America started trying since the fifties to ensure that there is no military activity on the Antarctica continent, nor is it occupied by any country. For this, the Antarctica Treaty was formed, which today has more than 55 member countries. There are research stations here, of which the American station was the largest. Now the Donald Trump administration has drastically cut down on the projects going on on the icy continent. At a time when countries like China are searching for new places for intelligence experiments, Washington’s decision is surprising.
Since 1958, the US has been at the forefront of diplomacy and research in Antarctica. Climate was one reason behind this, but there were also security reasons. In fact, if this ice-covered continent is ignored, there is a high possibility that some country can secretly build a military base there. This place is empty, where there is snow everywhere. Since it is not occupied by any country, international surveillance is also less here. Due to this, anyone can increase military activities here in the name of research, and others will not even know about it.
There was a lot of commotion over Antarctica in the 19th century. All the countries adjacent to it started claiming it in some way or the other. This desert of ice was not only a wonder for the world, but it could also be used for mining and many other things. When the situation of fighting arose, finally in 1959, countries together created the Antarctic Treaty System. Initially, a total of 12 countries including America, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Russia signed it.
With time, other countries, including India, became a part of it. Everyone’s aim was the same – to protect its ecosystem. Also, no country should claim ownership here, nor should there be any military activity. Under this, Antarctica will be a nuclear free zone, meaning nuclear weapons will not be used there. Nor will there be any mining there till the year 2048. After this, work will be done on the treaty afresh.
Since then, research related to weather, climate, and ice is being done there. Immediately after the treaty, the US built McMurdo Station here, which is the largest research station. About 1500 people can live here in summer. After this, Russia, China and India also have research stations here.
Tourism in Antarctica got a boost due to America. Most of the people are adventure travellers, who are fond of visiting difficult places of the world. They are taken for a short trip in expedition style. They are in a ship which stops near the border of Antarctica. Most of the tourists are not able to get down from the ship after reaching the border. All the arrangements for their food and accommodation are made here.
Temporary camps are made below the ship so that people get the full feel of living in Antarctica. There is no hotel here. This is also not allowed under the Antarctica Treaty.
Recently, the Trump administration, citing emergency expenses, made substantial cuts in the budget of McMurdo Station. Since then, many apprehensions have been raised. Leaving this most important continent for climate research unmonitored could give China a huge ground. It was probably waiting for this for a long time.
At present, it has five stations here and the sixth one will also be ready in the next two years. It also has very large ice-breaking ships, which are currently working for research purposes. But if America backs out, Beijing’s intentions could become sinister. This country has been against the Marine Protection Area earlier too and has been asking for permission to build stations everywhere. Apart from this, mining has also been on its agenda, so far the matter is stuck due to the Antarctica Treaty.
In recent years, China has grown rapidly there. Since then, the fear is growing that it is not using its research centers for dual purposes! That is, the stations built for science are not conducting military experiments.
Earlier, during the Cold War, the same fear was expressed about Russia (then the Soviet Union). Actually, Russia’s Vostok station was quite isolated. That’s when the West suspected that Russia was building an underground military structure there. Some reports also said that there were secret tunnels and basements under the station, whose purpose could not be to understand the weather or study the layers of ice. However, this suspicion could not be confirmed.