Todays presentation will give us

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT,1986 a brief about the environment

act of the year 1986
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT ?
Environmental protection is an act which was created keeping in mind for:-
oProtection of the environment for the present and future generations and protection
of human health
oConservation of biological diversity in conformity with the natural biogeographic
characteristics of Bulgaria
oThe conservation and use of environmental media
oThe control and management of factors damaging the environment
oThe exercise of control over the state of the environment and over the sources of
pollution
oThe prevention and limitation of pollution.
HISTORY OF THE ACT
oThis act was made by the parliament of India in the year 1986.

oThe introduction of the act states “an improvement and protection of the
environment and for matters connected to it.

oThe decision for establishment of this act was first taken by UN in which India had
participated at Stockholm in June 1972.

oOur environment is an essential unit for our sustenance and its so its protection and
restoration is equally important.
oSo it was considered necessary to implement the decision or the act.

oIn order to throw a light on the improvement of environment and prevent the
hazardous outcome for humans.

oA very well known example is the Bhopal gas tragedy which was considered as the
worst industrial tragedy.

oIn India and still has left scares in many peoples life till this date.

oTill that date this act is taken into a huge consideration and has been kept in mind
not to let anymore environmental disasters will take place.
OBJECTIVES
• To co-ordinate activities of the various regulatory agencies under the existing laws and
creation of authority or authorities for environmental protection.
• To provide for deterrent punishment to those who endanger human environment, safety and
health.
• To ensure sustainable development.
• To enact general law on environment protection.
• In short, the EPA, 1986 aims at protecting and improving the environment and prevention of
hazards to human beings and all other living creatures.
SOME IMPORTANT DEFENATIONS
•Environment[section(2a)]: environment includes water,airand land and the interrelationship which
exists among these factors and humans and other living organisms.

• Environmental pollutants [section(2b)]: pollutant means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance
present in such concentration as may be injurious to environment.

• Environmental pollution[section(2c)]: Environmental pollution means the presence in the

environment of any environmental pollutant.

• Handling[section(2c)]: handling, in relation to any substance, means the manufacture,

process,treatment,destruction,construction,offering for sale,transfer,or the like of such substance.

• Hazardous substances[section(2e)]: hazardous substance means any substance that causes harm to
the human health and the environment because of its chemical or physical properties or handling.

• Occupier[section(2f)]: occupier in relation to any factory or premises means a person who has
control over the affairs.
CASE STUDY
 The Worlds worst industrial tragedy took place in
Bhopal 34 years ago . The Union Carbide ( UC) an
American company had a factory in the city in which
it produced pesticide at midnight on 02nd December
1984 Methyl-isocynite (MIC).Highly poisonous gas
started leaking from the UC plant . It occurred on the
night of 02-03 December 1984.
At the united carbide India limited ( UCIL)pesticide plant in
Bhopal,Madhyapradesh over 5,00,000 people were
exposed to MIC gas and other chemicals the toxic
substances made its way in an around the shanty towns
located near the plants .
Estimates vary on the death toll the official immediate
death toll was 2259. The government of MP confirmed the
3,787 death related to the gas release . Government
affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 5,58,125 injuries
including 38,478 temporary partial injuries and
approximately 3900 severally and permanently disabling
injuries.
The cause of the disaster remains under debate. Indian
government and the local activist argue slack management and
deferred maintence created a situation where routine pipe
maintence caused a backflow of water into MIC tank triggering the
disaster. Union carbide corporation contends water entered
through an act of sabotage .
Owner of the factory, MIC UCIL was majority owned by UCC with
Indian government controlled banks and the Indian public holding a
49.1% stake . In 1989 UCC paid 47 million dollars to settle litigation
steaming from the disaster. In 1994 UCC sold its stake in UCIL to
Everready Industries India Ltd., EIIL , which subsequently merged
with McLeod Russell (India) Ltd. EIIL ended cleaning up on the site
in 1998. When it terminated its 99 year lease and turned over the
control of the site to the state government of Madhya Pradesh.Dow
Chemical Company purchased UCC in 2001. 17 years after the
disaster.
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