FAQ

The present EIA Notification was issued on 14th September, 2006.

All new projects or activities listed in the Schedule to this notification; expansion and modernization of existing projects or activities listed in the Schedule to this notification with addition of capacity beyond the limits specified for the concerned sector, that is, projects or activities which cross the threshold limits given in the Schedule, after expansion or modernization; any change in product – mix in an existing manufacturing unit included in Schedule beyond the specified range.

The objectives of EIA Notification, 2006 inter alia include: (i) to formulate a transparent, decentralized and efficient regulatory mechanism to integrate environmental concerns into developmental process with a view to facilitating sustainable development. (ii) to ensure incorporation of necessary environmental safeguards at planning stage in the project cycle, so as to ensure minimal impact on different components of environment. (iii) to ensure involvement of stakeholders in public consultation process through public hearing and to ascertain the views of the public on the proposed project or activity.

The salient features of EIA Notification, 2006 inter alia include:
(i) The EIA Notification, 2006 has categorized the projects into two categories namely; Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’ based on their impact potential.
(ii) Category ‘A’ projects will be appraised at the Central level while Category ‘B’ project at the State level.
(iii) State level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities and Committees (SEIAAs and SEACs) have been constituted for the purpose of appraisal of Category ‘B’ projects.
(iv) The stage of scoping for prescribing terms of reference by the Regulatory Agency for the EIA studies has been incorporated in accordance with the International practice. It is expected to improve the quality of EIA thereby improving the quality of decision making and minimizing the delays.
(v) The public consultation process has been made more structured. It has two components i.e. comments through correspondence and by public hearing at site. Provision to videography the proceedings of the public hearing has been made.
(vi) NOCs from other regulatory agencies such as SPCB etc. are not a pre-requisite for considering application for environmental clearance

The environmental clearance process comprises of four stages :
(1) Screening; Stage
(2) Scoping; Stage
(3) Public Consultation and Stage
(4) Appraisal.

Screening refers scrutiny of category ‘B’ projects seeking prior environmental clearance made in Form-1 by the concerned State Level Expert Appraisal Committee for determining whether or not the project requires further environmental studies for preparation of EIA for its appraisal depending upon the nature and location specificity of the project.

Scoping refers to the process by which the EAC in the case of Category ‘A’ projects or activities, and SEAC in the case of Category ‘B1’ projects or activities determine detailed and comprehensive TORs addressing all the relevant environmental concerns for the preparation of EIA report.

Public Consultation refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected persons and others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the project or activity are ascertained.

Appraisal means the detailed scrutiny by the Expert Appraisal Committee or State Level Expert Appraisal Committee of the application and other documents submitted by the applicant for grant of environmental clearance.

An application seeking prior environmental clearance in all cases has to be made in the prescribed Form 1 and Form 1A(if applicable), as provided in the EIA Notification, 2006, along with a copy of pre-feasibility project report. In case of construction projects or activities (item 8 of the Schedule), in addition to Form 1 and the Supplementary Form 1A, a copy of the Conceptual Plan is to be provided in place of pre-feasibility project report. The entire process has to be done online.

Project Proponent is required to submit a half yearly compliance report, twice in a year i.e. 1st June and 1st December, to MoEF/SEIAA and Regional offices of MoEF in hard and soft copies for monitoring of the project both during construction and operation phases. The Regional Offices of the Ministry monitor the compliance of environmental clearance conditions of various projects located in their jurisdiction.