Indian environmental law

Indian environmental law concerns the law and policy of India concerning the protection of the environment, measures taken to reverse climate change and achieve a zero carbon economy.

History

It was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which necessitated the Government of India
to enact a comprehensive environmental legislation, including rules relating to
storing, handling and use of hazardous waste. On the basis of these rules, the
Indian Parliament enacted the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This is an
umbrella legislation that consolidated the provisions of the Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act of 1981. Within this framework of the legislations, the
government established Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) in order to prevent,
control, and abate environmental pollution.
The objective of the Environment Protection Act is to protect and improve the
environment in the country.
BHOPAL DISASTER
The Bhopal disaster, also referred to as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, was
a gas leak incident in India, considered one of the world’s worst industrial
disasters. It occurred on the night between 2nd and 3rd December, 1984
at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000 people were exposed to methyl isocyanate
gas and other chemicals. The toxic substance made its way in and around
the shanty-towns located near the plant. Estimates vary on the death toll.
The official immediate death toll was 2,259. The government of Madhya
Pradesh confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas release.
According to other estimates, around 8,000 died within two weeks and
another 8,000 or more have since died from gas-related diseases. A
government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries
including 38,478 partial disabling injuries and approximately 3,900
severe and permanent disabling injuries.

General protection
The Environment Protection Act, 1986. is enforced by the Central Pollution Control Board and the numerous State Pollution Control Boards.
The National Green Tribunal established under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010 has jurisdiction over all environmental cases dealing with a substantial environmental question and acts covered under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 
National Green Tribunal Act

Air pollution
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Union Territories) Rules, 1983
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
Effects of global warming on South Asia
Air pollution in India

Water
Legislation to protect water quality include: 
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules, 1978
Ganga Action Plan, 1986
National Water Policy
Coastal Regulation Zone
Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal
Interstate River Water Disputes Act
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal

Forests and wildlife
Indian Forest Act, 1927
Wild life protection act, 1972
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
National Forest Policy, 1988
M. C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath (1997) 1 SCC 388
Biological Diversity Act, 2002 
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, which does not fall within the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal. Appeals can be filed in the Supreme Court of India.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960

CAMPA bill

Waste management
Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001
Recycled Plastics, Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999
Basel Convention on Control of TransboundaryMovements on Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, 1989 and Its Protocols
Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules, 2003
Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016

See also
Environmental policy of the European Union
Environmental law
United Kingdom environmental law
United States environmental law
Environmental policy in China
ASME’s 2019 Advanced Clean Energy Summit - Nuclear Power’s Role in Combating Climate Change

Notes

References

External links

Category:Environmental law
Category:Environmental social science
Category:Environmental protection
Category:Environmental law in India