ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Introduction

For a nation to progress economically, socially as well as

politically development process in various field are
necessary.

This has been true and super power could do this at

tremendous rate , the third world is in the process of such
development.

This is one side of coin . Let us also have to look another

side of coin .

What are the cost of such development not in terms of

money but equally or rather more valuable in terms of its
impact on environment.

 
The two things i.e development and environment is
linked with each other. The process of development
is bound to have its impact on environment.
 
Agricultural, industry & mining have been very
harmful impact on our environment.

Such impact led to degradation of our land, forest,

water, air and biological diversity and releases
noxious substance.
In our country in the post independent period our ideas were
dominated by developmental growth and we did not have a
culture of pollution control.
Even late Prime minister. Jawahar Lal Nehru wrote in 1957 

“ We have large scale project which are carefully examined

by our engineer I wonder however, how much thought is
given before the project is launched to have an ecological
survey of the area and to find out what the effect would be
to the drainage system or to flora and fauna of the area.
It would be desirable to have an ecological survey before
project is launched thus avoid to imbalance of nature.
It is desirable to have an idea of possible impact of any
development plan on our environment.

In order to have sustainable development it is necessary

that before we embark on a project, we have to assess
the effects of its development on the environment .

Such as assessment is known as the Environmental

Impact Assessment.
EIA is potentially one of the most valuable,
interdisciplinary and objective decision making tool with
respect to alternative route for development process,
technology and project site.

The objective of the Environmental Impact Assessment is

to help in achieving sustainable development with
minimum environmental degradation along with prevention
of long term environmental effects by incorporating
suitable mitigative measures.

Environmental Impact Assessment process therefore ,

involves evaluation of Environmental implications and
incorporation of necessary safeguards for these activities
having bearing environmental quality.

 
OBJECTIVES OF EIA
To analyze all the evil effect on the environment, on a rational
basis , due to all project activities.

To suggest suitable remedial waste management program or

modification in the project activities to minimize pollution levels at
source.

To obtain necessary clearance and approval for the project

proposal from the environmental consideration also.
To select a suitable site for the project taking into consideration,
environmental impact and cost benefit analysis.
A DETAIL STUDY REQUIRE
FOLLOWING ASPECT
1. Status of Environment
2. Project Activity
3. Adverse Effect
4. Pollution Abatement
5. Damage Function
6. Project Detail
(Process Detail)
Water quality & quantity
Waste Discharge
Other Factor: Noise, Radioactive, occupational hazard
The Ministry of Environment & Forest ( Government of India) has
been assigned the responsibility for appraisal of project with
regard to environment implication.

Three general criteria have been suggested to identify a

project that is likely to have “significant” effects. These
are:

a)Size of the Project : Whether it transcend the local significance.

b) Location of the Project – distance from Biosphere reserve,

National Park, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Seashore, site of scientific
interest, human habitation, important monument.

c) Adverse Impact : Pollutions and other adverse impact on

environment.
Defining EIA
The purpose of Environmental Impact Assessment is to
identify and evaluate the potential impacts (beneficial and
adverse) of development projects on environmental
components (air, water, soil & living) including social, cultural
and aesthetic concerns.

 The primary purpose of EIA is to encourage consideration of

the environment in planning and decision-making and finally
to arrive at actions that are more environmentally compatible.

 It presents a clear & concise picture of all benefits & costs

associated with alternative courses of action & provides a
mechanism for merging the concerns for environment &
economics in the process of decision-making.
 The exercise should be taken well in advance in planning stage of
projects for selection of environmentally compatible sites, process
technologies and such other environmental safeguards.

 The potential scope of a comprehensive EIA system is considerable

and could include the appraisal of policies, plans, programmes and
specific projects.

 The aim of the EIA is to assess the overall impact on the environment
of development projects proposed by the public and private sectors.

 The evolution of EIA procedures occurred in many countries.

 It varies in parts keeping in view the local conditions.

 However all EIA process have the following stages.

• Identification of projects requiring EIA, sometimes known as
screening.
• Identification of the key issues to be addressed in an EIA, called
scoping.
• Impact assessment and evaluation.
• Impact mitigation and monitoring.
• Review of the completed EIS and;
• Public participation.
 The result of an EIA is assembled in a document known as an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which looks at all the
positive and negative effects of a particular project on the
Environment.
INDIAN SCENARIO:

Environmental clearance on the basis of Environmental Impact Assessment is

mandatory for various developments projects in most part of the world today.

