Role of pollution control board in India

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 provides for the constitution of
the Central and State Boards and deals with the Functions of the Pollution Control Board.
The Central Board is constituted by Central Government, and the state board is constituted
by the state government. In this article, we shall take a look at the role of Pollution Control
Board.

What is the need for a pollution control board?

There is a need to prevent pollution, and its prevention will reduce financial and
environmental costs. By preventing pollution, environment is protected and also natural
resources while strengthening economic growth. Thus the primary cause for the
introduction of the pollution control board is to prevent pollution and save the
environment.

Role of Pollution Control Board: Central

The central board is a body corporate with perpetual succession with the authority to
acquire, hold and dispose. They can enter into a contract and can sue or can be sued in the
name of Central Board.

As per Section 16 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, the Central
Pollution Control Board has the following role to play:

 Advise Central Government

The Central Pollution Control Board[1] (also referred as the Central Board) is required to
advise the Central Government on prevention of water pollution and controlling the same.

 Co-ordinating with the State Board

The Central Board must co-ordinate activities of the State Boards in order to resolve
disputes among both.

 Technical help and guidance to the State Board

The Central Board should provide technical assistance help and guidance to the state
boards, perform investigations and research pertaining to the issue of water pollution, its
prevention, control etc.

 Function as State Board

The Central Board can play such roles of the state board, and every state board would be
bound by such directions.
  Training Programs

The Central Board must organize and plan training programs for people engaged or to be
engaged in programmes for water pollution prevention, control or abatement.

 Organize comprehensive programs

The Central Board should organize programmes through mass media regarding prevention
and control of water pollution.

 Publication of Technical and Statistical data

The Central Board has to collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data
pertaining to water pollution. Also, prepare manual, codes, or guides pertaining to the
treatment and disposal of sewage and disseminate information connected to it.

 Lay down standards for stream/well

Another role of Pollution Control Board (Central) is to lay down, modify or annul standards
for a stream/well.

 Execution of programme at National Level

The Central Board should plan and cause to be executed a program for prevention, control
or reduction in water pollution.

Role of Pollution Control Board: State

Just like the Central Pollution Control Board, the State Pollution Control Board also has an
important role to play. Its functions are as follows:

 Planning Comprehensive Programs

The State Pollution Control Board (also referred as the state board) should plan a
comprehensive program for preventing, controlling and reducing pollution of streams and
wells in the state.

 Advisory role

The State Board advises the state government on matters concerning prevention, control or
reduction of water pollution.

 Disseminate information

The state board has to collect and disseminate information pertaining to water pollution
and its prevention, control or reduction.

 Investigation and Search

 Organize training program

The state board should collaborate with the Central Board and organize training of persons
engaged in programs related to prevention, control or abatement of water pollution and
also organize mass education programs.

 Sewage inspection and trade effluents plants

The state board is required to inspect sewage or trade effluents works and plants to treat
sewage. They should review plans, specifications or other data pertaining to plants set up
for the purification work, treatment of water.

 Standards for causing discharge of water

The State board should lay down, modify or annul effluents standards for the sewage and
trade effluents and to classify water of the state.

 Economic ways of treatment of sewage

The State board should evolve economical and reliable methods for sewage treatment and
trade effluents with respect to the peculiar conditions of climate, soil etc, in different
regions.

 Methods regarding using sewage

The State Board should evolve methods of utilizing sewage and suitable trade effluents in
agriculture.

 Methods for sewage disposal

Another role of Pollution Control Board (State) is to evolve methods of sewage disposal and
trade effluents on land.

 Standards for sewage treatment

The State board should lay down standards of treatment of sewage and trade effluents to
be discharged into particular stream.

Conclusion

The role of Pollution Control Board is critical to the well being of the environment. The
central, as well as state board, must cohesively function for protection of the environment
and take steps to prevent, control or abate pollution.
Case study – Delhi air pollution

A case study that highlights the role of the CPCB is the Delhi air pollution crisis of 2016. In
November 2016, Delhi experienced severe air pollution, with the levels of PM2.5 (fine
particulate matter) reaching hazardous levels. The situation was exacerbated by stubble
burning in neighboring states and the use of firecrackers during Diwali.

The CPCB played a critical role in mitigating the crisis by taking several measures such as:

Directing the Delhi government to close all schools in the city.

Enforcing a ban on the use of diesel generators in the city.

Ordering the closure of brick kilns in the surrounding areas.

Advancing the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a

The CPCB also provided technical assistance to the government in the form of air quality
monitoring and analysis, and worked with the media to raise awareness about the severity
of the crisis and the steps that could be taken to mitigate it.

In conclusion, the CPCB plays a critical role in the prevention and control of pollution in
India, and the Delhi air pollution crisis of 2016 is a prime example of its effectiveness in
mitigating environmental disasters.

Case study – Kasadi river pollution

In 2020, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) took action against a chemical
company that was polluting the Kasadi River in Thane district. The MPCB had received
multiple complaints about the release of untreated chemical waste into the river, which had
caused harm to aquatic life and affected the livelihood of local fishermen.

The MPCB conducted an investigation and found that the company had been operating
without the necessary consent to operate from the board. The company had also been
violating several environmental norms, including releasing effluents containing toxic
substances into the river.

The board directed the company to immediately stop the release of untreated waste into
the river and imposed a fine of Rs. 5 crore. The company was also ordered to take corrective
measures to prevent future incidents and obtain the necessary consent to operate from the
board.
The action taken by the MPCB not only helped mitigate pollution in the Kasadi River but also
sent a message to other companies that violating environmental norms will not be
tolerated. The board's efforts in enforcing environmental regulations helped protect the
health of local residents and the ecosystem of the Kasadi River.

Case study – Noyyal river

the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB). In 2020, the board imposed a fine of
Rs. 2.5 crore on a pharmaceutical company for violating pollution norms. The company was
found to be releasing untreated effluents into a nearby river, causing damage to the
environment and the health of people in the area. The PCB also directed the company to
take corrective measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Another case study involves the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). In 2019, the
board shut down 10 dyeing units in Tiruppur for violating pollution norms. The units were
found to be releasing untreated effluents into the Noyyal River, causing damage to the
environment and the health of people in the area. The TNPCB also directed the units to take
corrective measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

In both of these cases, the PCBs played a crucial role in enforcing environmental regulations
and holding polluting companies accountable for their actions. These actions not only
helped mitigate pollution in the affected areas but also sent a message to other companies
that violating pollution norms will not be tolerated.