Environmental Impact Assessment

(EIA)
Basic Concepts of EIA
Unit - I
 Environment
• Environment means anything around us or
surroundings around us.

•
 Components of Environment
Consists of Two Components
• Biotic Components or Living Components
Ex: Man, Plants, Animals, Microbes etc.

• Abiotic Components or Non-living Components

Ex: Air, Water, Land, Food etc
Biotic or Living Components
Abiotic or Non-living Components
Biotic Vs Abiotic Components
 Impact
• Impact means Effect – on Air
Impacts on Water
Non-point Sources of Pollution
Impacts on Soil
Impacts on Vegetation (Flora)
Impacts on Climate
Assessment
Environmental Segments
Layers of Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Layers of Lithosphere
Biosphere
Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA)
It is a systematic approach involves in
assessment of impacts of development projects
on Environmental components.

Ex: Dams, Road and Railway Lines, Industries,

Mining, highways, bridges etc.
 Development Projects
• A project or an activity which provides lot of
economy or generates huge income to the govt
people, called as ‘Development Project or activity’.
Ex: Dams
Road and Railway Lines
Industries
Mining
highways,
bridges etc.
 Impacts of Development Project
Let us take the example of Dams
What are the impacts of Dams on Environment?
Impact means effect
Is it Positive Impact or negative impact or both?
 Dams
List out Positive Impacts of Dams (Advantages):
•Storage of water
•Electricity Generation
•Control of Floods
•Irrigation
•Employment Generation
•Advancement of Technology
 Dams
List out Negative Impacts of Dams (Disadvantages):
•Deforestation
•Soil Erosion
•Loss of Habitat, Economy and Livelihood
•Changes in Climatic Conditions
•Investment cost is high
•Loss of Flora and Fauna
•Ecological Imbalance
•Emission of Green House Gases
 Industries
List out Positive and Negative Impacts of Industries:
•Employment Generation
•Development of the area
•Production of Goods
•Pollution
•Loss of Flora and Fauna
•Deforestation
•Soil Erosion
•Loss of Habitat, Ecological Imbalance
Impacts of Industries
Covid-19
 Impacts of Covid -19
List out the Positive Impacts

