The Indian Antarctic Act 2022

The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 

The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 (No 13 of 2022) received the assent of the Hon’ble President of India on   6^th August 2022 and then notified in the Gazette of India on 8^th August 2022. The Act aims to provide for national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

The Bill passed by Hon’ble Loksabha on 22^nd July 2022 and by Hon’ble Rajyasabha on 1^st August 2022. 

According to the provisions of the  Act, the Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection (CAG-EP) has been constituted and notified by the Central Government which (but not be limited to) has the following functions:

1.   to monitor, implement and ensure compliance with the relevant international laws, emission standards and rules for the protection of the Antarctic environment by the Operators or by any other persons engaged in programmes and activities in Antarctica;

2.   to undertake any advisory, supervisory or enforcement activities in relation to programmes and activities in Antarctica;

3.    to obtain and review relevant information and reports provided by Parties to the Treaty, the Convention the Protocol and other Parties engaged in programmes and activities in Antarctica;

The Indian Antarctic Act 2022 - Click here