Answer:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural, and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. In 1994, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF), under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, made Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for the expansion or modernization of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification.

Success of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

• Highlighting concerns: Several EIA reports have brought out environmental concerns arising out of large developmental projects.
• For example, environmentalists have exposed inadequacies in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the ambitious Ken-Betwa River link project.
• Detailed assessment: It has helped carry out detailed assessments in ecologically sensitive areas.
• For example, a detailed EIA was submitted by the authorities regarding a high-level Bridge Construction across the Pulicat Lake.
• People participation: EIA ensures decision making at the grassroots level and involvement of local authorities.
• For example, the District-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) headed by the District Collector is assigned the responsibility of granting environmental clearance up to a 5-hectare mine lease area for minor minerals, mainly sand.
• Mitigation measures: The EIA process helps ensure that the projects are more environmentally responsible.
• For example, the construction of the Konkan Railway, which passes through ecologically sensitive areas along the western coast of India, adopted various mitigation measures after potential impacts on wildlife, forests, and local communities were highlighted.

Shortcomings in its Implementation:

• Weak Enforcement and Monitoring: One of the major challenges is the lack of robust enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. Even if EIA reports identify potential negative impacts, their recommendations might not always be implemented effectively.
• Inadequate Expertise: There have been concerns about the quality and objectivity of EIA reports. Insufficient expertise in assessing complex environmental and social impacts can lead to inaccurate evaluations.
• Post-Approval Impact: The effectiveness of EIAs is sometimes limited because once projects are approved, their actual impact might differ from what was assessed due to changes in project design, construction methods, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Exemptions: There are several projects with significant environmental impacts that are exempted from the notification either because they are not listed in Schedule I, or their investments are less than what is provided for in the notification.
• Lack of Credibility
• There is a lack of credibility in EIA due to several cases of fraudulent EIA studies.
• The Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) of strategic industries, such as nuclear energy projects, are kept confidential for political and administrative reasons.
• Public Participation at a Later Stage: Public comments are taken into account only at the later stage of project clearance, which leads to conflict in project clearance.
• Length and Technical Process: EIA process is long and time-consuming. The EIA document in itself is bulky and technical in nature, making it difficult to decipher and to help in the decision-making process.

EIA being a useful tool, there is a need to overcome its shortcomings through appropriate amendments and the addition of concepts such as global warming and climate change to deal with the upcoming environmental challenges. Strengthening the EIA process is essential in ensuring sustainable development while minimizing environmental and social harm.