Unit VI
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
& PRACTICES
Priti Tripathy
Research Scholar
Department of Environmental Sciences
Tezpur University
E N VI RONM ENTAL P OL ICY B AS I C S
Guidelines and regulations created to protect the
environment and manage natural resources responsibly.
Objectives:
• Reduce pollution
• Conserve resources
• Promote sustainable development
• Address global environmental challenges
Key Concepts:
• Sustainability: Meet present needs without harming future generations.
• Pollution Control: Regulate and reduce air, water, and soil pollution.
• Conservation: Protect natural resources like water, forests, and wildlife.
C L IM ATE C H AN GE
& G L O B AL WAR M I NG
Long-term shifts in climate caused mainly by rising
greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O).
Main Effects:
• Irregular rainfall → droughts & floods
• Glacier melt → flooding, erosion
• Crop shifts → food insecurity
• Disease spread → malaria, dengue
• Species loss → up to 30% with 2°C rise
• Sea-level rise, warmer & more acidic oceans
Causes:
Fossil fuel burning + land-use changes → more heat-trapping gases →
stronger greenhouse effect.
AC I D R AI N
Rainwater made acidic when SO₂ and NOₓ from burning fossil fuels mix
with moisture in the air to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
(Also occurs naturally from volcanic eruptions.)
Main Sources:
• Power plants (major source of SO₂ & NOₓ)
• Vehicles & heavy machinery
• Industries & oil refineries
Effects:
• Plants & Soil: Removes essential nutrients → poor plant growth
• Health: Causes respiratory problems in humans & animals
• Water Bodies: Makes lakes/rivers acidic → harms aquatic life
• Pipes: Corrodes water pipes → heavy metals (lead, copper) enter drinking water
• Buildings/Monuments: Erodes stone and metal structures
O Z O N E L AYE R D E P L E TION
Ozone Layer:
• Stratosphere (10–50 km); blocks 93–99% of harmful UV-B radiation.
• Prevents skin cancer, cataracts, crop damage, and marine life harm.
Main Cause: Man-made ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
– Especially CFCs, halons, methyl bromide
– Used in refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosols, fire extinguishers
• In the stratosphere, they release chlorine & bromine, which destroy ozone.
• One chlorine atom → destroys >100,000 ozone molecules.
Evidence: •Large Antarctic ozone hole observed since 1979.
•Record size in 2000: 28.3 million km².
•Up to 70% ozone loss in some region.
Result:
• More UV-B reaching Earth → serious health & environmental damage.
E N V I RO NM EN T L AW S
I. Environment Protection Act;
II. Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act;
III. Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act;
IV. Wildlife Protection Act;
V. Forest Conservation Act.
W I L DLIFE P ROT E CT ION AC T, 1 9 7 2
Protect wild animals, birds, and plants.
• Ensure ecological and environmental security of the country.
Objectives:
• Prevent extinction of species and preserve biodiversity.
• Regulate hunting, trade, and possession of wildlife and animal
products.
• Declare and manage Sanctuaries, National Parks, and protected areas.
Key Measures:
• Establish State Wildlife Advisory Boards for management and
guidance.
• Control hunting, poaching, and trade in wild animals and trophies.
• Provide strict penalties for violations.
WATE R (P R E V E N TIO N & C O N T ROL
OF P OL LUTION) AC T, 1974
Prevent, control, and reduce water pollution.
• Maintain or restore the wholesomeness of water for public health and the
environment.
Regulatory Basis:
• Central & State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB & SPCBs): Monitor and
regulate water pollution.
Objectives:
• Prevent pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources.
• Set standards for the discharge of sewage and trade effluents.
• Enable assessment and monitoring of water quality.
• Punish offenders and publicize violations to ensure accountability.
• Encourage citizen participation in reporting and preventing pollution.
Powers Under the Act:
• Boards can take water samples, analyze pollution levels, and enforce standards.
F OR E S T (C ONS ERVATION) AC T, 1980
Conserve forests and regulate forest land use for development.
• Balance conservation with sustainable development.
• Objectives:
• Protect existing forests & create new forest cover.
• Provide forest dwellers fuel, fodder, and building materials sustainably.
