Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on May 22 inaugurated Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa.

• These are the first-of-their-kind integrated facilities in India and among the few such infrastructures globally dedicated to polar and ocean research.

Polar Bhavan

• Polar Bhavan houses the newly inaugurated SOS facility and will eventually serve as the home of India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum.

Sagar Bhavan

• Sagar Bhavan includes two -30°C ice core laboratories and +4°C storage units for archiving sediment and biological samples.

Other Highlights

• The inauguration coincided with the Silver Jubilee of NCPOR. As part of the celebrations, the Minister unveiled a documentary chronicling the institute’s 25-year journey and participated in a virtual walkthrough of the upcoming science museum.

• Dr. Singh also referenced India’s policy initiatives such as the Arctic Policy (2022) and the Indian Antarctic Act (2022), which provide a structured legal and ethical framework for India’s polar engagement, ensuring adherence to international standards.

• India maintains a robust research presence in polar and high-altitude regions through its permanent stations in Antarctica (Maitri and Bharati), the Arctic (Himadri), and the Himalayas (Himansh).

• Recent Indian scientific expeditions have also extended to the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and the Central Arctic Ocean.