World Environment Day 2025: India has slew of regulations to protect Blue Planet. Know about them

Today, millions worldwide are observing World Environment Day 2025, highlighting the urgent need for eco-legal action. Hosted by South Korea, the UN event drives home how local laws can combat environmental threats.
There are multiple initiatives that have been taken across the world regarding the better protection of the environment. For starters, cities like Jeju, South Korea, now enforce strict bans on disposable plastics. Jeju's 2040 "plastic-free" goal includes deposit systems for cups and mandatory waste sorting. Similar bans are expanding globally, cutting landfill waste.
The United States is not behind in this aspect, as US cities are rewriting zoning codes to boost sustainability. Buffalo eliminated parking minimums, prioritising walkability over cars. Indianapolis now mandates pedestrian-friendly designs near transit hubs, reducing emissions, according to Urban Land Magazine.
In a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP's Inger Andersen was quoted as saying, 'Ending plastic pollution is possible, but we need systemic change—governments, businesses, and citizens together.'
Bivas Chatterjee, Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor, Government of West Bengal, tells LiveMint, "We, as humans, must remember that trees too, have a life. If humans are convicted for taking away lives under sections of the law, why are those, who cut down trees brutally, not tried under similar laws? If trees are cut down or uprooted in areas that are not forests, the accused is simply fined, and no other penalisation is generally imposed."
"The existing laws regarding environmental protection in India are age-old and relatively weak, which is why the attack on nature is so brutally conducted in recent years. Stringent laws need to be in place so that people do not get away with harming the environment, which is necessary for our sustenance in the long run."
Neil Basu, Advocate, Calcutta High Court, weighed in on the existing laws in the country regarding the proper preservation of the environment. "Protecting the environment is a fundamental right and a collective social responsibility, as environmental justice is social justice. So, let's act now," he told LiveMint.
"If we start in terms of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, any person running any establishment which includes a factory and any kind of industry must take due permission from the State Pollution Control Board as well as the Central Pollution Control Board concerned," Basu said.
"Section 7 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 prohibits the discharge or emission of environmental pollutants in excess of prescribed standards by any person involved in an industry, operation, or process. This ensures that pollution levels remain within acceptable limits and prevent any environmental damage," he continued.
Other laws include the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which empowers the state governments to notify forest areas to oversee the wildlife conservation and preservation, as well as plantation and afforestation. Also, Section 17A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibits the willful picking, uprooting, damaging, destroying, acquisition, or collection of any specified plant from forest land or other areas notified by the central government.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Hindu

26 minutes ago

• The Hindu

Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda booked under SC/ST Act for derogatory remarks against tribals

Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda has been booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Raidurgam police for allegedly making derogatory remarks against tribal communities during a public event. The case was booked following a complaint filed by Nenavath Ashok Kumar Naik, State President of the Joint Action Committee of Tribal Communities, citing the comments made by the actor on April 26, 2025, during the pre-release event of the film Retro. According to the First Information Report (FIR), seen by The Hindu, the actor allegedly referred to tribal people as lacking intelligence and common sense and likened them to Pakistani terrorists. 'He insulted their tribal community by saying that they had beaten them 500 years ago without any intelligence and minimum common sense. Moreover, he made comments comparing them to Pakistani terrorists,' the complainant said. Attaching the YouTube link in the written complaint, Mr. Naik stated that these comments were not only offensive but deeply insulting to the dignity and self-respect of the tribal community. He said that the content was shared across multiple media channels, including YouTube via Sithara Entertainment's channel, drawing widespread criticism. Investigation is under way.

Mint

27 minutes ago

• Mint

Israel-Iran war: Hours post US strike, blasts heard at Bushehr, Iran's only nuclear plant — ‘Nuclear disaster' imminent?

Israel-Iran war: Explosions boomed Sunday afternoon in the Iranian port city of Bushehr, three semiofficial Iranian media outlets reported. It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts. Bushehr is home to Iran's only nuclear power plant, which is run with Russian assistance. Iranian authorities, however, have not reported any problem at the plant. Earlier, the UN Nuclear Chief had warned of a 'nuclear disaster' if Israel hits Iran's Bushehr plant. (This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)

Hindustan Times

28 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Vijay Deverakonda booked under SC/ST Act over his remarks about tribal people during Retro pre-release event

Actor Vijay Deverakonda has found himself in trouble as a case has been registered against him under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for his remarks about tribal people during the pre-release event of Retro. The police confirmed the development to PTI on Sunday. Vijay Deverakonda faces trouble as police registers case against him for remarks against tribal people.(PTI) Case registered against Vijay Deverakonda Police stated that although the remarks, which likened the recent terror attack in Pahalgam to tribal conflicts from 500 years ago, were made in April, a case under the SC/ST Act was registered against the actor on 17 June following a complaint. "The actor made comments in April. However, based on a complaint, a case under the SC/ST Act was booked against him on 17 June,' a police official told PTI. The complaint was lodged by Nenavath Ashok Kumar Naik, also known as Ashok Rathod, who serves as the State President of the Joint Action Committee of Tribal Communities. He alleged that during the pre-release event of the film Retro, which stars actor Surya, the actor made statements that hurt the sentiments of tribal communities and caused serious offence. Rathod further claimed that the actor's comparison of tribal people to Pakistani terrorists was racially insensitive. What Vijay Deverakonda had said During the pre-release event of Surya's film Retro, Vijay addressed the Pahalgam terror attack and said, 'The solution to what is happening in Kashmir is also to educate them (terrorists) and ensure they don't get brainwashed. What will they achieve? Kashmir belongs to India, and Kashmiris are ours. India doesn't even need to attack Pakistan because Pakistanis themselves are fed up with their government and will attack them if this continues. Asalu 500 years back tribals kokkutunnatu, veelu buddi lekunda, minimum common sense lekunda chese panulu.' (They behave like tribals did 500 years ago, fighting without common sense). After facing backlash on social media for his comments, the actor expressed regret. He took to X and wrote, "It has come to my attention that a remark I made during the Retro audio launch event has caused concern among some members of the public. I wish to sincerely clarify: there was absolutely no intention to hurt or target any community, especially our Scheduled Tribes, who I deeply respect and consider an integral part of our country." The actor clarified that his intention was to promote unity, emphasising that India is one, its people are one, and the nation must progress together. He expressed disbelief at the idea that, while advocating for national solidarity, he would deliberately target or discriminate against any community, all of whom he considers part of his larger family. He concluded, "If any part of my message was misunderstood or hurtful, I express my sincere regret. My only aim was to speak of peace, progress, and togetherness. I remain committed to using my platform to uplift and unify — never to divide. Vijay Deverakonda."