The regulatory and institutional decision-making framework for environmental protection in India is embodied in nine major acts of the Indian Parliament. These are: the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 which established the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs); the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1977 which added the monitoring of air emissions to the responsibilities of the various Boards; the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986; the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, amended in 1988; the Motor Vehicle Act of 1938, amended in 1988; the Public Liability Insurance Act of 1991; and Notifications on the Coastal Regulation Zone, 1991; and Environmental Impact Assessment of Development Projects, in 1994, the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997.
Most of the above Acts and Notifications are aimed at strengthening the command-and control regime. New initiatives, especially in the form of a mix of regulations and legislation, fiscal incentives for technology acquisition, voluntary agreements, educational programs and information campaigns are required. Although the government has introduced some of these measures, more is required because the regulatory structure of a central authority, the ministry of environment and forests (and other ministries) and the Central Pollution Control Board linked to state- level implementation agencies have proved to be largely unsuccessful in effectively managing the protection of the environment.
An assessment of India's environmental management system suggests that weaknesses are evident at every administrative level at the center, state and district. Further, despite aid under specific investment projects, more needs to be done in the area of industrial pollution, particularly air emissions, coastal zone management, urban land use including the citing of industries, and mitigating environmental degradation in the mining sector.