National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is an Indian research and development institution, situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa.^[4] It is an autonomous institution of the Department of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India which is responsible for administering the Indian Antarctic Programme and maintains the Indian government's Antarctic research stations, Bharati and Maitri.^[4] NCPOR was established originally as NCAOR on 25 May 1998, with Dr. Prem Chand Pandey as the founding director.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research

Main Entrance of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
Abbreviation	NCPOR
Formation	25 May 1998; 26 years ago (1998-05-25)
Headquarters	Vasco da Gama, Goa
Coordinates	15.397°N 73.793°E / 15.397; 73.793
Region served	India
Chairman	M. Ravichandran[1][2]
Main organ	Governing Council
Budget	₹1,897 crore (US$230 million) (2021 - 2022) [3]
Website	Official website

NCPOR is known for its participation in global experiments, hosting of international conferences and in the leadership of international committees concerned with Antarctic science. The chairman of NCPOR is Dr. M. Ravichandran who is also Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences since 2021.^[2] The director of NCPOR is Dr. Thamban Meloth.^[11]

NCPOR complex is home to a special low-temperature laboratory and is setting up a National Antarctic Data Centre and a Polar Museum.^{[citation needed]}

The main duties of the NCPOR include:

• storing ice core samples, from Antarctica and the Himalayas.
• operating the Himadri and IndARC Arctic research stations in Svalbard, Norway.^[12][13]
• managing the oceanic research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya, the flagship of India's fleet of oceanographic study vessels. This ship has contributed significantly^[vague] to India's study of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.^{[citation needed]}
• it supported the KBCAOS, University of Allahabad from the initial stage of establishment up to the final stage of the center as full-fledged faculty centre, in form of a project as per collaborative work with the university.^[5]

This centre was previously referred to as the Antarctic Study Centre. It came into existence with joining of Dr. P. C. Pandey as the director on 12 May 1997.^[14]

On 9 October 2016, the NCPOR established a high altitude research station in Himalaya called Himansh.^[15][16] The station is situated above 13500 feet (> 4000 m) at a remote region in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.^[15]

References

1. "भारत 'तिथे' काय करतो?". Lokmat (in Marathi). 7 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
2. "Our Chairman". NCAOR. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
3. "Notes on Demands for Grants, 2021-2022" (PDF). Ministry of Earth Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2021.
4. "About NCPOR". NATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLAR AND OCEAN RESEARCH. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
5. "Professor Prem Chand Pandey". NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ANTARCTIC AND OCEAN RESEARCH. NCAOR. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
6. "10th Foundation Day celebration of NCAOR". NCAOR Indian Expeditions. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
7. "Faculty". Centre for Oceans, Rivers, Atmosphere and Land Sciences. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012.
8. "Our Proud Past". Allahabad University Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
9. Sagar Kanya begins Indian Ocean expedition to study tsunami impact^[usurped]. The Hindu, 7 January 2005, Dr. P. C. Pandey Founder Director NCAOR
10. Reaching the final frontier^[usurped]. Frontline, 25 October–7 November 2003, Dr. P. C. Pandey Founding Director National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)
11. "Our Director". NATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLAR AND OCEAN RESEARCH. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
12. "India Arctic Portal". National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
13. "India in Arctic [sic]". NATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLAR AND OCEAN RESEARCH. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
14. "came into existence with joining P C Pandey as Centre Director" Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. (PDF) Antarctic Study Centre came in existence with Dr. Pandey
15. "Himansh". NCPOR. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
16. "HIMANSH, India's Remote, High-Altitude Station opened in Himalaya". DST. Retrieved 1 June 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Research Vessel Movement