| Syllabus: GS-I; Subject: Geography; Topic: Resources – World and India. Issue: India to mine sea patch. |
Context: India seeks exploration rights from International Seabed Authority.
Key Highlights:
- Targets Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) rich in minerals.
- Also applied for Carlsberg Ridge exploration.
Issues:
- Reported Chinese activity in the region.
- Sri Lanka claims rights to AN Seamount under separate laws.
- Exploration rights specific to open ocean areas.
- Continental Shelf Commission may impact India’s plans.
Prelims Connect  (Institutions in News):
| International Seabed Authority (ISA):·        Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
·        Established in 1994 to regulate mining in the international seabed beyond national jurisdiction. ·        Created upon the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ·        Organizes and controls mineral resources activities in the Area for the benefit of humankind. ·        Ensures effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects of deep-seabed activities. ·        Functions: Grants licenses and regulates exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed. |
