LexThe ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986
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THE ENVIRONMENT
(PROTECTION) ACT, 1986
(As amended to date)
i
ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement
2. Definitions
CHAPTER II
GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
3. Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment
4. Appointment of officers and their powers and functions
5. Power to give directions
5A. Appeal to National Green Tribunal
6. Rules to regulate environmental pollution
CHAPTER III
PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
7. Persons carrying on industry operation, etc., not to allow emission or discharge of
environmental pollutants in excess of the standards
8. Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards
9. Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases
10. Powers of entry and inspection
11. Power to take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith
12. Environmental laboratories
13. Government Analysts
14. Reports of Government Analysts
15. Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the Act and the rules, orders and directions
16. Offences by companies
17. Offences by Government Departments
ii
CHAPTER IV
MISCELLANEOUS
18. Protection of action taken in good faith
19. Cognizance of offences
20. Information, reports or returns
21. Members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under section 3 to be public
servants
22. Bar of jurisdiction
23. Powers to delegate
24. Effect of other laws
25. Power to make rules
26. Rules made under this Act to be laid before Parliament
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 151
THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986
No. 29 OF 1986
[23rd May, 1986]
An Act to Provide for the Protection and Improvement of Environment and for Matters
Connected therewith.
WHEREAS the decisions were taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for
the protection and improvement of human environment;
AND WHEREAS it is consider ed necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so
far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and the prevention of hazards to
human beings, other living creatures, plants and property;
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement. – (1) This Act may be called the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for
different areas.
2. Definitions. – In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, –
(a) "environment" includes water, air and land and the inter -relationship which exists among and
between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and
property;
(b) "environmental pollutant" means any solid, liq uid or gaseous substance present in such
concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment;
(c) "environmental pollution" means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant;
(d) "handling", in relation to any substance, means the manufacture, processing, treatment, package,
storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer or the like
of such substance;
(e) "hazardous substance" means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its ch emical or
physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living
creatures, plant, micro-organism, property or the environment;
(f) "occupier", in relation to any factory or premises, means a person who has, control over the affairs
of the factory or the premises and includes, in relation to any substance, the person in possession
of the substance;
(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
1 It came into force in the whole of India on19th November, 1986 vide Notification No. G.S.R.1198(E) dated 12 -11-86 published
in the Gazette of India No.525 dated 12 -11-86.
152 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
CHAPTER II
GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
3. Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment. – (1)
Subject to the provisions of this 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.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub -section (1),
such measures may include measures with respect to all or any of the following matters, namely: –
(i) co-ordination of actions by the State Governments, officers and other authorities--
(a) under this Act, or the rules made thereunder; or
(b) under any other law for the time being in force which is relatable to the obj ects of
this Act;
(ii) planning and execution of a nation -wide programme for the prevention , control and
abatement of environmental pollution;
(iii) laying down standards for the quality of environment in its various aspects;
(iv) 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 emission or
discharge of environmental pollutants from such sources;
(v) restriction of areas in which any industries, operations, or processes or class of industries,
operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain
safeguards;
(vi) laying down procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause
environmental pollution and remedial measures for such accidents;
(vii) laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;
(viii) examination of such man ufacturing processes, materials and substances as are likely to
cause environmental pollution;
(ix) carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of
environmental pollution;
(x) 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;
(xi) establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and institutes to carry out the
functions entrusted to such environmental laboratories and institutes under this Act;
(xii) collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters relating to environmental
pollution;
(xiii) preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the prevention, control and abatement of
environmental pollution;
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 153
(xiv) 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.
(3) The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to do for the
purposes 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 for the 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 of such order, such authority or authorities may exercise the 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.
4. Appointment of officers and their powers and functions. – (1) Without prejudice to the provisions
of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may appoint officers with such designation as it
thinks fit for the purposes of this Act and may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under this
Act as it may deem fit.
(2) The officers appointed under sub -section (1) shall be subject to the general control and
direction of the Central Government or, if so directed by that Government, also of the authority or
authorities, if any, constituted under sub- section (3) of section 3 or of any other authority or officer.
5. Power to give directions. – Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law but subject to the
provisions of this Act, the Central Government may1, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its
functions under this Act, issue directions in writing to any person, officer or any authority and such person,
officer or authority shall be bound to comply with such directions.2
Explanation: –For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power to issue directions
under this section includes the power to direct–
(a) the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process; or
(b) stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.
3[5A. Appeal to National Green Tribunal. – Any person aggrieved by any directions issued under
section 5, on or after the commencement of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (19 of 2010), may file
an appeal to the National Green Tribunal established under section 3 of the National Green Tribunal Act,
2010 (19 of 2010), in accordance with the provisions of that Act.]
6. Rules to regulate environmental pollution. – (1) The Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, make rules in respect of all or any of the matters referred to in section 3.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely: ––
1 The Central Government has delegated the powers vested in it under section 5 of the Act to the State Governments of Andhra
Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Orissa, Rajasthan,
Sikkim and Tamil Nadu subject to the condition that the Central Government may revoke such delegation of Powers in respect of
all or any on e or more of the State Governments or may itself invoke the provisions of section 5 of the Act, if in the opinion of
the Central Government such a course of action is necessary in public interest, (Notification No, S.O. 152 (E) dated 10 -2-88
published in Gazette No. 54 of the same date). These Powers have been delegated to the following State Governments also on
the same terms: Meghalaya, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh vide Notification No. S.0.389 (E) dated 14 -4-88 published in the Gazette
No. 205 dated 14-4-88; Maharashtra vide Notification No. S.O. 488(E) dated 17 -5-88 published in the Gazette No. 255 dated 17 -
5-88; Goa and Jammu & Kashmir vide Notification No. S.O. 881 (E) dated 22 -9-88; published in the Gazette No. 749 dated
22.9.88 West Bengal Manipu r vide Notification N. S.O. 408 (E) dated 6 -6-89; published in the Gazette No. 319 dated 6 -6-89;
Tripura vide Notification No. S.O. 479 (E) dated 25 -7-91 published in the Gazette No. 414 dated 25 -7-91.
2 For issuing directions see r. 4 of Environment (Pr otection) Rules,1986.
3 Sec. 5A Ins. by Act 19 of 2010 dt.02.06.2010
154 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(a) the standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes;1
(b) the maximum allowable limits of concentration of various environmental pollutants
(including noise) for different areas;
(c) the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;2
(d) the prohibition and restrictions on the handling of hazardous substances in different areas;3
(e) the prohibition and restriction on the location of industries and the carrying on of processes
and operations in different areas;4
(f) the p rocedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause
environmental pollution and for providing for remedial measures for such accidents.5
CHAPTER III
PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
7. Persons carrying on industry operation, etc., not to allow emission or discharge of environmental
pollutants in excess of the standards. – No person carrying on any industry, operation or process shall
discharge or emit or permit to be discharged or emitte d any environmental pollutant in excess of such
standards as may be prescribed6.
8. Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards. – No person shall
handle or cause to be handled any hazardous substance except in accordance with such procedure and after
complying with such safeguards as may be prescribed7.
9. Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases. – (1) Where the discharge
of any environmental 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 such discharge occurs or is apprehended to occur shall be bound to prevent
or mitigate the environmental pollution caused as a result of such discharge and shall also forthwith–
1 Seer.3 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986 and Schedules thereto.
i. Schedule I lists the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from the industries, processes
or operations and their maximum allowable limits of concentration;
ii. Schedule II lists general standards for discharge of effluents and their maximum limits of concentration allowable
(Schedule II omitted by G.S.R.801 (E), dated 31.12.1993.)
iii. Schedule III lists ambient air quality standards in respect of noise and its maximum allowable limits; and
iv. Schedule IV lists standards for emission of smoke, vapour etc. from motor vehicles and maximum allowable limits
of their emission.
v. Schedule V – furnishing of information to authorities and agencies. Schedule II re -numbered as Schedule V vide
G.S.R.422(E), dated19.5.1993.
vi. Schedule VI – inserted vide GSR422(E), dated 19.5.1993 for General Standards for discharge of Environmental
Pollutants,
vii. Schedule VII–inserted vide GSR176(E), dated 2.4.1996 for National Ambient Air Quality Standards,
2 Seer.13 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, and
i. Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008;
ii. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chem icals Rules, 1989; and
iii. Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically/Engineered Organisms
or Cells Rules,1989
3 Rule 13 SUPRA
4 See r. 5 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.
5 See r. 12 of Environment (Protection) Rules and Schedule V (Schedule II renumbered as Schedule V), and relevant
provisions of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, Manufacture,
Storage and Import of Hazardous Chem icals Rules and Manufacture, Use, Import Export and Storage of hazardous Micro -
organisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or CellsRules,1989.
6 See r. 3 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and Schedule -I.
7 Rule 13 SUPRA
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 155
(a) intimate the fact of such occurrence or apprehension of such occurrence; and
(b) be bound, if called upon, to render all assistance, to such authorities or agencies as may be
prescribed1
(2) On receipt of information with respect to the fact or apprehension of any occurrence of the
nature referred to in sub-section (1), whether through intimation under that sub-section or otherwise, the
authorities or agencies referred to in sub-section (1) shall, as early as practicable, cause such remedial
measures to be taken as are necessary to prevent or mitigate the environmental pollution.
(3) The expenses, if any, incurred by any authority or agency with respect to the remedial
measures referred to in sub-section (2), together with interest (at such reasonable rate as the Government
may, by order, fix) from the date when a demand for the expenses is made until it is paid, may be recovered
by such authority or agency from the person concerned as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
10. Powers of entry and inspection. – (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person empowered
by the Central Government in this behalf 2 shall have a right to enter, at all reasonable times with such
assistance as he considers necessary, any place: –
(a) for the purpose of performing any of the functions of the Central Government entrusted to
him;
(b) for the purpose of determining whether and if so in what manner, any such functions are to
be performed or whether any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or any
notice, order, direction or authorisation served, made, given or granted under this Act is
being or has been complied with;
(c) for the purpose of examining and testing any equipment, industrial plant, record, register,
document or any other material object or for conducting a search of any building in which
he has reason to believe th at an offence under this Act or the rules made thereunder has
been or is being or is about to be committed and for seizing any such equipment, industrial
plant, record, register, document or other material object if he has reason to believe that it
may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act or the rules
made thereunder or that such seizure is necessary to prevent or mitigate environmental
pollution.
(2) Every person carrying on any industry, operation or process or handling any hazardous
substance shall be bound to render all assistance to the person empowered by the Central Government
under sub-section (1) for carrying out the functions under that sub-section and if he fails to do so without
any reasonable cause or excuse, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(3) If any person wilfully delays or obstructs any person empowered by the Central Government
under sub-section (1) in the performance of his functions, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(4) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or, in relation to the State of
Jammu and Kashmir, or an area in which that Code is not in force, the provisions of any corresponding
law in force in that State or area shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizure under this section
as they apply to any search or seizure made under the authority of a warrant issued under section 94 of the
said Code or, as the case may be, under the corresponding provision of the said law.
11. Power to take sample a nd procedure to be followed in connection therewith . – (1) The Central
Government or any officer empowered by it in this behalf 3, shall have power to take, for the purpose of
1 For authorities or agencies see r. 12 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and Schedule -V (Schedule -II re - numbered as
Schedule-V).
2 The Central Govt. has empowered 64 persons listed in the Table of Notification No.S.O.83(E) published in the Gazette of India
No. 66 dated 16.2.1987
3 In exercise of powers conferred under sub -section (i) of section 11 the Central Government has empowered 64 officers listed in
the Table vide S.O.84. (E) published in the Gazette No. 66 dated 16 -2-87
156 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
analysis, samples of air, water, soil or other substance from any factory, premis es or other place in such
manner as may be prescribed1.
(2) The result of any analysis of a sample taken under sub-section (1) shall not be admissible in
evidence in any legal proceeding unless the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) are complied with.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4), the person taking the sample under sub-section
(1) shall: –
(a) serve on the occupier or his agent or person in charge of the place, a notice, then and there,
in such form as may be prescribed, of his intention to have it so analysed;
(b) in the presence of the occupier or his agent or person, collect a sample for analysis;
(c) cause the sample to be placed in a container or containers which shall be marked and sealed
and shall also be signed both by the person taking the sample and the occupier or his agent
or person;
(d) send without delay, the container or the containers to the laboratory established or
recognised by the Central Government under section 12.
