46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has organised the meeting, which will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty. India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

THE ANTARCTIC TREATY

Twelve countries — Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States — were the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed on December 1, 1959. The treaty came into force in 1961, and a total of 56 countries — including India, in 1983 — have joined it since then. The Antarctic Treaty, which was signed during the Cold War, effectively designated Antarctica as a “no man’s land”, outside the bounds of international geopolitical competition.

KEY FEATURES

  • Antarctica shall be used only for peaceful purposes, and no militarisation or fortification shall be allowed.
  • All signatories will have the freedom to carry out scientific investigations, and should share plans for scientific programmes, extend required cooperation, and freely make available the data gathered.
  • Nuclear testing or disposal of radioactive waste materials shall be prohibited anywhere in Antarctica.
  • Holds all territorial claims in abeyance.
  • The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South Latitude, including all ice shelves and islands.
Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina

INDIA IN ANTARCTICA

  • Since 1983, India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty. In this capacity, India votes and participates in all key decision-making processes regarding Antarctica.
    • Of the 56 nations that are part of the Antarctic Treaty, 29 have consultative party status.
  • India has undertaken scientific research in Antarctica since 1981. The first Indian Antarctica research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was set up in 1983. The station operated till 1990.
  • In 1989, India set up its second Antarctica research station, named
  • In 2012, India inaugurated Bharati, its third Antarctica research station.
    • Although the station focuses on oceanographic and geologic study, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) utilises it for receiving Indian Remote sensing Satellite (IRS) data.
FUTURE PLANS India plans to open a new station, Maitri II, a few kilometres from the ageing Maitri station. Operations are set to begin by 2029. THE ANTARCTIC ACT, 2022: In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

AGENDA BEFORE ATCM

  • The ATCM is meant to facilitate a global dialogue on law, logistics, governance, science, tourism, and other aspects of the southern continent.
  • During the conference, India will seek to promote the idea of peaceful governance in Antarctica, and underline that geopolitical tensions elsewhere in the world should not interfere with the protection of the continent and its resources.
  • Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, claimed India would also introduce a new working group for regulating tourism on the continent.
    • The Netherlands, Norway, and some other European countries that share India’s views on formulating regulations for tourism in Antarctica, will be part of this working group.
  • During the Kochi meet, India will also officially table its plan to construct Maitri II before the members.
    • Any new construction or initiative in Antarctica requires the ATCM’s approval.
  • The ATCM discussed on:
    • Sustainable management of Antarctica and its resources;
    • Biodiversity prospecting;
    • Inspections and exchange of information and data;
    • Research, collaboration, capacity building and cooperation; and
    • Climate change impacts on antarctica and beyond.