Antarctic Bill passed in LS

Antarctic Bill passed in LS

Subject: Economy

Context: The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 amid clamour from the Opposition to have more discussion.

What is the Antarctic Bill?

• 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.
• India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti — where scientists are involved in research.With Himadri station in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic, India now belongs to the elite group of nations that have multiple research stations within the Polar Regions
• India has been sending expeditions to Antarctica for the past 40 years. However, these expeditions have been circumscribed by international law
• The Bill 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 Bill proposes to 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 Bill will extend 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 Bill 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 Bill.
• Violating any of the regulations prescribed by the Bill 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.

The Antarctic Treaty:

• Antarctica is defined as all the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude.
• The Antarctic Treaty was signed at Washington D.C. on the 1st December, 1959 and was initially signed by 12 countries.
• Since then, 42 other countries have acceded to the Treaty. A total of fifty-four State Parties to the Treaty
• India signed the Antarctic Treaty on the 19th August, 1983 and received the consultative status on the 12th September, 1983.
• The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was signed at Canberra on the 20th day of May, 1980, for the protection and preservation of the Antarctic environment and, in particular, for the preservation and conservation of marine living resources in Antarctica.
• India ratified the Convention on 17th June, 1985 and is a member of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources under that Convention.