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Science and technology are the essential pre-requisites for monitoring and control of pollution. Generation of pollution related technical data, their analysis and dissemination is one of our major tasks. Based on available scientific understanding and techno-economic considerations, development pollution control norms guidelines is another important responsibility assigned to us. Creation of awareness and technical inputs for policy initiatives and action programmes are also among the tasks given to us.

During the past one year, we were able to consolidate the on-going activities for monitoring of pollution from different sources. An important exercise was taken up for optimisation of water quality monitoring network and for evolving a comprehensive set of water quality criteria for different types of water course including groundwater. The air monitoring programme has been geared up and additional parameters such as Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM), Benzene and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons have been included in the programme. Through the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), the health care facilities and local authorities were persuaded to step up the activities for implementation of the Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules. Similarly, the action programme in respect of highly polluting categories of industries yielded some positive results. The programme for vehicular pollution control was accentuated through tightening of emission norms and improvement in fuel quality including unleaded gasoline and low sulphur diesel. The on-going programme for District-wise Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industry got fillip through the World Bank support for extension of the activities including Industrial Estate Planning, Environmental Management Plans for selected areas and creation of Regional Centres for Spatial Environmental Planning. New and revised standards have been laid down during the year in respect of noise pollution, hazardous wastes and different categories of industry. Based on recommendation of CPCB, a set of rules and guidelines for management of municipal solid wastes were also notified under the Environment (Protection) Act. Research studies and investigations were carried out for determining the minimum viable size of an industry for ensuring effective pollution control, norms and guidelines for decentralised treatment of sewage as also root zone treatment for cost-effective management of municipal as well as industrial effluents. For capacity building in the Pollution Control Boards/Committees, industries as also in concerned Government organisations, various training programmes and workshops have been organised by CPCB. Interaction meetings with the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at regional levels were also organised. The Newsletter (Parivesh) and several technical as well as popular publications brought out during the year enabled us to disseminate information on various aspects of pollution.

The highlights of various activities during the year are presented this issue of "Parivesh" as collated by my colleague Dr. B. Sengupta and Mahendra Pandey. We look forward to continuing support from all concerned with pollution control for environmental protection.
 

(Dilip Biswas)
Chairman, CPCB