India is all set to play a significant role in facilitating the inaugural focused discussions on regulating Antarctic tourism at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP).
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat will organize these meetings in Kochi, Kerala, from May 20 to May 30, 2024.
Ambassador Pankaj Saran, elected as the Chairperson of the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP, stated, “The cooperative initiatives of countries within the Antarctic Treaty System are essential for protecting the unspoiled environment and promoting scientific research in Antarctica. Through its leadership and dedication, India remains pivotal in influencing the future of Antarctic governance.”
Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and Head of the Indian delegation, while addressing the session, said, “Antarctica represents one of the last frontiers of wilderness and scientific discovery. As stewards of this extraordinary region, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all activities, including research and tourism, are conducted in a manner that preserves its ecological integrity for future generations. India is honored to lead this crucial initiative at the 46th ATCM, which is expected to bring a series of actionable recommendations to be incorporated into the broader framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.” He also emphasized that India has championed a thorough, forward-thinking, and efficient tourism policy grounded in precautionary principles.
Dr Thamban Meloth, Director of NCPOR said, “The Indian Antarctic Act aligns India’s tourism regulations with international standards and collaborates with other Antarctic Treaty nations to achieve common conservation goals.”
Dr Vijay Kumar, Adviser, MoES and Head of the Host Country Secretariat, said, “Over the past four decades, India has established itself as a significant player in Antarctic research, environmental stewardship, and international cooperation within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.”
In 2022, India hosted the 10th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) conference for the first time, themed ‘Antarctica in a Changing World,‘ and played a significant role in the International Polar Year celebrations.
The event will see over 350 participants from nearly 40 countries, as stated in a press release by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The occasion was honored by the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju from the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).