4.1 - Central Government

Environmental management in India is a complex system that addresses various areas such as water supply, sewerage disposal, solid waste management, and pollution control. This management system is organized through a network of government authorities at three levels: central, state, and local. Each level has specific responsibilities that are outlined in the Constitution and various laws and government schemes.

At the national level, there are key authorities responsible for managing water supply. The Ministry of Jal Shakti oversees the overall management of water resources in India. This includes ensuring that there are adequate supplies of drinking water and sanitation facilities. The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS) plays a crucial role by providing the necessary policies, technical help, and financial resources to state governments for addressing water supply and sanitation, especially in rural areas.

State governments have a critical role in managing water supply within their jurisdictions. They are responsible for planning and approving water projects, ensuring that both rural and urban areas have access to safe drinking water. The Public Health Engineering Departments (PHED) are key agencies at the state level that specialize in the execution of water supply projects. They ensure that infrastructure is built properly to deliver clean water to people.

At the local level, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have the task of managing water supply directly in their communities. ULBs, such as municipalities and municipal corporations, focus on providing water in urban areas. In contrast, PRIs are tasked with ensuring that rural areas have access to water, which supports the decentralization initiative that empowers local governance.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is the central authority responsible for urban sanitation and sewerage systems in India. This includes developing policies related to urban sanitation, providing necessary guidance, and offering funding to help implement these policies. MoHUA oversees significant programs like Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), aimed at improving sanitation across urban areas, and AMRUT, which focuses on urban infrastructure improvements.

State governments hold the responsibility for the overall planning and operation of sewerage systems within urban areas. They ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to manage sewage effectively. Local Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) then take on the day-to-day responsibilities of implementing, operating, and maintaining these sewerage systems to ensure they function properly and safely.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) plays an essential role in solid waste management at the national level by issuing regulations and standards. One significant regulation is the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, which helps guide local and state authorities in managing waste. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for monitoring compliance with these regulations, ensuring that waste management practices adhere to the set guidelines.

At the local level, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are responsible for the daily activities involved in solid waste management. This includes collecting waste from households, transporting it to processing centers, handling disposal, and ensuring waste is sorted correctly. Municipal authorities directly implement solid waste management policies at the community level, managing treatment facilities and landfill sites needed for waste disposal.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the leading organization in India focused on controlling pollution related to air and water. It establishes national standards for air and water quality, ensuring that pollutants remain within acceptable limits. The CPCB also coordinates various monitoring activities across the nation to track pollution levels and works closely with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to enforce these standards.

At the state level, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are responsible for enforcing pollution control laws. They monitor compliance, issue permits to industries, and respond to pollution incidents. Additional organizations, like the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), focus specifically on cleaning rivers, while the National Green Tribunal (NGT) serves as a judicial body to handle cases related to environmental law violations.

This summary table outlines the key authorities and their respective roles in environmental management across different sectors, including water supply, sewerage disposal, solid waste management, and pollution monitoring. It highlights how responsibilities are divided among central, state, and local authorities, showcasing the different functions each level performs to ensure effective environmental governance.

In India, the structure of environmental management is designed in a way that responsibilities are interconnected across different government levels. The central government mainly provides regulations and financial support, while state governments are responsible for planning and executing these regulations. Local authorities carry out the day-to-day operations to implement these plans. This tiered system ensures a collaborative approach to pollution monitoring and control, facilitating better resource management and effective response to environmental challenges.