The Punjab Pollution Control Board was constituted in the year 1975 vide Punjab Government Notification No. 6186-BR II (4) 75/24146 dated 30.07.1975, after the enactment of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to preserve the wholesomeness of water. Subsequently, with the enactment of other environmental laws the responsibility to implement the provisions of such laws was also entrusted to the Punjab Pollution Control Board in the State of Punjab.

In order to have uniform laws, all over the country for broad environmental issues endangering the health & safety of our people as well as of our flora and fauna and also to check environmental degradation, the Parliament of India has enacted the following laws:

The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended to date
The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended to date

The aforesaid laws have been adopted by the Govt. of Punjab to control environmental pollution in the State. The Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, has also framed the following rules for the management of Hazardous Waste, Bio Medical Waste, Municipal Solid Waste, Recycled Plastic, Used Batteries, Control of Noise Pollution and Protection of Ozone Layer under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended to date
The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms Genetically Engineered Organisms Or Cells Rules, 1989
The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 as amended to date
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
The Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998
The Recycled Plastics Manufacture, Sale & Usage Rules, 1998 as amended to date
The Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000
The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000
The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Rules, 2000
The Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001

Punjab Pollution Control Board has been entrusted the task of implementation of environmental laws in the State of Punjab.

Objective of Board

• Control pollution at the source with due regard to techno-economic feasibility for liquid effluents as well as gaseous emissions.
• Ensure that natural waters are not polluted by discharge of untreated city sewage.
• Maximize reuse / recycling of sewage and trade effluents and to use the treated effluent on land for irrigation and for industrial purpose after appropriate treatment.
• Minimize pollution control requirements by judicious location of new industries and relocation industries wherever necessary.
• The functions are directed towards the effective control of water and air pollution and to maintain and restore the quality of water for various designated uses and of air.

Strategy of Board

• To take up highly polluting industries, highly polluted areas of the State and highly polluted river stretches to be dealt in on priority basis for control of pollution.
• To identify pollution sources and initiate follow up action for abatement, prevention and control of pollution.
• To create awareness about environmental pollution by educating the industry and local authorities.
• To promote measures and assistance through incentives, guidelines, development of cost effective technologies and putting up demonstration plants.
• To persuade industry / local bodies to take preventive measures for the control of pollution.
• To strengthen the capacities for pollution control through training and laboratory development and strengthening of manpower and infrastructure.

Some of the important functions PPCB are

• To plan comprehensive program for the prevention, control or abatement of pollution and secure executions thereof,
• To collect and disseminate information relating to pollution and the prevention, control or abatement thereof,
• To inspect sewage or trade effluent treatment and disposal facilities, and air pollution control systems and to review plans, specification or any other data relating to the treatment plants, disposal systems and air pollution control systems in connection with the consent granted,
• Supporting and encouraging the developments in the fields of pollution control, waste recycle reuse, eco-friendly practices etc.
• To educate and guide the entrepreneurs in improving environment by suggesting appropriate pollution control technologies and techniques
• Creation of public awareness about the clean and healthy environment and attending the public complaints regarding pollution.