Environment &
Ecology
UNIT - 5
Environmental
Protection
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Unit 5 Syllabus
Environmental Protection; Environmental
Protection Act 1986, Initiatives by Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGO’s),
Human Population and the Environment: Population
growth, Environmental Education, Women Education.
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection refers to the practice of safeguarding
and preserving the natural environment from various threats
and degradation.
It involves taking measures to prevent or reduce pollution,
conserve
natural resources, protect ecosystems, and promote
sustainable
development.
Environmental protection is crucial for maintaining the health
and well- being of both ecosystems and human populations.
Environmental Policy
Environmental policy refers to a set of principles, and
guidelines which are prepared by governments or various
organizations to save the environment.
Environmental policy address environmental issues
and
sustainable promote
development.
It includes laws, regulations, and initiatives that aim to protect
and conserve the environment, manage natural resources, and
mitigate pollution and climate change.
Legislations in India
In India, several legislations have been enacted to protect the
environment and ensure sustainable development.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, serves as a crucial legal framework
for the protection and conservation of India's diverse wildlife. It
plays a significant role in safeguarding threatened species,
preserving habitats, and regulating human interactions with wildlife.
The act has contributed to the recovery of several endangered
species and has
helped in promoting awareness and education about wildlife
conservation.
The Act aims to protect wildlife, including both terrestrial and aquatic
species, and their habitats. It focuses on conserving biodiversity,
preventing species extinction, and promoting sustainable
management of wildlife resources.
The Water Act, 1974
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is a key
legislation in India that aims to prevent and control water pollution. It
provides a legal framework for regulating and managing water
resources, addressing pollution issues, and promoting sustainable
water management practices.
The main objective of the act is to prevent and control water pollution
by regulating the discharge of pollutants into water bodies and
improving water quality.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act establishes
regulatory bodies, such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), to enforce the act's
provisions.
The Water Act, 1974
The CPCB and SPCBs work collaboratively to regulate and manage
pollution control in India. While the CPCB sets national standards and
provides overall guidance, SPCBs have the responsibility of
implementing and enforcing pollution control measures at the state
level.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for setting
national standards, monitoring pollution levels, conducting
research, enforcing regulations, and coordinating pollution control
efforts at the national level in India.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), on the other hand, grant
consents, monitor compliance, issue directives, raise public
awareness, and enforce pollution control measures within their
respective states.
The Air Act,
1981
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is a significant
legislation in India that aims to prevent, control, and abate air
pollution.
It provides a legal framework for regulating air pollution and
establishes the necessary institutional mechanisms for monitoring,
enforcement, and compliance.
The act sets standards for air quality, mandates consent for industries
emitting pollutants, and grants powers to the regulatory bodies for
monitoring, inspection, and enforcement.
It defines offenses and penalties for non-compliance with air pollution
control measures.
The Air Act,
1981
Under Section 19, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State
Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are empowered with various functions
such as monitoring air quality, conducting inspections, issuing
directions, and collecting data on air pollutants.
These regulatory bodies have the authority to enter premises for
inspections, conduct tests and analysis, and take necessary actions to
prevent and abate air pollution. Sections 21(1) and 21(2) focus on
offenses and penalties.
The act emphasizes collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders
to address air pollution issues.
Overall, the act plays a crucial role in protecting air quality, promoting
sustainable
practices, and ensuring a healthier environment for all.
The Forest Act, 1980
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a crucial legislation in India
aimed at safeguarding the country's forests and wildlife.
Its primary objective is to regulate the diversion of forest land for non-
forest purposes, such as industrial projects and infrastructure
development, to ensure sustainable use of forest resources and
maintain ecological balance.
The act requires prior approval from the central government for any
project or activity that involves the diversion of forest land.
It emphasizes compensatory afforestation, where equivalent areas of
non-forest land must be afforested to compensate for the diverted
forest land.
The Forest Act, 1980
The act establishes national and state-level committees to evaluate
proposals for
forest land diversion and provides for penalties for unauthorized
diversion.
It also allows for judicial review to ensure compliance with the act's
provisions.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 plays a crucial role in promoting
the conservation and sustainable management of India's forests,
protecting wildlife habitats, and balancing economic development with
environmental preservation.
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 is a legislation enacted by the
Government of India to address various environmental concerns and
promote sustainable development. It serves as a comprehensive
framework for the protection, conservation, and improvement of the
environment.
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 consolidates and
strengthens the
existing legal provisions related to environmental protection.
