The document discusses environmental laws and sustainable development in India. It provides an introductory lesson on environmental laws in India. It notes that environmental laws are complex and difficult for most people to understand. It encourages simplifying environmental laws so they can be more easily implemented. It also discusses various acts related to environmental protection, pollution control boards, and sustainable development practices in India.

3. Please download these presentations for introductory reading http://www.scribd.com/doc/11867609/Water-Prevention-and-Control-of-Pollution-Act-1974 http://www.scribd.com/doc/11952801/Air-Prevention-of-Pollution-Act

4. What is sustainable development? It is an idea which is rooted in Gandhian philosophy. It focuses on sustainable living, focus on respect and care for the community of life, improving the quality of human life, conserving the earths vitality and diversity, minimizing the depletion of non-renewable resources, keeping within the earths carrying capacity, changing personal attitudes and practices, enabling communities to care for their own environments, providing a natural framework for integrating development and conservation.

5. How does the government try to fix responsibility on corporates for damages to employee / public? The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, has been enacted for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the persons affected by accidents occurring while handling any hazardous substance and for other incidental and connected matters.

6. Which are the authorities for hearing appeals regarding environmental restrictions? National Environment Appellate Authority hears appeals relating to restriction of areas in which any industries may operate there is also National Environment Appellate Authority.

7. What is constitutional framework for environmental protection? Article 48A puts a duty on the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. Article 51A provides for the protection and improvement of the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures.

8. How to reduce pollution? — Improve mass transport system — Imrove Rail transport and pipeline transport instead of road transport wherever possible. — Improve traffic flow through proper maintenance of roads. — Phase out the use of lead in motor spirit.

9. How can we promote sustainable development in agriculture ? integrated pest management and nutrient supply system. environmentally compatible cropping practices, biofertilisers and biopesticides Restriction on diversion of prime agricultural land for other purposes. Use of land as per land capability and land productivity. small projects traditional water management systems alternate irrigation systems & rain water harvesting. small irrigation and water projects with minimum environmental disruption.

10. What are environmental laboratories ? Section 12 of Environment Act 1986 empowers the Central Government to establish by notification in the official Gazette, one or more environmental laboratories or recognise one or more laboratories or institutes as environmental laboratories

11. What are the functions of environmental laboratories ? 1. To evolve standardised methods for sampling and analysis of various types of environmental pollutants; 2. To analyse samples sent by the Central Government under Section 11; 3. To carry out such investigations /to lay down standards for the quality of environment and discharge of environmental pollutants /to monitor and to enforce the standards laid down 4. To send periodical reports 5. To carry out such other given functions

12. What is national environmental tribunal ? In order to give relief and compensation for damages to persons, property and the environment, the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 was enacted to provide for strict liability for damages

13. What are the significant milestones in environmental legislations in India? United Nations Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm, in June 1972 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 the Environment (protection) act, 1986

14. What are the authories under the acts ? Central / State Pollution Control Board for prevention and control of air pollution. This is constituted under Section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

15. What is the composition of the pollution control boards ? Chairman = an expert on environmental protection or person having knowledge and experience in administering institutions dealing with the matters relating to environment Other members = representing local authorities industries, corporations, companies and persons having special knowledge in engineering/ technology etc.

16. What is the term of the members of the board? A member of a State Board shall hold office for three years.

17. What are the powers of the boards ? They can put restriction on use of certain industrial plants. They can take samples they can spread information about pollution and try to stop pollution

18. What penalties are levied under these acts for violation of law ? imprisonment for three months or with fine upto Rs. 10,000 or with both. Where the failure continues, a fine of Rs. 5,000 for each such day of continuance is also leviable.

19. What are the functions of these boards ? 1. to plan a comprehensive programme for the control of pollution 2. to advise the central / State Government 3. to collect and disseminate information ; 4. to encourage research relating to problems of pollution and control of pollution 5. Conduct training of persons for pollution control 6. to inspect sewage or trade effluents 7. to lay downeffluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents 8. to evolve economical and reliable methods of treatment of sewage and trade effluents 9. to evolve methods of utilisation of sewage and suitable trade effluents in agriculture; 10. to evolve efficient methods of disposal of sewage and trade effluents on land, as are necessary on account of the predominant conditions of scant stream flows that do not provide for major part of the year the minimum degree of dilution; 12. for the prevention, control and abatement of discharges of wastes into streams or wells; 12. requiring any persons to adopt such remedial measures as are necessary to control water pollution; 13. to lay down effluent standards 14. to advise the Central / State Government 15. to perform such other functions as may be prescribed

20. How do the boards carry out their work? They establish or recognise a laboratory or laboratories to enable themto perform their functions , including the analysis of samples of water from any stream or well or of samples of any sewage or trade effluents.