Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (E . P. A)
An Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected there with.
WHEREAS the decisions where taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment.
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property
WHEREAS the decisions where taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment.
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
NOTIFICATION under Section 3(2) (v) of
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules 5 (3) (d) of Environment
(Protection)Rules, 1986 Prohibiting Industries in Murud-janjira Area in
the Raligarh District of Maharastra.
S.O.No.20 (E) – Whereas a notification
under sub-rule (3) of the rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules,
1986 inviting objecting against the imposition of prohibition on the
location of all industries in Murud-Janjira area in Raigarh district of
Maharastra was published vide No.S.O. 85 (E), dated the 7th September,
1988.
And Whereas all objections received have been duly considered by the Central Government.
Now, therefore, in exercise of the
powers conferred by clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of Rule 5 of the said
rules, the Central Government hereby prohibits location of all
industries, carrying on of operations or processes in a belt of one
kilometre from the high tide mark from the Revdanda Creek at 190 35″)
upto Devgarh Point (near Shrivardhan) at 180 O’) as well as in one
kilometre belt along the banks of the Rajpuri Creek upto Mhasia, except
those industries, operations of precesses which are in connection with
the promotion and development of Tourism and those thich are permitted
by the Central Government after examining the environment impact.
How
are the terms “environment”, “environmental pollutant”, “environmental
pollution” and “hazardous substance” defined under the E.P.A. 1986?
According to Section 2 of E.P.A.
a) “Environment” includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property.
a) “Environment” includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property.
b) “Environmental pollutant” means any
solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may
be, or tend to be, injurious to environment.
c) “Environmental pollution” means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant.
d) “Hazardous substance” means any
substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or
physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to
human beings, other living creatures; plants, micro-organisms, property
or the environment.
What are the general powers of the Central Government under E.P.A. for the protection and improvement of environment?
Section 3. Power of Central Government to take measure to protect and improve the environment
1. Subject to the provisions of this
Act, the Central Government shall have the power to take all such
measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of
protecting and improving the quality of the environment pollution.
2. In particular, and without prejudice
to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), such measures
may include measures with respect to all or any of the following
matters, namely.
i) Co-ordination of actions by the State Governments, officers and other authorities
a. Under this Act, or the rules made thereunder
or,
b. Under any other law for the time being in force which is relatable to the objects of this Act.
or,
b. Under any other law for the time being in force which is relatable to the objects of this Act.
ii) Planning and execution of a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
iii) Laying down standards for the quantity of environment in its various aspects.
iv) Laying down standards for emission
or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources
whatsoever. Provided that different standards for emission or discharge
may be laid down under this clause from different sources having regard
to the quality or composition of the emission lr discharge of
environmental pollutants from such sources.
v) Restriction of areas in which any
industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations
or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to
certain safeguards.
vi) Laying down procedures and
safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause environmental
pollution and remedial measures for such accidents.
vii) Laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
viii) Examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and substances as are likely to cause environmental pollution.
ix) Carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution.
x) Inspection of any premises, plant,
equipment, machinery, manufacturing or other processes, materials or
substances and giving, by order, of such directions to such authorities,
officers or persons as it may consider necessary to take steps for the
prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
xi) Establishment or recognition of
environmental laboratories and institutes to carry out the functions
entrusted to such environmental laboratories and institutes under this
Act.
xii) Collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters relating to environmental pollution.
xiii) Preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
xiv) Such other matters as the Central
Government deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of securing the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
3.) The Central Government may, if it
consider it necessary or expedient so to do for the purposes of this
Act, by order published in the Official Gazettee, constitute an
authority or authorities by such name or names as may be specified in
the order for the purpose of exercising and performing such of the
powers and functions (including the power to issue directions under
Section 5) of the Central Government under this Act and for taking
measures with respect to such of the matters referred to in
sub-section(2) as may be mentioned in the order and subject to the
supervision and control of the Central Government and the provisions of
such order, such authority or authorities may exercise the powers or
perform the functions or take the measures so mentioned in the order as
if such authority had been empowered by this Act to exercise those
powers or perform those functions or take such measures.
Section 4. Appointment of Officers and their powers and functions :
1. Without prejudice to the provisions
of sub-section(3) of Section 3, the Central Government may appoint
officers with such designations as it thinks fit for the purpose of this
Act and may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under the
Act as it may deem fit.
2. The officers appointed under
sub-section(1) shall be subject to the general control and direction of
the Central Government or , if so directed by that Government, also of
the authority or authorities, if any, constituted under sub-section(3)
of Section 3 or of any other authority or officer.
Section 5. Power to give directions :
Notwithstanding anything contained in
any other law but subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central
Government may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its
functions under this Act, issue directions in writing to any person,
officer or any authority and such person, officer or authority shall be
bound to comply with such directions.
Explanation – For the avoidance of
doubts, it is hereby declared that the power to issue directions under
this section includes the power to direct
a) The closure, prohibition or regulation or any industry, operation or process.
or,
b) Stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.
or,
b) Stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.
Section 6. Rules to regulate environmental pollution :
1. The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, make rules in respect of all or
any of the matters referred to in Section 3.
2. In particular, and without prejudice
to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all
or any of the following matters, namely:
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 (including noise) for different areas.
c.The procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
d. The prohibition and restrictions on the handling of hazardous substances in different areas.
e. The prohibition and restrictions on
the location of industries and the carrying on of processes and
operations in different areas.
f. The procedures and safeguards for the
prevention of accidents which may cause environmental pollution and for
providing for remedial measures for such accidents.
Is pollution of load/soil covered under E.P.A ?
Yes. Because under the E.P.A Environment includes water, air and land.
The sources of land pollution are :
i. The unintended or incidental pollution of soil with man made chemicals.
ii. The spent material from mining, or processing, etc.
iii. The discharge of sewage or waste
water from urban areas on the land used for agricultural purposes,
particularly that adjoining urban areas.
iv. The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste (refuse).
What are the requirements that are to be fulfilled under the E.P.A. by persons carrying on any industry, operation etc.?
According to Section 7, no person carrying on any indsutry, operation or process shall discharge or emit or permit to be discharged or emitted any environmental pollutants in excess of such standards as may be prescribed.
According to Section 7, no person carrying on any indsutry, operation or process shall discharge or emit or permit to be discharged or emitted any environmental pollutants in excess of such standards as may be prescribed.
What are the penalties for violation under the E.P.A.?
1. Whoever fails to comply with or
contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made or
orders or directions issued thereunder, shall, in respect of each such
failure or contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a team
which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to one lakh
rupees, or with both, and in case the failure or contravention
continues, with additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees
for every day during which such failure or contravention continues
after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention.
2. If the failure or contravention
referred to in sub-section(1) continues beyond a period of one year
after the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.
Can companies and government departments be also prosecuted under E.P.A.?
Yes.
Yes.
What
restriction does the E.P.A impose on private citizens with respect to
courts taking cognizance of offences under the E.P.A. 1986?
Under this Act no court shall take cognizance of any offence except on a complaint made by any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or the authority or officer authorised as aforesaid.
What is the effect of Section 24 of the E.P.A with respect to other laws that also deal with environment protection ?Under this Act no court shall take cognizance of any offence except on a complaint made by any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or the authority or officer authorised as aforesaid.
According to Section 24, where any act or omission constitutes an offence punishable under this Act and also under any other Act then the offender found guilty of such offence shall be liable to be punished under the other Act and not under this act.
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