Environment Protection Act, 1986
| Environment Protection Act, 1986 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Enacted by | Parliament of India |
| Date commenced | 9 January 1986 |
| Status: In force | |
Environment Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India. In the wake of the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. Passed in March 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986. The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environments they relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property. The Act is an “umbrella” legislation designed to provide a framework for central government coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous laws, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
Proposed amendments
The proposed amendments dilute the 1986 Act almost entirely and would promote environmental degradation in a substantial way.[1] In spite of the existing Act, our forests are felled, wetlands are filled, paddy lands are converted, rivers and other water bodies are polluted. Therefore, the need of the hour is to strengthen the 1986 Acts and the related rules. And, certainly not diluting it.