Gujarat Pollution Control Board was constituted by the Government of Gujarat on 15.10.1974 with a view to protect the environment, prevent and control the pollution ofwater in the State of Gujarat, that occupies a prominent niche in progressive and industrialdevelopment of the country. The Board has been over 30 years entrusted with the CentralActs and relevant Rules for pollution control as notified thereof from time to time.

As reported before, the Board had staff of 25 in October 1974, initially. Though, thestaff strength has increased to 465, yet it is far less than that required by the Board to implement aforesaid laws. As of today, there are 92 engineers and 148scientist and analysts.

The Board is having its Head Office and Central Laboratory at Gandhinagar. Out of total ten Regional Offices, six attached with laboratory facilities are located at Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Rajkot and Jamnagar. Regional Offices Godhara, Mehsana, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar are being equipped with analytical facilities. The Head Office performs activities concerning general polices and enforcement of various provisions of the Acts as well as general administration and co-ordination with other agencies. The Central Laboratory at Gandhinagar was providing facilities for analysis of samples collected by both RO, Ahmedabad as well as RO, Mehsana, besides being involved in development of methods for analysis of water, wastewater, gases and hazardous waste samples.

Objectives
The major objectives of the Board are centred around the Pollution Control and the protection of the environmental quality. These are outlined as under:
· Bring about all round improvement in the quality of the environment in the State by

effective implementation of the laws.
· Control of pollution at source to the maximum extent possible with due regard to

technological achievement and economic viability as well as sensitivity of the receiving

environment. This objective is being fulfilled through laying down the disposal standards as

well as gaseous emission standards.
· Identifications of sites and development of procedures and methods for the disposal of

hazardous wastes.
· Maximizations of re-use and re-cycle of sewage and trade effluent on land for irrigation and

for industrial purpose after giving appropriate treatment and thereby economizing and

saving on the use of water. The practice also helps in stopping pollution of water due to

reduction in discharges of waste into water bodies.
· Minimisation of adverse effect of pollution by selecting suitable locations for the

establishment of new industrial projects.
· Co-ordination with other agencies of the State Government and local authorities to

encourage the Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Treatment Stabilisation Disposal

Facilities.
Close co-ordination and rapport with educational institutions, non government Organisations, Industries Associations, Government organisations, etc. to create Environmental awareness.

Functions
The function of the Board is to enforce the provisions of the following Acts, Rules and Directives issued by the Authorities from time to time.
· The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
· The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
· The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
· The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, various relevant Rules notified thereof:
· The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989;
· The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989;
· The Coastal Zone Regulation -Declaration Notification, 1991;
· The Environmental Clearance [including EIA - Environment, Impact Assessment] for expansion / modernisation of activity or new projects Procedure Notification, 1994;
· The Environment Public Hearing Rules, 1997;
· The Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998;
· The Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous micro- organism Genetically Engineered Organism Cell, 1989;
· The Plastics Manufacture, Sale and Usage Rules, 1999;
· Utilisation of Fly Ash - Notification of Directions, 1999;
· The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000;
· The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000;
· The Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules,2000; and
· The Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001
· The Environmental Audit Scheme, 1996.
· The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

Activity carried by GPCB
In accordance with the provisions of the above Acts and Rules the Board is carrying out following activities.
· Promotion of cleanliness of wells and streams in different areas of the State.
· Issuing directives for pollution control measures to the polluting units.
· Prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in the State and improvement in

the ambient air quality.
· Advising the State Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water

and air pollution.
· Approving judicious location of new industries from pollution control point of view.
· Promotion of re-use and re-cycle of sewage and trade effluent on land for irrigation.
· Carrying out monitoring of rivers of the State.
· Carrying out air monitoring of the major cities of the State.
· Collection and compilation of technical and statistical data relating to water and air

pollution.
· Laying down standards for the discharge of liquid effluent and gaseous emission.
· Developing methods of treatment of effluent and air pollution control equipment.
· Identification of site for the disposal of hazardous wastes.
· Organising training programmes, seminars and workshops regarding pollution control.
· Creating awareness in the public regarding environmental pollution control.