Understanding Environment Impact Assessment

Understanding Environment Impact Assessment 

Many of us have heard about Environment Impact Assessment. By the definition Environment Impact assessment is the evaluation of the effects likely to arise from a major economic development

significantly affecting the natural and man- made environment. Environment Impact Assessment was first developed in the United states as a result of the national environment policy act, 1969(NEPA), for considering possible impacts prior to a decision making taken on whether or not a proposal should be given approval to proceed. This assessment assesses Physical, Hydrological, Social and Economic Impact of any economic or developmental activity. It also provides measures are to be identified to reduce potential adverse impacts through the identification of possible alternatives sites and processes. 

This is a chart which describes the process of Environmental Impact Assessment:

Importance of Environment Impact Assessment:

Various international conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) recognize impact assessment as an important tool for helping ensure that development is planned and implemented with biodiversity in mind. The CBD requests Parties to apply impact assessment to projects, programmes, plans and policies with a potential negative impact on biodiversity and to prevent the development induced displacement of marginalized and deprived people of the country.

Principles Considered in EIA:

• Clear mandate and provisions.
• Explicit goals and objectives.
• Uniform, consistent application.
• Appropriate level of assessment.
• Relevant scope of consideration.
• Flexible and problem solving approach.
• Open, facilitative procedures.
• Necessary support and guidance.
• “Best practice” standards.
• Efficient, predictable implementation.
• Decision oriented.
• Related to condition setting.
• Follow-up and feedback inbuilt mechanisms.
• Cost-effective outcomes.

EIA in India:

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of India has been in a great effort in Environmental Impact Assessment in India. The main laws in action are the Water Act(1974), the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981) and the Environment (Protection) Act (1986),Biological Diversity Act(2002). The responsible body for this is the Central Pollution Control Board. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies need a significant amount of primary and secondary environmental data. Primary data are those collected in the field to define the status of the environment (like air quality data, water quality data etc.). 

Secondary data are those collected over the years that can be used to understand the existing environmental scenario of the study area. . Ideally, the primary data must be considered along with the secondary data for complete understanding of the existing environmental status of the area. In many EIA studies, the secondary data needs could be as high as 80% of the total data requirement. EIC is the repository of one stop secondary data source for environmental impact assessment in India.

EIA Process in India

Once an application has been submitted by a project authority along with all the requisite documents specified in the EIA Notification, it is scrutinised by the technical staff of the Ministry of Environment and Forest prior to placing it before the Environmental Appraisal Committees. The Appraisal Committees evaluate the impact of the project based on the data furnished by the project authorities and if necessary, site visits or on-the-spot assessment of various environmental aspects are also undertaken. Based on such examination, the Committees make recommendations for approval or rejection of the project, which are then processed in the Ministry for approval or rejection.

In case of site specific projects such as Mining, River Valley, Ports and Harbours etc., a two stage clearance procedure has been adopted whereby the project authorities have to obtain site clearance before applying for environmental clearance of their projects. This is to ensure avoiding areas which are ecologically fragile and environmentally sensitive. In case of projects where complete information has been submitted by the project proponents, a decision is taken within 90 days.

Monitoring Mechanism in India:

After considering all the facets of a project, environmental clearance is accorded subject to implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards. Monitoring of cleared projects is undertaken by the six regional offices of the Ministry functioning at Shillong, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Lucknow and Bhopal. The primary objective of such a procedure is to ensure adequacy of the suggested safeguards and also to undertake mid-course corrections required, if any. The procedure adopted for monitoring is as follows:

• Project authorities are required to report every six months on the progress of implementation of the conditions/safeguards stipulated, while according clearance to the project.
• Field visits of officers and expert teams from the Ministry and/ or its Regional Offices are undertaken to collect and analyse performance data of development projects, so that difficulties encountered are discussed with the proponents with a view to finding solutions.
• In case of substantial deviations and poor or no response, the matter is taken up with the concerned State Government.
• Changes in scope of project are identified to check whether review of earlier decision is called for or not

Problems with EIA in India:

• Lack of timely availability of reliable and authentic environmental data
• Environment being a multi-disciplinary subject, a multitude of agencies are involved in collection of environmental data
• Considered mere as a project tool or formality when it comes to urban development projects.
• In some cases like international trade tax incentives, energy conservation, and agricultural subsidies EIA is overlooked.
• Project level decisions are many times constrained by existing policies and the range of possible alternatives in the project

• The environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are conducted over a short period of time and therefore the understanding of the environmental trends, based on a few months of primary data, has limitations

Environment Impact Assessment is a good tool to analyse the potential impact of development projects on natural and man made environment. The need of hour is to do it sincerely without having any prejudice. It should not be considered mere a formality. 

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Jai Hind.

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Sources: WIKI, Ministry of Environment and Forest Website, "EIA Status in India" book by R B Singh, www.cbd.int, indianenvironmentportal.org.