The Indian Antarctic Environmental Rules, 2023

Enforcement of the Indian Antarctic Act, 2022

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section1 of the Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 (13 of 2022), the Central Government appointed the 7^th day of August 2023, as the date on which the provisions of said Act came into force (The Gazette of India, EO, PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii), CG-DL-E-07082023-247892, No 3358, Ministry of Earth Sciences Notification, S.O. 3509(E), dated 7^th August, 2023).

Gazette Notification on Enforcement of the Indian Antarctic Act 

Constitution of CAG-EP 

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 23 of the Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 (13 of 2022), the Central Government hereby established a Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection (CAG-EP) consisting of (1) The Secretary, MoES as Chairperson (2) ten members from concerned Ministries (3) three expert members, and (4) member Secretary from MoES (The Gazette of India, EO, PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii), CG-DL-E-07082023-247893, No 3357, Ministry of Earth Sciences Notification, S.O. 3508(E), dated 7^th August 2023).

Gazette Notification on Constitution of CAG-EP

Application Forms 

Any person who is willing to visit Antarctica for scientific, logistics, tourism, or commercial fishing-related activity/ies and part of the Indian Antarctic expedition (except those persons who are not an Indian citizen and obtained authorisation/Permit from another Party to the Protocol but are part of India Antarctic Expedition) needs to submit the applications (Form 1 to Form 3, as applicable): 

1.    for Indian Expedition to Antarctica/ To Enter /To Stay at Indian Station/s (Form 1)

2.    for Entering and Performing Activities in Antarctic Specially Protected Area/ Marine Protected Area (Form 1A)

3.    for Mineral Resource Activity (Form 1B)

4.    for activities i.e (Form 1C):

(a)    Introduction of Non-Native Animals, Plants or Microscopic Organisms

(b)   Removal or Damage to Native Plants/ Birds/Mammals

(c)    Disturb the Habitat of Native Birds

(d)   Remove Soil or Biological Material

(e)    Collection/Removal of any Other Sample for the Purposes of Scientific Research

5.    for Vessel/Aircraft Entering Into Antarctic/ Convention Area (Form 2)

Post Activity Report

Once the Permit is issued by Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection (CAG-EP,) to the proponent, he/she should abide by all the conditions, mentioned in the Permit, issued to perform, specified activity/ies. After completing the activity, the proponent has to submit the Post activity report (R1 to R3 as applicable), within three months of completion of the activity in Antarctica. These Post activity report forms are:

 (a)  On Permit issued for entry, carrying out activities and stay in Antarctica (Form R1)

(b) On Permit issued to enter Antarctic Specially Protected Area/ Marine Protected Area/Historic Site and Monuments (Form R2)

      (c)  On Permit issued for Fishing/Tourism/Recreational Activity in Antarctica

(Ship/Vessel based activity) ((Form R3)

Gazette Notification on Indian Antarctic Environmental Protection Rules, 2023