West Bengal Pollution Control Board

Immediately after enactment of the first federal environmental regulation of the country, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Government of West Bengal constiituted the West Bengal Prevention and Control of Water Pollution Board vide Notification No. PH/2395/2A-7/74 dated 20.09.1974. After introduction of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Board constituted under the Water Act was given the responsibility to implement the provisions of the Air Act within the state of West Bengal and the said Board was renamed as the West Bengal Pollution Control Board vide Notification No. ENV/337/2W-4/83 dated 14.04.1983. The State Board is the regulatory authority for implemetation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules under these Acts. Although the primary objective of the Board is proper implementation of the provisions of different environmental legislations, notifications, orders and office memorandums published by the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal within the territorial jurisdiction of West Bengal, its ultimate goal is to provide a cleaner and greener environment for the people of this state, now and in the future. The constant efforts of the Board have been to marry the approaches of pro-development and pro-environment requirements. In addition to a rigorous and fair enforcement of environmental regulations, the Board is also in process of developing consciousness among the member of the civil society and to ensure their active participation in environment protection.