India welcomes debates on tourism regulations in Antarctica

The debates will take place behind closed doors in Kochi, Kerala, until May 30, along with the 26th meeting of the Environment Protection Committee, which will be tasked with setting regulations in light of the growing number of people visiting Antarctica.

Secretary of the Ministry of Science and head of the Indian delegation M. Ravichandran said at the ATCM open session that Antarctica is one of the last frontiers of nature and scientific discoveries. “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,” he noted, expressing India’s honor as host of the first discussion on tourism, which he identified as key to establishing a series of practical recommendations that should be taken into account in the broader context of the Antarctic Treaty System.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences clarified that meeting participants discuss aspects related to science, policy, governance, management, conservation and protection of Antarctica and that India has been a member of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party since 1983 and plays an important key role in the management of scientific research and conservation environment of Antarctica, therefore India has the right to propose and vote on decisions and resolutions taken on matters of administration, research, environmental protection and logistic cooperation, as well as to establish research stations, conduct scientific programs and logistic operations, enforce environmental regulations and access to data scientific and research results made available by members of the Antarctic Treaty.

The Ministry said the Contracting Parties and Consultative Parties are responsible for respecting the Antarctic Treaty, protecting the environment, supporting scientific research and maintaining Antarctica as a zone of peace, free from military activities and territorial claims.

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