Environmental Impact Assessment in India

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

• EIA is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, considering inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.

Draft EIA Report

• A document prepared by the Project Proponent through an Accredited EIA Consultant Organisation (ACO) for the proposed project based on the Terms of Reference prescribed by the Regulatory Authority for the purpose of Public Consultation.

Final EIA Report

• Prepared after public consultation, including mitigation measures, addressing concerns raised by the public, with a time-bound action plan and budgetary provision for the commitments made by the project proponent, for the purpose of appraisal.

Accredited Environment Impact Assessment Consultant Organization (ACO)

• An organization accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) of the Quality Council of India (QCI) or any other agency notified by the Ministry.

Geotechnical Report

• Includes identification of soil type, strength, and density, organic material or contamination, groundwater, and soil compaction, foundation design recommendations, seismic design factors, and solutions for any problems.

Environmental Clearance

• Prior Environmental Clearance is required for projects in categories 'A', 'B1', and 'B2', with varying levels of clearance needed from the Ministry or State/UT Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA/UT EIAA).

Category of Projects

• 'A' category projects require clearance from the Ministry
• 'B1' category projects require clearance from SEIAA/UT EIAA, unless they meet the 'General Condition' (GC) criteria
• 'B2' category projects require clearance from SEIAA/UT EIAA

General Condition (GC)

• Applies to projects in areas within 10 km of Protected Areas, Critically Polluted Areas, Eco-sensitive Areas, or Inter-State boundaries, or within 5 km of other specified areas.

Appraisal

• Detailed scrutiny of the application and documents, including the final EIA report and public consultation outcomes, by the Appraisal Committee for grant of Prior Environment Clearance.

Certificate of Green Building

• A certificate issued under rating programs such as GRIHA, IGBC, LEED India, or EDGE, indicating a building's environmental sustainability.

Scoping

• The process of determining the Terms of Reference by the Regulatory Authority for the preparation of EIA Report, for the project seeking prior-EC.

Stages of EC

• The Prior Environment Clearance process for Category 'A' or Category 'B1' projects consists of six stages:
  1. Scoping
  2. Preparation of Draft EIA Report
  3. Public Consultation
  4. Preparation of Final EIA Report
  5. Appraisal
  6. Grant of Prior Environment Clearance

Enforcement Agencies

• Responsible for the preparation and implementation of legislation to mitigate and control the impact on the environment.
• Examples include:
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
  • Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA)