Chanderprabhu Jain College of Higher Studies & School of Law

Chanderprabhu Jain College of Higher Studies
&
School of Law
An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Institute
(Recognized by Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Affiliated to GGSIPU, Delhi
E-Notes
Class : BBA LL.B/ B.A.LL.B V SEMESTER

Paper Code : LLB 501
Subject : Environmental Law
UNIT III
General Environment Legislations and Protection of Forests & Wild Life
A. Enviroment (Protection) Act, 1986
Introduction
The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in the year 1986. It was enacted
with the main objective to provide the protection and improvement of
environmentand for matters connected therewith. The Act is one of the most
comprehensive legislations with pretext to protection and improvement of
environment.
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The Constitution of India also provides for the protection of the environment.
Article 48A of the Constitution specifies that the State shall endeavor to
protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife
of the country. Article 51 A further provides that every citizen shall protect the
environment.
Premises of the Act
It is now generally accepted that environment is threatened by a wide variety

of human activities ranging from the instinctive drive to reproduce its kind to
the restless urge of improving the standards of living, development of
technological solutions to this end, the vast amount of waste, both natural and
chemical, that these advances produce. Paradoxically, this urge to grow and
develop, which was initially uncontrolled is now widely perceived to be
threatening as it results in the depletion of both living and non-living natural
resources and life support systems. The air, water, land, living creatures as well
as the environment in general is becoming polluted at an alarming rate that
needs to be controlled and curbed as soon as possible.
The 1986 Act was enacted in this spirit. From time to time various legislations
have been enacted in India for this purpose. However, all legislations prior to
the 1986 Act have been specific relating to precise aspects of environmental
pollution. However, the 1986 Act was a general legislation enacted under
Article 253 (Legislation for giving effect to international agreements.—
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Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter,

Parliament has power to makeany law for the whole or any part of the territory
of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other
country or countries or any decision made at any international conference,
association or other body) of the Constitution, pursuant to the international
obligations of India. India was a signatory to the Stockholm Conference of
1972 where the world community had resolved to protect and enhance the
environment.
The United Nations conference on human environment, held in Stockholm in

June 1972, proclaimed that “Man is both creator and molder of his
environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the
opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and
tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has reached when
through the rapid acceleration of science and technology man has acquired the
power to transform his environment in countless ways and on unprecedented
scale. Both aspects of man’s environment, the natural and man-made are
essential to his well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights even the
right to life itself”.
While several legislations such as The Water (Prevention and Control of

Pollution)Act 1974 and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981 were enacted after the Conference, the need for a general legislation had
become increasingly evident. The EPA was enacted so as to overcome this
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deficiency.
Objectives
As mentioned earlier, the main objective of the Act was to provide the
protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected
therewith. Other objectives of implementation of the EPA are:
• To implement the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human

Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972.
• To enact a general law on the areas of environmental protection which

were left uncovered by existing laws. The existing laws were more
specific in nature and concentrated on a more specific type of pollution
and specific categories of hazardous substances rather than on general
problems that chiefly caused major environmental hazards.
• To co-ordinate activities of the various regulatory agencies under the

existing laws
• To provide for the creation of an authority or authorities for

environmental protection
• To provide a deterrent punishment to those who endanger human

environment, safety and health
Scope and Applicability
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The Environment (Protection) Act is applicable to whole of India including

Jammu& Kashmir. It came into force on November 19, 1986.
Definitions
Section-2 of the EPA deals with definitions.

