Established in the year 1975 on notification of the Punjab Government, and to tackle environmental pollution and degradation, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) was established. This statutory body was set up to authorize, establish, promote and maintain standards laid down for the protection of the environment in the State of Punjab and accordance with the provisions mentioned of Environment Law. The PPCB regulates environmental issues that pose a large threat to the safety of living beings. The board further provides assistance to its State to help control, prevent and improve the quality of life by reducing pollution.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has the following goals:
- Controlling pollution at the source in terms of technoeconomic feasibility for liquid effluents and gaseous emissions.
- To prevent pollution of natural waters caused by the discharge of untreated sewage from cities.
- To maximise sewage and trade effluent reuse and recycling, as well as the use of treated effluent on land for irrigation and industrial purposes after appropriate treatment.
- To reduce pollution control requirements whenever possible by strategically locating newly established or relocated industries.
- To carry out functions in the direction of effective water and air pollution control, as well as to maintain and restore the quality of water and air for most designated uses.