NEW DELHI: In a move that will fast-track the establishment of municipal solid waste management facilities and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), the Union environment ministry has proposed exempting such projects from prior environmental clearance.The ministry came out with two separate draft notifications for this purpose last week, arguing that such facilities are basically “essential environment services (EES) which play a vital role in protecting environment and human health” and that their establishment must be encouraged.It sought public/expert opinion on the proposal within 60 days. The final decision will be notified after incorporating stakeholders’ views at the expiry of the mandated period in early Dec.The ministry acted on the suggestions of its sectoral expert and advisory panels which had noted that EES projects such as solid waste management facilities are not only already governed under the stringent and comprehensive water and air (prevention and control of pollution) laws but also classified as “blue category” industries providing essential services.“These facilities may also bring value addition by producing various by-products, such as secondary raw material, compost, energy, etc. and promote circular economy and sustainable development by converting waste into wealth,” said the ministry in its notification while pitching for their exemption from mandatory green clearances.It also noted how various industrial sectors — particularly pharmaceuticals, paints, chemical fertilisers, electroplating and textiles — which were earlier heavily dependent on CETPs, have progressively upgraded their infrastructure in order to comply with “increasingly stringent environmental requirements”. Besides, a growing trend towards the adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, which deal with pollution at source levels, has been observed across sectors.Since CETPs have emerged as a solution to ensure better self-compliance on the principles of collective responsibility, the ministry underlined the need to set up more such plants, subject to the implementation of environmental safeguards.