Rajasthan records maximum number of environmental crimes for two successive years

For the second year in a row, Rajasthan recorded the highest number of environmental offences in India, according to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau. While the state had the maximum number (2,927) of environment-related offence in 2014, it retained its position again in 2015 with 2,075 cases, shows NCRB’s annual report, Crime in India- Statistics, 2015.

Released for the first time in 2014, the report compiles data from the state and Union Territory police with an aim to highlight trends in crime for future policy planning.

Environmental offences are those which flout the existing laws—Forest Act, 1927; the Wildlife Act, 1972; Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986; Air (Prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Karnataka followed Rajasthan with 1,779, 233, and 211 cases respectively. Among states, Nagaland, Sikkim, Odisha, Tripura and Meghalaya recorded no cases. Among the UTs, Chandigarh and Puducherry recorded zero environmental offences.

Below is the highlight of offences reported under different laws:

Forest Act, 1927

• Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh—which are among the top five states in India with the maximum forest cover—reported no violations under the act.
• Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of cases under this act (1,311) after Rajasthan.
• Maximum cases across India were reported under this act.

The Wildlife Act, 1972

• Rajasthan made maximum violations under this act. UP followed closely with 234, just 5 less than Rajasthan.
• Goa, surprisingly, had no cases. Rich in marine wildlife, Goa recently came under the spotlight for failing to protect cetaceans like humpback dolphin and coral reefs.

Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986

• Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 234 cases and Maharashtra came distant second with 46 cases reported.

Air (Prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1981

• Only five states recorded cases under the air pollution act: Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

Water (Prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1974

• Maharashtra, the state which is facing a severe drought for the third consecutive year and has 35 per cent of India’s large dams, reported only one case of violation under the Water Act.
• Only six states reported violations under the Water Act, 1974. These are AP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and West Bengal.
• The least number of cases were reported under this act compared to the other four acts.