ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Introduction
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and (or) humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized and governments began placing restraints on activities that caused environmental degradation. Since the 1960s activism by the environmental movement has created awareness of the various environmental issues. Academic institutions now offer courses such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering that study the history and methods of environmental protection. Protection of the environment is needed from various human activities. Waste, pollution, loss ofbiodiversity, and the introduction of invasive species are some of the issues relating to environmental protection.

Environmental laws
In the Constitution of India it is clearly stated that it is the duty of the state to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. It imposes a duty on every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Reference to the environment has also been made in the Directive Principles of State Policy as well as the Fundamental Rights.

 The State's responsibility with regard to environmental protection has been laid down under Article 48-A of our Constitution, which reads as follows: "The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country". b) Environmental protection is a fundamental duty of every citizen of this country under Article 51-A(g) of our Constitution which reads as follows: "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures."

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted in 1974 as per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The CPCB has been playing a key role in abatement and control of pollution in the country by generating relevant data, providing scientific information, rendering technical inputs for information of national policies and programmes, training and development of manpower and organizing activities for promoting awareness at different levels of the Government and public at large.

Function of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States through prevention, control and abatement of water pollution; To improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country; Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air; Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; Coordinate the activities of the State Boards and resolve disputes among them;

 Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigations and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control abatement; Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programmes for prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water and air pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control and abatement; Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devises, stacks and ducts;

 Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Government concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for quality of air. Establish or recognize laboratories to enable the Board to perform; To issue directions to any industry, local bodies, or other authority for violation of the notified general emission and effluent standards, and rules relating to hazardous waste, bio-medical waste, hazardous chemicals, industrial solid waste, municipal solid waste including plastic waste under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF)

Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes. The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being.

The broad objectives of the Ministry are: Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife Prevention and control of pollution Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas Protection of the environment and Ensuring the welfare of animals

 AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT 1981 . WATER (PREVENTION & CONTROL ) ACT 1974. ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986. WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT, 1972 . FOREST CONSERVATION ACT,1980

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations (UN), and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are not conventional for-profit business. In the cases in which NGOs are funded totally or partially by governments, the NGO maintains its nongovernmental status by excluding government representatives from membership in the organization.