Antarctic Parliament meets in Kochi

• The 46^th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament is being held in Kochi, Kerala from 20^th to 30^th of May, 2024.
• It is being organised by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• It will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty. India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

India’s Role in Antarctica –

• Consultative Party: India, since 1983, participates in all key decision-making processes related to Antarctica.
• The Antarctic Treaty
  • Original Signatories (1959): Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, USSR, UK, USA.
  • The treaty came into force in 1961 and India joined in 1983, with the present total members being 56.
  • Key Features include –
    • Antarctica designated for peaceful purposes only; no militarisation.
    • Freedom for scientific investigation and mandatory data sharing.
    • Prohibition of nuclear testing and radioactive waste disposal.
  • Today, the treaty forms the basis of all governance and activities in Antarctica, the fifth-largest continent on the planet.
  Indian research stations in Antarctica:
  • Dakshin Gangotri (1983): First Indian station, now decommissioned. It was located in Queen Maud Land. The station operated till 1990.
  • Maitri (1989): Located in Schirmacher Oasis, operational, accommodates 65 people in summer, 25 people in winter.
  • Bharati (2012): Located on Prydz Bay coast, focuses on oceanographic and geologic study, supports 72 in summer, 47 in winter.
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
  • It is an autonomous research and development institution in Goa, India, established in 1998 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to lead India’s research in the polar and Southern Ocean regions.
  • NCPOR’s primary responsibility is to maintain two Indian stations in Antarctica, Maitri and Bharati (established in 1989 and 2011), and the Indian Arctic base ‘Himadri’.
  India is also planning a new station, named Maitri II near the current Maitri to be completed by 2029.

Agenda at ATCM 46 –

• Global Dialogue: Law, logistics, governance, science, tourism, and other aspects of Antarctica.
• India’s Focus:
  • Promote peaceful governance in Antarctica.
  • Introduce a working group to regulate tourism to protect Antarctica’s ecosystem.
  • Table the construction plan for Maitri II.
• Collaborations: Netherlands, Norway, and other European countries to support India’s tourism regulation initiative.

Recent Developments –

• Antarctic Act (2022): India reaffirmed its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.
• Tourism Regulation: New working group to formulate regulations, track tourist activities, and lay down rules to protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem.

Dig Deeper: Antarctic Act of 2022 and Himadri station in Arctic region, along with Indian efforts in the Arctic region.