## Policy Analysis Report: Amendments to Environmental Regulations in India, May 13, 2025
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes two notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, both dated May 13, 2025. The first notification (S.O. 2125(E)) amends a previous notification (S.O. 102(E), dated February 1, 1989) regarding environmental regulations, primarily affecting projects and planning within the State Government of Uttarakhand. The amendment focuses on Tourism Plans, Grazing Plans, Master Plans of Development and Land Use Plan, and any other such Plan including Zonal Master Plan, Integrated Master Plan; projects falling under the orange category of industries and expansion of industries. The second notification (S.O. 2126(E)) rescinds a prior order (S.O. 2125(E), dated December 13, 2007), with the caveat that the rescission does not affect actions already taken before the rescission date. Key stakeholders include the Uttarakhand State Government, industries operating in Uttarakhand, and the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative analysis of two notifications published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on May 13, 2025, as they appear in *The Gazette of India*. The analysis is based solely on the provided text and aims to clarify the nature of the regulatory changes.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* Original Policy: Amends notification S.O. 102(E), dated February 1, 1989, issued by the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests.
* Core Objective(s): To refine the process for environmental clearance and regulation of projects and planning within the State Government of Uttarakhand, specifically regarding integration of environmental concerns, orange category industries, and industries covered under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* Core Objective(s): To rescind a previous order by the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* The amendment appears to address the need for a more streamlined and integrated approach to environmental considerations within the planning and development processes in Uttarakhand. The inclusion of various state departments suggests an effort to ensure comprehensive environmental oversight. The change relating to orange and red category industries suggests an adjustment to existing categorizations and regulations.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* The rationale for rescinding the order S.O. 2125(E), dated December 13, 2007, is not explicitly stated in the text. However, the phrase "being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do" suggests the Central Government deemed the rescission beneficial for the public.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* **Changes:**
* Paragraphs iii, iv, and v of the original notification are substituted.
* Clause d in the note is substituted.
* **New Provisions and Effect:**
* **Paragraph iii (New):** Tourism Plan, Grazing Plan, Master Plan of Development and Land Use Plan, and any other such Plan including Zonal Master Plan, Integrated Master Plan shall be prepared by the State Government with due involvement of all concerned State Departments such as Environment, Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipality, Revenue, Public Works, Water Resources, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Pollution Control Board, etc., for integrating environmental concern into it and shall be approved by the competent authority in the State Government of Uttarakhand. *Effect:* Mandates a collaborative, multi-departmental approach to environmental planning in Uttarakhand, ensuring that environmental concerns are integrated into various development plans.
* **Paragraph iv (New):** The projects which are not covered under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification issued vide number S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006, however, falls under the orange category of industries shall be considered by the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board following the due process. *Effect:* Designates the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board as the reviewing authority for orange category industries not covered by the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification.
* **Paragraph v (New):** The projects which are covered in the Schedule under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, issued vide number S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006, shall follow the procedure laid down in that notification. *Effect:* Reaffirms the existing EIA procedure for projects covered under the EIA notification.
* **Clause d (New):** The orange categories industries, which are now in the red categories of industries shall be continued and expansion of such orange category industries falling in the Schedule of the4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY PART IISEC. 3ii notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006 hereinafter referred to as the EIA notification to be allowed only subject to the extant provision pertaining to such expansion as laid down in subpara ii of para 7 of said notification, as amended from time to time, and related extant directions issued in this regard by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, from time to time. *Effect:* Allows for the continuation and expansion of certain "orange" category industries, even if they now fall under the "red" category, subject to specific conditions and directions from the Central Government.
* **Clause e (New):** The Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board shall lay down a mechanism for expansion of the industries referred to in clause d which are not falling in the Schedule of the said notification.. *Effect:* Assigns the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board with the responsibility of establishing the mechanism through which expansion of industries referenced in the previous clause will be governed.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* **Change:** Rescinds order S.O. 2125(E), dated December 13, 2007.
* **Effect:** The rescinded order is no longer in effect, except for actions taken before the rescission date. This means any decisions or activities carried out under the authority of the rescinded order remain valid. The impact of this rescission is unclear without knowing the content of the rescinded order.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* Uttarakhand State Government and its various departments (Environment, Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipality, Revenue, Public Works, Water Resources, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development).
* Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board.
