Thread by @yamunajiye

#Demystifying #EIANotification Part III (Cont)
Today we tk up #Public #Consultation.

There was a time when development of an area meant setting up of a 'factory'. But not anymore. PPl hv experienced that a 'factory' may not mean good jobs 4 locals. It often means diversion of

local resources like land, water, forests etc; diversion or damming of streams; mining of hills and forests; pollution of air, lands and water; Cases of new or increase in diseases; growth of mafias and crime etc.

It is also known that d State does not own nature or+

natural resources, but holds it in #trust on behalf of #Public.
Also any project/activity planned by State or Pvt entity must primarily b in Public Interest. Even a privately planned project cannot be against #Public #Interest.

The env impact of a project/activity may not+

+ b only local but regional & even beyond and hence environment impact stakeholders r not just d immediately affected ppl but others too.
Thus
a) #PublicVoice must b included, heard and respected while any project/activity anywhere in d land is planned

b) This exercise must be up front at a time & stage when #PublicVoice can influence d outcome & not merely as a formality to b gone through
c) #Public #Consultation or #Views must be encouraged & considered at any stage prior to arriving at a final decision

#EIA1994Notification provided for report of #PublicHearing to be part of initial project application process. It was to b facilitated by d concerned State Pollution Control Boards / Agencies in d manner prescribed. It was required 4 most projects/activities with few exceptions

#EIA2006Notification renamed it as #PublicConsultation and provided that d Public Consultation shall ordinarily have two components comprising of
a) a public hearing at the site or in its close proximity- district wise, to be carried out in d manner prescribed for ascertaining+

concerns of local affected persons;
b) obtain responses in writing from other concerned persons having a plausible stake in d environmental aspects of d project or activity.
State Pollution Control bodies were to facilitate both.
This was a welcome & forward looking step.

Key issues with #PublicConsultation as provided r
a) It kicks in after d #draftEIAReport has already been prepared by d #Consultant hired by d #Project #Proponent (PP)
b) It is meant to help d PP prepare d final EIA Report for submission for appraisal

c) It is thus limited to only projects/activities that require a #EIA #Report to be prepared, which are category A and B1 projects & hence leave out B2 projects/activities on which ppl may hv things to comment/suggest.

Often these are B2 projects/activities which r numerous+

& impact d lives & well being of local ppl and their environment. Eg., includes mining, small & medium enterprises & Building & Construction projects & Area development projects, which divert lands, utilise water & other local resources & pollute air, land & water.

There is also a question of d manner in which #Public #Hearing is often reportedly conducted in an atmosphere of fear & partisanship, with d PP in d driver seat & often supported by State machinery like d Police turning it into a farce of soliciting public opinion 4 if this

becomes necessary due to opposition from local ppl to d project site or its polluting nature then so be it.
Isn't #Public #Consultation a means to capture #PublicVoice for or against a project?
Such a situation often arises due to d wrong manner & stage of public consultation.

Hence d whole issue of #Public #Consultation both in #EIA2006Notification & #DraftEIA2020 needs a thorough review & modification.

Lot of conflict issues can also be addressed by
a) Designating Land Suitability Status so that areas r specifically called Go & No Go for certain

Projects/Activities
b) Information about an upcoming/planned project/activity at a site is announced appropriately & well in time
c) Comments/suggestions r invited at any stage of d project
d) EIA is conducted by a neutral, professional & independent (of PP) agency in a

transparent and participatory manner.

@moefcc @water_conflicts @Watervagabond @Neha429 @ShripadManthan @avli_verma @lifeindia2016 @BhavreenMK @AdityaDubey2003 @AmanBanka00 @sidagarwal @Indian_Rivers @ManshiAsher @MallikaBG @nuts2406 @kanchikohli @nehaa_sinha @amitangshu