Features of Environment Protection Act are:
(i) Prohibition and regulation of activities: The EPA prohibits and regulates activities that are likely to cause environmental pollution or harm to the environment, such as handling hazardous substances, setting up new industries, and expanding existing ones.
(ii) Environmental impact assessment: The EPA mandates the conduct of environmental impact assess- ments (ElAs) for new projects and activities that are likely to have significant environmental impacts. The EIA process involves the identification, prediction, evaluation, and mitigation of environmental impacts before a project is approved.
(iii) Setting environmental standards: The EPA empowers the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ( and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to set environmental standards for air, water, and soil quality. These standards specify permissible limits of pollutants and are enforced through monitoring and compliance measures.
(iv) Penalizing polluters: The EPA provides for penalties and punishments for violations of its provisions, including fines and imprisonment. The CPCB and SPCBs can impose fines and penalties on polluters for non-compliance with environmental standards and regulations.
(v) Public participation: The EPA encourages public participation in environmental protection by providing for public hearings, access to information, and the right to file complaints. The public can file complaints with the CPCB or SPCBs about violations of environmental standards and regulations, which can lead to action being taken against the polluter.