UNIT 16

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT: METHODS AND
TECHNIQUES
Structure
16.1 Introduction 16.6 Methods and Techniques of
Expected Learning Outcomes EIA
16.2 Meaning, Objectives and Criteria for the Selection of EIA
Scope of Environmental Methodology
Impact Assessment (EIA) EIA Methods
Meaning of EIA 16.7 A Case Study of an EIA: The
Objective of EIA DMRC Project
Scope of EIA 16.8 Summary
16.3 Principles of EIA 16.9 Terminal Questions
16.4 Concepts and Approaches of 16.10 Answers
EIA 16.11 References and Suggested
16.5 Historical Background of EIA Further Reading

16.1 INTRODUCTION
In an age where sustainable development and environmental conservation are
at the forefront of global concerns, understanding and applying Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) is of paramount importance. This unit explores the
fundamentals of EIA, giving a basis for understanding the procedures and
approaches used. Before starting this journey, it is imperative to have an
understanding on what is EIA, why it is important, and how it has developed
into a vital tool for evaluating and mitigating possible effects of development
projects on environment.
Section 16.2 deals with the meaning, objectives and scope of EIA. Section
16.3, discusses the principles that underpin EIA. Section 16.4 explores the
concepts and approaches integral to EIA, setting the stage for a broader
understanding of the methods and techniques to be discussed in Section 16.6.
This unit also delves into the historical aspects of EIA, both globally and within
the Indian context in Section 16.5. Concluding Section i.e. Section 16.7
presents a case study on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) project,
showcasing how EIA is applied in real-world situations.
305
Netranand Sahu
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………
Expected Learning Outcomes
After studying this unit, you should be able to
 State the meaning, scope, and objectives of an EIA;
 Describe the principles of EIA;
 Explain the concepts and approaches of EIA;
 Describe the historical background of EIA;
 Analyse various methods and techniques used for the EIA; and
 Discuss the environmental Impact of DMRC Project as a case study.

16.2 MEANING, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Before the detailed discussion on concept, approaches, principles and
methods, you should have an idea about meaning, scope and objectives of an
EIA. This would help you in developing clarity for understanding of different
facets of EIA. In this section, let us have a brief discussion meaning, scope
and objectives of an EIA.

16.2.1 Meaning of EIA

An EIA is commonly described as an assessment of the impact of planned
activities/projects on the environment, including impacts on the natural world,
flora and fauna, water, and air, etc. An EIA can be seen as a process of
identifying, predicting, and evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a
proposed project or development to define mitigation actions not only to
reduce negative impacts but also to provide positive contributions to the
natural environment and well-being.

The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines EIA as

"Environmental Impact Assessment is the process of identifying, predicting,
evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of
development proposals before major decisions are taken and commitments
made."

Table 16.1: Understanding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

What is an EIA? An EIA is a systematic process that assesses the
anticipated positive and negative consequences of a
proposed project or activity on the environment. It can be
defined as (i) a process, (ii) a decision-making tool, (iii) a
part of project planning, and (iv) a way of addressing
environmental concerns.
Why EIA is Human development, like infrastructure and tourism
important? projects, affects the environment and well-being. Large-
scale developments, such as mines, hotels, and dams, can
harm the environment through deforestation, water use,
habitat loss, and resettlement. Predicting such impacts is
crucial as the human population grows and resources
dwindle, emphasizing the need for high-quality EIAs.

306
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
What is the The EIA results in an environmental statement or report,
outcome of an which guides decision makers while granting project
EIA? licenses. It must be based on precise and comprehensive
data considering various impacts. Decision makers use it to
approve, request changes, or reject projects. EIAs also
enhance development standards, protect sensitive areas,
and propose mitigation measures, potentially boosting local
economy and sustainability.
What is An EIA evaluates a project in all its phases and encourages
important in an public and stakeholder’s views and inputs. EIA must
EIA? enhance the project design with environmental and
socioeconomic considerations. It requires reliable data,
accepted methods, and understandable language. The
process continues after licensing, necessitating adherence
to approved practices and ongoing monitoring during the
project's life.
What In addition to EIAs, there are other environmental
assessments assessments used to identify and mitigate project impacts:
are related to Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) analyse
EIA? environmental and health effects before EIAs, determining
their scope and public involvement.
Integrated Environmental Assessments (IEAs) provide
policy-relevant information on interactions between the
environment and human activities.
Public participation is crucial in SEAs, while IEAs focus on
future-oriented, policy-related data.

