1.

Environmental policy of govt of India 

and the working of the Ministry of 
environment and forest ​(ESSAY 
QUESTION) 
 
IMP NOTE:  
 
Must include 2019 statistics (GK) regarding the Ministry of 
environment and forest in INDIA () 
 
a) INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION 

India includes legislations related to environment. 

 
In the Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 48 says "the state shall 
endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and 
wildlife of the country"; Article 51-A states that "it shall be the duty of every 
citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, 
lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures." 
India is one of the parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) treaty. 
Prior to the CBD, India had different laws to govern the environment. The Indian 
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 protected the biodiversity. It was amended later 
multiple times. The 1988 National Forest Policy had conservation as its 
fundamental principle. In addition to these acts, the government passed the 
Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Foreign Trade (Development and 
Regulation) Act 1992 for control of biodiversity.
b) Major environment policies and legislations in India

The Ministry of Environment & Forests is the nodal agency in the administrative 
structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination 
and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes. 
The Ministry is also the Nodal agency in the country for the United Nations 
Environment Programme (UNEP).  
 
The principal activities undertaken by Ministry of 
Environment & Forests consist of : 
● conservation & survey of flora, fauna, forests and Wildlife,  
● prevention & control of pollution, 
● afforestation & regeneration of degraded areas 
● protection of environment, in the frame work of legislations.  
 
The main tools utilized for this include surveys, 
● impact assessment, 
● control of pollution, 
● regeneration programmes,  
● support to organizations, 
● research to solve solutions and training to augment the requisite manpower,  
● collection and dissemination of environmental information and creation of 
environmental awareness among all sectors of the country’s population.

c) Policies to protect environment in India

*Environment Protection Act, 1986 

*National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and 
Development, 1992 
*Policy Statement for the Abatement of Pollution, 1992 
*National Environment Policy, 2006 
*Vision Statement on Environment and Health 
 

d) Legislations and Rules for the protection of environment in India

  
*Water pollution 
*Air Pollution 
*Environment Protection 
*Wildlife 
*Forest Conservation 
*Biodiversity 
*National Green Tribunal 
*Animal Welfare 
 
pollution, poor management of waste, growing water scarcity, falling 
groundwater tables, water pollution, preservation and quality of forests, 
biodiversity loss, and land/soil degradation are some of the major 
environmental issues India faces today. 
 
Environmental policy can include laws and policies addressing water and 
air pollution, chemical and oil spills, smog, drinking water quality, land 
conservation and management, and wildlife protection, such as the 
protection of endangered species. 
 
 
On Days when High Particle Levels are Expected, Take these Extra 
Steps to Reduce Pollution: 
 
● Reduce the number of trips you take in your car. 
● Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use. 
● Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials. 
● Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

2) The Central Pollution Control Board 

(CPCB) 
 
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was 
constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of 
Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and 
functions under the Air (Preven 
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)tion and Control of Pollution) 
Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services 
to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the 
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as 
spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and 
the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote 
cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by 
prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and (ii) to improve the 
quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country. 
 
 
The Central Pollution Control Board of India is a statutory organisation 
under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was 
established in 1974 under the Water Act, 1974. The CPCB is also entrusted 
with the powers and functions under the Air Act, 
Central Pollution Control Board is to provide technical assistance and 
guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigations and 
research relating to problem of water pollution and prevention, control or 
abatement of water pollution. 
Singh Parihar and the Member Secretary is Prashant Gargava. CPCB has its 
head office in New Delhi, with seven zonal offices and 5 laboratories. The 
board conducts environmental assessments and research.
a) Functions Of The Central Board
➔ To co-ordinate the actions of the State Board and resolve disputes 
among them.  
 ➔ To provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards to 
carry out research in prevention and control of water pollution 
problems.  
➔ To organize training of persons engaged in pollution control. 

b) Constitution Of Central Board 

 
According to Section-3, the Central Board shall consist of the following 
members: 
➔ A full time Chairman (to be nominated by the Central Government) 
having knowledge or practical experience in matters related to 
environmental pro​tection or having knowledge and experience in 
administration of institutions dealing with aforesaid matters. 
➔ Not more than five officials nominated by the Central Government. 
➔ Not more than five persons nominated by the Central Government 
from amongst the members of State Boards. 
➔ Not more than three non-officials nominated by the government to 
represent interests of agriculture, fishery, agriculture-trade etc. 
➔ Two persons nominated by the government to represent the companies 
or corporations owned by the Central Government. 
➔ One full time Member-Secretary (to be appointed by the Central 
Govt.) having knowledge and experience of scientific engineering or 
management as​pects of pollution control.

