ENVIRONMEN

TAL ACTS
 Environment Protection Act,1986
The Constitution of India states- the duty
of the state to 'protect and improve the
environment and to safeguard the forests
and wildlife of the country.
The EPA (Environment Protection Act), 1986

-spirit of the proclamation was adopted by

the United Nations Conference on Human
Environment, held in 1972, was
implemented by the Government of India in
the form of this Act.
 Introduction
Various legislations formed relating to
environmental issues,
Necessary -general legislation for protection

of environment.
Inspite of many laws, decline in

environmental quality -evidenced by

increasing pollution,
loss of vegetal power and biological diversity,
excessive concentration of harmful chemicals

in the atmosphere and in food chains, and

threat to life support systems.
Thus, in 1986 Environment (Protection)
Act - passed to protect the environment,
-growing concern over the deteriorating
state of the environment.
It is a general legislation for the

protection of environment and was

enacted under Article 253 of the
Constitution
 Objectives
To co-ordinate activities of various regulatory
agencies under the existing laws
To create various authorities for

environmental protection
To provide punishment to those who endanger

human environment, safety and health

To ensure sustainable development
To enact general law on environmental

protection which could cover uncovered gaps

in the areas of major environmental hazards
 Conclusion
While the wider general legislation to protect our
environment is now in place, our environmental
situation still continues to deteriorate
We need to implement such acts more sharply to

protect the environment

Public concern and support is crucial for

implementing the EPA

Supported by Enlightened media, good

administrators, highly aware policy makers,

informed judiciary, trained technocrats and we
(common citizens) together can influence and
prevent further degradation of the environment
Each of us has a responsibility to make this happen.
The AIR (Prevention
and control of
Pollution)Act
u Passed by government
in
1981
Motive : to clean up air
by
controlling pollution
u Sources of air pollution are not permitted to
release particulate matter,volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) or other toxic substances
beyond a prescribed level
u Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) set up by
government-measure pollution levels-test the
air
 Objectives of the Act:
To provide for the prevention ,control and
abatement of air pollution
For establishment of central and state
boards
Confer the powers to implement the
provisions of the act on the boards
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF
THE BOARDS

CENTRAL BOARD

u Implement the legislations

u Created to improve the quality of air
u Prevent and control air pollution in the country
u Board advises central government
u On matters-improving air quality
u Coordinates activities, provides technical
assistance and guidance to state
government
STATE POLLUTION
CONTROL BOARDS
ustate boards have power to advise
the state government
uHave right to Inspect any control

equipment, industrial plant , or

manufacturing process at any
reasonable time
uGive orders to control pollution

uExpected to inspect air pollution

control areas at intervals

Penalties
industry - producing emissions of air
pollutants in excess - standards laid down
by state boards liable to pay penalty
Board - court - restrain person causing air

pollution
Contravenes - provisions of act -

imprisonment - for 3 months - fine Rs.

10,000
If continuing offence - additional fine - Rs.

5,000 per day

what can an individual do to control air
pollution ???

polluting vehicle - take its number - send letter to RTO

or PCB
Industry - inform PCB
Use cars when necessary
Use public transport
Carpooling
Don't use air freshener ,aerosol or sprays - CFCs
Don't smoke in public place - illegal & endangers health
Coughing - spread - bacteria & viruses - use
handkerchief airborne
Preventing air pollution and preserving the quality of air
---- responsibility of every individual ---- "we can
breathe easily"
The Water Prevention
& Control Act
 The government of India formulated act in
1974- to prevent the pollution of water by
Industrial, Agricultural and household
wastewater - contaminates the water
resources
Water with impurities enter- into seas
,oceans ,lakes and ponds -health hazardous.
Main objective- to prevent ,control,
abatement of water pollution and
maintenance or restoration of quality of
water.
Central and state governments - set up
various pollution control boards -to monitor
water pollution
 FUNCTIONS OF PCBS
Government -given necessary powers -to
deal with the problems of water pollution
Penalties for violation of the provisions of
act - levied on various factories and
industrialists.
Centre and state water testing
laboratories -set up - to enable boards-
extent of water pollution and standards-
set to establish guilt and default.
 CENTRAL
BOARD
Power -to advise central government- on any
matter concerning the prevention and control
of water pollution
Provides technical assistance and guidelines- to
state boards- to carry out investigations and
research relating to water pollution and even
trains people involved in the process
Organizes comprehensive awareness program-
mass media
Main function - to promote cleanliness of rivers,
lakes ,streams and wells in the country.
 STATE BOARD
Power -to advise the state government -on any matter concerning
water pollution.
It collects and disseminates information on water pollution and
participates in research in collaboration with central board in
organizing the training of people involved in process
Inspects sewage or trade effluents, treatment plants, purification
plants & the systems of disposal and also evolves economical and
reliable methods of treatment of sewage.
It ensures that if the effluents -discharged on land - waste is
diluted.
Laboratories have been set up to enable the board to perform its
functions.
Power to obtain information from officers- empowered by it -to
make surveys, keep records of flows, volume and other
characteristics of water.
Take samples -various sources of sewage- suggest the procedures
to be followed in connection with the samples.
 PENALTIES
It includes failing to furnish information required by
law or failing to inform the occurrence of any
accident or unforeseen act.
Any person - fails to comply -directions in
subsections of law- convicted or punished-
imprisonment- term of 3 months with a fine of
10,000 and an additional fine of 5000 everyday.
If a person who has already been convicted for any
offence - found guilty of the same offence again-
he/she not punished for not less than two years
and even extend to seven years with a fine.
 CERTAIN STEPS FOR PREVENTING WATER
POLLUTION