After studying the meaning of EIA, let us have a brief discussion on objectives
of EIA.

16.2.2 Objective of EIA

Objectives of an EIA is to thoroughly understand and assess a proposed
project. This includes recognizing its potential impacts on the environment,
problem of emissions, harm to nature, cultural heritages and landscape.
Based on this assessment, it aims to propose effective mitigation measures,
evaluate any side effects, and ensure that environmental impacts are
controlled and monitored throughout the project's life cycle.

Some of the major objectives of EIA are as follows:

 To ensure that environmental considerations are explicitly addressed and

incorporated into the development and decision-making process.

 To anticipate and minimize the adverse environmental effects of

development proposals.

 To protect the productivity and capacity of natural systems and the

ecological processes which maintain their functions.

 To promote development that is sustainable and optimizes resource use.

307
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………
16.2.3 Scope of EIA
The scope of an EIA varies depending on the specific project based on its
location and applicable legal restrictions. The objective is to carry out a
comprehensive analysis that offers insight into the project's environmental
impacts, enabling informed and accountable decision-making. An EIA helps in
understanding the following aspects:

1. Project Description: A detailed description of the proposed project's

goals, magnitude, surroundings, and operating phases.
2. Assessment and Identification of Potential Consequences: The
project's potential environmental, social, and economic consequences on
the environment are evaluated and identified.
3. Impact Assessment: This step analyses the significance of these
prospective impacts, both positive and negative, as well as their short and
long-term repercussions.
4. Mitigation Measures: Outlining plans to lessen the negative effects and
strengthen the favourable ones. This could include suggestions for new
technology, adjustments to the design, or management procedures.
5. Alternative Analysis: Analysing different project designs, locations, or
technology to find options with lower environmental implications.
6. Public Participation: Participation of members of the public and other
interested parties in the decision-making process by offering them
chances to offer suggestions, receive feedback, and consultation.
7. Assessment of Cumulative Effects: Examining how the proposed
project would affect other nearby projects that are already underway or
being planned.
8. Monitoring and Compliance: Creating strategies for continuous
observation and follow-up to make sure the project abides by the rules
and specifications during its entire life cycle.
9. Reporting: Creating an extensive EIA report that includes conclusions,
suggestions, and an overview of the evaluation procedure. Regulatory
authorities usually receive this report.
10. Support for Decision-Making: Giving decision-makers the data they
need to decide whether to approve, amend, or reject the project.
11. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that local, national, and
international environmental laws and standards are adhered to throughout
the EIA process.

SAQ 1
a. What is the purpose of an EIA?
b. State the objectives of an EIA.
c. Name the two factors on which scope of an EIA depends.

308
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
16.3 PRINCIPLES OF EIA
A number of fundamental principles form the basis of the EIA procedure.
These principles aid in making sure that the evaluation is comprehensive and
objective, and takes into account any potential negative effects that proposed
initiatives could have on the environment and society. EIA Principles can be
divided into two categories: (i) Basic Principles, and (ii) Operating Principles

(i) Basic Principles

The Basic Principles are essential for all stages of EIA and even for Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) of policies, plans, and programs. It is crucial
to find a balanced approach when using these principles to make sure that
environmental impact assessments meet international standards and serve
their purpose effectively. The following are commonly acknowledged as core
principles of EIA:

1. Systematic and Comprehensive Evaluation: EIA should be a

systematic and comprehensive process that assesses all possible
environmental and social impacts of a project. It should include a wide
range of factors like from social and cultural aspects to air and water
quality etc.
2. Early Integration: To identify and resolve possible consequences as part
of project design and development, EIA should be incorporated into
project planning and decision-making processes from the very beginning.
3. Transparency and Public Participation: EIA should be a transparent
process, and the public should have opportunities to provide input,
express concerns, and access information related to the assessment.
Public participation enhances the quality and legitimacy of the
assessment.
4. Enforceable EIA Recommendations: The EIA's recommendations must
be reasonable, doable, and efficient, with a clear explanation of who is
responsible for carrying out the suggested mitigation strategies.
5. Alternative Assessment: An evaluation of the project's alternatives,
including the "do-nothing" or "no-action" alternative, should be conducted
to determine which would have the least negative effects on the
environment and society.
6. Cumulative Effects Assessment: EIA should take into account the
combined effects of several projects in the same area or ecosystem in
addition to evaluating the consequences of each project separately.
7. Adaptive Management: EIA should be seen as an ongoing process
where monitoring and feedback mechanisms are in place to adapt and
improve project management as new information becomes available.
8. Multidisciplinary Approach: To offer a comprehensive assessment of
the project's implications, specialists from a variety of fields including
ecology, hydrology, sociology are frequently included in EIAs.

