Context: India is hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi.
About Antarctic Parliament
- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has organised the meeting.
- It will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty.
- The ATCM is meant to facilitate a global dialogue on law, logistics, governance, science, tourism, and other aspects of the southern continent. 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.
Note -
Every year the original twelve Parties to the Treaty and those Parties that demonstrate their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial research activity there - together called the Consultative Parties - meet "for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating and considering and recommending to their governments measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty" (Art. IX). This forum is the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).
- India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.
Antarctic treaty
- Definition of Antarctica: All the Land and ice shelves to the south of 60 degree latitude.
- It will be treated as Global Common + Principles of Peace, Science and Environmental protection.
- The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 56 (including India)
- Antarctica should be used only for peaceful purposes. No country should build military bases.
- No country should claim sovereignty over Antarctica based on setting up of Research stations.
- No Nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
- Countries to take appropriate efforts to abide by the provisions of the treaty.
- India and Antarctica:
- India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983.
- India ratified the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1985.
- India signed Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998. (Madrid Protocol)
- India's research stations in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri (De-commissioned now); Maitri and Bharati. Managed by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.
- India and Antarctica: