New Delhi: A Bill to create an ‘Indian Antarctic Act’, which will govern Indian research stations and area in Antarctica, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday. The Indian Antarctica Bill 2022 was introduced by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh in the House even as some members opposed it. The Bill aims to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, said the government. The Act will apply to citizens of India, citizens of any other country, and company, corporate or firm established or registered under any law framed by India and any vessels or aircraft registered in India or outside, as well as Indian vessels hired by another party. The areas covered under the Act include the continent of Antarctica including its ice-shelves, all islands south of 60 degree South latitude, including their ice-shelves, all areas of continental shelf and all sea and air space south of 60 degree South Latitude. The legislation provides that no person will be allowed to stay in Antarctica or enter or remain at the Indian station in Antarctica without a permit. It also bans introducing any non-native animal or plant species, or micro-organism in Antarctica. It lays down laws for entering protected areas, waste disposal, discharge in sea, and provides a mechanism for giving permits to remove biological specimens. It also provides for creating a fund which will be called “Antarctic Fund” to collect the fee for permits and the fund will be applied towards the welfare of Antarctica research work. UNI AO ING
