Rapid Industrialization and Urbanization have increased the need for environmental compliance by industries across the world. Businesses, as part of their social responsibility, should ensure that all the environmental laws and regulations applicable to their operations are complied with. They should know the legal requirements that are applicable to them.
All industries, educational institutions, and commercial establishments in Mohali should become aware of environmental compliance to reduce their legal risks and improve their use of resources and sustainability.
If you wish to operate in compliance with the law, you need the support of qualified Environmental consultants in Mohali. Environmental consultants assess the legal requirements for their clients, prepare environmental documents, coordinate environmental tests, and advise clients on pollution control options.
This guide provides essential statutory services offered by environmental consultancy in Mohali and ways by which organizations can meet their legal requirements.
Importance of Environmental Consultancy in Mohali
The Chandigarh tricity region, including Mohali, has experienced fast paced growth in the last few years, especially in the form of industrial development, residential and commercial complexes, schools, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions.
As growth continues, it becomes crucial for all establishments to proactively manage their impact on the environment and improve the quality of the surroundings.
Depending on their nature and scale of operations, businesses may need to comply with several laws related to air, water, and soil, including emission and effluent standards, solid and hazardous waste management, environmental clearance, and ambient air and water quality monitoring.
This is where an environmental consultant is of great help to a business. Environmental consultants identify regulations that are applicable to businesses, and develop compliance plans for businesses.
Environmental Monitoring: Evaluating air, water, wastewater, soil, and noise levels if needed.
Sustainability Improvements: Determining ways to improve water and resource usage and reduce waste.
Audit Readiness: Organizing and maintaining documentation for inspections, audits, reviews and reporting.
Depending on the company’s activities, location, the scope and nature of its operations, and applicable laws and regulations, some requirements may vary.
What should I look for in an Environmental Consultancy firm in Mohali?
You should look for more than general sustainability advice when choosing an environmental consultancy firm. Your preferred firm should be knowledgeable of the applicable laws and regulations and have the required technical skills for your project.
Eco Paryavaran
Eco Paryavaran, an Environmental Consultancy & Engineering firm, based in Mohali, offers environmental advisory, statutory clearance, environmental monitoring, laboratory services, and pollution control and water & wastewater treatment systems.
They also support Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Planning (EMP) and are accredited by the relevant authorities.
They have a testing laboratory and are accredited for a wide range of contaminants and environmental parameters testing. Their clients include industries, infrastructure developers and institutions.
How to Access Other Environmental Consultancy Firms
Prior appointing a firm, compare the following.
- Are they accredited in your industry/sector and for work of the nature of your assessment?
- Do they understand environmental legislation and pollution control?
- Do they have environmental testing facilities?
- Do they have the required experience to support you prepare statutory applications and reports?
- Do they have the required expertise to manage the project after approval is granted?
- Are their project timelines realistic?
- This method helps you choose a service provider based on your genuine compliance requirements as opposed to unsubstantiated rankings or promotional statements.
Important Environmental Compliance Requirements in Punjab
Environmental requirements vary with project type. The following issues pertain to the businesses and institutions located in Mohali.
- Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate
As per the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 requirements, there may be certain consent conditions for a particular industrial activity and other regulated activities.
Generally, Consent to Establish (CTE) is granted for establishment of a regulated unit or for undertaking covered activities.
A Consent to Operate (CTO) is granted for operation of a covered activity.
Applications and approvals are processed through the concerned Punjab government processes including the Business First portal, as the case may be.
An assessment of applicability, coordination for the required documents, preparation of applications, and compliance with conditions of the consent are done by a consultant. It is the organization’s responsibility to verify what the current requirements are, directly from the concerned authority, before starting or modifying any activities.
- Environmental Clearance
Certain projects require Environmental Clearance and are governed by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
The process may include: Screening of the Project, preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, Environmental Management Plan (EMP), and Baseline studies, public awareness/consultation, monitoring, responding to Queries of the Regulatory Authority, and submission of supporting documents.
Environmental clearance is not always necessary. It’s best to determine this by looking at the current regulations, amendments, and the nature of the project.
- Environmental Monitoring and Testing
It is essential for companies to determine whether their operations meet the applicable standards and consent conditions. This can be done through environmental monitoring.
