05-09-2024

Environmental Clearance (EC)

❑ Any expansion or modernization of any activity shall not be
undertaken in any part of India unless it has been accorded
EC by Centre as per the procedure specified in the
MODULE 2 notification

❑ Which projects require EC?

❑ Projects listed in the schedule to notification
❑ All new projects or activities listed in this notification

❑ Expansion and modernization of existing projects which

cross threshold limit for concerned sector

❑ Any change in product-mix in existing manufacturing unit

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included in Schedule beyond the specified range

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Key Elements in 2006 EIA

Requirements of prior Environmental Clearance(EC)

Category
Category EC from MoEF on EC from SEIAA (State
B
A recommendation of Environmental Impact
Expert Appraisal projects Assessment Authorities)
projects
Committee (EAC) based on recommendations
from SEAC (State Level Expert
Appraisal Committee)

In absence of Category B further divided as

SEIAA or SEAC B1 and B2, however
category B shall be treated guidelines for distinction have
as Category A project not been worked out

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Stage 1: Screening

• Only for Category B projects and activities to determine if they need EIA.

• Category A projects compulsorily need EIA.

• Scrutiny of an application seeking EC by SEAC for determining whether or not

the project or activity requires further environmental studies

Classify projects as B1 (require EIA) and B2 (don’t require EIA)

• For categorization of projects into B1 or B2, the MoEF shall issue appropriate

guidelines from time to time.

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Stage 2: Scoping
Stage 3: Public Consultation
Process by which

• Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) in the case of Category ‘A’ projects or

activities
• State level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) in the case of Category
‘B1’ projects
Determine comprehensive Terms Of Reference (TOR) addressing all relevant
environmental concerns for preparation of an Environment Impact Assessment
(EIA) report

Report based on
• on the basis of the information furnished by applicant in the prescribed
application Form1/Form 1A including
• a site visit by a sub- group of EAC or SEAC only if considered necessary

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Component 1: Public hearing

Component 2: Responses from other concerned persons

• Public hearing shall be conducted by the State Pollution Control Board •Invite replies from such concerned persons by placing on their website the
(SPCB) Summary of EIA report
• Use other appropriate media for ensuring wide publicity about the project
• Forward proceedings to the regulatory authority concerned within 45 days • Within seven days of the receipt of a written request for arranging the public
• If not appoint another independent organization to do the same within another hearing
•Confidential information including non-disclosable or legally privileged
45 days information involving Intellectual Property Right shall not be placed on the
• If the public agency nominated reports that it is not possible to conduct the website
•Make available on written request from any concerned person the Draft EIA
public hearing in a manner which will enable the views of the concerned report for inspection at a notified place during normal office hours till the date of
local persons to be freely expressed It shall report the facts in detail to the the public hearing
• All the responses received as part of this public consultation process shall be
concerned regulatory authority forwarded to the applicant through the quickest available means
• After due consideration of the report ,the public consultation in the case need
not include the public hearing
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Stage 4: Appraisal
Detailed scrutiny by the EAC or SEAC of
After public consultation… • documents like the Final EIA report
• Applicant shall address all environmental concerns expressed • outcome of the public consultations including public hearing proceedings
during this process • submitted by the applicant to the regulatory authority concerned for grant
• Make appropriate changes in the draft EIA of environmental clearance
• Appraisal of all projects or activities which are not required to undergo
• Final EIA report shall be submitted by the applicant to the
public consultation, or submit an Environment Impact Assessment report
concerned regulatory authority for appraisal. (Category B2) shall be carried out on the basis
prescribed application Form 1
Form 1A
any other relevant information
• EAC or SEAC shall recommend 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.
• Prescribed procedure for appraisal is given in Appendix V
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Grant or Rejection of EC
• The regulatory authority shall consider the recommendations of the EAC or Validity of Environmental Clearance
SEAC concerned and convey its decision to the applicant
• In cases where it disagrees with the recommendations of the Expert Committee • Ten years in the case of River Valley projects
(Central or State), the regulatory authority shall request reconsideration by the
Central or State Expert Appraisal Committee After reconsideration, irrespective of • Thirty years for mining projects
views of Expert Committee, decision of the regulatory authority concerned shall be
final • Five years in the case of all other projects and activities
• If decision not granted within stipulated time, the applicant may proceed as if the
environment clearance sought for has been granted or denied by the regulatory • Area Development projects and Townships, the validity period shall be limited
authority in terms of the final recommendations of the Expert Committee
concerned only to such activities as may be the responsibility of the applicant as a
• Careful concealment and/or submission of false or misleading information or data
which is material to screening or scoping or appraisal or decision on the developer
application shall make the application liable for rejection
• Rejection of an application or cancellation of a prior environmental clearance
already granted shall be decided by the regulatory authority, after giving a personal
hearing to the applicant, and following the principles of natural justice
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Strategic Environmental Assessment