309
Block - 5
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………… Environmental Policies and Management

9. Independent Review: To maintain impartiality and credibility, it may

occasionally be necessary to conduct an independent evaluation of the
EIA procedure and results.
10. Predictive in Nature: The purpose of an EIA is to forecast possible future
effects of a project. It entails estimating the state of affairs both with and
without the project.

(ii) Operating Principles

The EIA operating principles should be applied to the proposed activities

before the decision-making phase of the entire life cycle of the proposed
activity. These principles should also be applied to projects which are likely to
have potentially adverse effects. The following are the main operating
principles of EIA:

1. Screening: This is the initial stage in deciding whether or not an EIA is

necessary for a proposal, and if so, what degree of EIA is needed. If not, it
offers a chance to investigate and determine potential substitutes for
accomplishing the objectives of the plan.
2. Scoping: The scoping phase identifies and further examines the key
concerns that are likely to have negative consequences.
3. Impact Analysis: The analysis stage assesses the proposed project's
potential effects on the environment and socioeconomic situation and
determines its importance.
4. Mitigation and Impact Management: During this phase, actions are
promoted to mitigate and prevent the negative environmental effects of
planned development projects, and protocols for the environmental impact
management plan are established.
5. Evaluation of Significance: This stage of EIA determines the relative
significance and eligibility of impacts that cannot be mitigated.
6. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Report: This is an important
EIA step where, following evaluation, objective information about the
proposal's impacts, established mitigation measures, community input, and
associated public input is documented in the form of a report, presented to
the decision-making authorities, and made public.
7. Review of EIA: The review step assesses the report's effectiveness and
adequacy in meeting the terms of reference required for decision-making.
8. Follow-up: This stage confirms that the planned project is operating within
legal guidelines and implementing the mitigation measures outlined in the
EIA report into practice, once it has been put into commission.

SAQ 2
What is screening in EIA.

310
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
16.4 CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES OF EIA
According to the 1991 UN convention, EIA is defined as “a procedure for
evaluating the likely impact of the proposed activity on the environment”. When
conducting an EIA, the environment is viewed as a composite of various
elements, including the physical environment (geology, terrain, climate, water,
and air), the biological environment (terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, rare
and endangered species, sensitive habitats, and significant natural areas), and
the socio-cultural environment (population, land use, development activities,
goods and services, public health, recreation, cultural heritage, customs.)

The results brought on by environmental changes are referred to as the

"impact" in this context. For instance, the impact of an increase in air pollution
brought on by the start of a new project is defined as the negative effects of air
pollution on human health, plant and animal life, and other ecosystem
components.

EIA's main goal is to advance environmentally sound solutions that are also
commercially feasible and socially beneficial. EIAs are unique in that they do
not predetermine compliance with a certain environmental outcome. Instead,
they put the bonus on decision-makers to make ecologically responsible
decisions and to support them with evidence from a thorough analysis of the
environment and input from the public on any potential negative environmental
effects of a plan. In order to maintain public safety, procedural independence,
and impartiality in balancing environmental and developmental needs, a good
EIA process should involve public engagement in decision-making.

The importance of EIA as a key instrument in the effort to achieve

environmental sustainability was emphasized by the Brundtland Commission.
Highlighting the considerable environmental risks and potential repercussions
connected to development initiatives, it plays a critical part in influencing
decision-making processes. EIA furthers the main objective of achieving
sustainable development by ensuring that development projects do not
adversely affect vital resource and ecological functions, as well as the standard
of living and way of life of the communities and people that depend on them.

Approaches of EIA
EIA broadly focuses on the following approaches:
1. Aid for Decision-Making
EIA provides thorough and unbiased insights into the possible environmental
effects of various activities, assisting decision-makers. EIA assesses the
potential effects on a range of environmental parameters, such as ecosystems,
biodiversity, the quality of the air and water, and socio-cultural components.
Instead of prescribing a preset result, EIA provides a framework for evaluating
different possibilities and the environmental risks and benefits they may carry.

2. Formulation of Development Actions

EIA acts as a tool in the creation of development strategies by offering
insightful information about the probable environmental effects of planned
projects or activities.

