Environment Clearence

“Environmental clearance” is the procedure to get clearance from the government for the ‘installation’ and ‘modification’ of certain projects.

Environmental clearance is mandatory for the projects which can cause high environmental pollution. Government made list of those projects under EIA Notification 2006, which includes mining, thermal power plant, infrastructure (highway, ports, airports),etc.

Ikon Team guide the organisation in understanding the importance of Environment Clearen and help them to take care of there Copliance Guidelines.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 categorized project into two categories, “Category-A" & “category-B". The projects which falls under “Category-A” get clearance from“Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MOEF)” , and the projects which falls under “Category-B” get clearance from “State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority(SEIAA).”

Now, let's see, “How to get clearance!”

First of all, the project proponent should submit Application Form 1 (pre feasibility report) to the “MOEF” or “SEIAA" according to their category. Their is expert appraisal committee which uses this form to decide extent of investigation required for the project which is called “Terms Of Reference (TOR).”

Expert appraisal committee then gives TOR to proponent for preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Proponent submit draft-EIA to the MOEF or SEIAA.

Later, State Pollution Control Board organize the public hearing, which provides legal space for people of an area to come face-to-face with the project proponent in the presence of regulatory bodies. The hearing committee hears the objection from the public and concern expressed shall be recorded and submitted to the MOEF.

The proponent then submit final EIA report to MOEF. The MOEF will check the adherence of final EIA to TOR,and refers the adherence to expert appraisal committee.

The expert appraisal committee complete the appraisal of documents and recommends either for clearance or rejection to the MOEF and finally the MOEF gives clearance or rejection letter to the project proponent.