▪ Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) refers to systematic analysis of
the environmental effects of development policies, plans, programmes and
Types of EIA other proposed strategic actions.
Environmental assessments could be classified into four types i.e.,
▪ Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic and
▪ Strategic environmental assessment comprehensive process used to evaluate the potential environmental
impacts and consequences of a proposed policy, plan, or program before it
▪ Regional EIA,
is implemented.

▪ Sectoral EIA ▪ SEA represents a proactive approach to integrating environmental

considerations into the higher levels of decision-making – beyond the
▪ Project level EIA.
project level, when major alternatives are still open

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Strategic Environmental Assessment (contdd) Regional EIA

▪ EIA in the context of regional planning integrates environmental concerns into

▪ The primary objective of SEA is to ensure that environmental development planning for a geographic region.

considerations are integrated into the decision-making process alongside ▪ A Regional Environmental Impact Assessment (Regional EIA) is a
comprehensive study and evaluation of the potential environmental impacts
economic and social factors.
and consequences of a proposed project or development in a specific
▪ SEA is typically applied to large-scale projects, policies, or programs that geographical region.
could have significant and far-reaching effects on the environment.
▪ Such an approach is referred to as the economic-cum environmental (EcE)
▪ The SEA assesses the extent to which a given policy, plan or programme: development planning.
provides an adequate response to environmental and climate change–related ▪ This approach facilitates adequate integration of economic development with
challenges management of renewable natural resources within the carrying capacity
limitation to achieve sustainable development

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Regional EIA (contd…) Sectoral EIA

▪ It fulfils the need for macro-level environmental integration, which ▪ Instead of project-level-EIA, an EIA should take place in the context of
the project-oriented EIA is unable to address effectively. regional and sectoral level planning.

▪ Regional EIA addresses the environmental impacts of regional ▪ Once sectoral level development plans have the integrated sectoral
development plans and thus, the context for project-level EIA of the environmental concerns addressed, the scope of project-level EIA will be
subsequent projects, within the region. quite minimal.

▪ In addition, if environmental effects are considered at regional level, ▪ Sectoral EIA will helps in to addressing specific environmental problems
then the cumulative environmental effects of all the projects within that may be encountered in planning and implementing sectoral
the region can be accounted development projects

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Project level EIA Project level EIA (contd..)

▪ Project level EIA refers to the developmental activity in isolation and the ▪ The project-level EIA is relatively simple and reaches to meaningful
impacts that it exerts on the receiving environment. conclusions. Therefore in India, project-level EIA studies take place on

▪ Thus, it may not effectively integrate the cumulative effects of the an largescale and are being considered.

development in a region ▪ However, in the re-engineered Notification, provisions are incorporated

▪ From the above discussion, it is clear that the EIA shall be integrated at all for giving a single clearance for the entire industrial estate for e.g.,

levels i.e., strategic, regional, sectoral and project level. Leather parks, pharma cities, etc., which is a step towards the regional
approach.
▪ Whereas, the strategic EIA is a structural change in the way the things are
evaluated for decision-making, the regional EIA refers to substantial
information processing and drawing complex inferences.

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Rapid EIA vs Comprehensive EIA

Rapid EIA: Terms of Reference
▪ Carried for projects that are likely to cause limited adverse effects ▪ In Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), "TOR" stands for
▪ Data supplied is of only one season(other than monsoon) to reduce the time "Terms of Reference."
required
▪ Rapid EIA is for speedier appraisal process.
▪ Rapid EIA is speedier process to complete EIA within short period of time. ▪ Terms of Reference are a critical part of the EIA process, and they
▪ This helps to decide whether, comprehensive EIA is required or not. serve as a formal document that outlines the scope, objectives, and
Comprehensive EIA: methodologies for conducting the environmental assessment for a
▪ Carried for projects that are likely to cause major or series adverse effects specific project.
▪ Comprehensive EIA is usually undertaken after the initial screening of rapid
EIA.
▪ TOR-developed in consultation with relevant government
▪ More than two season data is required for analysis and preparation of
comprehensive EIA. agencies, environmental experts, and stakeholders.
▪ The purpose of comprehensive EIA is to access some detrimental effects on
the Conservation of Environment and identifying potential impacts and
modeling exercise have been carried out to predict and evaluate impacts to ▪ TOR serve as a guide for conducting a thorough and systematic
prepare management plan to make project. environmental assessment, ensuring that the EIA process is
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comprehensive and in compliance with applicable regulations.

