Environmental laws and protection pdf

1. Unit- 5
Environmental policies, regulations, and international agreements

2. Key Policy Initiatives:
•National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): This plan outlines
eight national missions to address climate change, including solar energy,
water, and sustainable agriculture.
•National Electric Mobility Mission Plan: This plan aims to promote the
adoption of electric vehicles in India.
•National Clean Air Programme: This program aims to reduce air
pollution levels in major cities across the country.
•Swachh Bharat Mission: This mission aims to achieve a cleaner India
by focusing on sanitation, waste management, and creating a cleaner
environment.

3. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
• This landmark legislation provides for the protection of wild animals
and their habitats. It establishes national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries, prohibits hunting, and regulates trade in wildlife
products.

4. Forest Conservation Act, 1980:
• This Act aims to conserve and protect forests by regulating the
diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

5. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974:
• This Act deals with the prevention and control of water pollution. It
empowers the government to establish and maintain pollution control
boards and set effluent standards for industries.

6. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981:
• This Act focuses on the prevention and control of air pollution. It
provides for the establishment of air quality standards and empowers
authorities to take action against pollution sources.

7. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
• This comprehensive legislation provides the central government with
powers to take all measures necessary to protect and improve the
environment. It covers a wide range of environmental issues,
including air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, and
noise pollution.

8. Biological Diversity Act, 2002:
• This Act aims to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use
of its components, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits arising1
from the use of biological resources.

9. Forest Rights Act, 2006:
• This Act recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities
and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources.
• These are just a few of the key environmental laws in India. Other
important legislation includes the Coastal Regulation Zone
Notification, the National Green Tribunal Act, and various rules and
regulations related to specific environmental issues.

10. International environmental
treaties
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Kyoto
Protocol, Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol , Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD):, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Basel
Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal

11. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC):Focus: Establishes a framework for international
cooperation to combat climate change. Key Goal: To stabilize
greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous human interference with the climate system.
Kyoto Protocol:Focus: Sets legally binding emission reduction targets
for developed countries. Key Goal: To reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels over the
commitment period (2008-2012).

12. Paris Agreement:Focus: Aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of
climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Key Goal: To pursue efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer:Focus: Phases out
the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. Key Goal: To
protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of
substances that deplete it.

13. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):Focus: Conserves biological diversity,
promotes the sustainable use of its components, and ensures the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES): Focus: Regulates international trade in endangered species of wild
animals and plants.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:Focus: Conserves and wisely uses all types of
wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation.
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal:Focus: Reduces the generation of hazardous wastes
and controls their transboundary movements.