INTRODUCTION

With its vast expanse of untouched ice and remote location, Antarctica stands apart from typical tourist destinations and elite retreats.The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), established in 1959, represents a landmark achievement in international cooperation. Prior to its signing, the vast and resource-rich continent of Antarctica loomed as a potential flashpoint for geopolitical competition during the Cold War. 

Details

Territorial Claims

• Early exploration of Antarctica:

• British, American, and Russian ships spotted parts of mainland Antarctica in the 1820s.

• Competition to reach the South Pole intensified between Captain Robert Scott (UK) and Roald Amundsen (Norway), with Amundsen succeeding in 1911.

• By the 1950s, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK made formal territorial claims, leading to conflicts and overlapping claims.

• Attempts at Resolution

• India proposed the inclusion of 'the question of Antarctica' on the UN General Assembly agenda in 1956, aiming for peaceful resource development, demilitarisation, nuclear weapons ban, and dispute resolution through the International Court.

• Opposition from Argentina and Chile, and lack of support from the US and the Soviet Union, led to the collapse of India's proposal at the UN.

• Breakthrough

• A breakthrough occurred during the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year (IGY), when 12 countries agreed to prioritise scientific research in Antarctica, setting aside political and legal differences leading to the Antarctic Treaty.

The Antarctic Treaty

• Origin: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58.

• It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 57.

• Twelve countries — Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States — were the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty.

• Key Features of the Antarctic treaty

• Antarctica shall be used only for peaceful purposes, and no militarisation or fortification shall be allowed.

• All signatories will have the freedom to carry out scientific investigations, and should share plans for scientific programmes, extend required cooperation, and freely make available the data gathered.

• Nuclear testing or disposal of radioactive waste materials shall be prohibited anywhere in Antarctica.

• Status: Countries can participate in the decision making of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) if they demonstrate substantial research activity in Antarctica and are called Consultative parties.

• There are 29 Consultative Parties and  28 Non-Consultative Parties.

• India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983.

• The Secretariat:

•  Situated in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• The Secretariat and its work are funded by the Consultative Parties and the Secretariat’s budget is approved each year at the ATCM 

• Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)

• Purpose: The purpose is to exchange information, consult on common interests, and formulate measures.

• Frequency of Meetings: Meetings were typically biennial from 1961 to 1994, but since 1994, they have occurred annually.

• Hosting Arrangement: Consultative Parties host ATCM based on the alphabetical order of their English names. India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

• Participants: Consultative Parties, Non-Consultative Parties, Observers, and Invited Experts

• The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty or Madrid Protocol: 

• This international agreement, signed in 1991 and entering into effect in 1998, is a critical supplement to the Antarctic Treaty.

• Comprehensive Environmental Protection: It bans all mineral resource activities in Antarctica for 50 years (with the possibility of review after that period). 

• Waste Management: The Protocol establishes a strict waste management regime, minimising pollution and protecting Antarctic ecosystems.

• Impact Assessment: It requires mandatory environmental impact assessments for all activities conducted in Antarctica.

• Habitats and Species: The Protocol focuses on the conservation of Antarctic flora and fauna, including measures to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.

• Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP): 

• The entry into force of the Madrid Protocol in 1998 saw the establishment of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). 

• Usually meets concurrently with the ATCM to address matters relating to environmental protection and management and provide advice to the ATCM. 

India in Antarctica

• India has undertaken scientific research in Antarctica since 1981. 

• Dakshin Gangotri: 

• The first Indian Antarctica research station, set up in 1983

• Located some 2,500 km from the South Pole in Queen Maud Land it operated till 1990.

•  Maitri: 

• Second Antarctica research station established 1989

• Located in the Schirmacher Oasis, a 3-km wide ice-free plateau with over 100 freshwater lakes. 

• It is still operational and located about 90 km from Dakshin Gangotri.

• Maitri can accommodate 65 persons in summer, and 25 in the winter.

• Bharati:

• Third Antarctica research station started in 2012  

• Located around 3,000 km east of Maitri, on the Prydz Bay coast. 

• Although the station focuses on oceanographic and geologic study, ISRO utilises it for receiving Indian Remote sensing Satellite (IRS) data. 

• The station can support up to 72 individuals during summer, and 47 in winter

• Maitri II: India plans to open a new station, Maitri II, a few kilometres from the ageing Maitri station. Operations are set to begin by 2029.

• Antarctica Act, 2022: 

• Objective:The bill aims to establish India's national measures for safeguarding the Antarctic environment and its dependent ecosystems.

• Alignment with International Agreements: Reflects India's adherence to the Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environment Protection (Madrid Protocol), and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

• Key Provisions:Emphasis on demilitarisation, prohibition of mining and illegal activities, and prevention of nuclear tests/explosions in the region.

• Role of Indian Antarctic Authority (IAA):Proposed apex body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences to oversee permitted programs, provide transparency, and enforce compliance with regulations.

• Geopolitical Stance:Recognizes Antarctica as a zone dedicated to peace and science, emphasising the importance of avoiding international conflicts in the region.

