Basics of Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA)

By

Dr. C.A. MOGHE, M.Sc.Ph.D.,FIC

Environmental Consultant,
Ex- Principal Scientist,
NEERI, Nagpur-440020
Off.& Res.'Ashirwad',140 Hanuma nagar,
Nagpur-440009
Phone No: +91-712-2752355
Mobile: 09422807427 & 09422313628
moghechandrashekhar@yahoo.co.in
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Definition
 Potentially the most valuable, inter-disciplinary, objective decision making
tool with respect to alternate routes for development, process technologies
and project sites.

 An ideal anticipatory mechanism which establishes quantitative values for

parameters indicating the quality of the environment before, during and after
the proposed developmental activity

 Ensures environmental compatibility in developmental process

 Presents a clear and concise picture of all benefits and costs associated with
alternative courses of action
Process for Environmental Approvals
Methodology of EIA
 Preparation of EIA should coincide with the preparation of the feasibility report
 All efforts should be made to integrate environmental concerns into the project
from the conceptual stage itself
 The preparation of EIA involves the following steps :
 Collection of baseline data from both primary and secondary sources
 Identification of the impacts of the project taking into account the contours
of the project location and climatic conditions
 Prediction of the impacts based on mathematical models, empirical
assessment and past experience
 Evaluation of the impacts and assessment of the net cost- benefit
 Preparation of an environmental management plan to prevent and or
minimize potential impacts of the project on environment
 Quantification of the financial cost of mitigation measures and preparation
of a monitoring plan for the implementation of mitigation measures
Alternatives
 The EIA report should discuss different alternatives to be explored for both site
and technology
 Different technology options should be examined not only from the
productivity and cost angle but also from the angle of quantity and quality
of raw materials used and wastes generated
 The objective should be to set up a cleaner unit whose waste, if any, can be
fully recycle/reused
 In the case of river-valley and other infrastructure projects, efforts should
be made to use appropriate technologies which could reduce the impact
during the construction phase
 Site selection should take into account distances from sensitive areas
such as national parks, sanctuaries, urban settlements etc. and suitability
for disposal of wastes (effluents, emissions and solid waste)
 The relative importance of different alternatives should be weighed from
environmental angle
Land
 Project site should be selected in such a way that displacement of people and
diversion of forest agricultural lands can be avoided
 The project area should be kept to a minimum
 Width of the green belt should be decided taking into account the nature of the
project and proximity to sensitive areas
 In the case of low-lying areas, the implications of filling up the land need to be
examined
 If a new quarry is to be opened up for construction, the implication of this also will
have to be assessed

Soil
 The quality of the soil is important in case the project involves land disposal of
effluents and solid waste
 Permeability of the soil and other factors play an important role in the disposal of
wastewater and solid waste
 Depending on the nature of the soil, the design for lining of soil for disposal of
solid hazardous wastes has to be decided
Air
 The ambient air quality after the project is established can be predicted if
baseline information on existing air quality is available
 Air quality should be measured not only at the site but also at selected place
around the site
 The sites should be selected based on wind direction, location of sensitive
areas etc.
 Meteorological data can be collected by installing weather station while the
past data, can be obtained from the Indian Meteorological Department
 Air quality prediction if indicates a significant change, adequate air pollution
control equipments as well as instruments/systems for measuring air quality
and emissions be provided
Water
 Water availability is critical for many projects
 The quantum of water drawn by the project will have an impact on the
groundwater level/availability of surface water etc.
 The concern should be to minimize the use of fresh water for the project
 Without proper recharge, the groundwater gets depleted
 In case of surface water, there are many competing users who would like to
have first charge on the water
 The use of recycled water is preferable in case of cooling tower, green belt etc.
provided the quality of this water match with the prescribed standards
 The water that is being disposed of should be segregated and treated before it
reaches the primary effluent treatment plant
 The treated water should, as far as possible, be recycled for use in the plant
itself
 Effluent treatment plants should be so designed that the discharge from it
should meet prescribed standards
 Projects, which propose to discharge the effluent into a common effluent
treatment plant should provide primary treatment within the plant premises
Flora and Fauna
 Identification of the impacts on the flora and fauna
 There are very few methodologies available to reduce the impact on flora and fauna
 Project proponent should look for the different species of flora and fauna, which are
endemic to the area
 Project site should not be too close to migratory routes of birds and mammals

Solid Wastes
 The solid waste that is generated from the operations may be both hazardous and
non-hazardous
 Estimate the exact quantity of the wastes and indicate the mode and place of
disposal as well as details of the permission granted by the local authorities
 Solid waste disposal site within the existing plant it should have proper lining so that
there would be no leaching of solid wastes into the groundwater
 It should also have adequate protection from storm water
 The transport of hazardous material through congested areas should be avoided and
prior approval for the route should be taken from the local authorities
Noise
 The noise measurements have to be collected keeping in view the distance of the
proposed location of the project from urban settlements/national parks/sanctuaries
 Adequate protection measures including mufflers and other noise control devices should
be provided.

Green Belt
 The design of the greenbelt should be based on the attenuation effect
 It should not only be aesthetic but also useful in controlling pollution
 The greenbelt should be made up of indigenous species and those having long-term
economic value

Transportation
 Raw materials are transported to the plant site and final products are carried to
consumption points by rail, road, pipeline etc.
 In case raw material/final product is transported by road, the existing traffic density of the
road should be assessed over a period of time and the impact of the proposed project on
this should be estimated
 In the case of pipeline, there should be a risk analysis and disaster management plan
Risk Analysis and Disaster Management Plan
 In the case of projects of a hazardous nature or those requiring storage of hazardous
chemicals, it is necessary to provide a risk analysis report based on the worst case
scenario
 Contours of the likely impact based on the wind direction and the type of material
stored/handled be provided
 In the case of river-valley projects, flood prone zone needs to be indicated

Rehabilitation and Resettlement

 Socio-economic analysis data is generally available in the Census publications and the
gazetteers
 Many local universities, educational institutions also conduct periodical socio-economic
surveys
 These are important while considering the issue of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R)
 The project proponent should get an exact idea of the requirements of rehabilitation/
resettlement through a comprehensive survey
 The policies of the State Government should be followed strictly for R & R
 The project proponent should identify the site where the displaced people are proposed
to be resettled
Environmental Management Plan
 This should be designed to achieve :
 Reduction the impact of the project on environment
 Improvement of the environment of the area
 Establishment of a proper monitoring mechanism with adequate staff
 The environmental management plan should earmark specific staff and
funds for routine environmental management as well as collection, collation
and examination of various data

Post-project Environmental Quality Monitoring Programme

 To be delineated by the proponent for submitting 6 monthly report to
regulatory agencies as a EIA follow-up
Generic Structure of Environmental Impact
Assessment Document
Sr. No EIA Structure
1. Introduction
2. Project Description
3. Description of the Environment
4. Anticipated Environmental Impacts & Mitigation Measures
5. Analysis of Alternatives (Technology & Site)
6. Environmental Monitoring Program
7. Additional Studies
8. Project Benefits
9. Environmental Cost Benefit Analysis
10. Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
11. Summary & Conclusion
(This will constitute the summary of the EIA Report )