What is Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

• It is a statutory body constituted in September, 1974, under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. 
• Further, CPCB was 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, Forest and Climate Change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981:
  • to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
  • to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control, or abate air pollution in the country
  • It advises the Central Government on matters related to control and abatement of air and water pollution.
• Standard development activities of CPCB:
  • CPCB takes up the development/revision of Environmental Standards, the upgradation of Comprehensive Industrial Document (COINDS) and guidelines for environmental management in various industrial sectors.
  • In consultation with the state government concerned, CPCB laid down the standard for stream or well or quality of air and also prepared manuals, codes, and guidance relating to the treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents, as well as for stacks gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts.
• CPCB develops Standards for:
  • National ambient air quality
  • Water Quality Criteria from different sources
  • Standards for Emission or Discharge of Environmental Pollutants from various Industries (Issued under Environment Protection Rules, 1986)
  • Standards for Treatment and Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste by Incineration
  • Emission standard, Noise limits for Diesel Engines
  • Emission and Noise Limit of LPG and CNG Generator Sets
• CPCB also formulates the Minimal National Standards (MINAS) specific for various categories of industries with regards to their effluent discharge (water pollutants), emissions (air pollutants), noise levels, and solid waste.
  • These standards are required to be adopted by State Governments as minimal standards.