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that a proposed project may have on the environment, consisting of the environmental,
social and economic aspects.
The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the
environmental impacts when deciding whether or not to proceed with a project. The
International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental impact
assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating
thebiophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitments made."[1] EIAs are unique in that they do not
require adherence to a predetermined environmental outcome, but rather they require
decision makers to account for environmental values in their decisions and to justify those
decisions in light of detailed environmental studies and public comments on the potential
environmental impacts.[2]
Methods[edit]
General and industry specific assessment methods are available including:
Industrial products - Product environmental life cycle analysis (LCA) is used for
identifying and measuring the impact of industrial products on the environment. These
EIAs consider activities related to extraction of raw materials, ancillary materials,
equipment; production, use, disposal and ancillary equipment.[6]
Fuzzy logic - EIA methods need measurement data to estimate values of impact
indicators. However many of the environment impacts cannot be quantified, e.g.
landscape quality, lifestyle quality and social acceptance. Instead information from
similar EIAs, expert judgment and community sentiment are employed. Approximate
reasoning methods known as fuzzy logic can be used.[8]
Environmental Impact Assessment
Impact Assessment Division
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of India
January, 2001
A Manual
Preface
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development have been the cornerstones of the policies and
procedures governing the industrial and other developmental activities in India.Ministry of Environment &
Forests has taken several policy initiatives and enacted environmental and pollution control legislations to
prevent indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and to promote integration of environmental
concerns in developmental projects. One such initiative is the Notification on Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) of developmental projects issued on 27.1.1994 under the provisions of Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 making EIA mandatory for 29 categories of developmental projects.One more item
was added to the list in January, 2000.
EIA is a planning tool that is now generally accepted as an integral component of sound decision-making.
The objective of EIA is to foresee and address potential environmental problems/concerns at an early
stage of project planning and design.EIA/EMP should assist planners and government authorities in the
decision making process by identifying the key impacts/issues and formulating mitigation
measures.Ministry had issued sectoral guidelines some time ago.A compendium of the procedures and
questionnaires entitled Application Form and Questionnaire for Environmental Clearance was
published in September, 1999 in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
As part of the continued efforts to ensure transparency in the procedures of environmental clearance and
to assist the project authorities in improving the quality of EIA documents, this Manual is now being
brought out by the Ministry.The Manual has been designed to cover the whole gamut of issues like
regulatory requirements, the EIA methodology including baseline studies, identification of key issues and
consideration of alternatives, impact analysis and remedial measures in a systematic way.It also
delineates the process of reviewing the adequacy of EIA and EMP reports and post-project monitoring.To
make the Manual comprehensive and self-contained, information pertaining to legislative regime, base
line data generation and monitoring, thumb rules for pollution control measures etc. have been annexed
to the main text.
It has been our experience that EIA documents are often voluminous but much of the base-line
information included in these is not fully utilised in the impact analysis and prediction.Some of the impacts
of the proposed development are of little significance to the decision making process. Hence a brief
reference has been made to Scoping . A section on Risk Assessment and Hazard analysis also has
been included
It is hoped that project proponents, EIA consultants and regulatory authorities will find this EIA Manual
useful
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.
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:
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.
1.1 Indian Policies Requiring EIA
Besides this the Government of India under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 issued a
number of other notifications, which are related to environmental impact assessment. These
are limited to specific geographical areas. These are listed in Box 1.1.
Box 1.1
Screening
Scoping and consideration of alternatives
Baseline data collection
Impact prediction
Assessment of alternatives, delineation of mitigation measures and environmental impact
statement
Public hearing
Environment Management Plan
Decision making
Monitoring the clearance conditions
1.2.1 Screening
Screening is done to see whether a project requires
environmental clearance as per the statutory notifications. Screening Criteria are based
upon:
Scales of investment;
Type of development; and,
Location of development.
