Module 4: Environmental Protection and Policies

Introduction to Environmental Protection

 Environmental protection refers to practices that safeguard natural resources and

ecosystems for present and future generations.

 It involves government policies, community efforts, corporate responsibility, and

individual actions.

 Objective: To ensure sustainable development while minimizing environmental

degradation.

Environmental Policies in India

 National Environment Policy (NEP), 2006: Emphasizes sustainable development,

biodiversity conservation, and pollution control.

 National Forest Policy, 1988: Focus on maintaining 33% forest cover, afforestation,
and social forestry.

 National Water Policy, 2012: Sustainable management of water resources.

 National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and

Development, 1992.

 Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Protects wildlife and habitats.

 Environment Protection Act, 1986: Umbrella legislation after Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

International Environmental Policies

 Stockholm Conference (1972): First global conference on environment.

 Rio Earth Summit (1992): Agenda 21, sustainable development action plan.

 Kyoto Protocol (1997): Legally binding agreement on reducing greenhouse gases.

 Paris Agreement (2015): Commitment to limit global warming to below 2°C.

 Montreal Protocol (1987): Protection of ozone layer by phasing out CFCs.

4.1 Environmental ethics and awareness movements

Environmental ethics is a branch of ethics that studies the relation of human beings and the
environment and how ethics play a role in this. Environmental ethics believe that humans are
a part of society as well as other living creatures, which include plants and animals. These
items are a very important part of the world and are a functional part of human life. Thus, it is
essential that every human being respects and honors this and use morals and ethics when
dealing with these creatures.

“Environmental ethics is a branch of applied philosophy that studies the conceptual

foundations of environmental values as well as more concrete issues surrounding societal
attitudes, actions, and policies to protect and sustain biodiversity and ecological systems.”

According to Wikipedia, “Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which

considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to
including the non-human world. It exerts influence on a large range of disciplines including
environmental law, environmental sociology, ecotheology, ecological economics, ecology
and environmental geography.”

Environmental ethics are a key feature of environmental studies that establish relationships
between humans and the earth. With environmental ethics, you can ensure that you are
doing your part to keep the environment safe and protected. Every time that a tree is cut
down to make a home or other resources are used, we are using natural resources that are
becoming sparser to find. It is essential that you do your part to keep the environment
protected and free from danger. It is not as difficult to do as you may think so long as you’re
willing to make a few simple and easy changes.

With the rapid increase in world’s population, the consumption of natural resources has
increased several times. This has degraded our planet’s ability to provide the services we
humans need. The consumption of resources is going at a faster rate than they can naturally
replenish.

Environmental ethics builds on scientific understanding by bringing human values, moral

principles, and improved decision making into conversation with science. It was Earth Day in
1970 that helped to develop environmental ethics in the US, and soon thereafter the same
ethics were developed in other countries including Canada and North America. This is
important because the ethics of the environment are of major concern these days.

4.2 National parks, sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves

1. National Parks

INDIA has over 600 protected areas, which includes over 90 national parks, over 500 animal
sanctuaries and 15 biosphere reserves.

A national park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of wildlife and where
activities like forestry, grazing on cultivation are not permitted. In these parks, even private
ownership rights are not allowed.

Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed. They are usually small reserves
spreading in an area of 100 Sq. km. to 500 sq. km. In national parks, the emphasis is on the
preservation of a single plant or animal species.
2. Wildlife Sanctuaries

A sanctuary is a protected area which is reserved for the conservation of only animals and
human activities like harvesting timber, collecting minor forest products and private
ownership rights are allowed as long as they do not interfere with well-being of animals.
Boundaries of sanctuaries are not well defined and controlled biotic interference is permitted,
e.g., tourist activity.
3. Biosphere Reserves

It is a special category of protected areas where human population also forms a part of the
system. They are large, protected area of usually more than 5000 [Link]. A biosphere
reserves have 3 parts- core, buffer and transition zone.

1. Core zone is the inner zone; this is undisturbed and legally protected area.

2. Buffer zone lies between the core and transition zone. Some research and educational
activities are permitted here.

3. Transition zone is the outermost part of biosphere reserves. Here, cropping, forestry,
recreation, fishery and other activities are allowed.

4.3 Social forestry and community participation

1. Social Forestry: Meaning and Objectives

 Definition: Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests and
afforestation on barren lands with the purpose of helping in environmental, social,
and rural development.

 Objectives:

o Increase green cover outside traditional forests.

o Provide fuelwood, fodder, timber, and other forest products to rural

communities.

o Reduce pressure on natural forests.

o Prevent soil erosion and desertification.

 o Promote ecological balance and improve the microclimate.

2. Types of Social Forestry

1. Farm Forestry – Planting trees on private farmland for personal and commercial use.

2. Community Forestry – Villagers collectively raise and manage trees on common

lands.

3. Agroforestry – Integration of trees with crops and livestock farming for sustainable
land use.

4. Urban Forestry – Plantation in urban areas (parks, gardens, roadside plantations).

3. Community Participation in Environmental Education

 Definition: Involvement of local people in learning, decision-making, and activities

related to conservation and sustainable management of the environment.

 Role of Community Participation:

o Enhances awareness about environmental issues.

o Encourages people to adopt eco-friendly practices (waste management,

water conservation, energy saving).

o Helps in protecting local ecosystems through traditional knowledge and

practices.

o Strengthens the success of afforestation, watershed management, and

biodiversity conservation projects.

4. Importance in Environmental Education

 Knowledge Sharing: Communities learn about sustainable use of resources and pass
on indigenous knowledge.

 Skill Development: Training in nursery raising, composting, rainwater harvesting, etc.

 Behavioral Change: Encourages responsible attitudes towards forest conservation,

pollution control, and resource management.

 Empowerment: Local communities, especially women and youth, actively participate

in decision-making.

5. Examples of Social Forestry and Community Participation

 Chipko Movement (Uttarakhand): People hugged trees to prevent deforestation.

 Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India: Local communities and government share
responsibility for forest protection.

 Urban Tree Plantation Drives: NGOs, students, and residents planting and
maintaining trees.
4.4 Environmental movements in India: Chipko, Silent Valley, Narmada Bachao,
National Test Range at Baliapal

The environment in which we live plays a vital role in our survival. The environment includes
all the natural resources such as air, water, land, forests, minerals, etc. It is our duty to
protect natural resources. However, due to some of these reasons, there is a lot of misuse of
these natural resources, in the form of land degradation, water pollution, air pollution, and
deforestation.

All these factors lead to deterioration of our environment. There have been many efforts
made to reclaim the environment by people through voluntary organizations, which are
concerned about the environment. There are instances where people have revoked and
adopted non-violent action movements for protecting their environment.

Chipko Movement

Origin & Meaning

 Started in the northern Himalayan region of Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand).

 “Chipko” means to hug/stick – villagers hugged trees to stop them from being cut.

Nature of the Movement

 A grassroot level movement in response to the needs of the local people.

 Led mainly by village women and men who depended on forests for survival.

 Inspired by Gandhian non-violence.

Leaders & Key Figures

 Sunderlal Bahuguna – Gandhian activist, spread the message widely.

 Chandi Prasad Bhatt – promoted local industries using forest wealth sustainably.

 Dhoom Singh Negi & Bachni Devi – with village women, first hugged trees.

Objectives

 To protect forests from commercial exploitation.

 To maintain ecological balance.

 To safeguard the livelihood of tribal and local people dependent on forests.

Background Causes

 Forest exploitation by entrepreneurs with government approval (timber, limestone,

magnesium, potassium, etc.).

 Villagers denied access to forest resources for fuel, fodder, and daily needs.
  Forest policies favoured contractors, not locals.

 Local people were blamed for deforestation by timber contractors.

First Spark (1972 – Chamoli District, Gopeshwar)

 A cooperative denied permission to cut 12 ash trees for housing/tools.

 Government instead sold them to a sports-goods company (bats, rackets).

 Villagers protested by hugging trees → permit to company cancelled.

Spread of Movement

 Villagers, activists, and social workers formed groups.

 Spread through campaigns, village meetings, and awareness drives.

 Expanded focus to forest, soil, and water conservation.

Major Achievements

 1980: Indira Gandhi ordered a 15-year ban on green felling in Himalayan forests of
Uttar Pradesh.

 Felling also stopped in the Western Ghats and the Vindhyas.

 Pressured the government towards people-sensitive natural resource policies.

