ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Course Objectives: The objectives of the course are to

 Define and Classify Environmental Impacts and the terminology Understands the
environmental Impact assessment procedure
 Explain the EIA methodology
 List and describe environmental audits

UNIT-I

Introduction: The Need for EIA, Indian Policies Requiring EIA, The EIA Cycle and
Procedures, Screening, Scoping, Baseline Data, Impact Prediction, Assessment of
Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measure and EIA Report, Public Hearing, Decision
Making, Monitoring the Clearance Conditions, Components of EIA, Roles in the EIA
Process. Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forest Notification (2000), List
of projects requiring Environmental clearance, Application form, Composition of Expert
Committee, Ecological sensitive places, International agreements

 Definition of EIA
Environmental impact Assessment is an activity carried out to determine and minimize the
impact of any project on physical, chemical, biological parameters of environment and also
on human health is termed as “Environmental Impact Assessment”.

Or

The Systematic approach of Identification, prediction, Analysis and evaluation of all possible
potential hazards of impacts of a proposed industry. The main aim of environmental impact
Assessment is to determine the overall impact of project on environment EIA is carried out
before any project is started and ensure that any activity in the project `will not harm the
environment either in small duration of time or in long duration. Every project should involve
the detailed assessment of its effect on environment besides being assessed for analysis, costs
and benefits. EIA can be carried out in two ways.

They are: 1) Comprehensive EIA 2)Seasonal or Rapid EIA

Comprehensive EIA: The time period to conduct this EIA is 1year.In the span of 1 year
complete comprehensive environmental parameters will be documented.

Seasonal or Rapid EIA: This investigation will be studied for a period of 3 months. In the
span of these 3 months a detail report of environmental parameters of a particular season will
be documented.

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  Objectives of EIA/ Environmental Management planning:
Environmental Management refers to the management of all components of the biophysical
environment including biotic (living) and abiotic (non living) factors.

Protection, conservation and preservation of environment and its resources.

Proper land and waste water management for a sustainable environment.

Preserving the ecological heritage for our future generations.

Promoting eco-friendly technologies.

Involving men, women, children and NGO’s in all environmental related activities.

Strategic measures for afforestation od denuded waste lands.

Mandatory environmental education course in all educational institutions.

Help government at local, state and national level to frame laws for environmental
conservation.

 Features of EIA
To identify the negative impacts of environment in irrigation development are increased soil
erosion, pollution of surface water and ground water, water logging, increased incidence of
diseases due to polluted water.

To identify the positive impact of irrigation development are suitable water supply for
irrigation, domestic and industrial use.

To plan the project in such a way that the negative impact of project on environment are
reduced to a considerable extent.

The reduction of negative impact may be done either by considering an alternative project or
by modifying the proposed project

To check the implementation of planned project and its effectiveness using a monitoring
programme.

 Impacts of EIA
Primary impacts are those impacts that are directly affecting the environment during the
construction projects i.e., release of air pollutants, release of heat, changes in the ambient
noise levels.

The secondary impacts are the indirect effects stimulated by project activities such as changes
in the socio-economic factors i.e., changes in air quality, deposition of particulates on water
and land ,climate changes etc

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  Key elements of EIA
1.Institutional frame work &guide lines: Once the EIA is conducting for a proposed
industry Proper document should be maintained as per government. While predicting the
impacts care must be taken and suitable assumptions should be made. By reviewing the other
industry copy works of a proposed industry.

2.Basic Responsibility: The team consists of Geologist, surveyor, planner, economier and
other government people has to fulfil all the responsibilities . They should investigate all the
impacts by reviewing exact condition that they should be documented in such a way and then
they get the clearance from MOF.

3.Scoping of EIA: The Scope of EIA consists “what to consider & what not to consider” by
the investigation of environmental parameters which are extensively depends on the nature of
the project. Based on parameters that are considered to the level of scope will be identified
and also the Time period that is required can be identified by analysing the parameters which
are tend to change due to seasonal fluctuations.

4.Alternative Methods: Proper alternative methods has to be designed to overcome the

possible environmental derivative environmental consequences.