(4) When a sample is taken for analysis under sub-section (1) and the person taking the sample
serves on the occupier or his agent or person, a notice under clause (a) of sub-section (3), then: –
(a) in a case where the occupier, his agent or person wilfully absents himself, the person taking
the sample shall collect the sample for analysis to be placed in a container or containers
which shall be marked and sealed and shall also be signed by the person taking the sample,
and
(b) in a case where the occupier or his agent or person present at the time of taking the sample
refuses to sign the marked and sealed container or containers of the sample as required
under clause (c) of sub-section (3), the marked and sealed container or containers shall be
signed by the person taking the samples,
and the container or containers shall be sent without delay by the person taking the sample for analysis to
the laboratory established or recognised under section 12 and such person shall inform t he Government
Analyst appointed or recognised under section 13 in writing, about the wilful absence of the occupier or
his agent or person, or, as the case may be, his refusal to sign the container or containers.
12. Environmental laboratories. –(1) The Central Government2 may, by notification in the Official
Gazette: –
(a) establish one or more environmental laboratories;
(b) recognise one or more laboratories or institutes as environmental laboratories to carry out
the functions entrusted to an environmental laboratory under this Act3.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules specifying:
–
(a) the functions of the environmental laboratory;4
1 The Central Govt. has empowered 64 persons listed in the Table of Notification No.S.O.83(E) published in the Gazette of
India No. 66 dated 16.2.1987
2 The Central Government has delegated its powers under clause (b) of sub -section (i) of section 12 and section 13 of the Act to the
Central Pollution Control Board vide Notification No. S.O. 145 (E) dated 21 -2-91 published in the Gazette No. 128 dated 27 -2-91
3 The list of laboratories/institutes recognised as environmental laboratories: and the persons recognised as Govt. Anal ysts.
4 See r. 9 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 157
(b) the procedure for the submission to the said laboratory of samples of air, water, soil or other
substance for analysis or tests, the form of the laboratory report thereon and the fees payable
for such report;1
(c) such other matters as may be necessary or expedient to enable that laboratory to carry out
its functions.
13. Government Analysts. – The Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint
or recognise such persons as it thinks fit and having the prescribed qualifications 2 to be Government
Analysts for the purpose of analysis of samples of air, water, soi l or other substance sent for analysis to
any environmental laboratory established or recognised under sub-section (1) of section 12.
14. Reports of Government Analysts. – Any document purporting to be a report signed by a Government
analyst may be used as evidence of the facts stated therein in any proceeding under this Act.
15. Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the Act and the rules, orders and directions. – (1)
Whoever fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made or orders
or directions issued thereunder, shall, in respect of each such failure or contravention, be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees,
or with both, and 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 after the
conviction for the first such failure or contravention.
(2) If the failure or contravention referred to in sub -section (1) 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.
16. Offences by companies. – (1) Where any offence under this Act has been committed by a company,
every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was directly in charge of, and was responsible
to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed
to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub -section shall render any such person liable to any
punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or
that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has
been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or
connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also deemed to be guilty of
that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation–For the purposes of this section: –
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of
individuals;
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
17. Offences by Government departments. – (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed
by any Department of Government, the Head of the Department shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence
and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly;
Provided that nothing contained in this section shall render such Head of the Department liable to
any punishment if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised
1 See r. 8 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.
2 For qualifications of Govt. Analyst see r.10 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
158 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has
been committed by a Department of Government and it is proved that the offence ha s been committed
with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any officer, other than
the Head of the Department, such officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be
liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
CHAPTER IV
MISCELLANEOUS
18. Protection of action taken in good faith. – No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie
against the Government or any officer or other employee of the Government or any authority constituted
under this Act or any member, officer or other employee of such authority in respect of anything which is
done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions
issued thereunder.