* Industries operating or planning to operate in Uttarakhand, particularly those in the orange and red categories.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* The specific stakeholders depend on the content of the rescinded order (S.O. 2125(E), dated December 13, 2007).
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* **Responsible Agency:** Uttarakhand State Government (various departments), Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board.
* **Procedures:** The amendment mandates the involvement of multiple state departments in the preparation of various plans. The Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board is responsible for reviewing projects in the orange category and expansion of industries. It shall also lay down a mechanism for expansion of industries referred to in clause d which are not falling in the Schedule of the EIA Notification.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* **Procedure:** No specific procedures are mentioned in the text regarding the rescission itself.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* **Notification S.O. 2125(E): Amendment**
* The intended outcome of the amendment is likely to achieve a more integrated and environmentally conscious planning process in Uttarakhand. This could lead to more sustainable development practices. The provisions regarding orange and red category industries suggest an effort to balance environmental protection with industrial growth.
* **Notification S.O. 2126(E): Rescission**
* The intended outcome of the rescission is unclear without knowing the content of the rescinded order.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notifications of May 13, 2025, represent adjustments to India's environmental regulatory framework. The amendment (S.O. 2125(E)) seeks to improve environmental planning and regulation within Uttarakhand. The rescission (S.O. 2126(E)) removes a previous order, its specific impact is difficult to determine without access to the content of the order being rescinded. These changes will primarily affect stakeholders within Uttarakhand, particularly government agencies and industries operating in the region. Industries should closely monitor the implementation of these amendments by the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board.
Key Entities Referenced
INDIA: Country name, referenced in the document's masthead as 'THE GAZETTE OF INDIA'
NEW DELHI: Location of publication, as per the document's masthead.
MAY 13, 2025: Date of publication, as per the document's masthead.
VAISAKHA 23, 1947: Date of publication, as per the document's masthead in the Indian national calendar.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The government ministry issuing the notification.
New Delhi: Location where the notification was issued.
13th May, 2025: Date of the notification.
S.O. 2125E: Notification number.
Gazette of India, Extraordinary: Publication in which the draft notification was published.
Government of India: The government issuing the notification.
S.O. 5409E: Notification number of the draft notification.
21st, December 2023: Date of the draft notification.
Central Government: The governing body that considered the objections and suggestions.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The primary legislation under which the powers are exercised. Also referred to as the Environment Act.
29 of 1986: Act number and year.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules under which the powers are exercised.
Ministry of Environment and Forests: Erstwhile name of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
S.O. 102 E: Notification number being amended.
1st February, 1989: Date of the original notification being amended.
State Government: Government at the state level responsible for preparing plans (Tourism Plan, Grazing Plan, Master Plan of Development and Land Use Plan, and any other such Plan including Zonal Master Plan, Integrated Master Plan).
State Departments: Departments in state government, for example, Environment, Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipality, Revenue, Public Works, Water Resources, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Pollution Control Board.
Uttarakhand: State government whose competent authority must approve the mentioned plans.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification: Notification related to environmental impact assessments.
S.O. 1533 E: Notification number for Environment Impact Assessment.
14th September, 2006: Date of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification.
Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board: State level pollution control board.
F. No. 2562012ESZRE: File number.
DR. S. KERKETTA: Name of the Scientist G.
S.O. 94E: Amended Notification number
6th January, 2020: Date of amended notification
S.O. 2126 E: Second Notification number.
13th December, 2007: Date of notification being rescinded.
Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location and postal code of the Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press.
