CSS Environmental Sciences Environmental Governance in Pakistan Syllabus

Under PEPA 1997, what is the difference between an IEE and an EIA?

An IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) is a preliminary review for projects with potentially less significant impacts; an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is a detailed study required for projects likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

What does PEPA 1997 prohibit regarding discharge of effluents and emissions?

It prohibits the discharge or emission of any effluent, waste, air pollutant, or noise in excess of the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) or any other applicable standards.

Under PEPA 1997, which specialized tribunal adjudicates major environmental offences?

The Environmental Tribunal, which hears serious contraventions, while less serious offences may be tried by Environmental Magistrates.

What is the maximum penalty structure under PEPA 1997 for a contravention (general)?

A fine that may extend up to Rs. 1,000,000, and in case of a continuing contravention an additional fine up to Rs. 100,000 for every day the contravention continues.

Which principle requiring polluters to bear the cost of pollution is embedded in PEPA 1997 and its rules?

The Polluter Pays Principle, operationalized notably through the Pollution Charge mechanism.

What are the Pak-EPA (Review of IEE and EIA) Regulations 2000 primarily concerned with?

They set out the procedures, categories of projects (schedules), review process, public participation, and timelines for filing and approving IEEs and EIAs under Section 12 of PEPA 1997.

Under the IEE/EIA Regulations 2000, what determines whether a project requires an IEE versus an EIA?

The project category listed in the Schedules: Schedule I projects require an IEE, while Schedule II (more environmentally sensitive/larger) projects require a full EIA.

Under the Review of IEE/EIA Regulations 2000, what is the role of public participation in the EIA process?

The EPA must hold a public hearing and invite public comments on EIAs (and may for IEEs), ensuring affected communities can review and comment before a decision is made.

What is the maximum statutory period within which the EPA must communicate its decision on an EIA under the 2000 Regulations?

Within four months (90 days for IEE) of filing a complete application; failure to decide within the period may be deemed approval, subject to conditions.

What do the Hazardous Substances Rules 2005 regulate?

The generation, handling, manufacture, storage, transport, import, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, including a licensing regime through the Federal EPA.

Under the Hazardous Substances Rules 2005, what is required before any person generates or handles hazardous substances?

They must obtain a licence from the Federal Agency (Pak-EPA) and comply with prescribed conditions for safe management.

The Hazardous Substances Rules 2005 implement Pakistan's obligations under which international convention on transboundary movement of hazardous wastes?

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

What is the purpose of the Pollution Charge (Calculation, Collection and Payment) Rules under PEPA 1997?

To levy a pollution charge on industries discharging effluents/emissions in excess of the NEQS, implementing the Polluter Pays Principle to incentivize compliance.

Under the Pollution Charge Rules, on what basis is the pollution charge calculated?

On the basis of the quantum and concentration by which a pollutant exceeds the NEQS limits, multiplied by a prescribed rate per unit of excess pollutant.

What do the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005 govern?

The handling, segregation, collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of waste generated by hospitals and other health-care establishments to protect public health and the environment.

Under the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005, into which broad categories is hospital waste classified?

Risk (hazardous) waste and non-risk waste. Risk waste includes infectious/pathological waste, sharps, pharmaceutical, chemical, genotoxic, radioactive, and pressurized containers; non-risk is ordinary general waste.

Under the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005, what color-coding is used to segregate waste at the point of generation?

Yellow bags/containers for infectious and pathological (risk) waste, sharps in puncture-proof yellow containers, and a separate (e.g., black/other) container for non-risk general waste.

Under the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005, what is the recommended primary method for treating infectious hospital waste?

Disinfection/treatment such as autoclaving or incineration, followed by safe disposal; incinerators must meet emission standards.

Under the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005, who is responsible for establishing a waste management system in a health-care facility?

The head of the institution must constitute a Waste Management Team and designate a Waste Management Officer responsible for the facility's waste management plan.

What is the purpose of the National Solid Waste Management Plan / Guidelines (2005)?

To provide a framework and guidelines for municipalities and local bodies on the proper collection, transport, treatment, recycling and disposal of municipal solid waste.

What is the preferred hierarchy of solid waste management promoted in Pakistan's solid waste guidelines?

The waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover (energy), and finally safe Disposal (sanitary landfill) as the least preferred option.

What is the recommended environmentally sound method of final solid waste disposal under the Solid Waste Management guidelines?

Engineered sanitary landfill (with liners, leachate collection, and gas management), replacing open dumping and open burning.

What are the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)?

Legally enforceable maximum permissible limits for pollutant discharges set under PEPA 1997, covering industrial liquid effluents, gaseous emissions, motor vehicle exhaust/noise, and ambient air quality.

In what year were the NEQS first promulgated, and when were ambient air quality standards added?

The NEQS for effluents and emissions were first notified in 1993 (revised in 2000); the National Environmental Quality Standards for Ambient Air were notified in 2010.

What is the NEQS permissible limit for pH of industrial liquid effluents discharged into inland waters/sewage?

pH must be in the range of 6 to 9.

Under the NEQS for industrial liquid effluents, what is the permissible limit for temperature increase of discharge into receiving water?

A temperature increase of not more than 3 degrees Celsius above the receiving water/effluent baseline.

Under NEQS, what is the maximum permissible limit for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in industrial liquid effluent discharged into inland waters?

150 mg/L (milligrams per litre).

Under the NEQS Ambient Air standards, what is the annual average limit for PM2.5 in Pakistan?

15 micrograms per cubic metre (annual average), with a 24-hour average limit of 35 micrograms per cubic metre.

What is the difference between the Federal EPA (Pak-EPA) and the Provincial EPAs in Pakistan's environmental governance structure?

Pak-EPA (Federal Environmental Protection Agency) handles national-level coordination, standards, and federal matters; Provincial EPAs (Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan) implement and enforce environmental law within their provinces, a role strengthened after the 18th Amendment devolved environment to the provinces.