The Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) is set to release an environmental law enforcement manual, aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes.
The manual provides guidelines to help various agencies enhance collaboration, streamline investigations, and strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws. One of the key objectives of the manual is to shift the perception of environmental violations from minor infractions to serious criminal acts, said Shankar Prakash, Senior Researcher at CAG, who has been involved in the development of the manual.
Mr. Prakash pointed out that Tamil Nadu registered an alarmingly low number of cases under environmental protection laws, with just 4 cases under the Environment Act and 22 cases under the Water and Air Acts between 2014 and 2022, compared to the national totals of 2,839 and 1,094 respectively, according to the data from National Crime Records Bureau.
At a stakeholder discussion held by CAG on Friday, officials from key agencies, including the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Chennai Metro Water Sewerage Supply Board, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Greater Chennai Corporation, highlighted the challenges they face in enforcing environmental laws.
The manual outlines detailed procedures for investigating environmental crimes, covering crime registration, evidence collection, and maintaining the chain of custody. The guide further emphasises the importance of using modern forensic science, technology, and best investigative practices, such as interviewing techniques and surveillance. It will be available for download on CAG’s website in the second week of January 2025.
Published – December 27, 2024 11:48 pm IST
