Government of West Bengal
Department of Environment
The WBPCB is the frontal organization of the Environment Department for regulating with environmental pollution problems and their control in the State.
WBPCB is a statutory authority entrusted to implement various environmental laws and rules within the jurisdiction of the state of West Bengal, India. WBPCB was constituted immediately after the enactment of the first major environmental legislation of the country, the Water (Prevention and Control of Water Pollution) Act, 1974. At present, the Board implements the provisions of various environmental Acts and Rules, statutes and judicial pronouncements.
Address:
Paribesh Bhavan, 10A, Block-L.A.,
Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700 098
Website: www.wbpcb.gov.in
The West Bengal Biodiversity Board was formed w.e.f. September 16, 2004 in compliance with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as a statutory body under the Department of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal. The WBBB functions towards ensuring proper implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The West Bengal Biological Diversity Rules, 2005 had been notified. It underwent amendment in the year 2009.
Apart from taking various steps for conservation of the biodiversity of the state, Board facilitates the formation the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at local level (block/municipality/corporation level). One of the major jobs of the BMCs to prepare People Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) involving the panchayats and the local people.
Address:The Institute of Environmental Studies & Wetland Management, earlier known as Institute of Wetland Management and Ecological Design (IWMED), was established on 30th November 1985. The institute is now known as the Institute of Environmental Studies & Wetland Management.
Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland Management came under the administrative control of this Department on April 1, 1998. The Institute has been involved in diverse type of research works, such as preparation of wetland inventory, natural resources (forest, crop land etc.) estimation, microbial study, study of biotic parameters and socio-economic survey. The Institute also works as an approved agency for preparation of Costal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) maps for projects coming inside CRZ area.
Address:The East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority, an authority formed under the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006. The Authority is constituted with the Secretaries of different Departments of State Govt. as well as other Govt. officials and three representatives from NGOs under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal. The Authority has been entrusted with the statutory responsibility for conservation and maintenance of the EKW area. The main task of the authority is to maintain the existing land use practices along with its unique waste water recycling activities. The East Kolkata Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules 2006 had been notified.
Address:All developmental projects and activities are broadly categorized in to two categories - Category A and Category B, based on the potential impacts on human health and natural and manmade resources according to MoEF notification SO 1533 dated 14.9.2006.
All projects or activities included as Category ‘A’ in the Schedule require prior environmental clearance from the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on the recommendations of an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
All projects or activities included as Category ‘B’ in the Schedule require prior environmental clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
State level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) shall screen, scope and appraise projects or activities in Category ‘B’.
The SEIAA considers the recommendations of the SEAC and conveys its decision to the applicant.
Address:With the Secretary, Department of Environment as the Chairman, the Authority consists of official members, experts in the field of geology, marine science or oceanography and representatives from local body or NGO. The Authority has been entrusted with the responsibility for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environment pollution in coastal areas of the state of West Bengal. Some of its prominent tasks are:-