Use compost instead of chemical fertilizers

in gardens.
Do not flush other waste items in toilets- do
not disappear but reappear somewhere
else- degrade the environment.
Do not dump waste in household and
industrial drain- directly enter -any water
body
Inform the PCB - any offender- polluting
water -appropriate action taken.
 WILDLIFE
PROTECTION
ACT
TheWildlife Protection Act, 1972- anActof
theParliament of India-enacted for protection of
plants and animal species.
Before 1972,India - five designated
national parks.
Among other reforms, the Act established
schedules of protected plant and animal species;
hunting or harvesting these species was largely
outlawed
The Act provides- protection of wild
animals, birds and plants; and for matters
connected therewith or ancillary or
incidental thereto.
It extends to the whole ofIndia, except the
State ofJammuandKashmirwhich has its
own wildlife act.
It has six schedules which give varying
Schedule Iand part II ofSchedule II
provide absolute protection - offences
under these are prescribed the highest
penalties.
Species listed inSchedule IIIand
Schedule IVare also protected, but the
penalties are much lower.
Schedule Vincludes the animals which
may be hunted.
The plants inSchedule VIare
prohibited from cultivation and
planting.
Penalties
Person - breaks any of the condition of
any license or permit granted under this
Act-guilty of an offence against this Act.
Offence- punishable -imprisonment for-
extend to three years, a fine of Rs
25,000 or both.

In the case of a second or subsequent

offence of the same nature- term of
imprisonment may extend to six years
and not less then two years with a
penalty of Rs 10,000.
WHAT CAN AN INDIVIDUAL DO?
If you observe an act of poaching, or see a
poached animal, inform the local Forest
Department Official at the highest possible level.
One can also report the event through the press.
Follow up to check that action is taken by the
concerned authority. If no action is taken, one
must taken it up to the Chief Wildlife Warden of
the state.
Say No to the use of wildlife products and also
try to convince other people not to buy them.
Reduce the use of wood products wherever
possible.
Avoid misuse of paper
Do not harm or tease animals.
If you come across an injured animal, do
what you can to help it.
Create awareness- about biodiversity
conservation- family and friends.
Join organisation- concerned with
protection of biodiversity, such as the
worldwide fund for Nature-India(WWF-
I),Bombay Natural History society(BNHS)
or a local conservation NGO.
 Forest
Conservatio
n Act
 Forest conservation
history of India
Indian culture has always valued its
forests.
The Indian Forest Act of 1927 consolidated
all the previous laws formed before 1920s
Between 1952 and 1988, the extent of
deforestation was so great that it became
necessary to formulate a new policy on
forests and their utilisation .
Till then the only motive of protecting
forest was
revenue generation from timber
Forest conservation act came in 1980
which was amended in 1987
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
and its amendment in 1987.
The Act gave the Government and Forest Department
the power to create Reserved Forests which were for
government use only.

It also created Protected Forests, in which the use of

resources by local people was controlled.

The earlier forest policies had focused attention on

revenue generation only. In the 1980s it became clear
that forests must be protected for their other functions.
AIM of this act
The Forest Conservation Act of 1980 was
enacted to control deforestation
To retain a greater control over the frightening
level of deforestation in the country and
specified penalties for offenders.
Preservation of biological diversity and
genetic resources
Punishable offences under the
act
for RESERVED FORESTS
No person is allowed to make clearings or set fire

Cattle are not permitted to trespass.

Felling,collecting of timber, collecting any forest product is punishable with

imprisonment for a term of six months and 500 fine

for PROTECTED FORESTS

offences like felling of trees, or strips off the bark from any tree or sets fire to

such forests.
kindles a fire without taking precautions to prevent its spreading to any tree
mentioned in the Act,
permits cattle to damage any tree, shall be punishable with imprisonment for
a term which may extend to six month and 500 fine
What can we do to protect our
forest?

Introduce yourself with the laws, detailed rules and

orders issued by the Government.
Take legal action if necessary and if possible through a
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the offending
party.
Participate in preservation of greenery, by planting,
watering and caring for plants.
Be alert to destructive activities in your local green
areas such as Reserved Forests and Protected Forests,
Thank
you!!!