Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – International relations
In news
Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty was celebrated.
The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent.
It is also the foundation of a rules-based international order for a continent without a permanent population.
Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude.
About the Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty was signed between 12 countries in Washington on 1st December 1959 for making the Antarctic Continent a demilitarized zone to be preserved for scientific research only.
The twelve original signatories: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the UK and the US.
India became a member of this treaty in 1983.
Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Major Provisions:
Promoting the freedom of scientific research.
Countries can use the continent only for peaceful purposes.
Prohibition of military activities, nuclear tests and the disposal of radioactive waste.
Neutralising territorial sovereignty, this means a limit was placed on making any new claim or enlargement of an existing claim.
It put a freeze on any disputes between claimants over their territories on the continent.
It is a scientific research and exploration program under the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
It started in 1981 when the first Indian expedition to Antarctica was made.
Dakshin Gangotri: First Indian scientific research base station established in Antarctica
Maitri: India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica. It is situated on the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. India also built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadarshini.
Bharti: India’s latest research station operation since 2012. It is India’s first committed research facility.
Sagar Nidhi: In 2008, India commissioned the Sagar Nidhi, for research. An ice-class vessel, it can cut through the thin ice of 40 cm depth and is the first Indian vessel to navigate Antarctic waters.