Delhi110054: Location and postal code of the Controller of Publications.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2080] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार, मई 13, 2025/विै ाख 23, 1947
No. 2080] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025/VAISAKHA 23, 1947
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ु पररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 13 मई, 2025
का.आ. 2125 (अ).— प्रारुप अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण म ेंसंखर्ांक का.आ. 5409(अ), तारीख
21 दिसंबर, 2023, द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी, जिसम ेंऐसे सभी व्यजिर्ों स,े जिनकी उससे प्रभाजवत होने की संभावना थी,
उस तारीख स,े जिसको उि अजधसूचना को अन्तर्वाष्ट करने वाली रािपत्र की प्रजतर्ां िनता को उपलब्ध करा िी गई थीं,
साठ दिन की अवजध के भीतर आक्षेप और सुझाव आमंजत्रत दकए गए थ;े
और, उि प्ररूप अजधसूचना की रािपत्र की प्रजतर्ां िनता को तारीख 21 दिसंबर, 2023 को उपलब्ध करा िी गई थी;
और, उि प्रारुप अजधसूचना की बाबत व्यजिर्ों और पणधाररर्ों स ेप्राप्त आक्षेपों और सुझावों पर केंद्रीर् सरकार द्वारा जवचार
दकर्ा गर्ा था;
अतः, अब, केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उप-जनर्म (3) के साथ परठत पर्ाावरण
(संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) (जिसे इसम ें इस अजधसूचना म ें इसके पश्चात ् पर्ाावरण अजधजनर्म कहा गर्ा
ह)ै की धारा 3 की उप- धारा (1) और उप-धारा (2) के खडं (v) और खंड (xiv) तथा उप-धारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का
3132 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
प्रर्ोग करत े हुए, भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर् की अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 102 (अ), तारीख
1 फरवरी, 1989 म ेंजनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना म,ें -
(क) पैरा (iii), (iv) और (v) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखे िाएंगे, अथाात:् -
(iii) पर्ाटन र्ोिना, चरागाह र्ोिना, जवकास का आंचजलक महार्ोिना और भूजम उपर्ोग र्ोिना, तथा क्षेत्रीर्
महा र्ोिना, एकीकृत महार्ोिना सजहत कोई अन्र् ऐसी र्ोिना राज्र् सरकार द्वारा सभी संबंजधत राज्र् जवभागों
िैस ेपर्ाावरण, वन, िहरी जवकास, पर्ाटन, नगर पाजलका, रािस्ट्व, लोक जनमाणा , िल संसाधन, बागवानी, पंचार्ती
राि, ग्रामीण जवकास, प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा आदि की सम्र्क भागीिारी के साथ पर्ाावरणीर् चचंताओं को इसम ें
एकीकृत करने के जलए तैर्ार की िाएगी और उत्तराखडं राज्र् सरकार म ें सक्षम प्राजधकारी द्वारा अनुमोदित की
िाएगी।”
(IV) िो पररर्ोिनाएं पर्ाावरण समाघात जनधाारण अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख 14 जसतम्बर,
2006 के आधीन सजम्मजलत नहीं ह,ैं तथाजप, िो उद्योगों की नारंगी श्रेणी म ें आती ह,ैं उन पर उत्तराखंड राज्र्
प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा द्वारा उजचत प्रदिर्ा का अनुसरण करते हुए जवचार दकर्ा िाएगा।
(V) पर्ाावरण समाघात जनधाारण अजधसूचना, िो संखर्ांक का.आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख 14 जसतम्बर, 2006 द्वारा
िारी की गई थी, के अधीन अनुसूची म ें सजम्मजलत पररर्ोिनाओं को उि अजधसूचना म ें जनधााररत प्रदिर्ा का
अनुसरण करना होगा।
(ख) रटप्पण म,ें खंड (घ) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत खंड रखे िाएगे, अथाात्:-
“(घ) नारंगी श्रणे ी के उद्योग, िो अब उद्योगों की लाल श्रणे ी म ें ह,ैं िारी रहगें े और भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण
और वन मंत्रालर् की अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख 14 जसतम्बर, 2006 (जिसे इसम ेइसके पश्चात ्ईआईए
अजधसूचना कहा गर्ा ह)ै की अनुसूची म ेंआने वाले ऐसे नारंगी श्रेणी के उद्योगों का जवस्ट्तार केवल उि अजधसूचना के परै ा 7
के उप-पैरा (ii) म ें दिए गए ऐसे जवस्ट्तार स े संबंजधत जवद्यमान उपाबंध के अधीन ही अनुमजत िी िाएगी, जिसे समर्-समर्
पर संिोजधत मागाििाक जसद्ांत तथा पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर्, केन्द्रीर् सरकार द्वारा इस संबंध म ें
संबंजधत जवद्यमान जनिेि समर्-समर् पर िारी दकर्ा गर्ा।
(ड.) उत्तराखंड राज्र् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा खंड (घ) म ें जवजनर्िाष्ट उन उद्योगों के जवस्ट्तार के जलए तंत्र अजधकजथत करेगा िो
उि अजधसूचना की अनुसूची म ेंनहीं आत े ह।ैं "
[फ.सं. 25/6/2012--ईएसिेड-आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रटप्प ण.- मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण भाग II, खंड-3, उपखडं (ii) म ें का.आ. 102(अ), तारीख 1 फरवरी,
1989 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई और का.आ. 94(अ), तारीख 6 िनवरी, 2020 द्वारा संिोजधत की गई थी।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th May,2025
S.O. 2125(E).–– WHEREAS a draft notification was published in the Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change number S.O. 5409(E), dated the 21st, December 2023, inviting objections and suggestions
from all persons likely to be affected thereby within the period of sixty days from the date on which copies
of the Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the public;
AND WHEREAS copies of the Gazette containing the said draft notification were made available
to the public on the 21st December, 2023;
AND WHEREAS objections and suggestions received from persons in response to the said draft
