Maitri (research station)
Maitri | |
|---|---|
Research Station | |
| Country |  India |
| Government | |
| • Type | Polar Research Organisation |
| • Body | Indian Antarctic Programme |
Maitri is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme. The name was suggested by the then PM Mrs Indira Gandhi who was tragically shot a month before the expedition left the shores of India on 03 Dec 1984. Work on the station was first started by the Indian Expedition which landed there in end Dec 1984, the team was led by DR B B Bhattacharya. I, the surgeon of the team, was the first camp commander of the tentage at camp Maitri . It was built and finished in 1989, shortly before the first station Dakshin Gangotri was buried in ice and abandoned in 1990–91.[1] Maitri is situated on the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. It is only 5 km away from Russian Novolazarevskaya Station.
Facilities
The station has modern facilities to carry out research in various disciplines, such as biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology and medicine. It has a capacity to accommodate 25 people for winter. Fresh water is provided through a fresh water lake named Lake Priyadarshini, in front of Maitri.