THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986. No. 29 OF 1986, 23rd May, 1986.
An Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected there with:
WHEREAS the decisions were taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment;
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property;
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
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| Sections | Particulars |
| Preamble | |
| 1 | Short Title, extent and commencement |
| 2 | Definitions |
| 3 | Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve |
| 4 | Appointment of officers and their powers and functions |
| 5 | Power to give directions |
| 6 | Rules to regulate environmental pollution |
| 7 | Persons carrying on industry, operation, etc. not to allow emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of the standards |
| 8 | Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguard |
| 9 | Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases |
| 10 | Power of entry and inspection |
| 11 | Power to take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith |
| 12 | Environmental Laboratories |
| 13 | Government analysts |
| 14 | Reports of Government analysts |
| 15 | Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the act and the rules, orders and directions |
| 16 | Offences by companies |
| 17 | Offences by Government Departments |
| 18 | Protection of action taken in good faith |
| 19 | Cognizance of offences |
| 20 | Information, Reports or Returns |
| 21 | Members, Officers and Employees of the authority constituted under section 3 to be public servants |
| 22 | Bar of Jurisdiction |
| 23 | Power to delegate |
| 24 | Effect of other laws |
| 25 | Power to make rules |
| 26 | Rules made under this act to be laid before parliament |