When India and other nations convened the U.N. Conference at Stockholm in June, 1972, it marked a new epoch in international concern for the environment. India was among those nations representing to the call for a cleaner environment. However, India's environment has improved very slowly since 1972. In this article, we will point out several weaknesses in India's statutory scheme for environmental protection.
These Rules are enacted in exercise of the powers conferred by section 63 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974) by the Central Government after consultation with Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution.
An Act to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water, for the establishment, with a view to carrying out the purposes aforesaid, of Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to such Boards powers and functions relating theret
The existing legislation though covers adequate provision empowering the State Boards to prescribe stringent emission/
discharge standards while issuing the consent under the Water Act/Air Act, the judgments presently made by the SPCBs appear to be based on their respective experiences in qualitative terms for specifying stringent standards on a case to case basis.