Important Events

 1981–83: A 5,000 km trans-Himalaya foot march spread the Chipko message.

 Bahuguna’s slogan: “Ecology is permanent economy.”

Significance

 A non-violent, Gandhian-style protest that gained nationwide popularity.

 Paved the way for future environmental movements in India.

 Showed the power of community participation, especially women’s role, in

environmental conservation.

Silent Valley Project

Announcement of Project (1976):

 Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) planned a 240 MW hydroelectric project on the
Kunthipuzha river in Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

 The project threatened to submerge 530 hectares of pristine evergreen forests in

Silent Valley.

Ecological Significance:
  Silent Valley is a biodiversity hotspot with unique evergreen forests.

 Home to endangered species like the lion-tailed macaque.

 Known as one of the few uninhabited tropical forest belts in India.

Start of Protests:

 Triggered massive public protests across Kerala.

 Became India’s first major environmental movement.

 Debate centered on whether to preserve the forest for future generations.

Role of Organizations:

 Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) and Friends of Trees led the grassroots
movement.

 Support from the Save Silent Valley Committee (Bombay).

 Backing from World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS),
Save Bombay Committee.

International Support:

 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) passed a resolution in 1978

urging Kerala to abandon the project.

 International and national pressure mounted on the Indian government.

Government Involvement:

 Initially, Kerala government convinced PM Morarji Desai to support the project.

 Debate grew intense in media and public platforms.

 Under PM Charan Singh, the project was temporarily halted.

Expert Recommendations:

 Dr. M.S. Swaminathan reviewed the project and recommended scrapping it.

 Suggested converting Silent Valley into a rainforest biosphere reserve.

Final Decision:

 In 1980, PM Indira Gandhi ordered the project to be abandoned.

 In 1984, Silent Valley was declared a National Park through legislation.

Impact of the Movement:

 Led to mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for major projects.

  Inspired future environmental movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan and Tehri
Dam protests.

 Today, Silent Valley remains preserved as a symbol of successful environmental

activism.

Narmada Bachao Andolan, 1985

Nature of Movement:

 A social movement consisting of Adivasis, farmers, environmentalists, and human

rights activists.

 Opposed to large dams being built across the Narmada River in Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

 Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat was the first focal point.

Background:

 After 1947, investigations began on using Narmada River water.

 River flows through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and into the Arabian Sea.

 Interstate disputes over water use led to the formation of the Narmada Water
Disputes Tribunal (6 October 1969).

 Tribunal’s decision approved:

o 30 major dams

o 135 medium dams

o 3000 small dams

o Including raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Formation of NBA:

 Founded by Medha Patkar in 1989.

 A coalition of environmentalists, human rights activists, scientists, academics, and

affected people.

 Adopted a non-violent approach.

Modes of Campaign:

 Hunger strikes.

 Support from film and art personalities.

 Key leaders: Medha Patkar, Baba Amte.

 Awards: Right Livelihood Award (1991).

  Celebrity support: Arundhati Roy (Booker Prize winner), Aamir Khan (actor).

Impact:

 Created high-level awareness about environmental concerns, rehabilitation, and

relief for affected people.

 Raised national debate on development vs. displacement.

Current Role (post-court verdict):

 Instead of opposing dams, NBA could act as a vigilant observer to ensure:

o Humane and fair resettlement and rehabilitation.

o Proper care of environmental aspects.

National Test Range at Baliapal

The Central Government decided to develop a National Test Range (NTR) at Baliapal in
Balasore district, Orissa.

The Defence Ministry had been trying for the past four years to set up the NTR.

Estimated cost of the project: Rs. 3,000 crores.

Purpose: To test newly developed missiles, rockets, and pilotless target aircraft.

Local opposition:

 Every day at dawn and dusk, villagers gather in their fields.

 Women and children blow conch shells and beat brass utensils to signal the
presence of strangers.

 Men block village roads to show their determination against the NTR.

Villagers believe the project will cause economic disaster by destroying their fertile
agricultural lands.

Village youth formed the Marna Sena (suicide squad) to guard entry points and prevent
government officials/vehicles from entering the area.

The agitation escalated with villagers imposing a ban on government personnel and vehicle
movement in the region.

In retaliation, the Orissa Government imposed an undeclared “economic sanction”:

 Denial of essential commodities.

 Stoppage of agricultural credit.

