Union Government constituted a panel to review environment laws

Union Government on 2 September 2014 constituted a high-level committee to review five environment laws. The Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian will head the committee comprising of four members.

The members of the committee are former Environment Ministry secretary Viswanath Anand, Justice (Retd) A K Srivastav and senior advocate of Supreme Court K N Bhat.

The Environment Ministry asked the panel to submit its report regarding the environment laws within two months.

Reasons behind setting up of the committee
•    The motive is to bring the environment laws in line with the current requirements through amendments to achieve economic growth without compromising green issues.
•    The panel will review 5 important green laws enacted between 1971 and 1986- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
•    As per the Terms of Reference, the committee would evaluate the status of implementation of each of the Acts with regard to the objectives.
•    It will also examine and take into account various court orders and judicial pronouncements relating to these Acts.