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Draft EIA notification dilutes EIA process
Why is it in News?
- SANDRP opined that Draft Environment Impact Assessment notification was published by Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) dilutes EIA process
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- SANDRP (South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People) is a network of researchers and experts working on water and environmental issues
- SANDRP observations
(1) If implemented, the MoEF’s draft will replace the 2006 EIA notification for future projects due to flawed monitoring mechanism in the draft
(2) Clauses about category B projects will dilute EIA process most
(3) Hydro-electric projects lesser than 75 MW but higher than 25 MW fall in category B1.
(4) In 2006 EIA notification, B1 projects were treated as A category projects if fulfilment of ‘General Conditions’ such as located within 10 kms of protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, polluted areas or state & international boundaries.
(5) As per New draft, B1 with general conditions will not be treated as A category and appraised by expert appraisal committee. It might be less vigorous appraisal.
(6) In draft, B2 projects are completely exempted from the EIA and public consultation process. i.e. all the hydro-electric projects lesser than 25MW and irrigation projects that have command area between 2,000 and 10,000 hectares will not need an EIA or a public consultation for their appraisal.
(7) If projects concern with national defence, security or strategic considerations (which is determined by central government), it will not be treated as category ‘A’.
(8) So no information about it will be put in public domain which damages transparency of process
(9) It will result into splitting up of large projects proposed in Himalayan region or in the western ghats into smaller ones of 25MW and escaping environmental scrutiny .