Thread by @yamunajiye

#DemystifyingEIA #Notification Part III
Part I and II dealt with #Evolution & #Purpose. Henceforth it shall be d #Process in a series of separate threads. Today we take up #Site #Clearance.
SITE CLEARANCE
#EIA1994Notification provided for
"The project authorities will intimate+

+ Location of d following project site to d Central Government in d #MoEF while initiating any investigation & surveys:
a. mining;
b. pit-head thermal power stations;
c. hydro-power, major irrigation projects and/or their combination including flood control; +

d. ports and harbours (excluding minor ports);
e. prospecting & exploration of major minerals in areas above 500 hectares;
f. greenfield airports, petrochemical complexes & refineries
The Central Government in d #MoEF will convey a decision regarding suitability +

or otherwise of the proposed site within a maximum period of thirty days.
The said site clearance shall be granted for a sanctioned capacity & shall be valid for a period of five years for commencing d construction, operation or mining".

This critical & important #priorSiteapproval process has been totally dispensed with in both #EIA2006Notification & #DraftEIA2020Notification without any reasoning or justification.
Tho information abt a project site is part of application requirement it no longer leads to +

+ prior site approval or rejection.
This regression in d law is major & has been a cause of much friction & even blood bath when local ppl hv objected & even physically obstructed take over by PP of prime ag lands.
legal #Land #Suitability #Classification (LSC) in d country+

+has been a much felt need but never a politician's priority? While laws like IFA, FCA, WPA, CRZ to cite few hv given protection to land pockets these r poor substitute 4 a proper legally binding LSC.
LSC wud hv helped define Go & No Go areas for different kinds of projects+

+& prevented much controversies & social friction. Eg., with LSC & prior site approval in place in #EIAnotification horrors like CWG2010 village in Yamuna floodplains or usurpation of natural wetlands, mangroves & prime agricultural lands 4 various projects cud hv been avoided.

Prior Site Approval a la #EIA1994Notification deserves to be re-inserted in any new #EIAnotification.
As a matter of fact, it is at d site approval stage that d process of #Public #Consultation shud begin under any new #EIA #notification.
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This is 4 today.

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