1.2.2 Scoping
Air
changes in ambient levels and ground level concentrations due to total emissions
from point, line and area sources
effects on soils, materials, vegetation, and human health
Noise
changes in ambient levels due to noise generated from equipment and movement of
vehicles
effect on fauna and human health
Water
availability to competing users
changes in quality
sediment transport
ingress of saline water
Land
changes in land use and drainage pattern
changes in land quality including effects of waste disposal
changes in shoreline/riverbank and their stability
Biological
deforestation/tree-cutting and shrinkage of animal habitat.
impact on fauna and flora (including aquatic species if any) due to
contaminants/pollutants
impact on rare and endangered species, endemic species, and migratory path/route
of animals.
Impact on breeding and nesting grounds
Socio-Economic
impact on the local community including demographic changes.
Impact on economic status
impact on human health.
impact of increased traffic
For every project, possible alternatives should be identified and environmental attributes
compared. Alternatives should cover both project location and process technologies. Alternatives
should consider no project option also. Alternatives should then be ranked for selection
of the best environmental option for optimum economic benefits to the community at large.
Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be
drawn up for the selected option and is supplemented with an Environmental Management Plan
(EMP) to guide the proponent towards environmental improvements. The EMP is a crucial input to
monitoring the clearance conditions and therefore details of monitoring should be included in the
EMP.
An EIA report should provide clear information to the decision-maker on the different
environmental scenarios without the project, with the project and with project alternatives.
Uncertainties should be clearly reflected in the EIA report.
1.2.6 Public Hearing
Law requires that the public must be informed and consulted on a proposed development
after the completion of EIA report.
Any one likely to be affected by the proposed project is entitled to have access to the
Executive Summary of the EIA. The affected persons may include:
They are to be given an opportunity to make oral/written suggestions to the State Pollution
Control Board as per Schedule IV of Annex I.
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.
Air Environment
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
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
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
Water
Environment
Study of existing ground and surface water resources with respect to quantity and quality
within the impact zone of the proposed 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
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
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
Land Environment
Studies on soil characteristics, existing land use and topography, landscape and
drainage patterns 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
Risk Assessment
Hazard identification taking recourse to hazard indices, inventory analysis, dam break
probability, Natural Hazard Probability etc.
Preparation of an onsite and off site (project affected area) Disaster Management
Plan
EIA involves many parties, grouped by their role definition within the
process. The following section outlines the basic responsibilities of various bodies:
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.
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)
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.
Note: While this chapter will guide the reviewer through the Identification of key issues, it is
also recommended that the reviewer refer to the Sectoral Guidelines.
Location/current land use along with contours and whether it conforms to the
development plans proposed for that area
Outlining the key project elements during the pre-construction, the construction and the
operation phases etc. as per the list of documents to be attached with the questionnaire
- Off-site activities
- Associated activities
- Project activities as PERT chart and process as a flow chart delineating unit processes
with input-output.
This would facilitate the reviewer s task. The project proponent after suitable scoping
should provide environmental information for consideration in detailed EIA. The reviewer while
assessing the report should focus on the crucial aspects involving project location and
characteristics.
I. As far as possible prime agricultural land/forest land may not be converted into an
industrial site
II. Land acquired should be minimum but sufficient to provide for a green belt wherein the
treated wastewater, if possible/suitable, could be utilised from wastewater treatment
systems
III. Enough space may be provided for storing solid wastes. The space and the waste can be
made available for possible reuse in future
IV. Layout and form of the project must conform to the landscape of the area without unduly
affecting the scenic features of that place
V. Associated township of the project if any to be created must provide for space for phyto-
graphic barrier between the project and the township and should take into account
predominant wind direction.
Coastal Areas: at least 1/2 km from the high tide line (within 0.5 km of High Tide Line
(HTL), specified activities as per CRZ notification, 1991 are permitted)(The HTL is to be
delineated by the authorised agency only.)
Flood Plains of the Riverine systems: at least 500 metres from flood plain or modified
flood plain or by flood control
systems
Availability of water and other critical infrastructures like electricity, roads with adequate
width and capacity
When assessing the significance of potential land use impacts, the reviewer will need to consider
the following:
Present and designated land use in conformity with regional developmental plans / master
plan
Dependent/resident population
No project
Technology/Processes
The reviewer will need to evaluate whether or not the proposal has taken into
consideration all feasible alternatives in respect of siting, and the plant processes including
mitigation methods.
