Board's Achievements

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring System (RTWQMS) constantly monitors and transmits river water quality data, allowing for real-time display on TNPCB's website. This system helps identify pollution sources and assess the impact of industrial activities, leading to effective pollution mitigation measures to safeguard river water quality. The monitoring stations are strategically installed across river stretches which includes Kalingarayan Canal, Bhavani, Noyyal and Thenpennai. These river stretches are under continuous monitoring to ensure timely intervention and effective pollution control measures.

Established India’s first Environment Monitoring Studio in the year 2024, the facility visually tracks hazardous waste, biomedical waste, e-waste movement and Kurungadugal developed by industries while integrating various modules such as the Online Consent Management and Monitoring System, Online Grievance Petition and Redressal System, Online Legal Cases Management and Monitoring System, and the Integrated Lab Module. It also features a web-based geospatial service, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System with 38 stations, and real-time stack emission monitoring and effluent monitoring for highly polluting industries. Additionally, the studio monitors water quality in rivers and oversees the functioning and evaluation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) of industries, and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) operated by local bodies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to environmental regulation and sustainability.

"Meendum Manjappai campaign”, a flagship programme of Government of Tamil Nadu was launched in the year 2021 successfully reintroduced the eco-friendly cloth bag as a practical and symbolic alternative to plastics. This community-driven campaign advocates for the widespread use of "Manjappai” as an eco-friendly substitute for single-use plastics, aiming to transform public behavior while strengthening the local ecoalternative supply chain.

TNPCB, in coordination with Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Government of India, organized a first of its kind National Expo on Eco alternatives to SUPs and a Start-up Conference 2022 in the month of September 2022 at Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai for the manufacture and sales of alternatives to plastic, promote use of such alternatives to banned plastic and to create awareness among the public on alternatives available for SUPs.

The expo had participation from across the country was a great success with over 5000 people visiting it and over 170 stalls being put up by various vendors dealing with alternatives to plastic, alternatives product manufacturing machineries, pollution detecting devices and financial institutions. In addition to the exhibition, 5 panel discussions were organized with an active participation of the distinguished panelists and experts from reputable institutions.

To improve accessibility to eco-friendly alternatives, "Manjappai Vending Machines" were introduced in high-traffic public spaces, making Tamil Nadu the first state to implement this concept and inspired similar efforts nationwide. As of March 2025, 203 machines across 38 districts have dispensed 4.2 lakh cloth bags.

To foster behavioral change and inspiring collective action against single-use plastics, over 2.53 lakh awareness initiatives have reached communities across Tamil Nadu, with 7.4 lakh cloth bags distributed to promote eco-friendly practices. Animated videos aired through Kalvi Tholaikatchi have educated 60,000 schools, highlighting the environmental hazards of plastics and the benefits of sustainable alternatives

In October 2023, the State launched the Manjappai Brigade in Chennai, leveraging electric bikes to effectively raise awareness about the SUP ban, promote eco-friendly alternatives, and identify SUP sources. In its first phase, the brigade reached over 14,000 locations and engaged 1,25,000 people. Building on its success, the initiative has expanded to four cities, now mobilizing 44 dedicated eco-warriors across Chennai (including the Blue Brigade at Marina Beach), Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kodaikanal, amplifying its impact in the fight against plastic pollution.

To promote the SUP ban and the Meendum Manjappai campaign, Manjappai Kiosks have been strategically installed at Besant Nagar and Neelankarai Beaches in Chennai. These solar-powered kiosks serve as hubs of engagement, featuring a Manjappai Vending Machine, a Reverse Vending Machine, and video displays that provide information on banned SUPs and eco-friendly alternatives. The kiosks host weekly awareness events with school children, encouraging visitors to actively participate in the impact, cause. To ensure the initiative’s sustainability and long-term partnerships with local industries have been established to support and organize these ongoing activities

In also another landmark initiative, the Meendum Manjappai campaign is set to launch a year-long massive State-wide cleanup and plastic waste collection drives on 25.01.2025. The drive encompasses three primary activities: a plastic collection drive to ensure proper segregation and disposal of plastic waste, a cleanup drive to engage citizens and stakeholders in cleaning public spaces and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. The drive will continue on the 4tH Saturday of every month throughout 2025 across all urban local bodies, town panchayats, and village blocks ensuring consistent citizen and stakeholder engagement in To tackling plastic pollution.

To make eco alternatives affordable, TNPCB’s organized "Bag-Athon" hackathon and developed durable cloth bags from innovative materials such as materials such as dhoti fabric waste, selvage waste, tailoring scraps, and Nadu’s banana stem fiber, priced under Rs.5, showcasing Tamil leadership in fostering sustainability and reducing single-use plastics

To promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices through innovative initiatives. Conclave, On 13.11.2024, bringing TNPCB together organized manufacturers, the Eco-Alternatives industry experts, and policymakers to discuss the effective implementation of the SUP ban and strategies to strengthen the eco-alternative industry. During the event, a revised Eco-Alternatives Directory was unveiled, providing district- wise details of 358 eco-alternative manufacturers across Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts.

Mainstreaming of Rag Pickers in Circular Economy, a pilot project conducted in Zone 13 & 14 of Greater Chennai Corporation to increase waste collection, promote circular economy and bring revival in the lives of Garbage Collectors.

To create healthy ecosystems and effectively capture carbon, 1000 Kurungadugals were developed by the industries with indigenous trees species. This initiative shall mitigate the climate change impacts and in tune with objectives.

Voluntary Green Rating for industries was launched on 04.02.2025 by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to evaluate their environmental performance and encourage the adoption of clean and green technologies. This rating system aims to incentivize industries towards more sustainable practices, aligning with global environmental standards to combat climate change. The green rating will assess the "green footprints" of various industries in Tamil Nadu, providing momentum for enhanced environmental initiatives.

Online waste Exchange Bureau is a web-based computer application is launched on 04.02.2025 by Hon’ble Chief Minister to bring together all the stakeholders of waste management viz waste seller (generator), waste buyer (recycler, preprocessor, utiliser), waste management experts and consultants, waste transporters etc on one platform for maximizing the waste recycling and utilization and minimizing the waste disposal. It will help to conserve precious virgin raw materials/resources and promote Circular Economy.

Following significant environmental incidents, including an oil spill and ammonia gas leak, the Government of Tamil Nadu has established the Manali-Ennore Restoration & Rejuvenation Council (MERRC) in the year 2024. This Special Purpose Vehicle focuses on greening, water body and mangrove restoration, solid waste management, pollution control, and community infrastructure development in Manali and Ennore, ensuring a holistic approach to ecological restoration.

TNPCB, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), has initiated a Soil Quality Mapping initiative. This project aims to assess soil health around industrial zones, preventing land degradation and promoting sustainable land use practices.

To combat marine plastic pollution and protect marine biodiversity, the Tamil Nadu Government launched the pioneering Tamil Nadu Fishnet Initiatives (TNFI). Under this novel initiative, the first Discarded Fishnet Collection Centre was established at Kasimedu, Chennai, on 14th August 2024. This centre collects abandoned fishnets and marine plastic debris, which are segregated and sent for recycling, with around 10,000 kg of discarded fishnets collected so far. Guided by the government’s vision of sustainability and circularity, this initiative will expand with similar centres across 14 coastal districts, fostering a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.