Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA): Overview

Dr. Sanjay Mathur

Head, Center for Energy & Environment
Civil Engineering Department
Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur
Agenda
 Defining EIA
 EIA & its evolution
 EIA principles
 EIA process
 Benefits of EIA
 Definition of EIA
Environmental Environment is broadly
 Impact Assessment is interpreted:
Physical: Water, Air, Soil.
A formal process for identifying:
Biological: flora, fauna,
•likely effects of activities or ecosystem
projects on the
Social: human health and
ENVIRONMENT, and on
welfare, culture, religion,
human health and welfare. and local values
•means and measures to
mitigate & monitor these
impacts In EIA, the term “impacts”
is used instead of “effects
of activities.”
What is an impact?
3
What is an impact?
The impact of an activity
is a deviation (a change) The baseline
from the baseline situation is the
existing
situation that is caused environmental
by the activity. situation or
condition in the

! To measure an impact, you

absence of the
activity.
must know what the
The baseline
baseline situation is. situation is a key
More…
concept in EIA.

4
The baseline situation
In characterizing the Water Quantity, quality, reliability,
baseline situation, accessibility

many environmental Soils Erosion, crop productivity,

components MAY be fallow periods, salinity,
nutrient concentrations
of interest
Fauna Populations, habitat

The components of
interest are those that Env Health Disease vectors, pathogens
are likely to be affected
by your activity—or Flora Composition and density of
upon which your natural vegetation,
activity depends for its productivity, key species
success
Special Key species
ecosystems
5
Defining Impact Assessment
Environmental impact assessment is, in its simplest
form, a planning tool that is now generally regarded as
an integral component of sound decision making…….

……As a planning tool it has both an information

gathering and decision making component which
provides the decision maker with an objective basis for
granting or denying approval for a proposed
development.
Justice La Forest, (1991)
Defining Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be
defined as a formal process used to predict the
environmental consequences of any development
project. EIA thus ensures that the potential problems
are foreseen and addressed at an early stage in the
projects planning and design.
Manu and Anshu
 Evolution of EIA
 Early 1970s - initial development
 1970s to 1980s - trend to integration
 Mid to late 1980s - cumulative effects and
policy integration
 Mid 1990s - towards sustainability (SEA-
strategic environmental assessment,
biodiversity)
WHY DO WE NEED EIA?
 EIA is essentially a planning tool for preventing
environmental problems due to an action.

 It seeks to avoid costly mistake in project implementation,

 either because of environmental damages that are likely to arise

during project implementation
or
 because of modifications that are required subsequently in order to
make the action environmentally acceptable to government and
community.
 EIAs have two roles - legal and educational.

 The legal one is quite straight forward: to ensure

that development projects has a minimal impact
on the environment in its entire 'lifecycle”.

 The educational one is equally important and

probably a forerunner to the legal role - to educate
everyone one involved - professionals and users
included
Think!
 a large section of society possibly see EIA
processes as a 'hindrance' to development as
environment is not yet a priority!

 We need to look at all our daily actions as

eventually and cumulatively affecting the
environment. This includes our daily choices,
where a delicate balance between financial and
environmental considerations need to be made
automatically - without thinking!
Purposes of EIA
 modify and improve design
 ensure efficient resource use

 enhance social aspects

 identify measures for monitoring & managing impacts

 informed decision-making
 provide justification for a proposal
Integration within EIA
The EIA process addresses the following
environmental effects:

 biophysical & resource use

 social & cultural
 health & safety
 economic
 EIA — guiding principles
 The EIA process should be:
 purposive – meeting its aims and objectives
 focused – concentrating on effects that matter
 adaptive – responding to issues and realities
 participative – fully involving the public
 transparent – clear and easily understood
 rigorous – employing ‘best practicable’ methodology
 credible – carried out with objectivity and professionalism
 efficient – imposing least cost burden on proponents

Source: Sadler, 1996; IAIA/IEMA 1999

The EIA Process

Screening Mitigation Monitoring

Public
Scoping Reporting
Involvement

Decision
Assessing
Making
 Classification of EIA Activities

 Identification –
 Identification of environmental components and
effects; presence or absence
 Prediction –
 Forecasting change in the environment;
estimation of probability of occurrence
 Evaluation –
 Evaluation of importance, consequence and
significance; also comparison of trade-offs among
various alternatives
When should the EIA be undertaken?
 Site Selection, Detail assessment of impacts,
Environmental Identification of mitigation
Screening, Scoping needs, Input to cost benefit
analysis

Project Pre Feasibility

Concept Feasibility Study

Lessons for Detail design of

future mitigation
projects measures

Monitoring Design and

Implementation
and Engineering
Evaluation
Implementation of
mitigation
measures
Who is involved in the EIA process?
 EIA is generally the responsibility of the project proponent

 It is often prepared with the help of external consultants or

institutions, i.e., the EIA practitioners.
 The EIA study should be carried out by a multidisciplinary
team comprising civil engineers, water supply and sanitation
engineers, planners, chemists, life scientists, and socio-
economists.

 The agency responsible for receiving the impact

assessment report and taking any subsequent action.
 will usually indicate how the study is to be carried out and
how the results should be used in the decision-making
process.
 Apart from all these agencies, the general public
is also involved in the process of EIA.

 Ideally public opinion should be solicited through

public hearings arranged for the purpose of
discussing the impacts of the project.

 Public participation as a component of EIA is

practiced as a requirement in only a few
countries, including INDIA.
EIA Costs for Multipurpose Projects
Delays are caused during EIA
when:
 EIA is commenced too late in the project cycle

 TORs are poorly drafted

 EIA is not managed to a schedule

 EIA report is inadequate and needs to be upgraded

 Lack of technical data

Benefits of EIA include:
 more environmentally sustainable design

 better compliance with standards

 savings in capital and operating costs

 reduced time and costs for approvals

 avoids later plant adaptations

 reduced health costs

 increased project acceptance

To ensure that
opportunities of
future generations
are not limited, we
must all use our
valuable natural
resources more
efficiently.
This can be best
achieved through
combining best
technology as well as Thanks
management
practices.
Environmental Impact Assessment
in INDIA

Dr. Sanjay Mathur

Head, Center for Energy & Environment
Civil Engineering Department
Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur
Agenda

 EIA process in India

 SWOT analysis
EIA Notification 2006
 Published in the Gazette of India,

 Under sub-rule (3) of Rule 5 of the

Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986,
 on 14 September 2006.
Eligible candidates for EC
 All new projects or activities listed in the
Schedule to EIA notification 2006
 Projects or activities which cross the
threshold limits given in the Schedule,
after expansion or modernization.
 Any change in product - mix in an
existing manufacturing unit included in
Schedule beyond the specified range.
Competent Authority
 Ministry of Environment and Forests for
matters falling under Category ‘A’ in the
Schedule
 State Environment Impact Assessment
Authority (SEIAA) for matters falling under
Category ‘B’ in the Schedule
Competent Authority
 All projects and activities are broadly
categorized in Category A and Category B,
based on the spatial extent of potential
impacts and potential impacts on human
health and natural and man made resources.
 The EACs at the Central Government and
SEACs at the State or the Union territory level
shall screen, scope and appraise projects
or activities in Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’
respectively.
Stages in the EC Process
 Stage (1) Screening
(Only for Category ‘B’ projects/ activities)
 Stage (2) Scoping
 Stage (3) Public Consultation
 Stage (4) Appraisal
Stage (1) Screening
 Category ‘B’ projects/ activities

 Screening for further level of EIA

 Category B1/ B2

 EIA is required for all projects in category B1

except Item 8 of the Schedule
(Construction/Township/Commercial Complexes /Housing)
Stage (2) Scoping
 “Scoping”: refers to the process by which
EAC/ SEAC
 determine detailed and comprehensive
Terms of Reference addressing all relevant
environmental concerns for the preparation of
an EIA Report
 Decision making shall be on the basis of the
information furnished in the prescribed
application Form1/Form 1A including ToR
proposed by the applicant.
Stage (2) Scoping
 All projects/ activitieslisted as Category ‘B’ in
Item 8 of the Schedule shall not require
Scoping and will be appraised on the basis of
Form 1/ Form 1A and the conceptual plan.
 Applications for EC may be rejected by
the EAC/ SEAC at this stage itself.
 Such decision together with reasons for the same
shall be communicated to the applicant in sixty
days.
Stage (3) Public Consultation
 The process by which the concerns of local
affected persons and others who have plausible
stake in the environmental impacts of the project
or activity are ascertained

 All Category ‘A’ and Category B1 projects/

activities shall undertake Public Consultation.

