Environmental Science (2+1)

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.