Antarctic is an island continent almost completely covered by ice. It is larger than Europe and even larger than India and China put togather. It is covered by an ice cap in which 40% of world's fresh water is locked up. It is the coldest, driest, stormiest and the least accessible of all the continents. Its ice cap is an ideal laboratory which preserves secrets hitherto unknown to man. India launched her first expedition to the continent in the year 1981 and established her first permanently manned station on the ice shelf in 1984 and named it as Dakshin Gangotri. It was shifted in 1988 to the rockey area in the Schirmacher hill ranges about 80 kms away.

The new station named Maitri is well furnished with leaving space, laboratories, medical facilities and other aminities. It provides a viable base for carrying out scientific researchers in a unique and pristine environment. A decade of Antarctic Science has already created a vibrant body of highly challenging and exciting scientific programmes contributed by scientists from a host of institutions in the country. The defence forces have made their inimitable contribution in supporting the scientific activities by developing whole gamut of logistic facilities. Antarctica is governed by Antarctic Treaty which came intoo force on 23rd June 1961. The Treatyhas so far been acceded to by 39 members states of which 26 countries including India have consultative satus.

All decisions relating to Antarctica have to be taken with the consent of all the Consultative Parties. The treaty maintains that Antarctica is open to all countries for scientific research and is to be free of nuclear and military activities. It lays down stringent standards for environmental preservation, waste management, protection and preservation of the Antarctic marine life.

India participates in all Consultative Party meetings of the Antarctic Treaty and also in all other decision making conferences relating to Antarctic such as the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and meetings relating to Antarctic Mineral Resources Regime.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India