 Pressure on villagers for the past three months to force them to surrender their fertile
lands.
4.5 Environmental laws in India: major Acts, Rules, and Amendments

Policy and Laws after Independence

Constitutional Background

 The Indian Constitution (1950) originally did not directly address environment or
pollution control.

 Article 372(1): Allowed pre-constitution laws to remain valid until amended or

repealed.

 As a result, many old laws continued without significant change even decades after
independence.

 Until 1970, there was very little legislative activity in environmental protection.

 Growing concerns included:

o Population increase

o Pollution levels

o Human impact on wildlife and natural landscapes

o Resource depletion

Turning Point – Stockholm Declaration (1972)

 Brought international attention to environmental issues.

 Motivated Indian government to include environmental protection in its Five-Year

Plans.

 Led to enactment of several comprehensive environmental laws post-1970.

Major Environmental Legislations in India

1. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

o Aimed at rational and modern wildlife management.

o Protection of endangered species and regulation of hunting.

2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

o Established Central and State Pollution Control Boards.

o Boards act as watchdogs for prevention and control of water pollution.

3. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

o Restricts diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

 o Aims to check deforestation and promote social forestry.

4. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

o Aimed at controlling air pollution.

o Pollution Control Boards empowered to regulate emissions.

5. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

o Landmark legislation after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

o Provides a single umbrella framework for environmental protection.

o Strengthens pollution control with stringent penalties.

6. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

o Mandatory insurance for industries handling hazardous substances.

o Provides immediate relief to victims of industrial accidents.

7. National Environment Tribunals Act, 1995

o Created environmental tribunals for speedy disposal of cases.

o Four benches: Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai.

o Targeted hazardous industrial units for stricter monitoring.

8. National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) Act, 1997

o Established NEAA to hear appeals on restrictions in environmentally sensitive

areas.

o Linked to Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

9. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

o Protects biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

o Regulates access to genetic resources.

o Promotes community participation in conservation.

General Legislations on Environment

General

1986 – The Environment (Protection) Act authorizes the central government to protect and
improve environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or
restrict the setting and /or operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds.

1986 – The Environment (Protection) Rules lays down procedures for setting standards of
emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.
1989 – Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) Rules objective is to control
generation, collection, treatment, import, storage and handling of hazardous waste.

1989 – The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules define the terms
used in this context, and sets up an Authority to inspect, once a year, the industrial activity
connected with hazardous chemicals and isolated storage facilities.

1989 – The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of hazardous Micro-organisms/
Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules were introduced with a view to protect the
environment, nature and health, in connection with the application of gene technology and
microorganisms.

1991 – The Public Liability Insurance Act and Rules and Amendment, 1992 was drawn up to
provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the
persons affected by accident while handling any hazardous substance.

1995 – National environmental Tribunal Act has been created to award compensation for
damages to persons, property and the environment arising from any activity involving
hazardous substances.

1997 – The National Environment Appellate Authority Act has been created to hear appeals
with respect to restrictions of areas in which classes of industries etc are carried out or
prescribed subject to certain safeguards under the EPA (Environment Protection Act).

1998 – Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules is a legal binding on the health
care institutions to streamline the process of proper handling of hospital waste such as
segregation, disposal, collection and treatment.

Forest and wildlife

1927 – Indian Forest Act and Amendment 1984 is one of the many surviving colonial
statutes. It was enacted to ‘consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest
produces and the duty leviable on timber and other forest produce.

1972 – Wildlife Protection Act, Rules 1973 and Amendment 1991 provide for the protection
of birds and animals and for all matters that are connected to it whether it be their habitat or
the waterhole or the forest that sustain them.

1980 – The Forest (Conservation) Act and Rules 1981 provide for the protection of and the
conservation of the forests.

Water

1882 – The Easement Act allows private rights to use a resource i.e. groundwater, by
viewing it as an attachment to the land. It also states that all surface water belongs to the
state and is a state property.

1897– Indian Fisheries Act establishes two sets of penal offences whereby the government
can sue any person who uses dynamite or other explosive substance in any way (whether
coastal or inland) with intent to catch or destroy any fish or poisons fish in order to kill.
1956 – The River Boards Act enables the states to enroll the Central Government in setting
up an Advisory River Board to resolve issues in interstate cooperation.

