Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment known as EIA is a scientific and legal process to evaluate the environmental impacts after the successful implementation of any proposed infrastructure project. Ministry of Environmental, Forests and Climate Change had proposed changes in EIA laws in 2020 which replaces several significant elements of the EIA from 2006. EIA makes it necessary for projects, which have a high chance of degrading the environment such as mining, power plants, highways, and industries, to get environmental clearance by the state.

In India, EIA is backed by the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 which directs on EIA’s methodology. The new 2020 legal draft allows clearances of projects without thorough follow up and has diluted scientific enquiry after the project is completed.