Daily Prelims Notes 22 May 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

22 May 2024

1. X chromosome revival in older women increases autoimmune disease risk

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Health

Tags: X chromosome

Context:

• Scientists have found a molecular link between altered X-chromosome inactivation and autoimmune diseases.

What is the X chromosome?

• The X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in many organisms, including mammals, and is found in both males and females. 
• It is a part of the XY sex-determination system and XO sex-determination system.
• In mammals, the females have two copies of the X chromosome while the males carry a single copy. The X chromosome is more significant than its role in determining sex.
• Each person usually has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell.
• Females typically have two X chromosomes, while males typically have one X and one Y chromosome.
• The X chromosome spans about 155 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and represents approximately 5 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Diseases linked to X chromosome:

• A loss of function of these genes could thus lead to a variety of genetic diseases.
• The diseases whose onset and/or progression the X chromosome influences can be grouped into three types:
  • (i) X-linked genetic diseases, 
  • (ii) diseases influenced by XCI escape, and 
  • (iii) those linked to X-chromosome aneuploidy.
• Red-green color blindness is X-linked, and affects around 8% of males.
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy, caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene and affecting 1 in every 3,500-5,000 boys born in India.
• Agammaglobulinemia, an immunodeficiency disorder that affects around 1 in 200,000 live births, are also X-linked.
• Klinefelter syndrome is characterized by an extra X chromosome (XXY) and Turner’s syndrome by a loss of one X chromosome in females (X instead of XX).

Inactivation of the X chromosome:

• In mammalian species, the females typically carry two X chromosomes while males possess one X and one Y chromosome.
• Each of the X chromosomes is inherited from the parents. 
• Since females have two copies of the X chromosome, one of the X chromosomes is randomly inactivated during early embryonic development, in a process called X chromosome inactivation (XCI), to prevent the overexpression of X-linked genes in females.
• In this process, epigenetic changes silence most genes on one X chromosome (epigenetics refers to the processes by which genes are influenced by the environment in which they operate).
• Issues such as incomplete inactivation or skewed inactivation can lead to the abnormal expression of genes, which contributes to diseases including X-linked disorders, certain cancers, and autoimmune conditions.
• Researchers unraveled the molecular mechanisms of X inactivation when they discovered Xist, a non-protein-coding RNA. 
• The body deactivates the X chromosome with the help of Xist and another non-protein-coding RNA, called Tsix (reverse of Xist).
• The differential regulation of these two genes means, in the X chromosome that is to be deactivated, the Xist RNA is overexpressed such that it coats or covers the chromosome.

Linkage between X chromosome and Autoimmune diseases:

• Number of immune diseases — including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome are more common in females than males. 
• The reactivation of specific X-linked genes in response to XCI alteration varies across immune cell types, which is to say diverse molecular pathways are affected.
• The resulting effects in autoimmune diseases are likely due to a combination of reactivation events in different cell types and global changes in gene expression.

Linkage between X chromosome  and Alzheimer’s disease:

• Another disease with a sex bias and linked to the X chromosome is Alzheimer’s disease. 
• Women seem to have a higher risk of getting it, almost twice as many women have Alzheimer’s as men.
• A Gene called ubiquitin specific peptidase 11 (USP11), involved in a protein modifying process, encourages tau protein to accumulate in the brain.
• The researchers suggested the gene escapes X inactivation and is expressed more in females. This also opens new avenues to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s.

Terms in news:

Epigenetics:

• Epigenetics is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence.

Y chromosome:

• The Y chromosome is one of two sex chromosomes in therian mammals and other organisms.
• Along with the X chromosome, it is part of the XY sex-determination system, in which the Y is the sex-determining because it is the presence or absence of Y chromosome that determines the male or female sex of offspring produced in sexual reproduction.

Autoimmune diseases:

• An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms.

2. Glenmark to commercialize BeiGene’s oncology drugs in India

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Health

Tags: Tislelizumab, Zanubrutinib

Context:

• Drugmaker Glenmark has entered into an exclusive marketing and distribution agreement with BeiGene to register and commercialize the latter’s oncology medicines Tislelizumab and Zanubrutinib in India.

More on news:

• Glenmark will be responsible for locally required development, registration and distribution providing access to BeiGene’s oncology medicines for cancer patients across India.

