News Highlight
The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022
Key Takeaways
- A total of 27 countries, including Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the US and Uruguay, already have domestic legislation on Antarctica.
- For the past 40 years, India has sent expeditions to Antarctica. These expeditions, however, have been bounded by international law.
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022
- The Indian Antarctic Bill is the first domestic legislation about Antarctica in India.
- The Bill seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.Â
- India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti — where scientists are involved in research.
- The Bill seeks to give effect to theÂ
- Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
- Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Â
- It also seeks to protect the Antarctic environment and regulate activities in the region. Â
Key features of the Bill include:
- Applicability:
- The provisions of the Bill will apply to any person, vessel or aircraft that is a part of an Indian expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued under the Bill. Â
- Areas comprising Antarctica includeÂ
- the continent of Antarctica, including its ice shelves and all areas of the continental shelf adjacent to it, andÂ
- all islands (including their ice shelves), seas, and air space south of 60°S latitude.
- The Antarctic Bill will extend the jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens or foreign citizens who are a part of Indian expeditions.
- A CommitteeÂ
- The government will set up Committee to introduce an elaborate permit system for any expedition or individual who wishes to visit the continent.
- Committee Members
- Committee will comprise the Secretary Earth Sciences ministry and have officials from Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Finance, Fisheries, Legal Affairs, Science and Technology, Shipping, Tourism, Environment, Communication and Space ministries.
- Also have National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research and National Security Council Secretariat members.
- Functions of the Committee
- Granting permits for various activities.
- Implementing and ensuring compliance with relevant international laws for the protection of the Antarctic environment.
- Obtaining and reviewing relevant information provided by parties to the Treaty, Convention, and Protocol.
- Negotiating fees/charges with other parties for activities in Antarctica.
- Need for a permit:
- A permit by the Committee or written authorisation from another party to the Protocol (other than India) will be required for various activities such as:Â
- An Indian expedition to enter or remain in Antarctica
- A person to enter or remain in an Indian station in Antarctica,
- A vessel or aircraft registered in India to enter or remain in Antarctica
- A person or vessel to drill, dredge or excavate for mineral resources, or collect samples of mineral resources
- Activities which may harm native species
- Waste disposal by a person, vessel or aircraft in Antarctica.
What does the Bill prohibit?
- The Bill prohibits an extensive list of actions on the continent, including drilling, dredging, excavating or collecting mineral resources.Â
- An exception can be made if it is done for scientific research with a granted permit.
- It also restricts individuals from damaging the environment, including native plants, birds and seals.Â
- It disallows flying or landing helicopters or operating vessels that can disturb the native animals.Â
- It prohibits any activity that could harm the habitat of birds and animals and kill, injure or capture any bird or animal.
- Introducing non-native animals, birds, plants, or microscopic organisms is prohibited under the Bill.
- Violating any of the regulations prescribed by the Bill will attract high penalties.
- The lowest penalty comprises imprisonment between one-two years and a penalty of Rs 10-50 lakh.
- Extraction of any species native to Antarctica or introducing an exotic species to the continent can bring imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50 lakh.
India’s hold on Antarctica
- India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and soon received consultative status.
- Madrid Protocol was signed by India, which came into force in 1998.
- India is also a member ofÂ
- Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP)
- Scientific Committee of Antarctica Research (SCAR)
- Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
- India’s Research Stations: Maitri at Schirmacher Hills, Bharati at Larsemann Hills
Content Source: The Hindu