Q. Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Explanation : 

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The CGWA was established by the Government of India under Section 3(3) of the Act, which empowers the central government to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling, and abating environmental pollution.

The CGWA was created with the specific mandate to regulate and control the management of groundwater resources in India. It works in collaboration with state governments, local bodies, and other stakeholders to ensure that groundwater is managed sustainably.

Primary Responsibilities of CGWA

• Issuing guidelines for the evaluation of proposals/requests for the extraction of groundwater.
• Granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the withdrawal of groundwater by industries/projects.
• Monitoring and exercising control over groundwater development and management in the country.
• Taking measures to prevent over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
• Promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge to groundwater to ensure the sustainability of the resource.

Response to Groundwater Concerns

The CGWA’s establishment was a response to the growing concerns over the depletion and contamination of groundwater resources, which are critical for drinking water, agriculture, and industrial uses in India.

Collaboration with Other Organizations

The other organizations mentioned – Central Water Commission, Central Ground Water Board, and National Water Development Agency – play different roles in water resource management in India but are not constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.