It integrates and harmonizes various environmental laws and
regulations, including the Water Act, 1974, the Air Act, 1981, and
other related acts. The act builds upon the foundation laid by these
previous acts and provides a unified approach to environmental
protection and pollution control in India.
Salient features of Act, 1986:
Objective: Protect and improve the environment, prevent and control
pollution.
Regulatory Authorities: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
Pollution Control Measures: Prescribestandards for
industries, vehicles, and
pollution sources.
Environmental Clearances: Required for projects with significant
environmental impact.
Hazardous Substances and Wastes: Regulates their management
and
disposal.
Penalties and Offenses: Imposes fines and imprisonment for
Salient features of Act, 1986:
Objective: Protect and improve the environment, prevent and control
pollution.
Regulatory Authorities: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
Pollution Control Measures: Prescribestandards for
industries, vehicles, and
pollution sources.
Environmental Clearances: Required for projects with significant
environmental impact.
Hazardous Substances and Wastes: Regulates their management
and
disposal.
Penalties and Offenses: Imposes fines and imprisonment for
NGO’
s
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a crucial
role in addressing
environmental pollution.
NGOs helps in addressing environmental pollution by raising awareness,
advocating for better policies, monitoring pollution, engaging
communities, and fostering partnerships.
They fill gaps in government action, provide an independent
perspective, and empower grassroots participation.
In India, notable NGOs working in this direction include Greenpeace
India, Center for Science and Environment (CSE), Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS) India, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Role of NGO’s
NGOs raise awareness about environmental pollution and its impacts
through
campaigns and educational programs.
They advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations,
engaging with policymakers and providing expert opinions.
NGOs monitor pollution levels, conduct research, and gather data to
assess the extent and impact of environmental pollution. They publish
reports and studies highlighting pollution hotspots and suggesting
mitigation strategies.
NGOs work closely with local communities affected by pollution,
empowering them
to voice their concerns and participate in decision-making processes.
They implement sustainable solutions and projects in collaboration with
Need of NGO’s
Independent Perspective: NGOs offeran independent and
unbiased viewpoint
on environmental issues.
Grassroots Participation: NGOs actively engage local communities
and
individuals in environmental protection efforts.
Specialized Expertise: NGOs bring scientific research, technical know-
how, and
innovative solutions to address pollution challenges.
Bridge
government policies
Between and implementation
Government on NGOs
and Civil Society: bridge the
the ground. Theygap
act as
between
intermediaries, facilitating effective communication and cooperation
between various stakeholders.
Environment Education
Environment education refers to the process of impartingknowledge
and
awareness about the environment, its issues, and sustainable practices.
Its objective is to develop a sense of responsibility, knowledge, skills,
and values in individuals to protect and conserve the environment.
By promoting environmental literacy, it aims to create a more informed
and environmentally conscious society. However, environment
education faces certain challenges. These include:
Lack of Awareness: Many people have limited knowledge and
understanding of environmental issues, making it challenging to
generate widespread awareness and engagement., and cultural
differences is crucial for inclusivity.
Challenges in Environment Education
Attitude and Behavior Change: Changing deeply ingrained attitudes and
behaviors towards the environment can be difficult. Encouraging
individuals to adopt best practices requires consistent efforts and
effective communication.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Environment education
requires
various disciplines, integration across
such as science, social sciences, and humanities.
Limited Resources: Insufficient funding and resources for environment
education programs and initiatives pose a challenge to their widespread
implementation and effectiveness.
Inclusion and Equity: Ensuring that environment education reaches all
sections
of society, including marginalized communities, is a challenge.
Women Education
Women education refers to the process of
providing formal or informal learning
opportunities to women, empowering them with knowledge, skills, and
capabilities.
It aims to eliminate gender disparities in education and promote equal
access to education for women.
Various schemes in India have been implemented to promote women
education.
Some notable schemes include:
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child):
This initiative aims to address gender-based discrimination and promote
the education of girls. It focuses on improving the child sex ratio,
ensuring survival, and encouraging education of girl children.
Women Education
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): This flagship program tries to provide
universal
elementary education, with a special focus on girls' education.
National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education: It aims to
reduce the gender gap in education and empower girls through
education.
The effect of women education on environment protection is significant.
Educated women are more likely to understand the importance of
sustainable practices and their impact on the environment, leading to
the adoption of eco- friendly measures at the household level
such as proper waste management, water conservation, and energy
efficiency.
