In the last post we studied about environmental
clearance, and what are the processes involved in obtaining one for your
construction project. I repeat - construction
projects which include construction and town planning projects alone, which
come under item 8 in the schedule. Other than construction projects, there are
several other classifications for projects which need environmental clearance,
like mining, offshore explorations, refinery, metallurgical industries,
fertilizer industry, nuclear power plant, leather industry, chemical industry,
distillery, airports etc and the processes are slightly different for those
when compared to projects under item 8 of the schedule.
As we studied before, the clearance
process starts with submission of a project proposal to the SEIAA. Now, let us
see what constitutes a project proposal.
PROJECT
PROPOSAL
The project proposal
submitted to the SEIAA seeking environmental clearance for construction
projects includes the following.
1. Conceptual
plan
2. Duly
filled up Form -1 as mentioned in the Annexure –I of the notification S.O 1533.
3. Duly
filled up Form – 1A, in case of construction projects, that falls under item-8
as per the notification.
4.
Supporting documents.
CONCEPTUAL
PLAN
All projects do have impact on their environment.
The impacts of a project to its environment is multi dimensional – to the flora
and fauna, the air, water, soil and ecology as a whole, besides other impacts to
the livelihood and the social, cultural and economical life of the natives and
the local community. The aim for making it mandatory for larger projects to
obtain environmental clearance is to reduce the impact and adverse effect it
imparts to the environment.
The conceptual plan is a detailed study
report prepared after an extensive study about the environment where the
project under consideration is proposed to be established. The study is to be
carried out by an accredited agency on behalf of the project proponent. The environmental conditions before the
implementation of the project and expected impact after the project
establishment are studied in detailed.
This would generally include the following activities.
·
Recording the environmental conditions before
the start of the project. This includes analysis of soil, water and air samples
for determining the level of contaminations and chemical composition. Current
level of noise pollution also will be determined.
·
Studying the traffic volume before the project
implementation and estimating the impact of the project on the local traffic
issues.
·
Studying and recording the impact on the
environment due to the following:
- Impact on land environment – due to excavation, cutting of trees, bringing in earth from outside, disposal of excavated earth, disposal of debris and garbage , removal of top soil etc.
- Impact on water environment – due to drawing subsurface water, reduction in water table, disposal of waste water etc.
- Impact on air environment – due to construction debris, smoke, use of diesel generators, volatile organic compounds, chemicals etc.
- Impact on ambient noise level – due to operation of machines during construction and operation stage.
- Impact on flora and fauna: due to removal of trees and top soil.
·
Establishing an Environment management Plan for construction
and operation phases of the project. The Environment management plan includes;
- Waste management plan
- Pollution management plan
- Traffic management plan
- Landscaping and green management plan
- Energy management plan, including utilization of renewable energy resources.
- Water management plan including rainwater harvest, recharge and reuse.
- Disaster and hazard management plan
Form -1 is the basic application form for
environmental clearance. The following details are to be mentioned in the
Form-1 by the applicant.
·
Basic information on the project, including
size, location, name, cost etc of the project.
·
Details about the activities involved during
construction, operation and decommissioning of the project, which will cause
physical changes in the locality.
·
Details of use of natural resources for
construction or operation of the project – like sand, water etc, especially non
renewable.
·
Details of use, storage, transport, handling or
production of substances or materials which are harmful to human health or
environment.
·
Production of solid wastes during construction
or operation or decommissioning.
·
Details about release of any pollutants /
hazardous material to air.
·
Details of generation of noise and vibration and
emission of light and heat.
·
Risk of contamination of land or water from
release of pollutants into the ground or into sewer, surface water, ground
water etc.
·
Risk of accidents during construction or
operation of the project, which could affect human health or the environment.
·
Factors like consequential development that
could lead to environmental effects or the potential for cumulative impacts
with other or planned activities in the locality.
·
Environmental sensitivity of the project.
Form-1A is applicable for only those construction
projects which are listed under item 8 of the schedule.
In this form the proponent is expected to
explain about the project in detail for the relevant queries.
a. Land
environment:
a.
Details about the use of land prior to and after
the development.
b.
