Global environmental problems have surfaced in recent years in the midst of a general upgrading of economic standards in advanced countries. This has been paralleled by rapid growth of poverty, population, and urbanization in less developed countries, and resulted in broadening mutually dependent international relationships. International efforts concerning environmental conservation relate to global warming, protection of the ozone layer, acid deposition, forests, wildlife, marine environment, desertification, and pollution problems in developing countries.

1. Submitted to:
Dr. Sudesh Gandhi
Submitted by:
Ekta Kapri

2. Global environmental problems have surfaced in
recent years in the midst of a general upgrading of
economic standards in advanced countries. This has
been paralleled by rapid growth of poverty,
population, and urbanization in less developed
countries, and resulted in broadening mutually
dependent international relationships. International
efforts concerning environmental conservation relate
to global warming, protection of the ozone layer, acid
deposition, forests, wildlife, marine environment,
desertification, and pollution problems in developing
countries.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-8551-2_6

3. In the last forty years, international environmental law
has evolved rapidly, as environmental risks have
become more apparent and their assessment and
management more complex.
In 1972, there were only a few dozen multilateral
agreements, and most countries lacked environmental
legislation.
But now environment is increasingly integrated with
economic development, human rights, trade, and
national security.
Analyzing the evolution of international environmental
law helps us understand the possibilities and the
limitations of law in addressing environmental
problems, whether globally, regionally, or locally.

4.  The evolution of international environmental law can be
separated into three distinct periods:
-from 1900-1972,
-from 1972-1992,
-from 1992-2012
 The periods are demarcated by two international conferences.
-the 1972 United Nations Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment (Stockholm Conference)
-the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference on Environment and
Development (Rio Conference).
In June 2012, the Rio+20 Conference held, again in Rio de
Janeiro. Both the prior Stockholm and Rio Conferences were
path breaking. Their work products and the events surrounding
them laid the basis for significant leaps forward in developing
and implementing international environmental laws.

5. International environmental efforts
 Environmental impact of developmental activities are being sounded since
early 1960s one of the first and most influential warning was Silent Spring
a book about the use of pesticides.
 In mid 1960s some scientists were sounding warning about the possibility of
climate change due to increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
resulting from burning of fossil flues.
 The same period, early environmental conference link the two British
“Countryside in 1970” conference of 1963 and 1965 & the U.S.White house
conference on “Natural Beauty” of 1965.
 In the United State of America, this climate of thought and innovative
legislators produced a law that represented a landmark in environmental
management not only in U.S but also worldwide – the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969.
 NEPA- agency planning and decision making and integrated
interdisciplinary use of the natural and social service and the environmental
design art.
 In1970s was an era of response and action. The most influential response
were the United Nation Conference of the environment 1972.

6.  First UN conference on environment was held in june 1972 in
Stockholm, Sweden. As a result, the UNEP programme was set up. A
26-point declaration of environmental principles was adopted.
Approval was given to the Earth-Watch Program- a coordinated plan
to use and expand existing monitoring system to measure pollution
level around the world and their effects on climate.
 In the decade of 1970s many government introduced environmental
legislation, established agencies with environmental responsibilities.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA), the discipline that could
steer decision making toward allowance for environmental factors
was introduced in some countries.

7. By 1980, the handling and disposal of hazardous waste
was recognized as a national and global issue. Through the
1970s and 1980s, the growth, of chemical manufacturing
in developing countries exceeded that of the developed
world.
In 1970s and 1980s air pollution , burning of fossil flues,
SO2 and CO2 growth an emissions was major field of
concern.
In 1985, it was confirmed that the ozone shield over the
Antarctic was thinning and a hole had developed. The
Montreal Protocol, providing a framework for action by
each country, was agreed in 1986.
The Helsinki Declaration of 1989 stated the intention of
80 countries to completely phase out CFCs by the year
2000.

