studies

Significance for India

• Strengthens India’s strategic presence in polar regions.
• Enhances research capacity in ocean and climate sciences.
• Enables India to fulfill international obligations under polar treaties.
• Promotes science diplomacy and public outreach through the upcoming museum.