Some important definitions providedin the Section are:
Section 2 (a) “Environment” includes water, air, and land and the
interrelationship that exists among and between water, air and land and human
beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property. This
definition is not exhaustive but an inclusive one.
Section 2 (b) “Environmental Pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous

substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be injurious to
environment.
Section 2 (c) “Environmental Pollution” means the presence in the

environment of any environmental pollutant. This implies the imbalance in
environment. Thematerials or substances when after mixing in air, water or
land alters their properties in such manner, that the very use of all or any of the
air water and land by man and any other living organism becomes lethal and
dangerous for health.
Section 2 (e) “Hazardous Substance” means any substance or preparation

which, by reasons of its chemical or physico-chemical properties or handling,
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is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-
organism, property or environment.
Powers of Central Government to take measures to Protect and Improve

Environment According to the provisions of the Act, the Central Government
shall have the power to take all such measures as it deems necessary or
expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the
environment and preventing controlling and abating environmental pollution.
Such measures may include measures with respect to all or any of the following
matters, namely: a) co-ordination of actions by the State Governments, officers
and other authorities-
(a) Under this Act, or the rules made there under, or
(b) Under any other law for the time being in force which is relatable to the
objectsof this Act;
1. b) planning and execution of a nation-wide programme for the

prevention,control and abatement of environmental pollution;
2. c) laying down standards for the quality of environment in its

variousaspects;
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3. d) laying down standards for emission or discharge of environmental

pollutants from various sources whatsoever: Provided that different
standards for emission or discharge may be laid down under this
clause from different sources having regard to the quality or
composition of the emissionor discharge of environmental pollutants
from such sources;
4. e) restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes

or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out
or shall becarried out subject to certain safeguards;
5. f) laying down procedures and safeguards for the prevention of

accidents which may cause environmental pollution and remedial
measures for such accidents;
6. g) laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of

hazardous substances;
7. h) examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and

substances asare likely to cause environmental pollution;
8. i) carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to

problems of environmental pollution;
9. j) inspection of any premises, plant, equipment, machinery,

manufacturing or other processes, materials or substances and giving,
by order, of such directions to such authorities, officers or persons as
it may consider necessary to take steps for the prevention, control and
abatement of environmental pollution;
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10. k) establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and

institutes to carry out the functions entrusted to such environmental
laboratories and institutes under this Act;
11. l) collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters

relating to environmental pollution;
12. m) preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the

prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution;
13. n) such other matters as the Central Government deems necessary or

expedient for the purpose of securing the effective implementation of
the provisions of this Act.
The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to

do for the purpose of this Act, by order, published in the Official Gazette,
constitute an authority or authorities by such name or names as may be
specified in the order forthe purpose of exercising and performing such of
the powers and functions (including the power to issue directions under
section (5) of the Central Government under this Act and for taking
measures with respect to such of the matters referred to in sub-section (2) as
may be mentioned in the order and subject to the supervision and control
of the Central Government and the provisions ofsuch order, such authority
or authorities may exercise and powers or perform the functions or take the
measures so mentioned in the order as if such authority or authorities had
been empowered by this Act to exercise those powers or perform those
functions or take such measures.
As considerable adverse environment impact has been caused due to
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degradation of the environment with excessive soil erosion and water and
air pollution due to certain development activities therefore it is necessary
to protect the environment. This can be achieved only by careful assessment
of a project proposed to be located in any area, on the basis of an
environment impact assessment and environment management plan for the
prevention, elimination or mitigation of the adverse impacts, right from the
inception stage of the project.
The Central Government has passed certain notifications laying that the
expansion or modernization of any existing industry or new projects listed
shall not be undertaken in any part of India, unless it gets environmental
clearance by the Central Government, or the State Government.
Powers of the Court
The Act does not curtail the powers of the Supreme Court. It has from time
to time in various matters issued directions and orders to control pollution.
Some such important cases pertaining to protection of environment are:
• Directions issued to control vehicular pollution
In Mehta v Union of India (1998) 6 SCC 63, in order to control the chaotic
traffic conditions and vehicular pollution, the Supreme Court issued the
following directions.
(a) All commercial/transport vehicles which are more than 20 years old
should bephased out and not permitted to ply in Delhi after October 1998
(b) All such commercial /transport vehicles which are 17 to 19 years old
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(3200)shall not be permitted to ply in the National Capital Territory,

