Pathfinder project
THE Centre has just cleared an international study called Indoex to look into the role of atmospheric aerosols (microscopic particles suspended in the atmos- phere) of Indian origin that may be causing global climatic changes. After the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, this effort on India's part is doscribed as an attempt to investigate the phenomenon of greenhouse effect and global warming, involving the world's finest scientific institutions and experts.
Apart from scientists from the us, France, Germany and The Netherlands, Indoex will also involve major Indian institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, department of science, department of technology, department of electronics and the Indian Space Research Organisation and its allied institutions. The Indian operations are being headed by A P Mitra, senior Homi Bhaba Fellow and honorary scientist of eminence, National Physics Laboratory. Mitra says that the very definition of what constitutes global climatic change may be totally reversed after the project's completion.
The main work will start from 1999 winter. Apart from land operations and research and experimental ocean cruises, India's INSAT system data will be used extensively in this project.