A Quick go through to EIA.

what is this?

EIA is a process, or you can say it's a tool used to assess the environmental, social, economic, and human health aspects of a project before implementation. Impact assessment is done in both negative and positive ways, evaluating the project's benefits and shortcomings. This tool compares various alternatives to minimize environmental repercussions and develop mitigation strategies.

Projects include river projects, forests, mountains, mines, transportation (roadways, subways, airports, waterways), and various others.

The United Nations has a separate entity for EIA under the United Nations Environmental Programme.

Why did you choose this topic?

Well, you might be aware of the Teesta dam breach in Sikkim and recent floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. It appears that projects in the Himalayan region lack proper research and assessment before starting or completing, necessitating a dedicated EIA for Himalayan projects. The current EIA has many loopholes that we'll discuss further in the following paragraphs.

Context Ahead

EIA History in India

EIA Process

Stakeholders

EIA Notification 2006

Importance

Shortcomings

Way Forward

So, let's begin with the History of EIA in India:

In 1976-77, the Planning Commission of India directed the Department of Science & Technology to study river valley projects with an environmental perspective, marking the beginning of India's environmental assessment journey.

In 1986, a separate act called The Environment Protection Act was passed by the parliament, a response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984.

Before 1994, administrative bodies were responsible for assessing project suitability.

In January 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment & Forest promulgated an EIA Notification under the 1986 act, making Environmental Clearance mandatory for several listed projects, including mining and roadways.

A new notification was introduced in 2006, we'll discuss it later in this article.

EIA Process:

What are the steps involved in preparing a project?

Step 1: Screening:

Determine if the proposed project meets Environmental clearance standards. Small-scale projects on a few acres of land may not require EIA.

Step 2: Scope:

Evaluate the scope and size of the project and its potential impacts.

Step 3: Data Collection:

Analyze the site, weather, resource availability, and collect data for assessing potential adverse effects.

Step 4: Impact Prediction:

Predict whether the impact will be negative or positive, and whether it will be permanent, temporary, or reversible.

Step 5: Report

Prepare an extensive report with mitigation plans, hazard reduction strategies, and details of affected parties.

Step 6: Public Hearing

Gather opinions and insights from local people.

Step 7: Decision Making

The EIA authority makes a verdict on project feasibility.

Step 8: Monitoring

Project owners must submit reports on environmental impact and adherence to the declared plans during the project development phase and after its completed then also to make sure it is environmentally safe.

Stakeholders of the project

Who do you think will be impacted by a project, either directly or indirectly?

=> The project proposer, for example, if Samsung wants to build a hospital in a rural forest area.

=> Companies specializing in EIA assessment, as not all project owners have their own EIA capabilities.

=> Citizens of the area or site where the development occurs.

=> Pollution control boards.

=> Government agencies related to environment and forest: MoEFCC.

Main Points of EIA Notification 2006

Decentralization of power to approve projects

The 2006 notification decentralized approval, creating State Level and National Level EIA Committees. Projects now fall into three categories: those mandatorily requiring central EIA approval (A1), those mandatorily requiring state EIA approval (B1), and those not requiring state approval (B2), exempt from assessment.

After the 2006 Notification, the EIA process was simplified to four steps: Screening, Scope, Report preparation, and Appraisal.

Importance of EIA:

1) Holistic research and data preparation before project initiation for selecting the best technologies and development approaches reduces the complexity of problems during development phase.

2) Empowers decision-makers to make informed choices.

3) Involves local insights for a more comprehensive perspective.

4) Minimizes future conflicts between projects and local communities.

5) Ensures environmentally safe and sustainable projects.

Shortcomings:

1) EIA seeks local input after report analysis, rather than involving them in the report's creation.

2) Limited applicability, as many projects don't require EIA assessment.

3) EIA committee experts may lack expertise in environmental and forest studies.

4) Lack of quality and credibility.

Way Forward:

1) Establish independent EIA authorities for various subjects, such as the need for a Himalayan region-specific EIA.

2) Hire subject matter experts.

3) Avoid granting clearance to projects, sensitive to the environment.

4) Emphasize natural resource conservation over extensive exploitation.

5) Ensure proper monitoring and compliance through dedicated government agencies.

6) Make public hearings for environmentally impacting projects mandatory for the sake of human well-being and nature.