Centre proposes green nod exemption for solid waste management, effluent units, Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• The Union Environment Ministry has proposed to exempt common municipal solid waste management facilities (CMSWMF) and common effluent treatment plants (CETP) from obtaining prior environmental clearance.
• Draft notifications were issued on October 3 for CETPs and on October 6 for solid waste facilities, proposing exemptions based on recommendations from the sectoral expert appraisal committee (EAC) on infrastructure projects.
• The draft notifications propose to omit entries related to solid waste municipal management facilities and CETPs from the list of activities needing prior environmental clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006.
• The notifications will be open for public comments, objections, or suggestions for 60 days.

Detailed Insights:

• The EAC stated that solid waste management facilities and CETPs are governed under the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act, 1981, with stringent and comprehensive regulatory regimes.
• The Central Pollution Control Board categorization of industries identifies solid waste management facilities as "essential environmental services".
• The EAC has suggested that all CMSWMF may be exempted subject to the implementation of environmental safeguards.
• Technological advancements and a shift towards sustainable water management practices support the exemption of CETPs, subject to safeguards during construction and operation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities (CMSWMF): Facilities that manage solid waste from multiple municipalities.
• Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP): Plants that treat wastewater from multiple industries or sources.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a proposed project or policy.