ENP 301 : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

Lecture - 2

Part - I: Introduction, Concepts and Procedures

Session 1 : Concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
Session Outline
Session 1: Concepts of EIA
– Concepts of EIA
– EIA: Origin and Development
– Evolution of EIA in India

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA: Definition
■ Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a tool that
■ seeks to ensure sustainable development
■ through the evaluation of those impacts
■ arising from a major activity (policy, plan, program or project)
■ that are likely to have significant environmental effects.
■ It is anticipatory, participatory, and systematic in nature and
■ relies on multidisciplinary input.
(Source: Glasson et al. 1994).

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Origin and Progress
Origin
■ 1910 (Napoleon Decree): Issued decree
categorising the noxious occupation as
• Those must be removed from habitation
• Those may be permitted at outskirts of the towns
• Can be tolerated close to habitations

– Considering the workplaces and dwelling

EIA Origin and Progress
■ 1969: Term EIA has put forward in National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), USA
– It set the requirements for statement from project proponent on:
• Environmental Impacts of proposal

• Adverse Environmental Effects, which can not be avoided should the

proposal be implemented

• Alternatives of proposed actions

• The relationship between local short term uses of man’s environment and
maintenance & enhancement of long term productivity and

• Any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources which would be

involved in the proposed action (be implemented)

– For the follow-up action a Agency Council for Environmental Quality (CEA) was
created by NEPA

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Origin and Progress
■ 1969: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USA
(contd..)
– Key Words used
• Major Federal actions
• Significant impacts on Environment
• Context or Scale
• Intensity or Severity of the Impacts

■ 1987: World commission on Environment promulgated

it into various European countries

■ By 1996: EIA has become requirement in 100 countries

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
 EIA In International Perspective
■ 1972 (Stockholm):
– The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
■ 1974 (OECD) :
– Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development recommend the member countries
to adopt the EIA procedure and methods

■ 1987 (UNEP):
– Followed the suit to adopt EIA process
■ 1989 (WB):
– World Bank ruled that EIA for major projects should normally be undertaken by the borrower
country under World Bank Supervision. Also issued the broad guidelines

■ 1992 (UNCED):
– United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

■ 1992 (OECD):
– Recommended to member government to adopt the EIA procedures in grants to developing
countries

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
 EIA In International Perspective
■ 1999 (WB):
– World Bank Updated guidelines

■ 2002 (WSSD):
– World Summit on Sustainable Development set the stage
• Laid foundation and commitment at the highest level, to integrating
environment and development issues

• Institutionalization of Environmental Assessment (EA) as an instrument for

integrating environment and development issues at all levels

• Sustainable development is an integral part of agreements and commitments at

these global conferences

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Process: Origin and Development in India
■ 1973: Administrative Instruction established

■ 1977: Constitutional Provisions U/Art 48 (A) and 51(g)

■ 1978-79: EIA concept came into records

■ 1994: Mandatory requirement under EPA (1986) for certain

projects
• IAA has to consult the Expert committee in all clearances

■ 1997 (April 10): Notification for decentralization of clearance

steps

■ 1997: introduction of Public Hearing within as part of the

assessment

■ 2000 (December): Exemption to some Defense related roads

construction projects
Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Process: Origin and Development in India
■ 2001 (November): Exemption to Bulk Drugs (Genetically
Engineered organism based) as already covered under
Genetically modified Organism rules (1989)

■ 2001-2002: Those activities taken out from EIA , which covered

under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
■ 2002 (June): Exemption to pipeline projects
– IAA may consult the Expert Committee if deemed necessary

■ 2003: Several Sectors included such as Construction, Town

ships

■ 2005: Draft Amendment proposed

– Townships requiring EIA was debated
■ 2006 (September): New Notification applicable as on date

■ 2009 : Proposed Amendments

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Process: Origin and Development in India

■ In India, EIA was made mandatory in 1994

under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA)
of 1986 with the following four objectives:

1. Predict environmental impact of projects;

2. Find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts;
3. Shape the projects to suit local environment; and
4. Present the predictions and options to the decision-
makers.

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
EIA Process: Levels of Interventions

Course Instructor:
Er. Ashwani Kumar,
Asstt. Prof.
Faculty of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad - 9
 Readings for next session

Chapter 2 of Canter

Thankyou

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