Delhi after 1998;
(c) Such of the commercial /transport vehicles which are 15 and 16

years old(4962) shall not be permitted to ply after December 31, 1998
The Supreme Court made this order applicable to all commercial/transport

vehicles whether registered in the National Capital Territory of Delhi or
outside (but ply in Delhi) which are of more than stipulated age and which
do not have any authority to ply in Delhi.
• Protection of Coastline of India
In Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v Union of India the Supreme

Court in regard to the 600 kms long coast line emphasized that that it would
be the duty and responsibility of the coastal states and Union Territories in
which the stretch exists, to see that the notifications issued, declaring the
coastal stretches should be properly and duly implemented. Further the
various restrictions on the setting up and expansion of industries, operation
or process, etc. in the regulation Zone should be strictly enforced.
In the same case the court enunciated the principle further that the polluter
pays. Once the activity carried on is hazardous or inherently dangerous, the
person carrying on such activity is liable to make good the loss caused to
any other person irrespective of the fact whether he took reasonable care
while carrying on his activity. Under this principle it is not the role of the
Government to meet the costs involved in either prevention of such damage
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or in carrying out remedial action, because the effect of this would be to

shift the financial burden of the pollution incident on the taxpayer. The
responsibility of repairing the damage is that of the offending industry.
• Other cases
In Vellore Citizen Welfare Forum v. Union of India & others the polluter
principle as interpreted by the Supreme Court means that the absolute
liability for harm to the environment extends not only to compensate the
victims of pollution but also the cost of restoring the environmental
degradation. Remediation of the damaged environment is part of the process
of “Sustainable Development” and as such polluter is liable to pay the cost
to the individual sufferer as well as the cost of reversing the damaged
ecology.
In Goa Foundation v Diksha Holdings Pvt. Ltd the court observed that
with a view to protect the ecological balance in the coastal areas,
notifications having been issued by the Central Government, there ought not
to be any violation and prohibited activities should not be allowed to come
up within the area declared as CRZ notification. The court also emphasized
that no activities which would ultimately lead to unscientific and
unsustainable development and ecological destruction should be allowed.
Prevention, Control and Abetment of Environment Pollution
Chapter III of the EPA deals with prevention, Control and abetment of
Environmental Pollution. Some important provisions of this chapter provide
that, no person carrying on any industry, operation or process shall
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discharge or emit orpermit to be discharged or emitted any environmental

pollutant in excess of such standards as may be prescribed. No person shall
handle or cause to be handled any hazardous substance except in accordance
with such procedure and after complying with such safe guards as may be
prescribed. Where the discharge of anyenvironmental pollutant in excess of
the prescribed standards occurs or is apprehended to occur due to any
accident or other unforeseen act or event, the person responsible for such
discharge and the person in charge of the place at which the discharge occurs
shall be bound to prevent or mitigate the environmental pollution. and shall
also:
(a) Intimate the fact of such occurrence or apprehension of such occurrence;

and
(b) Be bound, if called upon, to render all assistance. On receipt of such

information, the authorities or agencies shall cause such remedial measures
to be taken as are necessary to prevent or mitigate the environmental
pollution.
The expenses incurred by any authority or agency may be recovered from

the person concerned as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
Penalties
Section 15 provides for Penalties for contravention of the provisions of the

Act as well as the Rules, Orders and Directions. Whoever fails to comply
with or contravenes any of the provisions, rules, orders or directions of this
Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
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five years or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
In case the failure or contravention continues, with additional fine which
may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure
or contravention continues.
If the failure or contravention continues beyond a period of one year after

the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which, may extend to seven years.
• Offences by Companies
Offences by Companies are dealt with under Section16. Where any offence
is committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was
committed, was directly incharge of, and was responsible to, the company
for the conduct of the business of the company shall be deemed to be guilty
of the offence.
If he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that
he exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence he
shall not be liable to any punishment.
Where the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of
or is attributable to any neglect on part of, any director, manager, secretary
or other officer of the company, such person shall be deemed to be guilty of
the offence
• Cognizance of Offences and Bar of Jurisdiction of Civil Courts
As per the provisions of Section 19 of the EPA, no court
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shall takecognizance of any offence under this Act except on a

