What is 'The Antarctic Treaty'? India's Contribution to research in Antarctica through NCAOR

THE ANTARCTIC TREATY - A Brief Outline

The primary intent for the introduction of 'The Antarctic Treaty' is to ensure that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.

It was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961. This Treaty is a whole complex of arrangements made for the purpose of regulating relations among States(countries) in the Antarctic. The original Parties to the Treaty were the 12 nations active in the Antarctic during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. The Consultative Parties comprise the original Parties and other States that have become Consultative Parties by agreeing to the Treaty and showing their interest in Antarctica by carrying out significant scientific activity there.

Salient Features of Antarctic Treaty:

1. Antarctic will be used for peaceful purpose only. There shall be no military activity, however the military personnel can be used for peaceful purpose.
2. There shall be freedom of conducting scientific experiments.
3. Whatever experiments conducted there shall be free flow of information among the nations.
4. Antarctic Treaty does not recognize any territorial claim or any territorial dispute and the treaty shall not be interpreted.
5. This theory further says that there shall be no nuclear explosion and radio active disposal to be carried in Antarctica.
6. The Treaty maintains a strict vigil on a pollution free atmosphere in Antarctica.
7. This Treaty is applicable to every place south of 60° South.
8. Any dispute shall be settled in a peaceful manner.
9. The Treaty also discourages any nation to settle in Antarctica which does not abide by this treaty.

India's Scientific Expeditions at Antarctica:

India is a signatory of this Treaty. India acceded to this treaty in 1983 by establishing National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research(NCAOR). But it was initiated in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to Antarctica. The program gained global acceptance with India's signing of the Antarctic Treaty and subsequent construction of the Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic research base in 1983, superseded by the Maitri base from 1990.

So far, India conducted 29 Expeditions to Antarctica. The last expedition was launched on 6th November,2009.

Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic Reasearch Base:

This is the first Indian Permanent base in Antarctica which is established in 1983.

It was set up on the ice shelf off the Princess Astrid Coast in central Queen Maud Land.

This base was decommissioned due to excessive snow accumulation in 1989.

Maitri Antarctic Reasearch Base:

The second permanent base, Maitri, was established during 1988-1989. The Maitri started functioning at a place called SCHIRMACHAR OASIS, which is a hard ground(i.e. Rocky Mountain region).

Maitri has got various research laboratories and has a capacity to accommodate 25 people for winter. Its is capable of functioning /suitable for both Polar Winter and Polar Summer.

Experiments that Maitri Conducts:

1. Study of Glaciers
2. Geomorphology of Antarctica
3. Mineralogy
4. Seismic Condition
5. Climatology
6. Upper atmosphere - ozone, cosmic rays, ionosphere
7. Study of existing Marine life
8. Study of various kinds of algae and bacteria
9. Study of plants in low temperature regions
10. Mapping of this place with the help of surface observations and Cartosat observations
11. Limnology - the study of inland waters
12. Structure and Tectonics.

3rd Base 'BHARATI' (under development):

The third base named Bharati is located at a place called "LARSMANN HILL". This place has a very little snowfall. It is a hard old rock with very stable ground. Bharati is likely to be operational by 2012.