PANAJI, DEC 7: The 19th Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica was flagged off from Goa on Monday. The multi-disciplinary expedition will be launched on December 9 from Cape Town, South Africa.The Rs 14 crore expedition consists of 47 members including 30 scientists and 17 support staff. According to a statement by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research Department of Ocean Development, this is the first time that Cape Town was made the launch pad. Apart from reducing the expenditure it would also help the Indian team interact easily with scientists from other countries.The statement noted that the Indian expedition will carry out an assessment of the status of air, noise, water, biological and land environment for the first time at Antarctica.Arun Chaturvedi is heading the expedition for the second time in four outings.
