Components of EIA
The difference between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA is in the time-scale of the data supplied. Rapid EIA is for speedier appraisal process. While both types of EIA require inclusion/ coverage of all significant environmental impacts and their mitigation, Rapid EIA achieves this through the collection of ‘one season’ (other than monsoon) data only to reduce the time required. This is acceptable if it does not compromise on the quality of decision-making. The review of Rapid EIA submissions will show whether a comprehensive EIA is warranted or not.
It is, therefore, clear that the submission of a professionally prepared Comprehensive EIA in the first instance would generally be the more efficient approach. Depending on nature, location and scale of the project EIA report should contain all or some of the following components.
Air Environment
– Determination of impact zone (through a screening model) and developing a monitoring network
– Monitoring the existing status of ambient air quality within the impacted region (7-10 km from the periphery) of the proposed project site
– Monitoring the site-specific meteorological data, viz. wind speed and direction, humidity, ambient temperature and environmental lapse rate
– Estimation of quantities of air emissions including fugitive emissions from the proposed project
– Identification, quantification and evaluation of other potential emissions (including those of vehicular traffic) within the impact zone and estimation of cumulative of all the emissions/impacts
– Prediction of changes in the ambient air quality due to point, line and areas source emissions through appropriate air quality models
– Evaluation of the adequacy of the proposed pollution control devices to meet gaseous emission and ambient air quality standards
– Delineation of mitigation measures at source, path ways and receptor
Noise Environment
– Monitoring the present status of noise levels within the impact zone, and prediction of future noise levels resulting from the proposed project and related activities including increase in vehicular movement
– Identification of impacts due to any anticipated rise in noise levels on the surrounding environment
– Recommendations on mitigation measures for noise pollution
Water Environment
– Study of existing ground and surface water resources with respect to quantity and quality within the impact zone of the proposed project
– Prediction of impacts on water resources due to the proposed water use/pumping on account of the project
– Quantification and characterisation of waste water including toxic organic, from the proposed activity
– Evaluation of the proposed pollution prevention and wastewater treatment system and suggestions on modification, if required
– Prediction of impacts of effluent discharge on the quality of the receiving water body using appropriate mathematical/simulation models
– Assessment of the feasibility of water recycling and reuse and delineation of detailed plan in this regard
Biological Environment
- Survey of flora and fauna clearly delineating season and duration.
– Assessment of flora and fauna present within the impact zone of the project
– Assessment of potential damage to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna due to discharge of effluents and gaseous emissions from the project
– Assessment of damage to terrestrial flora and fauna due to air pollution, and land use and landscape changes
– Assessment of damage to aquatic and marine flora and fauna (including commercial fishing) due to physical disturbances and alterations
– Prediction of biological stresses within the impact zone of the proposed project
– Delineation of mitigation measures to prevent and / or reduce the damage.
Land Environment
– Studies on soil characteristics, existing land use and topography, landscape and drainage patterns within the impact zone
– Estimation of impacts of project on land use, landscape, topography, drainage and hydrology
– Identification of potential utility of treated effluent in land application and subsequent impacts
– Estimation and Characterisation of solid wastes and delineation of management options for minimisation of waste and environmentally compatible disposal
Socio‑economic and Health Environment
– Collection of demographic and related socio-economic data
– Collection of epidemiological data, including studies on prominent endemic diseases (e.g. fluorosis, malaria, fileria, malnutrition) and morbidity rates among the population within the impact zone
– Projection of anticipated changes in the socio-economic and health due to the project and related activities including traffic congestion and delineation of measures to minimise adverse impacts
– Assessment of impact on significant historical, cultural and archaeological sites/places in the area
– Assessment of economic benefits arising out of the project
– Assessment of rehabilitation requirements with special emphasis on scheduled areas, if any.
Risk Assessment
– Hazard identification taking recourse to hazard indices, inventory analysis, dam break probability, Natural Hazard Probability etc.
– Maximum Credible Accident (MCA) analysis to identify potential hazardous scenarios
– Consequence analysis of failures and accidents resulting in fire, explosion, hazardous releases and dam breaks etc.
– Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) studies
– Assessment of risk on the basis of the above evaluations
– Preparation of an onsite and off site (project affected area) Disaster Management Plan
Environment Management Plan
– Delineation of mitigation measures including prevention and control for each environmental component and rehabilitation and resettlement plan.
– Delineation of monitoring scheme for compliance of conditions
– Delineation of implementation plan including scheduling and resource allocation
