The tenets of environmental policy evolved in India and how precautionary principles of sustainability are sidelined in the draft EIA regulation 2020 are analyzed.The emphasis on exempting several categories of projec...The tenets of environmental policy evolved in India and how precautionary principles of sustainability are sidelined in the draft EIA regulation 2020 are analyzed.The emphasis on exempting several categories of projects from the EIA requirements and public consultation,standardization of sector-specific terms of reference and environmental clearance conditions,and decentralization of the decision-making to simplify and fast-track the environmental clearance procedure for development projects is apparent.The list of projects/activities requiring prior environmental clearance and the procedures reveal that promoting the ease of doing business scores over precautionary principles.Efforts to increase the effectiveness and improve transparency in monitoring the implementation of environmental clearance conditions are visible.Still,the prime issues of improving the efficiency and efficacy of the EIA framework and institutional reforms in the EIA system need to be earnestly addressed.The evaluation using an ex-ante framework unveils the areas needing meticulous attention to revamp the EIA regulation.展开更多
Despite a wealth of literature on the different facets of the EIA,and copious theoretical knowledge and practical experience,the general agreement is eluding definitions of EIA effectiveness,quality,and good practices...Despite a wealth of literature on the different facets of the EIA,and copious theoretical knowledge and practical experience,the general agreement is eluding definitions of EIA effectiveness,quality,and good practices.There are apprehensions about EIA meeting its basic objectives while project proponents continue to treat EIA as an impediment to development.Governments tend to adopt a“practical”approach,sacrificing pillars of EIA and overlooking the prime objective of environmental protection.Based on an extensive literature study and the author’s long EIA-related experience,some key workable practices for the EIA process are elaborated.Meticulous scoping using different sets of lenses,spotlighting significant impacts to determine the breadth and depth of EIA reports for focussed EIAs,robust EIA review and decision-making,commitment from the regulators for environmental protection,and use of strategic planning,strategic environmental assessment,and tiering practices are expected to address scholars’apprehensions and project proponents’concerns.展开更多
文摘The tenets of environmental policy evolved in India and how precautionary principles of sustainability are sidelined in the draft EIA regulation 2020 are analyzed.The emphasis on exempting several categories of projects from the EIA requirements and public consultation,standardization of sector-specific terms of reference and environmental clearance conditions,and decentralization of the decision-making to simplify and fast-track the environmental clearance procedure for development projects is apparent.The list of projects/activities requiring prior environmental clearance and the procedures reveal that promoting the ease of doing business scores over precautionary principles.Efforts to increase the effectiveness and improve transparency in monitoring the implementation of environmental clearance conditions are visible.Still,the prime issues of improving the efficiency and efficacy of the EIA framework and institutional reforms in the EIA system need to be earnestly addressed.The evaluation using an ex-ante framework unveils the areas needing meticulous attention to revamp the EIA regulation.
文摘Despite a wealth of literature on the different facets of the EIA,and copious theoretical knowledge and practical experience,the general agreement is eluding definitions of EIA effectiveness,quality,and good practices.There are apprehensions about EIA meeting its basic objectives while project proponents continue to treat EIA as an impediment to development.Governments tend to adopt a“practical”approach,sacrificing pillars of EIA and overlooking the prime objective of environmental protection.Based on an extensive literature study and the author’s long EIA-related experience,some key workable practices for the EIA process are elaborated.Meticulous scoping using different sets of lenses,spotlighting significant impacts to determine the breadth and depth of EIA reports for focussed EIAs,robust EIA review and decision-making,commitment from the regulators for environmental protection,and use of strategic planning,strategic environmental assessment,and tiering practices are expected to address scholars’apprehensions and project proponents’concerns.
