Environmental protection and sustainable development have served as the fundamental principles guiding the policies and procedures regulating industrial and other developmental activities in India.
[Question: 957673]
[Question: 957673]
Initially, the assessment covered projects requiring approval from the Public Investment Board, but these were administrative decisions lacking legislative support.
In 1986, the Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act to address environmental concerns comprehensively.
As part of the Act's objectives, a decision was made to make environmental impact assessment a statutory requirement.
Under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the Government issued various notifications related to specific geographical areas, extending beyond the general EIA.
These notifications included prohibitions on industries within specific belts, restrictions in ecologically sensitive regions, and the classification of coastal stretches as coastal regulation zones with corresponding prohibitions.
Notable instances include restrictions in the Raigarh district of Maharashtra, the Doon Valley, coastal regulation in various stretches, Dahanu Taluka in Maharashtra, specified areas in the Aravalli Range, and the north-western region of Numaligarh in Assam.
The measures aimed to regulate industrial and other activities that could lead to pollution and congestion, providing a comprehensive framework for environmental protection in diverse regions.
[Question: 957594]
Scoping involves detailing the terms of reference for the EIA. This task is undertaken by the consultant in collaboration with the project proponent, with guidance, if necessary, from the Impact Assessment Agency.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued sector-wise guidelines (comprehensive terms of reference) delineating significant issues to be addressed in EIA studies.
Quantifiable impacts are assessed based on magnitude, prevalence, frequency, and duration, while non-quantifiable impacts (e.g., aesthetic or recreational value) are evaluated through socio-economic criteria.
Once areas with potentially significant impacts are identified, the baseline status of these areas should be monitored. Subsequently, predictions should be made regarding the anticipated changes in these areas due to the construction and operation of the proposed project.
[Question: 957598]
Impact prediction involves mapping the environmental consequences of the significant aspects of the project and its alternatives. Predicting environmental impact can never be done with absolute certainty, underscoring the importance of considering all possible factors and taking precautions to reduce uncertainty to the greatest extent possible.
The project's impacts should undergo assessment in the following categories:
Air
Noise
Water
Land
Biological
[Question: 957595]
2. Impact on Economic Status:
Breeding and Nesting Grounds
Identify and compare potential alternatives for both project location and process technologies, considering a no-project option. Rank alternatives to select the most environmentally favorable option.
Develop a mitigation plan for the chosen option, supplemented with an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for enhanced environmental practices. The EMP is crucial for monitoring clearance conditions, with detailed monitoring specifics included.
Provide clear information in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on different environmental scenarios:
[Question: 957595]
Anyone anticipated to be impacted by the proposed project has the right to obtain the Executive Summary of the EIA. Potentially affected individuals may encompass:
Environmental GroupsThese individuals are entitled to present oral or written suggestions to the State Pollution Control Board, providing them with an opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process.
[Question: 957601]
These features include the decentralization of environmental clearance for developmental projects into two categories: Category A and Category B.
After the 2006 Amendment, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) cycle involves four stages:
Category A projects necessitate mandatory environmental clearance and do not undergo the screening process. On the other hand, Category B projects undergo the screening process and are classified into two types:
While Category A projects and Category B projects (Mandatory requires EIA) undergo the complete EIA process, Category B projects (Do not require EIA) are excluded from the complete EIA process.
[Question: 957601]
The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020, introduced under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), replaces the 2006 notification.
Key provisions of the 2020 EIA Notification include:
The primary distinction between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA is the temporal scope of the data supplied.
Assessment of damage to terrestrial flora and fauna includes the evaluation of the impact of air pollution and changes in land use and landscape.
Terrestrial Flora and Fauna
Assessment of damage to aquatic and marine flora and fauna, including commercial fishing, involves analyzing the consequences of physical disturbances and alterations.
Prediction of biological stresses within the impact zone of the proposed project anticipates potential impacts on the local ecosystem.
Delineation of mitigation measures involves outlining comprehensive strategies to prevent and/or reduce potential damage.
[Question: 957865]
Land Environment
[Question: 957867]
Identifying hazards through the use of hazard indices, inventory analysis, dam break probability, and Natural Hazard Probability, among other methods.
Conducting Maximum Credible Accident (MCA) analysis to pinpoint potential hazardous scenarios.
Analyzing consequences of failures and accidents, such as fire, explosion, hazardous releases, and dam breaks.
Undertaking Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) studies for a comprehensive understanding.
Assessing risk based on the above evaluations.
Developing an onsite and offsite Disaster Management Plan for the project-affected area.
Environmental Management System
Outlining mitigation measures, encompassing prevention and control strategies for each environmental component, as well as a rehabilitation and resettlement plan.
Defining a monitoring scheme to ensure compliance with conditions.
Detailing an implementation plan, including scheduling and resource allocation.
[Question: 957866]
Key environmental issues related to project characteristics are outlined in Sectoral Guidelines published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) periodically.
The Initial Project Description (IPD) serves as a crucial document, providing essential information for project screening and scoping.
Specific details covered by the IPD include:
Project Scope
The IPD may also encompass:
This comprehensive information aims to facilitate the reviewer's task in assessing crucial aspects of project location and characteristics.
After suitable scoping, the project proponent should provide environmental information for consideration in the detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The reviewer, in evaluating the report, should focus on critical aspects related to project location and characteristics.
[Question: 957866]
The effective approach to minimizing the requirement of mitigation measures involves careful site selection.
Proposed project locations should undergo a review based on both regulatory and non-regulatory criteria.
Project siting restrictions are contingent on the sensitivity of the surrounding environment, assessed about proximity to places/sites listed in identified ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) notified by MOEF.
Siting criteria delineated by MOEF include:
Logo of MOEF
Additional specified distances to be maintained:
Review the proposed project location concerning:
[Question: 957866]
A. Process of Public Hearing: Those applying for environmental clearance for projects must submit their application to the relevant State Pollution Control Board.
B. Notice of Public Hearing:
C. Composition of Public Hearing Panel:
The composition of the Public Hearing Panel may include the following:
1. Representative of the State Pollution Control Board.
2. District Collector or their nominee.
3. Representative of the State Government dealing with the subject.
4. Representative of the Department of the State Government dealing with the Environment.
5. Not more than three representatives of the area, nominated by the District Collector, who are senior citizens.
[Question: 957866]
A. Applicability
B. Composition of Expert Committees and Standards:
The team formed for conducting EIA studies lacks expertise in various fields such as environmentalists, wildlife experts, anthropologists, and social scientists to study the social impact of the project.
There is a lack of exhaustive ecological and socio-economic indicators for impact assessment.
C. Public Hearing
Public comments are not considered at the early stage, often leading to conflicts in the later stages of project clearance.
Several projects with significant impacts are excluded from the mandatory public hearing process.
Documents that the public is entitled to are seldom available on time.
Data collectors do not respect the indigenous knowledge of local people.
[Question: 957866]
D. Quality
A major concern with the environmental clearance process is related to the quality of EIA reports. Reports are generally incomplete and provided with false data.
EIA reports often ignore several aspects during assessments, and significant information is found to be omitted.
Many EIA reports are based on single-season data and are not adequate to determine whether environmental clearance should be granted.
The responsibility of commissioning the preparation of the EIA lies with the project proponent, creating a potential bias in the assessment process.
The EIA document is bulky and technical, making it challenging to decipher for effective decision-making.
Cases of fraudulent EIA studies are prevalent, with erroneous data being used and the same facts applied to different places due to the lack of a centralized baseline data bank.
Lack of accreditation for EIA consultants allows those with a track record of fraudulent cases to avoid liability for discrepancies. Consultants may tailor information to provide clients with a favorable report, raising concerns about impartiality.
Environmental Impact Assessment
[Question: 957866]
A. Applicability
All projects with the potential for significant alteration of ecosystems must undergo the environmental clearance process without exception. No industrial developmental activity should be allowed in ecologically sensitive areas.
Ecologically Sensitive Zones
B. Public Hearing
Public hearings should apply to all previously exempt categories of projects with environmental impacts.
C. Quality
Biodiversity
[Question: 957866]
D. Grant of Clearance
E. Composition of Expert Committees
F. Monitoring, Compliance, and Institutional Arrangements
[Question: 957866]
G. Redressal
Logo of National Green Tribunal
H. Capacity Building
NGOs, civil society groups, and local communities need to build their capacities to use the EIA notification for better decision-making on projects that can impact their local environments and livelihoods. Capacities should be built proactively and effectively to use the notification rather than responding in a manner seen as negative or unproductive.
Gir National Forest Park
[Question: 957866]
A. Proposals under ESP
B. Advantages
C. Disadvantages
[Question: 957866]
544 videos|966 docs|370 tests
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1. What is EIA and why is it important in India? |
2. What are the key components of EIA? |
3. What are the salient features of the 2006 Amendment to the EIA Notification? |
4. What are the key elements of an Initial Project Description and Scoping in EIA? |
5. What are some drawbacks of the Environmental Impact Assessment in the Indian system and what are some recommendations to address them? |
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