What is an Environmental Impact Assessment and What are its Objectives

1. What is an Environmental Impact Assessment and What are its Objectives? An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) involves examining the environmental impacts of a proposed development project in order to include mitigation measures to offset these effects.

2. In India, Environment Impact Assessment is statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, of 1986 which contains various provisions for EIA methodology and process. History of EIA in India Back in 1976-77, the Planning Commission asked the Department of Science and Technology to examine river-valley projects from an environmental perspective. On 27th January 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, issued an EIA notification making it mandatory to get an Environmental Clearance (EC) for expansion or modernisation of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification. On 14th September 2006, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified new EIA legislation which makes it mandatory for various projects including mining, steel plants, thermal power plants, cement plants, sugar plants, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours and airports), river valley, construction projects, etc. What is the Importance of EIA for Companies? While development is necessary and inevitable, so is the protection of the environment. EIA paves the way towards sustainable development. It provides effective solutions which minimize the adverse impacts of development projects on the environment.

3. EIA makes it easy for decision-makers to analyse the adverse effects of their proposed activities on the environment and plan mitigation measures. It places the environment in a paramount position and ensures that the development plan surrounds it. Objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment Identifying, predicting, and evaluating economic, environmental, and social impacts of development activities. Providing information on the environmental consequences of decision-making. Promoting environmentally sound and sustainable development by identifying appropriate alternatives and mitigation measures. ● ● ● The EIA Process Screening: ● The primary stage involves screening the project plan for scale of investment, location from an environmental perspective, type of development and need for statutory clearance. Scoping: ●

4. The next step is to identify the potential impacts the project will have, the zone of impacts, mitigation possibilities and the need for monitoring. Collection of baseline data: ● This stage involves a collection of baseline data wrt air, water, noise, soil, flora & fauna & socioeconomic profile of the study area. Impact prediction: ● The impacts of the project need to be predicted before the project commences. A summary of the project’s impact needs to be prepared. Mitigation measures and EIA report: ● The EIA report should be prepared that consists of actions and steps for preventing and minimizing the impacts of probable environmental damage or loss. Public hearing: ●

5. After completion of the Draft EIA report, the general public and environmental groups in the surrounding areas of the project, the site shall be informed, and consulted to allow the public to express their views, objections and suggestions pertaining to the developmental project. Decision making: ● MOEF&CC, SEIAA Impact Assessment Authority along with the experts appointed by MOEF&CC consult the project-in-charge along with the consultant to take the final decision regarding the approval of Environmental clearance, keeping in mind the EIAand EMP (Environment Management Plan). Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan: ● As the project is implemented, the various phases have to be regularly monitored. Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures and Environmental Impact Assessment Report: ● Possible alternatives should be identified for every project and environmental attributes must be compared. These alternatives should cover both project location and process technologies.

6. Risk assessment: ● An analysis of inventory, hazard probability and index also form part of EIA procedures. Environmental and economic benefits of EIA: Lay a foundation for environmentally sound projects. Cost and time-effective implementation and design. Protection of the environment with an awareness of environmental legislation. Optimum utilisation of resources with the goal of sustainable development. ● ● ● ● Environmental legislation throughout the world aims at promoting and upholding the balance between the development and preservation of the environment. It is necessary to realise the importance of EIA towards achieving the goal of sustainable development. Pioneer Enviro Consultants is one of India’s leading environmental consulting firms with a vision to promote Environmentally Sustainable Economic Development through our EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) services. We are one of the top-rated EIA consultants in India that offers unparalleled technical expertise and experience in implementing EIA services for 750+ projects across India. Give us the opportunity to navigate through the EC process. Contact us today to get your project assessed. Call us on 9000380040.