References

 Dr. Paramjit Jaswal, Dr. Nishtha Jaswal and Vibhuti Jaswal,

Environmental Law (4th Ed. 2015).
 Dr. S.C. Tripathi, Environmental Law (7th Ed. 2019)
• Ravinder Kumar (4th Ed.)
Introduction
The Environment Protection Act was enacted in the year
1986.

It was enacted with the main objective to provide the

protection and improvement of environment and for
matters connected therewith.

The Act is one of the most comprehensive legislations with

a pretext to protection and improvement of the environment.

The Constitution of India also provides for the protection

of the environment. Article 48A of the Constitution specifies
that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the
environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife
of the country.
Article 51 A further provides that every citizen shall protect
the environment.
EPA 1986-Background (Constitutional Provisions)
•India's original Constitution did not contain any provision for the
protection of the natural environment.

•However, the Fundamental Duties, which were added by the 42nd

Amendment to the Constitution, prescribed the protection of the
environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife as a duty of
the citizens of the country.
•42nd amendment also added new Directive Principles of State
Policy, one of which was Article 48A, which directed the State to
protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and
wildlife.

•These developments were a result of the United Nations

Conference on Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972.

•First, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was enacted.

Then, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
was passed,
followed by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
1981.

•Then in 1986, the EPA was passed by the Parliament, in the wake of
the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which occurred on Dec 2, 1984
 OBJECTIVES AND NEED OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT

The following are the main objectives behind bringing this legislation:
• To implement the significant decisions taken, relating to environment safety and protection, at
the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in June 1972.
• India already had some legislation related to different aspects of the environment but there was
a need for comprehensive legislation that filled the gaps in the existing laws. Thus, it was
enacted to bring general legislation in environment protection and cover other major areas of
environmental hazards that were previously uncovered.
• To create new authorities for the purpose of protecting and improving the environment and also
to coordinate the activities of already existing authorities constituted under previous laws.
• To provide for stringent and deterrent punishment to the offenders of the natural environment
who endanger its safety and health.
• To facilitate the growth of subordinate and delegated legislation on ecologically sensitive topics
and environment protection.
• To promote sustainable development, i.e. balance the overall development with environmental
protection.
Need for the Environment Protection Act in India
The need for stringent legislation for environment protection was felt in India because of the following reasons :
• The first was the Stockholm Conference which highlighted internationally, the impact human activities were
having on the environment. Development and the environment were at crossroads with each other and the
conference brought into focus the urgency of their reconciliation for the benefit of humanity and the planet
as a whole.
• The second was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It was about the leak of Oleum gas from an industry that proved to
be fatal for the people around and the environment. This incident underlined the importance of regulating
the industries so that they do not get away easily from the punishment of causing harm to the environment.
• Also, the need was felt because India had some laws for protecting the environment like the Air Act and
Water Act but there was no comprehensive law that connected them and coordinated their activities and
functions.
The Environment Protection Act is called an ‘Umbrella Act’ because of the following
reasons:

1. It establishes the basic framework for planning and executing large-scale strategies to
protect and improve the overall environment, rather than focusing on specific aspects.

2. It provides for coordination between the Central government, state government, and
authorities that are established under various other legislation related to the environment.

3. It fills the lacuna created by several other distinct legislation like the Water Act and Air
Act. It connects them together and makes them more effective.

