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🌿 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:

  1. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – At the central level.

  2. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) – At the state level.

  3. 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

1. FAME I (2015–2019)

   • Focus on demand creation

2. 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