3) The State Pollution Control Board 

 
a) Functions of state board 
According to Section-17, the following are the functions of the State 
Board: 
➔ Planning a comprehensive programme for prevention, control and 
abate​ment of pollution of streams and wells. 
 ➔ Advising the State Government regarding water pollution control or 
loca​tion of industries. 
➔ Conducting and encouraging investigations and research relating to 
differ​ent aspects of water pollution. 
➔ To collaborate with the Central Board for training personnel for 
handling water pollution programmes and organising related mass 
education pro​grammes. 
➔ Inspecting trade effluents and waste water treatment plants. 
➔ Prescribing effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents. 
➔ Evolving economical and reliable methods of disposal, treatment and 
reuse of waste water (in agriculture). 
➔ Laying down the standards of treatment of sewage and trade effluents 
to be discharged into any stream. 
➔ Making, varying or revoking any order for preservation or control of 
dis​charge of waste into streams and wells or construction of systems 
for dis​posal of effluents. 
➔ Establishing or recognising laboratories for analysis of samples. 
➔ Performing such functions as may be entrusted by Central Board or 
State governments.
 
b) Directions
According to Section-18, the Central Board shall be bound by directions 
given by the Central Govt, whereas the State Board shall be bound by 
directions given by the Central Board or the State Government. 
 
In case a grave emergency arises as a result of non-compliance of the State 
Govt, as regards directions given by the Central Board, then the Central 
Govt, may recover the expenses incurred by it from the persons concerned, 
as arrears of land revenue.

c) Powers Of The State Government

According to Section-19, the following are the powers of state government: 
➔ Power to obtain information 
According to Section-20, the State Board may make surveys, take 
measurements or obtain information for purpose of performing functions 
under this Act. Failure to comply with any directions un​der the Section is a 
punishable offence under subsection (1) of Section-41.
➔ Power to take samples
Under Section-21(1) A, the State Government has the power to take samples 
of water of any stream or well or any effluent being discharged into such a 
stream or well, for analysis. Under Section-22(4), the State Board further has 
the power to obtain a report of the result of the analysis by a recognised 
laboratory. 
➔ Power of entry and inspection 
According to Section-23, the State Board is empowered by the State Govt., 
with the right to enter any place for the pur​pose of performing any of the 
functions entrusted to it. 
➔ Power of Prohibition on Disposal of Polluting Matter into a Stream or
Well

Under Section-24:
● No person shall knowingly allow entry of any poisonous, noxious or 
polluting matter directly or indirectly into any stream, well or sewer or 
on land. 
● No person shall knowingly allow entry of any matter into any stream, 
which may impede the proper flow of water resulting in substantial 
aggravation of pollution. 
● No person shall establish any industry, operation or process or any 
treat​ment disposal system, which is likely to discharge any sewage or 
effluent into stream or well or on land. 
● No person shall use any new outlet for discharge of sewage. 
● No person shall begin to make any new discharge of sewage​.
 
d) Consent of The State Board 
Board must decide an application for consent within four months failing 
which consent will be deemed to have been given. 
 ● Persons already discharging any sewage or effluent into any stream or 
well or on land will have to seek the consent of the State Board. 
● A person may appeal against the order of the State Board within 30 
days, to an appellate authority established by the State Government. 
The State Govt, can alter the decision of the State Board, if necessary. 
While giving consent, if any work is required to be executed and the 
applicant fails to do so, the Board may itself execute it and recover the 
expenses along with interest. 
● The State Board must be informed in case due to an accident in any 
indus​try or treatment or disposal system, any polluting matter is likely 
to be discharged into any stream, well or on land which in turn may 
pollute wa​ter. The Board may take remedial measures wherever 
necessary. 
● The Board may approach a court for restraining a person who is likely 
to cause pollution by disposal discharge of polluting matter into a 
stream, well or on land. 
● The person concerned may be directed by the court to remove the 
polluting matter and in case of non-compliance, the court may 
authorise the board to do the needful and the expenses incurred by the 
Board may be recovered from the person concerned.