8.  In 1980 the World Conservation Strategy, published by the World
Conservation Union (IUCN), the UNEP and the world Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF).
 The original world conservation strategy 1980 introduced an important
innovation in environmental management- the national level conservation
strategy, subsequently prepared by over 50 countries. This strategy so
clearly complement to ‘Our Common Future’.
 In early 1980. the minister of the Environment of the government of
Norway, with the assistance of former Vice President of the Republic of
Sudan, managed a team of 26 concerned person, named the World
Commission on Environment and Development (WCED).
 With help of some countries WCED undertook to prepare a summary of its
findings, with a synthesis, conclusion and recommendations. The result was
a paperback report, under the title ‘Our Common Future’, published 1987
by oxford university press and the report was presented to he green
assembly of United Nation in November 1987.
 This report was precursor, to United Nation’s Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED) of June 1992 (know as Rio Summit).

9.  In 1992, Agenda 21, a global plan of action for sustainable
development was adopted. In addition to adoption agenda
21, the assembled leaders from over 100 countries signed the
Framework Convention on Climate Change and the
Convention on Biological Diversity and endorsed/support
the Rio Declaration and the Forest Principles.
 Agenda 21 are of direct and indirect relevance to science and
technology eg: protection of humane health, integration of
environment & development in decision making , protection
of atmosphere, integrated approaches to the planning and
management of land resource, combating desertification and
drought, sustainable mountain development, conservation of
biological diversity, toxic chemicals, hazardous, waste, solid
waste, solid waste, radioactive wastes, education, national
mechanisms, instructional arrangements and information.

10. The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
was created in December 1992 to ensure an effective
follow up of UNCED; to monitor and report on
implantation of the Earth Summit agreement at the
local, national, regional & international level.
 Rio+10, the Earth Summit +10, the Johannesburg
Summit or formally, The World Summit on
Sustainable Development took place in Johannesburg,
south Africa 2-11 September 2002.

11. Some efforts from India
In India there have been several legislative measure, even since pre
independence period, like the Indian fisheries act 1897, the Indian
Ports Act 1907, Bengal Smoke Act 1905, the Motor Vehicles Act
1938, the River Act 1956, the Atomic Energy Act (Radiation
Protection Rules) 1962.
However, the real awareness about environmental protection at global
level was recognized at the United Nation Conference on the human
environment held at Stockholm in june 1972.
 The Constitution of India clearly states that it is the duty of the state
to ‘protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests
and wildlife of the country’.
 The Department of Environment was established in India in
1980.This later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests
in1985.

12. Contd..:
 The EPA (Environment Protection Act), 1986 came into
force soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and is
considered an umbrella legislation as it fills many gaps in
the existing laws.
 Thereafter a large number of laws came into existence as
the problems began arising, for example, Handling and
Management of Hazardous Waste Rules in1989.

14. The Environment Protection Act (1986)
 Enacted under article 253 of the Indianconstitution.
 To protect and improve environmental quality, control and
reduce pollution from allsources.
 1986 - The Environment (Protection)Rules
 Standards of emission or discharge of environmental
pollutants.
 1989 - The objective of Hazardous Waste(Management
and Handling) Rules
 To control the generation, collection, treatment, import,
storage, and handling of hazardous waste.

15.  1989 - The Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous
Rules
 Defines the terms used in this context, and sets up an authority to
inspect, once a year, the industrial activity connected with hazardous
chemicals and isolated storage facilities.
 1989 - The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of
hazardous Micro-organisms/ Genetically Engineered
Organismsor Cells Rules
 Introduced to protect the environment, nature, and health, in
connection with the application of gene technology and
microorganisms.
 1991 - The Public Liability Insurance Act and
Rules and Amendment, 1992
 Drawn up for the purpose of providing immediate
relief to the persons affected by accident while
handling any hazardoussubstance.

16.  1995 - The National Environmental TribunalAct
 Created to award compensation for damages to persons,
property, and the environment arising from any activity
involving hazardous substances.
 1998 - The Biomedical waste (Management
and Handling) Rules
 Legal binding on the health care institutions to
streamline the process of proper handling of hospital
waste.

