What are the procedures for Environmental Clearance?

What is environmental clearance?

Environmental clearance is a process by which the government assesses the potential environmental effects of a proposed development project. This procedure helps identify and mitigate any potential negative impacts and that the project complies with all applicable environmental rules and regulations. Environmental clearance is required for some sorts of development projects under the country's environmental laws. The process is overseen by a government agency and typically involves extensive public consultation and engagement.

Environmental clearance is mandatory for large-scale development projects including industrial facilities, power plants, and infrastructure projects like highways and airports. The procedure typically involves a detailed study of the project site and the surrounding environment, including an assessment of potential impacts on air and water quality, wildlife, vegetation, and cultural resources.

What is an environmental clearance certificate?

An Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) is a document issued by a government agency including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, certifies that a proposed development project has undergone an environmental clearance process and has been found to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. The certificate verifies that the project has been created and implemented in a way that reduces harm to the environment and protects the health and well-being of local communities.

The Environmental Clearance Certificate is an important document for project developers as it is required before they can start construction or operation of the project. The certificate is issued only after a thorough review of the proposed project and its potential impacts on the environment and local communities.

Category for environmental clearance

Here is a general overview of the categorization of industries for environmental clearance in India:

1. Category A: Businesses in this category are considered to have a high potential impact on the environment, and must have environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Examples of Category A industries include thermal power plants, mining, and large-scale irrigation projects.

2. Category B1: Companies in this category are considered to have a moderate potential impact on the environment, and must have environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Examples of Category B1 industries include petrochemicals, chemical manufacturing, and industrial estates.

3. Category B2: Businesses in this category are considered to have a lower potential impact on the environment, and they require environmental clearance from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). Examples of Category B2 industries include small-scale industrial units, food processing, and textile manufacturing.
   

Procedure for environmental clearance

1. Project proposal: The project developer must submit a project proposal to the government organization responsible for granting environmental clearance. This proposal typically includes details such as project location, scope, size, and potential environmental impacts.

2. Screening: The government agency then evaluates the project proposal to determine if it requires environmental clearance. This includes a preliminary screening to identify the potential environmental impacts of the project.

3. Scoping: If the project is deemed to require an environmental clearance, the government organization will then determine the scope of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be carried out.

4. Environmental impact assessment: Then prepare an EIA report, which access the potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed project. The EIA report typically includes details such as baseline environmental data, potential environmental impacts, and mitigation measures to minimize the potential negative impacts.

5. Public consultation: The EIA report is made available for public consultation, and feedback is sought from stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs, and other interested parties.

6. Expert appraisal: Once the EIA report has been finalized, a team of experts appointed by the government agency reviews the report and provides recommendations on the feasibility and environmental sustainability of the project.

7. Decision-making: Based on the recommendations of the expert appraisal team, the government agency makes a decision on whether to grant environmental clearance to the project or not. If clearance is granted, the developer is required to comply with the conditions set out in the clearance letter to ensure that the project is implemented in a manner that minimizes harm to the environment.