311
Block - 5
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………… Environmental Policies and Management

It helps in identifying and assessing numerous project alternatives, enabling

decision-makers to select ecologically sustainable solutions. This method
takes into account things like resource management, land usage, and
potential ecological implications.

3. Stakeholder’s Consultation and Participation

EIA provides a crucial forum for stakeholder input and involvement in the
decision-making process for proposed projects or activities. It promotes
interaction and cooperation between diverse groups, including local
communities, interest groups, and the general public. The same is achieved
by information dissemination, public hearings and consultations, tools for
alternative assessments, conflict resolution, etc.

4. Instrument for Sustainable Development

By encouraging a fair and responsible approach to economic, social, and
environmental factors, EIA serves as a critical tool for sustainable
development. EIA supports sustainable development through holistic
assessment, alternative identification, public participation, environmental
protection, etc. EIA essentially guarantees that development activities follow
sustainable development principles by including environmental and social
factors into decision-making.

SAQ 3
Name the four approaches of EIA.

16.5 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF EIA

EIA has a long history that can be traced back to the middle of the 20th
century, when worries about the environmental impacts of rapid
industrialization and growth, first surfaced. The creation of EIA under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), in 1969 was a pioneering
American endeavour. The NEPA was passed into law in 1969 signalling the
official start of the EIA as a regulatory mechanism.

The Rio Earth Summit, which took place in 1992, highlighted the value of EIA
in sustainable development. International accords like the Aarhus Convention
and the Espoo Convention, which support public involvement in environmental
decision-making, helped EIA become a regular practice in the majority of
nations over the 20th and 21st centuries.

EIA in India
In India, the EIA process is actively carried out by the Ministry of Environment
and Forests (MoEF). The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), the Water Act
(1974), the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981), and the
Environment (Protection) Act (1986) are important laws that oversee
environmental protection. The Central Pollution Control Board is the
responsible body overseeing these regulations.

312
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
EIA Notification, 1994
The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 in Schedule 1
prescribed EIA procedures based on the quantum of impact on the
environment by different projects and activities which include nuclear power
projects, river valley projects, ports, harbours, airports, petroleum refineries
including crude and product pipelines, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.

2006 Amendment to the EIA Notification

The EIA notification, 2006 lists categories A and B consisting of different
projects or activities requiring prior environmental clearance based on the
scope of potential impacts, potential effects on human health, and potential
impacts on natural and artificial resources. The following table shows the
examples of projects under category A and B.

Table 16.2: Showing the projects under Category A and B

Project or Activity Category A Category B
Mining of minerals ≥ 50 hectares of mining 5 to 50 ha. of mining lease
lease area in respect of area in respect of non-coal
non-coal mine lease. mine lease.
River valley projects ≥ 50 MW hydroelectric 25 to 50 MW hydroelectric
power generation. power generation.
Cement plants ≥ 1.0 million <1.0 million tonnes/annum
tonnes/annum production production capacity.
capacity.
Chemical fertilizers All projects except Single Single Super Phosphate.
Super Phosphate.
Highways New National Highways. All State Highway Projects.
Chlor-alkali industry ≥ 300 TPD production All projects irrespective of
Capacity or a unit located the size, if located in a
outside the notified Notified Industrial Area/
industrial area/ estate. Estate.
Leather/skin/hide New projects outside the All new or expansion of
processing industry industrial area or projects located within a
expansion of existing units notified industrial area/
outside the industrial area. estate.
Coal washeries ≥ 1 million ton/annum < 1 million ton/annum
throughput of coal. throughput of coal.

All Projects such as Offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration, development
& production, Nuclear power projects and processing of nuclear fuel, Petroleum
refining industry, Asbestos milling and asbestos-based products, Soda ash
Industry, Petro-chemical complexes (industries based on the processing of
petroleum fractions & natural gas and/or reforming to aromatics), Oil & gas
transportation pipeline, ship breaking yards, irrespective of their size and
production capabilities have to obtain prior environmental clearance.

SAQ 4
Name the two conventions which support public involvement in Environmental
decision making.
313
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………
16.6 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN EIA
An EIA is a tool of environmental management that is used for newly planned
activities that have noticeable negative impacts on the natural environment
and are based on the permission of the concerned governmental authority.

The methodology of EIA serves as the structured approach by which these

assessments are conducted. EIA methodologies encompass a range of tools
and techniques designed to identify, predict, and assess the environmental
consequences of a project, ensuring that informed decisions can be made to
balance development with environmental protection.

