Navigate India’s environmental permitting landscape — Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), Environmental Clearance (EC), Forest Clearance (FC), CRZ Clearance, Wildlife Clearance, and CGWA NOC. We support PARIVESH portal submissions, SPCB/CPCB interactions, and regulatory compliance across all 28 states and 8 union territories.
PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single-window Hub) is MoEFCC’s integrated portal for all environmental clearance applications. Since 2018, all EC, FC, CRZ, and wildlife clearance applications must be filed through PARIVESH. The portal enables real-time tracking, document management, and inter-agency coordination.
EC applications under EIA Notification 2006 for Category A and B projects
Forest diversion proposals under FCA 1980 / Van Suraksha Adhiniyam 2023
Coastal project clearances under CRZ Notification 2019
NBWL clearance for projects near protected areas
RSustain support: We prepare and submit applications through PARIVESH, track progress, respond to queries, and manage the end-to-end clearance process on behalf of project proponents.
Required under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 before establishing any new industrial unit or expanding existing capacity. Issued by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
Required for all operational industrial units. Must be renewed annually or as per SPCB conditions. Non-renewal results in show-cause notices and potential closure directions. CTO conditions typically specify emission/effluent standards, monitoring requirements, and reporting obligations.
Required under the EIA Notification 2006 for projects listed in the Schedule. Category A projects require MoEFCC clearance; Category B1 projects require SEIAA clearance with EIA; Category B2 projects require SEIAA clearance without EIA. EC conditions are legally binding and monitored through half-yearly compliance returns.
Required under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (now Van Suraksha Adhiniyam, 2023) for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. Covers both reserved and protected forests. Requires compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value (NPV) payment to CAMPA fund.
Required under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019 for projects in coastal areas. CRZ is classified into CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive), CRZ-II (developed urban), CRZ-III (rural), and CRZ-IV (islands). Each zone has specific permitted and prohibited activities.
Required for projects within or near national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and eco-sensitive zones (ESZs). The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) reviews proposals that may affect wildlife habitats. ESZ notifications impose restrictions within buffer zones around protected areas.
CPCB classifies industries into four categories based on their pollution potential. The category determines the stringency of CTE/CTO conditions, monitoring requirements, and inspection frequency.
High pollution potential. Chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, thermal power, steel, cement, sugar, distilleries, tanneries, pulp & paper. Most stringent CTE/CTO conditions. CEMS required.
Moderate pollution. Food processing, textile (not dyeing), automobile manufacturing, engineering, packaging, mineral water. Standard CTE/CTO with periodic monitoring.
Low pollution. Garments (no dyeing), furniture, printing, software, electrical assembly. Simplified CTE/CTO process. Self-monitoring with periodic SPCB inspection.
Minimal/no pollution. IT/ITES, offices, educational institutions, hospitals (no incineration). Exempted from CTE/CTO in most states. Self-declaration sufficient.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Category A Environmental Clearances, Forest Clearances, national-level CRZ, wildlife clearances. Administers PARIVESH portal. Central EAC appraises Category A projects.
Central Pollution Control Board. Sets national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), effluent discharge standards, hazardous waste rules, and EPR framework. Issues directions under EP Act and Water/Air Acts. Coordinates state PCBs.
State Pollution Control Boards / Committees. Issue CTE/CTO, conduct inspections, monitor compliance, and take enforcement action at state level. Each state has unique procedures, timelines, and portals.
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and State Expert Appraisal Committee. Issue Environmental Clearances for Category B (B1 and B2) projects at state level.
National Green Tribunal. India’s principal environmental judiciary. Adjudicates disputes related to environmental clearances, pollution, compensation, and enforcement. Orders are legally binding and time-bound.
Central/State Ground Water Authorities. Issue NOCs for groundwater extraction. Mandatory for industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Water table and aquifer assessment required.
Obtaining clearance is the beginning, not the end. Compliance conditions are legally binding and non-compliance attracts penalties, closure orders, and NGT proceedings.
Half-yearly compliance return preparation and submission. EC condition tracking. Environmental monitoring data compilation. EC amendment applications for changed conditions. EC validity extension well before expiry.
Timely CTO renewal applications (typically 60–90 days before expiry). Process change and capacity expansion amendments. SPCB inspection preparation. Effluent/emission monitoring data management.
Response to CPCB/SPCB show-cause notices and closure directions. NGT proceedings support. Environmental compensation assessment and remediation planning. Regulatory liaison and compliance restoration.
Determine if your project requires Environmental Clearance and under which category (A, B1, or B2). Instant screening.
Try free →75+ regulatory deadlines including CTO renewal, EC compliance returns, EPR registrations, and CPCB submission dates.
View calendar →Environmental aspects and impacts register for regulatory compliance planning. Identify all applicable environmental permits for your operations.
Launch tool →EIA support for projects requiring Environmental Clearance
ESIA for IFC, ADB, and NDB financed projects in India
STP/ETP design for CTE/CTO and EC compliance
Hazardous waste authorisation and solid waste compliance
Consent to Establish (CTE) is required before setting up a new industrial unit or expanding existing capacity — it is the planning-stage permit. Consent to Operate (CTO) is required before starting operations and must be renewed annually (or as specified by the SPCB). CTE covers the design and specification of pollution control systems; CTO confirms that those systems are installed, operational, and meeting prescribed standards. Both are issued by the State Pollution Control Board.
Projects listed in the Schedule to the EIA Notification 2006 require Environmental Clearance. This includes mining, thermal power, industrial projects (chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, steel, cement), infrastructure (highways, railways, airports, ports), real estate (≥20,000 sqm built-up), river valley projects, and waste processing facilities. The Schedule defines 39 activity categories with specific thresholds that determine whether a project is Category A (MoEFCC), B1 (SEIAA with EIA), or B2 (SEIAA without EIA). Use our EIA FastTrack tool to check.
Timelines vary significantly by project category. Category B2 (no EIA required) can be cleared in 2–4 months. Category B1 (with EIA) typically takes 8–14 months including baseline data collection, EIA report preparation, public hearing, and SEAC appraisal. Category A projects can take 12–24 months due to multi-season baseline requirements, EAC appraisal, and public consultation. Forest Clearance, if required, adds 6–18 months. Starting early and preparing comprehensive documentation significantly reduces delays.
Operating without a valid CTO is a violation of the Water Act 1974 and Air Act 1981. The SPCB can issue show-cause notices, impose closure directions, and disconnect power and water supply. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) can impose environmental compensation. Criminal prosecution is possible under the EP Act 1986 with imprisonment up to 5 years and fines. Industrial units with lapsed CTOs also face insurance complications and may be flagged in ESG audits and BRSR disclosures.
CPCB classifies industries into four categories based on their Pollution Index (PI): Red (PI ≥60, high pollution), Orange (41–59, moderate), Green (21–40, low), and White (PI ≤20, minimal). The category determines CTE/CTO stringency, monitoring frequency, inspection intensity, and whether Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring Systems (CEMS/CEQMS) are required. Red category industries face the most stringent compliance requirements.
Contact us to assess your clearance requirements and get a proposal for CTE, CTO, EC, FC, CRZ, or wildlife clearance applications.