Environmental impacts assessment

Environmental impact assessment policy
* Environment impact assessment is a process of analysing the probable environmental impacts of a proposed project for development taking into account interrelated socio-economic, cultural and human health impact both beneficial and adverse.
* Environment impact assessment is an ordinance backed by the environmental protection act 1986.
* It’s aim is to predict environmental social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision making ,find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, demould projects to suit the local environment.

History of ‘EIA’ in India:-

Indian experience with a begin over 20 years back, It started in 1976-77 when planning commission act department of science and technology to examine the river valley project from an environmental angle and its subsequently extended to projects which require the approval of public investment board.
On 27 Jan 1994 ,Union ministry of environment and forest every (UMEF), promulgated EIA notification making environmental clearance when did it for expansion or modernization of any activity.

Since then there have been 12 amendments made in EIA 1994.

Amendments to ‘EIA’:-

* Amendment on April 10,1997:-
it introduced environmental public hearing in the environmental clearing process.

* Amendment on June 13,2002:-
this amendment deleted the purpose of notification example many industries from ‘EIA’ process or on basis of level of investment.

*Amendment of 28 February ,2003:-
It took into consideration location sensitivity into environment clearance process .Amendmend prohibited certain process and operation in specified areas of Aravali range.

* Amendment of 14 September ,2006:-
It states, Imposing certain restrictions and prohibitions on new projects or activities, or on the expansion or modernization of existing projects or activities based on their potential environmental impacts, being undertaken in any part of India, unless prior environmental clearance has
been accorded in accordance with the objectives of National Environment Policy.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should contain the following information’s/data:-

1. Description of proposed action (construction, operation and shut down phase) and selection of alternatives to the proposed action.

2. Nature and magnitude of the likely environmental effects.

3. Possibility of earthquakes and cyclones.

4. Possible effects on surface and ground water quality, soil and air quality.

5. Effects on vegetation, wild life and endangered species.

6. Economic and demographic factors.

7. Identification of relevant human concerns.

8. Noise pollution. Efficient use of inputs.

9. Recycling and reduction of waste.

10. Risk analysis and disaster management.

Importance of ‘EIA’:-

1. EIA is potentially a useful component of good environmental management.

2. It is the Government policy that any industrial project has to obtain EIA clearance from the Ministry of Environment before approval by the planning commission.

Drawbacks of ‘EIA’:-

1. Configuration of expert commission and specification:-
It has been noticed that committee formed to administer ‘EIA’ studies lacks expertise in various fields such as environmentalist, wildlife experts, anthropologists and social scientist.

2. Public consultation:-
Public reviews are not considered at an early stage which often lead to conflict.
Data collector do not pay respect to indigenous knowledge of local people.

3. Unreliable :-
Cases of fraudulent ‘EIA’ studies where erroneous data has been used ,same fact used for two totally different places.

Current situation:-

As India went into lockdown in March 2020, the environment ministry uploaded the draft of a controversial new environmental law to widespread outcry. The proposed new law, which some green activists billed “a compilation of violations”, included provisions to grant environmental clearances to a wide variety of projects without rigorous scrutiny, and to allow those violating green laws to get their projects regularised by simply paying a penalty.

Further,30 days time of public hearing is reduced to 20 days,also high court has extended the deadline for public to send suggestions and changes they want in this draft.

Source:- Times of India ,Economic times ,The Hindu ,Wikipedia ,YouTube and others.

-Sonia Singh