Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974

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However, following the 1972 United Nations Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm, the Indian constitution was amended to make environmental protection a mandate.

Originally, our constitution contained no explicit provisions pertaining to the preservation of the natural environment.
• The Wild Life Protection Act of 1971 was the last piece of environment-related legislation to be passed in 1972.
• Article 51A of the Indian Constitution's 42nd Amendment (basic Duties) Clause (g) established that protecting and enhancing the natural environment is a basic duty.
• Article 51A of the Indian Constitution's 42nd Amendment (basic Duties) Clause (g) established that protecting and enhancing the natural environment is a basic duty.
• Article 51A, clause (g), specifies that "every Indian citizen shall have compassion for all living creatures and safeguard and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife."
• Regarding the preservation and enhancement of the environment, the State has been granted a directive as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

The State shall attempt to maintain and improve the environment as well as to safeguard the nation's forests and wildlife, according to Article 48A.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country.
The Act was amended in 1988.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977, to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities.
The Act vests regulatory authority in State Pollution Control Boards to establish and enforce effluent standards for factories.
A Central Pollution Control Board performs the same functions for Union Territories and formulates policies and coordinates activities of different State Boards.
The Act grants power to SPCB and CPCB to test equipment and to take the sample for the purpose of analysis.