What is Central Pollution Control Board?

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a pollution control board in India that aims to boost the cleanliness of streams and wells in various locations of the states with control, prevention, and abatement of water pollution. Additionally, it improves the air quality to control and prevents air pollution in the country.

What are the powers of Central Pollution Control Board?

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has the power to advise the central government on matters related to the control and prevention of air and water pollution and to enhance the quality of both water and air. The responsibility of CPCB includes organizing mass awareness programs to control air and water pollution.

What is the full form of CPCB?

The full form of CPCB is Central Pollution Control Board. The CPCB headquarters is located in New Delhi. CPCB makes statistical reports for water and air pollution and takes preventive measures on the basis of the reports.

What are the major functions of CPCB?

There are two major functions of CPCB: The first one is to increase the cleanliness of wells and streams in different areas of the state and take preventive measures against water pollution. The second major function is improving air quality and controlling air pollution in India.

Who leads the Central Pollution Control Board?

Central Pollution Control Board is led by the chairman and the member secretary, and other members of the CPCB. Shri. Tanmay Kumar is the current Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board.

Is CPCB a statutory body?

Yes, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory body that was constituted in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.

What are the objectives of the CPCB?

The objectives of CPCB include helping consumers become environmentally friendly in their lives by giving information on how their purchase decisions impact environmental factors. Also, to encourage the citizens to purchase products that are less harmful to the environment.

What is the difference between CPCB and SPCB?

CPCB full form is Central Pollution Control Board, whereas SPCB stands for State Pollution Control Board. In regard to matters connected to the implementation and enforcement of the Air, Water, and Environmental Acts, CPCB serves as a consultant to the government and state pollution control boards (SPCB).

What is the difference between NGT and CPCB?

While the CPCB promotes the cleanliness of streams and wells and seeks to improve the country’s air quality, the NGT provides environmental justice and aids in lightening the load of litigation in the higher courts. National Green Tribunal High Courts Tribunals

How is AQI calculated by Central Pollution Control Board?

Data for a minimum of three pollutants, one of which should be either PM10 or PM2, must be present in order to calculate AQI. With an AQI range of 0-500, each pollutant’s concentration varies, and the resulting health impacts follow suit.

Which city is declared most polluted by Central Pollution Control Board?

According to an examination of Central Pollution Control Board data, Delhi was the most polluted city in India in 2022 , with PM 2.5 levels more than double the safe limit and the third-highest average PM10 concentration.

Who appoints the chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board?

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet of the Government of India appoints the chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board. Shri Tanmay Kumar is the current acting chairman, while Dr. Prashant Gargava is the member secretary.

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Central Pollution Control Board: Role, Functions of CPCB | CPCB UPSC Notes

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for monitoring India’s Air and Water Quality and pollution-related issues. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is responsible for the Central Pollution Control Board of India, a statutory body. CPCB began a nationwide initiative called the National Air Quality Monitoring Program to keep an eye on ambient air quality (NAMP).

Central Pollution Control Board is one of the most important government bodies. CPCB finds its relevance under the Environment & Ecology section of the UPSC Syllabus. For the candidate’s ease, we have covered the powers, structure, and crucial facts related to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Table of content

1. Central Pollution Control Board [CPCB]
2. Power and Functions of CPCB
3. Role of CPCB
4. Central Pollution Control Board and NAMP
5. CPCB and National Water Quality Monitoring Program
6. Central Pollution Control Board – Organizational Structure
7. Short Notes of CPCB
8. CPCB UPSC

Central Pollution Control Board [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.

Central 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. CPCB aims to enhance air quality and prevent abate or control air pollution in India.

Power and Functions of CPCB

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. The powers and functions of the Central Pollution Control Board include:

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 the Central Pollution Control Board 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 organizes mass awareness programs on controlling and preventing air and water pollution.
Preparing guidelines, manuals, and codes for treating sewage, trade effluents, and stack gas cleaning devices.
Another responsibility of the Central Pollution Control Board includes collecting statistical and annual Water & Air pollution reports. This report helps to take preventive measures to reduce and control pollution.
Central Pollution Control Board also performs other functions as prescribed by the Indian Government.

Role of CPCB

By generating pertinent data, offering scientific information, providing technical inputs for the creation of national policies and programs, training and developing manpower, and organizing activities for spreading awareness at various levels of the Government and the public, the Central Pollution Control Board contributes to the reduction and control of pollution in the nation.

CPCB UPSC Notes

The implementation of laws pertaining to the prevention and control of environmental pollution is the responsibility of the CPCB, along with its equivalents, the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).

Central Pollution Control Board and NAMP

Central Pollution Control Board launched a nationwide program called National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) to track India’s Air Quality Index (AQI). 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 and National Water Quality Monitoring Program

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 Central Pollution Control Board, 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 eight 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)

Central Pollution Control Board – Organizational Structure

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.

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

Short Notes of CPCB

CPCB celebrated its 46th Foundation Day in 2020. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, 128 sites in India are contaminated by hazardous and toxic substances. West Bengal topped the list with 27 sites, followed by Odish at 23.

The reasons for contamination include:

leakage of underground oil pipelines of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in Tamil Nadu.
Mercury contamination of the soil at Kodaikanal, Ganjam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha
Heavy metal and pesticide contamination in creeks at Eloor, Kerala.
Electronic waste on the banks of fiver Moradabad, Ramganga.
Chromium contamination at Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, Rania, and Loguanagar, Uttar Pradesh.

CPCB UPSC

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is the statutory organization of the Central Pollution Control Board. By offering advice and technical support, CPCB directs the State Pollution Control Boards’ actions and mediates conflicts between them.

Central Pollution Control Board is an important government organization covered under the UPSC Syllabus. Majorly covered through Current Affairs; the topic is crucial from the UPSC Exam perspective. Applicants can also solve UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to better understand the kinds of questions asked.

UPSC Notes
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