Question

The Environment Protection Act was enacted in the year:

• A. 1988
• B. 1981
• C. 1986
• D. 1987

Hint:

Remember the timeline of major Indian Environmental Acts:
Wildlife Act $\rightarrow$ 1972
Water Act $\rightarrow$ 1974
Air Act $\rightarrow$ 1981
Environment Act (Umbrella Act post-Bhopal) $\rightarrow$ 1986

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Environmental law in India consists of constitutional provisions, national policies, and legislative acts passed by Parliament to protect and improve the quality of the environment.
To address different dimensions of pollution and resource depletion, the government has enacted specific, comprehensive environmental acts.
Understanding the enactment years and historical context of these landmark legislations is essential for environmental studies.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the historical context and enactment year of the Environment Protection Act:
The Environment Protection Act (EPA) was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1986 (Option C).
This landmark legislation was passed under Article 253 of the Indian Constitution, directly triggered by the catastrophic Bhopal Gas Tragedy that occurred in December 1984.
The main objective of the Act is to provide an umbrella framework for the coordination, protection, and improvement of the environment, and for matters connected therewith.
It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms (air, water, land, and soil) and to tackle specific environmental problems peculiar to different parts of the country.
Let us review other major environmental legislations to distinguish their years:
The Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974.
The Forest Conservation Act was enacted in 1980.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981 (Option B).
The Environment Protection Act is uniquely associated with the year 1986.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the Environment Protection Act of India was enacted in the year 1986.