India’s environmental laws, governed primarily by the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (EPA), aim to protect ecosystems, regulate pollution, and promote sustainable development through an umbrella framework and sector-specific statutes.
Key Legislations
Core laws include the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 for emissions/discharges; Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, and Biological Diversity Act 2002 for conservation; plus rules for hazardous waste, coastal zones, and wetlands.
Emission and Pollution Standards
Standards are set by Central/State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB/SPCBs): National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) limit PM2.5 to 40 µg/m³ annually in residential areas; effluent discharge norms vary by industry (e.g., BOD <30 mg/l for textiles); noise limits are 55 dB (A) daytime in industrial zones. Recent Environmental Protection Fund Rules 2026 channel penalties into remediation and monitoring.
Compliance Mechanisms
Requires Environmental Clearance (EC) via EIA Notification 2006 for 39 project categories; violations attract fines up to ₹10 crore or imprisonment, enforced by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).