The Goa-based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has played a significant role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only has it carried out crucial analytical work in various laboratories, but it has also been actively participating in sessions and webinars organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences throughout the lockdown period.
About the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
Established in 1998 as an autonomous Research and Development Institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, NCPOR is situated in Goa. It acts as the primary body responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating, and executing comprehensive research on polar and southern ocean science in India, in addition to handling related logistics activities.
NCPOR’s Critical Responsibilities
NCPOR is entrusted with numerous responsibilities. These include managing and maintaining the Indian Antarctic Research Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri”.
It also manages the Ministry’s research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya as well as other research vessels chartered by the Ministry. It overlooks the scientific research activities conducted by several national institutions and organizations in Antarctica, the Arctic, and in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.
Contributions in Geoscientific Surveys
NCPOR is involved in the geoscientific surveys of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its extended continental shelf beyond 200 meters. The organization is also tasked with deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
Its exploratory work extends to the search for non-living ocean resources such as gas hydrates and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.
The Role of IODP
The IODP plays a crucial role in NCPOR’s efforts and operations. The organization is an international marine research collaboration that explores Earth’s history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms.
It aims to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor sub-seafloor environments, providing invaluable insights into the Earth’s geological and ecological past.
Through their efforts in comprehensive scientific research, meticulous management of research bases and vessels, and their contributions to geoscientific surveys, NCPOR continues to form the backbone of India’s oceanic and polar research infrastructure, while also extending its capabilities to assist in national crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.