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Context: Government introduced the ‘Antarctica Bill’ in the Lok Sabha.

Key provisions:

• It envisages regulating visits and activities to Antarctica as well potential disputes that may arise among those present on the continent.
• It prescribes penal provisions for certain serious violations.
• It prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica or carrying of certain activities in Antarctica without a permit or the written authorisation of another party to the protocol.
• It provide for inspection in India by an officer designated by the Central government as an Inspector and to constitute an inspection team to carry out inspections in Antarctica.
• It provide for the constitution of the fund to be called the Antarctic fund which shall be applied towards the welfare of Antarctic research work and protection of Antarctic environment.
• It provide for designated courts and their jurisdiction.
• It specifies that if there was an accident, or say an oil spill, to happen due to a ship in Antarctic territory, how accountability could be fixed.

Need of this bill:

• India had been a signatory to the Antarctica Treaty since 1983 that encumbered India to specify a set of laws governing portions of the continent where it had its research bases.
• The Treaty made it mandatory for the 54 signatory countries to specify laws governing territories on which their stations are located.
• India is also signatory to treaties such as the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, both of which enjoin India to help preserve the pristine nature of the continent.
• Following its first expedition to Antarctica in 1982, India has now established two standing research stations, Bharti and Maitri, at Antarctica. Both these places are permanently manned by researchers.
• There is growing concern over preserving the pristine Antarctic environment and ocean around Antarctica from exploitation of marine living resources and human presence in Antarctica.
• In future, private ship and aviation industry will start operations and promote tourism and fishing in Antarctica, which needs to be regulated.

The Antarctic Treaty

• The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve nations (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR).
• The Treaty now has 52 signatories. India became a member of this treaty in 1983.
• Headquarters:Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• The Treaty, applies to the area south of 60° South latitude.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-introduces-antarctica-bill-in-lok-sabha/article65281718.ece

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