Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025. These rules aim to ensure that polluted sites are cleaned up (remediated) by the responsible parties. A contaminated site refers to areas where hazardous waste was previously dumped, polluting soil and water, and posing health and ecological threats.
ЁЯФС Key Highlights of the Rules
Contaminants Covered: 189 hazardous substances are covered as per the 2016 Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules.
Exclusions: Radioactive waste, mining waste, oil spills at sea, and solid waste dumps are excluded as they are covered under separate laws.
Response Levels: Different response protocols are set for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
ЁЯзк Contaminated Site Management Procedure
Site Identification: Local bodies and district administrations must report suspected sites twice a year to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
Site Assessment: SPCBs will inspect these sites and submit findings to CPCB through a central portal.
Polluter Identification: SPCBs will identify the polluter. If land is sold, the new owner becomes liable.
Clean-Up Plan: The polluter must pay for clean-up using an approved agency. If the polluter is not identified, SPCB will execute the clean-up.
ЁЯТ╕ Funding & Penalties
Funding for assessment and remediation will be initially provided by:
The Central Government (via Environmental Relief Fund under Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991)
The State Government
If the polluter is identified later, they must repay the amount within 3 months.
Penalties: The State Board can fine those who fail to clean up contaminated sites, especially when health is at risk.
ЁЯУЬ Legal Significance
These rules fill the legal gap regarding legacy pollution sites, and also introduce the option for voluntary remediation by stakeholders.
тЬЕ UPSC Prelims-Style MCQ
Q. With reference to the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, consider the following statements:
The rules include provisions for voluntary remediation of legacy pollution sites.
Radioactive waste and oil spills at sea are covered under these rules.
If the polluter is not identified, SPCB is responsible for site clean-up.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
ЁЯУЭ (Correct answer: c)
