Latest news with #EnvironmentProtectionAct
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Procedure to redress chemically contaminated sites gets legal teeth
The Environment Ministry has notified new rules under the Environment Protection Act that lays out a process to address sites that are chemically contaminated. Called the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, these give a legal structure to the process of contamination, that until now was missing despite several sites being already identified across the country for decades. Contaminated sites, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, are those where hazardous and other wastes were dumped historically. This has most likely resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Some of the sites were contaminated when there was no regulation on management of hazardous wastes. In some instances, polluters, responsible for contamination, have either shut their operations or the cost of remediation is beyond their capacity, thus the sites remain a threat to the environment. These sites may include landfills, dumps, waste storage and treatment sites, spill sites, and chemical waste handling and storage sites. There are 103 such sites across the country. Only in seven sites remedial operation has commenced, which involves cleaning the contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water and sediments by adopting appropriate technologies. A senior official in the Environment Ministry told The Hindu that the latest rules — made public on July 25 — were part of a process of 'legally codifying' the process in place once contaminated sites were identified. Under these rules, the district administration would prepare half-yearly reports on 'suspected contaminated sites'. A State Board, or a reference organisation, would examine these sites and provide a 'preliminary assessment' within 90 days of being thus informed. Following these, it would have another three months to make a detailed survey and finalise if these sites were indeed 'contaminated'. This would involve establishing the levels of suspected hazardous chemicals – there are currently 189 marked ones under the provisions of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2016 – and if these exceeded safe levels, the location of these sites would be publicised and restrictions placed on accessing it. A 'reference organisation' — basically a body of experts — would be tasked with specifying a remediation plan. The State Board would also have 90 days to identify the person(s) responsible for the contamination. Those deemed responsible would have to pay for the cost of remediation of the site, else the Centre and the State — under a prescribed arrangement — would arrange for the costs of clean-up. 'Any criminal liability, if it is proved that such contamination caused loss of life or damage would be under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023),' the official told The Hindu. However, contamination resulting from radioactive waste, mining operations, pollution of the sea by oil, solid waste from dump sites would not be dealt with under the provisions of these laws as they are governed by separate legislation.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala High Court upholds ban on single-use plastic items
The Kerala High Court has upheld the orders that the State government had issued in 2019 imposing a ban on the manufacture, storage, transport, and sale of single-use plastic items in the State from January 1, 2020. A Bench of Justice Viju Abraham upheld the orders while dismissing petitions filed by Kerala Plastic Manufacturers' Association challenging them. The banned plastic items included plastic carry bags of varying thickness, plastic sheets, single-use utensils like cups, plates, dishes, spoons, forks, straws, and bowls, PET bottles less than 300 ml, flags, and non-woven bags. The petitioners questioned the State government's competence to issue the orders without corresponding Central rules. The State contended that the orders were issued under the Environment Protection Act, a power that the Supreme Court had upheld. On the petitioners' challenging fines imposed on them for illegal manufacture and storage of single-use plastic, the High Court said, 'It is for the petitioners to work out their remedy in appropriate proceedings.' The court further added that the government was duty-bound to implement the directions in government orders as well as rules framed by the Centre.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Central committee inspects constructions at Bheemili beach
Visakhapatnam: An expert committee constituted by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change conducted an inspection on Friday at Bheemili beach to assess unauthorised constructions allegedly carried out by Avyaan Realtors, owned by P Neha Reddy and P Rohit Reddy—the daughter and son-in-law of former Rajya Sabha member P Vijaya Sai Reddy. These constructions reportedly violated coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules. The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority has filed a case in the Bheemili court against the company for constructing a concrete wall within CRZ limits without prior approval, violating provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Though the GVMC partially demolished the wall up to ground level, underground remnants still remain to be cleared. This inspection follows a public interest litigation (PIL No. 53/2024) filed in the AP High Court by Jana Sena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav, who raised concerns about the large-scale unauthorised concrete structures built on the beach. The High Court ordered the immediate demolition of the illegal constructions and directed authorities to enforce environmental regulations strictly. The expert committee, comprising scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography, Coastal Zone Management Authority, State Pollution Control Board, and Central environment ministry, inspected the site to evaluate the environmental damage caused by the constructions. The committee also collected detailed information related to the case from Murthy Yadav and is expected to submit its report to the high court. The CRZ regulations, framed under the Environment Protection Act, aim to safeguard coastal ecosystems by restricting constructions within a buffer zone from the high tide line.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CZMA initiates legal action against Vijaya Sai's daughter
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA) has filed a case in the Bheemili court against Avyaan Realtors, owned by P Neha Reddy and P Rohit Reddy — the daughter and son-in-law of former MP P Vijaya Sai Reddy — for allegedly carrying out illegal constructions along Visakhapatnam's beach road near Bheemili without obtaining coastal regulation zone (CRZ) permissions. According to APCZMA's complaint, the accused constructed a concrete wall within the CRZ limits without prior approval, violating provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Although the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation partially demolished the wall up to ground level, underground remnants remain to be cleared. This legal action follows a public interest litigation (PIL No. 53/2024) filed in the high court by Janasena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav. In response, the court directed authorities to enforce environmental regulations and ensure removal of unauthorised structures. The court confirmed the ongoing violations and ordered immediate demolition and restoration of the affected coastal stretch. Earlier, GVMC had issued provisional and final notices to the firm, instructing the removal of the illegal structure on the seaward side. After the company allegedly failed to comply, GVMC proceeded with demolition and said that it would recover the associated costs under the AP Municipal Corporation Act, 1955. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo by Taboola by Taboola A central inspection team from the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change is expected to visit the site to assess the environmental impact. For the uniformed, CRZ rules, framed under the Environment Protection Act, are designed to protect coastal ecosystems by restricting construction within a designated buffer zone from the high tide line. Any development in this zone requires explicit permission from CZMA and environmental clearance. However, observers point to possible lapses in enforcement and oversight by local authorities and urban planning departments when the structure was constructed without permissions.
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Hans India
Intensified campaign launched to prevent plastic pollution
Nandyal: In a major move towards environmental protection, the Nandyal district administration has launched an intensified campaign to eliminate plastic pollution under the Swarna Andhra – Swachh Andhra (SASA) initiative. District Collector G Rajakumari has announced a one-month deadline for reducing the usage of banned single-use plastic (SUP) items across the district on Saturday. The Collector urged the public, traders and institutions to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and support the campaign for a cleaner and greener environment. The Collector emphasised that after the one-month grace period, stringent legal action will be initiated against those involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution, usage and transportation of prohibited SUP products. Enforcement will be carried out by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), municipal bodies, panchayat departments, and other regulatory authorities. Action plans have already been drawn up to monitor violations and impose penalties as per established norms. As per the enforcement guidelines, manufacturers and importers of banned SUPs will face a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence, along with confiscation of the goods. Repeat offenders will be liable to pay Rs 1,00,000 in fines, face seizure of products and machinery, revocation of licenses, and prosecution under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Distributors, importers, and e-commerce platforms found storing or distributing SUPs will be penalised Rs 25,000 initially, with additional charges of Rs 10 per kg of plastic seized. A second violation will attract a Rs 50,000 fine and legal prosecution. Penalties for retailers and vendors are also clearly defined. Street vendors found selling banned plastics will be fined Rs 2,500 for a first offence and Rs 5,000 for repeat violations, which may also lead to business closure. Shops and commercial establishments will face fines of Rs 20,000 for initial violations and up to Rs 40,000 and licence cancellation for subsequent offences. Transportation of SUPs will also be closely monitored, with special enforcement teams imposing fines and seizing vehicles, if necessary. The administration has appealed to the public to strictly avoid banned plastics and warned that violators will face tough consequences.
