Question 75

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA) is an umbrella legislation for the protection and improvement of the environment. Section 3(3) of this Act empowers the Central Government to constitute an authority or authorities for exercising powers and performing functions under the Act.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted by the Central Government under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Its main objective is to regulate and control groundwater development and management in the country, including issuing guidelines for extraction, granting No Objection Certificates, and taking measures to replenish groundwater resources.

• A) Central Water Commission (CWC): It is a technical organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, primarily involved in flood control, irrigation, navigation, and hydropower. It was not constituted under EPA, 1986.
• B) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): It is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is the national apex organization in the field of groundwater and performs scientific surveys, exploration, monitoring, and research. It was established through an executive order in 1970, not under EPA, 1986. CGWA is the regulatory body, while CGWB is the scientific/advisory body.
• D) National Water Development Agency (NWDA): It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, primarily tasked with inter-linking of rivers. It was not constituted under EPA, 1986.

Therefore, only the Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.