The mountains, seas filled with blue whales, emperor penguins and leopard seals of Antarctica are all protected to preserve wildlife with an international agreement.This accord took effect in 1998, and prohibits mining and oil drilling for at least fifty years anywhere within the boundaries of the world’s most frigid and pristine ecosystem. The protection focuses on conservation rather than developing the continent.Pesticides and dogs are included in the wide range of prohibitions, as they present threats to the the indigenous wildlife.

This accord is entitled the Environment Protection Protocol and is part of the Antarctica treaty.The nations around the world agreed to leave Antarctica free from commercial and industrial development.In 1991, the 26 biggest nations of the world approved the bill, including Brazil, the nations of Europe, China, India, Japan, Russia, Argentina, and the United States of America, among others.To find antarctica travel adventures information see this resource.

The treaty stopped the arguing that was going on for more than 15 years about regulating the area.Not only was mining and oil exploration prohibited, it also specified that the 35 stations operated in Antarctica would clean up their sites and remove all disposed material.Further, tourist vessels and scientific stations are prohibited from discharging raw sewage into the waters surrounding Antarctica.

Explorers such as the Norwegian Roald Amundsen, the first to reach the South Pole in 1911, depended upon sled dogs for their transportation.But the treaty bans dogs completely because in recent years, dogs have killed Penguins amongst other native birds.Pesticides, non-sterile soil and polystyrene packaging are not allowed to be brought into Antarctica either.

There is land on Antarctica, but it’s hidden under a mile of ice, and the amount of plant life found there is minimal.Almost three-quarters of the Earth’s fresh water is in the Antarctic ice.Many kinds of sea life also live in or near Antarctica.If you want more comprehensive info on adventure antarctica tours that site will help you.

Antarctica is a very fragile ecosystem.Growth takes place very slowly because of the consistency of the sub zero temperatures.Many years will pass before any damage can be completely repaired.You might see the same footprint you left ten years ago still around today.

The first Antarctic Treaty was ratified in 1959, and made nuclear and military activities illegal in Antarctica.It also kept any one nation from owning all of Antarctica and gave rules for research.No country actually owns Antarctica, but nearly the entire continent is claimed by one or more countries.

Conservations laws were pushed for in the 1980’s when scientists discovered oil reserves, coal, copper, gold, iron, zinc, manganese, uranium and other minerals off the coastline.During the energy crisis of the 1970s, some companies began discussions on the feasibility of drilling in Antarctica.The interest in tapping these resources will only intesify as oil prices go up and technology advances.

Each of the 26 nations involved will enforce the rules on their own.Should a nation’s citizens break the laws and its government declines to intervene, the other countries would exert pressure to resolve the problem.This agreement is viewed by many to be a victory for the environment.

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