A PROJECT REPORT ON
“Environmental LAW”
SUBMITTED BY
Mr. Narwade Vishal Ranba (72208067M)
Under the Guidance of
Prof. Swati Shinde
DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE
LEARNING
ALARD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
MANAGEMENT MARUNJI, PUNE
THIRD YEAR ENGINEERING
(Academic Year: 2023-2024)
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Alard Charitable Trust’s
ALARD CHARITABLE TRUST’S
ALARD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
MANAGEMENT MARUNJI, PUNE
DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE
LEARNING
CERTIFICATE
This is certified to that Mr. Narwade Vishal Ranba PRN - (72208067M)
has completed the project work and prepared report on “Environmental LAW”
In satisfactory manner as a partial fulfillment on requirement of Third Year
Engineering in AIML for academic year 2023-24.
Prof. Swati Shinde Prof. Disha Nagpure
(Guide) (H.O.D)
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ABSTRACT
Environmental law is a dynamic and evolving field of legal study and practice that primarily
focuses on the regulation and protection of the natural environment. This abstract provides a
concise overview of key themes, principles, and issues within environmental law.
Environmental law encompasses a wide range of topics, including biodiversity conservation, air
and water quality management, climate change mitigation, land use planning, and the protection
of endangered species. It seeks to strike a balance between human development and
environmental preservation, often by imposing regulations and standards on businesses,
governments, and individuals to prevent or mitigate harm to the environment.
One fundamental aspect of environmental law is its multi-jurisdictional nature. It operates at
local, national, and international levels, with treaties and conventions facilitating global
cooperation to address cross-border environmental challenges. Principles such as the
precautionary principle, polluter pays principle, and intergenerational equity underpin much of
environmental law, guiding decision-making and legal frameworks.
This abstract also acknowledges the evolving nature of environmental law in response to
changing environmental conditions and societal awareness. As environmental issues continue to
grow in importance, environmental law adapts and develops to address emerging concerns,
such as climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable development.
In conclusion, environmental law is a critical field of study and practice in our increasingly
interconnected world. It plays a crucial role in shaping policies and regulations that aim to
protect the environment for current and future generations, and it remains a dynamic and
evolving discipline in response to the ever-changing challenges of the natural world.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Gratitude is the hardest emotion to express and often one doesn't find adequate
words to convey that entire one feels. It is my foremost duty to express my deep
sense of gratitude and respect to Prof. Swati Shinde for her uplifting tendency
and inspiring me for taking up this report on (Environmental studies)
“Environmental Law”. We are to our head of department Prof. Disha Nagpure
for this encouragement and support at every moment.
I am also grateful to the Librarian of Alard college of Engineering and
Management Pune for providing all necessary activates to carry out
Environmental Studies“Environmental Law” and whose encouraging part has
been a perpetual source of inspiration. Last but not least, I am thankful to my
colleagues an those who have directly and indirectly throughout this work of
Environmental studies.
Name Roll No.
Mr. Narwade Vishal Ranba 28
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INDEX
Sr no. Title Page no.
1. Introduction 06
2. What are the environmental laws in India? 07
3 08
Environment Related Provisions in the Indian
Constitution
4 09
History of environmental laws in India
5 The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 10
6 The Water (Prevention and Control of 11
Pollution) Act, 1974
7 The Air (prevention and control of 13
pollution) act, 1981
8 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 14
The energy conservation act, 2001 15
9
10 Biological diversity act 2002 16
11 Conclusion 17
12 References 18
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INTRODUCTION
Environmental law is a specialized branch of law that has gained immense
significance in recent decades due to growing concerns about the state of our
planet's environment. It is a multifaceted and dynamic field that encompasses a
wide range of legal principles, regulations, and policies aimed at addressing and
mitigating the adverse impacts of human activities on the natural world.
Environmental law seeks to strike a delicate balance between human development
and the preservation of our environment, ensuring that both present and future
generations can enjoy a clean, healthy, and sustainable planet.
The origins of environmental law can be traced back to ancient civilizations and
traditional customs that sought to manage and protect natural resources. However,
the modern environmental law we are familiar with today began to take shape in
the mid-20th century, particularly in response to incidents of environmental
degradation and pollution. One landmark event was the publication of Rachel
Carson's book "Silent Spring" in 1962, which highlighted the harmful effects of
pesticides on the environment and human health, leading to a wave of
environmental awareness and advocacy.
In the decades that followed, governments around the world recognized the need
to establish legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms to address various
environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, habitat
destruction, and climate change. These efforts resulted in the creation of a
complex web of local, national, and international laws and treaties designed to
safeguard the environment and promote sustainable practices.
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What are the environmental laws in India?
Environmental laws are an important part of any governance body. It comprises a
set of laws and regulations concerning air quality, water quality, and other aspects
of the environment.
