Section 2 — Definitions.

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “environment” includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and 

between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and 

property; 

(b) “environmental pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such 

concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment; 

(c) “environmental pollution” means the presence in the environment of any environmental 

pollutant; 

(d) “handling”, in relation to any substance, means the manufacture, processing, treatment, 

package, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer or 

the like of such substance; 

(e) “hazardous substance” means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or 

physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living 

creatures, plants, micro-organism, property or the environment; 

(f) “occupier”, in relation to any factory or premises, means a person who has control over the 

affairs of the factory or the premises and includes, in relation to any substance, the person in 

possession of the substance; 

(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act. 

  

                                                           
1. 19th November, 1986, vide notification No. G.S.R. 1198(E), dated 12th November, 1986, see Gazette of India,       

     Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(i). 



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CHAPTER II 

GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT