Antarctica & 30th ATCM in Delhi + Indian Monsoon Rain Forecast & Climate Change

[Guest guest]

In This NEWS Bulletin *********************************** On ANTARCTICA - 30th ATCM in Delhi 1. Icy continent beckons Indian researchers - India’s third base in Antarctica will bolster scientific research in the areas of atmospheric, ocean, earth and environmental sciences 2. India committed to research in polar regions: Pranab 3. ICY DESERT TURNS GREEN - New farm tech turns Ladakh green (in Jammu & Kashmir in India) INDIAN MONSOON RAIN FORECAST & GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 4. La Nina gets 50% boost, brightens rain prospects 5. News of La Nina current brings cheer - Weather vanes predict monsoon to be

better but uneven this year 6. Monsoon to arrive on May 24, may bring cheers for farmers 7. Weathermen offer to help BCCI ‘fix’ matches Icy continent beckons Indian researchers India’s third base in Antarctica will bolster scientific research in the areas of atmospheric, ocean, earth and environmental sciences http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=164114 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Monday, May 14, 2007 at 0021 hours IST Larsemann Hills in the in the icy

continent—Antarctica—will now be the destination for Indian researchers. The proposed research base is intended to cater to myriad scientific activities in some of the frontier areas of atmospheric, earth, ocean, biology and environmental sciences. This would be the third research base to be set up by India after Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri. Dakshin Gangotri (70 degree S, 12 degree E) was set up in 1983 and was later abandoned in 1988-89 as it was submerged under ice. The second research base, Maitri (70.77 degree S, 11.75 degree E), about 100 km away was thereafter set up in a moderate climatic zone in 1990. The site for the third research station is located on the ice-free rock stretch of Larsemann Hills (70 degree S, 75 degree E), around Prydz Bay. I is about 12,000 km from Maitri. It has moderate climate as compared to Maitri though strong katabatic winds blow from east to southeast during Austral summer.

Daytime temperatures from December to February have a monthly mean of around zero degree celsius with extreme minimum temperature being -40 degree celsius. Larsemann Hills was selected after considering other options like Antarctic Penninsula and Filchner Ice Shelf. It was selected during the expedition launched on board vessel Akademik Boris Petrov on January 25, 2006. Larsemann Hills is one of the existing key areas to study the past links between India and Antarctica after the break up of the Gondwanaland continent, says the Union minister for earth sciences, Kapil Sibal. India will have its own first ice class oceanographic research-cum-logistic vessel in the 11th Plan period, says Sibal. Till now, the country’s Antarctic expeditions were conducted on hired vessels, which were normally modified ice-class freighters. The proposed vessel will help Indian scientists in mounting full-fledged research

expeditions to polar regions and in the adjacent icy southern oceans of Antarctica. It will also facilitate logistic operations to the existing and proposed research base. The ministry of earth sciences in collaboration with the department of space is planning to set up a satellite earth station at Maitri to provide better communication and real time data transfer facility between Antarctica and India. Once operational, it will also help in enhancing India’s capability in polar orbiting satellites. Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) is the nodal agency for the country’s activities on the icy continent. It is involving other scientific institutions in the country for setting up of the research base at Larsemann Hills. So far, China and Russia have set up their research bases in the Larsemann Hills. One has been jointly set up by Australia and

Romania. Experts inform that the proposed India base would be more eco-friendly. The research base is being designed as an ergonomic entity in harmony with the prevailing environment at the Larsemann Hills. The conceptual design of the station has been obtained through global tenders for innovative ideas, informs PS Goel, secretary, ministry of earth sciences. According to Goel, 32 design proposals were received from around the world, out of which four entries were shortlisted for providing a detailed concept on design and construction of the station. The architect/consultant were selected on the basis of their experiences to build environment-friendly stations in Antarctica by a panel of experts from national organisations and academic institutions involved in building design, construction and environmental engineering. Finally, the conceptual design submitted by IMS Ingenieugesellschhaft mbH, Hamburg, Germany, which met the norms of the

Madrid Protocol, was selected. Meanwhile, the taskforce engaged in collection of base data since 2003-04 would continue to gather more information on the gap areas for improving upon the design parameters and for further reducing the environmental impact, informs Goel. As per the plan, the new research base would have a life span of 25 years and accommodate 25 people during the summer months and 15 during the winter period. It would be set up at about 50 metres above mean sea level. The base would be a self-contained thermally insulated double-storied structure on stilts capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions of the region. While the ground floor will house general facilities like storage, laboratories, the upper floor will be used for accommodation, kitchen, lounge, offices, medical centre and recreation clubs. For facilitating planned scientific studies including

