• ATCM-46 Overview
  • The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) held in Kochi, Kerala.
  • Focus on regulating Antarctic tourism but fell short of definitive solutions.
  • Reflects the complexity of managing tourism in an internationally governed region.

Surge in Antarctic Tourism

• Tourist Numbers and Growth
  • Dramatic increase since the early 1990s.
  • Over 1,00,000 tourists in the 2022-23 season; estimated 1,18,089 in 2023-24.
  • Major tourist origins: United States and China.
• Tourist Activities
  • Multi-day expeditions on ships, larger cruises, and fly-sail operations.
  • Activities include wildlife observation, photography, mountain climbing, and skiing.

Environmental Concerns

• Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems
  • Increased human presence disrupts wildlife and damages fragile ecosystems.
  • Risk of introducing invasive species.
• Pollution and Climate Change
  • Ship traffic pollutes waters.
  • Tourism adds to the global carbon footprint.
  • Climate change increases ecosystem vulnerability and opens new areas for tourism.

Gaps in the Regulatory Framework

• Current Governance
  • Antarctic Treaty (1961): Prioritises peaceful use and scientific research.
  • Madrid Protocol: Broad environmental guidelines but lacks specific tourism regulations.
  • IAATO: Self-regulatory body seen as inadequate for growing environmental pressures.
• ATCM’s Role
  • Primary platform for international cooperation on Antarctic issues.
  • ATCM-46 failed to reach a consensus on a comprehensive tourism regulatory framework.
  • Unanimous agreement required for decisions, slowing action.

Progress and Challenges

• Recent Developments
  • ATCM-46 aimed to develop a flexible and dynamic framework for tourism regulation.
  • Established a working group to lead efforts over the next year.
• Historical Context
  • Tourism regulation debates since the 1960s.
  • Reliance on IAATO’s self-regulation after the 1991 proposed tourism annex failed to gain consensus.
  • Increased frequency of discussions post-2004, but still lacking binding regulations.
• Consensus Rule Limitations
  • Requirement for unanimous approval hinders action.
  • Proposals often fail due to conflicts with domestic laws and differing views on Antarctic principles.
  • Leads to “decision making by non-decision making,” allowing unregulated activities to continue.

Path Forward

• Sustainable Tourism Approach
  • Strengthening environmental protection.
  • Implementing robust monitoring programmes.
  • Fostering international cooperation.
• Hope from ATCM-46
  • Prioritising science-based decision-making.
  • Engaging all stakeholders to ensure Antarctica remains pristine.

How India Can Lead the Way

1. India’s Position and Actions

• ATCM 44 Concerns: India raised concerns about tourism’s impact on research, conservation, and the environment.
• Antarctic Law 2022: India enacted its own Antarctic Law to address tourism issues despite the lack of international consensus.
• Resolution 5 (2022): Advised against building tourism-related structures with significant environmental impacts.

2. Strengthening Environmental Protection

• Science-Based Decision Making: Prioritize decisions based on scientific evidence.
• Monitoring Programs: Implement robust monitoring programs to track the impact of tourism.
• Environmental Regulations: Advocate for stronger, binding environmental regulations at international forums.

3. International Cooperation

• Global Engagement: Foster international cooperation and collaboration on Antarctic tourism regulations.
• Stakeholder Involvement: Engage all stakeholders, including governments, scientific communities, and tourism operators.
• Flexible Compromises: Work towards flexible compromises that address environmental concerns while recognizing economic interests.

4. Promoting Responsible Tourism

• Educational Benefits: Highlight the educational benefits of responsible tourism.
• Sustainable Practices: Promote and implement sustainable tourism practices.
• Public Awareness: Increase public awareness about the environmental impacts of tourism and the importance of conservation

ABOUT ANATARTICA

Physical Geography

• The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the largest single piece of ice on Earth, growing dramatically from about three million square kilometers to about 19 million square kilometers annually.
• Antarctica has several mountain summits, including the Transantarctic Mountains, dividing it into eastern and western regions.
• Without ice, Antarctica would emerge as a giant peninsula and archipelago of mountainous islands, known as Lesser Antarctica, and a single large landmass about the size of Australia, known as Greater Antarctica.

Climate and Waters

• Antarctica has an extremely cold, dry climate, with winter temperatures ranging from -10° to -30°C and summer temperatures around 0°C to 9°C.
• The Antarctic region plays a crucial role in Earth’s heat balance, with its massive ice sheet reflecting solar radiation away from the surface.
• The Antarctic Ocean, officially recognized as the Southern Ocean in 2021, is a key part of the global ocean conveyor belt, aiding water circulation.

Flora and Fauna

• Antarctica hosts limited vegetation like lichens, mosses, and algae, with more growth in northern and coastal regions.
• Its waters are among the most diverse globally, supporting phytoplankton, krill, fish, and various marine mammals like whales and seals.
• Penguins, adapted to cold coastal waters, are iconic Antarctic animals.

The Political History of Antarctica

• Antarctica represented a frontier for exploration, with the “Race for the Antarctic” and “Race to the South Pole” characterizing early exploration.
• The International Geophysical Year (IGY) spurred scientific research, leading to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 that established Antarctica as politically neutral for peaceful research purposes.

Research in Antarctica

• Antarctica hosts numerous research scientists at government-supported stations, studying diverse fields from geography and meteorology to biology and astronomy.
• India’s involvement in Antarctic research began in 1981, with ongoing scientific expeditions focusing on atmospheric, biological, earth, chemical, and medicinal sciences.

Future Concerns

• The melting of Antarctic ice due to climate change raises concerns about global sea-level rise and environmental impacts on Antarctic ecosystems.
• Continued international cooperation and research are essential for understanding and addressing challenges facing Antarctica and the broader planet.

Conclusion

Finding a sustainable future for Antarctic tourism requires a multi-pronged approach. Strengthening environmental protection, implementing robust monitoring programs, and fostering international cooperation are crucial. Recent efforts at ATCM-46 offer hope, but prioritizing science-based decision-making and engaging all stakeholders are key. By doing so, we can ensure Antarctica remains a pristine wilderness for future generations while also recognizing the benefits of responsible tourism.