What is EIA 2020?-Simplified and detailed explanation

Recently we came across many hashtags like #scrapeia2020,#withdraweia2020 and so on. We also saw many public figures and celebrities raising voice against these issues and many meme pages created awareness by posting about this issue. 

But,

• Are you aware of it? 
• Are you aware of the happenings in our country? 
• Why is EIA2020 dangerous?
• Why it should be prohibited?

 You will get to know about all these at the end of this article. 

Economic growth is important and so our natural resources like soil,water,minerals,air and forest. But just like we ignore our health and safety while doing something we love ,we tend to ignore the damaging effects of the environment on the road to development.

The balance between environmental protection and economic growth is crucial that is where MoEFCC(Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climatic Change) has to ensure all the infrastructure and development projects have to be undertaken without compromising environmental safety.

MoFCC is like a safety net to enivronment. MoFCC ensure that to start a new project,the project proponent has to take an EIA. The EIA needs to be done before the project begins to evaluate the environment impact of the project.Only if the committee of MoFCC is convinced that there are no adverse impacts caused by the project,an environment clearance is given.

EIA process is important because it is the only process which prioritizes environmental safety.Normal citizens can ask questions about the need of the project.In this process,the project can be rejected on precautionary grounds.

 The values that are fundamental to the EIA Process are:

•  Sustainability
•  Equity 
•  Environmental Justice
•  Transparency
•  Accountability

 It is these values that makes the EIA meaningful.And now we have a new draft notification for EIA. It states that its purpose is to impose certain prohibitions on new developmental projects so as to make the process more transparent but does it?

1.  The project categories have been changed so that a significant number of new developmental projects will completely escape environmental clearance process. 
2.  Cumulative Impact Assessment has been made non-mandatory. 
3. As per the existing practice,the expert appraisal committee can ask for additional studies so as to understand the nuances of environmental impact.Such additional studies have been explicitly discouraged. 
4. The EAC members themselves could have conflict of interest.However these members would be mostly technocrats,project proponents from previous projects, but not having any environmental credential.Imagine how much faith you would have in a sexual harassment committee if it had no women on it.
5.  Additionally,public consultation can be cancelled owing to the local situation. For example,if people are protesting against proposed project,it can be used as a reason to cancel the project.Remember our Thanjavur Methane Protest,Thoothukudi Sterlite Protest.That right is being taken from us. 
6. EC granted once cannot be revoked even in case of future violation.
7. If there is violation of the EC process,and the affected people reported,its cognizance might not be taken.
8.  To top it all,MoFCC is willing to give Post facto clearance in interest of environment. 

Imagine how much adverse damages will be caused to our society if all those stated above are implemented. EIA is just like a super-boon to our environment. It should never be withdrawn.Never and ever.So friends,Please raise your voice against EIA 2020 draft before its too late.It is time to do a small favour to our country.

Click here to send your petition

Cheers

Baru:)