Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It was established in 1974 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. CPCB is also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, aims to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country. Air Quality Monitoring is an important part of the air quality management. The National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) has been established with objectives to determine the present air quality status and trends and to control and regulate pollution from industries and other source to meet the air quality standards. It also provides background air quality data needed for industrial siting and towns planning. Besides this, CPCB has an automatic monitoring station at ITO Intersection in New Delhi. At this station Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) are being monitored regularly. This information on Air Quality at ITO is updated every week.
Fresh water is a finite resource essential for use in agriculture, industry, propagation of wildlife & fisheries and for human existence. India is a riverine country. It has 14 major rivers, 44 medium rivers and 55 minor rivers besides numerous lakes, ponds and wells which are used as primary source of drinking water even without treatment. Most of the rivers being fed by monsoon rains, which is limited to only three months of the year, run dry throughout the rest of the year often carrying wastewater discharges from industries or cities or towns endangering the quality of our scarce water resources. The parliament of India in its wisdom enacted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 with a view to maintaining and restoring wholesomeness of our water bodies. One of the mandates of CPCB is to collect, collate and disseminate technical and statistical data relating to water pollution. Hence, Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) and Surveillance are of utmost importance.
State Pollution Control Boards
West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) is a statutory authority entrusted to implement environmental laws and rules within the jurisdiction of the state of West Bengal, India. WBPCB was constituted immediately after the enactment of the first major environmental legislation of the country, the Water (Prevention and Control of Water Pollution) Act, 1974. During its twenty-eight years of life, the Board tried its best to ensure proper implementation of the statutes, judicial and legislative pronouncements and to fulfill the needs of the people. Initially set up to implement the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, subsequently, WBPCB was given the responsibility of implementing a series of other environmental Acts and Rules. At present, the Board implements the provisions of following environmental Acts and Rules within West Bengal:
· Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rules made there under
· Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Rules made there under
· Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and Rules made there under
· Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and Rules made there under.
· Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules made there under
o Manufacture, Storage and import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989
o Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, as amended
o Bio-medical Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, as amended
o Plastic Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011
o The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000
o Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000
o Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000
o Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001.
Local Bodies
Industrial Pollution Control
Categorisation of industries: Depending upon the pollution potential of different industries, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has classified the industrial units into three different categories: 'Red', 'Orange' and 'Green'. The Red category units have maximum pollution potential, the Orange category units have moderate pollution potential and the Green units have the least pollution potential. Further, considering the degree of pollution among the Red units, these are classified into 'Special Red' and 'Ordinary Red' categories.
Industrial Siting Policy: In combating industrial pollution, the transparent industrial siting policy of the Board is in place. Under this policy, the red industries are not permitted in KMA areas, and orange industries are not permitted in KMC and HMC areas, except the industrial estates of KMC and HMC. This policy does not permit a few water-intensive and highly polluting industrial units having high water consumption within 10-km radius of the Calcutta Leather Complex at Bantala. A total of 334 grossly polluted industries were identified for regulatory compliance on an immediate basis. The WBPCB ensures that compliance is attained through negotiated agreements and technical guidance. While stricter emission standards were introduced for boilers, ceramic kilns, foundries and rolling mills in KMA, use of cleaner fuel was made mandatory for small boilers in KMC, rolling mills in Howrah and ceramic kilns in KMA.
Consent Administration: Under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, any industry, operation or process or an extension and addition thereto, which is likely to discharge sewerage or trade effluent into the environment or likely to emit any air pollution into the atmosphere will have to obtain consent of the State Pollution Control Board. There are different types of consent issued under the provisions of Water (P&CP) Act 1974 and Air (P&CP) Act, 1981.
· Consent to Establish: All the industries and activities needing consent must obtain consent to establish before actual commencement of the works for establishing the industry/activity.
· Consent to Operate: This consent needs to be taken before actual commencement of production. This consent is valid for certain duration.
· Renewal of Consent to Operate: The consent to operate is renewed after certain period.