Healthy Strategies
Helps you Build Genuine Relationships
Entire Lifestyle Changes to Practice Better Hygiene
A New Wave of Tools & Software
Innovations to Stay Connected & Help Each Other
Remote Working Turning Mainstream
• Spent lot of time with Family
• Importance of Money -Money Saving
• Education becomes digitized & affordable
• Practicing Yoga, Meditation etc
 Negative Impacts of Covid -19
• Loss of Life
• Economic Crisis
• Poverty
• Economic and social disruption
• Education system’s big shift from Classroom
to Computers
Introduction:
EIA is an activity which identifies and predicts the
impacts of a project on
1)Human health
2) Bio-geo-physico chemical environment
and EIA then recommends
a)Legislative measures to be followed
b) Programs to be adopted
c)Operational procedures to minimise the impact.
EIA in India is statutory backed by the Environmental
Protection Act (1986).
• EIA in India has been developed for environmental
planning of new developmental projects.
• EIA is an exercise to be carried out before any
project or major activity is undertaken , so that
the project may not harm the environment on a
short term or long term basis.
• Any developmental activity or project requires
analysis of benefits and losses but also require
environmental protection.
2.Therefore a detailed assessment of the effects of
the project on the environment has to be done.
 Impact
Impact
Impact is any change in the physical , chemical,
biological , cultural or socio-economic
environmental system, could be adverse or
beneficial.
 Objectives of EIA
• To identify the environmental, social and economic impacts
of a project prior to taking a decision on its
implementation.
• Mitigation (reducing the severity) of harmful impacts and
maximising the beneficial effects. Once the assessment is
complete, the EIA findings are communicated to stake
holders i,.e, developers, investors, regulators, planners,
politicians, affected communities etc. Based on the
conclusion of the EIA process, the govt can decide if a
project should be given environment clearance or not.
• The developers and investors can shape the project so as to
mitigate its harms and maximise its benefits.
CONCEPTS OF EIA
EIA is a procedure to plan some developmental
activity with well defined environmental goals so
that damage due to the activity both during
developmental stage and production stage have
minimum impact on the natural system and the
population in the area.
EIA Guidelines:
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) USA
in 1969 first provided the guidelines for
Environmental Impact Assessment through Council
for Environmental Quality (CEQ).
 Gazette Notification for EIA
• In India the Gazette Notification of EIA was
issued in 1994 in which the Ministry of
Environment and Forest (MoEF) provided
guidelines for project proponents to have EIA
and prepare Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) prior to the clearance of the project.
GOALS OF EIA
-To fulfil the responsibilities towards the coming
generations as trustees of the environment.
-To assure safe , healthy, productive as well as
culturally pleasing surroundings.
-To provide widest range of beneficial uses of
environment without degradation or risk to health.
-To preserve historical,cultural and natural heritage.
-To achieve a balance between population and
resource use for a good standard of living.
-To ensure sustainable development with minimal
environmental degradation.
Factors affecting EIA/ Land Clearing Activities(LCA).
The major impacts of LCA project on environment are
1)Physical Resources
2) Ecological Imbalance
3)Human Use Values
4)Quality of Life Values
1) Physical Resources: Physical resources are
a) soil quality
b) water
c)Plants
d) Animals etc.
a) Soil Quality:
Due to deforestation , construction of dams, roads and
railway lines , soil quality would be affected . As
1) Soil erosion occurs.
2) Soil fertility is lost due to physical stresses involved in
cleaning and levelling.
3) Loss of rain water infiltration ( infiltration is the process
by which water on the ground surface enters the soil).
4) Micro effects on increasing temperatures ( with
temperature increase from 0 to 10 degrees , the algal
community changes).
2) Ecological Imbalance
-Forest resources (wild life habitat) are lost .
-Hazards may encroach to nearby forests due to agricultural
development.
-Hazards from pesticides and other agricultural toxins .
3) Human Use Values
-Impairment(damage) of downstream water quality
- community water supply
beneficial water is lost as run off (run off is the part of the
water cycle that flows over land as surface water instead of being
absorbed into ground or evaporating) Sedimentation and flooding
hazards.
4) Quality of Life Hazards
-Loss of forest tourism
-Impairment of aesthetic values
-Disruption of local forest population
-Disease hazards (due to insects etc.)to farmer population.
-Sanitation disease hazards due to increases population.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF EIA
EIA identifies the positive and negative impacts of a
proposed project on the environment.
These impacts can be short term or long term.
EIA a plan which when implemented reduces the
negative impacts so that there is a minimal level of
degradation.
The plan also utilises the positive impacts which off
set the negative impacts.
EIA provides a monitoring program to measure the
level of plan implementation and the degree of
effectiveness.
 EIA Procedure
The entire EIA procedure can be divided into 2 tasks
or sub reports.

1)The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

and
2) The Full scale Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA).
 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
Involves project screening to determine which projects
require a full scale EIA.
-IEE ensures project oriented environmental
management and also minimises the effort , expense and
delay in carrying out such planning.
Based on the information and judgement given by an
expert, IEE assesses the potential environmental effects
of a proposed project.
If the IEE results indicate that a full scale EIA is not
required, then any environmental management
parameters such as environmental protection measures
or a monitoring program can be adapted.
.
If on the other hand ,full scale EIA is required , IEE
gives a mechanism to determine and identify the
key issues and also those issues which require only
a cursory discussion.
IEE provides very efficiently provides the
environmental management plans with or without
the requirement of a full scale EIA.
Therefore for most industrial developmental
projects, IEE is desirable from the economic point of
view
Important steps in full scale environmental impact
assessment
EIA is a multidisciplinary approach which- identifies
- Assesses
and
-Analyses
the impacts of developmental projects on natural
resources such as air quality , water quality, soil
quality, noise, plants, animals etc.
 Impact assessment methods are

1) Scope
2) Identification
3) Prediction
4) Evaluation
1) Scope of EIA
Scope identifies – important issues and concerns
- area of less concerns
-other legislative or regulatory
requirements.
Scoping is used to
-define the proposed action
-enlist (enrol) the cooperation of agencies.
-Identify what is important and what is not important.
- Set the time limit on studies.
- Collect the background information .
- Identify the required permits.
- Identify other regulatory requirements .
- Determine the range of alternatives.
2) Identification
-Description of the existing environmental system
-Determination of the components of the project.
-Definition of the environment modified by the
project.
3)Prediction
-Identifying the significant environmental
modifications .
-Forecasting the quality and spatial dimensions of
change in environment
-estimating the probability of the impact occurrence.
4) Evaluation and Analysis
-Evaluating the least environmentally damaging
alternatives.
-Critical assessment of impacts.
- Preparation of draft and final impact statements.
Purpose of EIA
EIA
 Possible Impacts of Various Project
activities on Various Components
S.No. Component Important Considerations

1. Air Degradation, type of emissions released and the extent to which

they affect air quality. Creation of excess noise and the effect on
man.
2. Water Availability use and quality of water, effects on the aesthetics
and aqua culture potential of the ecosystems, effect on the
canal system, depletion of ground water, pollution of water by
hazardous and toxic substances, effect on temperature and
siltation capacity.
3. Vegetation Destruction of forest cover, depletion of cultivable land, changes
in biological productivity, changes in the species diversity.

4. Energy and Effects on Physico-Chemical characteristics of soils, effect on

Natural stability or instability of soils.
Resources
5. Noise Levels of noise present and predicted strategies for reducing
noise pollution.
6. Solid Waste Excess generation of solid waste stress on the existing
Facilities
7. Soils and Impact on availability of energy sources in the area. Thermal
Local power generation, natural gas consumption and effect on local
Geology natural resources.

8. Processes Floods, Soil Erosion, Earthquakes, Depositions, Stability and Air

movement
9. Man-made Structure, utility networks, transportation and waste disposal.
Facilities and
activities
10. Cultural Employment situation, life style of people and health services.
Status
11. Ecological Food Chains, diseases/vectors
Relationship
 Environmental Parameters
The following environmental parameters to be
considered for EIA of any developmental activity.

• Crop Productivity
• Air Quality
• Water Quality and aquatic resources
• Nutrient status of water
• Drinking water quality
• Availability of agricultural land
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY9k2ljjNdA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51R3Z1rr_pw

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VipVo8zPH0U

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCu5UT647hY
 Environmental Impacts
Environmental impacts arising from any development
project fall into three categories.
a)Direct impacts
b)Indirect impacts
c)Cumulative impacts
These three groups can be further broken down according to
their nature into
•Positive and negative impacts
•Predictable and Unpredictable /random impacts
•Local and Wide spread impacts
•Short and Long term impacts
Frame work for Environmental Impact Studies
Basic Activities Impact prediction and Assessment

Description of
Affected Environment Selection of
proposed action

Written Document
 EIA Process flow chart
Project Proposal Characterisation

Screening and Scoping P

U
b
L
I
EIA Exempted Rapid EIA Comprehensive EIA C

P
Baseline DATA Acquisition A
R
T
IMPACT Identification I
C
I
IMPACT Prediction and Evaluation P
A
Mitigation Measures T
I
Draft EIS O
N
Review
Final EIS
Decision Making

Approval Rejection Modification

Monitoring Management Redesign Revise

Audit Resubmit Resubmit
Stages of EIA
 Assessment
Assessment means Analysis
• Screening:-
- Screening is the first and simplest process in
project evaluation. It is done to see whether
the project needs an EIA for clearance or not.
Further there are some prohibited areas where
generally development projects are not
allowed.
Ex:- Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ)
Dahanu Taluka in Maharashtra
Aravalli Range, Reserve Forests
Sensitive Zones etc.
 Type of Projects

The government rules, categorize projects into two

categories, A and B based on the spatial extent of the
impacts, effects on human health and the effects on the
environment.
1.Category A projects are looked into by the central
govt.
2.Category B projects go to the state govt.
Category B projects are further sub divided in to
category B1 and category B2.
a.B1 Projects require a public hearing for EIA.
b.B2 don’t require.
 Examples of Public Hearing
• NEP-2020
• Projects at Reserve Forest areas, sensitive zones.
Ex. Polavaram Project of AP, Kaleswaram Project of
Telanagana, National Highway Projects, Gas
Extraction from KG Basin etc.
https://tspcb.cgg.gov.in/publichearings/List%20of%20
PH%20to%20be%20conducted%20-%20List.pdf
Public Hearing Clippings
• Scoping:-
- Scoping is another stage before the main EIA
process begins. It would study and address all issues
of importance and the concerns raised by various
groups.
- It involves determination of the extent of EIA
required for the project. Depending upon the
project, basically two types of EIA may be carried
out.
• When EIA report is based on a single season data,it
is called “Rapid EIA” .
• When the EIA report is based on detailed seasonal
data, it is called “Comprehensive EIA”.
• Public hearing:-
The SPCB conducts a public hearing
at the site (or) in its close proximity.
It includes obtaining responses in
writing or oral from the affected
persons and other persons by
posting on website with in 7days of
receiving application.
Public hearing is not required for

