Management tool for ensuring optimal use of natural
resources for sustainable development. EIA is now mandatory under Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 for 29 categories of developmental activities involving investment
beyond certain thresholds. Initially in India it was introduced for river
valley projects only. EIA is done for analysing social, environmental and
economic impacts of a project in the process of project planning. Generally
done by developer but sometimes by environmental consultants also.
This includes:-
·
Description
of project location, design, scale, size etc.
·
Description
of significant impacts
·
Mitigating
measures
·
Non-technical
summary
2 stages- preliminary assessment, detailed
assessment
Report requirements, contents and actions
·
Environmental
norms and regulations regarding pollution
·
Impact of
project on ambient air and water quality
·
Proposal of
Public hearing through notices for polluting activities to incorporate
suggestions
·
Monitoring
mechanism for ensuring compliance
Potential projects requiring EIA
·
Land use and
land pattern altering and working population concentrating projects
·
Projects
requiring upstream development or downstream industrial development
·
Hazardous
material related projects
·
Those near
areas of ecological, cultural, religious, heritage or urban importance
·
Projects
with various units
Approval required from both Central and state
governments ensuring optimal utilisation of natural resources and incorporating
remedial measures.
Environmental
appraisal
Appraisal committees have been formed for
mining, river valley hydropower, industrial, thermal power, infrastructural and
nuclear projects. Appraisal process includes Site clearance and Environmental
clearance by site visits and study.
Monitoring of cleared projects is done by
regional offices located at Shillong, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bhopal
and Bangalore.
Delegation of power is done to State government by central government
for co-generation plants, power plants,
coal based plants (up to 500 MW), naptha
based plants (up to 50 MW)
Documents required are project report, site
clearance, NOC, EA questionnaire, EAI report, Risk Analysis and Rehabilitation
plan.
***
_____________________________________________________________________________
गुड्डू रंगीला
Knowledge Partner
Charcha Kendra
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