International Journal of Applied Environmental Sciences

ISSN 0973-6077 Volume 14, Number 5 (2019), pp. 475-487

© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com

Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion

Projects for Obtaining Environmental Clearance
in India

V.Vijay Kumar*, S.Swathy, R.Radhika, M.A.Fasi Khan and Dr.B.Chakradhar

Ramky Enviro Services Private Limited (A subsidiary of Ramky Enviro Engineers
Limited), 12th Floor, Ramky Grandiose, Ramky Towers Complex, Gachibowli,
Hyderabad – 500 032, Telangana, India.
*Corresponding author

Abstract
The prosperity and economic growth of a country depends, to a large extent,
on its forest wealth. The forest is an important natural resource for any country
and deforestation retards a country's development. As per National Forest
Policy, 1988 the national goal is to have a minimum of one-third of the total
land area of the country under forest / tree cover. In hills and in mountainous
regions, it should be aimed to maintain two-third of the area under forest/tree
cover in order to prevent erosion, land degradation etc., and to ensure the
stability of fragile eco-system. Green belt development is beneficial in several
ways leading in conservation of biodiversity, retention of soil moisture,
reduction in atmospheric pollution, recharge of ground water, improving
aesthetics of local environment and maintaining pleasant atmosphere of the
region. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEFCC)
insisted to develop green belt for new and existing projects proposing
expansion and modernisation in their respective Environmental Clearance
(EC), in order to minimize the impacts due to air pollution and noise pollution
in the environment. The MoEFCC has issued the standard Terms of Reference
(ToR) for the list of 39 projects or activities for preparation of Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) report. For most of the projects or activities the
green belt area suggested is 33% of total land area, width of the 3 tier green
belt is varying from 15m to 100m depending on the type of project, density of
the green belt is in the range 1500 to 2500 plants per ha, the green belt species
suggested is native species.
Keywords: Green belt, National forest policy, standard terms of reference,
environmental clearance, 33%, MoEFCC
476 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

INTRODUCTION
Green belt is plantation of trees for reducing the pollution as they absorb both gaseous
and particulate pollutant, thus removing them from atmosphere. Green plants form a
surface capable of absorbing air pollutants and forming sinks for pollutants, it
improves the aesthetic value of local environment. Green belts are planned open
spaces safeguarded from developmental activities such as construction of buildings,
factories, any other infrastructural activities; these areas are used only for growing
vegetation cover. Green belts in and around urban and industrial areas are important
for maintaining ecological health of the region.
Though there is no exclusive green belt development policy in India, however on
basis of other environmental policies and acts there are certain restrictions and
prohibitions on new projects or activities or on the expansion or modernization of
existing projects or activities based on their potential environmental impacts as
indicated in the schedule to the EIA Notification issued in 1994 and revised in 2006,
being undertake in any part of India, unless prior EC has been accorded in accordance
with the objectives of National Environmental Policy.
As per Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 [FCA] and Forest Conservation Rules, 2003
(Guidelines & Clarifications) one of the condition stipulated by MoEFCC while
according prior approval (stage I / Stage II) for non-forest use of forest land under
FCA, 1980 for industrial projects is that the user agency has to maintain green belt
(33%) within the allotted area as per the directions of the concerned Divisional Forest
Officer. All mining projects, including cluster mines, are required to have a 7.5m
wide peripheral safety zone within the mining lease area, properly demarcated with
boundary pillars with differential global positioning system (DGPS) coordinates
inscribed on them and to be maintained as effective green belt.

Siting guidelines for industries

The MoEFCC (Handbook of Environmental Procedures and Guidelines, 1994) has
notified siting criteria for establishment of industries considering and striking
balanced approach between economic, social and environmental factors into
consideration. The factors related to green belt are given below.
 The green belt shall be 1/2km wide around the battery limit of the industry, for
industry having odour problem it shall be one km wide.
 The green belt between two adjoining large scale industries shall be one km.
 No prime agricultural land shall be converted into industrial site.
 No forest land shall be converted into non-forest activity for the sustenance of the
industry (FCA, 1980).
 Land acquired shall be sufficiently large to provide space for appropriate
treatment of wastewater, the treated wastewater left after maximum possible
reuse and recycle should be used to raise green belt and to create water body for
aesthetics, recreation and if possible for aquaculture.
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining… 477

Conditions related to green belt cited in standard terms of reference issued by

MoEFCC (2015)
The MoEFCC has notified the EIA Notification, 2006 under the provisions of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which regulates development and their
expansion / modernization of 39 sectors / activities listed in the Schedule to the EIA
Notification, 2006. There are two Category of the projects viz. Category 'A' projects
are handled at the level of MoEFCC and the Category 'B' projects are handled by the
respective State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) following the
procedure prescribed under the EIA Notification, 2006. For obtaining EC the EIA
report has to be prepared based on the Standard ToR.
The standard ToRs have been prepared by MoEFCC based on ToR issued in the past
as well as independent inputs received from experts and are for guiding the project
proponent on preparation of EIA report and expediting the process of EC without
compromising environmental norms and the rigor of EIA. The project proponents
should consult the sectoral EIA manuals which have been prepared and uploaded on
the departmental website for the concerned sectors for detail information and
guidance.
The significant ToR points related to green belt in the standard ToR are varying
depending upon the type of project /sector. The key ToR point’s sector wise related to
green belt are given in Table 1.

Table 1. TOR points related to green belt

Project Name of the sector
TOR point
/Activity
1 [a] A time bound progressive green belt
Non coal mining project development plan shall be prepared in a
tabular form (indicating the linear and
quantitative coverage, plant species and time
frame) and submitted, keeping in mind, the
same will have to be executed up front on
commencement of the project. Phase wise
plan of plantation and compensatory
afforestation should be charted clearly
indicating the area to be covered under
plantation and the species to be planted. The
details of plantation already done should be
given. The plant species selected for green
belt should have greater ecological value
and should be of good utility value to the
local population with emphasis on local and
native species and the species which are
tolerant to pollution
478 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

Project Name of the sector

TOR point
/Activity
Progressive Green belt and ecological
Coal mining project restoration /afforestation plan (both in text,
figures and in the tabular form as per the
format of MOEFCC – Land use category,
present, 5th year, 10th year 20th year, end of
the mine life) and selection of species
(native) based on original survey/land use
should be given.
Green belt development should be
undertaken particularly around the transport
route and coal handling plant.
1 [b] Offshore and onshore oil Green belt development point not mentioned
and gas exploration, in the standard TOR
development and
production
1 [c] Plan for Green Belt Development along the
River valley projects periphery of reservoir, colonies, approach
road, canals etc., to be prepared in
consultation with the State Forest
Department. Local plant species suitable for
green belt development should be selected.
Compensatory afforestation to compensate
the green belt area that will be removed, if
any, as part of the proposed project
development and loss of biodiversity.
1 [d] Detailed scheme for raising green belt of
Thermal power plants native species of appropriate width (50 to
100m) and consisting of at least 3 tiers
around plant boundary with tree density of
2000 to 2500 trees per ha with a good
survival rate of around 80%, shall be
submitted. Photographic evidence must be
created and submitted periodically including
NRSA reports in case of expansion projects.
A shrub layer beneath tree layer would serve
as an effective sieve for dust and sink for
CO2 and other gaseous pollutants and hence
a stratified green belt should be developed.
Over and above the green belt, as carbon
sink, plan for additional plantation shall be
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining… 479

