8,765 arrested for environmental offences in 2014: NCRB

-Hindustan Times

New Delhi: A total of 8,765 people were arrested across the country for various environment-related offences in 2014, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has said in its latest report.

The NCRB has added this fresh category in which it has given details of crimes registered under acts like the forest act, wildlife protection act, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, atomic energy act, etc across the country.

The agency says that under the forest act of 1927 a total of 4,901 offences were registered. Rajasthan tops the chart with maximum 2,666 cases registered under this act, followed by 1,442 in Uttar Pradesh, 165 cases in Karnataka, 144 cases in Jharkhand, 134 cases in Himachal Pradesh and 108 cases in Andhra Pradesh.

In 2014, 7,038 persons, including 3 women, were arrested across the country in all these cases.

Under the wildlife protection act of 1972, a law for the protection of plants and animal species, 770 cases were registered across the country. The maximum number or 219 cases were registered in Rajasthan, followed by 149 in Uttar Pradesh, 84 in Karnataka and 73 in Assam.

In all these cases, 1,335 people, including 14 women, were arrested all over India.

NCRB says that under the environmental act 101 offences were registered across India. Maharashtra had the maximum or 41 cases registered, followed by 35 in Rajasthan. The total number of people arrested was 134.

Persons found guilty under the act can be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to five years, along with a fine which may extend to Rs. 1 lakh.

A total of 125 persons were arrested across the country for violating the anti-pollution act during 2014. The maximum number of cases - 24 - were registered in West Bengal for causing air pollution followed by 13 in Maharashtra.

Those found guilty under this act can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with a fine.

Under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, a total of 15 cases were registered and out of these 10 were in West Bengal and three in Telangana. Figures show that 24 people were arrested in Telangana and 12 in West Bengal under the act.

Only 1 case under the atomic energy act, 1962, was registered in Maharashtra in 2014, the NCRB has reported.