- Monitoring may be done through
- Ambient air quality testing
- Testing of drinking water and waste water
- Noise level testing
- Soil and sludge analysis
- Indoor air quality testing, if relevant
Testing should be done by a laboratory which is duly accredited and equipped with the appropriate instrumentation and personnel for the parameters to be tested.
The frequency of monitoring and reporting should be in conformity with the applicable conditions of the consent, environmental clearance and the law.
- Management of Hazardous and Other Waste
Facilities may generate different kinds of waste, including hazardous waste, used oil, and other regulated waste.
It may be necessary to comply with different conditions relating to identification of waste, safe storage, and transport and disposal thereof, as well as keeping relevant records and obtaining required authorizations.
Other categories of waste, e.g. biomedical waste, e-waste, plastic waste and construction and demolition waste may be governed by other rules.
It may be necessary to engage an environmental consultant to assess which conditions apply and implement an appropriate waste management system and accompanying procedures.
- Environmental Statement (Form V)
Certain industries covered by the applicable environmental rules must submit an annual environmental statement, also known as Form V.
The statement covers the industry’s consumption of natural resources and the industry’s waste management and pollution activities for the year and the overall assessment of the industry’s impact on the environment for the year.
Consultancy support may include collecting operational data, reviewing records, preparing the statement and helping the organization meet its obligations to submit records or information.
The requirement to report and deadline should be confirmed against the current rules and any relevant directions.
Green Audit for Colleges: A Practical Guide
Colleges and other educational institutions have an important role in promoting environmental responsibility. Most campuses consume large amounts of electricity and water and produce significant waste. The campus has the potential to influence the environmental awareness of the students, staff and the community.
Punjab Green audit for colleges is a systematic evaluation of the college’s environmental practices and is intended to help the college evaluate its resource consumption, identify opportunities for improvement and develop an environmental management plan for the campus.
Green audits are useful to colleges for a number of reasons. For example, the college may wish to evaluate and strengthen its environmental initiatives, or to compile information and data to support sustainability reporting, or to prepare evidence for environmental sustainability for the next institutional assessment and accreditation exercise.
What Does A College Green Audit Involve?
- Management of energy
The audit reviews the college’s use of electricity, lighting and cooling systems, availability and use of energy efficient equipment and opportunities for adopting renewable energy.
- Water management
The audit assesses the college’s water consumption, leakages, harvesting of rainwater, treating of wastewater and reuse of the treated water.
- Waste management
The audit assesses the college’s management of wet and dry waste, recycling of paper, electronic waste, composting and the arrangements for authorized waste collection.
- Green spaces and biodiversity
The audit assesses the college’s landscaping and tree cover, as well as practices to support campus biodiversity.
- Air quality and noise
Where relevant and appropriate, the audit may assess indoor air quality and ventilation, noise and other environmental quality issues.
- Environmental Awareness
The evaluation considers participation, campus-based environmental clubs, awareness campaigns, cleanliness campaigns, and sustainability training.
Steps Involved in a Green Audit for Colleges
A typical audit goes through the following stages:
- Initial discussion: Agree upon the scope of the audit, university boundaries, and objectives of the audit.
- Data collection: Collect campus utility bills, waste records, and relevant policies and other documents.
- Site inspection: Review classrooms, labs, hostels, canteens, and gardens.
- Assessment and analysis: Analyze gaps and recommend best practices to achieve the requirements.
- Audit report: Prepare report outlining recommendations, observations, and priorities for improvement.
- Action plan: Set targets and timelines.
- Follow-up review: Conduct new assessment to determine any improvement.
A green audit does not replace a statutory environmental audit. Colleges should determine the requirements of their university, regulators, funders, and/or accreditation agencies.
Environmental Compliance Checklist for Businesses
This checklist offers a preliminary approach for review of business practices related to the environment.
How Environmental Consultants Support Regulatory Compliance
An experienced consultant can help you manage environmental responsibilities in a structured way.
Step 1: Review the project or facility
The consultant looks at the location, activity, the equipment at the site, the capacity, the utilities and the approvals.
Step 2: Identify applicable obligations
The consultant identifies the relevant environmental laws, the consents and the rules relating to the project waste.
