India to Host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and 26th Meeting of Committee for Environmental Protection in 2024

I.  Introduction

In an indication of India's commitment to environmental   stewardship   and   scientific collaboration, the country will be hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) in 2024, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).

II.   About ATCM

  • The ATCM is an annual convergence of the original 12 parties of the Antarctic Treaty along with other nations interested in Antarctic
  • Established in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty has since garnered participation from 56 nations, including India, which joined in 1983.
  • The Treaty emphasises peaceful purposes, environmental protection, and scientific
  • India's commitment to the Antarctic Treaty has been further reinforced via the 'Antarctic Act' enacted in 2022.

III.   46th ATCM Agenda

  • The forthcoming meeting would address strategic planning for Antarctica's sustainable management, biodiversity prospecting, information exchange, capacity building, and climate change response among others.
  • It would also consider the development of a tourism framework and promotion of awareness.

IV.  India's Participation in ATCM

  • As a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty, India takes part in the decision-making process of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.
  • India set up its first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, in 1983 and currently operates two-year round at Bharati and Maitri since 2012 and 1989 respectively.
  • India has been conducting scientific expeditions to Antarctica annually since 1981.

V.  About the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP)

  • Formed under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991, the CEP advises ATCM on Antarctic environmental protection and

VI.   26th CEP Agenda

  • The 26th CEP Meeting is expected to focus on Antarctic environment evaluation, impact assessment, climate change response, area development, and biodiversity conservation.

VII.    Madrid Protocol

  • This protocol presented Antarctica as a “natural reserve, dedicated to peace and science.”
  • It formulated the basic principles for human activities in Antarctica and prohibited mineral resource activities.
  • Since 1991, the Protocol can only be amended through the unanimous agreement of all Consultative Parties.

 

VIII.   National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

  • NCPOR is an autonomous body created in 1998 under MoES.
  • It coordinates India’s scientific and strategic endeavours in the polar regions, the Himalayas, and the Southern Ocean.

India's role in hosting these crucial meetings manifests its commitment towards global dialogue on environmental stewardship and scientific collaboration. And it cements its place as a significant player in the preservation and protection of Antarctica.