About the drugs:

Tislelizumab:

• Tislelizumab is a novel anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody for the treatment of advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and broad development for the treatment of various types of cancers.
• Tislelizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG4 antibody against programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1). 
• It was engineered to have a nullified Fc portion, thus minimizing binding to FcγR on macrophages and limiting treatment resistance via antibody-dependent phagocytosis.

Zanubrutinib:

• Zanubrutinib is a BTK inhibitor approved for treatment of certain hematological malignancies, with results of several studies reinforcing its favorable efficacy and safety profile.
• Zanubrutinib is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of B-cell cancers.
• These cancers affect B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps you fight off infection.
• They occur when your body makes too many abnormal B-cells.

3. RBI’s Proposed Framework for Long-Gestation Project Financing

Sub: Economy

Sec: Monetary policy

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Framework:
  • Strengthening Regulations: To enhance the regulatory framework for long-gestation period financing in infrastructure, non-infrastructure, and commercial real estate sectors.
  • Challenges in Infrastructure Projects: Infrastructure projects often have long gestation periods and higher financial risks, facing delays and cost overruns due to issues like land acquisition and regulatory clearances.
• Issues with Current Framework:
  • Project Delays and Cost Overruns: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation reported that out of 1,837 projects, 779 were delayed and 449 faced cost overruns as of March.
  • Bank Risk Pricing: Banks price risks based on initial project assessments, which can become outdated due to project delays and changes.
• Key Revisions in the Proposed Framework:
  • Mitigating Credit Events: Focus on avoiding defaults, extensions of the Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO), additional debt infusions, and reductions in Net Present Value (NPV).
• Provisioning Requirements:
  • Increased Provisioning: A general provision of 5% at the construction stage, a significant increase from the previous 0.4%.
  • Phased Implementation: The 5% provisioning requirement will be phased in gradually.
• Prudential Conditions:
  • Pre-requisites for Financial Closure: All necessary environmental, regulatory, and legal clearances must be in place before financial conditions are finalized.
  • DCCO Specification: Clearly defined DCCO with financial disbursals and equity infusion based on project completion stages.
  • Independent Verification: Banks must deploy an independent engineer or architect to certify project progress.
• Positive NPV Requirement: Projects must have a positive NPV to qualify for financing, with annual independent re-evaluation of NPV.
• Repayment Norms:
  • Repayment Tenure: Should not exceed 85% of the economic life of the project, including the moratorium period.
  • Revision Criteria: For changes in repayment schedules due to project scope and size increases, reassessment is required if costs exceed 25% of the original outlay before DCCO.
• Initial Observations and Impact:
  • Impact on NBFCs: Higher provisioning requirements could affect the near-term profitability of non-banking financial companies and infrastructure financing firms.
  • Bank Confidence: Major banks like SBI, Union Bank of India, and Bank of Baroda expressed confidence that the proposal would not significantly impact them.

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India’s proposed framework aims to improve the regulatory environment for long-gestation project financing by increasing provisioning requirements, ensuring prudential pre-requisites, and mandating positive NPV for project finance. While higher provisioning may impact some financial institutions, major banks are confident in managing these changes without significant disruption.

4. BSE Market Capitalization Tops $5 Trillion: Implications and Concerns

Sub: Economy

Sec: Capital market

Key Highlights:

• Milestone Achievement:
  • The market capitalization (M-cap) of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) crossed $5 trillion for the first time on Tuesday.
  • This milestone has raised concerns about valuations.
• Valuation Trends:
  • The number of companies trading at over 50 times the 12-month forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples has increased tenfold in the last decade, now totaling 104.
  • The Nifty Midcap 100 index is trading at a 39% premium to the 50-share Nifty.
• Market Performance:
  • The MSCI India Index gained 35% over the past year, compared to a 12% rise in the MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) index, increasing the premium gap over other emerging markets.
  • India’s market cap-to-GDP ratio was at 132% at the end of April, significantly higher than the long-term average of 85%.
• Expert Opinions:
  • Historical Valuation Band: Current valuations are close to the top end, suggesting limited margin of safety.
  • Public Sector Companies: Transitioned from undervalued to fairly valued over the past year, stretching overall market valuations.
  • New Age Businesses: Companies listed in the past two years, especially in electronic manufacturing services, are deemed expensive due to high market caps and low profitability.
  • Sectoral Analysis: Some companies in industrials, capital goods, and defense sectors are trading at 80-100 P/E multiples, reflecting high expectations that may already be priced in.
  • Market Inflows: Wealthy investors have significantly invested in Indian equities over the past two years, inflating valuations.

