The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is an important law in India that aims to prevent and control air pollution in the country. The Act was enacted in response to the increasing concern over the deteriorating air quality in urban areas due to rapid industrialization and urbanization.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was enacted by the Indian Parliament to provide for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution. The Act empowers the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to enforce the provisions of the Act and take measures to prevent and control air pollution.
The Act defines air pollution as the presence of any air pollutant in the atmosphere, which is likely to be injurious to human beings, animals, plants, or property or which interferes with the normal environmental processes. The Act also defines an air pollutant as any substance in the atmosphere, which is emitted by human activities or natural sources in such quantities as to cause harm to human health or the environment.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 provides for the following:
- Establishment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards: The Act establishes the CPCB and the SPCBs to implement the provisions of the Act and take measures to prevent and control air pollution.
- Regulation of industries: The Act empowers the SPCBs to issue directions to industries to control and prevent air pollution. The Act also requires industries to obtain consent from the SPCBs before establishing or operating any industrial plant or process that is likely to cause air pollution.
- Control of vehicular pollution: The Act provides for the regulation of vehicular pollution and requires the Central government and State governments to take measures to control and prevent vehicular pollution.
- Prohibition of use of polluting fuels: The Act prohibits the use of any fuel or additive that causes or is likely to cause air pollution.
- Control of burning of waste: The Act prohibits the burning of any material that causes or is likely to cause air pollution.
- Penalties and punishments: The Act provides for penalties and punishments for contravention of the provisions of the Act, which includes imprisonment and fines.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 has played a significant role in controlling and preventing air pollution in India. The Act has helped in regulating industries and vehicular pollution and reducing the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. The Act has also helped in raising public awareness about the harmful effects of air pollution and the need to take measures to prevent and control it.
However, the implementation of the Act has faced several challenges, including inadequate resources and infrastructure, lack of coordination between different agencies, and insufficient public participation. There is a need for the effective implementation of the provisions of the Act and the adoption of innovative approaches to control air pollution in India.
Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1981 responsibilities and Accountabilities
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 imposes various responsibilities and accountabilities on the Central and State Governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and the industries, to prevent and control air pollution in India. Here are some of the key responsibilities and accountabilities under the Act:
- Central and State Governments: The Central and State Governments are responsible for taking measures to prevent and control air pollution. They are required to formulate and implement policies, programs, and guidelines for the prevention and control of air pollution. They are also required to allocate sufficient resources and funds for the implementation of these measures.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The CPCB is responsible for coordinating the activities of the SPCBs, conducting research on air pollution, and advising the Central Government on matters relating to the prevention and control of air pollution. The CPCB is also responsible for monitoring and enforcing the provisions of the Act.
- State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): The SPCBs are responsible for implementing the provisions of the Act in their respective states. They are required to monitor and regulate industries and other sources of air pollution, issue directions to industries to control and prevent air pollution, and take legal action against violators of the Act.
- Industries: The Act imposes various responsibilities and accountabilities on industries to prevent and control air pollution. Industries are required to obtain consent from the SPCBs before establishing or operating any industrial plant or process that is likely to cause air pollution. They are also required to install and operate pollution control equipment and monitor their emissions regularly.
- Individuals and the general public: The Act also imposes responsibilities on individuals and the general public to prevent and control air pollution. They are required to cooperate with the authorities in the implementation of the provisions of the Act, use public transport instead of private vehicles, and avoid burning waste and using polluting fuels.
- Penalties and punishments: The Act provides for penalties and punishments for contravention of the provisions of the Act, which includes imprisonment and fines. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature and extent of the violation.