 After completion of the public consultation, the

applicant shall address all the material
environmental concerns expressed during this
process, and make appropriate changes in the
draft EIA and EMP.
Stage (3) Public Consultation
 Exceptions
 modernization of irrigation projects
 all projects or activities located within industrial estates
or parks approved by the concerned authorities, and
which are not disallowed in such approvals.
 expansion of Roads and Highways which do not
involve any further acquisition of land.
 all Building /Construction projects/Area Development
projects and Townships
 all Category ‘B2’ projects and activities.
 all projects or activities concerning national
defense and security
Stage (4) Appraisal
 Appraisal means the detailed scrutiny by the
EAC/ SEAC of
 the application
 the Final EIA report
 outcome of the public consultations including
public hearing proceedings,
 applications by the applicant to the different
regulatory authorities for permissions.
Stage (4) Appraisal
 The appraisal of all projects/ activities
which are
 not required to undergo public consultation,
 or submit an Environment Impact Assessment
report,
 The appraisal shall be carried out on the
basis of
 the prescribed application Form 1 and Form
1A as applicable, any other relevant
 validated information available and
 the site visit wherever the same is considered as
necessary
Stage (4) Appraisal
 Outcome :
 Appraisal Committee concerned shall make
categorical recommendations to the
regulatory authority concerned
 either for grant of prior environmental
clearance on stipulated terms and
conditions,
 or rejection of the application for prior
environmental clearance, together with reasons
for the same.
Grant or Rejection of Prior
Environmental Clearance (EC)
 The regulatory authority shall consider the
recommendations of the EAC or SEAC
concerned and convey its decision to the
applicant within forty five days of the receipt
of the recommendations.

 In cases where it disagrees with the

recommendations of the EAC/SEAC
concerned, the regulatory authority shall
request reconsideration
Validity of Environmental
Clearance (EC)
 The prior environmental clearance granted for
a project or activity shall be valid
 for a period of ten years in the case of River Valley
projects

 project life as estimated by EAC/ SEAC subject to a

maximum of thirty years for mining projects and five
years in the case of all other projects and activities.

 However, in the case of item 8(b), the validity period

shall be limited only to such activities as may be the
responsibility of the applicant as a developer.
Post Environmental Clearance
Monitoring
 It shall be mandatory for the project management to
submit half-yearly compliance reports in respect of the
stipulated prior environmental clearance terms and
conditions

 All such compliance reports submitted by the

project management shall be public documents.
Transferability of Environmental
Clearance (EC)
 A prior environmental clearance granted for a
specific project or activity to an applicant may
be transferred during its validity to another
legal person entitled to undertake the project
 on the same terms and conditions under which
the prior environmental clearance was initially
granted, and
 for the same validity period.
EIA in India : SWOT Analysis
EIA in India : Strengths
 Well-defined legal structure

 Well-knitted regulatory structure for proper

execution of EIA:
 CPCB/ MoEF/ State DoE/ SPCB
 Transparent Decision Making Process
 Report kept on MoEF site for one month.
EIA in India : Strengths
 RTI Act 2005.
 Contribute transparency in process
 Accreditation and endorsement of consultant.
 Aims to bring in professionals
 Public Hearing.
EIA in India : Weaknesses
 screening and scoping exercises are not well
defined
 Allows proponent to split project
 Insufficient baseline data,
 leading to Inadequate/ unnecessary information

 Improper monitoring and implementation

 No provision for third party evaluation

 Poor quality EIA reports and non-accountability

of EIA professionals
EIA in India : Weaknesses
 Effluent Standard
 Total pollution load/ carrying capacity not considered
 Infeasible treatment
 No well defined standards, eg for reuse of treated
wastewater
 Inconsistent application of evaluation and predictive
tools
 Lack of knowledge
 Missing guidelines for use of tools
EIA in India : Weaknesses
 Inadequate public participation
 one time process
 out of reach for many of the affected
individuals/communities
 influenced by project proponent
 even orchestrated.
Opportunities
 Increasing public awareness
 Information in public domain increases transparency
and accountability
 The demand for better environment is forcing a
policy shift
 Growing consciousness through Non
Governmental Organizations
Opportunities
 Self-regulation in industrial sector
 CSR activities
 Public image
 Economic benefits to industry
 Funding agency criteria
 Forcing proponents to take measures
 International convention
 Amendments in the Acts
Threats
 Political Influence.

 Poor Governance & Corruption.

 Conflict of Interest.

 Possibilities of biased public hearing.

 Globalization of tools for impact prediction.

 Preference of Economic Development over

environment protection.
My Submission
 To address the critical issues of
environmental sustainability, urgent action is
required.
 political commitment
 public participation
 Improved effective coordination among
government agency,
 integrated decision-making
 Adequate training to various stakeholders
Thank you very much
for patient hearing