Appointment of officers and their powers and functions
Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 deals with appointment of officers and their powers and functions. Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may appoint officers with such designations as it thinks fit for the purposes of this Act and may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under this Act as it may deem fit. The Act came into force on 19 Nov 1986.
(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may appoint officers with such designations as it thinks fit for the purposes of this Act and may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under this Act as it may deem fit.
(2) The officers appointed under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the general control and direction of the Central Government or, if so directed by that Government, also of the authority or authorities, if any, constituted under sub-section (3) of section 3 or of any other authority or officer.
Section 4, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Act 29 of 1986).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Another 24 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026Rule 2026
- Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025Rule 2025
- S.O. 3401 (E) Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025Rule 2025
- Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023Rule 2023
- Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022Rule 2022
- Final Notification Declaring Eco Sensitive Zone Campbell Bay National Park, S.O. No. 1193(E), Andaman and NicobarNotification 2021
- Final Notification Declaring Eco Sensitive Zone Galathea Bay National Park, S.O. No. 1194(E) Andaman and NicobarNotification 2021
- S.O. 1857 (E) [08.06.2017] Final Notification Declaring Eco Sensitive Zone around Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary, KarnatakaNotification 2017
- S.O. 2733 [22.08.2017] Final Notification declaring Eco Sensitive Zone around Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, KarnatakaNotification 2017
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016Rule 2016
- G.S.R. 338 (E) 23-03-2016 : E-Waste (Management) Rules 2016Rule 2016
- G.S.R. 395 (E) 04-04-2016 : Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016Rule 2016
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016Rule 2016
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016Rule 2016
- Hazardous and other wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rule, 2016Rule 2016
- e_waste_management_rule_2016Rule 2016
- S.O. No. 2364 04.10.2012 Final Eco Sensitive Zone Notification on Bandipur NP, KarnatakaNotification 2012
- Coastal Regulation Zone notification 2011Notification 2011
- S.O. 19(E) 06.01.2011- CRZ Notification, 2011Notification 2011
- The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2010Rule 2010
- Environment (Protection) Rule, 1986Rule 1986
- Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986Rule 1986
- Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.Rule 1986
- THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) RULES, 1986Rule 1986
Questions about Section 4
What does Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act deal with?
Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act is headed "Appointment of officers and their powers and functions". Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may appoint officers with such designations as it thinks fit for the purposes of this Act and may entrust to them such of the powers and functions under this Act as it may deem fit.
How do I find court cases under Section 4 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 4, section 4 Environment Act, section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 3 (Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment), so none of them can safely be read on its own. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities order 2016 dated 07. 10. 2016 (2016).
When did Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act come into force?
Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, cited as Environment Act 4, 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 18 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.