Previous Year Question
When the Environment (Protection) Act for the protection and preservation of environment was passed by the Government of India?
1986
1974
1981
1971
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is a comprehensive law for protecting and improving the environment. Its enactment date is 23 May 1986, and it came into force on 19 November 1986. Therefore, the year 1986 should be remembered while distinguishing the enactment date from the commencement date.
The Act’s preamble refers to implementing decisions taken at the Stockholm Conference of June 1972. India participated in this conference concerning the human environment.
Section 3 empowers the Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environmental quality and prevent pollution. These include prescribing standards for environmental quality and emissions or discharges.
Under Section 5, the power to issue directions includes closing, prohibiting, or regulating an industry or process and stopping or regulating the supply of electricity, water, or other services.