Promotional Role of the WBPCB: As part of its promotional role, consent administration for small-scale industries were simplified and decentralised through General Managers of District Industries Centre, District Land and Land Reforms Officers and Regional Officers of the Board. The WBPCB provides financial assistance for change of fuel in small boilers and ceramic kilns within the KMC area. The Board works in close association with various NGOs, academic institutions, Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations. The establishment of West Bengal Cleaner Production Centre in collaboration with National Cleaner Production Centre and Indian Chamber of Commerce is a case in point.
Environmental Monitoring
The WBPCB monitors various parameters of air, water and noise.
Ambient air quality monitoring: This is conducted at various monitoring stations in the state and near the polluting clusters of industries. Specific parameters like Oxides of Sulfur, Oxides of Nitrogen, Respirable Particulate Matter etc. Are monitored in the ambient air quality monitoring stations. Data of ambient air quality monitoring stations are presented at the web site of the Board.
Water quality monitoring: The WBPCB regularly monitors water quality of rivers, such as Hooghly, Damodar, Barakar and Rupnarayan by analysing the physico-chemical, bacteriological and biological parameters. Under the National Water Monitoring Programme (NWMP), the Board monitors the water quality of ninety seven (97) surface water bodies including ground water at areas with potential to have been impacted by industrial activity. The river water samples are collected every month from the surface water stations and every six monthly from ground water stations which are analyzed in six of the Board laboratories situated at Kolkata, Kankinada, Durgapur, Hooghly, Haldia and Dankuni. Details of the stations with frequencies are provided.
Noise Pollution Monitoring: The noise characteristics from various sources, especially the areas in and around hospitals and schools in Kolkata, and its impact on human health are studied. Noise monitoring is specially done during festive days. Five Automatic Ambient Noise Measurement stations have been installed in Kolkata at Salt Lake (Paribesh Bhavan), Central Kolkata (KMC Buildings), Kasba Induatrial Area, SSKM Hospital Premise and Baishnabghata-Patuli (Satyajit Roy Park).
Waste Management
Hazardous Waste Management: In its endeavour to manage hazardous waste, the WBPCB has identified the industrial units generating hazardous waste. The Board has established a Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage & Disposal Facility at Haldia. This facility is being set up jointly by the Haldia Development Authority (HDA) and M/s. Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd., who have formed a joint venture company named M/s. West Bengal Waste Management Ltd.
Solid Waste Management: Under the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, the Department of Urban Development, Government of West Bengal and the District Magistrates of the concerned districts have the responsibility of the management of municipal solid waste in West Bengal. The WBPCB has impressed upon the municipalities and the district authorities to comply with the provisions of the Rules from time to time.
Biomedical Waste Management: The Board has developed a Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility at Howrah. The facility, set up by M/s Medicare Incin Pvt. Ltd., is operating successfully. Segregated bio-medical wastes are being collected from Kolkata, Howrah and the adjoining areas. Other such common waste treatment and disposal facilties are being developed at Kalyani, Mangalpur (Raniganj).
Inventory of Solid Waste
Recycled Plastic Waste Management
· Under the provisions of 'Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999', the WBPCB banned use, sale and manufacture of plastic carry bags of less than 20m thickness.
· In exercise of the powers conferred under the Water and the Air Acts, WBPCB have imposed a blanket ban on plastic carry bags for the ecologically sensitive areas, i.e. hill areas, forest areas and coastal areas of the state.
· The Board has banned the entry, use and sale of plastic carry bags in 39 heritage/tourist sites of the state.
· The MoEF issued the 'Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage (Amendment) Rules, 2003' stating that no carry bags whose dimensions are less than 8 inches X 12 inches (20 X 30 cms) can be manufactured, stored, distributed or used.
· The use of plastic carry bags, cups and containers less than four inches in height and 40 microns in thickness have been banned in most government buildings in West Bengal including Writers' Building, Kolkata.
· The WBPCB banned the entry, use and sale of plastic carry bags within the campus of Viswa Bharati Viswa Vidyalaya, areas under Sriniketan-Santiniketan Development Authority and areas under Bolpur Municipality in Birbhum district of West Bengal
· The WBPCB conducts consistent raids in the premises of plastic carry-bags' manufacturing units and wholesalers as well as the shops and establishments dispensing carry bags for carrying their merchandise.