19. Cognizance of offences. – No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on
a complaint made by: -
(a) the Central Government or any authority or officer authorised in this behalf by that
Government1; or
(b) any person who has given notice of not les s than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of
the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or
the authority or officer authorised as aforesaid.
20. Information, reports or returns. – The Central Government may, in relation to its function under this
Act, from time to time, require any person, officer, State Government or other authority to furnish to it or
any prescribed authority or officer any reports, returns, statistics, accounts and other information and such
person, officer, State Government or other authority shall be bound to do so.
21. Members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under section 3 to be public
servants. – All the members of the authority, constituted, if any, under section 3 and all officers and other
employees of such authority when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any provisions of this Act or
the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants within the
meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
22. Bar of jurisdiction. – 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 by or in relation to its or his functions under this
Act.
23. Powers to delegate. – Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate, subject to such conditions and
limitations as may be specified in the notification, such of its powers and functions under this Act [except
the powers to constitute an authority under sub -section (3) of section 3 and to make rules under section
25] as it may deem necessary or expedient, to any officer, State Government or other authority.
24. Effect of other laws. – (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), the provisions of this Act and
the rules or orders made there in shall have e ffect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith
1 In exercise of powers conferred under clause (a) of se ction l9, the Central Government has authorised the officers and authorities
listed in the Table of Notification No. S.O. 394 (E) published in the Gazette No. 185 dated 16 -4-87, S.O. 237(E) published in the
Gazette No. 171 dated 29-3-89 and S.O. 656(E) dated 21-8-89 published in the Gazette No. 519 dated 21 -8-89, S.O.624(E),
dated 3.9.1996 and G.S.R.587(E), dated 1.9.2006.
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 159
contained in any enactment other than this Act.
(2) Where any act or omission constitutes an offence punishable under this Act and also under
any other Act then the offender found guilty of such offence shall be liable to be punished under the other
Act and not under this Act.
25. Power to make rules. – (1) The Central Government may, by notification in Official Gazette, make
rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely: –
(a) the standards in excess of which environmental pollutants shall not be discharged or emitted
under section 71;
(b) the procedure in accordance with and the safeguards in compliance with which hazardous
substances shall be handled or cause to be handled under section 8;2
(c) the authorities or agencies to which intimation of the fact of occurrence or apprehension of
occurrence of the discharge of any environmental pollutant in excess of the prescribed
standards shall be given and to whom all assistance shall be bound to be rendered under
sub-section (1) of section 9;3
(d) the manner in which samples of air, water, soil or other substance for the purpose of analysis
shall be taken under sub-section (1) of section 11;4
(e) the form in which notice of intention to have a sample analysed shall be served under clause
(a) of sub section (3) of section 11;5
(f) the functions of the environmental laboratories,6 the procedure for the submission to such
laboratories of samples of air, water, soil and other substances for analysis or test;
7 the form
of laboratory report; the fees payable for such report and other matters to enable such
laboratories to carry out their functions under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(g) the qualifications of Government Analyst appointed or recognised for the purpose of
analysis of samples of air, water, soil or other substances under section 13;8
(h) the manner in which notice of the offence and of the intention to make a complaint to the
Central Government shall be given under clause (b) of section 19;9
1 See Rule 3 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and Schedule -I.
2 See r.13 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, and
i. Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008
ii. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989; and
iii. Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically - engineered
organisms or Cells Rules,1989.
3 For autho rities or agencies see r.12 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and Schedule -II.
4 See r. 6 of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
5 See r. 7 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.
6 SeeSee r. 9 of Environment (Protecti on) Rules,1986.
7 For the procedure for submission of samples to laboratories and the form of laboratory report see r. 8 of Environment
(Protection) Rules,1986.
8 See r. 10 of Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.
9 See r. 11 of Environment (protection) Rules,1986.
160 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(i) the authority of officer to whom any reports, returns, statistics, accounts and other
information shall be furnished under section 20;
(j) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
26. Rules made under this act to be laid before Parliament. – Every rule made under this Act shall be
laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total
period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and
if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid,
both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be
made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may
be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that rule.
This Act of Parliament received the assent of the President of India on the 23rd May, 1986: –