17.  1999 - The Environment ( Siting for Industrial
Projects) Rules
 Lays down detailed provisions relating to areas to be
avoided for siting of industries & precautionary
measures to be taken forsite selection.
 2000 - The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and
Handling) Rules
 Apply to every municipal authority responsible for the
collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of
municipal solid wastes.

18.  2000 - The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation
and Control)
 Rules have been laid down for the regulation of production
and consumption of ozone depletingsubstances.
 2001 - The Batteries (Management and
Handling) Rules
 Rules shall apply to every person involved in the
manufacture, processing, sale, purchase, and use of batteries
or components to regulate and ensure the environmentally
safe disposal of used batteries.

19.  2002 - The Noise Pollution (Regulation and
Control)(Amendment)
 Lay down such terms and conditions as are necessary to
reduce noisepollution.
 Such as use of loud speakers or public address systems
during night hours (from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) on or
during anycultural or religious festiveoccasion
 2002 - The Biological DiversityAct
 Is an act to provide for the sustainable use &
conservation of biological diversity.

20. Penalties
 Section -15 –EPAdeals withthese.
 If a person fails to comply any provision or any
direction issued under this act then he shall be
punished for each failure as:-
 Imprisonment , which may extend to 5 years, or fine
which may extend to Rs 1,00,000 or both.
 If failure continues after conviction for 1 st failure an
additional fine which may be Rs 5000 for everyday can be
imposed.
 If failure continues for 1 year the offender shall be
imprisoned which may extend upto 7years

22. Indian Government has taken various biodiversity protection
steps. Important measures include:
 The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972. The Act, inter alia, provides for the
creation of Protected Areas for the protection of wildlife
and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified
fauna specified in the schedules I to IV thereof.
 Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules
2010 have been framed for the protection of wetlands, in
the States.
 The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for
Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also provides
assistance to the States for the management of wetlands
including Ramsar sites in the country.

23.  Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for
control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered
species.
 Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History society
and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
are some of the research organisations undertaking research
on conservation of wildlife.
 The Indian Government has banned the veterinary use of
diclofenac drug that has caused the rapid population decline
of Gyps vulture across the Indian Subcontinent.
Conservation Breeding Programmes to conserve these
vulture species have been initiated at Pinjore (Haryana),
Buxa (West Bengal) and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the
Bombay Natural History Society.

24.  The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats‘ has been modified by
including a new component namely ‘Recovery of
Endangered Species‘ and 16 species have been identified
for recovery viz. Snow Leopard, Bustard, Dolphin,,
Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest
Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode,
Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet,
Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and
Jerdon’s Courser.

25. Important Indian Acts passed related to Environment and Bio
Diversity
 Fisheries Act 1897.
 Indian Forests Act 1927.
 Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957.
 Prevention of cruelty to animals 1960.
 Wildlife protection act 1972.
 Water (prevention and control of pollution) act 1974.
 Forest Conservation Act 1980.
 Air(prevention and control of pollution) act 1981.
 Environment Protection Act 1986.
 Biological Diversity Act 2002.
 Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
(recognition of rights) act 2006.

27. Water
 1882 - The EasementAct
 Allows private rights to use a resource that is, groundwater, by
viewing it as an attachment to the land. It also states that all
surface water belongs to the state and is a state property.
 1897 - The Indian FisheriesAct
 Establishes two sets of penal offences whereby the government
can sue any person who uses dynamite or other explosive
substance in any way (whether coastal or inland) with intent to
catch or destroy any fish or poisonous fish in order to kill.

28.  1956 - The River BoardsAct
 Enables the states to enroll the central government in
setting up an Advisory River Board to resolve issues in
inter-state cooperation.
 1970 - The Merchant ShippingAct
 Aims to deal with waste arising from ships along the
coastal areas within aspecified radius.

