Vidhi Codex

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Environmental198637 sections4 chapters

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is a vital nationwide law in India created specifically to protect the environment and improve its overall quality. It strictly regulates the discharge of harmful pollutants into the air, water, and land, while establishing mandatory safety procedures for handling hazardous substances. This law applies to all persons, private industries, and even government departments across the entire country. It matters because it grants the Central Government significant authority to shut down polluting operations and impose heavy financial penalties or imprisonment for any legal violations. Ultimately, this law effectively safeguards humans, plants, other living creatures, and property.

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Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT →

  1. 3Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment.
  2. 4Appointment of officers and their powers and functions.
  3. 5Power to give directions.
  4. 5AAppeal to National Green Tribunal.
  5. 6Rules to regulate environmental pollution.

Chapter III PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUCTION →

  1. 7Persons carrying on industry, operations, etc., not to allow emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of the standards.
  2. 8Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards.
  3. 9Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases.
  4. 10Powers of entry and inspection.
  5. 11Power to take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith.
  6. 12Environmental laboratories.
  7. 13Government Analysts.
  8. 14Reports of Government Analysts.
  9. 14APenalty for contravention of section 7 or section 8.
  10. 14BPenalty for contravention of sections 9, 10 and 11.
  11. 15Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the Act and the rules, orders and directions.
  12. 15APenalty for contravention by companies.
  13. 15BPenalty for contravention by Government Department.
  14. 15CAdjudicating officer.
  15. 15DAppeal.
  16. 15EPenalty amount to be credited to Environmental Protection Fund
  17. 15FOffence for failure to pay penalty or additional penalty
  18. 16Environmental Protection Fund.
  19. 16AAccounts and audit of Fund.
  20. 16BAnnual report.
  21. 17Offences by Government Departments.

Chapter IV MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 18Protection of action taken in good faith.
  2. 19Cognizance of offences.
  3. 20Information, reports or returns.
  4. 21Members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under Section 3 to be public servants.
  5. 22Bar of jurisdiction.
  6. 23Power to delegate.
  7. 24Effect of other laws.
  8. 25Power to make rules.
  9. 26Rules made under this Act to be laid before Parliament.

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