Environmental Impact Assessment

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Context

The Forest Department of Karnataka, which had been supportive of the Jog Development Projects and had recommended 'in principle acceptance' of environmental clearance for a five-star hotel, experienced a setback when the Centre questioned if any environmental impact analysis had been conducted.

What is Environmental Impact Assessment?

Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, is a process or research that estimates the environmental impact of a proposed industrial or infrastructure project.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool that planners can use to achieve the goal of environmental preservation while still allowing for development.
UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment, and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.
The Environment Protection Act of 1986, which incorporates numerous rules on EIA methodology and procedure, provides legal backing for environmental impact assessments in India.

What are the steps involved?

Data collection from primary and secondary sources as a baseline;
Impact prediction based on previous experience and mathematical modelling;
Impacts evolution versus net cost-benefit analysis;
Preparation of environmental management plans to minimise negative effects;
Quantitative calculation of the monitoring plan's and mitigation measures' financial costs.

What is the importance of EIA?

For ecologically safe and sustainable development, EIA connects the environment with development.
EIA is a cost-effective way to eliminate or reduce the negative effects of development initiatives.
EIA allows decision-makers to assess the impact of development activities on the environment long before the project is executed.
EIA urges the development plan to incorporate mitigation techniques.
EIA ensures that the development plan is ecologically sound and operates within the ecosystem's capacity for absorption and regeneration.