1. Compliance with the Environment Protection Act, 1986
All industrial zones in India are governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which empowers the central government to:
- Set standards for emissions and effluents
- Regulate hazardous processes and substances
- Monitor industrial impact on air, water, and soil quality
Industrial units must operate within the permissible environmental limits notified under this Act.
2. Consent from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
Before setting up and operating any industrial facility, units within industrial zones must obtain:
- Consent to Establish (CTE) – prior to construction
- Consent to Operate (CTO) – before commencing operations
These are issued by the respective State Pollution Control Board, based on the unit’s category (red, orange, green) and its potential to cause pollution.
3. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006
Large or high-risk industrial projects within zones may be subject to Environmental Clearance (EC) as per the EIA Notification. This involves:
- Conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment study
- Hosting public consultations for certain project types
- Approval from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
EIA clearance is mandatory for industries such as chemical plants, metallurgical units, thermal power stations, and other red-category developments.
4. Zoning and Buffer Regulations
Industrial zones are typically planned with specific zoning rules that define:
- Minimum buffer distances from residential, agricultural, or eco-sensitive areas
- Land use compatibility to prevent environmental hazards
- Site-specific conditions such as elevation, proximity to water bodies, and greenbelt requirements
These ensure safe and sustainable industrial placement.
5. Effluent and Waste Management Norms
Industrial units must follow guidelines for:
- Installation and operation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) or Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
- Pre-treatment of wastewater before discharge into public drains or surface water
- Solid waste and hazardous waste disposal as per the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
Industries are also required to maintain logs of waste generation and treatment.
6. Air and Noise Pollution Control Standards
Under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Noise Pollution Rules, industrial zones must:
- Maintain emission levels of Particulate Matter (PM), SO₂, NOx, CO, and other pollutants within prescribed limits
- Install chimney stacks, scrubbers, and filters to control air emissions
- Limit noise levels from machinery and operations, particularly near residential areas or during night-time
Regular air and noise monitoring is mandated for compliance.
7. Mandatory Green Belt and Tree Plantation
Environmental norms require industrial estates to allocate land for:
- Green belts along boundaries, roads, and within industrial layouts
- Tree plantation programs for dust control and noise attenuation
- Development of common parks or buffer zones as per planning regulations
These green measures help absorb pollutants and improve ecological balance.
8. Water Resource Regulation and Groundwater Use
Industries must comply with Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, especially if they extract groundwater for operations. Requirements include:
- No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater withdrawal
- Installation of water meters and recharge systems
- Adoption of rainwater harvesting and recycling technologies
Water usage must be efficient and sustainable to avoid depletion and contamination.
9. Periodic Environmental Audits and Reporting
Industries within notified zones must conduct:
- Environmental audits to assess compliance with emission and waste norms
- Self-monitoring and reporting to SPCBs, including online submission of environmental performance data
- Maintenance of environmental registers and compliance records
Non-compliance can lead to penalties, closure notices, or license revocation.
