The following is the legal definition of ENVIRONMENT given in The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:- "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 properties;"United Nations Conference on the Human Environment resulting in Legislation on Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The "United Nations Conference on the Human Environment" held on June, 1972, thirty six (36) years ago in Stockholm led to two major environmental legislation in India; The Air (protection and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The acts were legislated by the Parliament of India as Central Acts. The importance of the conference on the Human Environment was such that it was the only basis on which the Act was legislated.
The preamble of the Environment (Protection) Act states "Whereas 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 considered 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;" * The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 * The Environment ( Protection) Act, 1986
The Environment ( Protection) Rules , 1986 * Manufacture, Storage, and Import of hazardous chemicals Rules, 1989 * Hazardous Waste management ( management and handling) Rules, 1989 * Biomedical Waste (management and handling) rules, 1998 * The Public Liability Insurance act, 1991 and the public liability insurance rules, 1991
The Water (Prevention and Pollution) Act, 1974:This is enforced by SPCBs & by