No project:
The characteristics of soil strata and potential for groundwater depletion/ contamination
The location of the site in relation to the watershed, and suitability of the site vegetation
and ecology
Process selection:
Choices of inputs to generate minimal wastes and emissions causing minimum stress
on resources
Project construction may require cutting, striping, levelling landscaping, topographic, sea /
riverbed or subsurface transformations, opening of new quarries transportation of men and
materials, construction of temporary houses any of which can cause both positive and negative
environmental impacts.
The construction phase is especially significant in the case of infrastructure projects. In such
cases a detailed schedule of construction activities is critical for scoping impacts. If the
construction stretches over a prolonged period (1-3 years), the impacts of habitat disturbances
may be even more severe in the construction phase than during operation phase. In addition,
there may be substantial influx of labour in some project areas that could create stress on public
While not exhaustive, Box 2.1 below provides a checklist of the information likely to be required
for the scoping of project inputs.
Box 2.1
Project Technology
Available technology/equipment
Cleaner options
Land
Nature of land/soil
Topography
Materials
Storage
Precautionary measures
Mine discharge
Project output
Usage of any recycled, salvaged material from industrial waste in the process.
Water
Water requirement
Average demand, peak demand at full production, source and type (treated/ untreated)
(If water supply is to be augmented from other source(s) for meeting both present and
future requirements)
Physico-Chemical characteristics of surface/ground water at the site and likely impact area
Energy/Fuel
Existing facilities
Proposed facilities
Public supply
D.G.Set/Gas turbine
Natural gas
LSHS
HSD
Naphtha
Furnace Oil
Other (specify)
Transport
Details of transport system to be used for transporting raw materials, finished products and
wastes
Potential releases
1) Air emissions
2) Noise
3) Liquid effluents
4) Solid wastes
5) Hazardous/Toxic Wastes
Box 2.2 below lists the types of release and potential sources.
Box 2.2
A. Air Emissions
Vehicular emissions
Process emissions
Fugitive emissions
Offsite emissions
C. Liquid Effluents
Offsite effluents
Storm water
Acid Drainage
D. Solid Waste
The issues for air emissions should be based on project location (valley, coastal areas, regions
with frequent dust storms etc.) type of activity and air polluting potential. Table 2.1 presents a list
of key activities and
the proposed receiving body is surface water, irrigation canal, marine coast, public sewers
etc.
the discharge point is within the catchment area of a drinking water source or a river stretch
designated for drinking purposes (as per CPCB designated usages)
the disposal is on land, the soil is permeable and the aquifer conditions are prone to
groundwater contamination
Should the proponent be unable to confirm the existence of an acceptable treatment or disposal
facility for any of the listed hazardous wastes classes with adequate capacity the issue will need
to form input into the detailed assessment.
It is important to note that in addition to those wastes that are classified, all potential waste
groups should be examined according to the following parameters:
Calorific value
pH
Conductivity
concentrations
Impacts to environment and human health can occur from accidents (both on-site and off-site) or
through general environmental degradation. When determining the appropriate areas for a more
detailed risk assessment, the reviewer should take into account both the type of risks inherent in a
Table 2.2 provides a list of activities requiring assessment of risk due to occurrence of most
probable instances of hazard and accident. Box 2.3 below indicates the potential means of
human exposure to risks.
Box 2.3
Onsite
House keeping practices requiring contact with solid and liquid toxic wastes
Offsite
Exposure to toxic releases from offsite / storage/related activities
Deposition of toxic pollutants in vegetation / other sinks and possible sudden releases due
to accidental occurrences
It is generally envisaged that the scale of a project s socio-economic impact study is limited to
the region and population directly influenced by the project, with an emphasis on the distribution
of benefits and costs among the project stakeholders. Within project scoping, the socio-
economic issues as in Box 2.4 should be addressed:
Box 2.4
Socio-economic
Onsite and offsite optimal land requirements, specifically in relation to the potential for
displacement, rehabilitation, and habitat fragmentation
Quantity and nature of employment and /or estimated needs for migratory workers
Potential benefits/disbenefits to the local habitants resulting through project and ancillary
activities
Potential losses of livelihood for local and vulnerable sections of the population
Project proposals located nearby wildlife sanctuaries, National Parks, and/or biosphere reserves,
breeding /spawning /nesting grounds etc. (Annex II)need to come under careful scrutiny, and the
EIA report should contain impact on such ecologically fragile/sensitive areas.
