EIA is defined as the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of proposed projects or developments prior to major decisions being made. The key principles of EIA include participation of stakeholders, transparency, accountability, flexibility, and taking a precautionary approach when there are threats of serious environmental harm. EIAs in India are conducted according to guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and are required for certain public and private projects based on factors such as cost, location, and potential environmental impacts.

1. Definition of EIA
 EIA is interdisciplinary, objective decision
making tool.
 The International Association for Impact
Assessment defines EIA as, “the process of
identifying, predicting, evaluating and
mitigating the biophysical, social and other
relevant effects of development proposals prior
to major decisions being taken or commitment
made”.
 NEPA of USA (1969) first incorporated the
requirement of EIA.

2. Scope of EIA
 EIA process, initially laid emphasis on
evaluating the adverse / beneficial effects of
development project on Physical factors – air
quality, water quality, solid waste disposal etc.
 Then it started including biological / ecological
factors which are difficult to quantify.
 Presently EIA include socio- economic factors
like creation of employment opportunities,
recreational factors, cultural impacts etc.

3. 2 types of Principles
2 types of EIA principals are –
Precautionary principles & Polluter
pays principle
Precautionary principle – when an activity raises
threats of harm to human health or the
environment precautionary measures should be
taken even if some cause effect relationship are
not fully established scientifically.
Polluter pay principle - where the party
responsible for producing pollution should
also be responsible for damages done to the
environment.

4. Role of EIA
 Purpose of EIA is to provide environment its
due place in decision making process.
 It may prevent the use of developmental
activity for political benefits.
 Provide a procedure for full consideration of
the possible adverse environmental impacts of
policies, programmes, activities, projects
before any decision being taken.
 Prevents “behind closed door” process of
decision making.

5.  Opportunity to present recommendations to
the decision maker on the suitability of the
project.
 Alternate approach, choice of technology and
sites can be thoroughly examined.
 The public can contribute to the decision
making process through written and oral
contributions or by appearances at public
enquiries and hearing etc.

6. Status of EIA in India
 EIA first started in India in 1977-78 when
Planning Commission advised DST to take up
environmental appraisal of river valley
projects.
 Presently MoEF is the IAA in India

7. Projects appraised by MoEF
1. Industrial projects of public/private sector
which cost more that 50 crores and belong to
category specified in schedule 1of MoEF
Notification 1994.
2. SSI projects of investment more than Rs. 1
crore
3. Projects which are sensitive and are located
in environmentally degraded area.
4. Projects which require approval of the public
investment board/ planning
commission/central electricity board.

8. 5. Projects referred to MoEF by other Ministries.

9. Guiding Principles of
Environmental Impact
Assessment
 Participation- The process should include
adequate participation of all stakeholders.
 Transparency - EIA should be conducted
through an established process. All elements of
the process should be clearly understood by all
participants.
 Certainty - The process should have clear
objectives, consistent, and be conducted within
agreed time-frames.

10.  Integrity -Decisions need to be based on the
best available information, and all relevant
factors need to be taken into account by
decision-makers. Where impacts are uncertain,
outcomes should rely on sound risk assessment
and management.
 Cost-effectiveness - The process should meet
its objectives while imposing the least cost to
participants.
 Practicality -The process should recognize
community concerns, commercial realities, best

11.  Accountability - Decision makers within
government need to be able to provide clear
and detailed reasons for their decisions to all
stakeholders. Appeal provisions to a
independent authority should exist.
 The EIA process should cover the life of the
proposal, through project design, construction,
operation and finally commissioning of the
project.
 project operators must be accountable for
commitments made during project approval.

12.  Flexibility - The process should be able to
accommodate proposals varying in type, scope of
impact, and complexity. Flexibility is desirable in
terms of the form of EIA process, issues to be
addressed, process time-frames, and degree of
public participation.
 Precautionary - Where there are threats of
serious or irreversible environmental damage,
lack of full scientific certainty should not be used
as a reason for postponing measures to prevent
environmental degradation.