Project Name of the sector

TOR point
/Activity
drawn by identifying blocks of degraded
forests, in close consultation with District
Forests Department. In pursuance to this the
project proponent shall formulate time
bound action plans along with financial
allocation and shall submit status of
implementation to the ministry every six
months.
A common green endowment fund shall be
created by the project proponents out of
EMP budgets. The interest earned out of it
should be used for development and
management of green cover of the area.
1 [e] Site lay-out plan of the proposed
Nuclear power projects development shall be submitted to a scale of
and processing of nuclear 1:5000 clearly marking the lay-out of
fuel breakwaters, navigation channels, harbor
basin, berths, dry docks, work shops,
container freight station, cargo handling
systems, conveyors, covered and uncovered
storage yards, ware houses, roads, railway
tracks, effluent disposal points,
administrative and operational buildings,
utilities, town-ships, green belts, dredged
material disposal etc. Boundaries of the
proposed plants shall be shown therein with
latitude and longitude.
2 [a] Coal washeries A thick greenbelt of about 50m width should
be developed surround the washery
2 [b] A time bound progressive green belt
Mineral beneficiation development plan shall be prepared in a
tabular form (indicating the linear and
quantitative coverage, plant species and time
frame) and submitted, keeping in mind, the
same will have to be executed up front on
commencement of the project. The plant
species selected for green belt should have
greater ecological value and should be of
good utility value to the local population
with emphasis on local and native species
and the species which are tolerant to the
480 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

Project Name of the sector

TOR point
/Activity
pollution.
3 [a] Metallurgical industries Photographs of the proposed and existing (if
(ferrous and non ferrous) applicable) plant site. If existing, show
photographs of plantation/greenbelt, in
3 [b] Cement plants particular.
Action plan for the green belt development
4 [a] Petroleum refining
plan in 33% area i.e. land with not less than
industry
1500 trees per ha. Giving details of species,
4 [b] Coke oven plants width of plantation, planning schedule etc.
shall be included. The green belt shall be
4 [c] Asbestos milling and
around the project boundary and a scheme
asbestos based products
for greening of the roads used for the project
4 [d] Chlor-alkali industry shall also be incorporated.
4 [e] Soda ash industry
4 [f] Skin/hide processing
industry including tanning
industry
5 [a] Chemical fertilisers
5 [b] Pesticides industry and
pesticides specific
intermediates
5 [c] Petro chemical complexes
5 [d] Manmade fibres
manufacturing
5 [e] Petroleum products and
Petrochemical based
processing
5 [f] Synthetic organic
chemicals industry
5 [g] Distilleries
5 [h] Integrated paint industry
5 [i] Pulp and paper industry
5 [j] Sugar industry
6 [a] Oil and gas transportation Green belt development point not mentioned
pipe line in the standard TOR
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining…
Project Name of the sector
/Activity
6 [b] Isolated storage and
handling of hazardous
chemicals
7 [a] Airports
7 [b] All ship breaking yards
including ship breaking
units
7 [c] Industrial estates / parks/
complexes / areas/ export
processing zones/ special
economic zones, biotech
parks, leather complexes
7 [d] Common hazardous waste
treatment, storage and
disposal facilities
7 [e] Ports, harbours, break
water, dredging
481
TOR point
Photographs of the proposed and existing (if
applicable) plant site. If existing, show
photographs of plantation/greenbelt, in
particular.
Action plan for the green belt development
plan in 33% area i.e. land with not less than
1500 trees per ha. Giving details of species,
width of plantation, planning schedule etc.
shall be included. The green belt shall be
around the project boundary and a scheme
for greening of the roads used for the project
shall also be incorporated.
Examine the details of afforestation
measures indicating land and financial
outlay. Landscape plan, green belts and open
spaces may be described. A thick green belt
should be planned all around the nearest
settlement to mitigate noise and vibrations.
The identification of species / plants should
be made based on the botanical studies.
Green belt development point not mentioned
in the standard TOR
Green buffer in the form of green belt to a
width of 15m should be provided all along
the periphery of the industrial area. The
individual units should keep 33% of the
allotted area as a green area
Green belt development point not mentioned
in the standard TOR
Examine the details of afforestation
measures indicating land and financial
outlay. Landscape plan green belts and open
spaces may be described. A thick green belt
should be planned all around the nearest
settlement to mitigate noise and vibrations.
The identification of species / plants should
be made based on the botanical studies.
482 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