In summary, while the BSE crossing the $5 trillion M-cap mark is a significant milestone, it has brought to light the heightened valuations and the need for cautious investment strategies amid high market expectations.

Market Cap-to-GDP Ratio:

• The market cap-to-GDP ratio is a measure that compares the total market capitalization of all publicly traded companies to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• Current Status: As of the end of April, India’s market cap-to-GDP ratio was 132%, significantly higher than its long-term average of 85%.
• Implications: A high market cap-to-GDP ratio suggests that the stock market is overvalued relative to the size of the economy. It indicates investor optimism but also raises concerns about potential market corrections if economic growth does not keep pace with market valuations.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio:

The P/E ratio is a valuation measure that compares a company’s current share price to its per-share earnings.

5. AI-Intensive Sectors Showing a Productivity Surge, PwC Reports

Sub: Economy

Sec: National Income

Tag: denuclearisation of Korean peninsula

Key Findings:

Productivity Growth: Sectors likely to use artificial intelligence (AI) have experienced productivity growth that is nearly five times faster than other sectors.

• AI-Intensive Sectors: Professional and financial services, information technology.
• Productivity Increase (2018-2022): 4.3%.
• Other Sectors: Construction, manufacturing, retail, food, and transport.
• Productivity Increase in Other Sectors: 0.9%.

Economic Impact:

• Potential for Broader Economic Boost: The rise in AI usage could help countries overcome low productivity growth, enhancing overall economic growth, wages, and living standards.
• Commentary by PwC: Highlighted the faster growth in job advertisements for AI skills in highly productive sectors, indicating a role for AI in driving productivity.

AI and Job Market:

• Increasing AI Deployment: As companies adopt generative AI, which can be utilized by non-AI specialists, the trend in productivity growth is expected to accelerate.
• Challenge: The rapid pace of AI-related changes.

IMF Insights:

• Kristalina Georgieva (Head of IMF): Predicts AI will impact 60% of jobs in advanced economies within the next two years.

Wage Premium for AI Skills:

• United States: Jobs requiring AI skills carry an average premium of 25%.
• Britain: Jobs requiring AI skills carry an average premium of 14%.

Conclusion:

• The integration of AI into various sectors is significantly enhancing productivity, suggesting a potential pathway for economic revitalization and growth in living standards through technological advancement.

6. Kim Jong Un was ‘sincere’ in denuclearisation talks: former South Korea president

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Tag: denuclearisation of Korean peninsula

Context:

• Kim Jong Un offered to give up his nuclear arsenal if the U.S. guaranteed his regime’s survival, according to former South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

Details:

• Revelation came in the former South Korean president Moon Jae-in’s memoir “From the Periphery to the Centre”.
• Moon facilitated two summits between Kim and then-U.S. president Donald Trump to discuss denuclearisation and sanctions relief.
• The second summit collapsed in 2019, leading to a halt in diplomatic outreach and worsening relations between the Koreas.
• Kim was aware of international mistrust and questioned how to prove his sincerity to the U.S.
• Pyongyang has since declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power, advanced its weapons development, and strengthened ties with Moscow, violating UN sanctions.
• A deal failed because the U.S. demanded complete denuclearisation before sanctions relief.
• Analyst Hong Min suggested the only way to verify Kim’s sincerity would have been to strike a deal at the Hanoi summit.

2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit:

• Commonly known as the Hanoi Summit
• It was a two-day summit meeting between North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. president Donald Trump, held at the French Colonial Hôtel Métropole in Hanoi, Vietnam, during February 27–28, 2019.
• It was the second meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States following their first meeting in Singapore the year prior.
• The White House announced that the summit was cut short and that no agreement was reached.

Nuclear Disarmament or Denuclearization:

• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons.
• Its end state can also be a nuclear-weapons-free world, in which nuclear weapons are completely eliminated.
• The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process leading to complete nuclear disarmament.
• Disarmament and non-proliferation treaties have been agreed upon because of the extreme danger intrinsic to nuclear war and the possession of nuclear weapons.

