Artic- Artic research and Artic council

Arctic region, the enormous area around the North Pole spreading over one-sixth of the earth’s landmass. Climate Changeand the rapid melting of the Arctic Ice cap is the most important phenomenon that is redefining the global perspective on the Arctic.

The impact of rapid changes in the Arctic region goes beyond the littoral states. There is a need for global cooperation to respond to the current challenges regarding conservation, governance and the exploration of Arctic.

Significance of the Arctic Region (10 Marks)

Economic Significance:Mineral Resources and Hydrocarbons: Arctic region has rich deposits of coal, gypsum and diamonds and also substantial reserves of zinc, lead, placer gold and quartz. Greenland alone possesses about a quarter of the world's rare earth reserves.

The Arctic also contains a wealth of unexplored hydrocarbon resources.amounting to 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas.

India is the 3^rd largest energy-consuming country in the world, the 3^rd-largest oil importer. Increasing ice-melt makes these resources more accessible and feasible for extraction.

The Arctic can therefore potentially address India’s energy security needs and deficiency of strategic and rare earth minerals.

Geographical Significance: The Arctic helps circulate the world's ocean currents, moving cold and warm water around the globe.Also, Arctic sea ice acts as a huge white reflector at the top of the planet, bouncing some of the sun's rays back into space, helping keep the Earth at an even temperature.

Geopolitical Significance:Countering China From Arctic: The melting Arctic ice is also raising the geopolitical temperatures to levels not seen since the Cold War. China referred to trans-Arctic shipping routes as the Polar Silk Road, identifying it as a third transportation corridor for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)and is the only country apart from Russia, to be constructing nuclear ice-breakers.As a result, it is crucial to counter China's soft power manoeuvres in the Arctic, in line India is also taking a keen interest in the Arctic states through its Arctic policy.

Environmental Significance:Arctic-Himalaya Link: The Arctic and the Himalayas, though geographically distant, are interconnected and share similar concerns.

The Arctic meltdown is helping the scientific community to better understand the glacial melt in the Himalayas, which has often been referred to as the ‘third pole’ and has the largest freshwater reserves after the North and South poles.

Therefore, the study of the Arctic is critical to Indian scientists. In line, India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2007 and opened the Himadri research base in the Svalbard archipelago (Norway) and has been actively engaging in research there ever since.

Challenges Related to the Arctic Region

Arctic Amplification: In recent decades, the warming in the Arctic has been much faster than in the rest of the world.The permafrost in the Arctic is thawing and in turn releasing carbon and methane which are among the major greenhouse gasesresponsible for global warmingamplifying the melting of ice, thereby driving the arctic amplification.

Rising Sea Level Concern: Melting Arctic ice adds to rising sea levels, which in turn increases coastal erosion and elevates storm surge as warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and intense coastal storms likeb

According to the World Meteorological Organisation’s report, ‘State of Global Climate in 2021’, sea level along the Indian coast is rising faster than the global average rate.

Emerging Race Course: The opening of the shipping routes and possibilities in the arctic is giving thrust to the race of resource extraction leading to the geopolitical poles: US, China and Russia, jockeying for position and influence in this region.

Tundra Degradation: Tundra is returning to swampy state because sudden storms are ravaging coastlines especially interior Canada and Russia, and wildfires are damaging permafrost in tundra areas.

Threat to Biodiversity: The absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures are making the survival of Arctic animal life, plants and birds difficult.Polar bears need sea ice to hunt seals as well as to move across the large home ranges. Due to shrinking ice, life of polar bears along with other Arctic species are under threat.

Also, warming seas have triggered a poleward shift in fish species reshuffling the food web.

ARCTIC COUNCIL

The Arctic Council Is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.

The first step towards the formation of the Council occurred in 1991 when the eight Arctic countries signed the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS).

The 1996 Ottawa Declaration Established the Arctic Council as a forum for promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic states, with the involvement of the Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection.

The Arctic Council has conducted studies on climate change, oil and gas, and Arctic shipping.

Arctic Council: Members, Observer & Permanent Participant

• Members: The eight countries with sovereignty over the lands within the Arctic Circle constitute the members of the council: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.
• Observer Status: Observer status in the Arctic Council is open to non-Arctic states, along with inter-governmental, inter-parliamentary, global, regional and non-governmental organizations that the Council determines can contribute to its work. Arctic Council Observers primarily contribute through their engagement in the Council at the level of Working Groups.
• Permanent Participants: In 1998, the number of Permanent Participants doubled to make up the present six, as,the Aleut International Association (AIA),and then, in 2000, the Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) and the Gwich’in Council International (GGI) were appointed Permanent Participants.

