Q.Read the following text carefully : In order to address two major environmental concerns in India, viz. water and air pollution, the government set up the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1974. This was followed by states establishing their own state level boards to address all the environmental concerns. They investigate, collect and disseminate information relating to water, air and land pollution, lay down standards for sewage/trade effluent and emissions. These boards provide technical assistance to governments in promoting cleanliness of streams and wells by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country. These boards also carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution and for their prevention, control or abatement. They organize, through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme for the same. The PCBs prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents. They assess the air quality through regulation of industries. In fact, state boards, through their district level officials, periodically inspect every industry under their jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of treatment measures provided to treat the effluent and gaseous emissions. It also provides background air quality data needed for industrial siting and town planning. The pollution control boards collect, collate and disseminate technical and statistical data relating to water pollution. They monitor the quality of water in 125 rivers (including the tributaries), wells, lakes, creeks, ponds, tanks, drains and canals. On the basis of the given text and common understanding, answer the following questions :

The passage describes India's institutional response to environmental degradation through pollution control boards, which relates to GDP's failure to account for environmental costs and the need for sustainable development.

1. Two concerns for CPCB establishment: The Central Pollution Control Board was set up in 1974 to address water pollution and air pollution in India. These two environmental concerns had become significant enough to warrant a dedicated central authority to monitor, regulate and control pollutants affecting water bodies and air quality across the country.
2. Two functions of CPCB: First, the CPCB lays down standards for sewage, trade effluent and emissions. It sets permissible limits for pollutants that industries and municipalities can discharge into water bodies or release into the atmosphere, providing a regulatory framework for environmental protection. Second, it monitors water quality across 125 rivers (including tributaries), wells, lakes and other water bodies. The board collects, collates and disseminates technical and statistical data on water pollution, enabling evidence-based policy and tracking of pollution trends.
3. Two strategies for sustainable development adopted by India: Institutional framework for pollution control: India established the CPCB (1974) and state-level pollution control boards to regulate environmental degradation. These boards conduct periodic inspections of industries, assess treatment measures for effluents and emissions, and provide technical assistance to governments. This ensures that economic growth does not come at the cost of irreversible environmental damage. …

(a) Two concerns owing to which the CPCB was established

The passage explicitly identifies the environmental problems that prompted the creation of the Central Pollution Control Board in 1974.

Water pollution was the first major concern. Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff were contaminating rivers, wells, and other water bodies, threatening both public health and aquatic ecosystems. The need to maintain the cleanliness of streams and wells, and to prevent further degradation of water quality, required a centralized regulatory authority.

Air pollution was the second driving concern. Emissions from industries and other sources were deteriorating air quality across urban and industrial zones, posing respiratory health risks and environmental damage. The government recognized that controlling and abating air pollution demanded systematic monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement mechanisms that only a dedicated board could provide.

(b) Two functions performed by the CPCB

The Central Pollution Control Board performs a wide array of technical, regulatory, and educational functions. Two core functions stand out from the text.

Setting pollution standards and norms. The CPCB lays down standards for sewage and trade effluent discharge, as well as emission limits for air pollutants. These standards serve as benchmarks against which industrial and municipal discharges are measured. By establishing scientifically grounded thresholds, the board ensures that pollution levels remain within limits that protect human health and the environment. State boards then enforce these standards through periodic inspections of industries, assessing whether treatment measures are adequate.

Monitoring and data dissemination. The CPCB collects, collates, and disseminates technical and statistical data on water and air quality. It monitors water quality in 125 rivers (including tributaries), wells, lakes, and other water bodies, generating a comprehensive database that informs policy decisions. Similarly, it assesses air quality through regulation of industries and provides background air quality data essential for industrial siting and town planning. This monitoring function is critical: without reliable data, neither the government nor the public can gauge the severity of pollution or the effectiveness of control measures.

(c) Two strategies to ensure sustainable development as adopted by India

Sustainable development requires balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. India has adopted several strategies, two of which are evident from the text and broader policy context. …