1 Patel Harsh C. Mech -B Roll No.-209

Environment protection act,1986:  Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment.  It shall come into force on 23rd May, 1986 the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different areas.  It came into force in the whole of India on 19th November,

OBJECTIVES: (1) Manage the use, development and protection of the environment in a way that will enable people for their economic, social and physical well being and for their health and safety. (2) Safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, land. (3) Avoiding, remedying any adverse effects of activities on the environment. 3

(4)To prevent, reduce, minimize and, where practicable, eliminate harm to the environment. (5)To co-ordinate activities, policies and programmes necessary to prevent, reduce, minimize or eliminate environmental harm and ensure effective environmental protection, restoration and Enhancement. (6) To ensure that all reasonable and practicable measures are taken to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the environment. (7) To promote industry and community education and involvement in decisions about the protection, restoration and enhancement of the environment. 4

GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT: (1)To take measures to protect and improve environment.- The Central Government, shall have the power to take all such measures for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling environmental pollution. (2)Appointment of Officers 5

(3) Power to give directions: The Central Government may issue directions in writing to any person, officer or any authority shall be bound to comply with such directions This power to direction shall include:- (a) The closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process; or (b) Stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service. 6

(4)Rules to regulate environment pollution: (a) The standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes. (b) The maximum allowable limits of concentration of various environmental pollutants for different areas. (c) The procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances. (d) The procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause environmental pollution. 7

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: (1)PREVENTION: (a) Persons carrying on industry operation, etc, not to allow emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of the standards. (b) Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards. (c) Furnishing information to authorities in case, where the discharge of pollutant in excess of prescribed standard. 8

(2) CONTROL: The following provision are important: (a) Powers of entry and inspection. (b) Power to take sample and procedure: The Central Government or any officer empowered by it shall have power to take sample for the purpose of analysis of air, water, soil or other substance from any factory, premises or other place. 9

Environmental laboratories.- The Central Government may- (a) Establish one or more environmental laboratories. (b) Recognize one or more laboratories or institutes as environmental laboratories. Government analyst: The Central Government may appoint or recognize such persons having the prescribed qualifications to be Government Analysts for the purpose of analysis of samples of air, water, soil or other substance sent for analysis to any established environmental laboratory. 10

Qualification of Government Analyst (a) Graduate in science from a recognized university with five years experience in laboratory engaged in environmental investigation, testing or analysis; or (b) post-graduate in science or a graduate in engineering or a graduate in medicine or equivalent with two years experience in a laboratory engaged in environmental investigations testing or analysis; or (c) post-graduate in environmental science from a recognized university with two years experience in a laboratory engaged in environmental investigations, testing or analysis. 11

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES: Offences: Penalties: (1) Contravention of the provision the act (1) (a)For 1 st conviction 5 years imprisonments OR fine up to 1 lakh OR both (b) For subsequent conviction In additional fine up to Rs.5000 for everyday. (c) If continue beyond a period of 1 year Imprisonments up to 7 years 12

(2) Offences by companies (3) Offences by Government Departments (2) Responsible person shall be liable to punishment. but he would not be punishable if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge (3) Head of department of government shall liable to punishment 13

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