complaint made by:
(a) The central Government or any authority or officer authorized in this

behalf by that Government; or
(b) Any person who has given notice of not less that 60 days, of the alleged
offenceand his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or
the authority or officer authorized.
Section 22 provides that no civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain

any suit or proceeding in respect of anything done, action taken or order or
direction issued by the Central Government or any other authority or officer
in pursuance of any power conferred under the Act.
B. Laws Relating to Forest (Forest Act, 1927).
The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was an act to consolidate the then existing laws
relating to forest, the transit of forest products and duties that can be levied
on “Forest Product” as defined in Section 2 (iv) (a) and (b) of the act. The
act deals with reserved forest, village forest, protected forest, control over
forests and lands not being property of government, the duty on timber and
other forest produce, regulation transit of forest products, collection of
timber, penalties and procedures,cattle – trespass, forest officers and other
miscellaneous provisions.
This act does not lay down a specific definition for forests. The act
establishes three categories of forests, reserve forest, protected forest and
village forest. The reserved forests (section 3 to 27 of the Act of 1927) can
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be notified by the State Government on any forest land or waste land to

which the government has ownership or right. To be categorized as a
reserved forest, the land must be forest land or waste land in the absence of
which the notification could be quashed. Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act
1927 prohibits a number of activities including making fresh clearings, tree
felling, lopping, burning, grazing, quarrying, manufacturing activities,
hunting, shooting, etc. in the forest. Violation of provisions of Section 26
specifically with regards to creating fire, felling, girdling, lopping, etc. of
trees, quarrying and manufacturing operations or clearing breaking up of
any land for cultivation is punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs. 20,000 but
which shall not be less than Rs. 5,000.
For other offenses under Section 26 an imprisonment for a term which may
extend to 6 months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or with both
and on the second and every subsequent conviction for the same offense,
with imprisonment which may extend to 6 months or with fine which may
extend to Rs. 2,000 or with both is prescribed. It also provides for
adjudication of forest rights, uses by local people as allowed by forest
officer, appeals and de notification. Section 25 specifically empowers the
forest officer to stop any public or private way or water coarse in reserved
forest. The act also provides for issuing notification regarding appointment
of forest settlement officer to adjudicate rights and granting permissions for
activities and claims.
Section 28 provides for assigning rights of reserved forests or protected

forests or any forest belonging to the state government to any village
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community and provisions relating to reserved forest, protected forest or

forest belonging to the government shall apply. Such forests are called
village forests.
Section 29 provides for the notification of protected forests. Protected

forests are also notified on forest land or waste land. The state government
under provision of Section 30 may declare any tree or class of trees in a
protected forest to be reserved, it can also declare any portion of a protected
forest as closed for a term not exceeding 30 years during which the rights of
private persons shall be suspended provided that alternate rights are
available in the remainder of the forest. It can also prohibit specified
activities within the area Violation of prohibited activities in protected areas
as prescribed in Section 30 and 32 are punishable offences liable to be
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years or with
a fine which may extend to Rs. 5,000 or with both and on the second and
every subsequent conviction for the same offence, with imprisonment for a
term which may extend to 2 years and with fine which may extend to Rs.
10,000.
The state government also has the powers to regulate or prohibit activities
in any forest or waste land not being the property of the government after
providing suitable opportunity to the owner of such forest or land.
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C. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Wild Life, which is a part and parcel of the environment, constitutes

