What are main key points of Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?

The main key points are Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 are: The bill was tabled after India signed the Antarctic Treaty about 40 years ago. The bill is India’s first domestic legislation on the subject of Antarctica. The Bill’s main goal is to establish penalties for breaching the law in Antarctica. The Antarctic Bill contains a detailed list of approved and prohibited activities in the continent.

What is importance of Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?

The Importance of Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 is: Antarctica is already covered by local legislation in 27 nations. It is past time for India to catch up. For the past 40 years, India has sent expeditions, but these expeditions have been limited by international law. The ministry expects increased activity in Antarctica in the future years, necessitating the implementation of a domestic set of protocols.

What is the Antarctic Treaty?

Twelve countries signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America are among the 12 members. In 1961, the Treaty went into effect.

When Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty came in effect?

It was ratified in 1991 and became effective in 1998. Antarctica is designated as a “natural reserve dedicated to peace and science,” according to the treaty.

Indian Antarctic Bill 2022: Download Study Notes PDF Here

Q: What is Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?

The government recently introduced a draught Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 in Parliament to control and supervise activities at its Antarctic research outposts.

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

In the Lok Sabha, the government has introduced the ‘Indian Antarctica Bill 2022’ which aims to regulate trips and operations to Antarctica, as well as any potential conflicts that may occur among individuals who live there. The Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 now puts into place a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica, for such scientific expeditions, as well as for individuals, companies and tourists.

Table of content

1. What is Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?
2. Aims of the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022
3. The committee on Antarctic Governance is a key element
4. Concerning the Antarctic Treaty
5. The Antarctic Legislation is Required
6. At the Poles, India
7. Indian Antarctic Bill Study Notes PDF

What is Indian Antarctic Bill 2022?

The Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with the goal of establishing India’s own national measures for conserving the Antarctic environment, as well as its dependent and linked ecosystems, by extending Indian laws to the southern continent.
Among Bill’s various scientific and research-related provisions, it mentions optimal use of government resources and formation of public partnership structures to promote and harness the full potential of benefits available under the Antarctic Treaty, including Antarctic Tourism.

Aims of the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022

To establish national policies to conserve the Antarctic environment and ecosystems, as well as to give the Antarctic Treaty effect.
Through a well-established legislative structure, create a unified policy framework for India’s Antarctic initiatives.
Facilitate Indian Antarctic programme initiatives, such as Antarctic tourism management and sustainable fisheries development.
To make it illegal for Indian expeditions to Antarctica or certain operations in Antarctica to take place without a permit or written permission from another party to the agreement.
To provide for inspection in India by a central government-designated inspector, as well as the formation of an inspection team to conduct inspections in Antarctica.

The committee on Antarctic Governance is a key element

It will allow the government to form an Antarctic governance and environmental protection committee that will monitor, implement, and assure compliance with key international laws, emissions standards, and protection norms.
The panel will be chaired by the secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, who will serve as an ex officio member.
Since 2018, he has also served as vice-president of the International Science Council’s Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, among other things.
The committee will consist of ten members drawn from the Union government’s numerous ministries, agencies, and organisations, as well as two specialists on the Antarctic environment or other related topics.

Concerning the Antarctic Treaty

Antarctica covers 14 million square kilometers and has no indigenous population (i.e. Antarcticans don’t exist).
Throughout the year, though, a few thousand people live there, in some 40 research stations distributed across the continent.
The ‘Antarctic Treaty’ was signed in 1959 by 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Their goal was to keep the continent from becoming militarized and to make it a hub for peaceful activity.
Later, more countries, including India, joined the treaty, bringing the total number of signatories to over 54.
To ensure conformity with the protocol, the treaty requires each party to take suitable steps within its jurisdiction, such as the passage of laws and regulations, administrative proceedings, and enforcement measures.
In 1991, countries ratified the Antarctic Treaty’s ‘Protocol on Environmental Protection,’ which designates Antarctica as a
atural reserve, devoted to peace and science.

The Antarctic Legislation is Required

The government was pushed to develop domestic law commensurate with its commitments as a member of the Antarctic Treaty system by the expanding presence of Indian scientists in Antarctica and their dedication to Antarctic research and protection.
These laws will allow India’s courts to deal with disputes or crimes committed in areas of Antarctica, as well as help India’s participation gain credibility.

At the Poles, India

On the continent, India has two research stations: ‘Maitri’ (founded in 1989) in the Schirmacher Hills and ‘Bharati’ (2012) in the Larsemann Hills.
So far, it has launched 41 scientific missions per year.
India joins an elite group of countries having various research stations in the polar areas, including the ‘Himadri’ station in Svalbard, above the Arctic Circle.

Indian Antarctic Bill Study Notes PDF

It is very Important topic for state PCS and other competitive Exams. For the complete detail of Indian Antarctic Bill 2022, you can download the PDF from the direct link provided below.