Previous Year Question
Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
Central Water Commission
Central Ground Water Board
Central Ground Water Authority
National Water Development Agency
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted by the Central Government under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
It was constituted through a notification dated 14 January 1997.
The objective of the Authority is to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in the country.
It takes measures to regulate groundwater extraction in areas experiencing excessive groundwater exploitation.
It performs the function of issuing No Objection Certificates and prescribing conditions for groundwater extraction by specified projects and industries.
It has also been delegated powers to issue necessary directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act.
The Central Water Commission is a major technical organization concerned with water resources, but it was not constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Central Ground Water Board is an organization concerned with groundwater surveys, assessment, monitoring and technical studies; it is also not an authority constituted under Section 3(3) of the said Act.
The Central Ground Water Board mainly performs technical and scientific functions, whereas the Central Ground Water Authority performs regulatory functions.
The National Water Development Agency was established in 1982 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The National Water Development Agency is mainly concerned with water-balance studies and feasibility studies of river-linking projects.