Antarctic Bill, 2022 passed in LS

Source: This post is based on the following articles

“Lok Sabha passes the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 aimed at having India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystem” published in the PIB on 23rd July 2022.

“Antarctic Bill passed in LS” published in The Hindu on 23rd July 2022.

What is the news?

The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 moved by the Minister of Earth Sciences. The Bill aims at having India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and also the dependent and associated ecosystem.

What are the salient provisions of the Antarctic Bill, 2022?

Setting up of Indian Antarctic Authority (IAA): The Bill proposed to set-up Indian Antarctic Authority (IAA) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The IAA shall be the apex decision-making authority and shall facilitate programmes and activities permitted under the Bill.

What is the need for the Antarctic Bill?

The bill is in pursuant to India’s accession to the Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environment Protection (Madrid Protocol) to the Antarctic Treaty and to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

What are the advantages of the bill?

The Bill 1) Provides a harmonious policy and regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities through well-established legal mechanisms, 2) Helps in efficient and elective operations of the Indian Antarctic Programme, 3) Facilitates India’s interest and pro-active involvement in the management of growing Antarctic tourism and sustainable development of fisheries resources in Antarctic waters, 4) Help in increased international visibility, credibility of India in Polar governance leading to international collaboration and cooperation in scientific and logistics fields.

About India’s Antarctic expeditions

What is the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources?

The convention was signed in Canberra in 1980. The convention aims for the protection and preservation of the Antarctic environment and, in particular, for the preservation and conservation of marine living resources in Antarctica.

India ratified the Convention in 1985 and is a member of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

What is the protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty?

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, or the Madrid Protocol, is part of the Antarctic Treaty System. The Treaty was signed in Madrid in 1991.

Aim: To strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and for the development of a comprehensive regime for the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems.

India signed the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998.