The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 2nd November 2022 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Context

• In the fight against air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, there are several important protagonists, none more so than India’s frontline environmental regulators, the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and the Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in the Union Territories. 
• Their primary role is to regulate emissions from point sources such as industries and power plants that contribute substantially to ambient air pollution in urban and rural areas.

• They are constitutes in pursuance of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• After the enactment of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the enforcing responsibility was entrusted to these Boards.

Composition and selection of members:

• The members of State Pollution Control Boards are nominated by respective State Governments.
• Apart from the above said Acts, the Board is also enforcing the following Rule and Notifications framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
• Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
• Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
• Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000.
• Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
• The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
• Fly Ash Notification, 1999 and 2008.

Central Pollution Control Board

What is CPCB?

• CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) is a statutory organization that was established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1974. After that CPCB was entrusted with the functions and powers of the Air (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act 1981.
• This pollution control board in India serves as a field formation and also offers technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The major function of the CPCB is to promote the cleanliness of the wells and streams in various areas of states by controlling, preventing, and abatement of water pollution. 
• Further CPCB aims to enhance the air quality and prevent, abate, or control the air pollution in India.

Functions and Powers of CPCB

CPCB has the following functions and powers

• Advise the central government on matters concerning the control and prevention of water and air pollution and enhancement of air and water quality.
• The responsibility of CPCB includes planning training programs for people involved in the activities for improvement, prevention, and control of water and air pollution.
• CPCB provides technical support and guidance to the state boards and carries out sponsor research and investigation related to the problems of air and water pollution, and for their control, prevention and abatement.
• CPCB also Organizes mass awareness programs on the control and prevention of air and water pollution.
• Preparing guidelines, manuals, and codes for the treatment of sewage and trade effluents and also stack gas cleaning devices.
• Another responsibility of CPCB includes collecting statistical and annual reports related to Water & Air pollution. This report helps to take preventive measures to reduce and control pollution.
• CPCB also performs other functions as prescribed by the Indian Government.

CPCB AQI - National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) 

CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) launched a nationwide programme called National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) to tack air quality index India .The objectives of NAMP are:

• To find out the trends and status of ambient air quality
• To figure out whether the prescribed air quality standards are violated
• To locate the non-attainment cities and control the air pollution in those cities
• To get enough understanding and knowledge required for developing corrective and preventive measures.
• To understand the cleansing process undergoing in the environment.
• NAMP regularly measures the SO2, NO2, RSPM / PM10

CPCB - National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) 

Water is an essential and limited resource for human existence. CPCB collects technical and statistical data related to water pollution, and also takes various measures to control water pollution. The CPCB in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees(PPCs) monitors the water quality across the country under the NWMP.

• The water quality monitoring network- 28 states, and 8 union territories have a total of 4111 stations
• Groundwater is monitored on a half-year basis
• Surface water bodies are monitored quarterly or monthly
• Micropollutants- monitored twice a year( Before or after monsoon)

Organizational Structure of CPCB

Central Pollution Control Board is led by its chairman, member secretary, and other members. Various tasks are performed by CPCB through the following nine project heads.

• Pollution assessment (survey and monitoring).
• R&D and laboratory management.
• Information database management and library
• Pollution control technology
• Pollution control enforcement
• Mass awareness and publications
• Hazard waste management
• Development of standards and guidelines for industry-specific emissions and effluent standards
• Training