5.Quality control &Quality assurance: The identified & predicted impacts should be more
accurate. The alternative methods that are designed should be reliable &cost effective. The
predicted & alternative impacts are made to promote sustainable development.

6.Public Involvement: Public involvement should be there before getting clearance from
MOUF.And public hearing should consists in presence of members from MOUF, district
magistrates, MRO, sarpanch and all other local important people.

IF any inconvenience to the local people due to the proposed industry that should be rectified
by giving clesr assurance from the concern people & departments to sanction the EIA.

 Factors affecting EIA

An EIA should include details of following aspects at proposed project site.

A) Meteorology and Air Quality B) Land use C) Topography D) Soil

Condition

E) Water F) Mineral Resources G) Demographics H) Ecological Studies

Meteorology and Air Quality: It includes the effect of temperature. Precipitation, relative
humidity, evaporation and fog conditions. Wind patterns. Severe weathers (such as
hurricanes, volcanoes) Air Quality and odour levels. Sound levels and sources of sound at
proposed project development site.

Topography: It includes the local and regional geology studies, major land formations,
geologic structure and resources, seismic hazards.

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Water: The Quality of surface water and ground water along with hydrological studies.
Demographics: This refers to the population distribution, change in population numbers,
population characteristics, municipal services such as social services, hospital beds, school
places etc

Land use: This includes the purpose for which the land is used namely agricultural activities,
industrial activities or mining activities etc.

Soil conditions: It includes classification of soil, properties of soil, soil mapping.

Mineral Resources: The mineral resources available at proposed project development site
are uranium, coal, other minerals, oil and gas etc.

Ecological studies: This includes data on type and dominant species of flora fauna, reptile’s
amphibians, endangered species, and migratory species.

All these factors have to be taken in to consideration during EIA process to enable better
design building other factors includes

Population density, Extent of developmental activity, Resource availability, Environmental

resilience, Sustainability of environment, Absorptive capacity of environment.

Initial Environmental Examination: It is the first phase of the EIA process to review both
the positive and negative impacts on environment caused by proposed development project. It
contains brief information of the major environmental issues. The main objective of IEE is to
enable the decision makers to compare alternative project proposals.

 Life cycle analysis of EIA:

It is a technique for assessing environmental aspects and potential aspects associated with a
product.

Evaluating potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs & outputs.

LCA can be considered as systematic environmental management tool to assess the

environmental aspects of goods and services which includes extraction of raw materials,
manufacture of product, reuse or recycling, final disposal of product and identifying
environmental impact at each stage.

AIM: IT enables the decision makers to take appropriate measures for improving
environment by using sustainable materials for manufacture of products. It helps to analyse
the origin of problems related to the product. It helps to design new products that are eco-
friendly.

Environment:

In U.S environment is interpreted comprehensively to include natural and physical

environment and the relationship of people with that environment. In Netherlands it includes
physical environment: water, soil, air, man, animals, plants and inanimate objects. And in

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Canada environment means: air, land or water, plant and animal life including man the social,
economic and cultural conditions that influence the life of man or a community any building,
structure, machine or other device or thing made by man any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat,
sound, vibration or radiation resulting directly or indirectly from the activities of man any
part of or combination of the foregoing and the interrelationships between any two or more of
them:

Advantage of applying EIA:

• Systematic approach

• Information to the public

• Information to the decision maker

• Consistency of approach

• Improved design

• Provides systematic methods of impact assessment

• Estimates the cost/benefit trade-off of alternative actions

•Provides an effective mechanism for coordination, environmental integration and

negotiation

• Achieve a balance between the impact of developmental and environmental concern

• feed back

• Early discussion

• Long term outlook

• Avoid surprises

• Avoid retrofit

Disadvantage of applying EIA:

• Adds to complexity

• Adds to delay

• Costly

• Requires multidisciplinary team

• Requires understanding of environmental systems and processes

• Forecasting of cost/schedule

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 • Limited proponent options

 The Need for EIA

Every anthropogenic activity has some impact on the environment. More often it is harmful
to the environment than benign. However, mankind as it is developed today cannot live
without taking up these activities for his food, security and other needs. Consequently, there
is a need to harmonise developmental activities with the environmental concerns.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is one of the tools available with the planners to
achieve the above-mentioned goal.