Treaties Related to Nuclear Disarmament:

• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, the NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.
  • Binding treaty
  • It divides the world into nuclear-weapon states (NWS), recognized as possessing nuclear weapons at the time of the treaty’s signing, and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which agree not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
  • It requires NWS to pursue disarmament negotiations in good faith.
• Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): Adopted by the United Nations in 2017 and opened for signature in 2018, the TPNW aims to prohibit the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons.
  • It represents a significant step towards nuclear disarmament, although it has not been signed by nuclear-armed states.
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Opened for signature in 1996, the CTBT aims to ban all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes.
  • While the treaty has been signed by 185 countries and ratified by 170, it has not entered into force as nuclear-armed states must ratify it to become operational.
• Outer Space Treaty: This multilateral agreement entered into force in 1967 and bans the siting of weapons of mass destruction in space.
  • All nine states believed to have nuclear weapons are parties to this treaty.

Conflict in the Korean Peninsula:

• Rooted in Japanese occupation (1910-1945)
• Post-WWII, the Allied powers planned a “four-power trusteeship” at the Yalta Conference (1945)
• USSR took control of the north; the south remained under the Allies, mainly the USA
• Divided at the 38th parallel, still the official border
• In 1948, South Korea and North Korea were established
• Conflict arose as both sought territorial and ideological expansion

Korean War

• June 25, 1950: North Korea, backed by the USSR, attacked South Korea
• UN forces, led by the US, retaliated
• 1951: US forces crossed the 38th parallel, prompting China to support North Korea
• Peace talks began in 1951 to prevent further escalation
• India played a key role in peace negotiations
• 1952: Indian resolution on Korea adopted at the UN
• July 27, 1953: Korean Armistice Agreement signed, leading to a ceasefire
• Established the Korean DMZ as a buffer zone
• December 1991: North and South Korea signed a non-aggression pact

US-North Korea Conflict

• During the Cold War, the US extended its Nuclear Umbrella to South Korea and Japan
• North Korea withdrew from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003
• Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea increased nuclear missile testing
• March 2017: US deployed THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) in South Korea
• The conflict evolved from a North-South Korea issue to a US-North Korea standoff

Source: TH

7. Russia accuses U.S. of seeking to weaponise outer space

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Defence

Tag: weaponise outer space

Context:

• Russia accused the US of seeking to place weapons in space for military confrontation.

Details:

• This accusation followed the US veto of a Russian non-proliferation motion at the UN.
• In February, the US expressed concern over Russia’s anti-satellite capability, fearing nuclear weapons in orbit.
• Both countries have proposed rival non-proliferation motions at the UN.
• Russia vetoed the US initiative last month, and the US, Britain, and France blocked Russia’s proposal on 20 May.
• Russia criticized the US initiative for focusing only on nuclear weapons.
• Despite tensions, the US and Russia still cooperate in space, sharing crew transport to the ISS.

Weaponization of Space vs. Militarization of Space

Why Space Weaponization?

• Establish military supremacy on all fronts of warfare
• Lack of faith in current missile defense systems against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
• Preserve space assets from anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons
  • Anti-satellites (ASATs) are weapons designed to destroy or disable satellites in orbit.
  • They can be ground-based, air-based, or space-based. ASATs can use various methods to attack satellites, including kinetic impact, lasers, and directed energy weapons.
• Space supremacy complements sea, air, and land warfare

Implications of Space Weaponization:

• Mutual Suspicion: Fear of war leads to competition and aggressive deployment between nations
• Threat to Commercial and Scientific Missions: Military satellites’ secrecy affects coordination systems due to undisclosed orbital and radio frequency information
• Space Debris: Increases space debris, potentially leading to Kessler’s syndrome
  • The Kessler Syndrome is a theoretical concept where the growth of space debris can lead to an escalating chain reaction of collisions, rendering Earth’s orbit overpopulated with objects and debris. This would make Earth’s orbit unusable for future space activities.
• Monopoly of Orbital Slots: Developed countries monopolize limited orbital slots, restricting scientific and commercial explorations

Global Frameworks to Prevent Space Weaponization:

• Outer Space Treaty 1967- It was conceptualized by the United Nations in 1967. It emphasizes that the use of outer space should be peaceful and beneficial to all mankind. It claims that one nation cannot claim national sovereignty in outer space.
• Prevention of an outer space arms race- It stresses the use of space for peaceful purposes. Further, it calls for the importance of avoiding an arms race.

