The document outlines the key elements and steps of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. It discusses the legal framework, responsibilities, and scope of EIAs. The EIA process typically involves screening to determine assessment needs, scoping to identify important issues, baseline data collection, impact analysis and mitigation, reporting, review, and monitoring. Diagrams illustrate the screening, scoping, and overall EIA process steps in India.

1. KEY ELEMENTS OF EIA
KEY ELEMENTS OF EIA
PROCESS‐1
PROC SS

2. KEY ELEMENTS OF EIA PROCESS
Legal & Institutional Framework
The provision for EIA may be made through legislation,
administrative order or policy directive
d i i i d li di i
Basic responsibilities
EIA studies are carried out by an interdisciplinary team, which is
appointed specifically to the task and has an appropriate range
of scientific, economic and social expertise
Scope of application
Some EIA systems are relatively narrow in coverage; e.g. limited
to projects of a specified type and size.

3. EIA PROCESS
It consists of –
It it f
Screening
Scoping
Baseline Data Collection
Impact Analysis and Prediction
p y
Analysis of Alternatives
Mitigation and Impact Management
EIA Report
Review
Decision‐making
Monitoring and follow

4. EIA PROCESS REQUIREMENTS IN INDIA (1994‐2006)
Start
Site Selection
Conduct EIA
Apply for NOC
Apply for NOC
SPCB arranges public hearing
Project proponent apply for the
environmental clearance, submitting
required documents ( EIA report, NOC from
SPCB, etc)
Review by Environmental
Appraisal Committee
Change Suggested Accepted Rejected
Source: www.envfor.nic.in

5. EIA PROCESS CHART
Proposal
Identification
Screening
EIA Required
EIA Required Initial No EIA
No EIA
Environmental
Examination
Scoping Public Involvement
Impact Analysis
Public Involvement typically
Mitigation & occurs at this point. It may also
Impact occur at any other stage of the
Management EIA Process
EIA Report
Resubmit Public Involvement
Review
Redesign Decision
Making
Information from this
process contributes to
Not Approved Approved
effective future EIA
Implementation
and follow up Source: www.envfor.nic.in

6. STEPS OF EIA ‐ SCREENING
Purpose:
To determine whether or not a proposal should be subject to EIA
How ?
Consideration of legal requirements applicable to the proposal
Inclusion list of projects for which EIA is automatically required
Exclusion list of projects/activities which do not require EIA as they are insignificant
Expected Outcome:
Understanding whether
No EIA is required for the proposal
No EIA is required for the proposal
Comprehensive EIA is required
Rapid EIA is required
Further study called Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is required to determine
Further study called Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is required to determine
the requirement of the level of EIA

7. The project screening process
www.unescap.org

8. STEPS OF EIA ‐ SCOPING
Purpose:
To identify important issues and impacts and eliminate those of little concern
How?
Focus on important issues and significant impacts to be addressed in EIA process
Establish Terms of Reference (TOR)
Define the boundaries for EIA in terms of time, space and issues
Inform the public and main stakeholders and their concerns
Identify reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposed project
Identify reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposed project
Expected Outcome:
Terms of Reference (TOR)
Terms of Reference (TOR)

9. SCOPING PROCESS
www.unescap.org

10. METHODS OF SCOPING
www.unescap.org

11. STEPS OF EIA ‐ BASELINE DATA COLLECTION
Purpose:
To describe the existing environmental status of the identified study area
How?
H ?
Primary data collection
y
Secondary data collection
Expected Outcome:
Assessment of existing environmental conditions and social settings in
the project area
Helps to determine the carrying capacity of the environment.

12. COVERAGE OF BASELINE DATA
Land use
Air
Physical
Water
Soil
Baseline Data
Collection
Ecosystem
Biological
Flora, Fauna
Demographic
Socio-Economic
Cultural
Community

13. SUMMARY OF THE DISCUSSION
Proponents carry out EIA in accordance with the directions given by the
competent authority ( MoEF in India) which makes the final decision and gives
environmental clearance (EC) to the proposal.
( ) p p
EIA notification contains many of the key elements found in the most of the
processes through out the world including screening, scoping……. Follow up.
Broadly EIA process includes
Screening:
Scoping
Baseline Data Collection