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TOR in EIA typically includes

TOR in EIA typically includes
▪ Data Requirements: The TOR identifies the data and information that need
▪ Project Description: The TOR document begins by providing a detailed
to be collected or generated during the EIA process. This could involve
description of the proposed project. It outlines the project's nature, size,
location, purpose, and any associated activities. baseline data on environmental conditions, socio-economic data, and other
relevant information.
▪ Purpose of the EIA: The TOR defines the main purpose of conducting the
EIA. This could include assessing potential environmental impacts,
identifying mitigation measures, or ensuring compliance with ▪ Regulatory Requirements: It specifies any legal or regulatory requirements
environmental regulations. that the EIA must adhere to, including environmental standards,
▪ Scope of the Study: The TOR specifies the boundaries of the guidelines, and applicable laws.
environmental assessment. It defines the geographical area to be studied,
the specific environmental components to be assessed (such as air quality,
water resources, biodiversity, social aspects, etc.), and the time frame for ▪ Alternatives Analysis: The TOR may require an analysis of alternative
the assessment. project designs, technologies, or locations and the assessment of their
▪ Study Methodology: It outlines the methods and procedures that will be environmental and social implications.
used to collect data, analyze impacts, and assess potential risks associated
with the project. This section may also include details on how public
consultation and stakeholder engagement will be conducted. ▪ Public Participation: The document may include provisions for public
participation and consultation, including how and when the public will be
informed and involved in the EIA process.

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TOR in EIA typically includes

▪ Roles and Responsibilities: The TOR outlines the roles and
responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in the EIA process, Structure of the EIA report
including the project proponent, the EIA consultant (if applicable), ▪ Executive Summary Chapter
government agencies, and other relevant parties.
1. Introduction Chapter
2. Description of the Project Chapter
▪ Reporting Requirements: It specifies the format and content of the
final EIA report, including the structure and sections that should be 3. Description of the Environment Chapter
included. 4. Anticipated Environmental Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
Chapter
▪ Timelines: The TOR may include deadlines and milestones for 5. Environmental Management Plan and Post-project Environmental
different stages of the EIA process, from data collection to the Monitoring Program Chapter
submission of the final report. 6. Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

▪ Review and Approval Process: It outlines the procedures for the

review and approval of the EIA report, including the relevant
authorities responsible for evaluating and granting environmental
clearance.
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STEPS IN EIA PROCESS

EIA represents a systematic process that examines the environmental
consequences of the development actions, in advance.
The Entire EIA procedure can be divided into 2 complementary tasks: The
1. The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
2. Full Scale Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

▪ It is the process of reviewing the environmental integrity of projects to
determine whether EIA level studies should be conducted.
▪ This is used to determine which project require full scale EIA.
▪ This is done to minimize the effort, expense and delay in project planning.
▪ In IEE, the environmental effects of proposed project are evaluated in
limited budget based on available recorded information and professional
judgement.
▪ IEE is a means of providing the most efficient and feasible preparation of
adequate environment management plans with or without the requirement
of a full scale EIA
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Full Scale Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

▪ It is a multidisciplinary approach to impact assessment.
▪ Potential impacts in all areas are considered.
▪ Professional assessment of impacts on natural resources, air quality,
neighbourhood effects must be quantified.

Impact Assessment methods are classified as:

1. Scope identification method
The dimension and different types of impacts, duration of impact and areas
which are affected by the impact are identified. Impacts are affected on natural
environment (air, water, land, noise, flora, fauna etc.) and man-made
environment (socio-economic aspects, aesthetics, transportation etc.)
2. Prediction method
It will define the quantity on impact on a special environment. Forecasting of
impacts on environment over a time period.
3. Evaluation
Critical assessment of impacts is done and evaluate the least environmentally
damaging alternatives
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Process (contd)

A project's environmental management plan (EMP) consists of the set of

mitigation, monitoring, and institutional measures to be taken during
implementation and operation to eliminate adverse environmental and social
impacts, offset them, or reduce them to acceptable levels.

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