Effect of other laws
Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 deals with effect of other laws. The provisions of this Act and the rules or orders made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force.] The Act came into force on 19 Nov 1986.
1[24. Effect of other laws.--The provisions of this Act and the rules or orders made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force.]
Section 24, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Act 29 of 1986).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Essar Oil LTD vs Halar Utkarsh Samiti
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Section 29 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 does not impose an absolute prohibition on all activities in sanctuaries. The prohibition on destruction, exploitation or removal of wildlife (prohibition a) requires State Government satisfaction that such activity is necessary for improvement and better management of wildlife. However, for activities affecting habitat (prohibitions b and c), the State need only ensure that the habitat is sustained and damage does not result in wildlife destruction. Laying pipelines through a sanctuary does not necessarily constitute destruction of wildlife but is a question of fact to be determined by experts. If the damage is reversible and minimal, and proper environmental safeguards, expert consultation, environmental impact assessment, environmental management plan, and compliance monitoring are in place, the State Government may grant permission for such activities. The Court will not substitute its assessment for that of qualified experts, but will oversee that experts with established credentials have been consulted and their recommendations abided by.
On this section: Provisions of EPA given overriding effect over any other enactment
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
4 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 24
What have the courts held on Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act?
Essar Oil LTD vs Halar Utkarsh Samiti (19 Jan 2004) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Provisions of EPA given overriding effect over any other enactment.
How do I find court cases under Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Environment Act 24, section 24 Environment Act, section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Essar Oil LTD vs Halar Utkarsh Samiti (19 Jan 2004).
What should I read with Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act, and has it changed?
4 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently Environment (Protection) Rule, 1986 (1986), then Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 (1986).
When did Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act come into force?
Section 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act, cited as Environment Act 24, came into force on 19 Nov 1986, having been enacted on 23 May 1986. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment580 words
- 25. Power to make rules447 words
- 11. Power to take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith420 words
- 15C. Adjudicating officer379 words
- 10. Powers of entry and inspection369 words
- 15F. Offence for failure to pay penalty or additional penalty310 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.