Relevance: GS II (International Relations – Policies of Major Powers) & GS III (Environment)

Source : The Hindu

1. The Human Context: From Policy to Law

China is shifting gears in the coldest continent on Earth. It has proposed a new ‘Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law’.

• The Change: Previously, China managed its polar activities through loose policies. Now, it is creating a binding domestic law to regulate its citizens, ships, and scientific expeditions.
• The Goal: By legalizing its presence, China aims to strengthen its strategic claim and “right to speak” in global polar governance, ensuring its activities (like krill fishing or tourism) have state backing.

2. The Global Rulebook (Antarctic Treaty System)

To understand China’s move, we must understand the “umbrella” rules it operates under:

• The Antarctic Treaty (1959): The constitution of the continent. It freezes all territorial claims and dedicates the land to “Peace and Science.”
• The Madrid Protocol (1991): The environmental shield. It designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve” and places a ban on mining (mineral exploitation) until at least 2048.

3. India’s Parallel: We Did It First

India is ahead of the curve in this specific legislative race.

• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022: India enacted its own domestic law recently to regulate Indian citizens and expeditions.
• The Presence: India actively maintains two operational research stations—Maitri (1988) and Bharati (2012). A new station, Maitri-II, is planned for the early 2030s.

4. Why This Matters? (Polar Geopolitics)

Both Asian giants (India and China) enacting domestic laws signals a “Legal Strengthening” phase. As the ice melts due to climate change, major powers are rushing to ensure their domestic legal machinery is ready to manage resources, tourism, and research in the southern polar region.

UPSC Value Box

Q. With reference to India’s presence in Antarctica and the Antarctic Treaty System, consider the following statements:

1. The Madrid Protocol designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve” and prohibits mining activities.
2. Dakshin Gangotri was India’s first scientific base station in Antarctica, which is currently operational.
3. The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 prohibits Indian courts from having jurisdiction over crimes committed by Indians in Antarctica.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3