Kerala lies between the Lakshadweep sea and Western Ghat mountains in southern peninsular India. It is gifted with 44 rivers and a chain of backwaters. This state is highly conscious of the need to protect the environment and in this direction, they play a major role in making laws that could prevent and control water pollution.
Important functions under the water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act
- To plan a comprehensive program for the prevention, control or abatement of pollution of streams and wells in the State and to secure the execution thereof.
- To advise the State Government on any matter concerning the prevention, control or abatement of water pollution.
- To collect and disseminate information relating to water pollution and the prevention, control or abatement thereof.
- To encourage, conduct and participate in investigations and research relating to problems of water pollution and prevention, control or abatement of water pollution.
- To collaborate with the Central Board in organizing the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in programs relating to prevention, control or abatement of water pollution and to organize mass education programs.
- To inspect sewage or trade effluents, works and plants for the treatment of sewage and trade effluents and to review plans, specifications or other data relating to plants set up for the treatment of water, works for the purification thereof and the system for the disposal of sewage or trade effluents or in connection with the grant of any consent as required by this Act lay down, modify or annul effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents and for the quality of receiving waters (not being water in an interstate stream) resulting from the discharge of effluents and to classify waters of the State.
Objectives of KPCB
- Sustainable Development: - Sustainable development is a wide concept that balances the need for economic growth with environmental protection and social equity.
- Prevention: - To control the prevention of natural resources.
- Waste Management: - Effective Waste Management is a great source to protect the environment.
- Consumer awareness: - Pollution can be reduced by awareness such as by convincing general public to use CFL, paper bags, public transport and not to use firecrackers, plastic bags or any other non-biodegradable products.
- Compliance: - KPCB laid down some guidelines for industries and Health care establishments to reduce environment pollution in Uttar Pradesh.
Main Functions of the KPCB
- Provide recommendation to the Kerala Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
- Organize the consumer awareness programs on the prevention and control of air and water pollution and waste management through mass media.
- Collect, compile and prepare technical and statistical data related to air and water pollution.
- Lay down the standard of sewage and trade effluents and for emission from industrial plant, automobiles and Health Care Establishment.
- To help on the development of new technology for treatment of sewage, trade effluents and control equipment.
- Issuance of consent certificate to industries falling in different categories such as Red, Orange, Green and White.
- Issuance of the Authorization to industries and health care establishments, falling in Bio-Medical waste Authorization, Hazardous waste Management Authorization, Plastic Waste Management, Battery waste Management, and E-waste Authorization.
KPCB Categories & Classification of Business Activities
The industries in Kerala has been classified in Red, Orange, and Green category as per the list, indicating the classification of 649 industries as per new guidelines.
The industries categorized under Red, Orange and Green category only need to apply for Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Air & Water Act. The industries categorized under white category are not required to obtain Consent to establish and operate, it is required only to intimate Kerala Pollution Control Board within 30 days from Establishment of business with an undertaking.