• Small scale industrial undertaking located in

notified or designated industrial areas/industrial
estates.
• Areas marked for industries under the jurisdiction
of industrial development authorities.
• Widening and strengthening of high ways.
• Minor projects with lease areas upto 25 hectars
• SEZ s and
• Modernization of existing irrigation projects.
Baseline Data
It gives a holistic picture of the overall
environmental setting of the project location
showing any significant environmental items
prior to initiation of the action, any potentially
critical environmental changes and
information about the site to the decision
makers and receivers, who might be
unfamiliar with the general location of the
project area.
Environmental Parameters Considered for
Preparation of Baseline Data
The following environmental parameters are
usually considered while preparing the baseline
data.
1. Site Location and Topography
a. Regional Demography:-population distribution
with in 10 and 50 km radius, land use and water use
pattern.
b. Regional Land Marks:- like historical and cultural
heritage in the area. For this archaeological or state
register can be checked.
c. Geology:- Land forms, soiltype, land scape
etc are studied.
d. Hydrology:- Ground water and surface water
resources are quantified. Water quality,
pollution sources etc., are studies.
e. Meteorological:- temperature extremes,
wind speed and direction , dew point,
atmospheric stability ,rain fall, storms etc are
checked.
f. Ecology;- The flora, fauna, endangered
species ,successional stage etc., are enlisted.
• Impact Identification:-
It includes the details of project characters and
baseline environmental characteristics to ensure
the identification of full range of environmental
impacts.
During identification process,. the positive and
negative ,direct and indirect, significant and
insignificant impacts are considered
• Impact prediction:-
Here magnitude of changes going to occur
due to the project are predicted by using
mathematics models or mass balance models.
• Impact Analysis:-

This stage of EIA identifies and predicts the

likely environmental and social impact of the
proposed project and evaluates the significance. It
is done by considering the costs and benefits of the
projects . Long term effects and side effects of the
project are also evaluated. Indirect valuation of
environmental parameters are also done.
Ex:- loss of rare species, degradation of a lake etc.
 Mitigation
• Once the impacts are predicted and evaluated,
mitigation measures are to be suggested to avoid,
reduce or rectify the adverse changes due to the
project . Review and a draft impact statement at
this stage .The step in EIA recommends the actions
to reduce and avoid the potential adverse
environmental consequences of development
activities.
• Reporting:-
This stage presents the results of EIA in the 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 Analysis:-
Public participation is involved by arranging
group decision about the project and its evaluation.
• 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.
• Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)
Based on the data obtained and review
suggestions, a final EIS prepared as per the format
provided by the MoEF (Ministry of Environment and
Forests) in our country.
In EIS clearly mentions the objectives of the
project, its environmental impacts , impacts that
are unavoidable , mitigate measure to minimize the
impacts, alternatives to the proposed action etc.
• Environmental Audit:-
It compares the impacts predicted in EIS before the
project was started and actual impacts after
implementation of the project.
Environmental Sensitive Areas:-

There are many areas/places environmentally

sensitive and are not suitable for development
activity.
a) Ecologically sensitive areas such as
•Religious and historic places
•Archaeological monuments
•Hilly areas
•Coastal resorts
•Health resorts
• Biosphere reserves
• Estuaries
• National parks and Sanctuaries
• Lakes, rivers
• Tribal settlements
• Boarder areas
• Airports etc.
b)Flood plain riverine system
c)Major settlements with population more than 3
lakhs
d) Settlements with lesser population
COMPONENTS OF EIA
EIA systems can be described with reference to 3
components.
1)Legal guidance and framework of regulation
2)Steps of EIA process as per the specific types of proposals.
3)Performance of EIA as per the quality of EIA reports.
Mandatory rules and guidance are required for EIA
legislation to be implemented.
Further information can be found in section-2-law policy and
institutional arrangements.
Between Comprehensive EIA and rapid EIA , the difference is
in the time scale of the data supplied.
But Both types of EIA cover all significant environmental
impacts and their mitigation.
• Rapid EIA is for speed appraisal process
to reduce the time required by collecting
one season data.
• The review of rapid EIA will show
whether a comprehensive EIA is required
or not.
• Depending on nature , location and scale
of the project , EIA report should contain
all or some of the components or
elements.
Components or Elements of EIA:

-Air Environment
-Noise Environment
-Water Environment
-Biological Environment
- Land Environment
-Socio Economic and Health Environment
-Risk Assessment
-Environmental Management Plan - EMP
Air Environment

-Screening to determine the impact zone

-Developing a monitoring network.
The ambient (surroundings) air quality up to 7-
10 km of the proposed project site is monitored
w.r.t the -wind speed , direction, humidity,
ambient temperature, environmental lapse
rate ( it is the rate at which the air temperature
changes with height in the atmosphere).
Estimation of air emissions (fugitive emissions and
vehicular traffic emissions) by identifying , quantifying
and evaluating within the impact zone and estimating
the impacts.
Fugitive emissions are emissions of gases or vapours
from pressurised equipment due to leaks and also
from other industrial activities.
Prediction of changes in ambient air quality is done
through appropriate air quality models.
And
Delineate the mitigation measures at source.
Noise Environment

Monitoring the present status of noise

levels and predicting the future noise
levels resulting from the proposed
project.
Identifying the impacts and
recommendation of mitigation measures.
Water Environment

Studying the existing ground and surface

water resources w.r.t quantity and quality.
Predicting the impacts due to the project ( as a
result of pumping for the project activities
etc.)
Quantification of waste water
Evaluation- assessment of feasibility of water
recycling, reuse and delineation of the plan.
Suggestions on modifications.
Biological Environment
Survey of flora and fauna
Assessment of damages to aquatic and
terrestrial flora and fauna due to
discharge of gaseous emissions and air
pollution from the project.
Delineation of mitigation measures to
prevent or reduce the damage.
Land Environment
Studying the soil characteristics ,land
topography, landscape and drainage
patterns.
Estimating the impacts
Identifying the potential utility of treated
effluent in land application.
Delineation of options for minimisation of
waste and environmentally compatible
disposal.
Socio Economic and Health Environment
Collecting demographic and related socio
economic data
Collecting epidemiological data eg.
Fluorosis, Malaria, Fileria, Malnutrition etc.
Morbidity rates among population.
Assessment of impact on historical,
cultural and archaeological sites in the
project site.
Assessment of economic benefits.
Risk assessment
Identification of hazards , inventory analysis, dam
break probability, natural hazard probability.
Maximum credible accident (MCA) analysis
accidents resulting in fire, explosion etc.
Hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies.
Assessment of risk of the above
Preparation of onsite and offsite disaster
management plan.

.
Environment Management Plan (EMP)

Delineation of mitigation measures

including prevention and control for
each environmental component ,
rehabilitation and resettlement plan.
Environmental Base Map:
A base map is a context map. Information can be
added to a base map by overlaying other
information on top of it.
Base map contains reference information which
provides geospatial information based on what the
cartographer is trying to communicate.
The function of the base map is to provide
background detail necessary to orient the location of
the map.
The term base map is seen often in GIS (Geographic
Information System Mapping) and refers to
collection of GIS.
Base map was prepared by taking developmental plan
1991 as a reference to digitise roads, railway lines .It
was further corrected by overlaying the map on the
satellite image.
Five steps
1- Contributing specialists
2-Land use system
3- Land degradation
4- Sustainable land management
5- Expert recommendation
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
Also called Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA)
is a systematic approach to estimate the strengths
and weaknesses of the options to achieve benefits
while preserving savings ( for eg. In transactions etc.)
-CBA first compiles a comprehensive list of all the
costs and benefits associated with the project.
Costs include – cost of risks such as regulatory risk,
( risk that a change in laws and regulations will
impact a business or market etc.) environmental
impacts etc.
CBA estimates and totals up the equivalent money
value of the benefits and costs. These projects may be
dams, highways , training programs , health care
systems etc.
-Cost summary is broken down into its constituents
and comparison of the costs is done.
-There are 4 types of cost analysis
-1) Investment cost analysis
-2) Cost allocation analysis
- 3) Cost effectiveness analysis and
-4) Cost benefit analysis.
Objectives of Cost Accounting
-Ascertainment of cost.
-Fixation of selling price.
-Proper recording and presentation of cost
data.
-Cost control.
-Cost reduction.
- Ascertaining the profit of each activity.
-Assisting management in decision making.
 CBA in EIA
CBA is undertaken to weigh the costs of a project
against the benefits.
-CBA tries to put a monetary value on both costs and
benefits so that they are expressed in same units.
Environmental cost benefit analysis refers to assessing
policies and projects that might effect the environment
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) covers the
design , construction , operation and maintenance of
each project component .
EMP identifies the environmental issues and provides
plans to manage them effectively.
Types of Environmental Monitoring
Three main types of environmental monitoring are
1)Air 2) Soil 3) Water
Air monitoring is done via air sampling which can be
passive or diffusive.
Environmental Quality Index Method (EQIM)
An overall estimate of environmental quality is needed
to improve our understanding of the relationship
between environmental conditions and human health.
An Environmental Quality Index(EQI) was developed
for all the countries using indicators from chemical,
natural, built and social environment.
Five environmental domains are
-air
-water
- land
-built and
- socio demographic.
EQI is used in 2 ways,
As an indicator of ambient conditions in
environmental health modelling,
As a covariate to adjust for ambient conditions in
environmental models.
Other uses are expected by different end users such as
-Local People
-County
-State Govt.
-Non government organisations (NGO)
-Academic institutions
-EQI summarises many variables into a single variable.
-EQI is one approach that improves statistical efficiency and
accounts for many environmental exposures at once.
-EQI identifies areas with different levels of environmental
quality.
Types of EIA
EIA is mainly of 2 types
1) Comprehensive EIA
2)Rapid EIA
1 )Comprehensive EIA:-
If EIA report incorporates the data of all 3
seasons of a year, it is comprehensive EIA.
2) Rapid EIA:-
If EIA report has only one season data, it is
rapid EIA.
• EIA was introduced in India in 1978 w.r.t River Valley
Projects. Later EIA legislation was enhanced to include
other developmental sections.
• EIA comes under the notification of developmental projects
1994 under the provision of Environmental (Pollution) Act
1986.
• Besides EIA, the Govt of India under Environment
Protection Act 1986 issued a no of other notifications,
which are related to EIA.
• EIA is now mandatory for more than 30 categories of
projects and these projects get Environment Clearance(EC)
only after the EIA requirements are fulfilled.
• EC or go ahead signal is granted by the impact assessment
agency in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of
India.
- All the projects that require clearance from
Central Govt. can be broadly categorised in to
the fall.
- Individual projects that need clearance from
Central Govt.
- Nuclear Power and related projects.
- River Valley Projects including Hydel Power,
Major Irrigation and Flood Control.
- Ports, Harbours, Airports
- Petroleum Refineries including Crude and
product Pipelines.
- Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides.
- Bulk Drugs and Pharmaceuticals.
- Thermal Power Plants
- Distilleries
- Pulp, Paper and News Print, Dyes.
- Cement
- Electroplating
- Mining Projects.
Environmental Appraisal:-
• An Appraisal Committee constituted by the
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) will
first scrutinize a project based on the data
presented by the project authorities.
•Single Window Clearance:-
- Environmental Clearance + Forestry Clearance
- When a project requires both EC and approval
under the forest conservation Act of 1980, the
proposals should be given simultaneously to the
concerned divisions of the ministry.
• Main Participants of EIA:-

