Context

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. 

Key Highlights of 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

• Agenda of the meeting: The 26th CEP agenda focuses on Antarctic environment evaluation, impact assessment, management, and reporting; climate change response.
  • Area protection and management plans including marine spatial protection; and conservation of Antarctic biodiversity.
• Significance: The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are pivotal in the international community’s ongoing efforts to safeguard Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem and promote scientific research in the region.
•  India’s Commitment to Antarctic Treaty Principles: As a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, India remains dedicated to environmental protection, scientific cooperation, and peaceful operations in Antarctica.
  • The hosting of the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP meeting reflects India’s growing role as a responsible global stakeholder in efforts to preserve Antarctica for future generations. 

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Antarctic Treaty, 1961

• About: The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961, established Antarctica as a region dedicated to peaceful purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection. 
• Treaty Membership: The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 56.
  • India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. It participates in the decision-making process along with 28 other Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. 
• Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS): It serves as the administrative hub for the Antarctic Treaty System. 
  • Established in 2004, the ATS coordinates the ATCM and CEP meetings, reposits and disseminates information, and facilitates diplomatic communication, exchanges, and negotiations related to Antarctic governance and management. 
  • It also monitors compliance with Antarctic Treaty provisions and agreements and provides assistance and guidance to Antarctic Treaty Parties on treaty implementation and enforcement matters.

Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26)

• About: The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991. 
• Composition: The Committee consists of representatives of the Parties to the Environment Protocol and normally meets once a year in conjunction with the ATCM.
• Mandate: The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

Indian Efforts towards Polar Research

• Antarctic Research Station of India:  India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983. 

• At present, India operates two year-round research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012). 
• The permanent research stations facilitate Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica, which have been ongoing annually since 1981. 
• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022: In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.    

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National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is an autonomous institution under MoES, Government of India.  It is situated in Goa.

• Mandate: India’s scientific and strategic endeavors in the polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctic), the Himalayas, and the Southern Ocean are under the NCPOR in Goa.