New Delhi

The government will bring amendments to five key environment laws enacted between 1971 and 1986 in the Budget Session of Parliament, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.

These laws which were reviewed by a four-member panel headed by former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian are the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Javdekar said bringing changes to the green laws, which were reviewed by a high-level panel, is in line with “current requirements” and it is the priority of his ministry in the new year.

“We now have the high-level committee report with us.”

There is an urgent need of revamping laws and rules. All the five laws related to environment needs some correction to protect effectively the environment and allow sustainable development.

“To that end we want to change laws and rules. So that becomes our first priority. We aim to bring those changes by April in the session, which will go to the Standing Committees and thereafter in 2015, the new regime will be out,” the Minister told PTI, while speaking on his ministry’s plan for 2015.

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