• Base forest management on scientific, environmentally sound plans.
• Measures:
• Approve forest land diversion only when unavoidable.
• Promote compensatory afforestation.
• Encourage public awareness and participation in forest protection.
AI R (P RE V E N T ION & C O N T ROL O F
P OL LUTION) AC T, 1981
Control and prevent air pollution and protect public health and the environment.
• The act provides clear definitions for various terms, including air pollutant, emission,
and pollution control equipment, to ensure uniform interpretation and enforcement
Regulatory Authorities: Central & State Pollution Control Boards enforce the Act.
Consent Mechanism: Industries must obtain permission before releasing pollutants.
Standards:
• Ambient air quality standards for SO₂, NO₂, SPM, etc.
• Emission standards for industries and processes.
Prohibitions: Ban on fuels, appliances, or processes that cause air pollution.
Inspection & Monitoring: Authorities can inspect and monitor industrial units.
Penalties: Fines, imprisonment, or both for violations.
Public Awareness & Appeals: Pollution data shared publicly; appeals allowed
against authority decisions.
E N VI RONM ENT (P ROTECTION) AC T,
1986
Enacted after the 1972 Stockholm Conference to protect and improve the
environment and prevent hazards to humans, animals, plants, and property.
Constitutional Basis:
• Article 48A: State must protect and improve the environment, forests,
and wildlife.
• Article 51A(g): Every citizen must protect the environment.
Objectives: •Implement decisions of the 1972 Stockholm Conference
•Create a general environmental protection law
•Coordinate activities of pollution-control agencies
•Establish authorities for environmental protection
•Provide strict penalties for environmental violations
Powers Under the Act:
• Central Government can take all necessary steps for prevention, control,
and abatement of environmental pollution and for improving
environmental quality.
B I OD IVE RS ITY AC T, 2002
The Biodiversity Act, 2002 implements the 1992 UN Convention on
Biological Diversity, conserving India’s biological resources and
knowledge, regulating sustainable access, and establishing the
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
• Conserve biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
• Promote sustainable use of biological resources.
• Ensure fair and equitable benefit-sharing.
• Key Measures:
• Establish NBA, SBBs, and BMCs to oversee biodiversity.
• Create Biodiversity Funds at national, state, and local levels.
• Protect biodiversity heritage sites.
• Safeguard local and traditional knowledge.
I N TE RNATIO NAL AG R E E M E N T S
• Montreal protocols
• Kyoto protocols
• Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD)
M O N T R E AL P ROTO CO L
Phase out ozone-depleting substances to protect the ozone layer.
Background:
• Signed in 1987 under the Vienna Convention (1985) after discovery of the
ozone hole.
Key Measures:
• Mandatory global phase-out of harmful substances.
• Supports technological adjustments and international cooperation.
Impact:
• Universal ratification achieved.
• Prevents millions of skin cancers and cataracts.
• Ozone layer expected to recover by mid-21st century.
KYOTO P ROTOCOL
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily CO₂, to combat global warming.
Background:
• Adopted on 11 Dec 1997 in Kyoto, Japan; entered into force 16 Feb 2005.
• 192 parties currently participate.
Key Measures:
• Industrialized countries have legally binding emission reduction targets.
• Aim: at least 5% reduction in 1990 GHG levels (2008–2012).
• Targets CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ emissions.
Sources of GHGs:
• Fossil fuel burning (coal, oil, gas), deforestation, agriculture, and waste.
• Montreal Protocol controls CFCs/HCFCs/halons separately.
Impact:
• First global treaty with binding GHG reduction obligations for developed nations.
C ON VE NT ION O N B I O L OGICAL
D I V E RS ITY (C B D )
Conserve biodiversity, Promote sustainable use of biological resources, Ensure fair
benefit-sharing from genetic resources.
Background:
• Adopted at 1992 Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro.
• Legally binding international treaty.
Key Measures:
• Thematic programs for ecosystems: marine, forests, mountains, inland waters,
agriculture.
• Cross-cutting programs for genetic resources, indigenous knowledge, and
ecosystem-based management.
Impact:
• Global recognition of biodiversity as a critical environmental and development
issue.