Environmental Clearance (EC)
Under the EIA Notification, 2006 (issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986), listed projects need Environmental Clearance before starting. Category A projects are appraised by the MoEF&CC; Category B by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The process includes Terms of Reference, an Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Plan, public consultation, and six-monthly compliance reporting.
Pollution control consents
Under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981, projects need Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board.
Forest and wildlife approvals
Projects using forest land need Forest Clearance under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam (formerly the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980), and projects near protected areas need Wildlife Clearance under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Other key regimes
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002 — access and benefit-sharing
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification for coastal projects
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management) Rules
- Solid, plastic and construction-waste rules
Key takeaways
- EC under the EIA Notification 2006 is the central approval for most large projects
- CTE and CTO come from the State Pollution Control Board
- Forest and Wildlife approvals apply to sensitive land
- Sequencing clearances early avoids costly delays