Current status

• People: Unlike other continents, Antarctica does not have its own indigenous population.

• Luxury Destination: Antarctica has emerged as the pinnacle of luxury travel. Dubbed the "wild south," it has become the coveted destination for affluent travellers seeking adventure in a pristine, untouched landscape.

• Example: A recent study by universities in Tasmania, the U.K., and Australia revealed a significant increase in Antarctic tourism, from 8,000 visitors in 1993 to 105,000 in 2022. This excludes scientific expeditions and the ongoing presence of research personnel.

• Rapid Ice Loss: Antarctica is losing ice at an alarming rate. Recent studies show the continent losing an average of 150-250 billion tons of ice per year, contributing to rising sea levels. 

• Example: In a new study, glaciologists from the University of California, Irvine, found that warm, high-pressure ocean water is seeping beneath West Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, making it more vulnerable to melting than previously thought. 

• Fluctuating Ozone Levels: While international efforts have helped the ozone hole shrink, it still opens significantly each year, exposing the continent to harmful UV radiation. 

• Example: In 2023, the Antarctic ozone hole peaked on Sept. 21, spanning 10 million square miles, ranking 12th largest since 1979.

• Biodiversity Concerns: Climate change and human activity threaten Antarctica's unique wildlife. Penguin populations are declining due to habitat loss and food source depletion. 

• Example: Multiple emperor penguin breeding colonies experienced total breeding failure due to reduced sea ice around west Antarctica as reported by the British Antarctic Survey.

• Increased Research Activity: The scientific community actively monitors Antarctica. Research stations conduct vital studies on cosmology,climate change, glaciology, and marine biology. 

• Example: At the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, a telescope equipped with the SPT-3G camera, studies the universe's faint microwave light remnants from the Big Bang, with recent research affirming Einstein's theory of relativity.

 Threats to Antarctica

Challenges

• Tourism Impact: Since 1966, rising concerns about Antarctic tourism have been a focal point at consultative meetings. The increasing number of ships and tourists raises apprehensions about heightened levels of man-made pollutants. Additionally, the surge in visitors poses risks of accidents and disasters, threatening the unique biodiversity of the region.

• Geopolitical Concerns: Concerns revolve around territorial claims, resource exploitation, environmental protection, and scientific research, reflecting the delicate balance between national interests and international cooperation.

• Example: Analysts suggest that China's recent actions in Antarctica, including building a research base without an environmental assessment and proposing a restricted "Chinese management district," may indicate efforts to bolster territorial claims, warranting congressional scrutiny.

• Ocean Acidification:The Southern Ocean faces over a 100% increase in acidity in its upper 650 feet, driven by CO2 absorption. Colder waters and ocean currents increase the vulnerability.

• Example: Antarctica's coastal waters may double in acidity by 2100, endangering marine life, as per Colorado University research. 

• Biodiversity Loss: Climate change and human activity threaten the delicate balance of Antarctic ecosystems

• Krill Shortage: Krill, a vital food source for whales, penguins, and fish, is being impacted by ocean acidification and warming waters.  It's believed that by 2100, krill numbers could halve due to climate change alone.

• Alien Species Invasion: Increased human activity raises the risk of introducing non-native species that could harm native plants and animals.

Way forward

• Sustainable Tourism: While India’s current involvement in Antarctic tourism is minimal, future prospects may change due to increasing prosperity. However, any engagement should be cautious, ensuring that agreements prioritise sustainable practices to safeguard the region's ecological integrity for future generations.

• Preventive Measures for Invasive Species Introduction: Implementing stringent monitoring procedures, including requiring vessels to possess valid Ship Sanitation Certificates, deploying physical barriers such as rat guards on mooring lines, and conducting regular inspections and maintenance, is crucial

• Strengthen International Collaboration: The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) needs to be a more dynamic platform for addressing new challenges. Regular scientific assessments, information sharing, and joint research efforts can identify emerging threats and inform collaborative solutions.

• Enhance Environmental Protections: The Madrid Protocol can be strengthened by establishing stricter regulations on waste management, tourism activities, and potential future resource exploration. Regular reviews and potential revisions of the Protocol are necessary.

• Promote Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about the importance of Antarctica and the threats it faces is vital. Educational initiatives and outreach programs can garner global support for conservation efforts and responsible practices in relation to Antarctica.

  
  

  Short Takes

  The International Geophysical Year (IGY): It was a massive science project (1957-1958) uniting 67 nations to study Earth and its surroundings. It involved 11 scientific fields, pioneered rocket research, and saw the launch of history's first satellites.

  Thwaites Glacier: It spans 80 miles, making it Earth's widest glacier. Its potential collapse could raise global sea levels over two feet, earning it the ominous title "Doomsday Glacier" from the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.
  

CONCLUSION

The future of Antarctica hinges on a united global effort. By fostering stronger international cooperation, prioritising environmental protection, and investing in sustainable solutions, we can ensure that this magnificent continent remains a pristine wil

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Polity

Keywords:
Antartica IR Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)