8. Analysing local environmental footprints of luxury consumption

Sub: Environment

Sec: Climate change

Tag: environmental footprints

Context:

• Climate change is a global concern. Water scarcity and air pollution are often localized or regional issues. Excessive water use in one region doesn’t directly affect other areas. Thus, focusing on local environmental issues is crucial, and understanding household environmental footprints is important.

Environmental/Ecological Footprint:

• The ecological footprint serves as a metric to gauge human dependence on natural resources, revealing the environmental impact of specific lifestyles or businesses.

How are household environmental footprints distributed in India?

• A recent study titled “Water, Air Pollution and Carbon Footprints of Conspicuous/Luxury Consumption in India” examines the environmental impact of affluent individuals in India.
• It highlights the CO2, water, and PM2.5 footprints associated with luxury consumption choices among different economic classes.
• The study contrasts these footprints with those from non-luxury consumption.
• Luxury consumption includes dining out, vacations, furniture, social events, and more.

How were environmental impacts assessed in this study?

• Utilized input/output analysis of the entire economy.
• Mapped household consumption to resources/materials involved in production.
• Captured and aggregated indirect/embedded environmental impacts at each production stage.
• Quantified water usage through the water footprint.
• Assessed PM2.5 footprint from embedded and direct emissions (e.g., fuelwood, kerosene, vehicular fuels).
• Measured CO2 footprint from embedded and direct emissions related to household consumption.
• Key Findings
  • Environmental footprints increase with household wealth.
  • The richest 10% have double the overall average environmental footprints.
  • Significant footprint surge from ninth to tenth decile:
    • Air pollution footprint increases by 68%.
    • Water footprint rises by 39%.
    • CO2 emissions increase by 55%.
  • Top decile’s high footprints are driven by luxury consumption.
  • Decile: Each of ten equal groups into which a population can be divided according to the distribution of values of a particular variable.
• Key Contributors
  • Eating out/restaurants significantly raises environmental footprints in top decile households.
  • Consumption of fruits and nuts increases water footprint in the top decile.
  • Luxury items (personal goods, jewellery, dining out) elevate CO2 and air pollution footprints.
  • Poorer households’ use of fuels like firewood contrasts with modern energy transitions.
  • The top decile’s per capita CO2 footprint (6.7 tonnes/year) exceeds the global average (4.7 tonnes in 2010) and the Paris Agreement target (1.9 tonnes CO2eq/cap).

Implications

• Sustainability efforts often overlook local/regional environmental issues.
• Luxury consumption exacerbates issues like water scarcity and air pollution, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
• Affluent groups can mitigate these impacts with measures like air-conditioned cars and air purifiers.
• Multi-footprint analysis is crucial for addressing environmental justice and ensuring equitable sustainability efforts.
• Policymakers should focus on reducing consumption levels of affluent households to meet sustainability goals.

Source: TH

9. Russia wants to unilaterally change maritime border with Lithuania, Finland in Baltic Sea

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Russia has unilaterally moved to change the maritime border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea, according to a decree from May 21 published on the Russian government’s website.

Details:

• The change has not been internationally recognized.
• Lithuania and Finland have not yet reacted to Russia’s decision.
• Russia plans to appropriate inland sea waters in the eastern Gulf of Finland and near Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in Kaliningrad Oblast.
• The decree alters geographic coordinates to redefine Russian territorial sea areas.
• Changes affect coordinates near several islands and the Narva River’s north cape on the Finnish border.
• Adjustments also include areas near the Curonian and Vistula spits and Taran Cape on the Lithuanian border.
• Russia claims previous coordinates, set by a 1985 USSR decree, were based on outdated, small-scale marine maps from the 20th century.

Bordering countries of Russia:

• Russia shares land borders with fourteen countries: Poland and Lithuania (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea
  • Oblast (province) is administrative territory of Russia.
  • The port city of Baltiysk is Russia’s only port on the Baltic Sea that remains ice-free in winter.
• Narva river:
  • The Narva flows 77 kilometres north into the Baltic Sea and is the largest Estonian river by discharge.
  • The river draws its water from Lake Peipsi, runs along the border of the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation, and falls into Narva Bay, Gulf of Finland.
  • The river gives its name to the archaeological (Neolithic) Narva culture, as well as the city of Narva.

Lithuania:

• A country in the Baltic region of Europe.
• It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.
• It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia to the southwest, with a maritime border with Sweden to the west.

Finland:

• A Nordic country in Northern Europe.
• It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, opposite Estonia.

Source: TKI

10. 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