Final answer:
The Water Act, formally known as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, was the first major environmental protection act in India, focusing on water pollution control and establishing the framework for subsequent environmental legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first of the major environmental protection acts to be promulgated in India was the Water Act, also known as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which was enacted in 1974. This act was a significant step in India's environmental regulations and aimed to prevent and control water pollution.
The Water Act laid down the foundation for addressing water pollution and set up the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, which are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act. The subsequent Acts like the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment (Protection) Act built upon this framework to address other aspects of environmental protection including air pollution and overarching environmental concerns.