The environmental laws in India are guided by environmental legal principles and
focus on the management of specific natural resources, such as forests, minerals,
or fisheries.
The environmental laws in India are a direct reflection of what was envisaged in
the constitution. The need for protection and conservation of the environment and
sustainable use of natural resources is reflected in the constitutional framework of
India and also in the international commitments of India.
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Environment Related Provisions in the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution contains several provisions related to the environment,
reflecting the nation's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable
development. These provisions are primarily enshrined in the Directive Principles
of State Policy and various Fundamental Rights
These provisions collectively reflect India's constitutional commitment to
environmental protection, sustainable development, and the well-being of its
citizens. The judiciary has played a significant role in interpreting and enforcing
these provisions, which has led to several landmark judgments and environmental
regulations in the country.
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History of environmental laws in India
The detailed and developed framework for environmental protection came after
the UN conference on Human Environment in Stockholm, in 1972.
This led to the formation of the National Council for Environmental Policy and
Planning in 1972 within the science and technology department.
This was set up to establish a regulatory body for the overview of the
environmental-related issues and concerns.
This council was later converted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The government of India has made numerous acts to protect the environment and
biodiversity. The important and impactful environmental laws and acts are listed
and explained below
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The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; and for
matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the
whole of India.
It has six schedules that give varying degrees of protection:
Schedule I and part II of Schedule provide absolute protection, offences under
these are prescribed the highest penalties.
Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties
are much lower.
Animals under Schedule V, e.g. common crows, fruit bats, rats, and mice, are
legally considered vermin and may be hunted freely.
The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and
planting.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
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Objective: To provide prevention and control of water pollution. Maintaining or
restoring of wholesomeness and purity of water in the various sources of water.
It vests regulatory authority in Centre Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) and State
Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
CPCB and SPSB are statutory bodies created under the Water Act, 1974. It
empowers CPCB and SPCB to establish and enforce effluent standards for
factories discharging pollutants into water bodies.
CPCB performs these same functions for union territories along with formulating
policies related to the prevention of water pollution and coordinating activities of
different SPSBs.
SPCB controls sewage and industrial effluent discharge by approving, rejecting,
and granting consent to discharge.
The Air (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1981
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The act targets to control and prevent air pollution in India and its main objectives
are:
To provide for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.
To provide for the establishment of the boards at the central and state levels to
implement the act.
CPCB and SPCB were given the responsibility.
It states that the sources of air pollution such as internal combustion engines,
industry, vehicles, power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate
matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), or other toxic substances beyond the predetermined limit.
It empowers the state government to designate air pollution areas.
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The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
This act was passed under article 253 (legislation for giving effect to international
agreements)
This was passed in the wake of the Bhopal gas tragedy in December 1984.
It was enacted to achieve the UN conference on the human environment, 1972-
Stockholm declaration.
Eco-sensitive zones or ecologically fragile areas are notified by MoEFCC under
EPA, 1986 – 10 km buffer zones around protected areas.
Statutory bodies under the EPA, 1986:
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
National Coastal Zone Management Authority (later converted to National Ganga
Council under Ministry of Jal Sakthi)
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The energy conservation act, 2001
Itwas enacted as a step towards improving energy efficiency and reducing
wastage. It specifies the energy consumption standards for equipment and
appliances.
It prescribes energy consumptions norms and standards for consumers. It
prescribes energy conservation building codes for commercial buildings.
Bureau of energy efficiency (BEE) is a statutory body established under the act.
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Biological diversity act 2002
It was implemented to give effect to CBD, Nagoya Protocol.
To check biopiracy, protect biological diversity, and local growers through a
three-tier structure of central and state boards and local committees.
To set up National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards
(SBBS), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCS).
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CONCLUSION
As a key environmental agency, EPA needs to support and
maintain a strong research program.In the past, pressing
environmental issues have been addressed primarily through
focused research efforts directed toward solving particular
problems. Although this approach to environmental research can
be effective, has often been necessary, and will surely continue, it
also has limitations. In order to address the abundance of
established, emerging, and as-yet-unknown environmental issues,
an expanded understanding of the scientific principles underlying
environmental systems is needed. Achieving this understanding
will require innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.
To develop the knowledge needed to address current and
emerging environmental issues, EPA should undertake both
problem-driven research and core research. Problem-driven
research is targeted at understanding and solving identified
environmental problems, while core research aims to provide
broader, more generic information that will help improve
understanding of many problems now and in the future. Core
research includes three components: (1) understanding the
processes that drive and connect environmental systems; (2)
development of innovative tools and methods for understanding
and managing environmental problems; and (3) long-term
collection and dissemination of accurate environmental data.
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REFERENCE
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
370224432_Latest_Biomedical_Waste_Management_Guidelines
2. https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/e-waste-management-india-and-
role-technology
3. https://byjus.com/current-affairs/biomedical-waste/
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