First Antarctica Gallery of the Country Established in Botanical Survey of India

Abstract

Antarctica is a coldest, driest place and fifth-largest continent in the world. The first Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica was launched in 1981 by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) erstwhile National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa and made a compelling presence in the harshest and the coldest continent.  Botanical Survey of India has also been part of the Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA). BSI actively participated in 10 Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) since 1996 up to 2005 for Schirmacher Oasis - 2nd Indian Research Station i.e. Maitri.  The 3rd Indian Research Station : Bharati at Antarctica from 2013 to till date. Lots of Schools, Colleges students, Faculty Members, Visitors, etc. are coming to visit BSI regularly for different purposes. They have shown keen interest to know about the Antarctica. As Antarctica is no men’s land and common people cannot visit to this place. So keeping this view in mind in public interest BSI has taken this initiative to establish this Antarctica Gallery.