In India, this was introduced as an administrative measures in 1978-79, initially

for river valley projects and extending later to industrial projects.

There are about 29 categories of projects (annexure-1) for which

Environmental Clearance was made mandatory by the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) . Notification issued in January 1994 under the Environment
Protection Act, 1986(4).

Certain activities permissible under the coastal regulation zone Notification

1991 also require clearance.

Environmental Clearance is granted by the Impact Assessment in the Ministry

of Environment and Forest.
This power has been delegated to the State governments in the
case of co-generation power plants of any capacity, gas/ naphtha
based and coal based power plants with fluidized bed
technology of up to 500 MW capacity and conventional coal
based power plants of up to 250 MW capacity except when
located within 25 Km. of the boundary of reserved forests,
biosphere reserves and critically polluted areas or within 50 km.
of inter-state boundary.
In 1985, the Government had published a set of guidelines,
recommended by a working group, for sitting up various
developments projects including industries, power plants and
mining.

In addition, Government offices notifies, from time to time,

certain areas in the country as ecologically sensitive and
developmental activities to be taken up in these areas are
regulated through the provisions of these notifications.
Such areas include coastal regulation zone(CRZ), DOON valley,
Murud-Janjira, Dahanu Taluka, Numaligarh, Taj Trapezium and
Aravali ranges in Gurgaon (Haryana) and Alwar (Rajasthan )
districts.

Activities to be taken up in forest areas are governed by Forest

(conservation ) Act and Wild Life Protection Act,1972.

An amendment to the EIA Notification introduced in April 1997 has

made public hearing mandatory for all the cases, where the
environmental clearance is required.
 Types of EIA
 Classified under two categories:

• Rapid Assessment
&
• Comprehensive Assessment

o Rapid Assessment is the initial feasibility study carried out for a

minimum period of 3 months.

o After it gets appraisal from MOEF , the next phase, comprehensive

assessment is carried out.

o It is carried out for a period of 16 months.

RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT(REIA):

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment can be defined as the study ,

which is done for quick assessment of likely adverse impacts.

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment studies will be conducted at

the initiation of the new activity.

In some cases this study may be required for the expansion of existing
unit or change in the current manufacturing process( if the pollution load
is to exceed the existing one ).

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment study covers one season

baseline data for various environmental components viz. Air , Noise,
water, land, Biological and Socio-economic including parameters of
human interest.
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is basically a study which

includes collection of data for various components for four seasons i.e. Monsoon,
Post-monsoon, Winter and Summer.

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment report has to be submitted

after the evaluation of Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment report, if so
asked by the Impact Assessment Agency.
The various methods used in the EIA are

•Adhoc Method

•Overlays methods

•Checklists,

• Matrix

• Network
ADHOC method
Expert (scientist , engineers and managers) review and identify the different project events and assess their possible effect on environment condition in that
particular locality.

OVERLAYS
Several maps are prepared for the areas surrounding nearby localities of project representing
i) water & mineral resources
ii) Topographical and physical features
iii) Social and climatically condition
iv) Existing industries
NETWORK METHOD
From the item wise list of the project activities , direct and
indirect effect caused on environment due to each operation are
estimated.

Activities interrelated are identified .

As a networks are capable of presenting interrelated information

, they are suitable for incorporating mitigation measures and
management measures in the planning stage of the project.
MATRIX METHOD
Project activities and environmental attributes are present in
tabular form.

These matrices provide cause effect relationship and impact on

environment component..
Impact may be positive and negative.
CHECKLIST METHOD
This is simple method of data collection in form of questionnaire
.

Hundred of relevant questions are prepared to solicit answers.

This information when summarized in a systematic way gives

the overall view of the environment after project implementation.
The EIA process in India is made up of the following phases:

• 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
METHODOLOGY FOR EIA

Screening is done to see whether a project requires environmental clearance as per

the statutory notifications.

what level of EIA is required

Screening Criteria are based upon:

 
�  Scales of investment;
�  Type of development; and,
�   Location of development.

Category ‘A’ : Projects in this category typically require an EIA. The project type, scale and
location determine this designation. The potentially significant environmental issues for these
projects may lead to changes in land- use, as well as changes to social, physical, and
biological environment.

Category ‘B’ : Only difference between projects in this category and those in Category ‘A’ is
the scale. Larger Power plants fall under category ‘A’, Medium Sized Power Plants projects
are in category ‘B’. These projects are not located in environmentally sensitive area.
Mitigation measures for these projects are more easily prescribed.