4. It is broad and comprehensive legislation that covers the definitions, powers, and
responsibilities of the central government towards the environment, and penal provisions
as well.
 Environment Impact Assessment has been
defined by the International Association for
Impact Assessment as, ―the process of
The concept of Environment Impact identifying, predicting, evaluating and
Assessment mitigating the biophysical, social and other
relevant effects of development protocols
prior to major decisions being taken
commitments made.
Basically, it is a concept that attempts to It has originated from the concept of the
reconcile anthropogenic developmental “precautionary principle” which says that a
activities with environment protection by consent must be obtained from a competent
assessing the impact of such activities on authority before taking up any developmental
the environment and addressing them at activity posing a serious or irreversible threat to
the planning and design stage of the project the environment. Now, in order to gauge the
itself. Thus, it majorly involves identifying effect of that activity, EIA plays an instrumental
the future implications of a proposed role
activity on the environment.
 PROTECTION ACT IN INDIA
The concept of EIA reached India in 1976-77 with the Planning Commission asking the Department of
Science and Technology to assess the river valley projects for their impact on the environment.
Subsequently, it was expanded to include other projects as well. They were subjected to the approval of
the Public Investment Board. But these were mainly administrative decisions and had no statutory backing.
But it got support with the coming of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. After EPA came into
force, a notification was issued under the Act which made EIA compulsory for 30 specified
activities. The responsibility for giving a clearance has been given to the Ministry of
Environment and Forest. The Notification was revised in 2006
 Section 2 of Environment Protection Act
Section 2 of the Act defined various terms used in its provisions. These definitions are as
follows:
1. Environment– Environment has been defined to include air, water, and land, and the inter-
relationship among and between air, water, land and human beings, other living creatures,
microorganisms, plants and property.
2. Environment pollutant- A pollutant is any substance in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state,
which when present in a certain concentration can be injurious to the environment.
3. Environment pollution– The presence of an environmental pollutant in the environment is
called environment pollution.
4. Handling– Handling, in respect of any substance, is deemed to imply its ―manufacture,
processing, treatment, package, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction,
conversion, offering for sale or its transfer.
5. Hazardous substance– It refers to any substance or preparation which can cause harm to
humans, plants, other living creatures, property, or the environment due to its chemical or
physico-chemical properties or handling.
6. Occupier- In respect of any factory or premises, it refers to the person who is in control
over the affairs of the factory or premises, and in respect of any substance, it refers to the
person who is in possession of that substance.
 Powers and functions of the Central Government
Section 3- Powers of the Central Government to take measures to protect and improve the environment
Section 3- empowers the Central Government to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient to
protect and improve the quality of the environment, and to prevent, control, and abate environmental pollution.
Some of these measures include:
1. To coordinate actions among state governments, officers, and other authorities.
2. To plan and execute nationwide programs.
3. To lay down standards for the quality of different aspects of the environment.
4. To lay down the standards for emission or discharge of pollutants.
5. To restrict the operation of certain industries, processes, or operations in specific areas.
6. To lay down procedures and safeguards for the prevention of pollution-causing accidents and take remedial
measures.
7. To lay down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
8. To examine the manufacturing processes, materials, and substances that are capable of causing
pollution.
9. To carry out and sponsor investigations and research on the issues related to pollution.
10. To inspect the premises, plant, equipment, machinery, manufacturing, or other processes, materials, or
substances.
 The Central Government is also authorised to constitute such
authority/authorities for the purpose of exercising and performing such
powers and functions as the government may delegate to it.
Section 4- Power to appoint officers
Section 4 authorizes the Central Government to appoint officers with such
designations, powers, and functions as it thinks fit. The officers appointed shall be
under the control and direction of the government or any authority empowered by it.
Section 5- Power to give directions
As per Section 5 the Central Government has got the power to issue directions in
writing to any person, officer, or any authority, which shall be binding on such
person, officer, or authority.
These directions could be related to matters as follows:
1. To close, prohibit, or regulate any industry, operation, or process; or

