Environmental assesment of the project

Environment
The natural environment includes all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species. The concept of the natural environment can be distinguished by components:
Complete ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including all vegetation, microorganisms, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries. Universal natural resources and physical phenomena that lack clearcut boundaries, such as air, water, and climate, as well as energy, radiation, electric charge, and magnetism, not originating from human activity.

The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment, which comprises the areas and components that are strongly influenced by humans. A geographical area is regarded as a natural environment.

Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be foreign substances or energies, or naturally occurring; when naturally occurring, they are considered contaminants when they exceed natural levels

Environmental pollution
Environmental pollution is any discharge of material or energy into water, land, or air that causes or may cause acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) determinent to the Earth's ecological balance or that lowers the quality of life. Pollutants may cause primary damage, with direct identifiable impact on the environment, or secondary damage in the form of minor change in the delicate balance of the biological food web that are detectable only over long time periods.

Different approaches for doing environmental analysis

Feasibility Approach Whether the proposed project will meet the minimum environmental standards (legal) of the country? Going beyond minimum standard Whether it can go beyond minimum standards and achieve environmental certification such as ISO 14,000 (general) and LEED certification (building/ construction)? Whether the project/company can demonstrate leadership in the field of environmental protection/ augmentation by making it part of its core business.

Continued..
Reactive approach (majority) EIA carried out with sole purpose of getting environmental clearance. Proactive approach (small minority) EIA as a tool to improve planning process EIA as an opportunity to internalize externalities and gain long term benefits: Improved cost-effectiveness Earn carbon credits Recovery of resources from waste streams Better and safer work environment Less occupational hazards Better image as responsible citizen of the country

Legal aspects
27th Jan 1994 Notification of MoEF(ministry of environment and forests), GoI under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986 making environmental clearance mandatory for expansion/ modernisation of any activity or setting up new projects listed under Schedule 1(29 industries) 12 minor Amendments between 1994 to 2006 14th Sept. 2006 Notification in supersession of earlier notification of 1994. 2007 Notifications to constitute various state level Environment Impact Assessment authorities

EIA Notification
29 industries will need environmental clearance from MoEF, For expansion or new ventures with investment > Rs. 50 crores MoEF to act as Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) can appoint an expert committee if needed May organise public hearing if needed Assessment within 90 daysof receiving documents or public hearing Validity of clearance for 5 years Site clearance in case of a few industries like mining etc. needed before project preparation

Amendments to 1994 notification

Between 1994 to 2006 12 Amendments 10th April 1999 Process of environmental public hearing by SPCB(state pollution controled board) introduced; Public hearing committee to ensure fair representation in hearinigs

4th Aug. 2003 Location sensitivity: projects located in critically polluted areas; within 15 kms. Of ecologically sensitive areas like sanctuaries,bio-reserves etc. need clearance from MoEF.
7th July 2004 environmental clearance made mandatory for construction and industrial estates.

EIA Notification 2006

Partial Decentralization Category A (aluminium smelting) clearance by MoEF Category B (basic drugs and pharmaceutical manufacturing) clearance by State regulatory authority SPCB B 1- will require EIA B2 will not require Above categories based on size, capacity, area rather than investment level Formation of Environmental Impact Assessment Agency and Environmental Expert Committee at Central and State levels Based on information provided by proponent May visit site if needed Within 60 days of application To be displayed on MoEF/ SPCBs website

Continued
Public consultation To ascertain view of local people To gather written responses of interested parties like experts, NGOs etc. MoEF to display summary of EIA on website; full draft in public reference place Appraisal Of EIA to be done by Expert Committee at state or Central levels Within 60 days, with recommendation to regulatory authority Decision making Regulatory authority to give decision within 45 days i.e 105 days of receipt of final EIA/ application Post-clearance monitoring Bi-annual compliance reports to regulating authority Latest report to be displayed on website of regulating authority

EIA Stages
Screening: determines whether the proposed project requires an EIA and if so, at what level of assessment? Scoping: identifies the key issues and impacts that should be further investigated; defines the boundaries and time limit of study Impact analysis: identifies and predicts likely environmental and social impacts and evaluates their significance Mitigation: recommends the actions to reduce and avoid the potential adverse environmental consequences of the project Reporting: presents the result of EIA in the form of a report to the decision making body and other interested parties Review: examines the adequacy and effectiveness of the EIA report and provides information necessary for decision-making.

EIA Report
Non-technical executive summary 1) Introduction 2) Project description 3) Description of environment 4) Anticipated Environmental Impacts and mitigation measures 5) Analysis of alternatives (technology & site) 6) Environmental Monitoring programme 7) Additional studies (public consultation, risk assessment, Social impact assessment, R &R action plans) 8) Project benefits 9) Environmental cost-benefit analysis 10)Environmental Management Plan 11)Summary and Conclusions 12)Disclosure of Consultants engaged

Critical issues
The critical issues focused in the guidelines given by MoEF are : Can the local environment cope with the additional waste and pollution that the project will produce? Can the project operate safely without serious risk of accidents or long- term health hazards? How will the project affect economic activities that are based on natural resources? How much of the resources (such as water, energy etc) will the project consume? What damages will it cause to the regional ?

Overall benefits of EIA

Reduced cost and time ofproject implementation. Increased project acceptance. Avoiding impacts and violationof laws and regulations. Improved project performance. Avoiding waste treatment/cleanupexpenses. A healthierenvironment and improved human health. Maintenance of Bio-Diversity. Increased community skills, knowledge and pride.