Antarctic Parliament meets in Kochi: What’s on the table?

Antarctic Parliament meets in Kochi: What’s on the table?

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Conventions

46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46)

• Also known as Antarctic Parliament
• Host: India
• Location: Kochi, Kerala
• Organizer: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Participants: 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty
• India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

Agenda for ATCM 46:

• Law, logistics, governance, science, and tourism in Antarctica
• Promoting peaceful governance
• Ensuring geopolitical tensions do not impact Antarctica’s protection
• Tourism Regulation:
  • Introduction of a new working group for tourism regulation
  • Collaboration with Netherlands, Norway, and other European countries
  • Formulating regulations and tracking tourist activities to protect Antarctica’s ecosystem
• Construction Plans:
  • Officially tabling the plan for Maitri II
  • Seeking ATCM’s approval for new constructions
• Other Discussions:
  • Sustainable management of Antarctica’s resources
  • Biodiversity prospecting
  • Inspections and data exchange
  • Research collaboration, capacity building, and cooperation
  • Climate change impacts on Antarctica and beyond

The Antarctic Treaty:

• The Antarctic Treaty effectively designated Antarctica as a “no man’s land”, outside the bounds of international geopolitical competition.
• Original Signatories (1959): Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, USSR, UK, USA
• Signed on December 1, 1959 and came into force in 1961.
• Total Members: 56 countries (India joined in 1983)
• Key Features:
  • Antarctica for peaceful purposes only; no militarisation or fortification
  • Freedom for scientific investigations; sharing of scientific plans, cooperation, and data
  • Prohibition of nuclear testing and radioactive waste disposal

India’s Involvement in Antarctica:

• Consultative Party Status: Since 1983 (one of 29 consultative parties)
• Research Stations:
  • Dakshin Gangotri: Established in 1983, 2,500 km from the South Pole in Queen Maud Land. Operated till 1990.
  • Maitri: Established in 1989, operational, located in Schirmacher Oasis, a 3-km wide ice-free plateau with over 100 freshwater lakes.
    • Located about 5 km from Russia’s Novolazarevskaya Station, and 90 km from Dakshin Gangotri.
  • Bharati: Established in 2012, located on the Prydz Bay coast
    • Use: Oceanographic and geologic study, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) utilises it for receiving Indian Remote sensing Satellite (IRS) data.
  • Future Plans: Construct Maitri II, operational by 2029
  • Legislation: Enacted the Antarctic Act in 2022

About the India’s Antarctica Act of 2022:

• It is the first domestic legislation with regard to Antarctica in India.
• It seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
• The Act now puts into place a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica, for such scientific expeditions, as well as for individuals, companies and tourists
• The Act prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provide for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.
• It also seeks to constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and protection of the environment of the icy continent.
• The Antarctic Act extends the jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica, for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, or foreign citizens who are a part of Indian expeditions.
• The Act prohibits an extensive list of actions on the continent, including drilling, dredging, excavation or collection of mineral resources.
  • An exception can be made if it is done for scientific research with a granted permit.
• It also restricts individuals from damaging the environment, including native plants, birds and seals.
• It disallows flying or landing helicopters or operating vessels that can disturb the native animals.
• It prohibits any activity that could harm the habitat of birds and animals, kill, injure or capture any bird or animal.
• Introducing any non-native animals, birds, plants of microscopic organisms is also prohibited under the Act.
• Violating any of the regulations prescribed by the Act will attract high penalties.
  • The lowest penalty comprises an imprisonment between one-two years and a penalty of Rs 10-50 lakh.
• Extraction of any species native to Antarctica, or introduction of an exotic species to the continent can draw imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

About Antarctica continent:

• Earth’s southernmost and least-populated continent.
• Fifth-largest continent on the planet about 40% larger than Europe.
• Antarctica is the highest continent on Earth: average elevation is 8,200ft (2500m).
• Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, driest, and windiest of the continents.

Source: IE