Potential impacts on primitive and rare cultivated plants, land, ethnic minorities,
archaeological places
Impacts on identified rare and endangered species
Emissions of nuclear radiation on-site and off-site and potential for nuclear accidents
*****
Table 2.1
Sr.
Activity Significant probability of Hazard/Accident
No.
A. Schedule I of EIA Notification
1. Nuclear Power Plant Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation/
Radioactivity/Accidental Releases
2. River Valley Project Flooding, RIS
3. Air Ports, Ports/Harbours Accidents, Natural Atmospheric hazards
4. Petroleum Refinery Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
5. Chemical fertiliser Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
6. Pesticides Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
7. Petrochemical Complex Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
8. Bulk Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
9. Exploration of Oil & Gas and their Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
production, transportation and storage
10. Synthetic Rubber Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
11. Asbestos and Asbestos product Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
12. Hydrocyanic acid and its derivatives Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
13. Metallurgical industries Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
14. Electric arc furnaces Pressure Wave / Heat Radiation
15. Chlor-alkali industry Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
16. Integrated paint complex Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
17. Viscose Staple fibre and filament yarn Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
18. Storage batteries Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
19. Tourism Project Human Accident
20. Thermal Power Plants Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
21. Mining Activities Pressure Wave / Heat Radiation/ Radio Activity/ Tailing
dam failure/Inundation/Subsidence/Acid Drainage
22. Highway Projects Heat Radiation/ Traffic Accidents
23. Tarred roads in Himalayas Heat Radiation/Landslides/Traffic Accidents
24. Distilleries Pressure Wave / Heat Radiation
25. Raw Skins and Hides Heat Radiation
26. Pulp and Paper Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
27. Dyes Heat Radiation
28. Cement Pressure Wave / Heat Radiation
29. Foundries Pressure Wave / Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
30. Electroplating Toxic Gas Release / Heat Radiation
Note: The probability of occurrence of human accident is however prevalent in all the
activities.
The Review
Checklist
How To Use This Checklist
(A) Pre-Appraisal
(B) Appraisal
Each section begins with a set of guidance notes to be followed by EIA reviewers
in its completion.
5. MITIGATION MEASURES
Section A - Guidance Notes for Pre-
Appraisal
Pre-appraisal can be used to determine whether a submitted project proposal meets the preliminary
appraisal requirements of MoEF. These include project siting restrictions, permitting requirements,
and supporting documentation. The outcome of section A will be the decision on whether to continue
appraising the proposal through section B of the checklist.
For each Review Question the reviewer will need to determine whether or not the project proposal
meets MoEF s preliminary requirements. If yes, the reviewer notes this and moves on to the next
question.
If a proposal does not meet MoEF s preliminary requirements, the reviewer notes this, and where
applicable provides comment in the right hand column. Where a discrepancy is based on the
omission of supporting documentation or information and where appropriate and feasible, the
reviewer indicates where this information may be obtained according to the following listing:
On the basis of the preliminary appraisal the reviewer makes a decision on whether or not the proposal
justifies further review. If yes the reviewer continues with Section B of the Checklist.
Legal Requirements
Forest Committee;
Information Requirements
0.4 Does the application include all those items listed in the
MoEF Document Checklist'?
0.6 Are the nature and status of the decision(s) that are required to
be made, clear from the information supplied?
Land Requirements
0.7 Where applicable, does the proposal include information relating
to siting criteria, including distances from:
forests;
Human settlements;
0.9 Are fuel sources identified and quantified? Whether fuel linkage
and its transportation is established?
0.10 Have any special or hazardous wastes that will be produced been
identified and quantified?
0. PRELIMINARY PROJECT APPRAISAL
Strategic Requirements
(1) [1] Insert here other criteria, if any have been identified, which are considered relevant to the specific circumstances of the proposal
Annex II
Airport
Tiger reserves/elephant reserve/turtle nestling grounds
Habitat for migratory birds
Lakes, reservoirs, dams
Streams/rivers/estuary/seas
Railway lines
Highways
Urban agglomeration