Discuss the salient features of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Salient Features of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
Scope & Definitions – Applies to municipalities, bulk generators (hospitals, malls), C&D
sites; defines wet, dry and domestic hazardous waste.
Source Segregation – Mandatory three-bin system:
• Wet (biodegradable)
• Dry (recyclables)
• Domestic hazardous (batteries, bulbs, e-waste)
Collection & Transport – Door-to-door/onsite collection by authorized agencies;
covered, GPS-tracked vehicles; transfer stations.
Processing Hierarchy – Prioritizes reduce → reuse → recycle/compost → energy
recovery → scientific landfill of residues.
Authorization & Standards – Facilities need SPCB consent; emission, leachate and
compost/RDF quality norms prescribed.
Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers/importers of plastic and e-waste must
collect and recycle under annual targets.
C&D Waste Management – On-site segregation at large projects; designated recycling
yards by local bodies.
Institutional & Financial Measures – Local SWM plans, user fees, spot fines,
State/District SWM Boards for oversight and reporting.
Salient Features of Environment Protection Act, 1986
Comprehensive Law – Empowers central government to take all necessary
measures for protecting the environment.
Wide Scope – Covers air, water, land, and the inter-relationship between them,
including humans and other living beings.
Central Government Powers – Authorizes framing of rules, setting environmental
standards, regulating industrial locations, and managing hazardous substances.
Preventive Action – Allows the government to prevent environmental pollution
before damage occurs.
Penalties – Violations can lead to imprisonment up to 5 years, fines up to ₹1 lakh, or
both.
Environmental Standards – Empowers government to set emission/discharge
standards for industries and processes.
Public Complaints – Citizens can report violations, and courts may act on such
complaints after a 60-day notice.
Control of Hazardous Substances – Strict provisions for handling, storage, and
disposal of hazardous chemicals and wastes.
Salient Features of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – Constitutes CPCB to advise central
government, coordinate with State Boards, and lay down standards.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) – Empowers states to establish SPCBs for
implementation, monitoring, and enforcement.
Air Quality Standards – Central government prescribes emission and ambient air
quality norms for various pollutants.
Consent Mechanism – Industries must obtain “Consent to Establish” and “Consent to
Operate” from SPCBs, subject to compliance.
Prohibition of Polluting Emissions – Prohibits operation of any industrial plant
discharging pollutants in excess of prescribed standards.
Power to Investigate & Inspect – SPCB officers can enter premises, inspect
processes, take samples, and examine records without warrant.
Penalties & Offenses – Non-compliance attracts fines (up to ₹1 lakh) and
imprisonment (up to 5 years), with higher penalties for continued defaults.
Emergency Measures – Central government can declare areas as “air pollution
control areas” and issue directions for emergency control measures.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 bears its long title as:
"An Act to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining
or restoring of wholesomeness of water, for the establishment, with a view to carrying
out the purposes aforesaid, of Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution,
for conferring on and assigning to such Boards, powers and functions relating thereto
and for matters connected therewith
Question 1(c):
Explain in detail the steps involved in “environmental audit”. What is the Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981? Discuss the functions of the Central
Pollution Control Board.
Concise Answer
1. Environmental Audit – Key Steps
o Plan: Define scope, assemble audit team and gather documents.
o On-site Review: Inspect facilities, review records and interview staff.
o Evaluate: Compare findings against legal requirements and internal
standards.
o Report & Follow-up: Issue non-conformity report and verify corrective
actions.
2. Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
o Empowers Central/State Boards to set emission and ambient air-quality
standards, requires “consent to establish/operate” for polluting industries,
and prescribes inspection, penal and prosecution powers for violations.
3. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – Core Functions
o Standards: Prescribe national air and water quality norms.
o Monitoring: Operate a nationwide pollution-monitoring network.
o Technical Support: Research pollution-control methods and advise SPCBs.
o Enforcement: Issue directions, assist prosecutions, and coordinate State
Boards
Question 1(b):
Give an account of classification of solid waste with examples.
Answer (Short):
Solid waste can be classified into the following categories:
1. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Generated from households and commercial areas.
Example: Food scraps, paper, plastics.
2. Industrial Waste: Produced by manufacturing and industrial processes.
Example: Chemical sludge, metal scraps.
3. Hazardous Waste: Dangerous or potentially harmful waste.
Example: Batteries, pesticides, medical waste.
4. Biomedical Waste: Generated from healthcare facilities.
Example: Syringes, bandages, body parts.
5. E-waste: Discarded electronic devices.
Example: Old computers, mobile phones.
6. Agricultural Waste: Waste from farming and livestock.
Example: Crop residues, animal manure.
Question 1(b):
Mention the air pollutants listed in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of 2009 in
India. Also discuss their role in air pollution emissions.
Answer (Short):
Particulate Matter (PM₁₀ & PM₂.₅):
o Role: Carriers of toxic substances; penetrate deep into lungs; reduce
visibility; contribute to smog.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂):
o Role: Forms acid rain; corrodes materials; respiratory irritant.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂):
o Role: Precursor to ozone and nitrates in particulates; causes bronchitis,
smog formation.
Carbon Monoxide (CO):
o Role: Reduces blood oxygen‐carrying capacity; emitted from incomplete
combustion.
Ozone (O₃):
o Role: Secondary pollutant; causes photochemical smog; damages crops and
respiratory tissues.
Ammonia (NH₃):
o Role: Combines with NOₓ/SOₓ to form secondary particulates; agricultural
source.
Lead (Pb):
o Role: Neurotoxin; historically from leaded petrol, now from industrial
emissions.
Benzene:
o Role: Carcinogen; emitted from petrol evaporation and vehicle exhaust.
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP):
o Role: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; powerful carcinogen from
incomplete combustion.
Arsenic & Nickel:
o Role: Toxic metals; from coal combustion and metallurgical processes; cause
systemic health effects
Question 1(c):
Briefly describe the hierarchy of various regulatory bodies governing environmental issues
in India.
Answer (Very Short):
Constitutional & Legislative Apex:
o Parliament & President enact and promulgate environmental laws (e.g.
Environment Protection Act, 1986) under Articles 48A & 51A(g) of the
Constitution.
Central Executive Authority:
o Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC): Policy‐
making, rule‐framing, international negotiations.
National Regulatory Body:
o Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Sets standards, issues guidelines,
monitors national compliance.
State Regulatory Bodies:
o State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs): Implement CPCB standards, grant consents, enforce rules at the
state level.
Local Authorities:
o Municipal Corporations & Gram Panchayats: Ground‐level waste
management, local permits, public awareness.
Judicial & Quasi-Judicial Oversight:
o National Green Tribunal (NGT): Specialized environmental adjudication.
o High Courts & Supreme Court: Constitutional review, landmark judgments
enforcing “polluter pays” and “precautionary” principles
