New Delhi [India], India is set to play a key role in facilitating the first-ever focused discussion on regulating tourism in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th meeting of the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP). The National Center for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat will organize these meetings in Kochi, Kerala from May 20 to May 30, 2024. The gathering will have over 350 participants, according to the press release of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, from around 40 countries. The occasion was graced by the presence of Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), ATCM and CEP high-level global annual meetings held today Are done. A multilateral agreement of the 5 contracting parties was signed in 1959, with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty. During these meetings, Antarctic Treaty member states discuss issues related to the science, policy, governance, management, conservation and security of Antarctica.CEP was established. Under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol) in 1991. The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica. India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. Along with the other 28 advisory parties, India has an important role in the scientific exploration and environmental protection of Antarctica.It has the right to propose and vote on decisions and resolutions made during the ATCM in matters of administration, scientific research, environmental protection and logistical support. Apart from this, it can also set up research stations. , conduct scientific programs and logistics operations, enforce environmental regulations and access scientific data and research findings shared by Antarctic Treaty members. The contracting and consultative parties are responsible for compliance with the Antarctic Treaty, environmental management, promoting scientific research, and maintaining Antarctica as a territory. Of peace, free from military activity and territorial claims.The ATCM is administered through the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquartered in Argentina. Addressing the session, Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES and head of the Indian delegation, said, “Antarctica represents one of the final frontiers of wilderness and scientific exploration. As stewards of this extraordinary region, it is our collective responsibility to ensure With the responsibility to ensure that all activities, including research and tourism, are conducted in a manner that preserves ecological integrity for future generations, India is honored to lead this important initiative at the 46th ATCM, as required by the Antarctic Treaty. India, being a committed member of the Antarctic Treaty System, recognizes the urgent need to address the growing tourism activities in Antarctica and their potential impact, to bring a series of actionable recommendations for inclusion in the broader framework of the system The release states that the continent's fragile environment, with the significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Antarctica over the past few years, has made it important to ensure the sustainability of this unique and responsible exploration. Comprehensive rules should be prepared to ensure this. Pristine Area He further highlighted that India has advocated a comprehensive, proactive and effective tourism policy based on the precautionary principle.Discussions about regulating tourism have been ongoing in the ATCM since 1966, but these have been agenda items, sessions, papers or resolutions. For the first time at the 46th ATCM hosted by India, a dedicated working group has been created to regulate tourism in Antarctica, Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director, NCPOR informed that India has a dedicated working group to regulate India's activities in Antarctica including tourism. There is a legal framework. Indian Antarctic Act to be enacted in 2022 “The Indian Antarctic Act aligns India's tourism regulations with international standards and collaborates with other Antarctic Treaty countries to achieve common conservation goals,” the release said. "India hosted the 10th SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research)." For the first time in 2002, it was themed 'Antarctica in a Changing World' and contributed to the International Polar Year celebrations.There have been 11 Indian expeditions to the Southern Ocean and one expedition each to the Weddell Sea and the South Pole. In 2007, India hosted the 30th ATCM. In New Delhi, underscoring its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System, India also collaborated with Norway and the UK to study the Antarctic ice shelf and ice growth and drill ice cores for climate studies. Dr. Vijay Kumar, Advisor, Head of MoES and host. The country secretariat said, “Over the last four decades, India has established itself as an important player in Antarctic research, environmental management and international cooperation within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.India will also provide a platform to discuss the possible inclusion of Canada and Belarus as consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty System. Canada and Belarus have been signatories to the Antarctic Treaty System since 1988 and 2006 respectively, India's participation in facilitating discussions to include NE advisory parties aligns with its broader objectives of promoting scientific research and international cooperation in Antarctica. Is. The Antarctic Treaty System is critical in preserving the pristine environment and advancing scientific research in Antarctica, through its leadership and commitment, India is playing a vital role in shaping the future of Antarctic governance,” said the chair-elect. Ambassador Panka Saran said the 46th ATCM Plenary Session of the 26th CEP included an invited lecture by Padma Bhushan D Shailesh Nayak, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs. were also present in this program.