ENVIRONMENT IMPACT
ASSESSMENT - ENVIRONMENT
News: The Indian Himalayan Region needs
its own EIA
What's
in the news?
●
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
is one such process defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
as a tool to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a
project before it is implemented.
●
This tool compares various alternatives
for the proposed project, predicts and analyses all possible environmental
repercussions in various scenarios.
●
The EIA also helps decide appropriate
mitigation strategies.
Environment
Impact Assessment:
●
The EIA is a process of evaluating the
likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.
●
This assessment also takes into account
human health and socioeconomic impact on the community living in the proposed
project area.
●
EIA is notified under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
Categories
under EIA:
●
Under the existing 2006 EIA notification,
projects are categorized into Category A and Category B.
●
EIA for Category A project requires
clearance by the Environment Ministry and for Category B project, State
Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) clearance is required.
●
All Category A projects need to
mandatorily undergo the EIA process.
●
However, Category-B projects are further
sub-classified into Category B1 and Category B2 projects, depending on their
scope and environmental impact.
●
Objective
of EIA:
●
To bring out a national policy to
encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and environment.
●
To promote efforts to prevent or eliminate
damage to the environment.
●
To increase understanding of ecological
systems and natural resources important to the nation.
Significance
of EIA:
1.
Facilitates sustainable development:
●
In present times anthropogenic activities
like rapid industrialization, mass production and clearing of forests have
created immense pressure on the natural environment.
●
Tools like EIA help in balancing the need
for economic growth with the equally important concept of sustainability.
2.
Mitigating negative impacts & informed decision-making:
●
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
helps in minimizing the negative impact of various development projects.
●
It enables monitoring programmes to be
established to assess future impacts and provide data on which managers can
take informed decisions to avoid environmental damage.
3.
Aids cost-effectiveness:
●
EIA helps in selection and design of
projects, programmes or plans with long term viability and therefore improves
cost effectiveness.
4.
Advance assessments also help avoid future losses that may be
incurred if the project is found environmentally unacceptable at a later stage.
Cost of adaptation when a project is already running is usually more.
5.
Environmental protection and conservation:
●
EIA identifies and mitigates potential
environmental impacts, safeguarding air, water, soil, and ecosystems.
6.
Social benefits:
●
EIA assesses social impacts, benefiting
local communities, livelihoods, health, and cultural heritage.
7.
Decision-making support:
●
EIA provides comprehensive information for
informed project decision-making.
8.
Legal and regulatory compliance:
●
EIA ensures adherence to national and
international environmental standards.
Concerns
of EIA in India:
1.
Easy clearance for ‘Strategic’ projects:
●
The new EIA rules empower the government
to declare any project as a ‘Strategic’ project without explaining why.
2.
Opening the routes for violations:
●
Provision of post-facto clearance will
encourage the industries to go with the project without getting worried about
the environmental clearance.
3.
Inadequate assessment quality:
●
Some EIA reports lack thorough assessments
and scientific rigor.
4.
Limited public participation:
●
EIA 2020 has reduced the time for public
participation from 30 days to 20 days.
●
It means reduced awareness and limited
public participation.
5.
Weak enforcement and monitoring:
●
Inconsistent enforcement and monitoring of
EIA conditions undermine its effectiveness.
6.
Influence of vested interests:
●
Sometimes, EIA processes are influenced by
biased assessments and approvals due to vested interests.
WAY
FORWARD:
1.
Online platforms:
●
Implement online platforms for project
submissions, public comments, and information dissemination, improving
accessibility and efficiency of the EIA process.
2.
Technology integration:
●
Utilize remote sensing, satellite imagery,
and data analytics to enhance accuracy and objectivity in environmental impact
assessments.
3.
Independent expert panels:
●
Establish independent expert panels to
review and validate EIA reports, ensuring impartiality and expertise.
4.
Capacity building:
●
Enhance the knowledge and skills of
regulatory authorities and experts involved in the EIA process through training
programs and workshops.
5.
Cumulative impact assessment:
●
Include provisions for assessing the
cumulative environmental impacts of multiple projects in a region.
●
Timely and Comprehensive Reviews,
Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms, Public Awareness and Education,
International Best Practices.