Project Name of the sector

TOR point
/Activity
7 [f] Highways Necessary green belt shall be provided on
both sides of the highways with proper
central verge and cost provision should be
made for regular maintenance.
7 [g] Aerial ropeways Green belt development point not mentioned
in the standard TOR
7 [h] Common effluent Details of greenbelt
treatment plants
7 [i] Common municipal solid Submit a copy of the layout plan of project
waste management facility site showing solid waste storage, greenbelt
(width and length, 33% of the project area),
all roads, prominent wind direction,
processing plant and buildings, etc., should
be provided
8 [a] Building and construction No Standard TOR
projects As per S.O. 3999 [E] dated 9th Dec 2016, a
minimum of 1 tree for every 80m2 of land
area should be planted and maintained. The
existing trees will be counted for this
purpose. Preference should be given to
planting native species.
Where the trees need to be cut,
compensatory plantation in the ratio of 1:3
(i.e. planting of 3 trees for every 1 tree that
is cut) shall be done and maintained.
8 [b] Townships and area Green belt development point not mentioned
development projects in the standard TOR

Conditions related to green belt given in ECs issued by statutory authorities

In some environmental clearances issued for various types of projects by concerned
regulatory authorities at central and state level, the following conditions related to
green belt development are mentioned.
For mining projects, plantation shall be raised in a 7.5m wide green belt in the safety
zone around the mining lease, backfilled and reclaimed area, around water body,
along the roads etc., by planting the native species in consultation with the local
DFO/Agriculture Department and per CPCB guidelines. The density of the trees
should be around 2500 plants per ha. Green belt shall be developed all along the mine
lease area in phased manner and shall be completed within first five years.
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining… 483

For thermal power plants, to mitigate dust pollution, a thick green belt should be
developed around the plant and ashy dyke area. Green belt consisting of three tiers of
plantation of native species around plant and at least 50m width shall be raised.
Wherever 50m width is not feasible a 20m width shall be raised and adequate
justification shall be submitted to the ministry. Tree density shall not be less than
2500 per ha with survival rate not less than 80%. Green belt shall be developed
around the ash pond over and above the green belt around the plant boundary.
For industrial projects, green belt of adequate width and density shall be provided in
33 % area to mitigate the effects of fugitive emissions all around the plant with local
species in consultation with the DFO as per the CPCB guidelines.
For bulk drugs manufacturing unit, the green belt of at least 5-10m width shall be
developed in nearly 33% of the total project area, mainly along the plant periphery, in
downward wind direction, and along road sides, etc. Selection of plant species shall
be as per the CPCB guidelines in consultation with state forest department.
For industrial areas/parks/estates, green belt 33% of the area along the boundary,
roads, open areas as well as in and around individual units. The green belt of adequate
width and density preferably with local species along the periphery of the plot shall be
raised so as to provide protection against particulates and noise. No exotic species to
be used. Plants of native species can be procured from local forest department. There
shall be continuous green belt along the plant premises, except at the designated entry
and exit points.
For hazardous waste treatment storage and disposal facilities, project proponent
shall develop green belt with native species that are significant and used for the
pollution abatement, at least 10m thick green belt shall be developed in the periphery
of hazardous waste facility, green belt shall cover 33% of the total area, green belt of
10m will be developed along the boundary, 1m along the road (two sides), open areas,
other than active landfills.
For building and construction projects, the green belt design along the periphery of
the plot shall achieve attenuation factor conforming to the day and night noise
standards prescribed for residential land use by the MoEFCC, GOI/CPCB. The open
spaces inside the plot should be suitably landscaped and covered with vegetation of
indigenous variety. Species of mosquito repellent & aromatic plants along with other
plants shall also be included for development of greenbelt. During night time the
noise levels measured at the boundary of the building shall be restricted to the
permissible levels to comply with the prevalent regulations. The proponent shall
develop and maintain green belt with tall growing trees instead of lawns, etc., to
maximum extent; the proponent shall also geotag all the sampling planted.
For area development projects, one of the specific condition under green cover
stated that a minimum of 1 tree for every 80m2 of land should be planted and
maintained. The existing trees will be counted for this purpose. Preference should be
given to planting native species. Where the trees need to be cut, compensatory
plantation in the ratio of 1:3 (i.e. planting of 3 trees for every 1 tree that is cut) shall
be done and maintained. Adequate area shall be provided for green belt/ landscape
development.
484 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