16.6.1 Criteria for the Selection of EIA Methodology

Every approach of evaluating the environmental effects of development
projects has pros and cons, and the analyst's decision and judgement play a
major role in determining which approach is best for a given situation.
However, there are some standard procedures for reaching this decision, and
they are listed below under the main sections pertaining to the evaluation
procedure.

(i) General

a) Simplicity: The approach should be straightforward so that someone with

less previous knowledge may easily understand and implement it.
b) Manpower, time, and budget constraints: The approach needs to be
implemented by a small team working under time and financial restrictions.
c) Flexibility: To accommodate any necessary adjustments and changes
throughout the investigation, the approach should be sufficiently flexible.

(ii) Impact Identification

a) Comprehensiveness: To support appropriate decision-making, the

approach should be broad enough to include all viable options and
alternatives and provide adequate information about them.
b) Specificity: The methodology should identify specific parameters on which
there would be significant impacts.
c) Isolation of project impacts: The technique should include suggestions
on how to separate project impacts from upcoming environmental changes
brought on by other factors.
d) Timing and duration: The approach should be able to precisely pinpoint
the location and magnitude of the impacts, on a temporal scale.

(iii) Impact Measurement

a) Commensurate units: To compare alternatives and criteria, the technique

should have an equivalent set of units.
b) Explicit indicators: To classify impacts on pertinent environmental factors,
the technique needs to propose quantifiable and precise indicators.

314
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
c) Measures Changes: The technique should provide for the measurement of
impact magnitude as distinct from impact significance.
d) Objective criteria: The technique should be based on objective criteria
and the criteria should be stated explicitly.

(iv) Impact Interpretation and Evaluation

a) Significance: The technique needs to have the ability to evaluate the

importance of measurable effects at the local, regional, and national levels.
b) Uncertainty: The methodology should accommodate a degree of
uncertainty. It should identify impacts that have a low probability of
occurrence but a high potential for damage and loss.
c) Replicability: Analysis can be replicated by other EIA practitioners.
d) Aggregation: The approach needs to have the capacity to aggregate huge
amounts of information and raw data.
e) Depth of Analysis: The conclusions derived from the methodology should
be able to provide sufficient depth of analysis and in still confidence in the
users, including the general public.
f) Alternative Comparison: It should include a thorough and in-depth
evaluation of all the readily accessible options for the project under study.
g) The Portrayal of “with” and “without” Situations: The technique used
should effectively demonstrate the state of the environment with and
without the project.

(v) Impact Communication

a) Affected Parties: The methodology should provide a mechanism for

linking impacts to specific affected geographical or social groups.
b) Setting Description: It should provide a description of the project setting to
aid the users in developing an adequately comprehensive overall
perspective.
c) Key Issues: It should provide a framework for emphasizing the main
problems and effects found in the analysis.
d) Summary Format: The impact analysis findings should be presented in a
way that will provide users, who may be anybody from members of the
general public to decision-makers, enough information to comprehend it
and feel confident in its assessment.
e) Compliance: The ability of a methodology to adhere to the terms of
reference set by the regulating agency is one of the most crucial
considerations in methodology selection.

16.6.2 EIA Methods

There is not a single environmental impact assessment approach that can
meet all the requirements. To perform an EIA, a variety of approaches and
procedures are available. Depending on the need and goal, we must select an
appropriate approach. The following are the main methods of EIA with their
advantages and disadvantages:
315
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………
(A) Ad hoc Method

This approach is straightforward and relies on a wide range of environmental

factors. This method proves to be quite beneficial in situations when there is a
time constraint and insufficient scientific data. In such a scenario, the
background, knowledge, and experience of professionals are the only factors
that influence an EIA. This approach takes into account the type of impact the
short-term or long-term, reversible or irreversible each environmental domain,
such as air and water, and treats them separately.

Table 16.3: Example of Ad hoc Method

Key Area of the Criteria L denotes criteria completely
Assessment satisfied, P denotes criteria
Process partially satisfied, N denotes
criteria not satisfied
Cost / Time 1. Expertise requirements L
Effectiveness 2. Data requirements L
Criteria 3. Time requirement L
4. Flexibility L
5. Personnel level of effort P
Impact 6. Comprehensiveness N
Identification 7. Indicator based N
8. Discriminative N
9. Time dimension N
10. Spatial dimension N
Impact 11. Commensurate N
Measurement 12. Quantitative N
13. Measures changes N
14. Objective N
Impact 15. Credibility P
Assessment 16. Replicability N

Advantages:
1. Simple and easy to understand.
2. The experts of respective areas guide EIA.
3. Overall environmental components are enlisted.

Disadvantages:
1. It requires an expert person.
2. The identification and prediction of short and long-term impacts are poor
because it is examined on a guess basis.
3. It provides minimal guidance for impact analysis while suggesting
subjective areas of impact.
4. Not good for organizing, reviewing, and interpreting data.

(B) Checklist Method

In comparison to ad hoc techniques, checklists are more detailed listings of

the biophysical, social, and economic elements that are likely to be impacted
by a development project. The methods used in checklists vary from highly

316
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
organized approaches that enumerate environmental aspects, assigning
weights to them based on their relevance, and using scaling techniques to
calculate the effects of each choice on each factor. There are four types of
checklists:

a) Simple Checklist: A simple checklist consists simple list of environmental

parameters and no information is needed on the magnitude or importance
of impacts. The checklist can recognize resource/environmental
components, which are affected by particular activities.

Table 16.4: Example of Simple Checklist

Potential Impact of Construction Activities

Resources Site Earth Lay Import Cumulative
Clearance Moving Foundations Materials Impacts
Air Quality ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Water Quality ✓ ✓
Landscape ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Ecology ✓
Noise ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Traffic ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

b) Descriptive Checklist: A descriptive checklist is an extension of simple

checklists and adds background information on each aspect. It also
includes guidelines on the measurement of parameters. A simple checklist
consists of only aspects, whereas a descriptive checklist gives both aspect
and background information.

Table 16.5: Example of Descriptive Checklist

Resource Past Present Future Future Cumulative
Activities Impact Activities Impact Impact
Groundwat Contaminati Contaminati Excavation Contaminati Contaminati
er on from on from of the site on from on exceeds
industrial surface would surface standards
use water result in the water
percolation mobilization percolation
of
contaminan
ts
Air Quality No Emissions Additional Emissions Combined
significant from existing emissions from existing emissions of
impact from power power two power
emissions stations stations stations
within within results result
standards standards in a
significant
impact

317
Block - 5
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………… Environmental Policies and Management

c) Scaling Checklist: Scaling checklists are similar to the descriptive

checklist with additional information on subjective scaling of the impacts on
the environmental parameters.

Table 16.6: Example of Scaling Checklist

Factors Beneficial Impact Adverse Impact
1 2 3 1 2 3
Habitat Quality
Species
Size/Abundance
Duration
Magnitude
1=Low, 2=Medium, 3=High

(C) Matrix Method

Matrices, which resemble grids of tables, are used to show how project
activities and environmental factors interact. Metrices are "two-dimensional"
lists that additionally indicate the "magnitude" of possible effects, whereas
checklists are "one-dimensional" lists of prospective impacts that indicate
whether an impact will occur or not. Matrices are thus checklists of a higher
dimension and contain more information than the checklists. Matrices are the
most commonly used method of impact identification in EIA.

Table 16.7: Example of Matrix Method

Activities and potential impacts
Potential receptors of Construction Operation Post-operation
impact phase phase/ongoing/Decommissioning
site phase
maintenance
Water Surface water
hydrology &
channel
morphology
Surface water
quality
Groundwater
hydrology
Groundwater
quality
Land Landscape
Soils
Geology
Air Local air quality
Regional/ global
air quality
Flora & Aquatic ecology
fauna Terrestrial
ecology
Human Social-economics
318
 Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
environment Health and
Safety
Amenity
Nuisance
Architectural and
archeological
heritage

Advantages:
1. Visually describes the relationship between two sets of factors.
2. Expanded or contracted to meet the needs of the proposal being assessed.
3. Identify impacts of different phases of the project, construction, operation,
and so on.
4. Help separate site-specific impacts from impacts affecting the region.

Disadvantages:
1. Does not explicitly represent spatial or temporal considerations.
2. They do not adequately address synergistic impacts.

(D) Network Method

Networks are able to detect and include management and mitigation

strategies in the project planning phases because they can recognize higher-
order effects, direct and indirect effects, and interactions between impacts.
Though they are less useful while taking into account social, human, and
aesthetic factors, they are appropriate for communicating ecological
implications.

