AUTHORITIES CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CONSTITUTED ON THE DIRECTIONS OF THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT

Various Authorities have been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court during the pendency of the public interest litigations. These Authorities have been constituted for specific assignments, which are:

1. The Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority – In the District of Thane, Maharashtra, to protect the ecologically fragile areas in Dahanu Taluka and to control pollution in the area (Constituted on 19.12.1996);
2. The Central Ground Water Authority - For the purpose of regulation and control of Ground Water Management and Development (Constituted on 14.1.1997);
3. Aqua Culture Authority – To deal with the situation created by the shrimp culture industry in the Coastal States and Union Territories (Constituted on 6.2.1997);
4. The Water Quality Assessment Authority - To direct the agencies (Govt./local bodies/non-Governmental) for taking action in accordance with the powers and functions of the Authority (Constituted on 29.5.2001);
5. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for NCR of Delhi - for protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environmental pollution (Constituted on 29.01.1998);

 6. The loss of Ecology (Prevention and Payments of Compensation) Authority for the State of Tamil Nadu; To       assess the loss to the ecology and environment in the effected areas and also identify the individuals and       families who have suffered because of the pollution and assess the compensation to be paid to the said       individuals and families (Constituted on 30.9.1996); and

 7. The Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority- The Authority should within the        geographical limits of Agra Division in the Taj Trapezium Zone in the State of Uttar Pradesh, to monitor        progress of the implementation of various schemes for protection of the Taj Mahal and programmes for        protection and improvement of the environment in the said area (Constituted on 17.5.1999).