EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is used to identify the environmental and social 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. 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.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Activities involved
Baseline data collection primary and secondary Understanding Project characteristics Superimposing project characteristics on the baseline Prediction of impacts Environmental Management Plans Presenting the report to decision makers

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental components
Land Air Noise Water Ecology Socioeconomic

Environmental Impact Assessment

Land Environment
Location setting (Regional) Location setting (Local) Land Use Pattern Soil characteristics

Environmental Impact Assessment

THE MALANJKHAND MINE in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, in an area that was once forested land on which Adivasis depended.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Air Environment

Reconnaissance Survey Air Quality Topography and meteorology

Wind Temperature and Humidity Rainfall

Environmental Impact Assessment

Air Environment Windrose at site: Max/Min/Mean annual temperature: Frequency of inversion: Frequency of cyclones/tornadoes/cloud burst: Ambient air quality data:

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Noise Sources of Noise and Vibrations Ambient noise level Traffic

Environmental Impact Assessment

Water Environment

Surface water Ground water Surface drainage Sewerage and waste water disposal Water quality

Surface water Ground water

Environmental Impact Assessment

Ecology

Environmental Impact Assessment

Socio economic environment Demographic structure Infrastructure resource base Health status Economy Endemic health problems in the area due to waste water/air/soil borne diseases Health care system existing

Environmental Impact Assessment

Identification and assessment of impacts

Air Environment

Construction phase Operation phase Air quality modelling Modelling results Modelling Assessment of impact

Noise Environment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Identification and assessment of impacts

Water Environment Land Environment Biological Environment Socio-economic Environment Infrastructure

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact statement

Air Environment Noise Environment Water Environment Land and Biological Environment Socio-economic Environment Impact Matrix

Environmental Parameters

Development Projects Ports and Harbours Airports

Rapid Transit

Highways Oil/Gas pipelines Significant Impact

Moderate to Significant Impact

Insignificant Impact

Surface Water Quality Air Quality Seismology Erosion Land Quality Fisheries Forests Terrestrial Wildlife Noise Land Use Aesthetics Industries Resettlement Archeological Historical significance Public Health Socio-economic

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental management plan

Formulation of EMP is an important outcome of EIA process Has cost implications, monitoring and audit requirements during project life cycle Typically consists of specific measures (WWTP, APC, Noise barriers, green belt) with details sufficient to enable realistic cost and time estimates EMPs need not mean management of issues alone and could include opportunities for enhancement

Environmental Impact Assessment

Asking pertinent questions to issues

Can the activity related to an issue be eliminated? Or modified? Can be relocated w.r.t. sensitive environmental receptor? Can protection or buffers be provided around sensitive receptors? Combinations of the above effective? Residual issues? Who will remain affected?

Environmental Impact Assessment

Negative impacts may also be linked to mitigation measures, eg. Hazardous waste disposal Systemic view needed. Mitigation measures also need to be screened for impacts

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental management plan

Construction phase Operation phase

Air Environment Noise Environment Water Environment Land Environment Solid Waste Socio-Economic Environment

EIA Process in India

Issues with quality of EIA reports

Improper / Inadequate scoping of EIA Consultants not having adequate understanding for developing EIA Cut and paste jobs No checks on competence of EIA consultants No liability for EIA consultants

NABET (National Accreditation Board for Education and Training) Criteria for Registration of EIA Consultant Organizations