environmental monitoring, the research centre will have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Some laboratories relating to meteorology, astronomy, geomagnetism and seismology would be located outside the main station to avoid radio interference, manmade noise and other disturbances. Besides, wind turbines and solar panels would be set up to harness renewable sources of energy and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Thermal energy from water-cooled generators will be used for heating purposes. An environment monitoring laboratory will be set up equipped with instruments like aethalometer, spectrometer, multistage impactor for long-term monitoring of physico-chemical parameters of the neighbouring lakes, marine areas and atmosphere. The area around Larsemann Hills has lakes containing freshwater. With a view to meet the more needs of water consumption, a low temperature thermal desalination to generate

fresh water from the sea has been envisaged. National Institute of Ocean Technology has developed the relevant technology. The gap between McLeod and Sandercock Islands has been identified as an approach channel for shipsMen and materials would e transported through an ice class ship and two heavy-lift helicopters. A Russian airstrip located 6 km away can also be used. Fuel would be transported through flexible pipes by pumping directly from the ship to the shore. ------ India committed to research in polar regions: Pranab http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=163910 ASHOK

B SHARMA Posted online : Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 0000 hours IST NEW DELHI, MAY 11: India reaffirmed its commitment to scientific research and technical cooperation in the polar regions. It urged the global community for protecting Antarctica for posterity and as a common heritage of mankind. Delivering his valedictory address on the concluding day of the 30th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Delhi on Friday the Union minister for external affairs, Pranab Mukherjee complimented the experts for adopting of the comprehensive report of the environmental panel, which includes a specific agenda on climate change for deliberations in the next ATCM scheduled in Ukraine next year. “This is significant considering the report on Climate Change by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’, he said. Mukherjee

further said : “India remains committed to scientific research and technical cooperation in the Polar Regions. Antarctica being a common heritage of mankind and the foremost symbol of peaceful use and cooperation needs to be protected for posterity.” He noted that the two-week long deliberations have resulted in some significant outcomes and decisions. These mutually agreed decisions not only strengthen the Antarctic Treaty in providing good governance to the Antarctic continent, but underline the need of cooperative research and environmental protection, he said. He said that decisions taken to regulate tourism in the icy continent would help to protect its environment. Saying that the treaty has gained strength over the years with new member countries joing the fold, Mukherjee "It has gained further importance at a time when we are passing through one of the most critical phase of global

environmental scenario, especially after the report of the UN’s fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is becoming increasingly clear that to counter the projected impacts of global warming, we need coordinated effort across the world". He hoped that researches being carried out by scientists in Antarctica would benefit the world. -------------------------------- ICY DESERT TURNS GREEN New farm tech turns Ladakh green (in Jammu & Kashmir in India) http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=164077 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Monday, May 14, 2007 at 0000 hours IST NEW

DELHI, MAY 13: The cold desert area of Ladakh is now a thing of the past. The area has undergone transformation successfully through what we may call a “green revolution”. Today, the area produces 63 tuber and leafy vegetable crops in summer in open fields. Some exotic crops are also grown in this region. The technology developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made the transformation possible. Even in winter when the temperature falls below 50 degree Celsius, about 18 fruits and vegetables in greenhouses and semi-underground trenches, said the DRDO director for life sciences, RC Sawhney. “At present 50% of the vegetable and 100% of the fodder needs for troops deployed at the line of actual control are met through crops grown in the region,” he said The usually low summer temperature in the Ladakh region, makes it possible, winter crops

grown in rest of the country to be grown in this region. Potato is grown in summer in Ladakh region, particularly during May to September. “Potatoes grown in the region meet 75% of the needs of the troops,” said agri scientist Sanjay Kumar Dwivedy. DRDO has a field research laboratory (FRL) located in Leh in Ladakh. The FRL has standardised agro-techniques for 65 vegetables including tropical, sub-tropical and temperate ones suitable for growing in the region. The standardised technology was demonstrated and transferred to farmers. New vegetables crops like parsley, celery, sarda melon, Japanese bunching onion, sweet turnip, karam sag, chenopodium and garlic have been introduced and farming practices have been standardised. FRL also standardised seed production technology and transferred it to farmers. One of the significant seed production technology developed by

FRL is that of garlic aerial true to type seed bulbil technology which saves up to 15 quintal per hectare planting material. About 54 genotypes of indigenous apricot from the cold arid regions of Ladakh have been identified, evaluated and conserved. FRL has developed vegetative methods for propagation of apricot by grafting, chip budding and top working. It has set up a scion bud wood bank and progeny orchard of apricot. A gene bank for apricot, apple, seabuckthorn, cherry, walnut, strawberry and mulberry has been set up. “Cherry, walnut are grown in the neighbouring region which is about 9,000 feet below Leh. Farmers are successfully growing apricot, strawberry and apples,” said Dwivedy. Solar-based greenhouses including low cost double walled polytrenches have been set up along the line of actual control in Kargil and Siacen for round the year vegetable

