Environment (Protection) Act 1986

By Prateek Kher , 17 March, 2025

No 29 of 1986

An Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected therewith:
WHEREAS the decisions were taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment;
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property;
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

This act has 4 Chapters viz

  1. Preliminary (1-2)
  2. General Powers of the Central Government (3-6)
  3. Prevention, Control and Abatement of Environmental Pollution (7-17)
  4. Miscellaneous (18-26)

There are 26 Sections viz

  1. Short Title Extent and Commencement
  2. Definitions
  3. Powers of Central Government to Take Measures to Protect and Improve Environment
  4. Appointment of Officers and Their Powers and Functions.
  5. Power to Give Directions
  6. Rules to Regulate Environmental Pollution
  7. Person Carrying on Industry Operation, Etc Not to allow emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of the standards.
  8. Person Handling Hazardous Substances to comply with Procedural Safeguards.
  9. Furnishing of Information to Authorities and agencies in Certain Cases.
  10. Power of Entry and Inspection
  11. Power to Take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith.
  12. Environmental Laboratories
  13. Government Analysts
  14. Report of Government Analysis
  15. Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the act and the rules, orders and directions.
  16. Offenses by Companies
  17. Offenses by Government Department.
  18. Protection of Action Taken in Good faith
  19. Cognizance of Offenses
  20. Information reports and Returns
  21. Member, Officers and Employee of the Authority Constituted under Section 3 to Be Public Servants.
  22. Bar of Jurisdiction
  23. Power to Delegate
  24. Effects of other Laws
  25. Power to Make Rules.
  26. Rules Made Under this Act to Be laid Before Parliament.