Air Pollution — Tech Evolutions

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	Inserted Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life) into the Directive Principles of State Policy and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment) into the Fundamental Duties.	Provided a constitutional mandate for environmental protection, including air quality, obligating both the state and citizens to take measures. This laid the groundwork for subsequent environmental legislation like the Air Act, 1981.
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act	1987	Strengthened the original 1981 Act by enhancing the powers of the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, increasing penalties for non-compliance, and including 'noise' as an air pollutant.	Made the Air Act more robust and effective in addressing various forms of air pollution. The inclusion of noise as an air pollutant expanded the scope of the Act to cover a broader range of environmental nuisances affecting public health and well-being.