Siting Guidelines for Industries

• Industrial development significantly contributes towards economic growth.Howevwer,industrial progress brings along with it a host of environmental problems.Many of these problems could be avoided if industries are located on the basis of environmental considerations,injudicious siting of industry can seriously effect the environmental features such as air,water,land,flora,fauna,human settlements and health of people.The entrepreneur should be fully aware of these implications and he should take necessary steps while setting up the industry so as to minimise the possible adverse effects on the environmental resources and quality of life.Often,an entrepreneur finds it very costly to install pollution control equipment and other mitigative measures after the industry is already set up.As such,preventive steps are needed at the time of siting rather than going in for curative measures at a later stage.
• The Industrial Policy Statement of July 1980,recognised the need for preserving ecological balance and improving living conditions in the urban centers of the country.On the basis of this Policy,indiscriminate expansion of the existing industries and setting up of new industrial undertakings within the lomits of metropolitan cities and the larger towns should not be permitted.However,the Policy has not touched upon the implications of setting up an industry in sensitive areas,both ecological or otherwise,which would have an effecton the overall development process.
• At present,industries are being located on the basis of raw material availability,access to the market,transport facilities and such other techno-economic considerations without adequate attention to environmental considerations are recognised as an important criterion for setting of industry.
• To prevent,air,water and soil pollution arising out of industrial projects,the industrial Licensing procedure requires that the entrepreneurs before setting up the industry obtain clearance from Central/State Air and Water Pollution Control Boards.The Central State Pollution Control Boards stipulate that air(gases) and water(effluents) emanating from the industry should adhere to certain quality standards.Howevwer,these stipulations do not prevent the industry from effecting the total environment by wrong siting.Also,the cumulative effect of a number of industries at a particular place is not being studied upon,with the result that an industry or an industrial area over a period of time could cause significant damage to the surrounding environment and ecological features.
• In respest of certain industrial development projects it is not only necessary to install suitable pollution control equipment but also to identify appropriate ites for their location.To give a concrete shape to this requirement,a select group of 20 industries has been notified by the Department of Industrial Development.A formalised procedure has been stipulated for site selection from environment angle with regard to these projects.
• According to this procedure for the select group of industries,the the letters of intent should be converted to industrial licences only after the following conditions have been fulfilled:
  • The State Director of Industries confirms that the site of the project has been approved from environmental angle by the competent State Authority.
  • The entrepreneur commits both to the State Government and Central Government that he will install the appropriate equipment and implement the prescribed measures for the prevention and control of pollution.
  • The concerned State Pollution Control Board has certified that the proposal meets with the environmental requirementsand that the equipment installed or proposed to be installed are adequate and appropriate to the requirement.

• The State Department of Environment will be the competent authority for approval of project sites from environmental angle.In those States where such Departments have not yet been set up,approval should be obtained from the nodal agency designated for looking after environmental matters.With regard to projects where support from the Central Government/International Agencies is envisaged and which come under the purview of Industrial Licensing,approval of the project site from environmental angle should be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forests,Government of India.The entrepreneur should provide the details of proposed project site,pollution abatement measures and such other relevant information as required for review from environmental angle.
• The entrepreneur will bee required to submit half-yearly progress report on installation of pollution control devices to the respective State Pollution Control Boards.
• Depending on the nature and location of the project,the entrepreneur will be required to submit comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report,and Environment Management Plans.

Environmental Guidelines for Industries