It is desirable to ensure that the development options under consideration are sustainable. In
doing so, environmental consequences must be characterised early in the project cycle and
accounted for in the project design.

The objective of EIA is to foresee the potential environmental problems that would arise out
of a proposed development and address them in the project's planning and design stage. The
EIA process should then allow for the communication of this information to:

(a) the project proponent;

(b) the regulatory agencies; and,

(c) all stakeholders and interest groups.

EIA integrates the environmental concerns in the developmental activities right at the time of
initiating for preparing the feasibility report. In doing so it can enable the integration of
environmental concerns and mitigation measures in project development. EIA can often
prevent future liabilities or expensive alterations in project design.

 Indian Policies Requiring EIA

In India, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are mandated by various policies and
laws to ensure sustainable development and environmental protection. Some key policies and
laws that require EIAs include.

1. Environment Protection Act, 1986: This is the primary legislation for environmental
protection in India. It authorizes the government to take measures for protecting and
improving the environment. Under this act, the EIA Notification of 1994 and subsequent
amendments mandate the preparation of EIAs for various projects.
2. EIA Notification, 2006, and its Amendments: This notification under the Environment
Protection Act outlines the process for granting environmental clearance to various projects.
It specifies the category of projects that require mandatory environmental clearance and the
process for conducting EIAs.

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3. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Projects involving forest land diversion also need
environmental clearance under this act. EIAs become crucial in assessing the impact of such
projects on forest resources.
4. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification: Projects in coastal areas, especially those
falling within the Coastal Regulation Zone, require specific clearances. EIAs help evaluate
the potential impact on coastal ecosystems.
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010: The NGT handles cases related to
environmental protection and conservation. It often mandates EIAs as part of its judgments to
assess the impact of various projects

These policies and laws ensure that projects, especially those with potential environmental
impacts, undergo a thorough assessment via EIAs before they receive clearance to proceed.
This process aims to balance development with environmental conservation and protection.

 The EIA Cycle and Procedures

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) cycle involves several stages and procedures to
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects. Here's a general overview:

1. Screening: This initial step determines if a proposed project requires a full-scale EIA. It
involves assessing the project's size, nature, and location to categorize it as either needing a
comprehensive EIA or falling under exemptions.
2. Scoping: Once a project passes screening, scoping defines the boundaries and depth of the
EIA study. It identifies the key issues, stakeholders, potential impacts, and methodologies to
be used in the assessment.
3. Baseline Data Collection: This phase involves gathering comprehensive information about
the existing environment in the project area. It covers various aspects such as air quality,
water resources, biodiversity, socio-economic conditions, and cultural aspects.
4. Impact Prediction and Assessment: Using the baseline data, potential impacts of the project
are predicted and evaluated. This includes both direct and indirect impacts across different
environmental components.
5. EIA Report Preparation: All the findings and assessments are compiled into an EIA report.
This report details the project, its potential impacts, proposed mitigations, and alternatives
considered.

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6. Public Consultation: Stakeholder engagement and public consultation are essential
components of the EIA process. It allows for feedback, discussion, and incorporation of
concerns from the affected communities.
7. Decision Making: Based on the EIA report and public consultations, regulatory bodies
review and make decisions regarding the project's approval or rejection. This involves
considering the environmental, social, and economic aspects.
8. Monitoring and Post-Project Evaluation: After project implementation, monitoring ensures
that the proposed mitigation measures are being effectively implemented. Post-project
evaluation assesses whether the predicted impacts align with the actual outcomes and if
mitigation measures are effective.
9. Mitigation and Impact Management: Strategies to mitigate or manage identified adverse
impacts are proposed. These measures aim to reduce or eliminate negative effects on the
environment and communities

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This cyclic process ensures that proposed projects undergo comprehensive assessment,
stakeholder engagement, and follow-up monitoring to minimize adverse environmental
impacts and promote sustainable development. The specific steps and procedures may vary
based on regional regulations and project types.

