Daily Current Affairs – 2020

Topic: For Prelims and Mains

India’s Draft Arctic Policy

Why in News?

The Government of India has recently issued a draft Arctic policy.

This draft policy is committed to continuing tourism, scientific research, expanding gas and mineral oil exploration in the Arctic region.

• The National Center for Polar and Ocean Research will act as a nodal body to lead scientific research.
• It will establish coordination among various scientific bodies by promoting domestic scientific research capabilities.
• In Indian universities, biological science, earth science, geology, space related programs, climate change research capabilities will be promoted.

About Arctic Region:

• Five countries adjoining the Arctic – Denmark (Greenland), Canada, Norway, the United States (Alaska) and Russia – and three other Arctic countries – Sweden, Finland and Iceland – form the Arctic Council.

India’s first scientific expedition:

• India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in the year 2007.
• India established a research center ‘Himadri’ at the International Arctic Research Base in Spitsbergen, Norway.
• It has two other observatories at Groovebet and Kongsfjorden.
• Since its inception, more than 300 Indian researchers have worked at the Himadri station.
• In addition, since 2007, India has sent 13 expeditions to the Arctic and India is operating 23 active projects.

Facts for Prelims :

(Spices Board)

1. The Spices Board is a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. It was formed under the Spices Board Act, 1986 by merging the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion Council in the year 1987.
3. Spices Board is one of the five commodity boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce.
4. It is an autonomous body responsible for promotion of 52 notified spices and development of small and large cardamom.