notification have been considered by the Central Government;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (v) and
(xiv) of sub-section (2) and sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of
1986) (hereafter in this notification referred to as the Environment Act), read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of
the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following
amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and
Forests number S.O. 102 (E), dated the 1st February, 1989, namely:-
In the said notification, -
(a) for paragraphs (iii), (iv) and (v) the following paragraphs shall be substituted, namely: –
“(iii) Tourism Plan, Grazing Plan, Master Plan of Development and Land Use Plan, and any other
such Plan including Zonal Master Plan, Integrated Master Plan shall be prepared by the State
Government with due involvement of all concerned State Departments such as Environment,
Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipality, Revenue, Public Works, Water
Resources, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Pollution Control Board, etc.,
for integrating environmental concern into it and shall be approved by the competent
authority in the State Government of Uttarakhand.”;
(iv) The projects which are not covered under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification
issued vide number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006, however, falls under the
orange category of industries shall be considered by the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control
Board following the due process.
(v) The projects which are covered in the Schedule under the Environment Impact Assessment
Notification, issued vide number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006, shall follow
the procedure laid down in that notification”.
(b) in the note, for clause (d), the following clauses shall be substituted, namely:-
“(d) the orange categories industries, which are now in the red categories of industries shall be
continued and expansion of such orange category industries falling in the Schedule of the4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests
number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the EIA
notification) to be allowed only subject to the extant provision pertaining to such expansion
as laid down in sub-para (ii) of para 7 of said notification, as amended from time to time,
and related extant directions issued in this regard by the Central Government in the Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, from time to time.
(e) The Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board shall lay down a mechanism for expansion
of the industries referred to in clause (d) which are not falling in the Schedule of the said
notification.”.
[F. No. 25/6/2012-ESZ-RE]
DR. S. KERKETTA, Scientist ‘G’
Note.- The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section-3,
Sub-section (ii) vide S.O. 102(E), dated the 1st February, 1989 and amended S.O. 94(E), dated the 6th
January, 2020.
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 13 मई, 2025
का.आ. 2126 (अ).— केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 के जनर्म 5 के उप-जनर्म (3) के साथ
परठत पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (1) और उप-धारा (2) के खंड (v)
और खडं (xiv) और धारा 5 की उप-धारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत े हुए, इस बात स े संतुष्ट ह ैदक ऐसा करना
लोकजहत म ें आवश्र्क ह,ै अतः वह भारत सरकार के पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर् के उस आििे को िो भारत के रािपत्र,
असाधारण, भाग 2, खडं 3, उपखंड (ii) म ेंसंखर्ांक का.आ. 2125 (अ) तारीख 13 दिसम्बर, 2007 के अधीन प्रकाजित हुआ
था, उन बातों के जसवार्, िो ऐसे जवखण्डन से पूवा की गई ह ैं र्ा करने का लोप दकर्ा गर्ा ह,ै जवखंजडत करती ह।ै
[फ.सं. 25/6/2012-ईएसिेड-आरई]
डॉ. स.ु केरकेट्टा, वैज्ञाजनक ‘’िी’’
रटप्प ण.- मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण भाग II, खंड-3, उपखडं (ii) म ें का.आ. 2125(अ), तारीख 13
दिसंबर, 2007 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th May,2025
S.O. 2126 (E) .–– In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses
(v) and (xiv) of sub-section (2) and sub-section (3) of section 3 and section 5 of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the
Central Government being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby rescinds the
order of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests published in the
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 2125 (E), dated the 13th
December, 2007, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such rescission.
[F. No. 25/6/2012-ESZ-RE]
DR. S. KERKETTA, Scientist ‘G’
Note.- The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section-3,
Sub-section (ii) vide number S.O. 2125(E), dated the 13th December, 2007.
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