Category ‘C’: This category is for projects that typically do not require an environmental
assessment. These projects are unlikely to have adverse environmental impacts.  
Screening Outcomes:

Full or comprehensive EIA required

Limited EIA required
No EIA required

Tools for Screening

Project lists:
•Inclusive — listed projects must undergo EIA
•Exclusive — listed projects exempted from EIA

Case-by-case examinations

• determine whether projects may have significant environmental effects

•if so, project should undergo EIA

 Combination of above
Scoping is a process of detailing the terms of reference (TOR) of EIA.

• It has to be done by the consultant in consultation with the project proponent

and guidance, if need be, from Impact Assessment Agency.

•The Ministry of Environment and Forests has published guidelines for different
sectors, which outline the significant issues to be addressed in the EIA studies.

•Quantifiable impacts are to be assessed on the basis of magnitude,

prevalence, frequency and duration and non-quantifiable impacts (such as
aesthetic or recreational value), significance is commonly determined through
the socio-economic criteria.

•After the areas, where the project could have significant impact, are identified,
the baseline status of these should be monitored and then the likely changes in
these on account of the construction and operation of the proposed project
should be predicted.
Baseline data describes the existing environmental status of the identified study
area. The site-specific primary data should be monitored for the identified
parameters and supplemented by secondary data if available.
Why collect baseline information?
Two purposes:
1.To provide a description of the status and trends of environmental factors(e.g., air
pollutant concentrations) against which predicted changes can be compared and
evaluated in terms of importance.
2.To provide a means of detecting actual change by monitoring once a project has
been initiated.
1. Site location and topography.
2. Regional demography - population distribution within 10 and 50 kilometer
radius; land- use and water-use pattern.
3. Regional landmarks like historical and cultural heritage in the area. For this
archaeological or state register can be checked.
4. Geology
5. Hydrology – Groundwater and surface water resources are quantified; water,
quality , pollution sources etc are studied.
6. Meteorology – Temperature extremes, wind speed and direction, dew
point ,atmospheric stability, rainfall, storms etc. are recorded.
7. Ecology – The flora, fauna, endangered species, successional stage etc. are
enlisted
8. Socio‐economic: demography, development needs and potential, infrastructure
facilities, economic activities etc.
Data Sources and Methods of Collection

Primary Sources: Result of the field and laboratory data collected and analyzed
directly

Secondary sources: Data collected indirectly from published records or

documents such as project documents, village profile, maps, photos, internet
sources etc.

Methods of data collection:

General methods: Literature review, map interpretation, checklists (e.g. scaling

and questionnaire checklists, matrices etc.)

Resource‐based methods: Scientific instruments and techniques (inventory,

species area curve, sampling techniques)
Impact Identification.

It includes the details of project characterization and base-line environmental

characteristics to ensure the identification of full range of environmental impacts.

• Various methods employed for impact identification are as follows:

(a)Checklists

(a) Matrices

(c) Quantitative Method

Impact Prediction

Prediction of environmental impacts requires the greatest degree of scientific

application. It involves projecting the baseline environmental setting into the future,
with & without the project, and performing necessary calculations for predicting real
impacts (physicochemical, biological, social and economical) of the proposed
development.
There are many possible methods to predict impacts
•Mathematical or Mechanistic models
•Mass balance model
•Statistical model
•Physical, image or Architectural models
•Field and laboratory experimental models
•Analog models
For Example:

A water of a proposed site is having high iron content and the proposed industry is
going to release iron rich water as a discharge.

In this case the degree and intensity of impact will be much higher rather than a
site with no iron content in water.

Thus, the proponent either has to change site or do something for iron discharge.
This becomes additionality for the proponent.
The Following Impacts of the Project should be Assessed:

• 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, 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.
Evaluation :

After prediction of the impacts, their relative significance is assessed

• methods of evaluation can be qualitative or quantitative

• to determine magnitude of the impact, temporal and spatial extent of the impact,
recovery (resilience) of the affected environment, and the value of the affected
environment.

• most important method- cost benefit analysis.

Cost benefit analysis

•This method takes into consideration a long view of the project and also the side-
effects.

• Net social benefit is considered including all costs and benefits.

• It takes into account all tangible annual benefits and costs in monetary terms.

• However, it is very difficult to identify the intangibles like environmental

parameters.

• The intangible category includes loss of a rare species, urbanization of a

beautiful natural landscape, loss of human health etc.
Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures and EIA
Report
 For every project alternatives should be identified & Environmental attributes compared.
 Alternatives should cover both project location & process technologies.
For example As discussed earlier the proponent with high iron content site can have alternate
site; else the technology used can be alternative. Using modern technology can reduce the impact
however will increase the cost.

