Environmental Clearances in Odisha: Do You Need EC, CRZ, or Pollution NOCs Before Building?
🌱 What do we mean by “environmental clearance”?
When people in Odisha say “environmental clearance”, they usually mean the permission you need before starting big construction projects.
But in reality, there are 5 different approvals that may come into play:
- EC (Environmental Clearance) – for big buildings/townships.
- CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone clearance) – if you’re near the sea, river mouth, or backwaters.
- Forest clearance – if your land touches forest land.
- Wildlife clearance – if you’re inside/near a national park or sanctuary.
- Pollution Control Board (CTE/CTO) – NOC for sewage plants, DG sets, air/noise/waste management.
All these are tracked online on the PARIVESH portal (national single window).
🏢 Who really needs EC in Odisha?
Under India’s EIA Notification 2006, you need EC if your project is:
- Building/Construction projects ≥ 20,000 sq.m built-up area (that’s roughly 200 flats or more).
- Township/Area development projects ≥ 50 hectares OR ≥ 1,50,000 sq.m built-up.
👉 Smaller projects (<20,000 sq.m) don’t need EC, but you still need planning approval + Pollution Board consent.
(Tip: “Built-up area” means all floors, basements, services—not just carpet area.)
⚖️ 2025 Supreme Court update – important!
In Aug 2025, the Supreme Court clearly said:
- No shortcuts → If your project is over 20,000 sq.m, you must take EC.
- The earlier government attempt to “relax” EC for some buildings was struck down.
So don’t assume you can bypass EC in Odisha if you’re crossing the limit.
🌊 CRZ clearance (for coastal Odisha)
If your land is in Puri, Konark, Chilika, Paradip, or any tidal/backwater area, you’ll also need a CRZ clearance.
- Odisha has an approved CZMP (Coastal Zone Management Plan) map.
- You need to superimpose your layout on this map and show it to the Odisha SCZMA.
- If your site falls in CRZ, extra restrictions apply (like no permanent structures in CRZ-I areas).
🌳 Forest & Wildlife clearances
- If even a small strip of land is classified as forest, you’ll need clearance under the Forest Act.
- If your project is inside or close to a sanctuary/national park (like Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia), you may also need Wildlife clearance from NBWL.
👉 Both are time-consuming and expensive (compensatory afforestation, NPV payments). Best to avoid forest/ESZ land if possible.
🏭 Odisha State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) NOCs
Even if you don’t need EC, you almost always need two NOCs from SPCB Odisha:
- CTE (Consent to Establish) – before you start construction.
- CTO (Consent to Operate) – before people move in or the project starts running.
These cover things like STP (sewage treatment plant), DG sets, waste management, air/noise control. You can apply online via OCMMS (SPCB portal).
📝 Step-by-step for a typical big project
- Check your size → If ≥ 20,000 sq.m built-up, apply for EC on PARIVESH.
- Check your location → Near sea? → CRZ clearance. Near forest/park? → Forest/Wildlife clearance.
- File online → Submit Form-1/Form-1A + Conceptual Plan (for 8a) or EIA study (for 8b).
- SEIAA Odisha appraisal → They may ask for presentations or clarifications.
- EC Letter issued → with conditions (STP, solid waste mgmt, rainwater harvesting, etc.).
- SPCB CTE → parallel or right after EC.
- After completion → SPCB CTO + planning authority Occupancy Certificate.
🚩 Common red flags in Odisha
- Plotting schemes split into smaller phases to “stay under 20,000 sq.m” → risky, EC can still be enforced.
- Coastal projects assuming “inside town = no CRZ” → wrong, check CZMP maps.
- Near ESZ → if your site touches Eco-Sensitive Zone, Wildlife clearance will be asked later (common reason for project delay).
📊 Quick compliance matrix
| Situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Residential/commercial ≥20,000 sq.m | EC from SEIAA Odisha |
| Township ≥50 ha or ≥1,50,000 sq.m | EC (with EIA & public hearing) |
| Coastal site (Puri, Konark, Chilika) | CRZ clearance (Odisha SCZMA) |
| Touches forest land | Forest clearance (FCA 1980/2023) |
| Inside/near sanctuary (ESZ) | Wildlife clearance (NBWL) |
| Any project with STP/DG sets | SPCB CTE → CTO |
📂 Documents you’ll need
- Layout & Conceptual Plan (built-up calc, water balance, traffic circulation).
- Form-1/Form-1A (8a) or full EIA (8b).
- CZMP overlay maps (for CRZ).
- DGPS maps & afforestation plan (for Forest).
- ESZ notification reference (for Wildlife).
- STP design, stack heights, noise proofing (for SPCB).
👀 Buyer/Investor checklist
- Ask the builder for a copy of the EC letter (if project ≥20,000 sq.m).
- For coastal plots, ask for CRZ clearance.
- If near forest/park, ask for Forest/Wildlife approval or a “no requirement” letter.
- Check CTE/CTO on SPCB site.
- Remember: EC ≠ Building Plan approval → you still need ODA/OTPIT/SUJOG permit separately.
❓ FAQs
1. Do all projects need EC in Odisha?
No, only those ≥20,000 sq.m built-up (or townships ≥50 ha/1.5 lakh sq.m).
2. After the 2025 Supreme Court ruling, do we still need EC?
Yes, if you cross the thresholds. No exemptions.
3. If my land is near the sea, do I still need planning approval?
Yes, CRZ clearance is in addition to local planning approvals.
4. What if my land has a small forest patch?
You’ll need Forest clearance—better to avoid such land.
5. Do smaller projects need SPCB clearance?
Yes, you need CTE/CTO even if you don’t need EC.
6. Where can I track approvals?
On PARIVESH (for EC/CRZ/Forest/Wildlife) and OCMMS (for SPCB).
✅ Conclusion
In Odisha, think of environmental approvals as a checklist of 5: EC, CRZ, Forest, Wildlife, SPCB.
- If you’re small (<20,000 sq.m), focus on SPCB + planning permit.
- If you’re big, start EC early and overlay CZMP/Forest/ESZ maps.
- For buyers: always ask for EC & SPCB NOCs before booking.
Next in the series, we’ll cover “Building Plan Approval on SUJOG/OBPAS”—a step-by-step with screenshots and pro tips.
