Explain the key provisions of the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025. Assess their potential to strengthen hazardous waste management.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Q6. Explain the key provisions of the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025. Assess their potential to strengthen hazardous waste management. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question The rules were recently notified and mark India’s first dedicated legal framework for …

Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025

Source:  TH Context: The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, offering India its first legal framework to scientifically identify, assess, and clean up chemically contaminated sites. About Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025: What It Is? A comprehensive legal framework under the Environment (Protection) Act, …

CPCB Drafts India’s First Solar Waste Playbook

Syllabus: Pollution Source:  DTE Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released draft guidelines on June 4, 2025, for managing solar photovoltaic (PV) waste under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. About CPCB Drafts India’s First Solar Waste Playbook: What is Solar Waste? Solar waste refers to end-of-life solar PV modules, panels, or cells discarded from …

Blue Category of Industries

Source:  DTE Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced a new ‘Blue Category’ of industries under Essential Environmental Services (EES), controversially including Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators, previously classified as highly polluting Red Category industries. About Blue Category of Industries: What is the Blue Category of Industries? The Blue Category was introduced by the CPCB …

Dhansiri River

Source:  NIE Context: An environmentalist from Assam has raised alarm over alleged hazardous effluent discharge by Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) into the Dhansiri River, prompting calls for CPCB investigation due to risks to aquatic life. About Dhansiri River: What it is? Dhansiri is a perennial river and a major south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra …

Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024

Source:  MoEFCC  Context: The Central Government has announced amendments to the Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008, through the Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024. About Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024: Launched by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Aim: To improve fund management, ensure efficient disbursement, and enhance environmental restoration efforts. Features: Fund …

Central Pollution Control Board

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE  Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has collected over Rs 777 crore in environment protection charge (EPC) and environmental compensation (EC) funds, but only about Rs 156 crore, or 20%, has been utilized.   The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) receives compensation under two categories: Environment Protection …

Ozone Pollution

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: HT   Context: As per the CPCB, Ground-level ozone (O3) has started to emerge as Delhi’s lead pollutant during the day, particularly after rain, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)   About Ground-level Ozone:  Ground-level ozone is a type of pollutant that is produced when two …

No action plan by MoEF&CC to handle plastic waste finds CAG

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environment Conservation Source: DTE Context: As per the recent audit by CAG of MoEF&CC, it was found that the ministry has a mechanism  to assess the generation of plastic waste, but none for its collection and safe disposal     Key findings of the CAG report: MoEF&CC has no action plan …

A renewable energy revolution, rooted in agriculture

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environmental Conservation   Source: The Hindu Context: The first bio-energy plant of a private company in the Sangrur district of Punjab will produce Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from paddy straw, thus converting agricultural waste into wealth.   Benefits of CBG plant: From paddy stubble, CBG valued at ₹46 per kg as …

Gujarat HC order on Sabarmati river conservation

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation and pollution related issues.   river conservation Context: Gujarat High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the slow death of Sabarmati river due to effluent discharge. In this regard, it has delivered a judgement recently.   The High Court order: Industrial units found to have discharged pollutants into the …