Government Extends Plant Variety Protection to Mesta and Hibiscus
The Central Government has further expanded the scope of plant variety protection under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, to include Mesta and Hibiscus/China Rose. This amendment was officially notified through a gazette notification dated April 25, 2025.
Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025
These new rules apply to all activities related to construction, demolition, remodeling, renovation, and repair of structures. An online portal will be established for the registration and monitoring of producers, intermediate waste storage facilities, recyclers, and collection points. Additionally, contractors and service providers must assist in waste collection, meet EPR targets, and implement sustainable construction practices.
Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025
The amendment redefines “mineral oils” to encompass a wider range of hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas, petroleum, condensate, coal bed methane, oil shale, shale gas, shale oil, tight gas, tight oil, and gas hydrates.
Environment Management Plan For Hospitals
The plan points to the need for a more holistic approach to environmental management, encompassing factors like vehicular pollution, traffic congestion, encroachments, and noise pollution, in addition to internal waste management practices.
New Air And Water Pollution Consent Guidelines Released
These guidelines outline the procedures and criteria for obtaining, renewing, and potentially losing consent to establish or operate industrial plants that may cause air and water pollution. These guidelines aim to streamline the consent process while ensuring environmental protection.
Draft Guidelines For The Pharmaceutical Industry In India
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued draft guidelines for the pharmaceutical industry aiming to regulate and mitigate its environmental impact. Stakeholders and the general public have until February 5, 2025, to provide their feedback on the proposed guidelines. Suggestions can be submitted via email to designated CPCB officials or sent to the IPC-I Division of CPCB in Delhi.
Greenwashing Guidelines Officially in Effect Since October 15, 2024
The corrigendum addresses a potential ambiguity regarding the effective date. By inserting a new sub-paragraph (b) into Paragraph 1 of the guidelines, the CCPA explicitly states: “(b) They shall come into force on the date of its publication.” This definitively establishes October 15, 2024, as the enforcement date.
Government Proposes Stronger Scrutiny for GMO Approvals
In a recent landmark judgment, the Supreme Court directed the government to strengthen conflict-of-interest regulations for experts involved in GMO approvals. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed amendments to the existing regulations governing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024
The Central Government has announced amendments to the Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008, through the Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024. These amendments introduce several key changes to the management and utilization of the fund. The Relief Fund is now explicitly vested in the Central Government.
India Streamlines Environmental Clearances to Boost Ease of Doing Business
To reduce redundancy and streamline approvals, the Central Government has amended Section 21 of the Air Act, 1981, and Section 25 of the Water Act, 1974. Notifications dated November 12, 2024 have been issued to exempt certain categories of industries from obtaining consents. Specifically, “white” category industries are completely exempted from the consent mechanism, while other categories are exempted from CTE if the project has already received environmental clearance under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