2. To stop or regulate the supply of electricity, water, or any other service.

 Section 10- Power of entry and inspection
Under this Section any person authorised by the Central Government has the right to enter
any place, at reasonable times with some assistance for the following purposes:
1. To perform any function entrusted by the Government,
2. To determine whether and how such functions are to be performed, or whether the provisions
of this Act, rules made under any notice, order, direction, or authorisation granted has been
complied with,
3. To examine and test any equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document, or any other
material object.
4. To conduct a search in my building where there is reason to believe that an offence under the
Act has been committed.
Section 11- Power to take sample and procedure to be followed
Section 11 empowers the State Government or any officer authorised by it to take the
samples of air, water, soil, or other substances from the premises of any factory.
Section 20- Power to ask for information, reports, or returns
For the purpose of performing its functions under the Act, the Central Government has the power to ask for
any reports, returns, statistics, accounts, and other information from any person, officer, state government, or
any authority, which shall be bound to do so.
Section 23- Power to delegate
The Central Government is also authorised to delegate its powers under the Act, except the power to appoint
authorities under Section 3(3) and to make rules under Section 25, to any officer, state government, or other
authority. However, such delegation shall be subject to the requisite limitations and conditions, as may be
specified in the notification in the Official Gazette.
 Section 25- Power to make rules
To carry out the purposes of this Act, the central government may frame rules on the following
matters:
1. The standards of environmental pollutants, beyond which the emission or discharge is
prohibited under Section 7
2. The procedure and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances under Section 8
3. The authority which is to be intimated about the occurrence or apprehension of occurrence of
discharge of any pollutants in excess of the prescribed standards;
4. The manner in which samples of air, water, soil, or any other substance are to be taken
under Section 11(1)
5. The form in which the notice of intention to take a sample for analysis is to be served under
Section 11(3) (a).
6. The functions, procedures, and fees payable to environmental laboratories
7. The qualifications of the Government Analyst appointed under Section 13
8. The manner in which the notice of offence and the intention to make a complaint is to be given
under Section 19(b)
9. The authority or officer who is required to submit the reports, information, or returns to the
Central Government under Section 20
PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Section 7- Emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of the standards

