Southern sojourn: On the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting(ATCM) in India

Relevance: GS Paper III

Why in News?

Delegates from over 60 countries have convened in Kochi, Kerala to attend the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).

More About the News: The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) serves as a crucial platform for addressing various issues concerning the management of Antarctica. This year, one of the key topics on the agenda is the regulation of tourism in the continent. Given the exponential rise in tourist numbers over the years, concerns about its impact on the environment and unique biodiversity have become more pronounced.

Key Points: 

• Parties: This annual event serves as a forum for the 29 Consultative Parties, who hold voting rights on matters concerning Antarctic management. Additionally, non-voting observer countries, independent experts, and invited officials were also present. 
• Agenda: One notable item on the agenda this year is ‘pertains to tourism’. A coalition of like-minded nations, including India, has advocated for the introduction of a regulatory framework governing tourism in Antarctica. Unlike other continents, Antarctica lacks an indigenous population.
• Unique Appeal of Antarctica: With its vast expanses of untouched ice and remote location, Antarctica stands apart from typical tourist destinations or elite jet-setter retreats, making it exceptionally alluring. In today's era, where every accessible piece of land is subject to fleeting visual consumption, Antarctica remains the only continent that retains its wildness, with its secrets hidden beneath layers of ice. 
• Tourism Growth: The tourism industry, which thrives on creating, capturing, and marketing exotic experiences, has turned Antarctica into the "wild south" coveted by affluent travelers. According to a recent collaborative study by universities in Tasmania, the UK, and Australia, tourist numbers have surged from 8,000 in 1993 to 105,000 in 2022. This figure excludes scientific expeditions and the enduring presence of research personnel at various national research stations. 
• Challenges and Concerns: Reports now indicate that tourists outnumber scientists. Concerns about the escalating tourist influx have been raised since 1966 during consultative meetings, with worries about increased ships, pollution, accidents, and disasters threatening the region's unique biodiversity. While there is a collective desire to preserve Antarctica's pristine purity, an area estimated to be the size of the United States and Mexico combined, underlying anxieties persist among nations. Despite the treaty's prohibition of territorial claims, unforeseen circumstances may lead to changes in its terms. The influx of visitors from certain countries could potentially influence treaty terms in their favor. 
• India's Perspective: Although India currently has minimal Antarctic-bound tourists, this could change in the future due to growing economic prosperity. While India supports the proposal for a regulatory framework, it must remain vigilant against deals that could diminish future tourism opportunities.

Conclusion:

India's minimal Antarctic-bound tourists at present may change in the future due to growing prosperity. Therefore, it is essential for India to actively participate in discussions and negotiations at the ATCM to safeguard its interests while ensuring the preservation of Antarctica's unique environment.