Environmental Studies

Topics of interest to the environmentalist. Especially tailor ed to the subject titled, "Environnmental
Studies" common to the engineering students in Osmania Univ ersity, Hyderabad, India

S a t u r d a y, N o v e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 4

SALIENT FEATURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS IN INDIA

SALIENT FEATURES OF AIR ACT
-The Air act provides for establishment of central and state boards for implementation of rules
under the act
-The Air act aims at prevention, control and abatement of air pollution
-pollution beyond certain limits due to various pollutants dischar ged through industrial emission is
monitored by pollution control boards set up in every state
-The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) implements legislation t o improve quality of air,
prevent and control air pollution in the country.
-The board advises the central government on matters concerning quality of air. It also coordinates
activities, provides technical assistan ce and guidance to state boards in addition to setting the
standards for quality of air.
-It collects and disseminates information in r espect to air pollution and performs functions
prescribed by the act.
-The state boards advise the state government on matters concerning pr evention and control of air
pollution
-The state boards possess the right to inspect at all reasonable times any contr ol equipment,
industrial plant or manufacturing pr ocess and give orders to take necessary steps to control
pollution.
-The state board inspects air pollution control areas at regular intervals or whenever necessary.
-They are empowered to provide standards for emissions to be laid down for different industrial
plants with regard to quantity and composition of emissions.
-A state board may recognize or establish a laboratory for this purpose.
-State government has powers to declare air pollution control areas after consulting with state
boards. In the same manner, state government can give instructions to ensure standards of
emission from automobiles and restrict operation of certain industrial units.
-Penalties are imposed by the state board and it might appeal to the court to restrain persons for
causing air pollution.
-Any person who contravenes any provision of the act is punishable with imprisonment for a term
extending to three months or a fine of Rs.10,000 or both. If the off ence continues, an additional
fine may extend to Rs. 5000 per day for everyday during which the contravention continues after
conviction for the first contr avention.

SALIENT FEATURES OF WATER ACT

Water act came into effect in 1974 to prevent pollution of water by industrial, agricultural and
household water. The main objectives of this act are listed below:
-Prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
-The act also aims at restoration of wholesomeness of water
-The water act is designed t o assess pollution levels and punish polluters
-The central government and state governments have set-up pollution control boards to monitor
water pollution.
-The water act of 1974 along with amendments in 1978 is an extensiv e legislation with more than
sixty sections for prevention and control of water pollution.
-Central and state boards have been created under this act for pr eventing water pollution
-The act empowers the boar d to take:
               -  water samples for analysis
               - govern discharge of sewage
               - trade effluents
               - study or inspect appeals
               - revision of policies
               - set minimum and maximum penalties
               - publication of names of off enders
               - offences by companies or government departments
               - establish or recognize water testing laboratories and standard testing procedures
-Prevention and control of water pollution is achieved through a 'permit' or a 'consent
administration' procedure
-Discharging effluents is permitted b y obtaining the consent of state water boar ds
WATER POLLUTION CESS ACT (1977)
The objective of this act is that anyone consuming water has t o pay cess depending on the type of
use as listed below:
-Industries using water for industrial cooling, spr aying in mine pits or as boiler f eed
-Domestic purposes
-Processing (pollutants are biodegradable. Eg: water from slaughter houses)
-Processing (pollutants are not biodegradable and are toxic. Eg: water from tannery waste,
industrial wastewater from electroplating industries)
Industries that have a treatment plant installed for treating their effluents can get a r ebate of 70% on
the cess payable.

SALIENT FEATURES OF WILDLIFE ACT

The wildlife act is aimed at preserving and protecting wildlife and came into effect in 1972.
-This act envisages national parks and wildlif e sanctuaries as protected areas to conserve wildlife.
-Under this act, wildlife populations are regularly monitored and management strategies are
formulated to protect them.
-The act covers the rights of forest dwellers. The act permits  restricted grazing in sanctuaries but
prohibits the same in national parks . The act also prohibits collection of non for est timber which
might not ham the system.
-The rights of forest dwellers recognized by forest policy of 1988 were taken away by the amended
wildlife act of 1991
-The act enables central government to enact the legislation.
-The act appoints a wildlif e advisory board, wildlife warden and specifies their duties and powers.
-The act provides a comprehensive list of endangered species and prohibits hunting of the same.
-It protects endangered plants like Beddome Cycad, Blue Vandana, Ladies Sliper Orchid, Pitcher
Plant, etc
-The act provides for setting up natio nal parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc.
-The act provides for constitution of central zoo authority
-There is provision for trade and commerce in some wild species with license for sale, pur chase,
transfer, etc
-The act imposes a ban on tr ade or commerce of commercial animals
-The act provides legal powers to officers to punish offenders.
-Under the act, captive breeding programs for endangered species have been initiated.
Eg: Conservation project for Lion (1972), Tiger (1974), Cr ocodile (1974) & Brown antlered deer
(1981)
 Mrinal Gour at 2:22 PM

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