cultivation. Terrace farming with integrated irrigation system with drip, sprinkler system has resulted in 50% water use efficiency. Underground storage techniques for perishables have been developed for use in winter. The Ladakh Development Council provides Rs 50,000 subsidy to farmers for setting up greenhouses. Triple layered polycarbonate greenhouses are found to be most suitable to grow early seedlings (from first week of April) for protected cultivation to take early crop and also for ensuring 300% cropping intensity. “Our technology has improved the livelihood option of farmers. Earlier, barely any crop was grown in this region. Today, the farmers are encouraged to grow a number of crops. The defence forces are also benefited by getting organic food produced locally,” said Dwivedy. On being asked what prices the crops are purchased from farmers, Sawhney said, “Before we introduced our techniques of

cultivation in Ladakh, food had to be transported from Chandigarh by air. Transportation is costly. It increases the cost of vegetable by about Rs 27 per kg. The army purchases most of the fruits and vegetables from farmers in the region. The farmers have formed cooperative societies of their own. They negotiate the price at which would they like to sell. The purchase price is usually little less than the cost of the food transported from Chandigarh and is quite remunerative for farmers”. FRL has also developed post-harvest and processing technology for various crops grown in the region and has transferred it to the industry. A number of processing units have come up in the region, particularly for jams, jelly, nectar, juice and pickles. The industry in the region provide employment opportunities. FRL has also developed cold arid poultry production technology for boosting availability of meat and

eggs. “There is some constraints in poultry farming. As Ladakh is predominantly populated by Buddhists, the poultry farmingdid not get the desired boost. It has, however been successful in the Muslim-dominated areas of the region,” said Dwivedy and added that dairy farming has picked up with the upgradation of local cattle. ------ FRONT PAGE - The Financial Express La Nina gets 50% boost, brightens rain prospects http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=164117 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Monday, May 14, 2007 at 0027 hours IST NEW DELHI, MAY 13: The prospects for a good monsoon have brightened as

global forecasts have increased the chances of the La Nina factor by 50% against a ‘low-possibility’ prediction earlier. But the rainfall distribution is likely to be uneven with more concentration on the west coast of the country. La Nina is the below-normal cooling of the Pacific waters and is responsible for heavy rains. The four-month southwest monsoon usually begins its course in the mainland in June. This year, it arrived in the Andaman seas on May 10, a week earlier than usual. According to past experiences, early arrival in the Andaman seas did not always ensure that monsoon would reach the Kerala coast ahead of schedule. Other factors like depressions in the ocean and wind direction decide the further movement of monsoon. “We expect the arrival of the monsoon on the Kerala coast slightly earlier than its due date, which is around June 1. The India meteorological

department will soon forecast its arrival date,” said Akhilesh Gupta, adviser in the earth sciences ministry. The US-based Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies, however, indicated that monsoon would arrive on the Kerala coast between May 21 and May 28. It has also predicted heavy rains in north-eastern India during this period. The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast has predicted a depression in the Bay of Bengal, close to the coast of Bangladesh, which may facilitate an upward movement of the monsoon. The important factor is the distribution of rainfall during the four-month season. The US-based International Research Institute for Climate and Society has forecast 50% possibility of emergence of La Nina by July and also indicated uneven distribution of rainfall. It said heavy rainfall would occur in the first phase on the western coast of the country. In the second phase, heavy rains would

occur in parts of central India and Uttar Pradesh. In the third phase, heavy rains are expected over the western coast, central India and parts of peninsular and northern India. Since the last two years, there has been heavy rainfall in drought-prone areas, while the flood-prone areas were left dry. Meteorologists are studying such a shift in the rainfall pattern, trying to correlate this with climate change. Admitting the impact of climate change, the earth science ministry’s annual report said, “The findings indicate minor but perceptible shifts in the monsoon trough positions and the strength of monsoon flow.”---------- In THE INDIAN EXPRESS News of La Nina current brings cheer Weather vanes predict monsoon to be better but uneven this year http://www.indianexpress.com/story/30871.html ASHOK B SHARMAPosted online: Monday, May 14, 2007 at 0000 hrs New Delhi, May 13 : Prospects of a good monsoon are brighter. The global forecast models are predicting that the possibility of the occurrence of La Nina factor has increased to 50 per cent as against the earlier forecast of a low possibility. The rainfall distribution, however, is likely to be uneven with more concentration on the west coast. This was forecast by US-based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI). La Nina is the

cooling of Pacific water below its normal range and is responsible for heavy rains. The four-month-long southwest monsoon usually begins its course in the mainland from June. It has arrived in the Andaman Seas on May 10, a week earlier than its usual time. According to past experiences, the early arrival of the monsoon in the Andaman Seas does not always ensure its early arrival at the Kerala coast. There are other factors to ensure further movement of monsoon, like depressions in ocean and wind direction. “We expect arrival of monsoon at the Kerala coast slightly earlier than its due date which is around June 1. The India Meteorological Department will soon forecast its arrival date,” said the Advisor in the Union Earth Sciences Ministry, Akhilesh Gupta. The US-based Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies (COLA), however, indicated monsoon arrival at the Kerala coast between

