ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT
CET415
(2019 SCHEME)
PREPARED BY : NADEEMA KHADER S
Asst. Professor
CIVIL ENGG DEPARTMENT
ACE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
 MODULE 2
CONTENTS
❖ Environment Clearance process in India: Screening, Scoping , Public
Consultation, Appraisal- Form1- Category of projects

❖ Generic structure of EIA report- terms of reference (ToR)

❖ Types of EIA: strategic, regional, sectoral, project level- Rapid EIA,
and Comprehensive EIA
❖ Initial Environmental Examination
MODULE 2
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
❖ When a company plans to build a large project like a dam, highway or a factory they need
permission from the government to ensure it won't badly harm the environment. This
permission is called Environmental Clearance.
❖ The EC process consists of the following main stages:

1. Screening
● Objective: To determine whether the project requires an EIA study and, if yes, to what
extent.
● Key Points: ● Outcome: The project is either:
○ Only applicable to Category ‘B’ projects.
○ Exempted from further process (B2
○ Based on project type, size, and potential
project), or
impact.
○ Sent for Scoping and detailed EIA
○ Conducted by the State Expert Appraisal
(B1 project).
 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)

● IEE is a preliminary study done at the early stage of a project to check how it may affect the
environment.
● IEE can also be defined as a document which is an output from the screening process.
● It helps decide whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed, and to what
extent.
● If EIA is not needed, the IEE is regarded as the final environmental assessment report.
● IEEs are usually based on a set list of criteria showing the possible environmental impacts.
● The main outcome of an IEE is to classify the project based on its level of environmental risk.
 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)

1. The Asian Development Bank has a threefold categorisation :

 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)
2. World Bank Classification
INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE) v/s SCREENING
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
2. Scoping
● Objective: To finalize the scope of the EIA study and specify what data should be collected and
analyzed.
● Who conducts it:
○ Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Category A projects.
○ SEAC for Category B1 projects.
● Key Output:
○ Issue of Terms of Reference (ToR) to the project proponent.
○ The ToR outlines the detailed requirements for the EIA study, including:
■ Baseline environmental studies (air, water, soil, noise, biodiversity)
■ Potential impacts
■ Mitigation measures
■ Alternatives to the project
■ Disaster management plans
● Validity: ToR is valid for 4 years (can be extended in special cases).
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
3. Public Consultation
● Objective: To obtain the views and concerns of local people and stakeholders who are likely to be
affected by the project.
● Components:
○ Public Hearing:
■ Conducted at or near the project site by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
■ A platform for affected persons to voice concerns and suggestions.
○ Written Responses:
■ Stakeholders can send written opinions to the authorities if they cannot attend the
hearing.
● Not Required For:
○ Small B2 projects
○ Certain strategic or defense-related projects
○ Some modernization or expansion projects not involving significant additional pollution
● Outcome: All public responses are compiled into a report and submitted to the appraisal
committee for consideration.
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
4. Appraisal
● Objective: To assess the entire project including the EIA report, public consultation report, and
project documents.
● Who appraises:
○ EAC for Category A projects (MoEF at central level).
○ SEAC for Category B1 projects (State level SEIAA).
● Steps involved:
○ Review of the EIA and EMP (Environment Management Plan).
○ Clarification from project proponents if needed.
○ Expert opinion from committee members.
○ Recommendation is made to grant or reject clearance.
● Time Limit: Generally, appraisal is completed within 60 to 90 days from submission of final
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
Form 1 – Application for Environmental Clearance
● Initial Step in EC Process:
○ Form 1 is the first and essential document submitted to initiate the Environmental Clearance
process.
○ It is filled and submitted by the project proponent (the individual or organization planning the
project).
● Purpose of Form 1:
○ To provide a comprehensive overview of the proposed project to the regulatory authority.
○ Helps authorities decide whether the project requires further detailed environmental studies
(like an EIA).
●Contents of Form 1:
○ Project description and location
○ Information on land use, water use, energy requirements
○ Expected environmental impacts
○ Proposed mitigation measures
 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROCESS IN INDIA
Form 1 – Application for Environmental Clearance

● Documents submitted along with Form 1:

