What is the Indian Antarctic Bill that Lok Sabha just passed?
The Bharti station, about 3,000 km east of Maitri, located between Thala Fjord and Quilty bay. (India Today Photo)
Lok Sabha on Friday (July 22) passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, which seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region, reported PTI.
The Bill was taken up for discussion in the lower house of the Parliament after Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh moved it for consideration.
Soon after the Bill was passed, the House was once again adjourned for the day amid protests by the Opposition over several issues.
The proceedings will resume again on Monday at 2 pm.
Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022: India has two active research stations in the Antarctic right now: Maitri and Bharti. At both the stations, scientists are involved in research and the Bill seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the region.
The Bill proposes to prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provide for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation, reported PTI.
The Bill, if made into a law, will constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and protection of the environment in the Antarctic.
The Antarctic Treaty: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on December 1, 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during 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 54.
Some important provisions of the treaty are:
- Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
- Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end shall continue.
- Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available.
- No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica shall be asserted while the present treaty is in force.
- All areas of Antarctica, including all stations, installations and equipment within those areas shall be open at all times to inspection.