New bill proposed to streamline, regulate activities in Antarctica

NEW DELHI : The ministry of earth sciences (MOES) is in the process of formulating the ‘Indian Antarctic Bill’ to regulate and streamline all scientific and commercial activities in the uninhabited, ice-covered southernmost continent, Antarctica.

The continent is governed by an international treaty that allows only peaceful and scientific activities. The treaty prohibits any military activities, mineral mining, and nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal.

The new bill is being formulated to ensure that all protocols under the Antarctic Treaty and environment protocol are followed and national measures developed to protect the Antarctic environment. The law will also give jurisdiction to Indian courts to deal with disputes and crimes committed in certain parts of Antarctica.

“Currently, the MOES is looking at some technical considerations for the bill; the final draft will then be prepared in consultation with the law ministry. “We are signatory to the Antarctic Treaty and had to formulate a law so that all the processes of approvals etc for research and other activities in the Antarctic are streamlined. It will also provide us with legal recourse in case something happens during our expeditions etc,” said Dr Vijay Kumar, a senior scientist from MOES.

India also has annual Antarctica expeditions where scientists, engineers and others are sent to the continent in batches between November and January.

“Around 54 countries have signed the treaty so far. Of these, 23 countries have already brought in laws to enforce provisions of the Antarctic Treaty. Now, India is in the process of doing the same.,” said Dr Kumar.

At present, the Antarctic operations of India are funded from the budget allocated to the MOES. The new bill will focus on protecting the environment and ecosystems in Antarctica and will have sections relating to waste disposal.“the Antarctic Treaty clearly states that all the waste generated in the region will be taken away by the country generating it or storing and disposing of it appropriately. The new bill will have provisions on the same,” said Dr Kumar.