Organization structure of Arctic Council

• Arctic Council assessments and recommendations are the result of analysis and efforts undertaken by the Working Groups. Decisions of the Arctic Council are taken by consensus among the eight Arctic Council States,with full consultation and involvement of the Permanent Participants.
• The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council Rotates every two years among the Arctic States. The first country to chair the Arctic Council was Canada (1996-1998).
• The next country to assume the Chairmanship will be Iceland (2019-2021).

Arctic Council Working Groups

• Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP): strengthening and supporting mechanism to encourage national actions to reduce emissions and other releases of pollutants.
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP): monitors the Arctic environment, ecosystems and human populations, and provides scientific advice to support governments as they tackle pollution and adverse effects of climate change.
• Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF): addresses the conservation of Arctic biodiversity, working to ensure the sustainability of the Arctic’s living resources.
• Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR): protect the Arctic environment from the threat or impact of an accidental release of pollutants or radionuclides.
• Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME): protection and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment.
• Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG): works to advance sustainable development in the Arctic and to improve the conditions of Arctic communities as a whole

Arctic Council: Legally Binding Agreements

• The first, the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic,was signed in Nuuk, Greenland, at the 2011 Ministerial Meeting.
• The second, the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic, was signed in Kiruna, Sweden,at the 2013 Ministerial meeting.
• Third, the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation, was signed in Fairbanks, Alaska at the 2017 Ministerial meeting.

India’s Arctic Exploration

• India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2007 and opened a research base named “Himadri”at the International Arctic Research Base at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway in July 2008 for carrying out studies in disciplines like Glaciology, Atmospheric sciences & Biological sciences.
• India has been closely following the developments in the Arctic region in the light of the new opportunities and challenges emerging for the international community due to global warming induced melting of the Arctic’s ice cap.
• India’s interests in the Arctic region are scientific, environmental, commercial as well as strategic.
• In July 2018, the Ministry of Earth Sciences Renamed the Goa based “National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research” to the “National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.”
• It is a nodal organisation coordinating the research activities at the stations at the poles.
• India has also entered into an MOU with Norwegian Polar Research Institute of Norway, for cooperation in science, and also with Kings Bay (A Norwegian Government owned company) at Ny-Alesund for the logistic and infrastructure facilities for undertaking Arctic research and maintaining the Indian Research base ‘Himadri’ at Arctic region.
• In 2019, India has been re-elected as an Observer to the Council.
• India does not have an official Arctic policy and its Arctic research objectives have been centred on ecological and environmental aspects, with a focus on climate change, till now.

The major objectives of the Indian Research in Arctic Regions Are as follows:

1. To study the hypothesized tele-connections between the Arctic climate and the Indian monsoon by analyzing the sediment and ice core records from the Arctic glaciers and the Arctic Ocean.
2. To characterize sea ice in the Arctic using satellite data to estimate the effect of global warming in the northern polar region.
3. To conduct research on the dynamics and mass budget of Arctic glaciers focusing on the effect of glaciers on sea-level change.
4. To carry out a comprehensive assessment of the flora and fauna of the Arctic and their response to anthropogenic activities. In addition, it is proposed to undertake a comparative study of the life forms from both the Polar Regions

India’s Arctic Engagement: Balancing Commercial Interests within Arctic Council Framework

• The Arctic region is very rich in minerals, and oil and gas. With some parts of the Arctic melting due to global warming, the region also opens up the possibility of new shipping routes that can reduce existing distances.
• Countries that already have ongoing activities in the Arctic hope to have a stake in the commercial exploitation of natural resources present in the region.
• The Arctic Council does not prohibit the commercial exploitation of resources in the Arctic. It only seeks to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner without harming the interests of local populations and in conformity with the local environment.
• Therefore, to stay relevant in the Arctic region, India should take advantage of the observer status it has earned in the Arctic Council and consider investing more in the Arctic.

Arctic Council’s Role in Shaping India’s Sustainable Commercial Engagement in the Arctic Region

• The Arctic Council does not prohibit the commercial exploitation of resources in the Arctic.
• It only seeks to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner.
• So countries with ongoing activities in the Arctic hope to have a stake in the commercial exploitation of natural resources
• India could derive some commercial and strategic benefits, given the fact that the Arctic region is rich in some minerals, and oil and gas,
• With some parts of the Arctic melting due to global warming, the region also opens up the possibility of new shipping routes.

