Enacted in the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, this umbrella law gives the central government sweeping powers to protect and improve the environment, coordinating and strengthening the more specific water and air pollution laws that existed before it.
Section 3 empowers the central government to take all measures necessary to protect the environment, including setting standards for emissions and effluents, and restricting or prohibiting industries in specific areas. Section 5 gives power to issue direct directions, including closure or regulation of any industry, operation or process.
Section 15 makes contravention of the Act’s provisions punishable with imprisonment up to 5 years, or fine up to Rs 1 lakh, or both, with an additional fine of Rs 5,000 per day for continuing violations, and enhanced imprisonment up to 7 years for violations continuing beyond a year after conviction.
The Act also empowers the government to mandate Environmental Impact Assessments for specified categories of projects before granting clearance, a requirement that has become central to how major infrastructure and industrial projects are approved in India today.