Environmental Management & Ethics

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Screening, scoping, impact prediction and the EMP — the statutory decision tool that governs project clearance under EIA Notification 2006.

PART 1

Topic Breakdown & Traps

The Engineering Principle

EIA is a systematic process that predicts the environmental consequences of a proposed project *before* a decision is taken, so impacts can be avoided, minimised or mitigated. The cycle runs screening → scoping → baseline study → impact prediction → Environmental Management Plan (EMP) → public consultation → appraisal/clearance → monitoring. Screening decides *whether* an EIA is needed; scoping identifies the *significant* issues to study in depth; the EMP details mitigation, monitoring and institutional responsibility.

The Core Formula Matrix

Category A projects: appraised at the central level (MoEFCC) — always require EIA + public hearing.

Category B1 / B2: appraised by the State (SEIAA); B1 needs EIA, B2 is exempt.

Leopold matrix: an interaction grid of *activities* × *environmental components*; each cell scored for magnitude and importance (1–10).

RIAM, network & overlay methods: alternative impact-identification tools.

The ‘IIT Traps’

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Screening ≠ scoping. Screening = *is an EIA required?* Scoping = *what should it cover?*
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Public consultation is statutory for most Category A and B1 projects — not optional.
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The EMP follows impact prediction, never precedes screening.

📚 Standard references

Environmental Impact Assessment — Larry W. Canter
Environmental Studies — Erach Bharucha · Environmental Management

PART 2

Progressive 3-Tier Question Suite

Q1BASIC1 Mark · MCQ

In the EIA cycle, the stage that identifies the significant impacts requiring detailed study is called:

Q2MEDIUM1 Mark · MCQ

Under the EIA Notification 2006 (India), Category A projects are appraised at the:

Q3HARD2 Marks · MCQ

In a Leopold matrix, each interaction cell is typically scored on two attributes. These are: