EIA- Study Area

[Awadhesh Kumar]

Dear All,

I would like to know about the selection criteria for REIA/CEIA Study area. People use 5 km/10 km/15 km radius for the same.

Is their any MoEF guideline for the selection of study area? or

Is it depend upon the type of Industry/ Location of Industry?

Thanking You,

(Awadhesh Kumar)

[Prof Dr V N Sivasankara Pillai]

The extent of study area for EIA depends on the type of industry, magnitude of operations, nature of impacts and impacting environment etc. For air quality studies from a point source like petrochemical or refinery, air quality modeling may decide the distance in various directions. Another factor is topography. For an experienced scientist, a rule of thumb can be used. REIA may help to redefine the radius of significant impact.

In the case of rivers, it is a question of river length vs impact, and may reach  the down stream may be the estuary. So more than guidelines, it is the judgement of a knowledgeable expert that is more important.

[Ratnakar Pandey]

Dear Mr. Awadhesh,

1.As per SO – 1533, EIA notification, 14 Sept, 2006, no flat clarity has been given but when you see the general conditions as mentioned in various item heads seeks information on protected area, critically polluted area, eco-sensitive area & interstate boundaries within 10 Km from the project boundary while Form – 1 requires information on environmental sensitivity within 15 Km (aerial distance) around the project area which is self-contradictory.

2.Actual study area for EIA will be based on the impact & type of industry & mostly prescribed by respective EAC/SEAC at the time of scoping; in this regard project proponent will only have to provide the information about surrounding valuable environmental components (VECs).

3.As per standard practice & guidance provided in various technical manuals notified by MoEF generally 10 km study area from project boundary is being taken into account for air quality & land use consideration whereas impacts on other components such as water, soil, noise etc. the study area may be up to 5Km

To keep entire requirement intact generally study area for EIA is taken 10 km from project boundary. However I would suggest you to go through industry specific guidance manuals which is available on MoEF website to get more clarity on study area.

 

Regards,

Ratnakar Pandey

 

[Sandeep Mukherjee]

Hi Awadesh, 

 

A very pertinent question! There are hardly any direct MoEF guidelines as such!Guess some ToRs issued by MoEF cover this. But have you tried the sector specific manuals by IL&FS Ecosmart & ASCII? You will find some indirect guidelines there.

 

Prior to 2006 notification usually the area of influence was considered to be 10 km, because the MoEF questionnaire asked for features within 7 km. In the 2006 notification, Form I asks about environmental features in 15 km radius. However barring few types of projects, most EIAs focus onto a 10 km radius only. For projects like dams & hydro power, usually the EAC asks for a 25 km radius of influence.  

 

Hope this will help.

 

Regards.

 

Sandeep      

 

 

[Awadhesh Kumar]

Thanking You Sir for your valuable comments...

Prof Dr V N Sivasankara Pillai said:

The extent of study area for EIA depends on the type of industry, magnitude of operations, nature of impacts and impacting environment etc. For air quality studies from a point source like petrochemical or refinery, air quality modeling may decide the distance in various directions. Another factor is topography. For an experienced scientist, a rule of thumb can be used. REIA may help to redefine the radius of significant impact.

In the case of rivers, it is a question of river length vs impact, and may reach  the down stream may be the estuary. So more than guidelines, it is the judgement of a knowledgeable expert that is more important.

[Awadhesh Kumar]

Thanking You sir...........

Sandeep Mukherjee said:

Hi Awadesh, 

 

A very pertinent question! There are hardly any direct MoEF guidelines as such!Guess some ToRs issued by MoEF cover this. But have you tried the sector specific manuals by IL&FS Ecosmart & ASCII? You will find some indirect guidelines there.

 

Prior to 2006 notification usually the area of influence was considered to be 10 km, because the MoEF questionnaire asked for features within 7 km. In the 2006 notification, Form I asks about environmental features in 15 km radius. However barring few types of projects, most EIAs focus onto a 10 km radius only. For projects like dams & hydro power, usually the EAC asks for a 25 km radius of influence.  

 

Hope this will help.

 

Regards.

 

Sandeep      

 

 

[Awadhesh Kumar]

Thanking you Sir

Ratnakar Pandey said:

Dear Mr. Awadhesh,

1.As per SO – 1533, EIA notification, 14 Sept, 2006, no flat clarity has been given but when you see the general conditions as mentioned in various item heads seeks information on protected area, critically polluted area, eco-sensitive area & interstate boundaries within 10 Km from the project boundary while Form – 1 requires information on environmental sensitivity within 15 Km (aerial distance) around the project area which is self-contradictory.

2.Actual study area for EIA will be based on the impact & type of industry & mostly prescribed by respective EAC/SEAC at the time of scoping; in this regard project proponent will only have to provide the information about surrounding valuable environmental components (VECs).

3.As per standard practice & guidance provided in various technical manuals notified by MoEF generally 10 km study area from project boundary is being taken into account for air quality & land use consideration whereas impacts on other components such as water, soil, noise etc. the study area may be up to 5Km

To keep entire requirement intact generally study area for EIA is taken 10 km from project boundary. However I would suggest you to go through industry specific guidance manuals which is available on MoEF website to get more clarity on study area.

 

Regards,

Ratnakar Pandey