The Government of Gujarat constituted the GPCB (Gujarat Pollution Control Board) on 15.10.1974 as per provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the with a view to protect the environment, prevent and control the pollution of water in the State of Gujarat, that occupies a prominent niche in progressive and industrial development of the country. The Board has been entrusted with the Central Acts and relevant Rules for pollution control as notified thereof from time to time.

The Board had initially, staff of 25 in 1974. Though, the staff strength has increased to 427 yet it is far less than that required by the Board to implement aforesaid laws, effectively. As of today, there are 87 engineers and 97 scientist and analysts.

There were thirteen Regional Offices made functional so far. There are six Regional Offices attached with laboratory facilities are located at Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Rajkot and Jamnagar. Regional Offices Godhra, Mehsana, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar are yet being equipped for analytical facilities. Three Regional Offices located at Bhuj, Nadiad and Junagadh are under development stages.

It is decided to open five additional Regional Offices each at Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar, Ankleshwar, Porbandar and Surendranagar. Regional Office Gandhinagar functions from existing premise of GPCB, Gandhinagar. Himmatnagar and Ankleshwar are made functional. Regional Offices Porbandar and Surendranagar are in transit stage and will continue to function from existing Regional Office of the Board located and Jamnagar and Rajkot respectively.

The Head Office performs activities concerning general polices and enforcement of various provisions of the Acts as well as general administration and co-ordination with other agencies. The Central Laboratory at Gandhinagar provided facilities for analysis of samples collected by RO, Ahmedabad, RO, Mehsana and RO Himmatnagar besides being involved in development of methods for analysis of water, wastewater, gases and hazardous waste samples. The Central Laboratory is being equipped to take up R&D Programmes for developing methods of treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents. The important functions being performed by the Central Laboratory and Regional Offices include monitoring of water and air quality, effluent sampling and analysis, inspection in respect of performance of effluent treatment plants and air pollution control equipment, inspection of sites proposed for establishment of industrial projects to check the suitability of the same from the environmental point of view, guidance to the industry and other agencies, co-ordination with local bodies and industries implementation of various projects such as coastal survey, river basin studies, GEMS and MINARS projects to check the quality of water resources, AAQM project to check ambient air quality, providing support to the Head Office in the matters relating to the finalization of NOC Consent applications and in the investigations of complaints etc.