Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
Contents12
- ACentral Water Commission
- BCentral Ground Water Board
- CCentral Ground Water Authority
- DNational Water Development Agency
Show answer
Answer: (C) Central Ground Water Authority
The answer is (C) Central Ground Water Authority.
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was set up under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Its job is to regulate and control groundwater development and management across India.
Why the other options are wrong:
(A) Central Water Commission — established in 1945, works under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
It was NOT constituted under the EPA, 1986.
(B) Central Ground Water Board — works under the Ministry of Jal Shakti for groundwater exploration and monitoring.
Not under EPA.
(D) National Water Development Agency — set up in 1982 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti for studying inter-basin water transfer.
Not under EPA.
Key distinction:
CGWA (Authority) is under EPA 1986.
CGWB (Board) is under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Don't confuse the two!
CGWA is the statutory body that regulates groundwater extraction and issues permits for groundwater use across India under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Students often confuse Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under EPA 1986 with Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under Ministry of Jal Shakti - they have different roles and legal basis.
The question tests knowledge of which water-related institutions have statutory powers under environmental law versus those that are administrative bodies under ministries.
Environment Protection Act 1986
Environment Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Environment Protection Act 1986: Key Provisions & Bodies
EPA 1986 is India's umbrella environmental law enacted after Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Section 3(3) empowers Central Government to constitute authorities for environmental protection
CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority) is constituted under EPA 1986
Act provides framework for pollution prevention, control and abatement
Genesis & Purpose
The Environment Protection Act 1986 was enacted following the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. It serves as India's umbrella environmental legislation, providing a comprehensive framework for environmental protection where specific laws may not exist.
Key Bodies Under EPA 1986
Authority/Body | Function | Key Powers |
|---|---|---|
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) | Regulate groundwater extraction & development | Issue permits, impose restrictions, monitor compliance |
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | Coordinate pollution control activities | Set standards, advise government, monitor pollution |
State Pollution Control Boards | Implement pollution control at state level | Issue consents, monitor industries, enforce standards |
Section 3 Powers
Section 3(1) - Central Government can take measures for environmental protection
Section 3(2) - Power to coordinate activities of various agencies
Section 3(3) - Power to constitute authorities for environmental protection (CGWA falls here)
Section 3(4) - Power to delegate functions to state governments
Trap: CGWA (Authority) is under EPA 1986, but CGWB (Board) is under Ministry of Jal Shakti
Trap: Central Water Commission was established in 1945 - decades before EPA 1986
Trap: Don't confuse regulatory bodies (under EPA) with technical/advisory bodies (under ministries)
Central Ground Water Authority
Environment Central Ground Water Authority
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): Powers & Functions
CGWA constituted under Section 3(3) of Environment Protection Act 1986
Regulates groundwater extraction and issues No Objection Certificates
Has power to restrict groundwater development in over-exploited areas
Constitutional Mandate
CGWA was established to address India's groundwater depletion crisis. It operates as the apex regulatory body for groundwater management, with statutory powers under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
CGWA vs CGWB Comparison
Aspect | CGWA (Authority) | CGWB (Board) |
|---|---|---|
Full Form | Central Ground Water Authority | Central Ground Water Board |
Established Under | EPA 1986, Section 3(3) | Ministry of Jal Shakti |
Primary Role | Regulatory - control extraction | Technical - exploration & monitoring |
Key Function | Issue NOCs, impose restrictions | Groundwater surveys, data collection |
Powers | Statutory regulatory powers | Advisory and technical guidance |
Key Functions of CGWA
Issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater extraction
Regulate groundwater development in notified areas
Classify areas based on groundwater availability (Safe, Semi-critical, Critical, Over-exploited)
Monitor compliance with groundwater extraction norms
Take penal action against unauthorized groundwater extraction
Major Trap: CGWA = Authority = Regulatory = EPA 1986. CGWB = Board = Technical = Ministry
Trap: Both deal with groundwater but have opposite roles - regulation vs technical support
Central Water Institutions
Environment Central Water Commission Central Ground Water Board National Water Development Agency
Central Water Institutions: Roles & Establishment
Central Water Commission established in 1945 for water resource planning
CGWB focuses on groundwater exploration and monitoring under Ministry of Jal Shakti
NWDA established in 1982 for inter-basin water transfer studies
Central Water Institutions Overview
Institution | Established | Parent Ministry | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
Central Water Commission (CWC) | 1945 | Ministry of Jal Shakti | Water resource planning & flood forecasting |
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) | 1970 | Ministry of Jal Shakti | Groundwater exploration & monitoring |
National Water Development Agency (NWDA) | 1982 | Ministry of Jal Shakti | Inter-basin water transfer studies |
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) | Under EPA 1986 | Ministry of Environment | Groundwater regulation & control |
Key Distinctions
CWC is the oldest water institution (1945) - focuses on surface water resources
CGWB and CGWA both handle groundwater but different roles - technical vs regulatory
NWDA specifically works on inter-linking of rivers and feasibility studies
Only CGWA has statutory powers under environmental law
Water Institution Hierarchy
# Central Water Institutions
## Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Central Water Commission (1945)
- Central Ground Water Board (1970)
- National Water Development Agency (1982)
## Ministry of Environment
- Central Ground Water Authority (EPA 1986)Trap: All water institutions sound similar - focus on establishment year and parent ministry
Trap: CWC (1945) predates EPA 1986 by 41 years - cannot be under EPA
Trap: NWDA (1982) also predates EPA 1986 - focus on chronology