In News
- Recently, Parliament passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022.
- It is an important step forward in India’s engagement with the gigantic continent which began way back in February 1956.
Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022
- About:
- It is the first domestic legislation with regard to Antarctica in India.
- Applicable to Indian citizens as well as foreign citizens.
- Objective:
- To demilitarise Antarctica; use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes; promote international scientific cooperation in Antarctica.
- The Bill seeks to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
- Key Features:
- Prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without permit or written authorisation of another party to Antarctic Treaty.
- Extend jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica and lays out penal provision for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, foreign citizens who are part of Indian expeditions.
- The act directs creating a fund called the Antarctic fund that will be used for protecting the Antarctic environment.
- The Bill also establishes a ‘Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection.’
- Prohibits mining, dredging and activities that threaten the pristine conditions of the continent.
What is the Antarctica Treaty?
- The Treaty covers the area south of 60°S latitude.
- Objective: To demilitarize Antarctica; use for peaceful purposes & resolve disputes.
- Signed in 1959 by 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, USSR, the UK and the USA, and came into force in 1961.
- India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983.
- Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR): Set up in 1980 for the protection and preservation of the Antarctic.
- Madrid Protocol: Designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science” (Signed by India).
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Key Facts about Antarctica
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