Q.5. Briefly explain the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Ans. Introduction: The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities charged with preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country. The act was enacted in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
Salient features of Environment Protection Act:
(a) Conferring Powers on the Central Government to:
-Take all necessary measures for protecting quality of environment,
-Co-ordinate actions of States, officers and other authorities under this Act,
-Plan and execute a nationwide programme for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution,
-Lay down standards for discharge of environmental pollutants,
-Empower any person to enter, inspect, take samples and test, Establish or recognise environmental laboratories,
- Appoint or recognise government analysts, lay down standards for quality of environment,
-Restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes may not be carried out subject to certain safeguards,
(b) Complain: It confers powers on persons to complain to courts regarding any violation of the provisions of the Act, after a notice of 60 days to the prescribed authorities;
(c) Information: The Act makes it obligatory for the person in charge of a place to inform the prescribed authorities regarding any accidental discharge of any pollutant in excess of prescribed standards.
The concerned authorities, on receipt of such information, shall take remedial measures to prevent or mitigate pollution caused by such accidents and expenses incurred by the authorities in respect of remedial measures are recoverable with interest from the polluter,
(d) Penalties: It prescribes stringent penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act, and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 were amended to bring their provisions at par with those of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1998 and to give more powers to the implementing agencies.
Comments
Post a Comment