DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT Prepared for 5000 TCD Sugar Plant, 30 MW Co-generation Power plant and

60 KLPD Distillery Plant (M/s REVAKRIPA SUGARS LTD.) BHITONI, JABALPUR

Prepared by ATUL DWIVEDI

Introduction Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process used to predict how industrial development or construction project will affect natural resources such as water, air, land, socio -economic and wildlife. Environmental Impact Assessment studies have mostly been applied to individual projects and have led to various offshoot techniques, such as health impact assessments, social impact assessments, cumulative effects assessments, and strategic environmental assessments (environmental assessments of proposed policies, programs, and plans). In some cases, social and economic impacts are assessed as part of the environmental impact statements. In other cases, they are considered separately. An EIA usually involves a sequence of steps: (1) Screening to decide if a project requires assessment and to what level of detail; (2) Preliminary assessment to identify key impacts, their magnitude, significance, and importance; (3) Scoping to ensure the EIA focuses on key issues and to determine, where more detailed information is needed; (4) Implementing the main EIA study, which involves detailed investigations to predict impacts, assess their consequences, or both. 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 harmonize 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 developm ent options under consideration are sustainable. In doing so, environmental consequences must be characterized early in the project cycle and accounted for in the project design.

Objective The objective of EIA is to fore see 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 The Environmental Impact Assessment in India was started in the year 1976- 77 when the Planning Commission asked the then Department of Science and Technology to examine the river- valley projects from environmental angle. This was subsequently extended to cover those projects, which required approval of the Public Investment Board. These were administrative decisions, and lacked the legislative support. The Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act on 23rd May 1986. To achieve the objectives of the Act, one of the decisions that were taken is to make environment impact assessment statutory. After following the legal procedure, a notification was issued on 27th January 1994 and subsequently amended on 4thMay 1994, 10th April 1997, 27th January 2000, 7th July 2004, 14th September 2006 and 1st December 2009 making environment impact assessment statutory for projects attracting the schedule. This is the principal piece of legislation governing environment impact assessment. As per the EIA Notification, 14th September 2006 and with subsequent amendment on 1st December 2009, this project lies under Category A [5(g)]. Hence requires Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India for Operation. In order to get an idea about the existing state of the environment, various environmental attributes such as meteorology, air quality, water quality, soil quality, noise level, ecology and socio -economic environment were studied /monitored. Detailed flora fauna were carried out in the study area comprising of core and buffer zone for identification of existing species and classifying them as per Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Scope of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) The study includes detailed characterization of existing status of environment in an area of 10 km radius around P roposed Sugar, Cogen & Distillery Plant for various identified environmental components viz. air, noise, water, land, biological and socio-economic. Under the scope of EIA, it is envisaged: To access the present status of air, noise, water, land, biological and socio-economic components of the environment. To identify, quantify and evaluate significant impacts of operations on various environmental components. To evaluate proposed pollution control measures and delineate environmental management plan (EMP) outlining additional control measures to be adopted for mitigation of adverse impacts. To delineate post-project environmental quality monitoring programme to be pursued by M/s Revakripa Sugars Limited, Bhitoni. Components of EIA Air Environment Noise Environment Water Environment Biological Environment Land Environment Socio-Economic and Health Environment Risk Assessment and Disaster Management Plan Environment Management Plan

Methodology for EIA Keeping in view of the nature of activities of Proposed Integrated Sugar Compl e x and as per the guidelines of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India, New Delhi, an area of 10 Km radius has been selected for Environment Impact Assessment studies. Air Environment The parameters selected for Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) status are Particulate matters such as PM10, PM2.5, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Benzene soluble fraction). The meteorological data of proposed project site was monitored and collected for winter season and ground level concentrations of pollutants have been computed using computer simulation model Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST-3) of United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and considering guidelines stipulated by CPCB for air pollution dispersion modeling. The key emissions from the proposed plant will be emissions of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).

1.6.2 Noise Environment Noise levels were monitored in the study area to establish base line status. The anticipated in- plant noise sources are D.G Sets, Process Sections, Main Gate, Vehicular movement. The impact of these ide ntified sources was studied and their mitigation measures are included for attenuation of the noise .

1.6.3 Water Environment Information on water resources for both groundwater & surface was collected and assessed. Water resources were analyzed for physico-chemical (inorganic and organic) and bacteriological quality.

1.6.4 Land Environment Field surveys were conducted to delineate classification of land use pattern around the study area. A number of villages situated in different directions and distances were selected for detailed characterization of land environment. Representative surface soil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected for determination of soil characteristics that are significant to the nature of the project. Standard procedures were followed for soil sampling and analysis.

1.6.5 Socio -Economic Environment Data on the demographic pattern, population density, educational facilities, agriculture income, fuel, medical facilities, health status, transport and recreational facilities were collected from the stu dy area and analyzed.

All the aforesaid environmental parameters have been used for identification, prediction and evaluation of significant impacts. An Environment Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared after identifying, predicting and evaluating the impac ts. An environmental management plan has been delineated.

1.6 .6 Biological Environment Flora and Fauna It is necessary to know the configuration of vegetation, animals, birds, aquatic life, reserved forests etc., in the study area in order to assess the probable impacts likely to be reflected on the existence of these features after the commissioning of the proposed project. Presently the proposed site consists of small herbs and shrubs with very few trees scattered within the site. The EIA Cycle and Procedures The EIA process in India is made up of the following phases: Screening Scoping and consideration of alternatives Baseline data collection Impact identification, prediction and evaluation Assessment of alternatives (if required), delineation of mitigation measures and environmental impact statement Environment Management Plan Environmental Public hearing/Public Consultation Decision making Monitoring the clearance conditions

1.8 Organization of the Study Reconnaissance survey was conducted and sampling locations were identified on the basis of, a ) Existing topography. b) Locations of water intake and effluent disposal points from domestic/other sources. c ) Location of villages /towns/sensitive areas. d) Accessibility of power availability and security of monitoring equipment. e ) Pollution pockets in the area. f) Areas that represent baseline conditions.

1.9 Applicable Environmental Regulations and Standards With respect to prevention and control of environmental pollution, the following Acts and Rules in majorily govern the proposed project: Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended in 1978 and 1988. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended in 1987. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 amended 1991 and Environment (Protection) rules, 1986 and amendments thereafter

Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, as amended in 2000, 2003 and 2008. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and as amended in 22.11.2000. Revised National Ambient Air Quality sta ndards as per the MoEF Notification Dated 16th November, 2009.