Public participation in EIA:

•EIA was legally notified under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, in the year 1994.
•in 1997 that the EIA Notification 1994 was amended and public involvement in the environmental clearance
through the public hearing mechanism was made statutory
•project proponent has to submit 20 sets of documents to SPCB
•board has to give notice of hearing in two newspapers , notice should mention the date, time and place of
public hearing.
•Suggestions, views & objections of the public are invited within 30 days from the date of the publication of
the notice
•In 2006, a major amendment was made as to EIA , where the projects were divided in category A& B.
•MOEF is empowered to give Environmental Clearance in Category A projects whereas Category B projects
are given clearance by the state level authority State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority [SEIAA].
•Involving the public, raises public awareness of the project and its potential impacts, and helps effective
monitoring in the operational phase.
•EIA process involves four stages: Screening, scoping, public consultation and appraisal
•provisions are available in the National Environmental Appellate Act, 1997 to challenge the project clearance
done