The Environment Protection Act, 1986 was constituted on 19 Nov, 1986, to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected with environment. OBJECTIVES:
· To co-ordinate the activities of the various regulatory agencies already in existence
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| Jairam Ramesh, The Man Who put Environment in front |
· To appoint environment officers to check environmental pollution
· To improve the quality of life by protection of environment
· Establishing environmental laboratories
· To protect the forests and wildlife in the country
Sources and causes for the pollution
Natural and man made sources. Though globally man made pollutants from :: Combustion, Construction, Mining, Agriculture, Warfare, Chemical plants, Coal-fired power plants, Oil refineries, Petrochemical plants, Nuclear waste, Large livestock farms (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc.), PVC factories, Plastics factories and other heavy industry are increasingly significant in the pollution equation.
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 was constituted on 19 Nov, 1986, to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected with environment.
There are four main chapters and different clauses under various chapters which lay down the standards, policies and act of environmental degradations and policies for improvement of environment and prevention of human beings from environmental hazards. The main outlines of this act are described here .
First chapter describes the definitions of various entities that are related to environment. Here are excerpts of some of the definitions that are directly taken from the Act.
“Environment” includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property.
“Environmental Pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment
“Hazardous Substance” means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plant, micro-organism, property or the environment.
Second chapter describes the role of central government to take measures for environment protection and its improvement along with the economic development.
It includes the appointment of officers, power to give directions, rules to regulate environmental pollution, laying down procedures and standards for industrial waste, emissions, hazardous waste etc.
Third chapter deals with the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
As per the guidelines, a person running an industry or operation can not emit or discharge environmental pollutants in excess of the permissible limit.
Central government or its officers may take samples of air, water, soil or other substance from any factory for the purpose of analysis and upon failure to satisfy the norms, shall liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Chapter four lists miscellaneous clauses which are not pertaining to environment but are guidelines for functioning and conduct of officers and government representatives.
Power with Govt. under EPA (1986)
Section 3 of the Act gives extensive powers to the Central Government. It is empowered to make rules in the following areas:
· Std of quality of air, water and soil for various areas
· Maximum permissible level of pollutants for diff areas
· Procedures & Safeguards for handling hazardous substances.
· Prohibition & restrictions on location of Industries.
The enforcement of rules has been entrusted to the state pollution control Boards.
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