Kerala State Pollution Control Board

Environmental Capacity Building
A well made plan can contribute significantly to economic and social development and minimise the adverse impacts on the environment. It is with this intention that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conceived, in 1994, the preparation of district level zoning atlases. Over the years the concept has been extended to the planning of industrial estates, eco-tourism and eco-cities. These projects are implemented by the State Boards with assistance from Central Board.

Zoning Atlas
Zoning Atlas aims to categorise different areas in a district on the basis of suitability for setting up industries. The aim is to minimise environmental impacts resulting from the setting up of industries. The Atlas consists of easy-to-read maps in 1:250000 scale. The Atlas indicates the capacity of different regions in a district to assimilate pollution and it also helps to identify sites suitable for putting up a particular type of industry. Mapping, GIS and computer applications are extensively used in the study.

Industrial Estate Planning
Industrial Estate Planning is a micro-level study (of scale 1:50000 and lower) and the methodology is similar to that for preparation of Zoning Atlas. The study is undertaken in areas identified as suitable for industries in the Zoning Atlas. The study identifies sites suitable for setting up industrial estates, the types of industries compatible with those areas and the waste disposal measures required for the area. The study also recommends the land use control to be enforced in the surrounding areas.

Implementation by Board
In 1995 the Kerala State Pollution Control Board received technical and financial assistance from the Central Pollution Control Board to commence preparation of the Zoning Atlas for siting of Industries in Palakkad. The Board entrusted the cartographic work under the project to the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram. The draft report was presented before prospective users from Government departments and agencies and the final report was made after incorporating the views expressed by these agencies. The report can be purchased for Rs. 200/-.

The Zoning Atlas programme was reorganised by the Central Board as Environmental Management Capacity Building Project (EMCBP) with assistance from the World Bank. In 1997, under EMCB project, the Board commenced preparation of the Zoning Atlases for Ernakulam and Kannur and Industrial Estate Plan for Kanjikode, Palakkad. CESS carried out the cartographic as well as the digitisation work. The reports on Preparation of Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries in Kannur and Ernakulam and the Industrial Estate Plan for Kanjikode are awaiting clearance of the Central Government for publication.

In 2000 the Board commenced preparation of Zoning Atlases for Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod and the Project “Environmentally Sound Development Concept for Tourist Destinations-Bekal Fort, Kasaragod” after the CPCB provided financial assistance for taking up the work. This work is progressing. The Central Board also sanctioned the setting up of the Centre for Spatial Environmental Planning in the Board and the required hardware, software and manpower are being provided.