Legal and Public Grievance Cell
In order to regulate pollution from different sources, the WBPCB legally deals with the non-complying units of the state. Various legal actions are taken against the polluting industries. Apart from imposing fines, bank guarantees are obtained from the pollution units, which are forfeited on compliance within the stipulated time period. In addition, the Board has constituted an Appellate Authority under the Water and the Air Acts.
In order to address and minimise public resentment against environmental problems in the state, the Public Grievance Cell of the Board is functioning since 1994. Public hearings are organised at Paribesh Bhaban, Salt Lake, the headoffice of the Board, where the aggrieved complainant and the industry/unit concerned are asked to appear before the hearing authority. After careful consideration of the representations from both the sides, necessary directions are issued.
Automobile Pollution Control
Various steps were taken for controlling automobile emissions in the state. In the year 2000, the Board pioneered in introducing EURO-I (India 2000) and EURO-II (Bharat Stage II) norms for the new fleet of vehicles, way before the same was done in the other states of our country. While India 2000 norms were introduced for all new vehicles on April 1st, Bharat Stage II norms were introduced for new passenger cars within KMA on December 31st. For all new vehicles with GVW3500kg and GVW>3500kg of KMA, stricter emission standards were introduced by the Board with effect from October 23, 2001. Supply of unleaded petrol (containing 0.013 per cent lead) and 0.25 per cent reduction of sulphur content in diesel was made available from February 1, 2000 throughout the state. Very low sulphur (0.05 per cent) petrol and diesel were made available in KMA from January 1, 2001. In the same year, while the use, sale and distribution of loose 2T oil for two-stroke petrol vehicles were banned in KMA on October 1st, dispensation of 2T oil-premixed petrol through dedicated dispenser was started with effect from November 15. In June 2000, benzene content in petrol was reduced to 3 per cent. As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the state government has submitted an action plan on automobile pollution control in September 2000. In association with the State Department of Transport, the Board has facilitated the setting up of computerised and upgraded Emission Testing Centres (AETCs) and Pollution-under-Check (PUC) centres in West Bengal.
Noise Pollution Monitoring and Control
The Board continued its endeavour for controlling noise in the state by banning the manufacture, sale and bursting of firecrackers generating noise level more than 90dB(AI) at 5m from the point of bursting. A sound delimiter, for controlling noise pollution from microphones, was also developed in association with Webel. The State Board directed that for use of Diesel Generator set(s) of capacity 15KVA and above for non-industrial purposes, i.e. residential buildings, commercial buildings, office complex, cinema halls, banks, educational institutions etc, should require 'Consent to Establish' and 'Consent to Operate' from the Board, with effect from January 1, 2002.
Training And Awareness Program
The Board continuously conducts various training programmes with people from different sections of the society like school children, police and transport authorities, district and municipal authorities. Short term programmes on environmental pollution, noise and automobile pollution are also organised from time to time.
Workshops and training camps are often organised for the NGOs, a total of 223 NGOs have been enlisted by the Board. Anti-noise pollution campaign and observation of World Environment Day are some of the regular events conducted by the Board. Movie fillers have been prepared on automobile horns on sound limiters. Apart from this, competitions on essay writing, painting, quiz, debate and drama are organised for the school children all on environment-related issues, with the elementary idea of spreading environmental awareness.
National Green Corps
The National Green Corps (NGC) programme introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Goverment of India is aimed at spreading environmental awareness among school children by involving them in various environment-related activities. Children constitute the most significant sector of our society. The foundation for developing responsible citizens begins in the school, since young children are at an ideal age to start learning about environmental issues. By participating in environmental activities under the NGC programme, the children would very easily acquire the basic knowledge, skills, values and passion that promote environmental responsibility.
The implementation and management of the NGC program are vested in a few committees besides the large number of school-level Eco-Clubs. The State Steering Committee is responsible to coordinate the implementation of the National Green Corps programme in the State. District Implementation and Monitoring Committee (DIMC) headed by the District Magistrate has the responsibilities to oversee the implementation of the programme at the district level (reconstitution of both the committees are under process). The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) is the State Nodal Agency for the implementation of this programme in our state. Given below are the number of schools under this program in 2011-12.
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