wealth of the nation. it included wild animals, birds, plants etc. However,
man, in the process of progress and development and also for his selfish
ends, is causing much damage to the forests and wild life. Wild life is
nature's gift and its decline has an adverse effect of ecology and hence
there is an urgent need to protect the wild life. Therefore, in order to
protect the wild life from destruction, the Indian Parliament passed the
Wild Life (Protection) Act in the year 1972.
Object:
The main object of the Act is to prove protection to the wild animals birds
and plants. The Act empowers the Central Govt. to declare certain areas
as Sanctuaries or National Parks. The Act prohibits hunting of wild
animals; birds etc. and impose punishment for violating the same.
Salient Features:
The Act contains 66 Sections divided into seven chapters and six
schedules. Chapter- I (Sec. 1 and 2) contains short title and definitions.
Chapter - II deals with Authorities under the Act. Chapter - III deals with
the protection of Specified Plants. Chapter - IV provides for declaration
of sanctuaries, National Parks and Closed Areas. Chapter - IV - A deals
with Central Zoo Authority and Recognition of Zoos. Chapter- V deals
with Trade or Commerce in Wild Animals, Animal Articles and
Trophies. Chapter - V- A deals with prohibition of Trade Commerce in
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Trophies, Animal Articles etc.
Chapter- VI relates to Prevention and Detection of offences andfinally

Chapter- VII contains Miscellaneous Provisions.
It is constituted in each State or Union Territory to advise the State govt.

in selection and declaration of Sanctuaries, National Parks,Closed Areas
etc. for protection and conservation of wild life.
Hunting of Wild Animals: -
The Act prohibits hunting of wild animals. No person shall hunt any wild
animals as specified in the Schedules. However, there are certain
exceptions. The State Govt. may order to kill or wound in good faith any
wild animal for self-defense or to protect or save another. Any animal so
killed or wounded is not and offence and shall be govt. property. The
Govt. may permit killing of certain wild animals for academic purpose.
Sanctuaries: -
The State govt. by notification, may declare any area within the reserved
forest or territorial waters as a sanctuary if it considers fit the area for
protection and conservation of wild life.
National Parts: -
The State govt. by notification, may declare an area whether within a

sanctuary or not, is by reason of its ecological or other technical grounds
needed to be constituted as a national, park for the purposeof protection,
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propagating or developing wild life.
Recognition of Zoos: -
Zoo shall be operated without being recognized by the authority. The

person intends to operate a Zoo shall apply to the Authority in such form
and pay such fee prescribed. The applicant should fulfill all the
conditions. Then only the Authority shall grant permission. No
recognition to a Zoo shall be granted unless the Authority having due
regard to interest of protection and conservation of wild life and such
standards, norms and other matters as may be prescribed, is satisfied that
recognition may be granted. Such Zoo shall acquire or transfer any wild
animal specified in this Act with the previous permission of the Authority.
No person shall tease, molest, injure or feed any animal or cause
disturbance to the animals by noise, or otherwise or litter the grounds in
a zoo.
Trade or Commerce in wild animals, animal articles and trophies: -
All the wild animals, animal articles and trophies shall be the property to
the State Government. No person is entitled to hunt any wild animals. No
person, without the previous permission in thewriting of the Chief Wild
Life Warden or the Authorized Officer, acquire or keep in his possession,
custody, or control, or transfer to any person whether by a way of gift,
sale or otherwise or destroy or damage. At the commencement of this
Act, if any person possesses any animal specified in this Act or any
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uncured trophy derived from such animal or salted or dried skins of such
animal or the musk or a musk deer or dorm of a rhinoceros shall declare
and obtain the permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden or the
authorized person. After the commencement of this Act no person shall
acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody or possession sell, offer for
sale or otherwise transfer or transport any animal specified in the Act or
any uncured trophy or meat derived from such animal or the skins or
musk or horn without the previous permission in writing of the Chief
Wild Life Warden or the Authorized person. Dealings in trophies and
animal articles without license is prohibited.
Purchase of animal: -
The person who obtains wild animals with the previous permission of the
Authorities shall not sell it. He shall keep it in a habitat and healthy
conditions.
Power of entry, search, arrest, and detention: -
Any authorized person under this Act is entitled and has power of entry,
search, arrest and detention of any premises. He can stop vehicle or
vessel. He can enter any premises. He can seize any captive animal - wild
animal, animal article, meat, trophy or uncured trophy or any specified
plant or part of derivative thereof forms the possessor.
Penalties: (Section 51 of Wild Life Protection Act)
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Any person who contravenes any provision of the act [except chapter V-
A (prohibition of trade or commerce in trophies or Animal articles) and
section 38 J (prohibition of teasing of animals)] or any rule made there
under, or who commits a breach of any conditions of anylicense or permit
granted under this act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to Three years or with fine may extend to
Twenty-Five Thousand rupees or both.
If any offence committed in relation to any animal specified in Schedule-

