1 August, 2022: Today the Indian Antarctic Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha. The Indian Antarctic Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in April 2022. It is an important piece of legislation since it is the first one in India with regard to continent of Antarctica. It is also significant as India operates two research based centres named as ‘Maitri’ (commissioned in 1989) and ‘Bharati’ (2012).
During a discussion on the bill, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh said, “the main aim is to ensure de-militarisation of the (Antarctic) region along with getting rid of mining or illegal activities.”
In the welcome address at the International Conference hosted by India, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “Antarctica being the largest refrigerator needs to be sustained in this pristine condition for generations to come. This is also critical as world faces unprecedented climate variability in this face of human force changes, this change in Antarctica will be reflected in weather patterns and thereby influence not only the world climate but economic and health as well”.
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What is The Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?
The Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 shall establish a set of rules and regulations for activities which include scientific expeditions, individual visits or businesses or tourist visiting in the frozen continent of Antarctica. The bill provides India’s own jurisdiction and national measures to be taken to protect the Antarctic environment and its associated ecosystem.
The Indian Antarctic Bill is established to demilitarize the frozen continent. The bill prohibits activities that contaminate the largest refrigerator in the world which includes, nuclear tests, disposal of radioactive waste, disposal of plastic, garbage and other waste substance into the sea which imbalances the entire ecosystem.
The Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 is also established to ensure that any activities that take place in the frozen continent should be meant for peaceful purpose of the globe, not for any commercial purpose. The bill also promotes international co-operations in Antarctica. The bill sets aside any territorial sovereignty disputes.
Why Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 is important?
Antarctica is the world’s highest, driest, windiest, coldest, and iciest continent. With the constant exploitation of marine living resources and human presence it has become very important to protect the pristine environment of Antarctica. By protecting the largest refrigerator in the world, we can become sustainable for our generations to come.
The bill has established a set of rules and regulations for Indian activities that take place in Antarctica which will help the Indian Antarctic Programme operate efficiently. The Indian Antarctic Programme is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional programme under the control of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences. The bill confers India’s own jurisdiction and national measures to be taken to protect the Antarctic environment and its associated ecosystem. India has sent expeditions to Antarctica but because of international law the expeditions have been limited, but with this bill it can operate efficiently without crimes.
The Antarctic Treaty:
Antarctica is the southernmost continent and is the fifth largest continent in the world and does not have any indigenous population. The entire region is demilitarised and is used for scientific and peaceful purposes as per the Antarctic Treaty.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 01, 1959, by 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Treaty came into force on June 23, 1961.
Eventually more countries joined the Antarctic Treaty. There are now 54 members, of which 29 countries have consultative (voting) status in the Antarctic Consultative Meetings held annually and 25 countries have non-consultative membership.India became a member of the Antarctic Treaty on August 19, 1983, and on September 12 of the same year, it received consultative status.
