Environmental Laws

Deep KhandelwalEmail ID:-deepkhandelwal63@gmail.com

Environment laws of IndiaIn India the law relating to pollution control is more than 100 years old. The earliest of them is share (Bombay) Nuisance Act 1853. The history of legislative fight against pollution started with Indian Penal Code, 1860. Sec 268 defined what is public nuisance.

Legislative fight against pollution continued in Independent India. Now, there is a host of legislation in India aimed at protecting the environment from pollution and maintaining the ecological balance. The Environment (protection) Act, 1986 is one of the latest and major Act for environmental protection.

The environmental laws and protection Act

To protect the environment and to conserve natural resources, various laws have been made. Many Acts have been introduced after 1947 (independence). Water Act and Wild life Protection Act were passed in 1974. Government of India has established a National Committee on Environmental Planning and Co-ordination.

The environment (Protection) Act 1986

This Act came into force on Nov. 19, 1986, the birth date of our late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She took keen interest in environmental issues of the country. This Act aimed to protect and improve the quality of environment by central Govt with Co-ordination of the State Govt.

The water Act, 1974 (amended 1988)

The Water Act was enacted under article 252(1) of the constitution as asocial welfare measure:-• To prevent and control water pollution.• To establish Central and State boards for the prevention and

control of water pollution and• To provide and confer powers and functions to the central and

state boards to restore wholesomeness of water.

Wild life Act, 1972The Act adopted two conservation strategies;i. Specified endangered species are protected regardless of

location.ii. All species are protected in specified area.

Principlesiii. To provide protection of wild animals, birds and plants for

matters connected with these.iv. To ensure ecological and environment security of the country.

Forest conservation Act, 1980

This act deals with the conservation of forests. The main objectives of this act was to check deforestation.Which was causing:- • ecological imbalance and • deteriorate the environment.

The Air Act, 1981The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was enacted by the Parliament to implement the decision taken at the united nations Conference on the Human Environment held to Stockholm in June, 1972 in which India participated.• To provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air

pollution.• To provide for the establishment of central and state boards.• To lay down the standards to maintain the quality of air.

ISO 14000 - Environmental management Standards

• That exists to help organizations a) Minimize how their operations (processes etc.) negatively affect the

environment (i.e. cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); b) Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally

oriented requirements, and c) Continually improve in the above.

• It does not state requirements for environmental performance, but maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system.

• It can be used by any organization that wants to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and drive down costs.

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

Thank You........