CPCB issues Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing Units
Stone crushing operation releases a substantial amount of fugitive dust, which not only pollutes the environment, but also poses a health hazards to the workers and the surrounding population. This poses a challenge to maintain the ambient air quality, which is possible if environmental guidelines predetermined by the industry concerned are followed.
Thermal Power Plants must comply with Emission Norms
MoEF&CC has specified timelines for SO2 compliance for non-retiring Thermal Power Plants for compliance to emission norms. For non-compliance beyond the specified timelines, MoEF&CC has prescribed environment compensation on the non-retiring thermal power plants.
Clarifications regarding management of E-waste
MoEF & CC has comprehensively revised the previous set of Rules and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November, 2022 and the same is enforce since 1st April, 2023. These new rules intend to manage e-waste in an environmentally sound manner and put in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on portal developed by CPCB.
State/UT Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority and Expert Appraisal Committee Constituted for Puducherry
The Environment Impact Assessment Authority will play a crucial role in assessing the potential environmental impacts of various projects and activities in the Puducherry region. An Expert Appraisal Committee has also been constituted to assist in the decision-making process.
Draft Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2023
The rules are designed to establish a comprehensive framework for the effective functioning of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) and to promote the welfare of animals in every district.
E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023
Incorporating crucial amendments to the existing E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, the newly introduced provisions highlight the importance of adopting approved destruction technologies for managing refrigerants. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue guidelines to oversee the proper implementation of these technologies.
Draft Classification of Industrial Sectors into Red, Orange, Green and White Categories: A Tool for Progressive Environmental Management
The revised classification methodology seeks to encourage industries to shift towards less polluting practices and embrace cleaner technology options, ultimately leading to an improvement in their environmental performance.
CPCB Estimates E-Waste Generation in India and Ministry Introduces New Rules for Better Management
According to the data collected from countrywide sales and the average life of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as mandated under the E-waste Management Rules, 2016, India generated approximately 13,46,496.31 tonnes and 16,01,155.36 tonnes of e-waste in the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively.
Status of Pollution Control in National Capital Region
To combat stubble burning and promote more sustainable crop residue management, the government has explored policy interventions that encourage environmentally sound practices. This includes the use of crop residue as supplementary fuel, offering additional sources of income to farmers, improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating employment opportunities.
MoEFCC constitutes Regional Offices and Sub-offices
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has disintegrated Integrated Regional Offices and constituted 11 (eleven) Regional Offices (ROs) with 9 Sub-offices. The head of each of the ROs will be called Deputy Director General of Forests (Central), Regional Office, MoEF&CC. All 11 Regional Office (RO) shall work as a regional unit of the MoEF&CC.