Human Values and Unit 4

Environment Studies Environmental Management

Prof. Sanjay Saxena

SMS Varanasi
Unit 4: Environmental Management

Unit 4
Environmental Management
4.1. Environmental Laws
Environment protection is mentioned in the Indian Constitution as part of Directive
Principles of State Policy as well as Fundamental Duties.
Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) Article 48A
Protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding of forests and
wildlife. The State shall put an effort to protect and improve the environment and
safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
Fundamental duties (Part IV A) Article 51A
It is a fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment including
forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
The government of India has made numerous acts to protect the environment and
biodiversity. The important and impactful environmental laws and acts are listed and
explained below.
1. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; and for
matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the
whole of India.
It has six schedules that give varying degrees of protection:
• Schedules I and II provide absolute protection to listed species. Offenses against
listed species of schedules I & II have the provision of the highest penalties.
• Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the
penalties are much lower.
• Animals under Schedule V, e.g., common crows, fruit bats, rats, and mice, are
legally considered vermin and may be hunted freely. The specified endemic plants
in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting.
2. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
The Objective is this act is to provide prevention and control of water pollution.
Maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness and purity of water in the various
water sources. Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) and State Pollution Control

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Boards (SPSB) are statutory bodies created under the Water Act, of 1974. It
empowers CPCB and SPCB to establish and enforce effluent standards for factories
discharging pollutants into water bodies. SPCB controls sewage and industrial
effluent discharge by approving, rejecting, and granting consent to discharge.
3. The Air (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1981
The act targets to control and prevent air pollution in India and its main objectives
are:
• To provide for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.
• To provide for the establishment of the boards at the central and state levels
to implement the act.
CPCB and SPCB were given the responsibility.
It states that the sources of air pollution such as internal combustion engines,
industry, vehicles, power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate
matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), or other toxic substances beyond the predetermined limit.
4. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
This act was passed under article 253 (legislation for giving effect to international
agreements). This act was passed in the wake of the Bhopal gas tragedy in
December 1984. It was enacted to achieve the UN conference on the human
environment, 1972- Stockholm declaration.
Eco-sensitive zones or ecologically fragile areas are notified by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under EPA, 1986. MoEFCC
has demarcated 10 km buffer zones around conservation areas.
Some statutory bodies under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, (EPA 1986) are
enumerated as under:
• Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
• National Coastal Zone Management Authority (later converted to
National Ganga Council under the Ministry of Jal Shakthi)
• The Ozone-Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules,
2000: These rules set deadlines for phasing out of various Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODSs) and regulating production, trade import, and export of the
product containing ODS. These rules prohibit the use of CFCs, halons, ODSs

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such as carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform, and SFC except in

metered-dose inhalers and for other medical purposes.
• Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2018: It was notified based on the
recommendations of the Shailesh Nayak Committee. The main objectives are
to promote sustainable development while taking into account natural hazards
such as increasing sea levels due to global warming and to conserve and protect
biodiversity besides livelihood security to local communities including the
fishermen.
5. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001
It was enacted as a step towards improving energy efficiency and reducing
wastage. It specifies the energy consumption standards for equipment and
appliances. It prescribes energy consumption norms and standards for consumers.
It prescribes energy conservation building codes for commercial buildings. The
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a statutory body established under the act.
6. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
It was implemented to give effect to the Conservation of Biodiversity (CBD),
Nagoya Protocol. To check biopiracy, protect biological diversity, and local growers
through a three-tier structure of central and state boards and local committees.
The three-tier structure comprises National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State
Biodiversity Boards (SBBS), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCS).
7. Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA)
The act recognizes and vests the forest rights and occupation in forest land in
Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations. This act comes
under the protection of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The act also establishes the
responsibilities and authority for sustainable use, conservation of biodiversity, and
maintenance of the ecological balance of FDST and OTFD. It strengthens the
conservation regime of the forests while ensuring the livelihood and food security
of the FDST and OTFD. It seeks to rectify colonial injustice to the FDST and OTFD
who are integral to the very survival and sustainability of the forest ecosystem.
The act identifies four types of rights:

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Title rights
It gives FDST and OTFD the right to ownership of land farmed by tribals or forest
dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares. Ownership is only for land that is
being cultivated by the concerned family and no new lands will be granted.
Use rights
The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas,
pastoralist routes, etc.
Relief and Development rights
Rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and basic amenities,
subject to restrictions for forest protection.
Forest Management Rights
It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community
forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for
sustainable use.
8. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016
The CAF Act was enacted to manage the funds collected for compensatory
afforestation. Compensatory afforestation means that when any organization uses
the land for non-forest purposes such as mining or setting up industry, the user
organization pays for the afforestation of an equal area of non-forest land, or twice
the area of degraded forest land.
4.2. International Advancements in Environmental Conservation
In the last 4 decades, lots of efforts are made by the international community to
protect and develop our environment. All the countries in the world have signed
different agreements for putting effort into environmental conservation. Following are
some important international advancements in environmental conservation.
Montreal Protocol
It was finalized in the year 1987 and adopted on 15 September 1987. It is a multilateral
environmental agreement, which was initially signed by 46 countries only, but later,
all 197 countries (UN Members) signed this protocol. This protocol regulates the
production and consumption of man-made chemicals (Ozon Depleting Substances)
which deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects our earth by absorbing
ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. UV radiation is responsible for skin cancer,

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cataracts, reduction in agricultural productivity, and the destruction of the marine

ecosystem.
Under this treaty, the developed and developing countries have equal but
differentiated responsibilities towards the ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), but both groups of countries have binding, time-
targeted and measurable commitments. All countries have been given specific
responsibilities relating to the curtailment of ozone-depleting substances.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is a gas used in Air conditioners and Refrigerators when it
is leaked into the atmosphere, it goes up and depletes the Ozone layer.
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol (2013-2000) is an international agreement within the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its
Annex B-Parties (the countries which have adopted the targets to reduce greenhouse
emissions) with legally binding emission reduction commitments.
Whereas, in Annex A- six greenhouse gases are there, where the Kyoto Protocol is
applied. These six greenhouse gases are: - Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4),
Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Paris Agreement
It is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris
Agreement came into force on 4th November 2016 and has been signed by 197
countries. The primary motive of this agreement is to fight back against climate
change. This agreement also aims to curb the emission of greenhouse gases to a
certain level.
Kyiv Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers
The Kyiv Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) was adopted
on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 8 October 2009. The PRTR system enables
us to know what chemicals, from what kind of sources, and how much quantity of
chemicals are released each year. It is the only legally binding international instrument
on pollutant release and transfer registers. Its objective is to enhance public access to
information through the establishment of coherent, nationwide pollutant release and

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transfer registers (PRTRs). All the UN member states can join this Protocol because it
is designed as an ‘open global treaty.’
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer 1985
Initially, this convention was agreed upon in 1985 and it came into force on 22
September 1988. It is a multilateral agreement. Montreal protocol comes under this
convention. This convention was formed with the purpose of globally monitoring and
reporting on ozone depletion. This convention made structures for the improvement
of protocols and for taking more binding action.
Aarhus Convention
This United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access
to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making, and Access to Justice in
Environmental Matters is often referred to as the Aarhus convention. It was adopted
on 25th January 1998, and it came into force in October 2001. Only 47 Parties have
ratified this Convention till 16 October 2017. In conjunction with its Kyiv protocol, it
also aims to protect every person’s right to live in an environment that is sufficient for
his/her health and well-being.
Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous
waste and their disposal 1989
Commonly it is known as the Basel Convention. The Basel Convention was adopted in
March 1989 in Basel, Switzerland. It is an international treaty that formulated plans
against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the
environment.
Basically, it made a structure or a framework in such a way as to reduce the movement
of hazardous waste between the nations and to restrain the movement of waste from
developed countries to less developed countries because the less developed countries
are unable to dispose of the hazardous waste in an environment-friendly way and it
pollutes the environment tremendously.
Basel Ban Amendment 1995
This amendment intends to prohibit the export of hazardous/dumped waste for any
purpose to developing countries. After Croatia ratified this amendment on 6th
September 2019 it has become an International Law. It entered into force on 5th