Certainly! Here's a simplified table outlining the key stages and components of the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process

EIA Stage Description

Screening Determining if a project requires a full EIA

Scoping Defining the scope, boundaries, and methodologies

Baseline Data Collection Gathering information on the existing environment

Impact Prediction Assessing potential direct and indirect project impacts

Mitigation Planning Developing strategies to reduce or manage negative impacts

EIA Report Preparation Compiling findings, assessments, and proposed measures

Public Consultation Engaging stakeholders and the public for input and feedback

Decision Making Regulatory review and approval based on EIA findings

Monitoring and Evaluation Post-implementation monitoring and impact assessment

Each stage plays a crucial role in ensuring that proposed projects are thoroughly assessed,
potential impacts are identified, and measures are taken to mitigate any adverse effects on the
environment and local communities.

 Components of EIA
The difference between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA is in the time-scale of the data
supplied. Rapid EIA is for speedier appraisal process. While both types of EIA require
inclusion/ coverage of all significant environmental impacts and their mitigation, Rapid EIA
achieves this through the collection of one season (other than monsoon) data only to reduce
the time required. This is acceptable if it does not compromise on the quality of decision-
making. The review of Rapid EIA submissions will show whether a comprehensive EIA is
warranted or not.

It is, therefore, clear that the submission of a professionally prepared Comprehensive EIA in
the first instance would generally be the more efficient approach. Depending on nature,
location and scale of the project EIA report should contain all or some of the following
components are

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Air Environment

• Determination of impact zone (through a screening model) and developing a monitoring

network.

• Monitoring the existing status of ambient air quality within the impacted region (7-10 km
from the periphery) of the proposed project site.

• Monitoring the site-specific meteorological data, viz. wind speed and direction, humidity,
ambient temperature and environmental lapse rate.

• Estimation of quantities of air emissions including fugitive emissions from the proposed
project.

• Identification, quantification and evaluation of other potential emissions (including those of

vehicular traffic) within the impact zone and estimation of cumulative of all the
emissions/impacts.

• Prediction of changes in the ambient air quality due to point, line and areas source
emissions through appropriate air quality models.

• Evaluation of the adequacy of the proposed pollution control devices to meet gaseous
emission and ambient air quality standards.

• Delineation of mitigation measures at source, path ways and receptor.

Noise Environment

• Monitoring the present status of noise levels within the impact zone, and prediction of
future noise levels resulting from the proposed project and related activities including
increase in vehicular movement.

• Identification of impacts due to any anticipated rise in noise levels on the surrounding
environment.

• Recommendations on mitigation measures for noise pollution.

Water Environment

• Study of existing ground and surface water resources with respect to quantity and quality
within the impact zone of the proposed project.

• Prediction of impacts on water resources due to the proposed water use/pumping on account
of the project .

• Quantification and characterisation of waste water including toxic organic, from the
proposed activity.

• Evaluation of the proposed pollution prevention and wastewater treatment system and
suggestions on modification, if required.

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• Prediction of impacts of effluent discharge on the quality of the receiving water body using
appropriate mathematical/simulation models

• Assessment of the feasibility of water recycling and reuse and delineation of detailed plan in
this regard.

Biological Environment

• Survey of flora and fauna clearly delineating season and duration.

• Assessment of flora and fauna present within the impact zone of the project

• Assessment of potential damage to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna due to discharge
of effluents and gaseous emissions from the project

• Assessment of damage to terrestrial flora and fauna due to air pollution, and land use and
landscape changes

• Assessment of damage to aquatic and marine flora and fauna (including commercial
fishing) due to physical disturbances and alterations

• Prediction of biological stresses within the impact zone of the proposed project

• Delineation of mitigation measures to prevent and / or reduce the damage.

Land Environment

• Studies on soil characteristics, existing land use and topography, landscape and drainage
patterns within the impact zone

• Estimation of impacts of project on land use, landscape, topography, drainage and

hydrology

• Identification of potential utility of treated effluent in land application and subsequent

impacts

• Estimation and Characterisation of solid wastes and delineation of management options for
minimisation of waste and environmentally compatible disposal.

