You can start using this guide in a varity of ways. Click on the White Bar on the left hand side to open a structural flowchart pertaining to this law. The flowchart contains clickable links, allowing you to navigate through the law.You can also use a more traditional method - the green menu bar on the right hand side. On clicking any of the major headings, sub sections will open up.If you are confused about using this site, or if you want to just see all the features we have incorporated, click on the"help" button on the lower part of the menu.
What is the Environment Impact Assessment Notification? click here to find out.
The Environment Impact Assessment Notification which was notified on 14th September, 2006 supersedes the 1994 EIA Notification. This notification is issued under Section 3.2.1.v of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, read with 5.3.d of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986
The purpose of the notification is to impose certain restrictions and prohibitions on new projects and activities, or on the expansion or modernization of existing projects and activities based on their potential environmental impacts. A prior environmental clearance must be obtained either from the Central Government or the State (or Union Territory) Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, constituted by the Central Government under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
All projects being covered under this notification have been divided into Category A and B based on their potential environmental impacts. Category A projects are to develop an EIA based on a Terms of Reference and presented to the MoEF. Category B projects are to be screened and further subdivided into B1 and B2, and the requirement of an EIA and public consultation have been dispensed with for B2 projects.
The notification contains schedules which list activities and projects that come under Category A and B. It also contains application forms 1 and 1A, a generic structure for an EIA document, framework for contents for a summary of the EIA report, the procedures for the public hearing and appraisal process. The notification also delineates who is an ‘expert’ eligible for positions, the composition and term of office of the EAC and SEAC.
The EIA notification as it appears in the guide
The notification has been divided into four sections:
This section lists out authorities appointed under the Act by the Central Government and the State Governments for implementation of the Act. It includes Boards, Committees and individual offices and lists their functions and powers granted under this notification.
This section lays out the step wise process of grant of environment clearance for Category A and B projects. While the process is almost similar, there are exceptions granted to certain kinds of projects from some or most steps of the clearance process.
This section contains the schedule of activities categorised as A and B by the MOEF. The projects in Category B are to be further divided as B1 and B2, however the guidelines that are necessary to make this distinction have not been worked out by the MoEF.
Revocation and rejection of clearance
This section identifies the various clauses in the notification under which application forms and environment clearance may be rejected or then clearances granted to projects may be revoked.
Apart from these sections, the following have been provided: Definitions from the Environment Act, Powers of the Central and State Government to make rules. The predecessor EIA Notification 1994 with all amendments consolidated until 2006, circulars and supplementary government orders are presented in downloadable pdf formats.