Advantages:
1. It helps to describe the linkages, providing some indication of how an
ecosystem operates.
2. Different levels of information can be displayed in a network diagram. The
“holistic" characteristic approach of a network is to recognize a series of
impacts that may be activated by a single project action.

Disadvantages:
1. A network may be a generalization of reality unless relationships between
individual ecosystem components are adequately understood.
2. Networks cannot describe temporal aspects of ecosystem dynamics.

(E) Map Overlay Method

The overlay method was developed by Shopley and Fuggle (1984) and
McHarg (1969). It is based on a set of transparent maps. Each map
represents the spatial distribution of an environmental characteristic. The set
of transparent maps has information about the physical, social, ecological, and
aesthetic characteristics of the project area and after overlapping, it produces
a composite characteristic of the regional environment.

319
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………

Fig.16.1: Map Overlay Method.

Advantages:
1. Overlay mapping is a simple technique to display impact areas.
2. The intensity of impacts can be presented by colour shading.
3. Effective visual aid.
4. Useful for documentation of environmental conditions before and after
project implementation.
5. May describe both biophysical and social aspects of the area under study.

Disadvantages:
1. Maps tend to oversimplify the impacts.
2. Specific interrelationships between environmental factors are not readily
obtainable.
3. Although in this method it is possible to depict "before" and "after"
conditions, it cannot describe ecosystem dynamics through time.

SAQ 5
Name the five major criteria for the selection of EIA methodologies.

16.7 A CASE STUDY OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA): THE DMRC
PROJECT
Delhi, with its rich historical heritage dating back to the 6th century BC, has
evolved into the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. This enormous
conurbation includes not only the National Capital Territory of Delhi but also
parts of the surrounding states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Delhi is the second-largest metropolis in India by both land and population,
and it is the eighth-most populous city in the world.

320
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
Delhi is currently facing issues from population increase and traffic congestion.
It developed the Delhi Metro, a highly effective public transportation system, in
response to the city's expanding population and its transit needs. The DMRC
project is now an essential part of the city's infrastructure, addressing the
problems caused by urbanization and traffic congestion through ongoing
modernization and development.

Fig.16.2: Extensive network of Metro in Delhi-NCR evolved through the

four phases of the development.
(Source: https://www.delhimetrorail.com)

With a total length of 393 km, divided among 12 lines, and 288 stations
served, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has a sizable network. The
city's transportation system is fundamentally dependent on this huge network.

Environmental Clearance not required for DMRC: The Ministry of

Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India's
notification of September 14, 2006, and the amendment of December 1, 2009,
listed the projects that need environmental approval. According to this
notification, the DMRC project does not need environmental clearance from
the MoEFCC.

Need for DMRC: The increasing number of vehicles in the city prompted the
development of the Delhi Metro (DMRC). Nearly 12 million automobiles were
registered in Delhi in 2020, more than doubling in ten years.

Construction of the metro started gradually, with the inaugural service debuting
in December 2002. Phase IV is now in progress. By accommodating the
estimated growth of 1.38 million daily passengers by 2041, the expansion will
greatly reduce traffic congestion.

321
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………

Fig.16.3: Shows the distance and Fig.16.4: The metro ticket,

stations covered in each phase of the congratulating the passenger for
development of the DMRC Project. helping in reducing CO2 emission.

Delhi Metro is an example of environmental protection, cutting down on

pollutants like particulate matter, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon
monoxide. It is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by 139,665 tonnes by
2041.

Because of these initiatives, Delhi Metro gained international recognition and

became the first rail system in history to be able to claim carbon credits for
regenerative braking. By reducing pollution by 0.63 million tonnes a year, this
initiative aids in the worldwide fight against climate change. As a result, several
large Indian cities are developing their metro systems in a similar manner in
order to improve connectivity and promote sustainable urban growth.

One mature tree absorbs approximately 15–18 tonne CO2 / year & one
litre diesel/petrol produces 2.62/2.4 kg of CO2.

Cost Benefit Analysis of DMRC: Delhi Metro runs on electricity and does not
release any dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, or CO2,
which are bad for the environment and humans alike, it is considered
environmentally friendly.

322
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
Environmental Impacts of DMRC Project

Negative Impacts Positive Impacts Social Impacts

 Impacts due to Project  Employment  Loss of Land

Location Opportunities  Loss of Residential
(Land use change, Tree  Enhancement of and Commercial
Loss, Drainage problem) Economy Structures
 Impacts due to Project  Mobility  Loss of Livelihood
Design
 Safety  Loss of Common
(Platform inlets/outlets,
 Traffic Congestion Property Resources
Ventilation and lighting,
Reduction  Loss of Public Utility
Seismological factors)
 Impacts due to
 Reduced Fuel Structures

Construction
Consumption  Mobility in the
(Pollution, health risk at  Reduced Air Project Area
construction site, Traffic Pollution  Rehabilitation and
diversion, increased  Reduction in Number Resettlement
water demand) of Buses
 Impacts due to Project  Saving in Road
Construction Infrastructure
(Noise Pollution, Water
supply and Sanitation,
Pedestrianisation)

Fig.16.5: Environmental Impacts of the DMRC Project.

The city's growing fleet of cars, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, taxis, and

buses, the Metro reduces the number of vehicles on the road. A bus in Delhi
can accommodate 80 passengers. Therefore, eight hundred passengers can
be carried by ten buses, which is the same as eight hundred passengers on a
Metro train that has eight carriages.

By doing this, fuel is saved in addition to reducing congestion. A total of 39.65

million kg of CNG were saved in 2011–12 when buses were replaced by the
Metro.

SAQ 6
What significant environmental benefits are associated with the Delhi Metro,
and how does it help reduce pollution and carbon emissions in the city?

16.8 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have studied:
 A development project's environmental and socioeconomic impacts are
evaluated and mitigated through the systematic process of EIA.

323
Block - 5
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………… Environmental Policies and Management

 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are essential because they offer

thorough information about a project's environmental effects and encourage
sustainable development.
 Project description, potential consequences assessment, impact analysis,
mitigation strategies, alternative analysis, public participation, and more are
included in the EIA's scope.
 The process is guided by fundamental and operational EIA principles,
which include early integration, openness, systematic evaluation, and
public participation.
 The EIA process seeks to guarantee legal compliance, prevent, or mitigate
negative environmental effects, and promote responsible decision-making.
 The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) project case study illustrates
how Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) principles can be applied in
real-world scenarios.
 EIA can support sustainable urban development by lowering pollution,
improving public transport, and encouraging resource management.

16.9 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. How do the basic principles of EIA contribute to the effectiveness of the
assessment process, and what is the role of public participation in ensuring
transparency and legitimacy?
2. How can ecologically sound and sustainable growth be accomplished with
the help of the EIA procedure?
3. Give a brief history of the EIA and mention which projects do not need EIA.
4. Explain the matrix method and map overlay methods of the EIA process.
5. What is the Ad hoc method of EIA and how is it different from the Checklist
method of EIA?
6. In what ways has the DMRC project served as a model for sustainable
urban transportation and environmental protection? Discuss the key
initiatives and their impact.

16.10 ANSWERS
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs)
1. a) The primary purpose of an EIA is to systematically assess the
environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural impacts of proposed projects.
b) To thoroughly understand and assess a proposed project.
c) The scope of an EIA depends i) location and ii) applicable legal restrictions.
2. This is the initial stage in deciding whether or not an EIA is necessary for a
proposal, and if so, what degree of EIA is needed.
3. The four approaches are: i) Aid for Decision Making; ii) Formulation of
Development Action iii) Stakeholder’s Consultation and Participation

324
Unit - 16 Environmental Impact Assessment: Methods and Techniques
………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………
4. Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention.
5. The Major five criteria are: i) General; ii) Impact Identification; iii) Impact
Measurements; iv) Impact Interpretation and evaluation; and v) Impact
communication.
6. The Delhi Metro offers significant environmental benefits by reducing
pollution and carbon emissions through its reliance on electricity,
minimizing the need for individual vehicles, and promoting sustainable
urban transportation, leading to a cleaner and greener city.

Terminal Questions
1. Refer to section16.5.
2. Refer to section16.5.
3. Refer to section 16.7.
4. Refer to section 16.8.
5. Refer to section 16.8.
6. Refer to section 16.9.

16.11 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED

READINGS
1. Canter, L. W. (1996). Environmental Impact Assessment. Delhi: McGraw-
Hill Education.
2. Glasson, J., Therivel, R., & Chadwick, A. (2012). Introduction to
Environmental Impact Assessment. London: Routledge.
3. Revised Environmental Impact Assessment for Phase IV Priority Corridors
of Delhi Metro (June, 2020).
4. Wood, C. (2003). Environmental Impact Assessment: A Comparative
Review. London: Pearson Education.

325
Block - 5 Environmental Policies and Management
………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………

326