Draft Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 Flashcards
Why in News?
Recently, the government has introduced the ‘Antarctic Bill’ in the Lok Sabha, which envisages regulating visits and activities to Antarctica as well potential disputes that may arise among those present on the continent.
The Bill is applicable to Indian citizens as well as foreign citizens.
In October 2021, India extended its support for protecting the Antarctic environment and for co-sponsoring the proposal of the European Union for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Earlier, a 100-km long body of ice in Antarctica, which has been experiencing rapid melting, was formally named Glasgow after the Glasgow climate summit.
What are the Provisions under the Bill?
- Regulate Visiting:
The bill has listed strict guidelines and a system of permits, which will be issued by a government-appointed committee, without which any expedition or individual will not be allowed to enter Antarctica.
The bill has provision to establish a committee on Antarctic governance and environmental protection to monitor, implement and ensure compliance with the relevant international laws, emissions standards and rules of protection. - Protecting Mineral Resources:
The Bill further prohibits drilling, dredging, excavation or collection of mineral resources or even doing anything to identify where such mineral deposits occur.
The only exception is for scientific research with a permit. - Protecting Native Plants:
There will be strict prohibition on damaging native plants, flying or landing helicopters or operating vessels that could disturb birds and seals, using firearms that could disturb the birds and animals, remove soil or any biological material native to Antarctica, engage in any activity that could adversely change the habitat of birds and animals, or harm them. - Prohibition on introducing Birds not Native to Antarctica:
Introduction of animals, birds, plants or microscopic organisms that are not native to Antarctica are also prohibited.
Violators can face imprisonment as well as penalties. - Provisions for Indian Tour Operators:
The Bill also provides for Indian tour operators to be able to operate in Antarctica after acquiring a permit.
There are 40 permanent research stations in Antarctica of which two – Maitri and Bharati — are Indian.
What is the Objective of the Bill?
To provide a harmonious policy framework for India’s Antarctic activities through a well-established legal mechanism, facilitate activities of the Indian Antarctic programme, including management of Antarctic tourism and sustainable development of fisheries.
What is the Need of Such Law?
- To Fulfill Provisions under the Antarctica Treaty:
India had been a signatory to the Antarctica Treaty since 1983 and that encumbered India to specify a set of laws governing portions of the continent where it had its research bases.
The Treaty made it mandatory for the 54 signatory countries to specify laws governing territories on which their stations are located. - Preserve the Pristine Nature of the Continent:
India is also signatory to treaties such as the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
Both the conventions enjoin India to help preserve the pristine nature of the continent.
What are the Key Highlights about Antarctica?
- Antarctica is uninhabited except for those manning the nearly 40 permanent stations established by several countries, including India, for carrying out scientific research.
- India maintains two research stations on the continent: ‘Maitri’ (commissioned in 1989) at Schirmacher Hills and ‘Bharati’ (2012) at Larsemann Hills.
- It has also launched 41 scientific expeditions every year thus far. Together with ‘Himadri’ station in Svalbard, above the Arctic circle, India is among an elite group of countries with multiple research in the polar regions.
- Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent. It contains the geographic South Pole and is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere.
- At 14,000,000 square kilometers, it is the fifth-largest continent.
- 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.
- India officially acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System in August 1983.
What is the Arctic?
- The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth.
- Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover.
- It consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
India’s Arctic Policy
why in news–
Recently, the Ministry of Earth Science has unveiled India’s Arctic Policy, titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’.
India holds one of the 13 positions as the Observer in the Arctic Council.
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental body that promotes research and facilitates cooperation among Arctic countries on issues related to the environmental protection and sustainable development of the Arctic region.
PYQ.
Background of Arctic Policy.
- India’s engagement with the Arctic began when it signed the Svalbard Treaty in 1920 in Paris between Norway, the US, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland, and the British overseas Dominions and Sweden concerning Spitsbergen.
- Spitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, part of Norway, in the Arctic Ocean.
3..Spitsbergen is the only permanently inhabited part of Svalbard. More than 50% of the land is covered in ice year-round. Together with the glaciers, it is mountains and fjords that define the landscape.
- Ever since then, India has been closely monitoring all the developments in the Arctic region.
- India initiated its Arctic research program in 2007 with a focus on climate change in the region.
- The objectives included studying teleconnections between Arctic climate and Indian monsoon, to characterise sea ice in the Arctic using satellite data, to estimate the effect on global warming.
- India also focuses on conducting research on the dynamics and mass budget of Arctic glaciers and sea-level changes, carrying out an assessment of the flora and fauna of the Arctic.
What are the Major Provisions of India’s Arctic Policy?
Six Central Pillars:
.Science and research.
.Environmental protection.
.Economic and human development.
.Transportation and connectivity.
.Governance and international cooperation.
.National capacity building.
Objectives
It aims to strengthen national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region.
It seeks to strengthen institutional and human resource capacities within the government and academic, research and business institutions through inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India’s interests in the Arctic.
It seeks to enhance understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic region on India’s climate, economic and energy security.
It aims to promote better analysis, prediction and coordinated policymaking on the implications of ice melting in the Arctic on India’s economic, military and strategic interests related to global shipping routes, energy security and exploitation of mineral wealth.
It seeks to study the linkages between polar regions and the Himalayas and deepen the cooperation between India and the countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.
The policy also seeks to increase India’s participation in the Arctic Council and improve understanding of the complex governance structures in the Arctic, relevant international laws and geopolitics of the region.
Relevance of Arctic for India?
The Arctic region is significant due to the shipping routes that run through it.
According to an analysis published by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the adverse effects of the Arctic are not just impacting the availability of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, but also transforming global shipping routes.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India can play a constructive role in securing a stable Arctic.
The region holds immense geopolitical importance as the Arctic is projected to be ice-free by 2050 and world powers making a beeline to exploit the region rich in natural resources.
What is the Arctic?
The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth.
Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover.
It consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
ARCTIC COUNCIL
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. At present, eight countries exercise sovereignty over the lands within the Arctic Circle, and these constitute the member states of the council: Canada; Denmark; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Russia; Sweden; and the United States. Other countries or national groups can be admitted as observer states, while organizations representing the concerns of indigenous peoples can be admitted as indigenous permanent participants.
members
Headquarters- Tromsø, Norway (since 2012)
Membership:
Canada
Denmark
Finland
Iceland
Norway
Russia
Sweden
United States
Main organ- Secretariat
