Environmental Science (2+1)

Environmental protection under Indian constitution

 
• The 42nd Amendment to the constitution brought about in the year 1974 inserted two new Articles namely.
1. Art. 48-A under Directive principles of State Policy, making it the responsibility of the State Government to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
2. Art. 51-A (g) under Fundamental duties of citizens; making it the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
• The Environment (Protection) act, (EPA) 1986 is a landmark legislation which provides for a single focus in the country for the protection of environment and aims at plugging the loopholes in the existing legislation. It is a comprehensive legislation to deal with water, air and land pollution and hazardous wastes and handling, storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals and wastes.