EIA Draft 2020- Pros and Cons.

EIA drafts 2020

Environmental Impact Assessment 2020 is a draft proposed by the Government of India in March 2020. EIA Draft 2020 is to published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Subsection (ii). Then Hon'ble, Supreme court of India, stayed the Act for public consultation till 11th August 2020. Citizens of India can tell the suggestion to the Government of India till 11th August 2020 through Email eia2020- eia2020-moefcc@gov.in. you can get Pdf of the Draft through the link provided below article,

Short History of EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment is an Act that checks the industries for Environmental pollution. It aims to preserve the environment as much as possible and lessen the rapid industrialization to reduce pollution to prevent Global Warming and other environmental destruction. EIA is prevalent throughout the world with, more than 175 countries with different terms and conditions. In India, the first step of EIA came into action after the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which causes death more than 10,000 lives. After that 1986, the Environmental Protection Act comes into force to avoid such tragedies. Then, in 1994 Environmental Impact Assessment came into force with several restrictions on the Rapid industrialization and aftermath, then the Environmental Protection Act 2006 published in the Gazette of India with some fluctuations. Even though the acts came but, the environmental pollutions have done frequently. In March 2020, the new EIA draft was published by the Government of India, which was heavily criticized by the people and other environmental activists.

Features of EIA 2020.

In Environmental clearance 2020, there are only small variations compare to EIA 2006. In EIA, Industries applies for Environmental clearance certificate classified into three, were A, B1, and B2. Six steps followed for Environmental Clearance and NOC were

Preparation for EIA
Scoping
Public consultation
Preparation of Final Report
Appraisal
Grant for Approval and Rejection.

The projects which fall under A and B1 should follow all the procedures mentioned above. Projects which fall under B2 considered Strategic, they exempted from the public opinion and information shall not be placed under the public domain. The projects fall under b2 were irrigation projects such as the construction of Dams, lakes, and check dams. The other B2 projects were Defense schemes and other predominant projects required for National Security. The Project covers the area under 150,000 sq meters exempted from provisions of EIA. Even projects of National Highway and Inland waterways also considered as Strategic and come under B2.

Pros

The Act aims at the reduction of terms and conditions in EIA for the attraction of foreign direct investments to India. B2 type of projects which proclaims to be strategic covers the border areas around 100km and covers coastal areas also which leads to the growth of the region in the Indian border. The Development of coastal areas leads to the strengthening of the Naval power and checks the illegal activities in these areas. The Act attracts the industrialists leads to immense foreign direct to the country so that the Government of India can gain more revenue and enormous Job opportunities will happen. It can make India, an Industrial Giant and leads to a 5 .trillion dollar economy within a few years.

Cons

The Act aims for the Rapid industrialization leads to mass destruction of the environment. The Acts says that regulations to coal mining have fluctuated and anyone has investment be given tender to dig the coal mine irrespective of experience in that field. It is a big issue because India's most coal was found in the forest areas. so it reduces the areas of the forest lead to mass environmental destruction. Public consultation is limited to 30 days to 20 days and only people of that area can only ask any problems about the industrial wastages. this is also a drawback to that draft. the inspection to the industry is increased to 6 months to 1 year. After the project has been completed, the violation committed by the industry cannot be reported by the citizens but the representatives and workers of the government only can report about the violation of the industry. The area under 1,50,000 sq meters exempted from the provisions of EIA. It considered one of the major drawbacks.

Remember

Even though the Act has advantages, but it has more disadvantages in it. It can cause harm to our surrounding environment. The Hon'ble Supreme Court stayed the Act and it calls for a public opinion so everyone should respond and tell the suggestions to the government to what has to be changed in the draft. you can Email it to eia2020-moefcc@gov.in for saying suggestions. to read more about the draft press the link above in the introduction to download the pdf of that draft. So the future is in your hands, Think and say the suggestion to the Government of India.