Socio-economic and Health Environment

• Collection of demographic and related socio-economic data

• Collection of epidemiological data, including studies on prominent endemic diseases (e.g.

fluorosis, malaria, fileria, malnutrition) and morbidity rates among the population within the
impact zone

• Projection of anticipated changes in the socio-economic and health due to the project and
related activities including traffic congestion and delineation of measures to minimise
adverse impacts

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• Assessment of impact on significant historical, cultural and archaeological sites/places in
the area

• Assessment of economic benefits arising out of the project

• Assessment of rehabilitation requirements with special emphasis on scheduled areas, if any.

Risk Assessment

• Hazard identification taking recourse to hazard indices, inventory analysis, dam break
probability, Natural Hazard Probability etc.

• Maximum Credible Accident (MCA) analysis to identify potential hazardous scenarios

• Consequence analysis of failures and accidents resulting in fire, explosion, hazardous

releases and dam breaks etc.

• Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) studies

• Assessment of risk on the basis of the above evaluations

• Preparation of an onsite and offsite (project affected area) Disaster Management Plan.

Environment Management Plan

• Delineation of mitigation measures including prevention and control for each environmental
component and rehabilitation and resettlement plan.

• Delineation of monitoring scheme for compliance of conditions

• Delineation of implementation plan including scheduling and resource allocation

 Roles in the EIA Process

IA involves many parties, grouped by their role definition within the process. The following
section outlines the basic responsibilities of various bodies:

• The Project Proponent

• The Environmental Consultants

• The State Pollution Control Board / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs)

• The Public

• The Impact Assessment Agency

The Role of the Project Proponent

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The project proponent during the project planning stage decides the type of projects i.e. new
establishment, expansion or modernisation. Later the project proponent needs to prepare the
Detailed Project Report/Feasibility Report and submits the Executive Summary, which shall
incorporate the project details, and findings of EIA study, which is to be made available to
concerned public.

The proponent has to approach the concerned SPCB for NOC and holding the public hearing.
After the public hearing the proponent submits application to IAA for environmental
clearance.

Role of Environment Consultant

Environmental consultant should be conversant with the existing legal and procedural
requirements of obtaining environmental clearance for proposed project. The consultant
should guide the proponent through initial screening of the project and establish whether EIA
studies are required to be conducted and if so finalise the scope of such study. The consultant
should also be fully equipped with required instruments and infrastructure for conducting
EIA studies. The environmental consultant is responsible for supplying all the environment-
related information required by the SPCB and IAA through the proponent. The consultant is
also required to justify the findings in the EIA and EMP during the meeting with the expert
groups at IAA.

The Role of the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) /Pollution Control Committee (PCC)
The State PCBs/PCCs are responsible for assessing the compatibility of a proposed
development with current operational and prescribed standards. If the development is in
compliance, the PCB will then issue its NOC. They shall also hold the public hearing as per
the provisions of EIA notification. The details of public hearing shall be forwarded to IAA.

The Role of the Public

The public also has an important role to play in EIA. The concerned persons will be invited
through press advertisement to review information and provide their views on the proposed
development requiring environmental clearance.

The Role of the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA)

Where a proponent is required to obtain environmental clearance, the IAA will evaluate and
assess the EIA report. In this process the project proponent will be given a chance to present
his proposal. If a project is accepted the IAA will also prepare a set of recommendations and
conditions for its implementation based on this assessment. Environmental clearance
conditions and recommendations of IAA are made available to the public on request through
SPCB and through web site at http://envfor.nic.in. During the implementation and operation
of the project, the IAA will also be responsible for the environmental monitoring process.

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  Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forest
Notification (2000)

The Government of India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a
significant notification in 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, known as the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2000. This notification was a pivotal
framework that mandated the process of conducting EIA for various developmental projects.