29.  1974 - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)Act
 establishes an institutional structure for preventing and
abating waterpollution.
 It establishes standards for water quality and effluent.
 The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) was constituted
under thisact.
 1977 - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Cess Act
 Provides for the levy and collection of fees on water
consuming industries and localauthorities

30.  1991 - The Coastal Regulation ZoneNotification
 Puts regulations on various activities, including
construction.
 It gives some protection to the backwaters and estuaries.

31. Normal composition
Nitrogen – 78.09 %
Oxygen – 20.94 %
Carbon dioxide – 0.32 %

32. Air
 1948 – The Factories Actand Amendment in 1987
 First toexpress concern fortheworking environmentof
theworkers
 1981 - The Air (Prevention and Controlof Pollution)
Act
 Enacted under article 253 of the Indianconstitution.
 Provides for thecontrol and abatementof air pollution.

33.  1982 - The Air (Prevention and Control ofPollution)
Rules
 Defines the proceduresof the meetingsof the Boards
and the powers entrusted tothem.
 1982 - The Atomic EnergyAct
 Deals with the radioactivewaste.

34.  1987 - The Air (Prevention and Control ofPollution)
AmendmentAct
 Empowers thecentral and state pollution control boards
to meetwith graveemergencies of air pollution.
 1988 - The Motor VehiclesAct
 States thatall hazardous waste is to be properly
packaged, labelled , and transported.

35. Penalties
Punishment forviolating anyof the rule underthisact
shall be :-
 Imprisonment for term which shall not be less than one
yearor 6 months & mayextend to 6 yearsorwith fine.
 In case failurecontinues an additional fine of Rs 500 per
day.
 If failure continues beyond one year the punishment
shall be imprisonment forterm which shall not be less
then 2 years & mayextend to 7 years & with fine.

36. 5 Initiatives By The Government To Keep Our
Environment Clean
The Government Of India has recently taken some
commendable steps recently in order to keep our
environment clean. These initiatives have been carried
out in the best interest of citizens and have certainly
progressed and shown some remarkable achievements
over a period of time.

37. 1. The Odd-Even Rule
Odd-Even rule achieved partial success in what they set
out to do. It significantly helped in reducing traffic
congestion in Delhi.

38. 2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign launched on 2nd October 2014 with an
objective of cleaning India and it aims to eradicate open defecation by 2019.
The government released cleanliness ranking for 73 cities on 15 Feb 2016 with
Mysuru ranking on the 1st place, New Delhi on 5th place, and Greater
Mumbai on 10th place.

39. 3. Shauchalya Yojna
Shauchalya Yojna too is a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Prime Minister Modi has claimed to make India an Open
Defecation free country by 2019 by building 12 crore toilets in
rural India. So far, Punjab is the first state to be called open
defecation free state.

40. Rajasthan - the three-step pathway in action
A large and mostly rural state, Rajasthan has historically lagged
behind other states in sanitation: only 19.6 percent of rural
households had a toilet in 2011. We invited ten of the state’s 32
district collectors – high-ranking officials, who are often relatively
young and ambitious – on a study visit to Himachal Pradesh, which
is much further advanced in rolling out
sanitation.
During that visit, we observed that three of the ten collectors seemed
especially enthused. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan declared
sanitation as one of the state’s top development priorities, with a
target of eliminating open defecation by 2018.

41. 4. Clean Ganga Project
This is a wonderful initiative taken by the government but
sources claim that they'd implement it post May 15 and we'd see
the effective results somewhere in the month of October this year.

42. 5. Bijli Bachao
Bijli Bachao literally translates into 'Save Electricity'. This
project encourages using home appliances that consume less of
electricity and contribute more towards conserving it. The
government also plans to install rooftop solar panels in
Maharashtra and Karnataka for now.

43. Schemes and Programmes
1. National River Conservation Plan
2. Ecomark Scheme of India (ECOMARK) - Ecomark
Labelling
3. National Afforestation Programme: A Participatory
Approach to Sustainable Development of Forests
4. National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
5. Grants-in-aid Scheme for Voluntary Agencies