Release of and Invitation for Public Comments upon a Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) on the Construction and Operation of the New Indian Research Base at Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

The government of India has circulated a draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) on the construction and operation of the new research station in at Larsemann Hills, Antarctica, to all contracting Parties of the Protocol on the Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and has invited comments on the draft.

Having received this CEE, the Ministry of the Environment makes it publicly available on this web site, and invites public comments until March 23rd.



The Article 3, Annex I of the Protocol provides that when Parties plan an activity in Antarctica that is likely to have more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment, the Parties shall prepare a draft CEE and circulate it to all Parties for comments. Parties which receive it shall also make it available to the public in their own countries.

The Japanese government has received the draft CEE on construction and operation of the new Indian research base in Larsemann Hills, Antarctica and therefore makes it publicly available (see attachment) and invites comments to prepare the Japanese comment on this CEE.

The outline of this CEE is as follows.
(1)Title
Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE)of New Indian Research Base at Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

(2)Prepared by:
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Science

(3)Purpose
To construct a new station which will make it possible to carry out long-term research in various domains of polar, ocean and atmospheric sciences for complementing the existing studies at Maitri and adjoining areas from an additional location.

(4)Scope
Construction, operation and maintenance of the new Indian research station in Antarctica

(5)The summary of the Conclusion
India considered the alternatives, and predicted and assessed the impact on the environment (atmosphere, water, wildlife, etc), and then concluded that construction and operation of the new station will have no more than minor and transitory impacts.

The Ministry of the Environment invites comments on this CEE until the 23rd of March 2007. If you have any comments, we would like you to send them using one of the three following methods and the suggested format below.

The way to send comments:
(1) Direct mail: 1-2-2, Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8975 Japan
(2) FAX: +81-3-3581-3348
(3) E-mail: antarctic@env.go.jp

Format:
To: Global Environment Issues Division, Global Environment Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment
[Name]
[Address]
[Tel]
[Fax]
[Comment]
** We welcome substantive comments made from the perspective of environmental protection. Comments should be presented in English or Japanese.

For Japanese