Environment Protection Act, 1986
In the wake of Bhopal tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA) under article 253 of the constitution. The purpose of the Act is to act as an “umbrella” legislation designed to provide a frame work for Central government co-ordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous laws, such as Water Act & Air Act. The potential scope of the Act is broad, with “environment” defined to include water, air and land and the inter-relationships which exist among water, air and land, and human beings and other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property. Environment protection rules were also enacted as a corollary to this Act.
http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/eprotect_act_1986.pdf
