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Core Purpose

The Central Government proposes to amend the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, to exempt Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities (CMSWMF) from the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a draft notification, S.O. 4531 (E), dated 3rd October, 2025, proposing amendments to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (S.O.1533 (E), dated 14th September, 2006). This draft is published under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. The core proposal is to omit Item 7(i) and its related entries under the heading “Physical Infrastructure including Environmental Services” in the Schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006, thereby exempting Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities (CMSWMF) from requiring prior Environmental Clearance (EC). This recommendation stems from observations by the sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee and Expert Advisory Committee, which noted that CMSWMF are essential environmental services already governed by stringent regulations under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The CPCB has also introduced a "blue category" for such services, offering incentives like an additional 2 years validity for consent to operate. The exemption is subject to the implementation of environmental safeguards to be enforced by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) through the Consent mechanism. The public is invited to submit objections or suggestions in writing to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or via email at diriapolicy-moefcc@gov.in, within sixty days from the date of Gazette publication. The principal notification was last amended vide S.O. 1223(E), dated 17th March, 2025.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-07102025-266725 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 4403] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025/ASVINA 14, 1947 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 3rd October, 2025 S.O. 4531 (E).—WHEREAS, the Central Government proposes to issue following draft notification in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and accordingly, the same is hereby published, as required under sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for the information of the public likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft notification shall be taken into consideration on or after the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing this notification are made available to the Public; Any person interested in making any objections or suggestions on the proposal contained in the draft notification may forward the same in writing for consideration of the Central Government within the period so specified to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or send it at the e-mail address: diriapolicy-moefcc@gov.in. DRAFT NOTIFICATION S.O. (E).— WHEREAS, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, in exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has published the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the said notification), vide number S.O.1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006 for mandating prior environmental clearance (EC) for certain category of projects; AND WHEREAS, Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility (CMSWMF) are covered under item 7(i) of the EIA Notification 2006 and require prior Environmental Clearance (EC). AND WHEREAS, the sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee has, inter-alia, observed that Environmental Essential Services (EES) projects such Solid Waste Management Facilities are governed under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The regulatory regime under these statutes are stringent and comprehensive, providing for regular monitoring, periodic inspections, and mandatory reporting by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Further, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued by the Central Government include criteria such as site selection for such projects etc. AND WHEREAS, the sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee also observed that the CPCB has introduced a new "blue category" to classify industries providing essential environmental services (EES) like Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities etc. Further, CPCB has also provided certain incentives for such EES such as additional 2 years validity for consent to operate. In this regard, given the regulatory coverage and robust oversight under existing environmental laws, and to encourage EES, the sectoral EAC has recommended that a considered view may be taken by Ministry for exempting such EES from the requirement of prior EC, under the EIA Notification, 2006. AND WHEREAS, the recommendations of Expert Appraisal Committee were referred to the Expert Advisory Committee for examination. After due deliberation the Expert Advisory Committee agreed with the recommendations of the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee and also noted that the Central Government had clarified through OM dated 17th November 2017 that only the Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility (CMSWMF) which included a landfill site required prior EC. In this regard, after due deliberation the Expert Advisory Committee was of the considered view that all CMSWMF may be exempted subject to environmental safeguards to be implemented. AND WHEREAS, CMSWMF are basically essential environment services which play a vital role in protecting environment and human health. These facilities may also bring value addition by producing various by- products such as secondary raw material, compost, energy, etc. and promotes circular economy and sustainable development by converting waste into wealth. Moreover, the role and importance of these facilities is different in nature as compared to other activities and industries in the sense that they are primarily set-up for prevention, control and abatement of soil, water and air pollution. AND WHEREAS, based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee and the Expert Advisory Committee, the Central Government is of the view that Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility (CMSWMF) may be exempted from the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006, subject to implementation of environmental safeguards to be enforced by SPCB/PCC through the Consent mechanism. NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O.1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006, namely: - In the said notification,- In the Schedule to the said notification, under heading, “Physical Infrastructure including Environmental Services", Item 7(i) and the entries relating thereto shall be omitted. [F. No. IA3-22/18/2025-IA.III] RAJAT AGARWAL, Jt. Secy. Note: The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) vide, number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and last amended vide the notification number S.O. 1223(E), dated the 17th March, 2025. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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