The document provides an overview of the Environment Protection Act of 1986 in India. It was enacted after the Bhopal gas tragedy to provide a framework for protecting the environment. The Act gives the central government sweeping powers to coordinate environmental regulation, prevent pollution, investigate accidents, and punish offenders with fines or imprisonment. It defines key terms like "environment" and establishes authorities to achieve its objectives of conservation and coordinated management of environmental resources. Recent developments include using the Act to set noise standards for fireworks and requiring environmental clearances for industrial projects.

1. The Environment
Protection Act,
1986

2. Overview
• Introduction to Environment
Protection Act, 1986
• Sections
• Objectives
• Scope and Applicability
• Terminologies
2
• Powers Provided by Act to
Central Government
• Effectiveness
• Punishment or Penalties
• Recent Developments

3. Introduction To
Environment Protection Act, 1986
In the wake of the Bhopal gas Tragedy or Bhopal Disaster on night of 2-3
December 1984, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection
Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution.
Passed in May 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986. It has 26 sections
and 4 chapters. The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of
the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm
in June, 1972.
The Act is an “umbrella” legislation designed to provide a framework for
central government coordination of the activities of various central and state
authorities established under previous laws, such as the Water Act and the Air
Act. 3

4. Continued…….
India is the first country, which had made provisions for the protection
and the improvement of environment in its constitution.
June 5th is considered to be celebrated as World Environment Day.
4

5. Sections
4 Chapters and 26 Sections
Chapter 1 consists of Preliminary information.
Chapter 2 describes general powers of Central Government.
Section 3 gives the Central Government the powers to take action to protect
the environment.
Section 4 allows the government to appoint officers to achieve the objectives.
It also gives the government the power to give direction to closure, prohibition
or regulation of industry, process etc.
5

6. Objectives
Creation of authorities with adequate powers for environmental
pollution.
Coordination of the activities of the various regulatory agencies.
Regulation of discharge of environmental pollutants and
handling of hazardous substances.
Speedy response in the event of accidents threatening the
environment and provision for deterrent punishment.
6

7. Scope and Applicability
The Environment Protection Act is applicable to the whole of India
including Jammu & Kashmir. It came into force on November 19,
1986.
7
Terminologies
Section 2 of the EPA deals with definitions. Some important definitions
provided in the Section are:

8. Continued……
8
Section 2 (a) “Environment” includes water, air, land and the
interrelationship which exists among water, air, land and human
beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and
property.
Section 2 (b) “Environmental Pollutant” means any solid, liquid
or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be,
or tend to be injurious to environment and human being.

9. Continued……
9
Section 2 (c) “Environmental Pollution” implies an imbalance in the
environment. It means the presence in the environment of any
environmental pollutant.
Section 2 (e) “Hazardous Substance” means any substance or preparation
which, by reasons of its chemical or Physico-chemical properties or
handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures,
plants, micro-organism, property or environment.

10. Powers Provided by Act
to Central Government
Protecting and improving the quality of environment.
To regulate industrial locations.
To prescribe procedures for managing substances.
To establish safeguards preventing accidents, and to collect and
dismantle information regarding environmental pollution.
10

11. Effectiveness
The Act gives the central government a sweeping power to
conserve the environment.
The Act provides for collection and dissemination of information
about environmental pollution which the government has failed
to do so.
11

12. 12
PUNISHMENT OR
PENALTIES
Who so ever person found to be the cause of pollution, may be
liable for punishment for a term which may be extended to five
years or with fine which may extended to one lakh rupees or
both (Sections 15, 16 and 17).
In the event of non-compliance, fine of Rs.5,000 per day may be
imposed.
If the same is not complied for more than one year, then
imprisonment may extend up to 7 years.

13. Recent Developments
13
Under EPA 1986, central government prescribed noise
standards for fire crackers in 1999 & was used in curbing
noise pollution, besides other laws.
Environment clearances for industrial projects as per
provisions of Environment impact Assessment Notification
2006.
Section 5 of act has been used to give directions to air
pollution.

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Naman Saxena