EIA applies to public and private sections.

The Six Main Participants are
- Those who propose the project/ Project Proponent.
- The Environmental Consultant who prepares EIA on behalf
of project proponent.
- Pollution Control Board (State or National)
- Public who has the right to express their opinion.
- The Impact Assessment Agency.
- Regional Centre of the Ministry of Environment and Forest
(MoEF).
• Composition of the Expert Committees for EIA
- The committees will consists of experts in
the following disciplines.
- Ecosystem Management
- Air/Water Pollution Control
- Water Resource Management
- Flora/Fauna Conservation and Management
- Land Use Planning
- Social Sciences/Rehabilitation
- Environmental Health
• Amendment of EIA Notification:-
EIA notification of 2006 has decentralised
(meaning transfer from central to local). The
environmental clearance projects by categorising
the developmental projects as Category A and
Category B.
After 2006 amendment the EIA cycle comprises of 4
stages
- Screening
- Scoping
- Public hearing
- Appraisal
Benefits of EIA:-

-EIA links environment with development for environmentally

safe and sustainable development.
-EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or
minimise the adverse impacts of the developmental projects.
-EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effects of
developmental activities on the environment well before the
project is implemented.
-EIA encourages the mitigation practices.
-EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is
environmentally sound and with in the limits of the capacity
of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.
Methodologies

There is no universal methodology of EIA , so far

which can be applied to all project types in all
environmental settings. (Bisset, 1980)
-A number of methodologies are available for EIA.
-Warner (1973) has divided all available methods into
5 main categories. (a) Adhoc (b) Overlay
(c) Checklists (d) Matrices (e) Networks
-Apart from these, there are some specific
approaches of economics like CBA, Input –output
technique available for EIA.
(a) Adhoc
These are very simple methods based on subjective or
intuitive assessment of environmental impacts on
broad aspects.
- A team of specialists depending on their areas of
expertise would give minimum guidance without
going into detailed scientific investigation of
environmental impacts of the projects.
- The impacts such as short term, long
term,reversible, irreversible etc. are examined
merely on guess basis.
- This method is very easy but has few drawbacks.
- It may not encompass all the impacts
- The criteria used to evaluate impacts are not
comparable
- It provides minimal guidance for impact analysis.
(b) Overlay

-is a Geographical Approach developed by MC Harg

(1968,69).
-this method relies on maps of project areas,
environmental characteristics covering Physical, Social,
Ecological and Aesthetic aspects.
-Comprehensive description of the areas is given.
-Computer programs are used to overlay the maps and
thus arrive at a conclusion , reg. the impacts of the
project.
(c) Checklist:

-Is different from adhoc methods.

-They are quite elaborate.
-Systematic assessment of environmental impacts of
projects is done.
-Checklist means listing of Potential Environmental
Impacts.
Types of Checklist: It is of 4 types

1) Simple Checklist- no information is given

2) Descriptive Checklist –gives data , measurement
and impact prediction details
-by using the checklist method, EIA now assesses the
nature of the impact i.e., adverse and beneficial ,
short term and long term , reversible and irreversible
etc.
3)Scaling Checklist– is similar to descriptive checklist ,
and has additional information on subjective scaling
of the parameters.

4) Scaling Weighing Checklist– is similar to scaling

checklist with additional information on subjective
evaluation of each parameter w.r.t all other
parameters.
 Environmental parameters
S.No. Project Air Water Land Noise Flora and Historical
fauna Cultural
importan
ce
1 Industry √ √ √ √ √ √

2. Dams √ √ √

3 Mining √ √ √ √ √

4 Petroleum √ √ √ √ √

5 Distilleries

6 Roads and
Railways

7 Pesticides
Project (Industry)

Short Term Impacts- loss of flora and fauna ,soil

erosion
Long Term Impacts- deforestation , desertification,
increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall, climate
changes
Direct Impacts–loss of flora and fauna, soil erosion ,
health hazards
Indirect Impacts- deforestation, desertification,
increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall, climate
changes, global warming, air pollution
Predictable Impacts: air pollution , water pollution ,soil
pollution ,deforestation, loss of flora and fauna.
Unpredictable Impacts: global warming, depletion of
ozone layer, acid rains etc.
Positive Impacts job opportunities, development of
science and technology, increase in country’s
economy, increase in goods, increase in consumerism,
increase in standard of living.
Negative Impacts all the above except positive impacts.
(d) Matrix method gives a framework of interaction
of different actions of projects with environmental
impacts.
Leopold et.al (1971) assessed the various impacts of
the developmental projects .
Identifies interactions between various project
actions and environmental parameters and
components.
Gives a list of project activities with a checklist of
environmental activities that may be affected.
A matrix of potential interactions is produced by
combining these lists (placing one on the vertical
axis and the othe ron the horizontal axis).
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INDEX METHOD
Introduction
Several steps are involved with the development of
numerical indices (or classification of environmental
quality or pollution potential of human activities).
•These steps include
-Identification
-Assignment of important weights
-Establishment of scaling sections
-Other methods for factor evaluation
-Termination
-Implementation of the approach and
-Application of field verification.
Air Pollution Index

•Air pollution is a result of the combined effects of

different pollutants rather than a single pollutant.
•The magnitude of air pollution in such cases is
difficult to be assessed on the basis of the
concentration of individual pollutants alone, but the
goal can be achieved by applying certain indices. Any
pollution index should indicate the gross level of
pollution with reference to the standard limits of the
individual pollutants.
It should be easy to understand and should include
the major air pollutants.
Water Quality Index
For calculating the water quality index,
there are 9 individual variables
-Dissolved Oxygen, Fecal Coliform
-pH, Biological Oxygen Demand
-Nitrates, Phosphates
-Temperature deviation, Turbidity and
-Total Solids
 Pollutant Air quality level General health effects Cautionary statements
levels(in mg
per liter) index
value

Hazardous 500 Significant harm Premature death All persons should remain
sick and elderly people will indoors
experience adverse symptoms that All persons should minimize
effect their normal activity physical exertion and avoid
traffic

400 emergency Premature onset of certain disease Elderly and persons with
in addition to significant symptoms existing disease should stay
and decreased exercise tolerance in indoors and avoid physical
healthy persons. exertion. General population
should avoid outdoor
activity.
300 warning Significant aggravation of Elderly and persons with
symptoms and decreased exercise existing heart or lung disease
tolerance in persons with heart or should stay indoors and
lung disease with widespread reduce physical activity
symptoms in the healthy
population.

