Context: The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46), that was held in Kochi, Kerala last month, it highlighted the debate on Antarctic tourism.
About Antarctic Treaty
While the meeting sought to bring in a regulatory framework, it ultimately fell short of a definitive solution, reflecting the complex challenges of managing tourism in a region governed by international consensus and where the environment is rapidly changing.
Antarctic Treaty Explained: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. 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 57.
Original Signatories:
The treaty was initially signed by 12 countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belgium
- Chile
- France
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Norway
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Soviet Union (now succeeded by Russia)
Some important provisions of the Treaty:
- Article I: Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
- Article II: Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end… shall continue.
- Article III: Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available.
- Article IV: The treaty does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial sovereignty claims; no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force.
- Article V: Any nuclear explosions and disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica are prohibited.
- Article VII: Provides for inspection by observers from any member country, ensuring compliance with the treaty.
- Article IX: Parties to the treaty shall meet periodically to discuss measures to further the objectives of the treaty.
Antarctic treaty and India:
India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. With the other 28 Consultative Parties, India has a crucial role in governing Antarctica’s scientific exploration and environmental protection.
PYQ based on the topic 2015:
Q. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?
(a) Bretton Woods Conference
(b) Montreal Protocol
(c) Kyoto Protocol
(d) Nagoya Protocol
Answer: (b)
MCQ based on the issue:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Antarctic Treaty:
- The treaty prohibits military activities and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica.
- India is one of the founding members of Antarctic treaty.
- The treaty allows for mineral resource activities in Antarctica under strict environmental regulations.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: a. 1 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The treaty prohibits military activities and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: India is not one of the founding members of the treaty, India joined the treaty as a consultative member in 1983.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol) prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources, except for scientific research.