Bihar Reviews Pollution Control Efforts and Climate Action Plans

Chirag Gupta

Patna: A review meeting on the activities of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board was held at Aranya Bhawan under the chairmanship of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Dr. Prem Kumar. Senior officials from the Pollution Control Board, Biodiversity Board, and other departments attended the meeting to discuss initiatives and progress in pollution control and environmental protection.

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board, established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, has expanded its air quality monitoring network to 35 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Centres (CAAQMS) across 23 districts. Action plans for controlling air pollution in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya are being implemented. In partnership with Banaras Hindu University, studies on emission sources in Patna are underway, while I.I.T. Kanpur is utilising indigenous technology to monitor air quality in all 38 districts over the next three years.

Efforts to reduce pollution include transitioning brick kilns to cleaner technologies and banning the use of furnace oil, coal, and wood (except husk) in industrial units where cleaner fuels like CNG/PNG are available. The Board is also analysing water quality at 34 sites along the Ganga River, its tributaries, and groundwater locations, with most parameters meeting standards, except for bacterial counts. Additionally, a Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Development Pathway is being developed in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme.

To enhance operational efficiency, the Board has digitised its processes, including online consent applications and auto-renewals, since 2016. A specialised air laboratory is also under construction in the Patliputra Industrial Area. The State’s Climate Change Action Plan for 2024-2030 has been approved by the State Level Steering Committee, further strengthening Bihar’s commitment to sustainability.

The minister commended the Board’s efforts and directed officials to expedite pending tasks to ensure timely progress in Bihar’s environmental and climate initiatives.