🌿 Key Environmental Laws & Schemes in India – UPSC Prelims Booster Preparing for the UPSC Prelims 2025? One of the high-yield areas you shouldn't miss is environment and ecology, especially the top environmental laws for UPSC. This post covers major acts, policies, and climate-related schemes like the NGT Act, EIA Notification 2006, FAME, and NAFCC — all in a concise, revision-friendly format. 1. Environment Protection Act, 1986 Objective To protect and improve the environment (air, water, land). To prevent hazards to all living beings and property. To give the central government powers to regulate all forms of environmental pollution. Key Provisions Empowerment of the central government to take necessary measures for environmental protection. Setting standards for emissions and discharges of pollutants. Restriction on industrial operations in sensitive areas. Provision for penalties for non-compliance. Regulation of handling hazardous substances. Enforcement Authorities Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) Quick Facts Enacted: 1986 Trigger: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) Covers: Air, water, land, and hazardous substances Type: Umbrella legislation for other environmental acts Penalty: Imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 Objective To prevent and control the pollution of water bodies. To establish Boards for the purpose of pollution control. To ensure the sustainability of water resources for various uses. Key Provisions Establishment of the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. Powers to inspect, sample, and monitor effluents from industrial units. Industries must obtain consent before discharge. Penal provisions for discharging pollutants beyond prescribed limits. Power to restrict or shut down polluting units. Enforcement Authorities Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) Quick Facts Enacted: 1974 Focus: Prevention and control of water pollution First Environmental Law: Yes, it’s the first major Indian environmental legislation Consent Requirement: Mandatory for industrial discharge Penalty: Up to 3 months imprisonment or fine, extendable on repeat offenses Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 Objective To prevent and control air pollution. To ensure clean and breathable air by regulating emissions from industries and vehicles. To establish pollution control boards at the central and state levels. Key Provisions Establishment of CPCB and SPCBs for air quality management. Declaration of air pollution control areas by state governments. Restriction on the use of polluting fuels and substances. Mandatory consent from SPCBs for industrial activities in control areas. Penal action for violations of air quality standards. Enforcement Authorities Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) Quick Facts Enacted: 1981 Triggered by: The Stockholm Conference, 1972 Scope: Includes industrial and vehicular emissions Control Area: Specific areas can be notified for stricter air quality control Penalty: Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine, extendable Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Objective To prevent deforestation and conserve forest ecosystems. To regulate the use of forest land for non-forest activities such as mining, industry, and infrastructure. Key Provisions Prior approval of the Central Government is mandatory for de-reservation or diversion of forest land. Restricts non-forest use of forest land unless approved by MoEFCC. Establishes procedures for compensatory afforestation. Emphasis on maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. Enforcement Authorities Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Forest Departments of State Governments Quick Facts Enacted: 1980 Amended: 1988 Purpose: Control diversion of forest land Approval: Mandatory from the central government Key Feature: Compensatory afforestation Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 About The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of wildlife, including animals, birds, plants, and their habitats across India. Objective To protect wild animals, birds, and plants. To ensure ecological and environmental security. To regulate hunting, poaching, and trade of wildlife. Key Provisions Six Schedules classify species based on protection level. Schedule I & II: Maximum protection (e.g., tiger, elephant). Establishment of Protected Areas: National Parks Wildlife Sanctuaries Conservation Reserves Community Reserves Ban on hunting, except with written permission in specific conditions. Creation of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) chaired by the Prime Minister. Provision for penalties and imprisonment for wildlife crimes. Enforcement Authorities State Forest Departments Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) National and State Boards for Wildlife Quick Facts Enacted: 1972 Amended: Multiple times (latest major amendment in 2022) Schedules: I–VI based on protection levels Key Institutions: NBWL, WCCB Conservation Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves Penalty: Up to 7 years imprisonment and fine for Schedule I species offenses Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Objective To provide a framework for coordinating central and state authorities. To take necessary measures for protecting and improving the environment. To control and reduce pollution of air, water, and land. Key Provisions Empowers the Central Government to take necessary steps for environmental protection. Lays down standards for emissions and discharge of pollutants. Authorizes inspection of industrial units and closure in case of non-compliance. Enables the creation of rules like: EIA Notification (2006) Solid Waste Management Rules Plastic Waste Management Rules Covers all aspects of the environment—air, water, and land. Enforcement Authorities Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Central and State Pollution Control Boards Quick Facts Enacted: 1986 Trigger: Bhopal Gas Disaster (1984) Nature: Umbrella legislation Covers: Air, water, land, and biodiversity Rules Derived: EIA, waste management rules Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment or fine Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Objective Conservation of biological diversity. Sustainable use of its components. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources and traditional knowledge. Key Provisions Three-tier structure established for implementation: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – At the central level. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) – At the state level. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) – At the local level. Prior approval of NBA is mandatory for: Foreigners accessing biological resources or traditional knowledge. Transfer of research results to foreign nationals. Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) by BMCs to document local biodiversity. Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism ensures communities get a fair share when resources/knowledge are commercially used. Enforcement Authorities National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – Chennai MoEFCC – Nodal ministry State Biodiversity Boards & BMCs – Local implementation Quick Facts Enacted: 2002 Based on: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 Key Bodies: NBA, SBBs, BMCs Document: People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) Principle: Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010 Objective Provide speedy environmental justice. Reduce the burden of litigation in higher courts. Enforce environmental laws strictly and effectively. Key Provisions Establishment of NGT as a specialized body to handle environmental disputes. Applies principles like Polluter Pays and Precautionary Principle. Can award compensation and provide relief for environmental damage. NGT’s orders are binding and appealable only to the Supreme Court. Structure Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court judge Expert and Judicial Members Benches in Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai Quick Facts Established: 2010 Jurisdiction: Civil cases under 7 environmental laws Appeal: Directly to the Supreme Court within 90 days Tagline: Fast-track environmental justice Indian Forest Act, 1927 Objective Regulate forest use and transit of forest produce. Declare and manage Reserved, Protected, and Village Forests. Key Provisions Defines types of forests: Reserved, Protected, Village. Grants powers to Forest Officers to prevent encroachments. Regulates forest produce collection and transit. Penal provisions for illegal cutting, poaching, etc. Quick Facts Enacted: 1927 Type: Colonial forest law Types of Forests: Reserved (most restricted), Protected, Village Under Revision: New Forest Conservation rules proposed in recent years Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 Objective Ensure environmental sustainability in developmental projects Key Provisions Projects categorized into Category A (central approval) and Category B (state approval). Requires Public Hearing and submission of EIA Report. Involves Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for clearance. Quick Facts Issued: 2006 Legal Basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Tools: EIA Report, EMP (Environmental Management Plan) Controversy: Draft EIA 2020 criticized for diluting norms National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), 2013 Objective Reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Cut down vehicular emissions. Key Features Promotes electric mobility by supporting R&D, infrastructure, and market development. Target: 6–7 million electric vehicles on Indian roads by 2020. Quick Facts Launched: 2013 Goal: Energy security, pollution reduction Focus: EV ecosystem creation Implemented by: Ministry of Heavy Industries FAME India Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) Objective Encourage faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. Support EV infrastructure development. Key Phases FAME I (2015–2019) Focus on demand creation FAME II (2019–2024) Focus on charging infrastructure, public transport electrification Quick Facts Nodal Agency: Department of Heavy Industry Support: Buses, 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, and charging infra Outlay (FAME II): ₹10,000 crore National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) Objective Assist States/UTs in implementing climate adaptation strategies. Key Features 100% central grant for adaptation projects. Supports sectors like agriculture, water, forestry, and ecosystems. Quick Facts Launched: 2015 Nodal Agency: MoEFCC Funding Type: Grant-based Implements: Projects through NABARD State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) Objective Translate national climate goals to state-specific actions. Key Features Prepared by states/UTs to address regional vulnerabilities. Focus on water, agriculture, health, energy, ecosystems, and disaster management. Integrate climate concerns into development planning. Quick Facts Guided by: NAPCC Nodal Ministry: MoEFCC Coverage: All Indian states and UTs Funding: Partially supported by the central government and international agencies
