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Difficulty: EasyNational Environmental Legislation, Acts and Policies in India

Which of the following environmental legislations in India is commonly referred to as the 'Umbrella Legislation' for providing a comprehensive statutory framework for environmental protection?

  1. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986Answer
  2. B
    Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  3. C
    Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  4. D
    Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Answer

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is known as the 'Umbrella Legislation' because it creates an overarching administrative and legislative framework to coordinate activities under existing single-medium environmental laws, such as the Water Act 1974 and Air Act 1981.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the scope of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
It covers water, air, soil, and noise pollution under a single statutory umbrella.
Earlier laws (Water Act 1974 and Air Act 1981) were domain-specific and lacked comprehensive coverage.
2
Relate the designated name 'Umbrella Legislation' to Indian environmental law.
The 1986 Act is specifically termed umbrella legislation because it bridges regulatory gaps and empowers the central government to coordinate state and central pollution authorities.
Enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution of India to implement decisions made at the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.

Key Concept

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as Umbrella Legislation
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Topics

National Environmental Legislation, Acts and Policies in India