Development of green belt

Most of the anthropogenic activities generate pollution in one or other types and of
different magnitude, for which all the organisms are exposed. In such cases the green
belts will be effective in controlling the pollution. Leaves with their vast area in a tree
crown, sorbs pollutants on their surface, thus affectively reduce their concentrations in
ambient air. Often the sorbed pollutants are incorporated in metabolic stream and thus
the air is purified. Plants grown in such a way as the function as pollutant sinks are
collectively referred as green belts. As per guidelines for development of greenbelts,
CPCB (Programme objective series – PROBES/75/1999-2000) there are two types of
approaches for designing green belts viz. 1) source oriented and 2) receptor oriented.
Both these approaches have their own advantages and limitations.
Source oriented approach is advantageous where a single industry is situated and the
pollutants emitted by the same are sought to be contained. The receptor oriented
approach is desirable in urban / industrial complexes with multiple sources of
pollution are present along with human settlements in between. Generally it is stated
that tolerant species should be planted in green belts, but it is very difficult to state
confidently about several other aspects about the green belts viz. bio-geographic
regions, soil quality, distance between species, width and height with reference to
pollution source, ideal density of plants, etc.
While making choice of plant species for cultivation in green belts, weightage has to
be given to the natural factor of bio-climate, authorities responsible for plantation
should make adequate provisions for watering and protection of the saplings. For
effective removal of pollutants following measures has to be adopted.
 See that the plants grow under conditions of adequate nutritional supply (for
health and vigour of growth)
 Absence of water stress (to maintain openness of stomatal apertures and form
of epidermal structures)
 Plants are well exposed to atmospheric conditions of light and breeze (i.e.
away from engineering structures hindering free flow of air) to maintain free
interaction with gases
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining… 485

Characters of plants necessary for effecting absorption of pollutant gases and removal
of dust particles are given Table 2.

Table 2. Characters of plants

For absorption of gases
Tolerance towards pollutants
Longer duration of foliage
Freely exposed foliage, through
 adequate height of crown,
 openness of foliage in canopy,
 big leaves (long and broad
laminar surfaces) large number
of stomatal apertures,
 stomata well exposed
For removal of suspended particulate
matter
Height and spread of crown
Leaves supported on firm petioles
Abundance of surfaces on bark and foliage,
through
 roughness of bark,
 epidermal outgrowths on petioles,
 abundance of axillary hairs
 hairs or scales on laminar surfaces
 stomata protected

The plant foliage plays a major role in absorbing the air pollutant efficiently, due to
the favourable light conditions near the canopy surface of the plant. The rate of the
pollutant removal is found to increase linearly as the concentration of the pollutant
increased over the ranges of concentration that are encountered in ambient air and
which are low enough not to cause stomatal closure. Within their limits of tolerance,
plants absorb air pollutants and to that extent remove the same from ambient air. The
solubilities of pollutant gases in water are listed in in Table 3.
Table 3. Solubilities of pollutant gases in water
Pollutant Solubility at 20°C
(cm3 gas ml-1 H2O)
HF 446
SO2 39.40
Cl2 2.30
NO2 Decomposes
O3 0.26
PAN --
NO 0.05
CO 0.02

The plant uptake of air pollutants appeared to follow the following order (Hill and
Chamberlain, 1974).
HF>SO2 > Cl > NO2 > O3 > PAN > NO > CO
The design of the green belt and its composition may vary from place to place and
industry to industry. Just putting some trees around an industry may not serve the
486 V.Vijay Kumar et al.