According to Section 7, it is prohibited for any person to discharge or emit any environmental
pollutant in excess of the prescribed standards from any industry, operation, or process.
Section 8- Handling of hazardous substances
Section 8 lays down that all the persons handling any hazardous substances shall do so by
complying with all the procedures and safeguards as may be prescribed.
Section 12- Environmental laboratories
The Central Government is empowered to establish one or more environmental laboratories, or
recognise any laboratory as an environmental laboratory to carry out the functions assigned under this
Act. Rules regarding the functions, procedures, and other matters related to the environmental
laboratory are to be framed by the Central Government by Notification in the Official Gazette.
Penal provisions under the environment protection act Section 15-
General offences
Section 15 prescribes the penalty for general offences committed under this Act. if any person fails to comply with
or contravenes any provisions of this Act, or rules made or orders or directions issued, he would be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with a fine up to Rs. 1 Lakh, or with both. If the failure or
contravention continues, then an additional fine which may extend to Rs. 5000 may be laid for every day the failure
or contravention continues. And if this failure or contravention extends beyond one year after the date of
convection, then the imprisonment can extend upto seven years.
Section 16- Offences by companies
For an offence committed by a company, Section 16 holds responsible the person who at the time the offence was
committed was in charge of and responsible for the conduct of the company as well as the company. However, if it
proved that any such person was liable exercised due diligence or that the offence was committed without his
knowledge. Also, if it is proved that the offence was committed with the consent, connivance, or negligence of any
director, manager, secretary, or another officer, then such person shall be liable to be proceeded against.
It is also specified that ‗company‘ includes any body corporate, a firm, or any other association of individuals. The
word ‗director‘ also means ‗partner‘ in relation to a firm.
 Other important provisions under the Environment
Protection Act Section 5A- Appeal to National Green
Tribunal
Section 5A provides for the provision to appeal against an order or
decision of the Appellate Authority under Section 31, by the aggrieved
person. As per the Section, the appeal can be filed to the National Green
Tribunal established under Section 3 of the National Green Tribunal Act,
2010.
Section 22- Bar of jurisdiction
Section 22 takes away the jurisdiction of civil courts from entertaining any
suit or proceeding related to anything done or direction issued by the central
government or an officer or authority in order to discharge the functions
assigned by this Act
 BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT
The following are some of the benefits of having the Act:
1. Protection of public health– It seeks to prevent, control and abate environment pollution so as to
keep the environment clean and safe. This ensures that we get a healthy environment to live in,
free from all sorts of pollutants harmful to our health. Thus, the Act aims to protect public health.
2. Promotes sustainable development– It seeks to prevent the exploitation of natural resources
and preserve them for future generations.
3. Positively empowers the central government to take concrete steps to protect the environment–
The Central Government has been given immense powers to not only appoint authorities to
carry out various functions but also to take all the possible measures to further the objectives of
the Act.
4. Strict penal provisions– The Act contains penal provisions for the breach of its provisions. It also
lays down the liability of companies and government departments for polluting the environment.
5. Protecting ecological integrity– By providing for penal provisions and laying down various
guidelines for the Central Government to take active steps for environment protection, the Act
aims at preserving the ecological integrity by maintaining it in its unpolluted and natural form.
 Drawbacks of the Environment Protection Act
Despite many effective provisions that the Act contains to protect the environment, it is not free from some
limitations and drawbacks that dilute its effectiveness. Some of them are the following:
1. Too general in nature– The Act is a comprehensive legislation that tries to cover all the aspects of the environment
but it does so only superficially. It covers only the broad aspects and leaves out the details.
2. Conflicting jurisdiction– Section 24 talks about the overriding effect of this Act. It mentions that if an offence is
punishable by both this Act and some other legislation, then the offender is to be punished under the other law and
not this. This provision lessens the effectiveness of this Act as an offender can easily flout the rules and protect
himself from the penalty, prescribed under this Act.
3. Flexible penalty– The penal provisions prescribed under the Act are not adequately stringent and deterrent. In
most of the provisions, there is no minimum penalty provided. Also, the offenders have been provided with a room
to escape liability by proving things like the offence was committed without knowledge or that due diligence was
exercised.
4. Weak citizens‘ suit provision- Common citizens are not allowed to file a suit against the environmental offenders
unless 60 days prior notice is given. Those 60 days could be easily utilised by the offender to wipe out the
evidence of his fault. Only the central government or its authorised officers or authorities can file a complaint under
this Act. it is important that citizens are given the right to file complaints in cases where they see the environment
is being harmed.
5. Lack of coverage of certain specific aspects of environmental damage– The ambit of environment pollution has
widened with the march of time and technological advancements. But the definitions under the Act have not kept
up with the pace. Specifically, the definition of ‗pollutant‘ covers only the particulate aspects. Nowadays, pollution
caused by noise and radiation would fall out of this definition. It fails to cover soil erosion, effects of flood and
drought, and other important aspects related to environmental degradation.
 OBLIGATIONS OF BUSINESSES TOWARDS ENVIRONMENT
A business organisation or the businesses around the globe can take the following
steps in order to reduce environmental pollution and thereby protect the environment

Companies involved in the production of various utilities or products can go for eco-
friendly, low waste and clean technology for equipment used in such industries.
1. Industrial wastes should be recycled every time so that it minimises the chances of
pollution.
2. The machinery should be upgraded so that it complies with the pollution norms,
which will be beneficial in reducing the levels of pollution.
3. Conduct quarterly/yearly audits for checking the effectiveness of the pollution
control programs and making changes so as to bring about more success in
pollution control programmes.
The companies and industries should comply with the rules laid down by the
government with respect to prevention of environmental pollution
Aims and Objectives of the EPA in nutshell:

•The chief aims and objectives of the Environment Protection Act,

1986 are listed below..
• Implementing the decisions made at the United Nations
Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm.
• Creation of a government authority to regulate industry that can
issue direct orders including closure orders.
• Coordinating activities of different agencies that are operating
under the existing laws.
• Enacting regular laws for the protection of the environment.
• Imposing punishments and penalties on those who endanger
the environment, safety and health. For each failure or
contravention, the punishment includes a prison term of up to
five years or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both. This can also be
extended for up to seven years in cases.
• Engaging in the sustainable development of the environment.
• Attaining protection of the right to life under Article 21 of the
Constitution.