Points to Remember:
- The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is a crucial piece of Indian legislation aimed at environmental protection.
- The Act empowers the central government to establish various bodies for environmental regulation and management.
- Understanding the functions and mandates of different environmental bodies in India is key to answering the question.
Introduction:
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is a landmark legislation in India that provides the framework for environmental protection and improvement. It empowers the central government to take various measures to protect and improve the environment. This includes setting up various authorities and boards to deal with specific environmental concerns. The question asks us to identify which of the given options was constituted under this Act. This requires a factual approach, focusing on the legal basis for the establishment of each organization.
Body:
Understanding the Options:
(A) Central Water Commission (CWC): The CWC is primarily concerned with the planning, development, and regulation of water resources in India. While its work significantly impacts the environment, it was not established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It predates the Act and operates under a different legal framework.
(B) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The CGWB is responsible for the assessment, development, and management of groundwater resources in India. Similar to the CWC, its activities have environmental implications, but it wasn’t established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
(C) Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): The CGWA was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in India. Its establishment is directly linked to the Act’s mandate to protect and improve the environment. The CGWA’s powers include granting or denying permission for groundwater extraction, setting extraction limits, and enforcing regulations.
(D) National Water Development Agency (NWDA): The NWDA is involved in the planning and implementation of national water projects in India. While its work has environmental consequences, it wasn’t established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Legal Basis:
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, specifically empowers the central government to establish authorities for environmental protection. Section 3 of the Act grants the central government wide-ranging powers to take measures necessary for the protection and improvement of the environment. This power was utilized to establish the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
Conclusion:
In summary, while all the options listed play a role in environmental management in India, only the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was specifically constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Therefore, the correct answer is (C). The Act’s success hinges on the effective functioning of such bodies, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection. Moving forward, strengthening the regulatory powers and capacity of the CGWA and similar bodies under the Act is crucial for achieving holistic environmental sustainability and upholding the constitutional mandate of protecting the environment for present and future generations.
JPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for JPSC Prelims and JPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by JPSC Notes are as follows:-- JPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program 2025
- JPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes 2025