Explain the purpose and projects for which environmental impact assessment (EIA) is undertaken. Which areas should be addressed while preparing EIA report ?

The purpose of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to identify and evaluate the potential impacts (beneficial and adverse) of development and projects on the environmental system. It is a very useful aid for decision making based on understanding of the environment implications including social, cultural and aesthetic concerns which could be integrated with the analysis of the project costs and benefits. The projects which could be the candidates for detailed Environment Impact Assessment include the following:- Those which can significantly alter the landscape, land use pattern and lead to concentration of working and service population; Those which need upstream development activity like assured mineral and forest products supply or downstream industrial process development; Those involving manufacture, handling and use of hazardous materials; Those which are sited near ecologically sensitive areas, urban centers, hill resorts, places of scientific and religious importance; Industrial Estates with constituent units of various types which could cumulatively cause significant environmental damage. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be prepared on the basis of the existing background pollution levels vis-a-vis contributions of pollutants from the proposed plant. The EIA should address some of the basic factors listed below: Meteorology and air quality Ambient levels of pollutants such as Sulphur Dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, suspended particulate matters, should be determined at the center and at 3 other locations on a radius of 10 km with 120 degrees angle between stations. Additional contribution of pollutants at the locations are required to be predicted after taking into account the emission rates of the pollutants from the stacks of the proposed plant, under different meteorological conditions prevailing in the area. Hydrology and water quality Site and its surroundings Occupational safety and health Details of the treatment and disposal of effluents (liquid, air and solid) and the methods of alternative uses Transportation of raw material and details of material handling Control equipment and measures proposed to be adopted. Preparation of Environmental Management Plan is required for formulation, implementation and monitoring of environmental protection measures during and after commissioning of projects.