Important sections of EPA, 1986

Important sections of EPA, 1986
    • Section 2: define the terms, environment, environmental pollutant, environmental pollution and hazardous substance.
    • Section 3: Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment.
    • Section 4: Appointment of officers and their powers and functions for the purpose of this Act.
    • Section 5: Power to give directions to the closure, prohibition or regulation of industry, operation or process; or stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.
    • Section 6: Rules to regulate environmental pollution. Rules in respect of
    • Standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes;
    • Maximum allowable limits of concentrations of environmental pollutants (including noise) for different areas;
    • Procedures and safeguards for handling hazardous substances.
    • Prohibition and restriction on the handling of hazardous substances in different areas.
    • Prohibition and restriction on the location of industries and carrying on of processes and operations in different areas;
    • Procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause environmental pollution and for providing for remedial measures for such accidents.
    • The Public liability Insurance Act, 1991, provides for mandatory insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the persons affected by accidents occurring while handling any hazardous substance.
    • The National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995, seeks to constitute a tribunal with Benches to award compensation for damage to persons, property and the environment arising out of any activity involving hazardous substances.
    • All these Acts are amended from time to time to rationalize and expand their scope, coverage and penal provisions.

Last modified: Thursday, 29 March 2012, 10:12 PM