Across every age · Cross-cutting library
The air, the city,
& your right to it.
Clean air and a livable city aren't a favour — the Supreme Court reads them into your right to life. Noise, waste, water, trees and the tribunal any citizen can approach.
Article 21NGT accessPolluter paysCitizen standing
21
A clean environment is part
of the right to life (Art 21)
of the right to life (Art 21)
2010Green Tribunal set up
10pmNight silence begins
SUPSingle-use plastic ban
BS-VIEmission standard
India's environmental rulebook
1974
Water Act
First law to prevent and control water pollution.
1981
Air Act
Pollution control boards get power over air quality.
1986
EPA
Environment Protection Act — the umbrella law after Bhopal.
2010
NGT
National Green Tribunal — a fast-track court for the environment.
2016
Waste Rules
Solid-waste, plastic and e-waste segregation rules notified.
2022
Plastic ban
Identified single-use plastics banned nationwide.
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