Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought 2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (c)
• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is an umbrella law giving the Centre wide powers under Sections 3 and 6.
• Statement 2 is correct: Section 3(2)(iv) lets the Government lay down standards for emission or discharge of pollutants, done through the Environment (Protection) Rules.
• Statement 1 is correct: using its rule-making power, the Government issued the EIA Notification (1994/2006), which prescribes public consultation and the procedure of public hearings — the key treats this as stating the requirement of public participation.
• Hence both 1 and 2, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: the Act empowers emission standards.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 1 is also treated as correct via the EIA public-hearing framework.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Both statements are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.