Step 3: Prepare technical documentation
The nature of the documentation depends on the assignment. It may be an application, an environmental management plan, monitoring reports, audit reports or a compliance statement.
Step 4: Recommend remedial measures
Depending on the assignment, the consultant may recommend the control of wastewater or emission, the use of resources, the handling of waste or record keeping.
Step 5: Maintain ongoing compliance
The consultant performs periodic reviews to assist the client in managing compliance records.
The organization is always obliged to comply with the conditions of the consents. Engaging a consultant does not remove the obligation to comply with the laws and the conditions of the consents.
Why Choose Eco Paryavaran for Environmental Consultancy in Mohali?
Eco Paryavaran provides environmental consultancy, laboratory services and engineering solutions.
Publicly described capabilities include environmental clearance, consent management, environmental audits, environmental monitoring, EIA/EMP services, and wastewater treatment.
Prior to engaging a service, clients have the opportunity to assess the firm’s relevant experience, accreditation, testing and delivery capabilities.
Eco Paryavaran can help clients in Mohali for whom the scope of work requires coordination of consultancy, engineering, laboratory services, and environmental compliance.
Conclusion
Compliance with environmental laws requires continuing efforts, namely periodic regulatory and pollution monitoring and control. It requires a thorough understanding of the latest regulations.
This is particularly true for industries and industrial infrastructure developers in India. Several educational institutions are doing a lot to reduce their environmental footprint. A green audit can suggest steps to improve energy and water conservation and facilitate better waste management.
Prepare an action plan based on the requirements, analyze relevant laws and take the assistance of qualified service providers.
Eco Paryavaran is qualified to provide environmental consultancy services from its Mohali office. Define your project needs and see if the services offered cover your business requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What does an environmental consultant in Mohali do?
An environmental consultant assists businesses, institutions and project proponents in understanding the relevant environmental laws, prepares statutory documents, arranges for environmental monitoring, assesses compliance and identifies pollution control options.
- What are the environmental approvals required for an industrial unit in Punjab?
Depending upon the nature of the activity, an industrial unit may require consent to establish and operate, authorization for various types of wastes and environmental clearance. Other approvals may also be required. Exact requirements depend on the nature of the unit, its activities, location and the applicable regulations.
- Is a green audit mandatory for every college?
Not all colleges are required to have a green audit. The requirement may be based on applicable institutional, regulatory, university or accreditation criteria. Colleges are advised to check what the current requirements, if any, are, for their colleges before commissioning an audit.
- What does a green audit for colleges cover?
A green audit reviews the college’s energy and water consumption, waste water management, waste management, recycling and campus greenery, among others. The audit may review other sustainability practices. The scope of the audit can be defined based on the college’s requirements.
- How often should a college get a green audit?
The frequency of the green audit for a college depends on the purpose and the institutional guidelines. Performing an audit every year can help a college track progress. Reviewing energy and water consumption and waste management can be done regularly to monitor improvements.
- What is the difference between an environmental audit and a green audit?
An environmental audit typically covers areas such as compliance with environmental laws and regulations, control and assessment of pollution, and management of environmental risks and aspects related to the operations of the organization. On the other hand, a green audit covers various aspects of conservation, e.g. water, energy and waste, as well as greenery on the campus. While their scopes can overlap, they are not always interchangeable.
- Can environmental consultants assist with Environmental Clearance?
Yes, consultants who are duly qualified and within their approved scope can assist with environmental studies, EIA/EMP, and the relevant supporting documents and regulatory submissions, for projects that require Environmental Clearance.
- What should I consider when selecting an environmental consultancy firm?
Consider the consultants’ relevant experience and training, current accreditation and approved scope where applicable, laboratory capabilities, awareness and understanding of the local laws and legislation, as well as the reporting and compliance framework.
NAP — Eco Paryavaran
Name: Eco Paryavaran Group
Address: ECO Bhawan, Plot No. E-207, Sector-74, Phase VIII-B Industrial Area, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (S.A.S. Nagar), Mohali, 160071, Punjab, India
Phone: +91-172 461 6225 / +91-9888033866
Email: info@ecoparyavaran.org