AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1981

Air pollution is defined as the presence of any liquid or gaseous substances in the atmosphere in such a concentration which tends to be injurious to man, animals, plants or environment.

The Air Act was passed under Article 253 of the Constitution of India and in pursuance of decisions of Stockholm Conference.

• Objective: to provide means for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in order to preserve the quality of air.
• Define terms: such as air pollution, air pollutants, vehicular exhausts and industrial plants etc.
• The Act also includes automobiles, diesel vehicles, transport, railways and domestic fuels.
• Demarcate high pollution areas: The Act provides the declaration of certain heavily polluted areas as Air pollution control area and no industrial plant shall be operated in these areas without prior consent of the State Pollution Control Board.
• Pollution boards duties : The Central and State Water Boards have been entrusted with the task of controlling and preventing air pollution. The State Boards have to lay down and enforce standards for prevention and control of air pollution.
• Emission control: The State Government and the respective Board(s) may give instructions to the concerned Authority in-charge for Registrations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, to ensure emission standards for automobiles. Failure to comply with the conditions prescribed for this purpose is punishable with fine and imprisonment.
• Penalty on polluter: The State Boards have powers to sue a polluter in a court of law to punish him for polluting the air and the expenses incurred by the Board will be recovered from the polluter.
• Noise as pollution : The Act also includes noise under the category of air pollutants in 1987.