Third Indian Antarctic Research Expedition and the role played by C.M.F.R.I.

Abstract

India entered the Antarctica Era when a team of 21 Indian nationals landed in Antarctica on 9th December, 1981. It was a big leap forward for the Indian science and technology and was much acclaimed the world over. It was indeed a tremendous achievement for a developing country like India. The whole programme was due to the initiative and encouragement of Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. The chief task of the Expedition was to build a permanent base station during one Antarctic summer which could house 12-16 personnel during winter. The author was to carry out investigations on various aspects of 'krill' (Euphausia superba Dana) a protein rich and vitamin rich crustacean which looks like tiny shrimp and would grow to about 55 mm in length and has vast resource in Antarctic Ocean with a circumpolar distribution. A detailed report of the work carried out by the author and also the results obtained on the quantitative abundance of zooplankton in the respective study areas is also included.