○ Pre-feasibility Report (PFR) – overview of technical and economic feasibility.
○ Form 1A – required for construction projects (e.g., buildings, townships).
○ Proposal for Terms of Reference (ToR) – for projects needing detailed EIA.
● Submitted online to MoEF&CC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) for
Category A projects and SEIAA (State Environment Impact Assessment Authority) for
Category B projects.
 CATEGORY OF PROJECTS
❖ As per the EIA Notification, 2006, projects are classified into two major categories
based on scale and potential environmental impact:
 CATEGORY OF PROJECTS
❖ Category A Projects
➢ Large-scale projects with significant environmental implications.
➢ Handled at national level by the MoEF and requires clearance from Central government
➢ Require full EIA study and public consultation.

Examples:
 CATEGORY OF PROJECTS
❖ Category B Projects
➢ Sub-categories:
➢ Smaller projects, with limited regional impact.
■ B1: Require EIA + Public Hearing.
➢ Handled at state level by SEIAA and SEAC.
■ B2: Do not require EIA or Public Hearing.
CATEGORY B1
 CATEGORY OF PROJECTS
❖ Category B Projects
CATEGORY B2
 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
● It describes the purpose, organizational structure, and roles within a group—such as a project,
committee, meeting, or negotiation—formed by individuals collaborating to achieve a
common objective.

● Terms of reference show how the project will be defined, developed, and verified.

● They define the:

○ vision, objectives, scope (i.e. what has to be achieved)

○ stakeholders, roles and responsibilities (i.e. who will take part in it)

○ resource, financial and quality plans (i.e. how it will be achieved)

○ work breakdown structure and schedule (i.e. when it will be achieved)

 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
● Once a project or development has gone through the screening and scoping phases, the authority
responsible for processing the EIA provides the client with a Terms of Reference (ToR) document.
● The ToR provides details of all the information required for the EIA review committee to make an
informed decision about awarding the Environmental License.

● Depending on the country, ToRs may be developed specifically for the project, or they may be a

general set of guidelines that apply to all projects in a sector

Contents of the ToR (for EIA studies)

1. The ToR should begin with a brief description of the project. This should include a plan of the area
that will be affected either indirectly or directly.
2. Basic data should be given on existing and proposed irrigation and drainage in the area and the
characteristics (Soil, water, and environmental characteristics of the site )
 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
3. Institutional Information:
❖ List of Involved Institutions:
● All institutions and agencies associated with the proposal should be clearly mentioned.
● Includes government departments, local bodies, private stakeholders, NGOs, etc.

4. Overview of the Local Environment:

❖ Environmental and Social Profile:
➢ Socioeconomic Information – population, livelihoods, community structure.
➢ Land Use – how land is being utilized (agriculture, industry, forests, etc.).
➢ Land Tenure – ownership or usage rights in the project area.
➢ Water Use – existing water sources and their uses (irrigation, drinking, industry).
➢ Flora and Fauna – biodiversity of the area, important or endangered species.
➢ Existing Studies – mention any previous reports or studies related to the area.
 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
5. Institutional Roles and Project Scope:

