New Rules for Contaminated Site Management ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025.

Key highlights

Contaminants Covered: Hazardous substances as defined by the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
 Exclusions: Contamination resulting from radioactive waste, mining, oil spills at sea, and solid waste dumps are excluded as they are governed by separate legislation.
 Response Levels: There are different response levels for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
 Contaminated Site Management: This involves areas where hazardous waste has been previously disposed of, leading to pollution and posing health and environmental risks.
  ● Site Identification: Local bodies/District Administrations are required to report suspected sites twice a year to SPCBs.  
  ● Site Assessment: The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is responsible for inspecting suspected sites and informing the CPCB via a centralized online portal.  
  ● Polluter Identification: SPCBs identify the polluter. If the land is sold, the new owner becomes liable.  
  ● Clean-Up Plan: The polluter must execute a clean-up plan through an approved agency and bear the costs. If the polluter is not identified, the SPCB will carry out the clean-up plan.  
 Funding for Assessment/Remediation: Initial assessment costs may be covered by the Central Government from the Environmental Relief Fund under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and by the State Government.
  ● Penalties: The State Board may impose fines for failure to clean up.