Environment Protection ACT-Lect-8-unit-1-206-B.Pharm/BA/BSc
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) was enacted in 1986 having aim to provide the protection and improvement of the environment.
It empowers the Central Government to prevent environmental pollution in all its forms and
EPA lies in the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972 (Stockholm Conference), in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the improvement of the human environment.
Salient Features of the EPA Act
Powers of the Central Government: The Central Government got the power to take all such measures for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment with the State Governments.
Restriction on Pollutant Discharge: No individual or organization permit to discharge/emit or permit any environmental pollutant in excess of the prescribed standards.
Compliance with Procedural Safeguards: No individual permit to handle any hazardous substance without complying with the safeguards, as prescribed.
Powers of Entry and Inspection: Any person empowered by the Central Government shall have a right to enter (with the assistance deemed necessary) at any place:
Appointment of Government Analyst: A Government Analyst is appointed by the Central Government for the analysing the samples of air, water, soil or other substance sent to a recognised environmental laboratory.
Penalties for Offences: Any offences under the EPA are punishable with the imprisonment of upto five years or a fine upto one lakh rupees or both.
Drawbacks of the Act
Complete Centralisation of the Act: Main Drawbackis being centralization. While such wide powers are provided to the Centre and no powers to the state governments.
No Public Participation: The Act not promote public participation as regards environmental protection. There is a need to involve the citizens in environmental protection to raise awareness and empathy towards the environment.
Incomplete Coverage of Pollutants: The Act does not include pollution such as noise, overburdened transport system and radiation waves which are also an important cause for the deteriorating environment.
Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972. The main purpose is to check deforestation and protect animals, birds, etc., which are part of the environment. It empowers the government to declare certain areas as sanctuaries or national parks.
Need for the Wildlife Protection Act
Wildlife is a part of ‘forests’ and this was a state subject until the Parliament passed this law in 1972. Now it is Concurrent List. Reasons for a nationwide law in the domain of environment particularly wildlife include the following:
1. India is a treasure-trove of varied flora and fauna. Many species were seeing a rapid decline in numbers. For example, India was home to close to 40000 tigers. But, a census in 1972 showed this number drastically reduced to about 1827.
2. A drastic decrease in the flora and fauna can cause ecological imbalance, which affects many aspects of climate and the ecosystem.
Salient Features of Wildlife Protection Act
• The Act prohibited the hunting of endangered species.
• Scheduled animals are prohibited from being traded .
• The Act provides for licenses for the sale, transfer, and possession of some wildlife species.
• promote establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc.
Initiatives of Wildlife Development Under WPA, 1972
• Project Tiger Conservation:Project Tiger Conservation to conserve the population of tigers. Launched in 1973.
• Project Elephant:Project Elephant is launched by the central government in 1992 to protect and conserve elephants.
Challenges in WPA, 1972
Lack of Awareness: the Act has not been able to reach the masses effectively. Many people are still unaware of the importance of wildlife conservation and the laws surrounding it.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: With the increase in human population and the encroachment of wildlife habitats, there has been a rise in human-wildlife conflict. This often leads to the killing of wildlife, which is illegal under the WPA.
Illegal Wildlife Trade: India has observed a significant increase in illegal wildlife trade, which is a major threat to the country's wildlife.
Lack of Coordination: There is often a lack of coordination between the forest department and other government agencies such as the police, customs, and revenue departments.
Lack of community participation: Conservation efforts cannot be successful without the participation of local communities. However, there is often a lack of community participation in wildlife conservation efforts.
