What is Environmental Legislation (General Concept)?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
Regulatory Powers: Granting authority to government bodies (e.g., Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)) to set standards, issue permits, and monitor compliance.
- 2.
Pollution Control: Laws addressing air, water, noise, and hazardous waste pollution, setting emission and discharge limits.
- 3.
Conservation of Biodiversity: Acts protecting wildlife, forests, and specific habitats (e.g., National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries).
- 4.
Resource Management: Regulations for sustainable use of natural resources like forests, minerals, and water.
- 5.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Mandating assessment of potential environmental impacts of projects before approval.
- 6.
Enforcement and Penalties: Provisions for prosecution, fines, and other punitive measures for non-compliance.
- 7.
Establishment of Institutions: Creation of bodies like the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for expeditious dispute resolution.
- 8.
Specific Area Protection: Legislation targeting particular ecologically sensitive areas or ecosystems, as implied by the proposed Aravalli Act.
Visual Insights
Key Environmental Acts in India: A Comparative Overview
A comparative table outlining the primary environmental legislations in India, their objectives, and key provisions, including the proposed Aravalli Act.
| Act Name | Year | Primary Objective | Key Provisions | Relevance to Aravallis/Current Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Protection Act | 1972 | Protection of wild animals, birds, and plants | Schedules for protected species, National Parks & Sanctuaries, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau | Protects Aravalli's biodiversity (e.g., Sariska Tiger Reserve) |
| Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act | 1974 | Prevention and control of water pollution, maintaining water quality | Establishment of CPCB/SPCBs, consent mechanism for discharge, penalties | Crucial for Aravalli's role as a water recharge zone |
| Forest (Conservation) Act | 1980 | Conservation of forests, restrict diversion of forest land | Prior approval for non-forest use, compensatory afforestation, recent amendments (2023) | Directly impacts Aravalli's forest cover, recent amendments debated |
| Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act | 1981 | Prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution | Establishment of CPCB/SPCBs, emission standards, declaration of air pollution control areas | Addresses pollution from mining/industrial activities in Aravalli region |
| Environment Protection Act (EPA) | 1986 | Umbrella legislation for environmental protection and improvement | Central government's wide powers, EIA notification, hazardous waste rules | Overarching framework for Aravalli protection, EIA for development projects |
| National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act | 2010 | Expeditious disposal of environmental cases | Specialized tribunal, principles of sustainable development, polluter pays, precautionary | Provides a forum for challenging Aravalli development decisions |
| Aravalli Range (Protection) Act | 2025 (Proposed) | Specific legal protection for Aravalli Range | Define sensitive zones, regulate development, enforce conservation measures | Directly addresses the current news and long-standing demand for Aravalli protection |
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process in India
A flowchart illustrating the step-by-step process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a crucial regulatory tool under environmental legislation.
- 1.Project Proposal (Development Project)
- 2.Screening (Categorization of Project)
- 3.Scoping (Identify Key Impacts & TOR)
- 4.EIA Report Preparation
- 5.Public Consultation (Public Hearing/Written Comments)
- 6.Appraisal Committee Review
- 7.Decision (Environmental Clearance/Rejection)
- 8.Post-Clearance Monitoring & Compliance
Recent Developments
4 developmentsThe mention of the Aravalli Range (Protection) Act, 2025, in the news highlights the ongoing need for specific legislative measures for critical ecological zones.
Amendments to existing environmental laws (e.g., Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023) and debates surrounding them.
New policies and regulations for waste management (e-waste, plastic waste), climate change, and renewable energy.
Increased focus on Ease of Doing Business sometimes leads to concerns about dilution of environmental safeguards.