The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022: A Nation’s Approach Towards A Common Good

Ms. Saumeya Sethi, B.A. LLB. (H), Symbiosis Law School, Noida, U.P.

“The Antarctic region is significant not only to India but to the world as a whole.”

ABSTRACT:

The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 is the Indian government’s pursuit towards making several aspects pertaining in the nation’s favor within and in relation to the subcontinent of Antarctica. This research paper aims to explain the act and its provisions along with penalties incorporated for specific offences committed within the jurisdiction and applicability of the said act.

It is the planet's southernmost and fifth-largest continent, with an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers. The geographic South Pole is located there, making Antarctica a part of the Southern Hemisphere.

In the east, you will find a high ice-covered plateau, while in the west, you will find an ice sheet covering an archipelago of hilly islands. Unlike every other continent, Antarctica has no indigenous people. Antarctica is not home to any independent states, although seven countries—including “New Zealand, Australia, France, Norway, the United Kingdom, Chile, and Argentina—have staked claims to various regions there.”

Several nations, including India, have set up permanent research outposts in Antarctica to conduct scientific study, although the continent itself is uninhabited.

“In 1981, India established the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research inside the Ministry of Earth Sciences to oversee the country's Antarctic research efforts.” Since its inception, it is sent out 41 annual scientific missions and established three Antarctic research outposts. Watch “Dakshin Gangotri” (1983), “Maitri” (1988), and “Bharati” (2012). station named “Himadri” located in Svalbard, far north of the Arctic Circle. In August of 1983, India formally joined the Antarctic Treaty System.

“The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), based in the Indian state of Goa, is an autonomous organization working under the Ministry of Earth Sciences that is responsible for the whole Indian Antarctic program.

It is home to the world's biggest lake, Vostok, and the continent's longest river, Onyx. Vostok is also one of the largest subglacial lakes in the world.