Categories: Science

India backs EU proposal for protecting Antarctic environment

<p>
India has extended support for protecting the Antarctic environment and for co-sponsoring the proposal of the European Union for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at a high-level ministerial meeting conducted on Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>
This was affirmed by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing the Ministers of European Union countries at a meeting held virtually.</p>
<p>
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “India supports sustainability in protecting the Antarctic environment”. He said, the two proposed MPAs are essential to regulate illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. He urged the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) member countries to ensure that India remains associated with the formulation, adaptation and implementation mechanisms of these MPAs in future.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/natural-disasters-due-to-climate-change-have-shot-up-five-fold-says-un-report-111886.html">Natural disasters due to climate change have shot up five-fold, says UN report</a></p>
<p>
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the proposal to designate East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as MPAs was first put forth to the CCAMLR in 2020 but could not reach a consensus at that time. He said, since then, substantial progress has been made with Australia, Norway, Uruguay and the United Kingdom agreeing to co-sponsor the proposal. The Minister added that by the end of October 2021, India would join these countries in co-sponsoring the MPA proposals.</p>
<p>
The India minister informed the EU Delegates that India had embarked on an Antarctic expedition in 1981, through the Southern Indian Ocean sector and since then, there has been no turning back. He said, till date, India had completed 40 expeditions with plans for the 41st expedition in 2021-22 and added that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has solidified its interests in upholding its Antarctic vision.</p>
<p>
Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is the first time India is considering co-sponsoring an MPA proposal at the CCAMLR and getting aligned with countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, which are also proactively considering supporting the MPA proposals.</p>
<p>
The minister said, India's decision to consider extending support and co-sponsoring the MPA proposals is driven by conservation and sustainable utilization principles and adhering to the global cooperation frameworks, such as Sustainable Development Goals, UN Decade of Oceans and Convention on Biodiversity, to which India is a signatory.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

All visa applications treated on merit basis, MEA on US visa issues for Indian nationals

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken note of the new guidelines issued by…

8 hours ago

“India’s concern on terrorism was not acceptable to one country’: MEA on Rajnath Singh refusal to sign SCO joint statement

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said India refused to sign the joint declaration…

8 hours ago

India evacuated 3,426 Indian nationals from Iran, 818 from Israel in Operation Sindhu: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India, so far have evacuated…

8 hours ago

Axiom-4 piloted by Group Captain Shukla docks successfully at International Space Station

Axiom 4 mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station…

9 hours ago

First Kashmiri-Kannada film ‘Harmukh’ captivates audience in Srinagar

In a significant moment for regional cinema and cultural dialogue, the premiere of 'Harmukh', the…

10 hours ago

“Language is the soul of a nation, not just a medium of communication,” says Union Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that languages were not just a medium…

12 hours ago