Economy & Environment

 

Written by: Ashi Chaturvedi

Edited by:Yashi Shah

India and EIA: 1994 to 2020

India wants to boost its economy and ecology from ‘surviving’ state to ‘thriving’ state. It is a big challenge for India to balance both sectors, as when it saves the environment, the economy gets penalized and when it considers GDP, Smog meter rises. Thus, India held the hand of EIA for a final settlement with both sectors.

After the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, Government realized that the environmental laws in India are not sufficient, and so in 1986, ‘The Environment Act’ was enacted with many promising policies. This act was amended in 1994 and the government introduced an assessment named EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). This assessment results in giving clearance to Industrial projects to be established, after analyzing all the pros and cons related to Environment. But is the implementation of this act justified?

EIA is a set of steps that includes site selection, assessment of the impact on the environment, NOC (Non-Objection Certificate) application, public hearing, and lastly a report to Report Appraisal Committee. The implementation of this act gots weaker as the public hearing got ignored, as a result, tragedies like the Assam Oil Well Fire occurred. Lack of Public hearing is not the only problem. What if the EIA report contains forged data and concealed facts and figures?

When Vishakhapatnam Gas Leak Tragedy was investigated, it was reported that the certificate of Non-Objection was issued, without considering the real data which became a reason for several casualties. 

In August 2020, EIA got amended. This new amendment is in favour of industrialists but unfavourable for locals. This amendment includes:-

• Post-Facto clearance means that industries don't have to wait for clearance to start their construction.

• Time for public hearing got reduced to 20 days from 30 days.

• Exemption from public participation in any kind of violation, only the violator can inform by himself.

• Strategic Exemption. No need to inform the public, if the project is passed by CG.

• If the construction is for National Defence and Security, within 100 km of aerial distance from LAC, no public hearing shall be held.

These changes are boon for industrialists. They are independent to start their business by putting the clearance process on hold. The establishment of new industries will surely boost employment in the nation. But the hazardous conditions, which are coming with these changes, will give ‘breathless’ lives to many.