Environmental clearance is one of the most crucial factors to consider when planning a construction project. It is the requirement for appropriate environmental clearance for construction projects in many cities.
The environment may be significantly impacted by construction projects, both during and after the project concludes. Therefore, construction companies acquire environmental clearance from the relevant authorities before starting a project.
Getting an EC clearance can be a challenging and drawn-out procedure. But it is crucial to wrap up the project environmentally conscious.
This blog post will discuss the notification process for environmental impact assessments in India. We will discuss the meaning of EIA draft notification and its implications for building projects. We will also examine how India’s environmental clearance procedure ensures that building projects happen with the least possible negative environmental impact.
EIA: What is it?
The process of acquiring data regarding the possible environmental effects of a proposed project is known as an environmental impact assessment, or EIA. The development of mitigation strategies to lessen or completely eradicate those effects comes next.
There are usually multiple steps in the EIA process.
Screening: The proposed project undergoes screening to determine whether it will likely have significant environmental impacts before moving forward with an EIA. Further assessment is not necessary if there is no possibility that the project will have an impact before construction can begin.
Scoping: Should the screening step indicate that there may be significant effects, the study region must decide which particular impacts need to undergo assessment.
Assessment: Information about the possible environmental effects of the proposed project is gathered following the establishment of the study region. Numerous sources, such as computer models, field research, and lab tests, may provide this data.
Mitigation: Based on the results of the assessment step, mitigation measures are put in place to lessen or eliminate all of the observed effects. These could be adjustments to the project’s blueprint, alternative construction methods, or requirements for post-construction monitoring.
Making a decision: Compiling and evaluating all available data will determine whether or not to proceed with the project. If serious environmental problems continue, changes could be made or even scrapped.
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment Notification?
Government action to preserve the natural world resulted in the 1986 Environment Protection Act. The government issues an Environmental Impact Assessment Notification under section 3 of this act, which mandates that parties seeking to initiate new projects or alter current ones notify the government in advance and adhere to specific guidelines to protect the environment.
What is the EIA Draft Notification?
A formal notice that construction projects will be subject to the EIA process is the draft notification for the EIA. Usually, the notice is posted on the project website and in a local newspaper. The notification contains details about the project, the reason for the EIA, and how to take part in the proceedings.
A crucial step in the EIA process is the notification of the draft EIA. The alert should include all pertinent project information clearly and succinctly. Included should be the contact information for those who would like to learn more or contribute.
Among the most important recommendations are those found in the newly published draft of the EIA notification 2020, which includes shortened periods for public comment and hearings. The draft has shortened the public hearing notice period from 20 to 30 days and the hearing completion time from 40 to 45 days.
The analysis was missing several projects classified as A, B1, or B2. Furthermore, proponents must follow specific guidelines outlined in the EIA report following approval from the relevant authority, known as post-clearance compliance.
Projects lacking environmental clearance can now apply for a post-facto clearance through the notification, allowing them to resume regular operations.
Construction projects with a built-up area of up to 1,50,000 sq meters are exempt, which marks a significant increase over the previous exemption of 20,000 q meters. These projects must still undergo evaluation by a state-level expert appraisal committee before obtaining environmental clearance.
India’s Environmental Clearance Procedure
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2006 governs the environmental clearance process for construction projects in India. All projects needing an EIA must register with the relevant State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee, per the Notification.
The notification also outlines the steps involved in conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA), including holding public meetings, submitting reports, and getting approval from expert appraisal groups or EACs.
In India, the goal of the entire environmental clearance process for building projects is to reduce any potential harm to the environment.
Below is an explanation of the Indian environmental clearance procedure.
- Locating and Choosing the Site
To start the project, the proponent must find a site that satisfies all applicable siting guidelines. The proponent has to find another location if the project site needs to be better.
- Evaluation of Categories
The next step is for the proponent to determine whether the project’s proposed environmental clearance is needed. The proponent carries out an independent or assisted EIA study if the notification schedule permits it.
- The SPCB-submitted EIA report and evaluation.
The investor then gives the EIA report to the relevant State Pollution Control Board and the state-based forest department (if located adjacent to or inside the forestland).
The SPCB assesses the quantity and quality of pollutants or effluent that the project will likely generate and the efficacy of the proposed control measures to comply with the regulations. If the SPCB finds no irregularities and approves, it will issue a No-objection certificate.
- Public Discussion
Since it allows citizens to voice concerns about the project, the public hearing is essential for environmental clearance. This procedure also occurs before the no-objection certificate is issued.
The chair of the hearing committee is the District collector. Before proceeding to the approval stage, the hearing committee reviews all suggestions and objections from the general public.
- Sending a request for consideration to MoEF.
The project proponent applies to the Ministry of Forest and Environment for the necessary environmental clearance in the case of Project A and the state government in the case of Project B. The supporting documentation for the application includes the EMP, NOC, EIA report, and details about the public hearing.
- Evaluation of the Environment.
Workers at the Ministry of Environment and Forets have reviewed the documentation, and if more inspections are required, they can stand on location. Moreover, the applications are received by and regularly met with the environmental appraisal committees, which are for each industry sector, including mining, river valley, and industries.
The committee may also arrange public hearings to foster community involvement in development decisions for specific initiatives that spark public interest. After that, the appraisal committees draft their recommendations for accepting or rejecting specific projects.