4) INDUSTRIAL LOCATION POLICY 

IN INDIA 
Industrial location policies since the late 1960s were formulated initially to 
control the growth of industries in Mumbai to decongest the city and reduce 
pollution. ... The policy deals entirely with the manufacturing industry.Feb 
4, 2015 
A) FACTORS AFFECTING THE LOCATION OF A FACTORY 
These 7 factors are: 
➔ Proximity of Raw Materials. 
➔ Location of Markets. 
➔ Availability of Fresh Water & Power. 
 ➔ Labour Supply. 
➔ Transportation. 
➔ Political Factors. 
➔ Circumstance. 
 
b) Ecology​ is the science that studies the biota (living things), the 
environment, and their interactions. It comes from the Greek oikos = house; 
logos = study. Ecology is the study of ecosystems. ... Scientists who study 
these interactions are called ecologists. 
 
c) Industrial ecology ​conceptualises industry as a man-made ecosystem that 
operates in a similar way to natural ecosystems, where the waste or by 
product of one process is used as an input into another process. Industrial 
ecology interacts with natural ecosystems and attempts to move from a 
linear to cyclical or closed loop system. Like natural ecosystems, industrial 
ecology is in a continual state of flux. 
 
d) Main Features 
 
Industrial processes, from material extraction through to product disposal, 
have an adverse impact upon the environment. Industrial ecology aims to 
reduce environmental stress caused by industry whilst encouraging 
innovation, resource efficiency and sustained growth. Industrial ecology 
acknowledges that industry will continue operate and expand however, it 
supports industry that is environmentally conscious and has less burden 
upon the planet. It views industrial sites as part of a wider ecology rather 
than an external, solitary entity. 
 
Within the industrial ecology concept, industry interacts with nature and 
utilises the wastes and by products of other industries as inputs into its own 
processes. Industrial ecology ranges from purely industrial ecosystems to 
purely natural ecosystems with a range of hybrid industrial/natural 
ecosystems in between. Covering both industrial management and 
technology, industrial ecology encompasses other sustainability concepts 
and tools such as material flows analysis; environmentally sound 
technologies; design for disassembly; and dematerialisation. 
 
e) The principles of industrial ecology as defined by Tibbs (1992) are: 
 
● Create industrial ecosystems - close the loop; view waste as a 
resource; create partnerships with other industries to trade by-products 
which are used as inputs to other processes. 
● Balance industrial inputs and outputs to natural levels - manage the 
environmental-industrial interface; increase knowledge of ecosystem 
behaviour, recovery time and capacity; increase knowledge of how 
and when industry can interact with natural ecosystems and the 
limitations. 
● Dematerialisation of industrial output - use less virgin materials and 
energy by becoming more resource efficient; reuse materials or 
substituting more environmentally friendly materials; do more with 
less. 
● Improve the efficiency of industrial processes - redesign products, 
processes, equipment; reuse materials to conserve resources. 
● Energy use - incorporate energy supply within the industrial ecology; 
use alternative sources of energy that have less or no impact upon the 
environment. 
● Align policies with the industrial ecology concept - incorporate 
environment and economics into organisational, national and 
international policies; internalize the externalities; use economic 
instruments to encourage a move towards industrial ecology; use a 
more appropriate discount rate; use a more comprehensive index to 
measure a nation's wealth rather than GNP. 
f) The benefits of industrial ecology include:  
● cost savings (materials purchasing, licensing fees, waste disposal fees, 
etc);  
● improved environmental protection;  
 ● income generation through selling waste or by products;  
● enhanced corporate image;  
● improved relations with other industries and organisations and market 
advantages. 
g) Limitations to industrial ecology include​: 
● no market for materials; 
● lack of support from government and industry;  
● reluctance of industry to invest in appropriate technology;  
● perceived legal implications and reluctance to move to another 
supplier.