Context:
India has applied with International Seabed Authority for rights to explore two vast tracts in Indian Ocean seabed.
Seabed Exploration in India:
- Current status – Currently, India holds 2 contracts for exploration in Indian Ocean.
- For exploration for polymetallic nodules in Central Indian Ocean Basin.
- For exploration of polymetallic sulphides in Indian Ocean Ridge.
- Newly applied regions –
- For exploration of polymetallic sulfides in Indian Ocean Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge), located in Central Indian Ocean.
- For exploration of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount in Central Indian Ocean.
United Nations Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS):
- Adopted in – 1982
- UNCLOS – Lays down comprehensive regime of law and order in world’s oceans and seas.
- Seabed exploration outside of territorial limits are decided by UNCLOS
- Bodies established under UNCLOS –
- International Seabed Authority
- International Tribunal for Law of the Sea
- Commission on Limits of the Continental Shelf
International Seabed Authority (ISA):
- ISA – It is an autonomous international organization established in 1994 to regulate mining and related activities in the international seabed beyond national jurisdiction
- Mandate – To ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities.
- Headquarter – Kingston, Jamaica
- Members – 169 Members (including European Union)
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