May 21 and 28. COLA has also predicted heavy rains in northeast India during this period. The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) has predicted a depression in the Bay of Bengal, close to the coast of Bangladesh, which may facilitate the upward movement of the monsoon. The important factor is the distribution of rainfall in the four-month season. IRI also indicated heavy rainfall would occur in the first phase on the western coast of the country, in the second phase heavy rains would occur in parts of Central India and Uttar Pradesh and in the third phase heavy rains are expected over the western coast, Central India and parts of peninsular and north India. The shift in the rainfall pattern is a matter of concern. Since the last two years, there has been heavy rainfall in drought-prone areas, while the flood-prone areas were left dry.

Meteorologists are studying this shift in the rainfall pattern and are trying to correlate with climate change. The Earth Science Ministry’s annual report, admitting the impact of climate change, said: “The findings indicate minor but perceptible shifts in the monsoon trough positions and strength of monsoon flow.” --------- Monsoon to arrive on May 24, may bring cheers for farmers http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=164170 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 0000 hours IST NEW DELHI, MAY 14: The annual monsoon rains will hit the coast of Kerala

a week early on May 24, officials said on Monday, but there was no guarantee farmers would benefit from their arrival ahead of schedule. “The predictors for this year suggest an early monsoon onset over Kerala,” the meteorological department said. “The forecast model suggests that the monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be on May 24, with a model error of plus or minus three days.” The US-based Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies has, however, said that the southwest monsoon would arrive at the Kerala coast between May 21 and 28.The normal time for the arrival of the southwest monsoon at the Kerala coast is around June 1. Monsoon rains arrived over the South Andaman Sea on May 10. There is on average a gap of two weeks between the monsoon’s arrival there and the breaking of another branch over Kerala. Different atmospheric conditions determine the

progress of the two systems. Weather officials said in April that this year’s rains were likely to be 95% of the long-term average. Monsoon Wedding • While Met dept says Kerala to see monsoon on May 24 (+/-3 days), US body says it may come from May 21-28• An early monsoon would help several crops only if rains were evenly spread over the next two months “It is definitely good news, on the face of it,” said Avinash Raheja, senior vice president of Commtrendz Risk Management Services Pvt Ltd, when asked about the arrival forecast. “In most of the commodities harvested in September-October, the prices would fall or may become more subdued.” But other analysts said an early monsoon would help several crops—including soybean, groundnut and rice—only if rains were evenly spread over the next two months. “The distribution of the

rainfall is what will be crucial,” said R.S Seshadri, director with TILDA Riceland. Officials stressed the early arrival of the monsoon along the coast did not necessarily mean rains would reach the country’s interior ahead of time. On the other hand, a delay in the onset of monsoon usually affects all crops.---------- Weathermen offer to help BCCI ‘fix’ matches http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=164037 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online : Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 0000 hours IST NEW DELHI, MAY 12: The next time Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials draw up a calendar of

matches on the subcontinent, they may bank on help from unexpected quarters - the country’s weathermen. Union minister for earth sciences Kapil Sibal has offered to give BCCI chief Sharad Pawar advance information about weather conditions to enable him to choose the best days for cricket. “The first match of the India-Bangladesh one-day series was interrupted by light showers on May 10. We decided that we can give meteorological advisories to the BCCI so that they can schedule matches on dry weather days,” Sibal said on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) cautioned that the India-Bangladesh series, which runs till May 29, may face further weather disruptions as light rains with thunderstorms are expected in Dhaka on May 12 (the second ODI eventually went off smoothly) and in Chittagong on May 15. The two Test matches scheduled in Chittagong on May 18-22 and in

Dhaka on May 25-29 may face major interruptions “as there would be a higher probability of rains”. Sibal said Pawar was in favour of getting weather-related inputs from IMD. “I have discussed the matter with him and he favoured such a proposal. We can even give weather forecast for matches not only on the subcontinent but also in Sharjah,” he said. BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, commenting on the issue, said, “We do normally take the opinion of the Met office while deciding on the itinerary. But tours are planned at least a year in advance. We can’t do much about sudden weather changes.” The monsoon system is currently active in the Andaman Seas and a low-pressure area now exists over central Bay of Bengal. According to Akhilesh Gupta, advisor to the ministry, the situation is likely to intensify and move northeastward resulting in rains in the northeastern states and adjoining

Bangladesh. So cricket fans can expect more rains than runs on India’s Bangla sojourn. -----

Here’s a new way to find what you're looking for - Answers