Antarctic Treaty

• The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP) were recently concluded in India.
• These meetings were hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• NCPOR is an autonomous R&D institution established in 1998.

About the Antarctic Treaty

• The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 in Washington DC.
• It came into force in 1961.
• Originally signed by 12 countries, the Treaty now has 57 members.
• Out of these, 29 are Consultative Parties, which means they participate in decision-making.
• India became a Consultative Party in 1983.
• The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South latitude, covering the entire Antarctic continent.

Key Provisions of the Antarctic Treaty

• Antarctica shall be used only for peaceful purposes.
• The Treaty prohibits military activities, including the establishment of bases, weapons testing, or military manoeuvres.
• It promotes international scientific cooperation and ensures freedom of scientific research.
• Nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste are strictly prohibited.

Other Efforts to Safeguard Antarctica

• The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals was signed in 1972 to protect seal populations.
• The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) was signed in 1982 and aims to sustainably manage marine life; India has ratified this convention.
• The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Madrid Protocol, was signed in 1991; India is a signatory.
• This protocol establishes Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science, and prohibits mineral resource activity.

Significance of the Antarctic Treaty

• The Treaty ensures that Antarctica remains a zone of peace and scientific research.
• It is an example of international cooperation and governance of global commons.
• The Treaty plays a key role in climate monitoring, environmental protection, and preservation of biodiversity.

India’s Antarctic Initiatives

Dakshin Gangotri (1983)

• India established its first research station, Dakshin Gangotri, in 1983. It was initially a full-fledged research station but is now used primarily as a supply base.

Maitri Station (1989)

• Maitri, India's second research station, was established in 1989. It remains operational today, serving as a key hub for scientific research in Antarctica.

Bharati Station (2012)

• Bharati station, which has been operational since 2012, is another critical research base for India in Antarctica, supporting various environmental and scientific studies.

Maitri-II Announcement (2023)

• During the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46), India announced the construction of a new station, Maitri-II, which aims to further enhance India’s presence and research capabilities in Antarctica.

Antarctic Act (2022)

• In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, a crucial legislation that regulates Indian expeditions to Antarctica and ensures compliance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty. 
• It provides a legal framework for conducting scientific research and protecting the fragile Antarctic environment.
• This set of initiatives underlines India's growing commitment to polar research, environmental protection, and its active role in global governance related to Antarctica.