1970 – Merchant Shipping Act aims to deal with waste arising from ships along the coastal
areas within a specified radius.

1974 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act establishes an institutional
structure for preventing and abating water pollution. It establishes standards for water quality
and effluent. Polluting industries must seek permission to discharge waste into effluent
bodies. The Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted under this act.

1977 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act provides for the levy and
collection of cess or a fee on water consuming industries and local authorities.

1978 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules contains the standard
definitions and indicate the kind of and location of meters that every consumer of water is
required to affix.

1991 – Coastal Regulation Zone Notification puts regulations on various activities, including
construction, are regulated. It gives some protection to the backwaters and estuaries.

Air

1948 – Factories Act and Amendment in 1987 was the first to express concern for the
working environment of the workers. The amendment of 1987 sharpened its environmental
focus and expanded its application to hazardous processes.

1981 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act provides for the control and abatement
of air pollution. It entrusts the power of enforcing this act to the Central Pollution Control
Board.

1982 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules defines the procedures of the
meetings of the Boards and the powers entrusted on them.

1982 – Atomic Energy Act deals with the radioactive waste.

1987 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act empowers the central and
state pollution boards to meet with grave emergencies of air pollution.

1988 – Motor Vehicles Act states that all hazardous waste is to be properly packaged,
labeled and transported.

4.6 Role of NGOs, media, and government in awareness and protection

A Non-Governmental Organization is a social service organization working towards a better

society. Our mission is to address issues like poverty and ignorance that are threatening and
weakening our country’s progress.

The NGOs constitute a worldwide network interacting with Governments and Internal
intergovernmental organization in shaping international environmental policies.

1. Creating awareness among the public on current environmental issues and solutions.
2. Facilitating the participation of various categories of stakeholders in the discussion on
environmental issues.

3. Conducting participatory rural appraisal.

4 Being involved in the protection of human rights to have a clean environment.

5 Protecting natural resources and entrusting the equitable use of resources.

6 Data generation on natural resources, time line history of villages.

7 Analysis and monitoring of environmental quality.

8 Transferring information through newsletters, brochures, articles, audio visuals, etc.

9 Organizing seminars, lectures and group discussion for promotion of environmental

awareness.

10 Helping the villages’ administrative officials in preparation, application and execution of

projects on environmental protection.

4.7 Management and protection of environment (restoration, waste reduction,

renewable energy)

Environmental management involves the management of all components of the biophysical

environment, both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic). This is due to the interconnected
network of relationships amongst all living species and their habitats. The environment also
involves the relationships of the human environment, such as the social, cultural and
economic environment with the bio-physical environment. Our very survival in this planet
Earth depends on the proper management of environment. Every living species in this plant
requires air, water for survival. All living beings are interdependent directly or indirectly. The
survival of trees and forests will bring good rainfall and good agriculture. Every living body
needs clean air, water and soil for survival and healthy life. Due to enormous increase in
population and stress on environmental factors like air, water and soil, it is now urgently
needed to frame guidelines and rules for the management of environment in a proper way. A
good management of environment can only bring a sustainable life to all in this planet earth.

(i) Dispose the waste after separating them into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste
material.

(ii) Start a compost heap or use a compost bin. This can be used to recycle waste food and
other biodegradable materials.

(iii) Avoid unnecessary or wasteful packaging of products.

(iv) Reusable bags.

(v) Plant trees. They will help to absorb excess carbon dioxide.

(vi) Observe World Environment Day on 5th June.

(vii) Never put any leftover chemicals, used oils down the drain, toilet or dump them on the
ground or in water or burn them in the garden. If you do so, it will cause pollution.
(viii) Don’t burn any waste, especially plastic, because the smoke may contain polluting
gases. (ix) Use unleaded petrol and alternate sources of energy, and keep the engine
properly tuned and serviced and the tyres inflated to the right pressure, so that vehicle runs
efficiently.

(x) Avoid fast starts and sudden breaking of automobiles.

(xi) Walk or cycle where it is safe to do so – walking is free; cycling can help to keep you fit.
(xii) Use public transport wherever you can or form a carpool for everyday travel.

(xiii) Send your waste oil, old batteries and used tyres to a garage for recycling or safe
disposal; all these can cause serious pollution.