Examine the powers of Central Government under the Environmental Protection Act.

Powers of Central Government under Environment Protection Act, 1986:

Enacted under Article 253 following the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Act serves as an umbrella legislation vesting sweeping powers in the Central Government (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change):

• Environmental Standards & Emission Norms (Section 3): Power to prescribe standards for air, water, and soil quality and maximum permissible limits of industrial pollutant discharge.
• Industrial Regulation & Location (Section 5): Power to direct closure, prohibition, or regulation of any industrial plant, and stop the supply of electricity or water to defaulting units.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Power to mandate prior environmental clearance (EC) before setting up mining, thermal, or infrastructure projects.
• Search, Seizure & Sampling (Sections 10 & 11): Empowering designated officers to enter, inspect premises, take samples of air/water/effluents for laboratory analysis.
• Managing Hazardous Substances (Section 8): Formulating binding rules for manufacturing, handling, storage, and transport of hazardous chemicals.