Recent news:

India's Maiden Winter Arctic Research

Recently, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences flagged off India’s first winter scientific expedition to Himadri, the nation's Arctic Research Station situated in Ny-Ålesund within the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic.

• The first batch of the maiden Arctic winter expedition comprises researchers from the host National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Raman Research Institute.

What is the Importance of The Winter Arctic Scientific Expedition?

• Indian scientific expeditions to the Arctic during the winter will allow researchers to conduct unique scientific observations during polar nights, where there is no sunlight for nearly 24 hours and sub-zero temperatures.
• It opens more avenues for India to expand our scientific capabilities in Earth’s poles.
• This will aid in expanding understanding of the Arctic, especially climate change, space weather, sea-ice and ocean circulation dynamics, ecosystem adaptations, etc. which affect weather and climate in the tropics, including monsoons.
• India has operated a research base in the Arctic named Himadri since 2008, which has been mostly hosting scientists during the summer (April to October).
• Priority research areas include atmospheric, biological, marine, and space sciences, environmental chemistry, and studies on cryosphere, terrestrial ecosystems, and astrophysics.
• India will join a small group of countries that operate their Arctic research bases through the winter.
• In recent years, climate change and global warming research has been attracting scientists to the Arctic region.

Polar Science and Cryosphere (PACER) scheme has been approved for continuation by the Union Cabinet from 2021 to 2026.

What is PACER Scheme?

PACER encompasses the following six components.

• • Construction of polar research vessel
  • Construction of the third research base in Antarctica
  • Indian scientific endeavours in the Arctic
  • Polar expeditions-Antarctica
  • Southern Ocean Expedition

It is implemented through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).

What are the Major Works under this Scheme?

• Understanding of Biogeochemical Processes: Field-based studies were conducted in the lakes of Larsemann Hills East Antarctica for the understanding of biogeochemical processes in supraglacial environments.
• IndARC System: The IndARC mooring systemalong with the Hydrophone system was successfully retrieved and deployed in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard.
• Research Studies in Himalayas: Glaciological field campaigns were carried out in six benchmark glaciers in Chandra basin of Lahaul-Spiti region of Western Himalaya.

Winter snow accumulation over the glaciers was recorded using snow pits and snow corners.

• Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Systems: Two new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) systems were installed at Baralacha La, a high elevation site in the arid Spiti region to strengthen infrastructure across the Chandra basin.
• Southern Ocean Expedition :The 11^th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition was executed successfully

What is the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)?

• It is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Its responsibilities include:
  • Management and upkeep of the Indian Antarctic Research Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri”.
  • Management of the Ministry’s research vessel Ocean Research Vehicle (ORV) Sagar Kanya as well as the other research vessels chartered by the Ministry.The ORV Sagar Kanya is a versatile ocean observing platform equipped with technologically advanced scientific equipment and related facilities.
  • Playing a facilitatory role in the scientific research activities being undertaken by several national institutions and organisations in Antarctica, the Arctic and in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.
  • Playing a lead role in the geoscientific surveys of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its extended continental shelf beyond 200m, deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), exploration for ocean non-living resources such as gas hydrates and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.

It is located in the state of Goa.

What are Other Major Initiatives of the Ministry of Earth Sciences?

• IndARC
• Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-SMART)
• ACROSS Scheme

For India to advance its research in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the following steps can be undertaken:

1) Investment in Infrastructure: Allocate funds for establishing and maintaining research stations, laboratories, and specialized facilities in these polar regions.

2) Capacity Building and Training: Invest in training programs and educational initiatives to build a skilled workforce specializing in polar research. Encourage collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry to foster expertise in relevant fields.

3) International Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships with other nations engaged in polar research. Promote open access to data and information collected from other polar researchers.

4) Long-term Commitment and Funding: Ensure sustained financial support for polar research programs, acknowledging the long-term nature of scientific exploration in these regions.

5) Remote Sensing and Satellite Technology: Leverage advancements in remote sensing and satellite technology to monitor polar environments.

6) Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations between government entities, research institutions, and private industries to leverage resources, expertise, and technology for polar research initiatives.

7) Policy Advocacy and Diplomacy: Actively engage in international forums to advocate for policies supporting sustainable and responsible polar research. Strengthen diplomatic ties to facilitate collaborative research agreements and resource-sharing initiatives.