The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991, and became effective in 1998. It designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science“. Article 3 of the Environment Protocol establishes fundamental principles governing human activities in Antarctica, while Article 7 prohibits any activities related to Antarctic mineral resources, with the exception of scientific research.

It is occasionally reported in the public domain that the Protocol will ‘expire’ in 2048. However, this is a misunderstanding and is not accurate. Neither the Protocol nor the Antarctic Treaty has a predetermined expiration date. During the initial fifty years following the Protocol’s enforcement (starting in 1998), any modifications require unanimous agreement from all Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. Beyond this period, starting in 2048, any Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty has the authority to initiate a review conference concerning the Protocol’s operation.

What is the recent issue?

Parliament has just passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 in the Rajya Sabha.

What is Madrid Protocol?

• The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Madrid Protocol) provides for comprehensive protection of Antarctica.
• The Protocol was adopted in 1991.
• The Madrid Protocol unambiguously prohibits mining in Antarctica.
• Also known as Antarctica Treaty

What is the aim of Antarctica Treaty?

• It aims to prohibit nuclear testing and disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica.
• It bans mineral oil exploration in Antarctica.
• It aims to conserve Natural resources in Antarctica.

What are the objectives of Antarctica treaty?

• Antarctica is to be used only for peaceful and scientific purposes only.
• It prohibits nuclear testing and disposal of radioactive waste.
• Mineral oil exploration, pollution and hunting of animals are banned.
• Conservation of the natural resources present in Antarctica.

What is the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 about?

• Antarctica contains many very important minerals—especially atomic energy minerals and is one of the reasons why this area is attractive to various countries.
• The Bill seeks to give effect to

• The Antarctic Treaty
• The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
• The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
• It also seeks to protect the Antarctic environment and regulate activities in the region.

What are the notable achievements of India in Antarctica?

Research bases– The first Antarctic team started wintering in Antarctica in 1984 and a few months afterwards an unmanned Antarctic research base -Dakshin Gangotri was established. Since then, India has set up two manned research stations in Antarctica — Maitri in 1988 and Bharati in 2012. As of today, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational.

Expeditions- Forty expeditions to the continent have taken place.

What is the issue with the polar research vessel?

Issue- India has been chartering polar research vessels from countries like Russia and Norway while China has raced ahead and has two of its own.

A decision was indeed taken by the Union Cabinet in 2014 for India to have its own research ship with ice-breaking and other advanced technological capabilities but it remains unimplemented.

What are steps taken by India?

• India under the Prime Minister is committed in curtailing carbon emissions in the Antarctic atmosphere.
• India has already adopted the green energy initiative by experimenting with the feasibility of wind energy production and installed moderate output of Wind Energy Generators (WEG) on an experimental basis.
• The choice of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for Bharati station to reduce carbon emissions in the Antarctic also promotes India’s pledge to protect the environment.
• India is looking forward to contributing to the evolving Climate Change Response Work  Programme of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP).
• India also anticipates tourism growth and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as potential issues.

What should be the way forward?

Way forward– A research ship could be acquired from abroad through the Make-in-India policy. There is also a need to revamp the quite old Maitri research station.

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