The Environment Protection Act of 1986 was introduced in India after the Bhopal gas tragedy to coordinate various regulatory agencies on environmental issues. The key objectives of the act are to appoint environmental officers to monitor pollution, improve quality of life through environmental protection, establish laboratories, protect forests and wildlife, and provide overall protection and improvement of the environment to enable sustainable development. The act applies nationwide and empowers citizens to protect the environment while allowing the government to set pollution standards and restrict hazardous industries and substances.