India calls for protecting Antarctica environment

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) India today called for a regulatory mechanism for protecting for posterity the icy continent of Antarctica and reiterated commitment to scientific research and technical cooperation in the Polar Regions.

''...India remains committed to scientific research and technical cooperation in the Polar Regions. Antarctica being a common heritage of mankind and the foremost symbol of peaceful use and cooperation, needs to be protected for posterity,'' External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

In his address at the closing session of the Thirtieth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting here today, he stressed the need for coordinated efforts across the world to counter the projected impacts of global warming.

He said the Antarctic Treaty System had become an epitome of coordinated research and cooperation and the path shown by the Antarctic Treaty System by forging ties in collaborative research and enforcing a strict regime of environmental protection through a detailed consultative process, was not only unique to the Treaty but needed to be followed in other areas as well.

UNI