ENVIRONMETAL LEGISLATIONS

THE ENVIRONMENT Protection Act of 1986 (EPA)

                                                                           The Constitutional provisions are backed by a number of legislations-act & rules enacted by the Parliament or the state legislatures e.g. The Environmental Protection Act of 1986 (EPA).

                            The Environment Protection Act of 1986 came force soon after Bhopal Gas Tragedy & is considered umbrella legislation as it fills many lacunae in the existing environmental legislations. Thereafter a large number of environmental legislations came into existence as the problems began arising. For example, in recent past the use of CNG for public transport vehicles has been made mandatory to improve the air pollution problem of Delhi.

                           This Act is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a framework for the co-ordination of central & state authorities established under the Water (Prevention & control) Act, 1974 & Air (Prevention & Control) Act, 1981. Under this Act, the central government is empowered to take measures necessary to protect & improve the quality of the Environment by setting standards for emissions and discharges; regulating the location of industries; management of hazardous wastes, & protection of public health & welfare.