The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed Unstarred Question No. 1375 on December 8, 2025, regarding coordination between Pollution Control Boards and the States. The response clarifies that revised green belt norms are applicable across the country, including Madhya Pradesh, and will be considered in Environmental Clearances. A monitoring mechanism requires industrial estates to submit half-yearly green belt status reports to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committees (PCC) and the Integrated Regional Office (IRO) of MoEFCC, including details on canopy coverage, the number of living trees, their height, species, and survival rate, using drone imagery. The IROs and SPCB/PCC will periodically verify these details. The revised norms apply to upcoming projects and allow industries to expand without compromising green cover development.
Key Entities Referenced
Revised green belt norms: National guidelines for establishing and maintaining green belts, focusing on environmental standards, monitoring, and balancing industrial expansion with green cover.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central ministry responsible for formulating and administering environmental policies and regulations, including those related to green belts.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committees (PCC): State-level authorities responsible for implementing and monitoring pollution control measures, including verifying green belt compliance.
Madhya Pradesh: A state where the implementation and impact of the revised green belt norms are specifically discussed.
Integrated Regional Office (IRO): Regional offices of MoEFCC involved in monitoring and verification of green belt details.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1375
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Coordination between Pollution Control Boards and the States
1375. SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of process of coordination with the State Governments, Pollution Control
Boards and Local Bodies to implement revised greenbelt norms across the country
particularly in Madhya Pradesh;
(b) whether the revised green standards have a positive impact on proposed or ongoing
industrial project in industrial zones in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Chhindwara
district; and
(c) if so, the details thereof ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The revised green belt norms, are applicable across the country including the
State of Madhya Pradesh and will be factored in all the Environmental Clearances to be granted
after issuance of these norms. A monitoring mechanism has been provided for the revised green
belt/green cover norms, under which, the industrial estates shall submit a half yearly green belt
status report to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committees
(PCC) and the Integrated Regional Office (IRO) of MoEFCC, informing canopy coverage,
number of living trees, height and species, survival rate, etc. with drone imagery. The green
belt details submitted by the Industrial Estate will be periodically verified by the IROs and
SPCB/ PCC.
The revised green belt norms shall be applicable to all the upcoming projects across the country,
including those in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh. The revised norms provide the benefit
of additional land area to industries to expand their operations without compromising the
environmental needs of developing green belt/ green cover.
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