General Knowledge

Environment Related Acts in India

The Government Of India has been taking several conservative measures to protect the Environment in India. With respect to protecting the environment, there have been several environment-related Acts enacted and implemented by the government

Environment Related Acts

Name of the Act & YearRemarks
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981Act constituted to provide for the prevention, control and abatement of Air Pollution
Biological Diversity Act, 2002Act enacted to preserve the biological diversity of India
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986Act constituted to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment.
National Environment Appellate Authority act -1997An Act constituted to provide for the establishment of a National Environment Appellate Authority to hear appeals with respect to restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Forest Conservation Act, 1980Act constituted to provide for the conservation of forests in India
Indian Forest Act, 1927An Act to consolidate the law relating to forests, the transit of forest produce and the duty leviable on timber and other forest-produce.
The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995In 1995 the Central Government established the National Environment Tribunal through the National Environment Tribunal Act 1995 to provide for strict liability for damage arsing out of accidents caused from the handling of hazardous substances
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010An Act to provide for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment and giving relief and compensation to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto
Noise Pollution rule, 2000The noise Pollution Rule was implemented in 2000 to control noise pollution
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act of 2001An Act to provide for the establishment of an effective system for protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants.
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991An Act to provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the persons affected by accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of the wholesomeness of water in the country