CHEMEXCIL
Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council
(Set-up by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt of India)
Jhansi Castle, 4th floor, 7-Cooperage Road,   Mumbai - 400 001.

Tel:  +91-22- 69821200-206
info@chemexcil.in Web : https://chemexcil.in

EPC:LIC:EC:STAT-COMPL:MOEFF:2025-26:953                                               30th October 2025 

To
All Members of the Council 

(IMPORTANT)

Dear Members,

We are in receipt of office memorandum F.No. IA3-22/14/2025-IA.III (E-275538) dated 29th October 2025 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Impact Assessment Division, Govt. of India on rationalizing the requirement of green Belt/green cover for industrial estates/parks and individual industries based on pollution potential. Copy of the same is enclosed for your kind perusal.

As you re aware that under the EIA Notification, 2006, prior Environmental Clearance (EC) is mandatory for certain projects, with one mandatory condition for development of a green belt/green cover within the project area.

Initially, standardized EC conditions (OMs dated 09.08.2018, 04.01.2019, 08.01.2019) prescribed a 33% green belt for most sectors. Later, as per OM dated 31.10.2019, this requirement was enhanced to 40% for Red and Orange Category industries located in Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) and Severely Polluted Areas (SPAs), following an NGT order.

The CPCB guidelines (March 2000) provided technical specifications for green belt design and plant species but lack methods for calculating green belt size based on pollution potential (Load). Subsequently, the OM dated 27.10.2020 specified that Industrial Estates, SEZs, EPZs, Biotech Parks, and similar complexes must maintain an overall 33% green area, with shared responsibility among individual units.

The matter was represented by CHEMEXCIL number of times to the department, accordingly Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Impact Assessment Division has now rationalized the green belt requirements across industries and balance land use with environmental needs, a committee was formed. Based on its report and the Expert Advisory Committee’s recommendations, the Ministry decided to revise and implement new criteria for green belt/green cover development in Industrial Estates/Parks and individual industries, superseding the earlier OM of 27.10.2020.

The following norms shall be adhered to while developing green belts in the new green field industrial estates. Industrial Estates now have a two types of requirement viz.  

A.     Green Belt in Industrial Estates/Parks (New Green Field)

The following norms shall be adhered to while developing green belts in the new green field industrial estates

The green belt should be located as close as possible to the pollution source. The proponents may undertake plantation higher than minimum criteria mentioned above depending upon availability of in-situ and ex-situ area and resources.

B.      Green belt/green cover in Individual Industrial Units outside Industrial Estates

Generic directions with regard to developing green belt/green cover

Green belt norms in case of Industrial Estates and Individual Industrial units in Critically Polluted Areas (CPA) and Severely Polluted Areas (SPA)

A minimum of 40% green belt shall be developed in red and orange category units located in Critically Polluted Areas (CPA) and Severely Polluted Areas (SPA). This is in accordance with the Mechanism for Environmental Management of Critically and Severely Polluted Areas and in compliance with the Hon'ble NGT order dated 23.08.2019 in the matter of O.A. No. 1038/2018 and the OM dated 31st October 2019.

Directions for enhancing the Effectiveness of Green Belts

·         Prefer native and pollution-tolerant species capable of absorbing dust, gaseous pollutants, and noise.
·         Use a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants to maintain effectiveness throughout the year.

·         Develop a multi-tier plantation system with tall trees, shrubs, and ground cover.
·         Ensure sufficient width and density of the green belt based on site-specific pollution intensity.

·       Align plantations perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction for maximum pollutant interception.
·       Maintain continuous, gap-free green cover along sensitive or exposed boundaries.

·       Enrich soil with organic matter and maintain proper drainage for healthy plant growth.
·       Provide reliable irrigation, especially during dry seasons, to sustain vegetation.

·       Conduct regular pruning, gap-filling, and replanting to preserve density and structure.
·       Implement pest and disease management for long-term sustainability.

·       Monitor air quality, plant health, and biodiversity at regular intervals.
·       Adjust species selection and management based on monitoring outcomes.

·       Integrate green belts with water bodies, open spaces, and biodiversity corridors.
·       Encourage community involvement and awareness for continued protection and upkeep.

Monitoring mechanism

Members are requested to take the note of this important modification

Thanks and Regards

Raghuveer Kini
Director General
CHEMEXCIL

Encl : OM on revised green belt criteria