UPSC Articles
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
Part of: Prelims and GS-III -Environment
Context: The details of the recently released draft environment impact assessment (EIA) report for the mega development project in the Great Nicobar Island have raised serious questions.
- The questions are related to submission of incorrect or incomplete information, scientific inaccuracy and failure to follow appropriate procedure.
- A public hearing to discuss the report has been scheduled.
What is the matter related to?
- The matter is related to the NITI Aayog-piloted Rs. 72,000-crore integrated project in Great Nicobar that includes construction of a mega port, an airport complex, a township spread over 130 sq. km of pristine forest and a solar and gas-based power plant.
- Ecologists and researchers have been raising concerns about this project for over a year.
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
- It is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project
- It is statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006 has decentralized the environmental clearance projects by categorizing the developmental projects in two categories – Category A (national level appraisal) and Category B (state level appraisal).
- Category A projects – They require mandatory environmental clearance and thus they do not undergo the screening process.
- Category B Projects– They undergo screening process and they are classified into two types:
- Category B1 projects (Mandatorily require EIA).
- Category B2 projects (Do not require EIA).
News Source: TH
