Mains Marathon

Approach :

• Define Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Discuss the key changes in EIA Regulations.
• Assess how EIA reforms aim to balance environmental justice and streamlined clearances.
• Conclude with a suitable way forward.

Introduction:

The UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project before decision-making. It helps predict impacts early, minimize adverse effects, and inform policymakers. Recent efforts, including the Draft EIA Notification 2020, aim to streamline clearances while addressing environmental justice.

Body :

Key Changes in EIA Regulations:

• Categorization of Projects: Projects are classified as A, B1, and B2, allowing low-risk projects (B2) to bypass detailed scrutiny and be cleared at the state level, speeding up decision-making.
• Digitalization: Introduction of platforms like PARIVESH for online submission, tracking, and transparency of clearance processes.
• Time-bound Clearance: Deadlines for each stage of EIA and reduced time for public hearing from 30 to 20 days to accelerate approvals.
• Post-Facto Clearances: Provisions allowing projects that began without prior approval to seek clearance retrospectively.
• Exemptions: Strategic and linear projects (e.g., roads, pipelines) are exempted from public hearings in certain cases.

Impact on Environmental Justice while streamlining the project clearance process:

• Positive Measures:
  • Faster approvals through state-level decentralization.
  • Improved efficiency via online portals and categorization.
  • Clarity in procedural timelines, aiding investors and reducing bureaucratic delays.
  • Digital transparency has improved public access to project data.
  • Baseline data requirements and compliance reporting have been emphasized to ensure environmental accountability.
• Concerns:
  • Shortened public hearing windows reduce effective participation, especially for tribal and rural communities with low internet access.
  • Post-facto clearance undermines the principle of prior informed consent, violating Supreme Court guidelines.
  • Exemptions for key projects risk bypassing local stakeholders, undermining environmental justice for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion :

While the recent EIA reforms attempt to modernize and expedite the clearance process, their effectiveness in ensuring environmental justice is limited by weakened public participation, exemptions, and post-facto approvals. A more inclusive, participatory, and equitable approach is essential to protect both development and ecological rights.