The document explains the importance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for new projects in India, highlighting its role in promoting sustainable business practices and ensuring optimal resource use. EIA is a mandatory process that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts before project approval, classified under categories A and B for regulatory clearance from different authorities. It outlines the stages of conducting EIA, the documentation required for clearance, and the benefits of EIA for businesses, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating sustainability into business strategies.

1. What is EIA ? Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) for new
Projects

2. Environmental conservation is becoming increasingly
important given the current scenario of booming industries in
India. Businesses more than ever before, are expected to
behave in a sustainable manner through improved
environmental assessment and management. A sustainable
business results in value creation for the company, its
employees, customers, shareholders and the society as a
whole. Therefore, before undertaking any project or major
activity, it is important for you to undergo Environmental
Impact Assessment.

3. What is EIA (Environmental Impact
Assessment) ?
UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool
used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts
of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict
environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and
design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape
projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions
and options to decision-makers. This is an important
management tool for ensuring optimum use of natural resources
for sustainable development.

4. Why is EIA important for
businesses ?
The EIA is a comprehensive assessment of resource use,
including energy, water, air, land, and ecological impacts. EIA
ensures that a business will not harm the environment on a short
term or long term basis. It came into existence in India in 197879 with the impact assessment of river valley projects. Since
then, the scope has subsequently been enhanced to cover other
developmental sectors such as industries, thermal power
projects, mining schemes etc. For enabling collection of
environmental data and preparation of management plans,
guidelines have been evolved and circulated to the concerned
Central and State Government Departments. EIA has now been
made mandatory under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986
for 30 categories of developmental activities involving
investments of Rs. 50 crores and above.

5. By using EIA both environmental and economic benefits can be
achieved, such as reduced cost and time of project implementation and
design, avoided treatment/clean-up costs and impacts of laws and
regulations.

6. Who provides EIA clearance ?
Projects are classified under two categories ‘A’ & ‘B’ as per the
latest Environment Impact Notification. Category A projects
(including expansion and modernization of existing projects)
require clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forest
(MoEF), while category B requires clearance from State
Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA),
constituted by Government of India.

7. When is EIA clearance required ?
Developers are required to obtain an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) clearance from Government of India before
constructing projects. The assessment shall be completed within
90 days from receipt of documents and data from the project
authorities and completion of public hearing and decision
conveyed within 30 days thereafter.
Once granted, the environmental clearance is valid for a period
of five years. The regulatory authority concerned may extend
this validity period by a maximum period of five years provided
an application is made to the regulatory authority by the
applicant within the validity period.

8. How is EIA clearance obtained ?
The applicant must submit the following documents to the
Govt :
1. Form 1 and supplementary Form 1A
2. An application
3. A copy of the conceptual plan
4. Environmental Appraisal questionnaire developed by MOEF.
5. Environment Impact Assessment Report.
6. Environment Management Plan and disaster Management
plan
7. Details of public Hearing as in schedule IV of the notification
(where ever necessary)
8. Rehabilitation plans (where ever necessary)
9. Forest clearance certificate (where ever necessary)
10. NOC from the state pollution control board (SPCB)

9. Stages of Environmental Impact
Assessment:
The fundamental components of EIA involve the following
stages:
a. Screening to determine which projects or developments
require a full or partial impact assessment study.
b. Scoping to identify which potential impacts are relevant to
assess (based on legislative requirements, international
conventions, expert knowledge and public involvement), to
identify alternative solutions that avoid, mitigate or compensate
adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of not
proceeding with the development, finding alternative designs or
sites which avoid the impacts, incorporating safeguards in the
design of the project, or providing compensation for adverse
impacts), and finally to derive terms of reference for the impact
assessment.

10. c. Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of
alternatives, to predict and identify the likely environmental
impacts of a proposed project or development, including the
detailed elaboration of alternatives.
d. Reporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA
report, including an environmental management plan (EMP), and
a non-technical summary for the general audience.
e. Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), based
on the terms of reference (scoping) and public (including
authority) participation.
f. Decision-making on whether to approve the project or not,
and under what conditions.
g. Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental
auditing. Monitor whether the predicted impacts and proposed
mitigation measures occur as defined in the EMP. Verify the
compliance of proponent with the EMP, to ensure that
unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation measures are identified
and addressed in a timely fashion.

11. CONCLUSION
As business leaders, it is important for you to understand global
sustainability challenges and how they affect your businesses. Going
green is no more an option but it has become a strong business case
now. Environmental impact assessment demonstrates your commitment
to a strong business growth, taking care of the sustainability issues. At
PDV Group, we offer you guidance and assistance with the process of
Environmental Impact Assessment. Our teams enable your business to
contribute to the local development while minimizing the impact on the
environment. Contact our experienced teams today to find out how. For
more details, you can write to us at info@aarnarealty.com or give us a
call on our helpline 9911661818.