Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Presides over 51st Foundation Day of CPCB in New Delhi

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) celebrated its 51st Foundation Day at Parivesh Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Extending greetings to CPCB officials, Shri Yadav lauded the institution’s five-decade-long journey, highlighting that its reports have earned credibility among both citizens and the judiciary. He stressed that as India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, environmental norms must evolve in tandem with economic growth to ensure that “economy and ecology go hand-in-hand.”

The Minister underlined the need for collaboration with IITs, academic institutions, and research bodies to develop cleaner technologies and low-polluting alternatives. He called upon CPCB to emerge as the umbrella organisation for capacity building of State Boards and agencies in environmental matters.

Reflecting on recent reforms such as the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 and the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, Shri Yadav noted that regulations alone cannot drive change without a shift in societal behaviour. “It is important to link social science with science and technology to bring about behavioural change and collective environmental consciousness,” he said.

On the occasion, the Minister laid the foundation stone of CPCB’s new building and inaugurated two new laboratories at CPCB’s Regional Directorates in Pune and Shillong, equipped to monitor 70 and 62 environmental parameters respectively. These will strengthen monitoring in Maharashtra and the North-Eastern states.

The upgraded SAMEER App (Version 2.0) was launched with a new interface, personalized alerts, and location-based services, enhancing citizen engagement on air quality data. Shri Yadav also handed out offer letters to 13 new recruits, strengthening CPCB’s human resources.

Two important publications were released during the event:

• ‘Classification of Polluted River Stretches, 2025’ – based on national water quality monitoring data.

• ‘Manual on Identification of Non-Polluted and Polluted Stretches and Water Bodies through Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrates in India’.

The event was attended by MoEFCC Secretary Tanmay Kumar; DG (Forest) & Special Secretary Sushil Kumar Awasthi; Additional Secretary and CPCB Chairman Vir Vikram Yadav; Additional Secretary Amandeep Garg, along with senior government officials, CPCB Board Members, SPCB and PCC representatives, industry associations, academicians, experts, international organisations, civil society, media, and CPCB employees.