The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
It was established under the Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1974
Subsequently, CPCB was entrusted with power and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control) Act 1981
It provides technical services and co-ordinates activities of State Pollution Control Boards
The CPCB conducts environmental assessment and research
State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
State Pollution Control Boards have been set up in all States to check and control Water and Air pollution
Some State/ UT like Delhi has Pollution Control Committee
SPCB issues Pollution Control Clearance Certificate or Consent to establish /operate to industry likely to discharge sewage or effluent into the environment or likely to emit air pollution in to the atmosphere, after ascertaining adequate measures taken to control these pollution
Any industry generates, handles or disposes hazardous wastes as defined under Hazardous Wastes (Handling and Management) Rules 1989 needs to obtain clearance from SPCB
Pollution Clearance Certificate or Consent to operate is issued for 3 to 10 years depending upon type of industries, subject to fulfillment of conditions
The SPCB officials check the industrial units from time to time to ensure that pollution control measures are adequate
Colour Coding Categorization of Industries
Depending upon type of polluting industries or level of pollution, colour coded categorization of industries has been done and listed Under Schedule III of the Act, as under:
RED: Highly polluting industries such as cement, petrochemicals, fertilizer, leather, hazardous chemicals, distilleries, etc.
ORANGE: Less polluting industries such as glass manufacturing, Aluminium, Copper extraction, fruits and vegetables and most of the food processing industries fall under this category
GREEN: Less polluting industries in small scale, cottage/village industries such as Atta chakki, Dai mill, Bakery, Aluminium utensil, etc.
Water (Preventive and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Preventive and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
The two Acts were promulgated to prevent and control water and air pollution by Water Quality Monitoring System (WQMS) and Air Quality Monitoring System (AQMS)
The Acts are being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India through Central and State Pollution Control Boards