purpose of green belt. The development of green belt by using pollution tolerant
plants for air quality improvement involves selecting suitable plants species,
determining climatic conditions, nature of pollutants to be ameliorated and general
landscape of the locality. The width of the green belt varies based on the type
/category of industry (R.B.Gupta, et al. 2008) as given in Table 4. The CPCB in its
book titled Guidelines for developing greenbelts – PROBES/75/1999-2000 has given
a comprehensive list of plants recommended for green belts in the country (India), the
country is divided into six agro-climatic zones and their subzones. The list consists of
latin and common names of plants, natural order to which they belong and number of
relevant characteristic features, viz. tolerance or otherwise towards air pollution,
habit, growth rate, flowering phenology, crown shape and approximate surface area,
etc.
Table 4. Width of the green belt based on industry type
Class Industry Width of GB
(m)
I Heavy industry with high potential of air pollution > 500
II Heavy industry with low potential of air pollution 200 to 500
III A. Medium heavy industry with high potential of air 100 to 200
pollution
III B. Medium heavy industry with low potential of air 100 to 200
pollution
IV A. Light industry with high potential of air pollution 50 to 100
IV B. Light industry with low potential of air pollution 50 to 100
V Service industry 10 to 50
VI Workshops, handicrafts, etc. < 10

CONCLUSION
Development of green belt consisting of 3 tier along the periphery of the project with
native species is most important guideline for any type of industry. Green vegetation
cover is beneficial in many ways leading to conservation of biodiversity, retention of
soil moisture, recharge of ground water and maintaining pleasant climate of the area,
providing possible habitats for birds and animals. Green belt minimizes the build-up
of pollution levels in urban / industrial areas by acting as pollution sinks. The 3 tier
green belt will absorb pollutants released from the industrial activity into atmosphere
and helps in effective pollution control. The main advantages of green belt in and
around the industry are to control air and noise pollution. Trees help in trapping
particulate matter, removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from air and by
release of oxygen into the air thereby improving the air quality. Green belt reduces the
intensity of sound by deflect, refract or by absorb sound, it will function as barrier
between industry and neighbourhood. The intensity reduction depends upon the
distance sound has to travel from source and width of the greenbelt. Green belt also
helps in soil erosion control through improvement of soil quality and binding soil
Green Belt Requirement for New and Expansion Projects for Obtaining… 487

particles, it also contains water run offs and improves ground water infiltration and
improves ground water recharge capacity. The green belt species should be selected
based on the type/category of the industry and climatic conditions. Setting trees
around an industry may not serve the purpose of green belt without considering the
above elements.

Acknowledgements
Authors are thankful to the management of Ramky Enviro Services Private Limited,
Hyderabad for giving encouragement and support to publish this article.

REFERENCES
[1] EIA notification (1994), MoEFCC, GOI, New Delhi.
[2] EIA notification (2006), MoEFCC, GOI, New Delhi.
[3] Guidelines for developing greenbelts, CPCB, March 2000,
PROBES/75/1999-2000
[4] Handbook of Environmental Procedures and Guidelines (1994) MoEFCC,
GOI, New Delhi.
[5] Handbook of Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980 and Forest Conservation
Rules, 2003 (Guidelines & Clarifications) (2019), MoEFCC, GOI, New Delhi.
[6] National forest policy (1988), MoEFCC, GOI, New Delhi.
[7] Notification S.O.3999 (E), dated 9th December 2016, MoEFCC, GOI, New
Delhi.
[8] Standard terms of reference (TOR) for EIA/EMP report for projects/activities
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April 2015
[9] Hill, A. C., & Chamberlain, E. M. (1974). The removal of water soluble gases
from the atmosphere by vegetation. Atmosphere-Surface Exchange of
Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants, 153-170.
[10] Gupta, R., Chaudhari, B., & Wate, S. R. (2008). Overview on attenuation of
industrial air pollution by greenbelt. J. Indus. Poll. Con, 24, 1-8.
488 V.Vijay Kumar et al.