Industrialization and urbanization in Gujarat from last two to three decades has experienced revolutionary rapid industrial growth. Due to this industrialization, problems of environmental pollution of a variety in nature have cropped up in the state. This environmental pollution can result in irreversible changes which might damage the eco-system as well as climate and create diseases which will be difficult to control, if proper effective measures are not taken in time or if continuous vigilance is not maintained. In 1990 to 1994, due to effluent of industries like chemicals, dye and dye-intermediates, power plant, pulp and paper mills, rolling mills, bulk drug, pharmaceuticals, pesticides etc created problems of pollution of Khari cut canal and river Khari. Subsequently, the farmers from the villages of Kheda District filed a writ petition in the Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat. In 1996, the Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat in their verdict directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for implementation of an Environmental Audit Scheme for the industries in the State of Gujarat.

The scheme classified the industries which are required to submit periodical audit reports and the time table thereof. It provides for submission of the audit reports to the GPCB first and subsequent action to be taken on. The scheme also envisages actions for failure to submit report for industries and furnishing incorrect information on the part of auditors.

It is a management tool comprising of a systematic, documented, periodic, and objective evaluation of how well the environment management systems are performing with the aim of :

• Waste prevention and reduction,
• Assessing compliance with regulatory requirements,
• Facilitating control of environment practices by a company management
• Placing environmental information in the public domain

Shroff S R Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology is also a GPCB recognized Schedule-I auditor since 17th January, 2014 and is involved in Environment audit, Adequacy certification of EMS, Analysis of air, water, soil, hazardous waste etc. We have a well equipped 67sq m Environmental Laboratory having sophisticated instruments.