AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR - ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

In June 1994 an Environment Unit was established under Natural Resource Management Project (NRMP) in Planning & Development Department (P&DD) headed by an Environmentalist (B-18).

Major Assignments:

• to address and resolve the environmental issues of the State AJ&K
• to work out the establishment of Provincial EPAs type State Environmental Protection Agency (AJK-EPA).
• to take initiative the Government for the promulgation of Environmental Protection Ordinance in AJ&K.

AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ORDINANCE, 1996

To provide for the Control of Pollution and Preservation of Living Environment was promulgated on February 11, 1996. This Ordinance embody the provisions for the;

• Establishment of the Environmental Protection Council and its Functions
• Establishment of the Agency and its Functions
• Environmental Impact statement
• Agency to assist local councils in the disposal of wastes
• Funds of the Agency
• Audit and accounts
• Penalty
• Indemnity
• Bar of Jurisdiction
• Dues of the Agency recoverable as an arrear of land revenue
• Powers to make rules and regulations

ESTABLISHMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

• Year of Establishment:                                   July 1998
• No. of Post Created:                                       05
• Director General:                                            01
• Deputy Director:                                             01
• Assistant Directors:                                        03

AJK ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 2000,

This calls for the Establishment of;

1. AJK Environmental Protection Council (AJK-EPC)

2. AJK­ Environmental Protection Agency (AJK EPA), to provide for the Protection, Conservation, Rehabilitation & Improvement of the Environment and Prevention & Control of Pollution and Promotion of Sustainable Development. 

FUNCTION OF THE AGENCY

• Enforcement of provisions of Act and the rules & regulations made thereunder;
• Preparation & Implementation of the environmental policies
• Prepare & publish an annual Environment Report on the state of the environment
• Prepare or Revise, Establish & enforce Environmental Quality Standards;

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• State Environmental Quality Standards (Certification of Environmental Laboratories) Regulations, 2009
• Azad Jammu & Kashmir Environmental Protection Agency Review of Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2009
• State Sustainable Development Fund Board (Procedure) Rules, 2009

• Environmental Samples Rules, 2009State Environmental Quality Standards (Self-Monitoring and Reporting by Industry) Rules, 2009
• Pollution Charge for Industry (Calculation and Collection) Rules, 2009
• Azad Jammu & Kashmir Bio-Safety Rules, 2009
• National Environmental Quality Standards for Municipal and Liquid Industrial Effluents