Key points from the EIA Notification, 2000:

1. Scope: It established the scope and applicability of the EIA process, outlining the types of
projects that require mandatory environmental clearance before initiation.
2. Categories of Projects: Projects were categorized into two broad categories—Category A
and Category B. Category A projects required a detailed EIA study and clearance from the
Central Government, while Category B projects were scrutinized at the State Level
Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or State Expert Appraisal Committee
(SEAC) level.
3. Project Clearance Procedure: Detailed the procedure for obtaining environmental
clearance, including submission of project details, conducting the EIA study, public
consultation, and approval process.
4. Public Consultation: Emphasized the importance of public participation in the EIA process.
It required project proponents to conduct public hearings to involve local communities and
stakeholders in discussions regarding the proposed projects and their potential impacts.
5. Categorization Criteria: Specified the criteria for categorizing projects as Category A or B
based on their scale, capacity, and potential environmental impacts.
6. Post-Clearance Monitoring: Stressed the need for post-closure monitoring to ensure
compliance with clearance conditions and mitigation measures.
7. Amendments and Revisions: The notification was subject to amendments and revisions
over time to incorporate changes in project types, thresholds, and procedural requirements.

This notification significantly influenced the EIA process in India, establishing a structured
framework for evaluating and approving projects while considering their potential
environmental impacts. Subsequent amendments and revisions have refined and updated the
EIA process to address evolving environmental concerns and regulatory needs.

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  List of projects requiring Environmental clearance
In India, various projects fall under the purview of the Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) notification and require environmental clearance before commencement. These
projects are categorized into two main groups: Category A and Category B.

Category A Projects:

Category A projects are those with potentially significant environmental impacts. They
require a comprehensive EIA and approval from the Central Government's Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Some examples include:

1. Mining (Major minerals)

2. Thermal power plants
3. Oil and gas exploration and production
4. Nuclear power plants
5. Ports and harbors
6. Chemical fertilizers industry
7. Highway projects over 100 km
8. Irrigation projects

Category B Projects:

Category B projects are those with moderate environmental impacts. They are evaluated at
the state level by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) or State
Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs). Examples include:

1. Small and medium thermal power plants

2. Agro-based industries
3. Highway projects below 100 km
4. Mining of minor minerals
5. Oil and gas transportation pipelines
6. Township and area development projects

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 This is not an exhaustive list, and specific project types can be further categorized within
Category A and Category B based on their scale, capacity, and potential environmental
impacts.

The EIA Notification, periodically revised and updated by the MoEFCC, provides detailed
lists and criteria for categorizing projects requiring environmental clearance. It's essential for
project proponents to check the latest notification and consult with regulatory bodies to
determine if their projects fall under the purview of environmental clearance.

 Application form
There will be specific application forms for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as
they can vary by country, region, and specific project requirements. However, these forms
typically involve detailed project information, environmental impact assessments, and
proposed mitigation measures.

To obtain the EIA application form for a specific project:

1. Government Websites: Visit the environmental ministry or regulatory body website in your
country. They often provide application forms, guidelines, and instructions for EIA
submissions.
2. Environmental Agencies: Contact local or national environmental agencies directly. They
might have online resources or can guide you on obtaining the required forms.
3. Consultancy Firms or Experts: Environmental consultants who specialize in EIAs may
have access to or information about the necessary application forms.
4. Public Libraries or Information Centers: Some regions may provide access to government
publications, including application forms, in public libraries or information centers.
5. Online Portals: Check for online portals or databases related to environmental assessments.
These platforms often host application forms and guidelines for EIA submissions.

Ensure you follow the specific instructions provided, provide accurate information, and
comply with the guidelines outlined by the environmental regulatory body in your region
when accessing and filling out these forms.