❖ Institutional Responsibilities:
➢ EIA Responsibility – who conducts and oversees the EIA.
➢ Project Executing Agency – who is in charge of implementing the project.
➢ Future Management Agency – who will operate or maintain the project after completion.
❖ Description of Work:
➢ A general outline of work to:
■ Identify potential impacts (positive/negative) of the project.
■ Assess how the project will be impacted by the environment (e.g., flooding risk).
■ Guide what studies and analysis must be conducted.
 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
Important Points to be Covered by Consultants in the ToR
1. Main Environmental Effects
● Impacts of the project on both the project area and surrounding areas, along with the timescale of
these impacts.
2. Size and Extent of Impacts
● Use quantitative data (measurable) as much as possible, rather than just qualitative opinions.
3. Affected Groups
● Identify which groups will benefit and which will be disadvantaged.
4. Impact on Biodiversity
● Focus on rare or endangered species of plants and animals.
5. Impact on Human Health
● Analyze any health risks to local communities.
 TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
6. Control and Management Measures
● Review if proposed management plans are practical and effective.
7. Need for Further Studies
● Identify if more baseline data or specialist studies are needed.
8. Policy and Legal Framework
● Examine the existing policies, institutions, and laws, and future requirements.
9. Mitigation Measures
● Propose mitigation strategies and how they can be built into project design.
10. Monitoring and Evaluation
● Suggest a monitoring plan to ensure mitigation measures work and prevent future issues.
PROCEDURE OF EIA FOLLOWED IN INDIA
 TYPES of EIA
(1)STRATEGIC EIA (SEIA)
● Strategic EIA (SEIA) is the process of applying environmental impact assessment to policies, plans,
and programs — not just individual projects.
● It is also called Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
● SEIA/SEA is meant to check how plans and policies might affect the environment, society, and
economy, so that sustainability is considered right from the beginning of planning.
● It is done before final decisions are made — when there is still time to choose better options.
● SEIA looks at the combined impacts of many projects, not just one.
Why SEIA is Useful:
● Helps to protect the environment from the beginning.
● Encourages better planning and sustainable development.
● Makes decision-makers think long-term.
● Improves public participation and transparency.
● Avoids repeating the same mistakes in different projects.
 TYPES of EIA
(2) REGIONAL EIA
● Regional EIA is a broader form of EIA conducted for a specific geographic region, usually at a sub-
country level. It aims to:
○ Understand the current environmental status of the region.
○ Assess the region’s capacity to absorb development activities without major harm.
● It is particularly useful when multiple similar development projects are planned in one area, as it
helps identify combined (cumulative) environmental impacts that individual project EIAs might
miss.
This type of EIA:
○ Integrates environmental concerns with regional development planning.
○ Is also known as economic-cum-environmental (EcE) planning, as it combines economic
growth with natural resource management within the limits of the environment’s carrying
capacity.
○ Provides a macro-level view, helping guide and support project-level EIAs for individual
developments in the region.
○ Regional EIA is generally more efficient and effective than doing separate EIAs for each project
 TYPES of EIA
(3) SECTORAL EIA
● Sectoral EIA is done for an entire sector like transport, energy, or agriculture, instead of
individual projects.
● It helps to study and manage environmental issues related to that whole sector.
● It is useful for checking:
○ Different investment options in the sector
○ Effects of policy changes
○ Whether institutions are ready to manage environmental work
○ The combined effects of many small projects in the sector
● Once environmental concerns are covered at the sector level, the project-level EIA becomes
easier and smaller.
● Sectoral EIA also helps improve the capacity of government or agencies to handle
environmental responsibilities.
● Sometimes, it may overlap with regional EIA when the sector’s activities are focused in one
area.
 TYPES of EIA
(3) PROJECT - LEVEL EIA

● Project-level EIA is done for a single development activity, like building a factory, road, or dam.
● It looks at the direct environmental impacts of that one project only.
● This type of EIA studies the project in isolation, without fully considering how it connects with
other projects in the area.
● Because of this, it may miss the combined (cumulative) effects of many developments happening
in the region.
● It is useful for small-scale or individual projects, but not enough for larger planning or regional
impacts.
Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (Rapid EIA / REIA)
●Rapid EIA is a quick study done to assess possible environmental impacts at the early stage
of a new project.
●It is usually done when fast decision-making is needed.
●Data is collected for only one season (except monsoon).
●It covers key environmental aspects like air, water, noise, land, biological and
socio-economic components.
●Often used during:
○ Start of a new project
○ Expansion of existing units
○ Changes in production process that increase pollution
●It helps the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) do a speedy appraisal of the
project.
●A comprehensive EIA may be requested later based on this report.
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (Comprehensive EIA)
● Comprehensive EIA is a detailed study of environmental impacts done over a longer period.
● It collects baseline data for all four seasons: Monsoon, Post-Monsoon, Winter, and Summer.
● It gives a complete picture of the environmental conditions and potential impacts.
● The study includes:
○ Field data collection
○ Study of pollutants (liquid, solid, gas) and their effects
○ Comparison with environmental standards (CPCB & MoEF)
○ Impact prediction on environment
○ Preparation of a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
● It uses advanced methods like Checklists, Matrix, Network analysis, and computer-based
models.
● Used when quality and accuracy are more important than speed.
Comparison b/w Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA