EIA Draft 2020
- Khwaish Gupta
- Sep 1, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 30, 2023
Let’s dumb it down so you get smarter
Do you remember coming across your ‘woke’ friends on Instagram sharing stories on something that read ‘EIA 2020’? There are chances that most of us just have the abbreviation stamped on our minds and not the meaning as much. In an attempt to inform those who aren’t as aware and revise for those who already know, here’s an All-You-Need-To-Know on EIA
EIA
Environment Impact Assessment - What’s it about?
It refers to a process of predicting (or assessing) the environmental impact of ‘developmental’ projects. This process is mandatory under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which requires these projects and plans to obtain environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
In mid-March 2020, the MoEFCC released a draft of the EIA norms which weakens this process, giving industrialization a leeway over environment.
So what exactly will change?
The process as of now
Credits: Saayansh Ahuja
The process of the EIA involves 5 major steps, outlined below.
Screening:
assess whether the planned project needs an Environment Impact Assessment.
conducted by Expert Appraisal Committee at either Central or State level depending on the size of the project.
Location, type, scale, are considered to see if it needs to go through the EIA.
Scoping:
address purpose, structure, and limitations of all concerns.
EIA Report:
hired consultant prepares an EIA report including complete details of the proposed project.
Also includes corrective measures for minimizing or preventing any negative impact.
Also submits a request to conduct the public consultation.
Public Consultation:
Locals affected by the project get a chance to raise concerns.
The authorities- SPCB/UTPCC are obliged to put up a Summary EIA report on its website too.
Duration- 45 days.
Final appraisal:
Final EIA report is sent to the Appraisal Committee which further reports to MoEFCC.
MoEFCC takes a call on the grant of environmental clearance.
Tangible changes, intangible problems
Some troublesome changes that the draft brings with it are:
Post-facto approval
clearances can be awarded even after starting the construction
in a way legitimizes violation
remedy- fine, punishment
Compliance Report
The project proponent will submit an annual report, as opposed to a bi-annual one earlier, showing that the terms of the clearance are being complied to.
Exemptions
information related to projects categorized as ‘strategic’ will not be accessible in the public domain.
violations can only be reported by Appraisal Committee, regulatory bodies or the project proponent themselves
new construction projects up to 1,50,000 m2 (approx. 37 acres) don’t require EIA and public consultation.
excluded projects include irrigation projects, expansion of national highways, area development projects, projects of defense and national importance.
Public Consultation
period reduced to 20 days
brings into question the meaningfulness of the whole process
Credits: Saayansh Ahuja
What followed next?
In the months of June, July and August 2020, a digital protest took place when people sent in emails, signed online petitions, appealed to the government and spread awareness against the harms of passing this draft. The response from the government is still awaited.
Anything else that is bothersome?
YES! This move took during the time of a global pandemic and nationwide lock down which highly restricts the scope for people’s participation to show their dissent and ensures limited accessibility to such kind of information.
Apart from this, online ways of dissent were ‘mistakenly’ curbed (in their defense) by the ruling party in a highly undemocratic way. Websites like Fridays for Future and Let India Breathe were banned citing ‘anti-terrorist’ and ‘unlawful’ actions of theirs.
Key Takeaway
We must keep a check on our government to enrich the process of democracy and for the collective good of our community. The digital movement dissenting against EIA Draft 2020 has compelled many of us to look beyond our individual selves and become stakeholders of environment.
All pictures in this blog post are owned by Saayansh Ahuja. You can see more of his amazing work on Instagram @pixelsbyess 
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