The Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 1986 is a more comprehensive act compared to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act because it covers a wider range of environmental concerns and issues.
The Water Act and the Air Act were enacted to control and prevent pollution of specific environmental components, namely water and air. On the other hand, the EPA is a framework legislation that covers all aspects of environmental protection, including air, water, and land pollution, as well as the management of hazardous wastes, environmental impact assessment, and conservation of biodiversity.
The EPA provides a legal framework for the prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution and lays down the duties and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including the central and state governments, industries, and individuals, in protecting and improving the quality of the environment. The Act also provides for the establishment of the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards, which are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act.
Overall, the EPA is a more comprehensive and integrated legislation that addresses a broader range of environmental concerns than the Water Act and the Air Act, which focus on specific aspects of pollution control.
