Introduction to Acts for protection of the environment ~ APRCET-UGC-Net/JRF: Paper I Portal

Some of the most concerning threats to the environment are

1. Environmental protection ACT-1986

The act was introduced against the backdrop of the Bhopal gas tragedy. It was aimed at protecting and improving the environment.
It authorized the central government to regulate the functions of industries on environmental grounds and takes region specific environment problems.
It also set standards for discharge of pollutants by factories
It gave rules for management of hazardous waste and provided for isolated storage of hazardous chimerical.
It has an umbrella like frame work that seeks to existing central government in implementing pre-existing environmental laws at the central as well as state levels.

It aims at preserving biological diversity and ensuring equitable distribution of biological resources, including transfer of technology and joint research and development.
The act prohibited the patenting of any knowledge accruing out of biodiversity resources without the permission of the Indian government
Local communities were given greater control over the use of their knowledge and resources.
Biodiversity management committees, state biodiversity boards and a national biodiversity authority were setup at the local ,state and national level respectively.

It created a special tribunal to ensure that environment based cases are dealt with a special manner.
Such a tribunal can help in ensuring that the carbon emission levels don't reach a harmful degree. It does so by adopting the "polluter pays" principle.
It would also provide relief or compensation to the affected people, as and when required.
The environmental protection ACT, the Forest conservation Act and the Biodiversity Act where laid out in schedule one of the NGT Act.
In order to make it more accessible five places of sitting were set up all over India, with new Delhi serving as the principal bench.

The act aims at reducing noise pollution levels by regulating the use of loudspeakers and public address system.
It permitted the use of a sound amplifier only within closed premises during night time.
Restrictions were also imposed on other noise producing activities like honking and construction work during the night time.

It established of protection plants and animals, the harvesting and hunting of these species respectively was prohibited.
A 2002 amendment to the existing act made the punishment and penalty more stringent.
Offenses related to trade in animals articles will also be penalized. The objective is to control illegal trade, smuggling and poaching.

It aims to conserve India forest through disallowing so-reservation of forests and use of forest and for non-forest purposes without prior permission from the central government.
It provides certain rights and protections to the scheduled tribes and other forest dwellers.
The act was aimed at controlling deforestation.

The following are some Acts and important years