Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to the detailed evaluation of developmental projects that are likely to have major negative impacts on the environment. It is designed to safeguard the environment through a comprehensive report on the assessment conducted by an environmental impact assessment consultant.
A consultant enables business owners to paint a clear picture of how their project will impact the environment when they decide whether to grant planning permission. Accordingly, the planning authorities can make the required amendments and take measures to mitigate the impacts before they proceed with commencing the project.
EIA also ensures to alert local community members at an early stage, thereby playing a full and informed role in the decision-making process.
Types Of Development That Need An EIA
Regulatory authorities and Government have set out a procedure for identifying developmental projects that are subjected to perform EIA as well as for assessing, consulting and reaching a decision on relevant proposals.
Projects covered by Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations, 2011 require large scale projects or schemes with the highest level of potential environmental impact to perform EIA before commencing their activities. However, Schedule 2 to the 2011 EIA regulations includes a list of projects that ‘may’ require assessment. These include projects that are likely to have significant environmental consequences due to their size, activity and location.
How Do You Get To Know If You Need An EIA?
Project heads can connect with their local council for a formal ‘screening opinion to confirm whether their project requires EIA to be conducted. Where EIA is necessary, the head may even ask for a scoping opinion. This will help in specifying the issues that must be included in the assessment.
Therefore, if Environmental Impact Assessment is required, the developers must present an Environmental Statement (ES) to support their application. Failure in doing so can cause serious delays in the process or even result in the final decision being legally challenged. It is technically complex and requires a professional to handle the same. So, it is advisable to hire an environmental impact assessment consultant to help you with the EIA report so that you can commence your project-related activities.
Conclusion:
EIA is an important aspect of the planning legislation and requires attention to be handled with care. It is essential to conduct the study in order to protect our environment’s health from deterioration. You can consult reputed environmental consulting firms for your project’s EIA report. They also offer services for EMP study, green buildings, research etc. So if you require green building consultants in India, you can connect with one.