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

An EIA report should provide clear information to the decision maker on the different environmental
scenarios without the project, with the project.

 Uncertainties should be clearly reflected in the EIA report.

Once alternatives has been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be drawn up and is supplemented
with an Environmental Management Plan to guide the proponent towards “Environmental
Improvement”.

Draft EIA report is prepared and send for conduction Public Hearing
Delineation of mitigation measures including prevention and control for
each environmental component and rehabilitation and resettlement
plan.

Delineation of monitoring scheme for compliance of conditions

Delineation of implementation plan including scheduling and resource

allocation

For air pollution from the industry the EMP can suggest some Air
Pollution Control Device based on the pollutant released, for higher
level of dust; spraying of water, noise control by walls or phytographic
barrier like green belt by trees.
Public Hearing
Environmental Management Plan
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be drawn after identifying, predicting
and evaluating the significant impacts on each component of the environment with a
view to maximizing the benefits from proposed project.

The following measures will also be included in EMP:

• Recommend mitigation measures required to address environmental concerns
such as wildlife and habitat protection, cultural and archaeological sites protection,
terrain stabilization, maintaining fresh water horizons, debris disposal and
conservation of natural drainage and water flow .

• Assess additional infrastructures for treatment of produced water, proposed

access cuttings, sewage, solid/hazardous waste with hydro-geo morphological
details

• Provide a comprehensive and detailed plan covering environmental variables to

be monitored, the location and timing of sampling and the use to be made of
monitoring data to ensure compliance with the applicable environmental
rules/regulations throughout the life of the project.

• Delineate post-closure plan coexisting with natural surroundings for abandonment

of wells, rig dismantling and site completion and reclamation for abandonment.
 Decision Making

 Decision making process involve consultation between the project

proponent and the impact assessment authority (assisted by an expert
group if necessary).

 The decision on environmental clearance is arrived at through a

number of steps including evaluation of EIA and EMP.
Monitoring the Clearance Conditions

 Monitoring should be done during both construction and

operation phase of a project.

 This is to observe whether the predictions made in the EIA

reports were correct or not.

 Monitoring will enable the regulatory agency to review the

validity of predictions and the conditions of implementation
of the Environmental Management Plan.
Environmental Management Plan
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be drawn after identifying, predicting
and evaluating the significant impacts on each component of the environment
with a view to maximizing the benefits from proposed project.
The following measures will also be included in EMP:
• Recommend mitigation measures required to address environmental concerns
such as wildlife and habitat protection, cultural and archaeological sites
protection, terrain stabilization, maintaining fresh water horizons, debris disposal
and conservation of natural drainage and water flow .
• Assess additional infrastructures for treatment of produced water, proposed
access cuttings, sewage, solid/hazardous waste with hydro-geo morphological
details
• Provide a comprehensive and detailed plan covering environmental variables to
be monitored, the location and timing of sampling and the use to be made of
monitoring data to ensure compliance with the applicable environmental
rules/regulations throughout the life of the project.
• Delineate post-closure plan coexisting with natural surroundings for
abandonment of wells, rig dismantling and site completion and reclamation
for abandonment.
The EIA process

The environment impact assessment consists of eight steps with each step
equally important in determining the overall performance of the project
The eight steps of the EIA process are presented in brief below:

Screening: First stage of EIA, which determines whether the proposed project,
requires an EIA and if it does, then the level of assessment required.
 
Scoping: This stage identifies the key issues and impacts that should be
further investigated. This stage also defines the boundary and time limit of the
study.
 
Impact analysis: This stage of EIA identifies and predicts the likely
environmental and social impact of the proposed project and evaluates the
significance.

Mitigation: This step in EIA recommends the actions to reduce and avoid the
potential adverse environmental consequences of development activities.
 
Reporting: This stage presents the result of EIA in a form of a report to the
decision-making body and other interested parties.
 
Review of EIA: It examines the adequacy and effectiveness of the EIA report
and provides the information necessary for decision-making.
 
Decision-making: It decides whether the project is rejected, approved or
needs further change.
 
Post monitoring: This stage comes into play once the project is
commissioned. It checks to ensure that the impacts of the project do not
exceed the legal standards and implementation of the mitigation measures are
in the manner as described in the EIA report.
 
The overview of the EIA process is represented in figure
Thank You