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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a comprehensive approach employed to scrutinize and assess the probable consequences, both favourable and detrimental, that a proposed project or development may exert on the environment, economy, and society.

Need For Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) In India: Rapid industrialization, Protection of natural resource

• Rapid industrialization and development: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is essential to address the potential environmental impacts of India’s rapid industrial growth and infrastructure development.
  
  
• Protection of natural resources: EIA helps assess and protect India’s rich biodiversity, water resources, forests, and ecosystems.
• Public participation and transparency: EIA ensures public involvement and transparency in project decision-making processes.
• Compliance with environmental regulations: EIA is a legal requirement in India, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Key Provisions Of Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020: Categorization, Post-Facto Clearance

• Categorization: Projects classified as Category A and Category B based on scale and impact.
• Post-Facto Clearance: Provision for retrospective approval of projects already under construction.
• Expanded Project Scope: Inclusion of additional projects requiring environmental clearance.
  
  
• Online Submission and Processing: Emphasis on using online platforms for project applications, consultations, and compliance monitoring. 
• Reduction in time for Public Consultation: from 30 days to 20 days.
• Post-Clearance Monitoring: Focus on monitoring compliance and reporting after clearance.
• Expert Committees: Establishment of expert committees at central and state levels for project assessment.
• Violations and Penalties: Penalties and legal action for non-compliance and false information.

Benefits Of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) In India: Environmental protection, Sustainable development

• Environmental protection and conservation: EIA identifies and mitigates potential environmental impacts, safeguarding air, water, soil, and ecosystems.
• Sustainable development: EIA integrates environmental considerations, promoting sustainable use of resources.
• Social benefits: EIA assesses social impacts, benefiting local communities, livelihoods, health, and cultural heritage.
• Decision-making support: EIA provides comprehensive information for informed project decision-making.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ensures adherence to national and international environmental standards.

Shortcomings Of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) In India: Easy clearance for ‘Strategic’ projects, Limited public participation

• Easy clearance for ‘Strategic’ projects: because new EIA rules empower the government to declare any project as a ‘Strategic’ project without explaining why.
• Opening the routes for violations: Provision of post-facto clearance will encourage the industries to go with the project without getting worried about the environmental clearance. 
• Inadequate assessment quality: Some EIA reports lack thorough assessments and scientific rigor.
• Limited public participation: EIA 2020 has reduced the time for public participation from 30 days to 20 days. It means reduced awareness and limited public participation.
• Weak enforcement and monitoring: Inconsistent enforcement and monitoring of EIA conditions undermine its effectiveness. 
• Influence of vested interests: Sometimes, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes are influenced by biased assessments and approvals due to vested interests.
• Non-compliance with the International frameworks and conventions: EIA, 2020 is not in compliance with various international pledges such as the Paris Climate Agreement. It will weaken India’s stance as a global leader in environmental governance and climate politics. 

WAY FORWARD:

• Online Platforms: Implement online platforms for project submissions, public comments, and information dissemination, improving accessibility and efficiency of the EIA process.
• Technology Integration: Utilize remote sensing, satellite imagery, and data analytics to enhance accuracy and objectivity in environmental impact assessments.
• Independent Expert Panels: Establish independent expert panels to review and validate EIA reports, ensuring impartiality and expertise.
• Capacity Building: Enhance the knowledge and skills of regulatory authorities and experts involved in the EIA process through training programs and workshops.
• Cumulative Impact Assessment: Include provisions for assessing the cumulative environmental impacts of multiple projects in a region.
• Timely and Comprehensive Reviews, Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms, Public Awareness and Education, International Best Practices

RECENT UPDATES

KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) RULES, 2020 AND Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) RULES, 2020:

Conclusion

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has potential for sustainable development and environmental protection by incorporating robust measures, promoting public participation, and integrating scientific advancements to safeguard the environment and foster a balance between development and conservation.

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (SIA)

• Social impact assessment (SIA) is a methodology to review the social effects of infrastructure projects and other development interventions.

• According to the International Association for Impact Assessment, SIA includes the processes of analyzing, monitoring, and managing the intended and unintended social consequences of planned interventions and any social change processes invoked by those interventions.
• The primary purpose of SIA is to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment.

Need Of Social Impact Assessment: Social Impacts, Local and Regional Populations

• Social Impacts: It is important to understand the social impacts of a project, which are the direct and indirect impacts that affect people and their communities during all stages of the project lifecycle.
• Local and Regional Populations: SIA aims to achieve an extensive understanding of the local and regional populations and settings to be affected by the proposed action, program, or policy.
• Human Environment Elements: SIA focuses on the key elements of the human environment related to the proposed action, program, or policy.
• Ensuring Environmental Justice: SIA ensures that any environmental justice issues are fully described and analyzed, identifying disadvantaged, at-risk, and minority populations affected by the proposed action, program, or policy.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The research design and databases established for the assessment of impacts should provide the basis for monitoring and evaluating the actual impacts of the chosen alternative project.

Significance: Beyond Natural Resource Impacts, Scientific Research Concepts

• Beyond Natural Resource Impacts: The core focus of an SIA is on the important impacts of projects and developments beyond the impacts on natural resources.
• Scientific Research Concepts: The SIA is based upon sound and replicable scientific research concepts and methods.
• Decreasing Social Unrest: By mandating SIA, governments aim to decrease social unrest and ensure compensation to affected communities.
• Evidence for Future Support: Monitoring and evaluation offer tangible evidence of a project’s achievements and future potential. 
• Promoting Sustainable Growth: SIA helps in the development of the country and leads to sustainable growth and employment in the region through the speedy completion of projects.
• Avoiding Unnecessary Litigations: SIA helps government and judiciary to save resources and time by avoiding unnecessary litigations, as assessment and compensation for any project are done beforehand.

WAY FORWARD

• Increased Public Access: Ensure widespread access to information and awareness about public hearings and their impact on the EIA process.
• Faster Clearances: Reduce the average delay of 238 days in granting environmental clearances.
• Balanced Policy Approach: Avoid the “grow now, sustain later” mindset, which undermines sustainable development.
• Diverse Expert Committees: Include experts from various stakeholder groups with the necessary expertise in environmental and relevant fields.
• Enhanced Capacity Building: Strengthen the abilities of NGOs, civil society groups, and local communities to effectively use the EIA notification for better project decision-making.