I or Part-II of Schedule-II on where offence relates to hunting in a
Sanctuary or National Park or altering the boundaries of Sanctuary or
National Park such offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a
term which shall not be less than Three years but may extend to seven
years and also with fine which shall not be less than Ten Thousand
rupees.
For second & subsequent offence, the term of imprisonment shall not be
less than Three years & may extend to Seven years and also fine which
shall not be less than Five Thousand rupees
Any person who contravenes any provisions of chapter V-A i.e.,

Prohibition of trade or commerce in trophies or animal articles, shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
Three years and also fine should not less than Ten Thousand rupees
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Any person who contravenes any provisions of section 38 J [prohibition

of teasing of animals] shall be punishable for a term which may extend to
Six Months or with fine may extend to Two Thousand rupees or both.
Page 22 of 22

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Chanderprabhu Jain College of Higher Studies

Class : BBA LL.B/ B.A.LL.B V SEMESTER

A. Enviroment (Protection) Act, 1986

Premises of the Act

It is now generally accepted that environment is threatened by a wide variety

Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter,

The United Nations conference on human environment, held in Stockholm in

While several legislations such as The Water (Prevention and Control of

• To implement the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human

• To enact a general law on the areas of environmental protection which

• To co-ordinate activities of the various regulatory agencies under the

• To provide for the creation of an authority or authorities for

• To provide a deterrent punishment to those who endanger human

Scope and Applicability

The Environment (Protection) Act is applicable to whole of India including

Section-2 of the EPA deals with definitions.

Section 2 (b) “Environmental Pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous

Section 2 (c) “Environmental Pollution” means the presence in the

Section 2 (e) “Hazardous Substance” means any substance or preparation

Powers of Central Government to take measures to Protect and Improve

(a) Under this Act, or the rules made there under, or

1. b) planning and execution of a nation-wide programme for the

2. c) laying down standards for the quality of environment in its

3. d) laying down standards for emission or discharge of environmental

4. e) restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes

5. f) laying down procedures and safeguards for the prevention of

6. g) laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of

7. h) examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and

8. i) carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to

9. j) inspection of any premises, plant, equipment, machinery,

10. k) establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and

11. l) collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters

12. m) preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the

13. n) such other matters as the Central Government deems necessary or

The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to

As considerable adverse environment impact has been caused due to

Powers of the Court

• Directions issued to control vehicular pollution

(3200)shall not be permitted to ply in the National Capital Territory,

(c) Such of the commercial /transport vehicles which are 15 and 16

The Supreme Court made this order applicable to all commercial/transport

• Protection of Coastline of India

In Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v Union of India the Supreme

or in carrying out remedial action, because the effect of this would be to

Prevention, Control and Abetment of Environment Pollution

discharge or emit orpermit to be discharged or emitted any environmental

(a) Intimate the fact of such occurrence or apprehension of such occurrence;

(b) Be bound, if called upon, to render all assistance. On receipt of such

The expenses incurred by any authority or agency may be recovered from

Section 15 provides for Penalties for contravention of the provisions of the

If the failure or contravention continues beyond a period of one year after

• Cognizance of Offences and Bar of Jurisdiction of Civil Courts

As per the provisions of Section 19 of the EPA, no court

shall takecognizance of any offence under this Act except on a

(a) The central Government or any authority or officer authorized in this

Section 22 provides that no civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain

B. Laws Relating to Forest (Forest Act, 1927).

be notified by the State Government on any forest land or waste land to

Section 28 provides for assigning rights of reserved forests or protected

community and provisions relating to reserved forest, protected forest or

Section 29 provides for the notification of protected forests. Protected

C. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Wild Life, which is a part and parcel of the environment, constitutes