Pollution Control Board - Central & State - (Tamil Nadu) - TNPCB

Pollution Control Board - Central & State

Central pollution control board:

Central pollution control board [CPCB] of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment and forest. It is established on 22^nd September 1974 underwater [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.

As per the provisions of environment Protection Act, 1986 it provides technical advice to the Ministry of Environment and Forest and coordinates the activities of state boards by offering technical assistance and guidance and results disputes among them. It is an apex organization in the country, in the field of pollution control, as technical wing of Ministry of environment and forest.

Administrative structure and functions of CPCB

The central pollution control board is led by its chairman who is nominated by the central government. CPCB has its head office in New Delhi with 7 zonal officers and 5 laboratories. The board has approximately 500 full term employees, including engineers, scientists and environmental protection specialists.

Its important functions are:

• 1. Conducting environmental assessment and research.
• 2. Maintaining national standards under a variety of environmental law in consultation with zonal offices, tribals and local governments.
• 3. Monitoring the water and air quality and maintaining respective quality data.
• 4. Working with industries and all levels of governments in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.
• 5. Advising governments of union territories about an industry, or the pollution source, causing water and air pollution.
• 6. Implementing the legislation relating to prevention and control of environmental pollutions, along with the state pollution control boards.

The CPCB performs various functions through the following 9 major project heads.
1. Pollution assessment [survey and monitoring]
2. R & D (Research and Development) and laboratory management.
3. Development of standards and guidelines for industry specific emissions and effluent standards.
4. Training.
5. Information database management and library.
6. Pollution control technology.
7. Pollution control enforcement.
8. Mass Awareness programmes and Publications
9. Hazard waste management

State Pollution Control Board:

All states in India have established their own boards to continuously monitor and control air, water and noise pollution. State pollution control board undertake appropriate measures to regulate industries in their respective states so as to ensure the norms and standards set by CPCB with respect to industry specific emissions and effluents.

Tamil Nadu pollution control board (TNPCB):

TNPCB established in 1982 functions with head office at Chennai, headed by Chairman, Member Secretary, two additional Chief Environmental Engineers, and 10 joint Chief Environmental Engineers, 31 district offices headed by district Environmental Engineers and 2 district offices headed by assistant Environmental Engineers.

Functions of TNPCB:

1. Granting permissions to industries:

TNPCB issues consents to new industries in two stages. Consent to establish is issued depending upon the suitability of the site before the industry takes up the construction activities. And consent to operate is issued after installation of pollution control measures by the unit to satisfy the standards.

2. Penalizing the Erring industries:

TNPCB issues show cost notices takes legal actions and also issues directions for closure, stoppage of power supply, water supply, etc. Against erring industries /agencies for non-compliance of pollution control legislations, conditions and standards.

3. Delegating powers to field officers:

TNPCB has delegated the power to the field officers for closed monitoring. The joint. Chief environmental engineer/ District Environmental Engineers/ Assistant Environmental Engineers, or empower to issue or renew consent to orange and green category industries and to renew to red, small category industries. They are also empowered to issue show cause notice to all industries.

4. Assisting to Establish Common Effluent Plants:

TNPCB plays a catalytic role in implementation of common effluent treatment plants for small scale units like tanneries, textile dyeing units, etc, located in clusters.

5. Taking steps for disposal of hazardous wastes:

TNPCB is taking effective steps for the safe disposal of hazardous waste and has completed the inventory of hazardous waste generating units and also identified sites for disposal of hazardous wastes.

6. Developing environmental awareness:

TNPCB creates environmental awareness in the state through the environmental training institute, environmental awareness programs, environmental pavilion constructed at the Perrier Science and technology centre. NGO cell, Publishing of newsletters/ Pamphlets on environmental issues, etc.

Conclusion:

The Pollution Control Board plays a vital role in monitoring pollution levels in our nation. Through its measures and regulations, it focuses on sustainable development. Regular inspections, industry standards, and regulations are its tools for safeguarding our environment.