24 November 29 2025

UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986 THROUGH PRACTICAL LEGAL EXAMPLES

As an advocate practicing law in India, I explain the Act through real-life examples so that law students can understand how legal provisions function in actual practice rather than remaining confined to theory. This method strengthens their legal reasoning and case analysis by directly connecting statutory sections with real situations. It also helps students write clearer, more effective, and more memorable exam answers. Most importantly, it prepares them for real courtroom practice and competent client advisory work.

Section 2 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: A chemical factory located near a river and a residential area releases toxic gases into the air and discharges untreated waste into the water, thereby harming air, water, soil, plants, animals, and human beings which together constitute the environment; the toxic chemicals released are environmental pollutants that cause environmental pollution, and the stored acids and poisonous substances used in the factory are hazardous substances; the processes of manufacturing, storing, transporting, and disposing of these chemicals amount to handling; the factory owner who has control over the operations is the occupier; the pollution limits and safety standards violated are those prescribed by law; and the State Government is the authority responsible for monitoring and taking action against such violations.

Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: After a major chemical leak from an industrial zone pollutes a nearby river and surrounding air, the Central Government, in exercise of its powers under Section 3, issues directions to all concerned authorities to coordinate emergency response, lays down new standards for emission and discharge of pollutants, restricts certain hazardous industrial activities in the affected area, regulates the handling of hazardous substances, orders environmental impact studies and scientific research, and authorizes officers to inspect, sample, and investigate the cause of pollution, thereby taking all necessary measures to protect and improve the quality of the environment.

After serious water and air pollution is detected from an industrial unit, the Central Government, under Section 4, appoints a special authorized officer/authority to coordinate inspection, monitoring, and enforcement actions, and when the factory continues to violate pollution control norms despite warnings, the Central Government, exercising its powers under Section 5, issues a written direction ordering the immediate closure of the factory and stoppage of electricity and water supply, which is binding on all authorities involved.

To control increasing industrial pollution, the Central Government, in exercise of its powers under Section 6, frames detailed rules prescribing standards for emission and discharge of pollutants, lays down procedures and safeguards for handling hazardous substances, fixes maximum permissible limits for environmental contaminants, specifies restrictions on the location of industries, and provides for penalties and monitoring mechanisms, thereby creating a legal framework to ensure uniform protection of the environment across the country.

An industrial plant ensures under Section 7 that it does not discharge smoke, effluents, or any environmental pollutant beyond the prescribed standards, and while storing and using toxic chemicals, it strictly follows the safety procedures for handling hazardous substances as required under Section 8; however, when an accidental chemical leak occurs, the occupier immediately informs the concerned authorities and takes prompt remedial measures to control and minimize environmental damage, as mandated under Section 9 of the Act.

When serious pollution is suspected from an industrial unit, the authorized government officer, under Section 10, enters the factory premises, conducts inspections, and examines records, and under Section 11, collects samples of air, water, and effluents following the prescribed legal procedure; the laboratory report produced under Section 12 is then treated as valid scientific evidence in legal proceedings; since the offence is committed by a company, Section 13 makes both the company and the persons in charge of its operations liable for punishment; and if the company is prosecuted based on the analyst’s report and inspection findings, the court takes cognizance of the offence in accordance with law under Section 14, leading to trial and possible conviction.

When a factory is convicted for violating environmental standards, Section 15 provides that it shall be punished with imprisonment up to five years or with a fine up to one lakh rupees or with both, and in case the offence continues, an additional fine up to five thousand rupees for every day of continued violation may be imposed, and if the failure continues beyond one year after conviction, the punishment may extend to seven years’ imprisonment; if such an offence is committed by a government department, then under Section 16, the Head of the Department is deemed to be guilty and liable for punishment unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or despite due diligence; and where the offence is committed by a State Government department, Section 17 makes the State Government itself legally liable in the same manner as a company under the Act.

When environmental authorities take urgent action to shut down a polluting industry in public interest, they are protected from legal liability for acts done in good faith under Section 18; thereafter, under Section 19, the court takes cognizance of the offence only on a complaint made by the Central Government, an authorized officer, or by a person who has given prior notice of at least sixty days; for the purpose of inquiry and trial, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply as per Section 20; any directions, rules, or orders issued by the Central Government under the Act are to be laid before Parliament under Section 21 for legislative oversight; in cases where the Act overrides other inconsistent laws, Section 22 gives it overriding effect; the provisions of the Act apply in addition to and not in derogation of other environmental laws under Section 23; under Section 24, in case of any conflict with earlier laws, the provisions of this Act prevail unless expressly stated otherwise; the Central Government is empowered to make rules under Section 25; and all such rules are required to be laid before Parliament under Section 26 for approval and transparency.

Author

avatar
Adv. ALOK KUMAR
Advocate Serving Delhi NCR
Delhi High Court & District Courts
LL.B.▪︎Faculty of Law▪︎Delhi University


Comments are not allowed on this article.