2. Environment laws of India
In India the law relating to pollution control is more than 1 0 0
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 2 6 8 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, 1 9 8 6 is one of the latest and major Act for
environmental protection.
3. 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 1 9 4 7 (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.
4. The environment (Protection) Act
1 9 8 6
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.
5. The water Act, 1 9 7 4
(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.
6. Wild life Act, 1 9 7 2
The Act adopted two conservation strategies;
i. Specified endangered species are protected regardless of
location.
ii. All species are protected in specified area.
Principles
i. To provide protection of wild animals, birds and plants for
matters connected with these.
ii. To ensure ecological and environment security of the
country.
7. Forest conservation Act, 1 9 8 0
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.
8. The Air Act, 1 9 8 1
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1 9 8 1 was
enacted by the Parliament to implement the decision taken at
the united nations Conference on the tfuman Environment
held to Stockholm in June, 1 9 7 2 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.
9. ISO 1 4 0 0 0 - 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.