46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 26th Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP) concluded

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These were hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.
Measures, Decisions and Resolutions, adopted at the ATCM, give effect to the principles of the Antarctic Treaty.

Genesis: Signed in Washington, in 1959 by 12 countries & entered into force in 1961.
Members: 57 out of which 29 are consultative parties (participate in the decision-making).
- India has been a Consultative Party since 1983.
Applicability: The area south of 60° South latitude.
Key provisions
- Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
- Facilitate international scientific cooperation in Antarctica.
- Prohibits nuclear explosions, radioactive waste disposal, and military deployments in Antarctica.

India’s first Antarctic research station was Dakshin Gangotri (983). India currently operates two research stations- Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).
- In ATCM- 46 India announced a plan to set up an Antarctic research station, Maitri-II.
In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty(1991): designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.
The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972): To promote and achieve the protection, scientific study, and rational use of Antarctic seals.
Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980): provides for the conservation and rational use of krill, fin fish and other marine living resources.

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