1.

Policies: Concept, Objectives & Evolution of Indian Environmental Policy

●​ Concept: Environmental policies are strategies and actions for environmental protection
and sustainable development.​

●​ Objectives:​

○​ Conservation of natural resources​

○​ Pollution control​

○​ Sustainable development​

○​ Public health protection​

○​ Climate change mitigation​

●​ Evolution in India:​

○​ 1972: Stockholm Conference inspired India to include environmental protection in

policies.​

○​ 1976: 42nd Constitutional Amendment added Article 48A and 51A(g).​

○​ 1986: Environment Protection Act passed post-Bhopal Gas Tragedy.​

○​ National Policies:​

■​ National Forest Policy (1988)​

■​ National Environment Policy (2006)​

2. UN Conferences and Commissions

●​ UNCHE (1972): United Nations Conference on the Human Environment – Stockholm;

marked the start of international environmental diplomacy.​

●​ WCED (1987): World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland

Commission) – introduced Sustainable Development concept.​
 ●​ UNCED (1992): Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro – Agenda 21, CBD, UNFCCC.​

●​ WSSD (2002): World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg –

Implementation of Agenda 21.​

●​ Rio+20 (2012): Focused on Green Economy and institutional framework for sustainable
development.​

3. International Agreements

●​ CLRTAP (1979): Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution – aims to

reduce air pollution across borders.​

●​ Basel Convention (1989): Controls transboundary movements of hazardous wastes

and their disposal.​

●​ CBD (1992): Convention on Biological Diversity – conservation, sustainable use, fair

sharing of genetic resources.​

●​ CITES (1973): Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – regulates

trade in wild fauna and flora.​

●​ Cartagena Protocol (2000): On Biosafety – related to GMOs under CBD.​

●​ TRIPS (1995): Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights – includes

patenting of life forms, affecting biodiversity access.​

●​ Vienna Convention (1985): For protection of the ozone layer; led to the Montreal
Protocol.​

●​ Carbon Trading: Market-based system to reduce greenhouse gases by allowing

buying/selling of emission permits.​

4. International Organizations

●​ FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization – focuses on food security, agriculture, and
forestry.​
 ●​ UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme – coordinates global environmental
activities.​

●​ UNDP: United Nations Development Programme – promotes sustainable development

and poverty eradication.​

●​ IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature – maintains Red List, promotes
biodiversity conservation.​

5. National Organizations

●​ MoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change – India’s nodal ministry
for environmental policy, conservation, and climate actions.​

●​ PCBs (Pollution Control Boards):​

○​ CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board – monitors and enforces environmental

laws across India.​

○​ SPCBs: State Pollution Control Boards – implement pollution control in

respective states.​

1. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

●​ Aims to protect wildlife, birds, and plants.​

●​ Establishes Protected Areas: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries.​

●​ Prohibits hunting of endangered species (Schedules I–VI).​

●​ Provides for the appointment of wildlife wardens.​

2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

 ●​ Controls and prevents water pollution.​

●​ Establishes Central & State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB & SPCBs).​

●​ Mandates treatment of industrial effluents before discharge.​

3. Water Cess Act, 1977

●​ Imposes a cess (tax) on water usage by industries.​

●​ Encourages industries to install pollution control equipment.​

4. Forest Conservation Act, 1980

●​ Restricts use of forest land for non-forest purposes without prior approval from the
Central Government.​

●​ Focuses on conservation of forests and prevention of deforestation.​

5. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

●​ Prevents, controls, and abates air pollution.​

●​ Empowers CPCB and SPCBs to monitor air quality.​

●​ Sets standards for emissions from industries and vehicles.​

6. Environment Protection Act, 1986

●​ Enacted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.​

 ●​ Umbrella legislation empowering the central government to take measures for
environmental protection.​

●​ Allows the creation of rules like:​

○​ EIA Notification​

○​ Hazardous Waste Rules​

○​ Solid Waste Management Rules​

○​ Noise Pollution Rules​

7. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

●​ Implements provisions of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity).​

●​ Regulates access to biological resources and ensures benefit-sharing.​

●​ Establishes NBA (National Biodiversity Authority) and SBBs (State Biodiversity

Boards).​

8. National Green Tribunal (NGT)

●​ Established in 2010 under the NGT Act.​

●​ Specialized body for expeditious environmental justice.​

●​ Handles cases related to:​

○​ Environment Protection Act, 1986​

○​ Forest Conservation Act, 1980​

○​ Water and Air Acts​

●​ Can award relief and compensation for environmental damage.​

9. Major Environmental Movements in India

●​ Chipko Movement (1973) – Women in Uttarakhand hugged trees to prevent

deforestation.​

●​ Silent Valley Movement (1978) – Protested against a hydroelectric project in Kerala’s

biodiversity-rich forest.​

●​ Bishnoi Movement (1730) – Community in Rajasthan protected trees; 363 people died
defending them.​

●​ Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985 onwards) – Movement against large dams on the
Narmada River, led by Medha Patkar.​

●​ Navdanya Movement (1991) – Started by Vandana Shiva to promote seed saving,

organic farming, and biodiversity.​

1. Environmental Standards

●​ MINAS: Standards for industrial effluent discharge.​

●​ NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standards (India).​

●​ BIS: Bureau of Indian Standards – sets quality norms including eco standards.​

●​ WHO: Sets global health-related environmental standards.​

●​ AQI: Air Quality Index – measures pollution levels (0–500 scale).​

●​ Emission Standards: Limits on pollutants from vehicles & industries.​

2. Environmental Audits & ISO

●​ Environmental Audit: Review of compliance with environmental laws.​

●​ ISO 14000: International environmental management standards.​

3. Sustainable Initiatives

●​ Earth Hour: Global lights-out campaign to raise awareness.​

●​ Carbon Sequestration: Capturing & storing CO₂ (e.g., in forests or soil).​

●​ Green Buildings: Eco-friendly design using energy-efficient materials and tech.​

4. EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

●​ Concept: Evaluates environmental effects of projects.​

●​ Objectives: Minimize harm, aid sustainable planning.​

●​ Principles: Precautionary, participatory, transparent.​

●​ Process: Screening → Scoping → Impact Assessment → Public Hearing → Appraisal.​

●​ India: Mandatory for large projects (EIA Notification, 2006).​

5. IT & AI Applications

●​ Environmental: Pollution tracking, waste management, smart grids.​

●​ Health: AI in disease prediction from pollution data, health monitoring apps.​