List of project requirements including area
statements, water consumption, power requirement, connectivity, community
facilities, parking needs etc.
c.
Impact of the project to the adjacent
structures.
d.
Land disturbance due the construction, like
erosion, subsidence and instability.
e.
Quantities of earth work involved, transport of
fill materials from outside the site.
f.
Details of water supply, waste generation and
handling during the construction period.
g.
Details on how low lying and wetlands are
affected.
h.
Details of construction waste and debris causing
health hazards.
b.
Water Environment
a.
Total water requirement for the project with
breakup, sources of water, Quantity expected from each source and water balance
chart.
b.
Capacity (yield / flow) of source of water.
c.
Quality of water other than municipal supply.
d.
Pollution load from the waste water generated.
e.
Facilities for rain water harvesting.
f.
Impact on runoff characteristics.
g.
Tapping of ground water- water table, recharging
capacity, approvals for taping ground water.
h.
Preventive actions from construction runoff
water polluting the land and aquifers.
i.
Management of storm water within the site.
j.
Sanitary arrangements for construction workers.
k.
Onsite facility for collection, treatment and
safe disposal of sewage.
l.
Details of dual plumbing system.
c.
Vegetation
a.
Influence of the project on the local biodiversity.
b.
Extent of clearing and modification of
vegetation.
c.
Measures to minimize the likely impacts on site
features.
d.
Fauna
a.
Displacement of terrestrial and / or aquatic
fauna, or creation of barriers for their movement.
b.
Direct / indirect impact on avifauna of the
area.
c.
Measures taken to mitigate the adverse impact on
fauna.
e.
Air environment.
a.
Possibility of increased atmospheric
concentration of gases.
b.
Impacts on generation of dust, smoke etc.
c.
Details of parking and impact of increased
traffic volume on the present level of transport infrastructure.
d.
Internal road and movement details.
e.
Traffic noise and vibration.
f.
Impact of sets and other equipments on noise
level and vibration.
f.
Aesthetics
a.
Impact of the project on the view, scenic
amenity or landscape.
b.
Adverse impacts from new construction on the
existing structures.
c.
Local considerations for urban form & urban
design.
d.
Any special / significant features in the
vicinity of the proposed site, including anthropological or archeological
sites.
g.
Socio economic aspects.
a.
Changes to the demographic structure to the
local population.
b.
Existing social infrastructure around the
proposed site.
c.
Impacts to the local communities.
h.
Building materials
a.
Building materials produced with energy
efficient process.
b.
Measures to minimize the impact to the
environment due to the transport and handling of building materials.
c.
Extent of use of recycled materials for
construction.
d.
Processes for collection, segregation and
disposal of garbage generated during the operation phase of the project.
i.
Energy Conservation.
a.
Details of power requirements, source of supply,
backup source etc. Energy consumption per sq.ft of the built up area.
b.
Type and details of power backup.
c.
Characteristics of glass planned to use.
d.
Passive solar architectural features.
e.
Shading effect for heating / cooling
f.
Energy efficient space conditioning, lighting
and mechanical systems.
g.
Thermal characteristics of building envelop,
roof, external walls, fenestration, U and R values of the materials used.
h.
Precautions against fire hazards with emergency
plans.
i.
Rate of air infiltration into the building.
j.
Utilization of non conventional energy
technologies for overall energy consumption.
j.
Environment Management Plan
EMP
consists of all mitigation measures for every activity undertaken during the
construction, operation and the entire life cycle of the project to minimize
the adverse environmental impacts.
ATTACHMENTS
TO THE PROPOSAL
The following attachments also have to be
submitted as part of the project proposal.
1. Site
map
2.
Map showing the surrounding features of the site
within 500m.
3.
Site levels and contours to suitable scales.
4.
Soil test report
5.
Contour map with natural drainage.
6.
Water balance chart.
7.
Physical, chemical biological test results of water.
8.
Dual plumbing system drawings.
9.
List of trees and vegetations affected by the
project.
10.
Traffic management plan.
11.
Layout plan in suitable scale showing landscape
drawing with details of tree plantation, water bodies etc.
12.
Background air quality levels.
13. Details
of energy conservation measures.
Next:
What is Environmental Impact Assessment?