Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the

likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development,

taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-
health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. UNEP defines
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the
environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to
decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early
stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce
adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and
present the predictions and options to decision-makers. Environment
Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed by the Environment
Protection Act, 1986 which contains various provisions on EIA
methodology and process.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
The Indian experience with Environmental Impact Assessment began
over 20 years back. It started in 1976-77 when the Planning
Commission asked the Department of Science and Technology to
examine the river-valley projects from an environmental angle.
Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government was
an administrative decision and lacked legislative support.
On 27 January 1994, the then Union Ministry of Environment and
Forests, under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, promulgated
an EIA notification making Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory
for expansion or modernization of any activity or for setting up new
projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
notified new EIA legislation in September 2006.
The notification makes it mandatory for various projects such as
mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road,
highway, ports, harbors and airports) and industries including very
small electroplating or foundry units to get environment clearance.
However, unlike the EIA Notification of 1994, the new legislation
has put the onus of clearing projects on the state
government depending on the size/capacity of the project.
Salient Features of 2006 Amendments to EIA Notification
Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006 has decentralized
the environmental clearance projects by categorizing the
developmental projects in two categories, i.e., Category A (national
level appraisal) and Category B (state level appraisal).
Category A projects are appraised at national level by Impact
Assessment Agency (IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)
and Category B projects are apprised at state level.
State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and
State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are constituted to
provide clearance to Category B process.
After 2006 Amendment the EIA cycle comprises of four stages:
Screening Scoping Public hearing Appraisal
Category A projects require mandatory environmental clearance and
thus they do not undergo the screening process.
Category B projects undergoes screening process and they are
classified into two types.
Category B1 projects (Mandatorily requires EIA).
Category B2 projects (Do not require EIA).
Thus, Category A projects and Category B, projects undergo the
complete EIA process whereas Category B2 projects are excluded from
complete EIA process.
The EIA Process
EIA involves the steps mentioned below. However, the EIA process is cyclical
with interaction between the various steps. Screening: The project plan is
screened for scale of investment, location and type of development and
if the project needs statutory clearance. Scoping: The project’s potential
impacts, zone of impacts, mitigation possibilities and need for
monitoring. Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the
environmental status of study area. Impact prediction: Positive and
negative, reversible and irreversible and temporary and permanent
impacts need to be predicted which presupposes a good understanding
of the project by the assessment agency.
Mitigation measures and EIA report: The EIA report should include
the actions and steps for preventing, minimizing or by passing the
impacts or else the level of compensation for probable environmental
damage or loss.
Public hearing: On completion of the EIA report, public and
environmental groups living close to project site may be informed and
consulted.
Decision making: Impact Assessment Authority along with the experts
consult the project-in-charge along with consultant to take the final
decision, keeping in mind EIA and EMP (Environment Management
Plan).
Monitoring and implementation of environmental management
plan: The various phases of implementation of the project are
monitored.
Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures
and Environmental Impact Assessment Report: For every project,
possible alternatives should be identified, and environmental attributes
compared. Alternatives should cover both project location and process
technologies.
Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be
drawn up for the selected option and is supplemented with an
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to guide the proponent
towards environmental improvements.
Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability and index
also form part of EIA procedures.
Importance of EIA
EIA links environment with development for environmentally safe and
sustainable development.
EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize the
adverse impact of developmental projects.
EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental
activities on the environment well before the developmental project is
implemented.
EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the
developmental plan.
EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is environmentally sound
and within the limits of the capacity of assimilation and regeneration of
the ecosystem.
Shortcomings of EIA Process Applicability: There are several
projects with significant environmental impacts that are exempted from
the notification either because they are not listed in schedule I, or their
investments are less than what is provided for in the notification.
Composition of expert committees and standards: It has been
found that the team formed for conducting EIA studies is lacking the
expertise in various fields such as environmentalists, wildlife experts,
Anthropologists and Social Scientists.
Public hearing:
Public comments are not considered at an early stage, which often
leads to conflict at a later stage of project clearance. A number of
projects with significant environmental and social impacts have been
excluded from the mandatory public hearing process. The data
collectors do not pay respect to the indigenous knowledge of local
people.
Quality of EIA: One of the biggest concerns with the environmental
clearance process is related to the quality of EIA report that are being
carried out.
Lack of Credibility: There are so many cases of fraudulent EIA
studies where erroneous data has been used, same facts used for two
totally different places etc. Often, and more so for strategic industries
such as nuclear energy projects, the EMPs are kept confidential for
political and administrative reasons. Details regarding the effectiveness
and implementation of mitigation measures are often not provided.
Emergency preparedness plans are not discussed in sufficient details
and the information not disseminated to the communities.