Environmental impact assessment (EIA) measures the impact of any construction project on the environment, society and economy. Before we analyse the science behind concerns regarding draft EIA 2020, let me share some main highlights of this notification.
1. Post Facto clearance: this allows any project which has started functioning without clearance, to continue its functioning and environmental clearance may be obtained later after paying a fine.
2. Suo Moto declaration of violation – either the government shall take action, or the violators shall self-surrender. There is no scope for the public to file a complaint.
3. Reduction in response time – the public response time has been reduced from 30 days to 20 days.
4. Extended validity – mining projects validity has been increased from 30 years to 50 years, river valley projects extended to 15 years and other projects 10 years and compliance report needs to be submitted once in 12 months ( at present it is supposed to be submitted once in 6 months) and renew licence.
Now let’s talk science
You must be familiar with reversible and irreversible processes. A process is said to be reversible when it occurs in an infinitesimally small time and the initial and final states are in equilibrium with each other. It is possible to retrace in reverse order without producing any change in surroundings in case of a reversible process. Irreversible processes, on the other hand, cannot be retracted in opposite order by reversing the controlling factors.
Now refer to points 1 and 4 above. If a project has a negative impact on the environment, and it is allowed to function for a long time, it would become impossible to reverse the impacts caused. Also when the compliance period is increased, the risk of environmental damage is also increased. The more time this project continues, the more irreversible damage will be caused in the surrounding. Studies show that it can take up to 4000 years for a forest to regain its native identity.
Despite the prevalence of comparatively more stringent environmental clearance rules right now, the amount of illegal mining and functioning of factories without a license is on a rise. Now try imagining a nation where these laws are diluted in the name of ease of doing business!
Do you think we will be able to reap the fruits of economic development thus obtained? The possible health hazards caused by such mindless development activities is beyond the scope of this article. The doomsday will be closer to us if we continue abusing our natural resources paying no heed to the environment and biodiversity.
We have an opportunity to express our concerns to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Ministry sought comments from the public on this draft. If you have not sent your mail yet, then do it right now. Time is ticking fast. The last date is Aug 11. Send your opinions to eia2020-moefcc@gov.in
References:
(1)http://environmentclearance.nic.in/
(2)NewScientist
(3)Human Rights Watch
(4)DNA
(5)The Hastings Center
(6)Down To Earth
Here is an article about an alternative for mining, please read it –
FARMING METALS: THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE MINING
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