The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Official text of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, added in batches as later units need more of it. This first batch covers Chapter I — Preliminary (Sections 1 and 2). Later chapters (Sections 3–17 and beyond) are added in Unit III once the units that reference them are underway.

Section 1 — Short title, extent and commencement

Section 1(1)

This Act may be called the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Section 1(2)

It extends to the whole of India.

Section 1(3)

It shall come into force on such date 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.

Section 2 — Definitions

Section 2(a) — “Environment”

“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.

Cited in: Meaning of Environment, Ecology and Ecosystem

Section 2(b) — “Environmental pollutant”

“environmental pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment.

Section 2(c) — “Environmental pollution”

“environmental pollution” means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant.

Cited in: Environmental Degradation and Pollution | Kinds, Causes and Effects

Section 2(ca) — “Fund”

“Fund” means the Environmental Protection Fund established under section 16.

Section 2(d) — “Handling”

“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.

Section 2(e) — “Hazardous substance”

“hazardous substance” means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism, property or the environment.

Section 2(f) — “Occupier”

“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.

Section 2(g) — “Prescribed”

“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

This page reproduces the official text of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for study purposes. It is not a certified or legally authoritative copy — always verify against the official Government of India publication for legal use.