Unhealthy 200 alert Mild aggravation of symptoms in Persons with existing heart
susceptible persons with irritation or respiratory ailments
symptoms in the healthy should reduce physical
population. exertion and outdoor
activity.
 Criteria for the Selection of EIA Methodology
EIA methodologies should have the following qualities
-Should be systematic in approach
-Should be able to organize the large mass of
heterogeneous data.
-Should be able to quantify the impacts.
-Should be capable of summarizing the data.
-Should have a good prediction capability.
-Should extract the salient features.
-Should finally be able to display the raw data and
derived information in a meaningful fashion.
Common criteria to select the methodology are

A) General
B) Impact Identification
C) Impact Measurement
D) Impact Interpretation and Evaluation
E) Impact Communication
a) General
1) Simplicity- the methodology should be simple so
that the available manpower with limited
background knowledge can grasp and adapt it
without much difficulty.
2) Manpower and Budget Constraints-
the methodology should be applied by a small group
with a limited budget and under time constraints.
3) Flexibility –the methodology should be flexible
enough to allow for necessary modifications and
changes through the course of the study.
b) Impact Identification-
1)Comprehensiveness- the methodology should be
sufficiently comprehensive to contain all possible options and
alternatives and should give enough information on them to
facilitate proper decision making.
2)Specificity- the methodology should have specific
parameters on which there would be significant impacts.
3)Isolation of project impacts- the methodology should
suggest procedures for identifying project impacts from
future environmental changes.
4)Timing and duration the methodology should be able to
identify accurately the location and extent of the impacts on
a temporal scale.
c) Impact Measurement
1)Commensurate Units– the methodology should have a
commensurate (corresponding to size or degree )set of units
so that comparison can be made between alternatives and
criteria.
2)Explicit Indicators- the methodology should suggest specific
and measurable indicators to be used to quantify impacts on
the relavant environmental parameters.
3) Magnitude- the methodology shouls provide for the
measurement of impact magnitude.
4)Objective Criteria- the methodology should be based on
objective criteria and criteria should be stated explicitly.
d) Impact Interpretation and Evaluation-
1)Significance-it should be able to assess the
significance of measured impacts on local, regional
and national scale.
2) Explicit Criteria the criteria and assumptions
employed to determine the impact significance
should be explicitly stated.
3) Uncertainty- uncertainty of possible impacts is a
real problem in EIA. The methodology should be able
to take this aspect into account.
4) Risk -should identify the impacts that have low
probability of occurrence but a high potential of
damage and loss.
5) Depth of Analysis- the conclusions derived from
the methodology should be able to provide sufficient
depth of analysis and instill confidence in the users,
including general public.
6) Alternate Comparison- it should provide a
sufficiently detailed and complete comparison of the
various alternatives readily available for the project
under study.
e) Impact communication-
1)Affected parties- it should provide a mechanism for
listing impacts to specific affected geographical or
social groups.
2) Setting description-it should provide a description
of the project setting to aid the users in developing an
overall perspective.
3)Summary Format-it should provide the results of
the impact analysis summarized in a format that will
give the users who range from the lay public to the
decision makers.
1) Key issues- it should a format for highlighting the
key issues and impacts identified in the analysis.

2) Compliance one of the most important factors in

choosing a methodology is whether it is able to
comply with the terms of the controlling agency.
 Networks Methodology:

•The third common method of assessing

impacts in EIA is called the Network
method (checklists and matrices are the
other two). This was first given by Sorenson
in 1971, primarily to explain linkages
between different environmental aspects.
Advantages of Networks Method:
• Presentation matrices can only clearly show
the primary or first-order impacts within any
particular activity-component framework. It is
possible, however, to investigate higher order
linkages in two dimensions by using networks.
• It is possible to translate networks into
mathematical models for a more quantitative
judgement. The network method structures
the relationships implied in qualitative
simulations.
Limitations of the Network Method:

• One of the main limitations of the

network method is that since
impacts are not scored in any
quantitative way, the comparison of
project alternatives is not readily
achieved.
 Impact Analysis

• The level of details required for

impact analysis for vegetation
and wild life will depend on the
specific characteristics of the
proposed project alternatives
and expected degree of effects.
Types of Impacts may be Applicable for

• -Loss of Valuable Vegetation

Community types
• Direct loss of Wild life and habitat
• Barriers to Travel corridors
• Recreational use and enjoyment
 Mitigation

• Mitigation for impacts on vegetation and wild life

may be site specific such as replacing, land scaping or
creating open spaces and parks in more urban areas.
Mitigation Measures include
• Avoiding
• Minimizing
• Rectifying
• Reducing
• Compensating
THE END