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  Composition of Expert Committee
The composition of an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) can vary based on the country or region's regulations. However, in many
cases, the EAC is typically comprised of multidisciplinary experts with diverse backgrounds
and expertise relevant to environmental assessments. Here's a typical composition:

1. Chairperson: Usually an experienced environmentalist, scientist, or professional with

significant expertise in environmental management and assessment.
2. Members: Experts from various fields related to the project under consideration. This might
include:
 Environmental Scientists: Specialized in various environmental domains such as
ecology, hydrology, air quality, and biodiversity.
 Engineers: Experts in civil, mechanical, or chemical engineering, especially if the
project involves infrastructure or industrial development.
 Social Scientists: Professionals with expertise in sociology, anthropology, or
community development, focusing on socio-economic impacts.
 Representatives from Related Ministries or Departments: For example,
representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Forests, Transportation, etc.,
depending on the nature of the project.
 Public Health Experts: If the project might have health-related impacts on
communities or regions.
3. Secretarial Support: Administrative staff and technical assistants to aid the committee in
documentation, report preparation, and coordination.
4. Invited Experts: In some cases, the EAC might invite external experts or consultants with
specialized knowledge relevant to the project being assessed.

The primary role of the EAC is to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
reports, evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, assess mitigation
measures, and make recommendations or decisions regarding project approvals or conditions.

These committees ensure a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to evaluating

projects' environmental impacts, considering various perspectives and expertise to make
informed recommendations or decisions.

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  Ecological sensitive places
Ecologically sensitive areas are regions with high environmental value, fragile ecosystems,
unique biodiversity, or significant ecological importance. These areas require special
attention and consideration during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process to
safeguard their ecological integrity. Identifying and protecting these areas are crucial to
prevent irreversible damage from developmental activities.

In the context of EIA, some examples of ecologically sensitive areas might include:

1. Biodiversity Hotspots: Regions with exceptionally high species diversity and endemism,
such as the Western Ghats in India or the Amazon Rainforest.
2. Wetlands and Coastal Areas: Mangroves, estuaries, coral reefs, and other coastal
ecosystems that provide critical habitats for numerous species and offer various ecological
services.
3. Protected Areas: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves designated for
conservation purposes due to their unique biodiversity or ecological significance.
4. Critical Habitats: Areas crucial for endangered or threatened species' survival, breeding, or
migration, like nesting sites for migratory birds or breeding grounds for marine mammals.

During the EIA process, these ecologically sensitive areas are thoroughly assessed to
understand their current state and potential vulnerabilities to proposed projects. Special
considerations and mitigation measures are put in place to minimize adverse impacts on these
areas. In some cases, projects might be relocated or redesigned to avoid impacting these
sensitive ecosystems.

Strategies for protection and conservation, such as buffer zones, reforestation programs,
habitat restoration, or alternative project designs, are often recommended to mitigate potential
risks to these delicate environments. Public consultations and stakeholder engagement also
play a vital role in identifying and addressing concerns related to ecologically sensitive areas
within the context of EIAs.

 International agreements
Several international agreements and conventions address environmental concerns and play a
role in influencing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) globally. Here are some key
international agreements related to EIA:

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1. Aarhus Convention: This agreement focuses on access to information, public participation,
and access to justice in environmental matters. It emphasizes public involvement in decision-
making processes, including those related to EIAs.
2. Espoo Convention: Also known as the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in
a Transboundary Context, it requires countries to notify and consult with potentially affected
neighboring countries about projects that could have transboundary environmental impacts.
3. Ramsar Convention: This convention focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of
wetlands. It promotes the assessment of potential impacts on wetlands, which are often
ecologically sensitive areas, before undertaking any development projects.
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The CBD emphasizes the conservation of
biological diversity and sustainable use of its components. It encourages countries to conduct
EIAs to assess the potential impacts of development projects on biodiversity.
5. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): While not
directly related to EIA, the UNFCCC promotes environmental impact considerations,
especially concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in development
projects.
6. World Heritage Convention: Projects near or affecting UNESCO World Heritage Sites may
require assessments and consultation under this convention to ensure the preservation of these
culturally and environmentally significant areas.

These agreements and conventions create frameworks and guidelines that encourage
countries to incorporate environmental considerations, including EIAs, into their decision-
making processes for development projects. They promote cooperation, transparency, and the
protection of natural resources and ecosystems on an international scale. Countries often
integrate the principles and guidelines from these agreements into their national laws and
policies related to environmental assessments.

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CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPT EIA