CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Env & Eco)

Context: Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 346 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• About: It is a statutory organization, that was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment and Forests
• CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Functions:

oAdvise the Central Government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.

oPlan and cause to be executed a nationwide program for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;

oCo-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;

oPlan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;

oOrganise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

• About: A set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region. 
• Origin: Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017, the plan was formulated.
• Basis: It is based on a plan that was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016.