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December 2019. The countries that haven’t ratified to this amendment are – the US,
Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, India, Brazil, and Mexico.
Berne Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural
habitats
This convention is a binding international legal instrument. The purpose of introducing
this convention is to protect and conserve the species of flora and fauna and also their
habitats.
Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (CBD)
This convention provides a legally binding framework, which came into force in 1993
with the purpose to conserve biodiversity and use biodiversity feasibly.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES)
This convention is an international agreement between the countries and entered into
force in 1975 which aims to protect wildlife from over-exploitation due to international
trade related to leather goods, animals, or food.
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)
This convention came into force on 16th March 1983. This convention aims that the
contracting parties should make efforts to protect the environment against the adverse
effects of pollution, to ensure that the parties take several necessary steps to fight
against the release of air pollutants.
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
This convention is an international treaty under the aegis of the United Nations
Environment Programme. It came into force on 1st November 1983. The primary focus
of this convention is to provide for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory
animals and their habitats.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
This convention is a global treaty and entered into force on 16 August 2017. The
objective of this convention is to protect humans and the environment from the
dangerous effects of mercury.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
This convention is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on 2nd February 1971. It
provides a framework for international and national cooperation by taking efforts

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towards the conservation and judicious/wise use of the wetlands. The conservation of
wetlands is important because they are the only source of biological diversity, which
provides water to the countless species of plants and animals who are depending on
wetlands for their survival.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
This convention is a legally binding international treaty, which was adopted on 22nd
May 2001 in Sweden. Its objective is to protect human health and the environment
from the dangerous outcomes of organic pollutants (Pesticides, Industrial chemical,
Aldrin, etc.). POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long
periods, and it gets widely distributed in the overall area.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
It is an international environmental treaty, which was adopted on 9th May 1992. It is
also known as Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit or Rio summit. It is an agreement made
on climate change and mainly focuses on the prevention of dangerous actions or
interference by humans on climate change or on the environment.
World Heritage Convention
This convention was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) in 1972. The primary objective of this convention is to protect
the world’s natural and cultural heritage.
4.3. Role of The National Green Tribunal
The National Green Tribunal Act 2010 was established in concurrence with Rio Summit
1992 to provide judicial and administrative remedies for the pollutants and other
environmental damage victims. It also agrees with article 21, the Right to a healthy
environment for its citizens of the constitution.
The NGT is under obligation to dispose of the cases presented to it within 6 months
of their appeals. NGT has original jurisdiction on matters related to substantial
questions of the environment. The decisions of the NGT can be challenged in High
Courts and the Supreme Court.
NGT deals with civil cases under the 7 acts related to the environment:
1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
3. Forest Conservation Act, 1980

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4. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

5. Environmental Protection Act, 1986
6. Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, and
7. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Two acts have been kept out of the jurisdiction of NGT. These two acts are the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972, and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).
4.4. Air Quality Index
The air quality index measures the level of cleanliness of air about a concentration of
various pollutants in the air. The purpose of the AQI is to help people know how the
local air quality impacts their health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants, for which national air quality standards
have been established to safeguard public health:
1. Ground-level ozone
2. Particle pollution/particulate matter (PM2.5/pm 10)
3. Carbon Monoxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Nitrogen dioxide
The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the
health concerns. AQI information is obtained by averaging readings from an air quality
sensor, which can increase due to vehicle traffic, forest fires, industrial smoke, etc.
Computation of the AQI requires an air pollutant concentration over a specified
averaging period, obtained from an air monitor.
Air Quality Index Categories
Different countries use different point scales to report air quality. India uses a 500-
point scale, wherein a rating between 0 and 50 is considered good. Rating between
301 to 500 range is deemed hazardous. The following scale indicates the level of
hazardous impact of polluted air on life.
Good (0–50) – Minimal Impact
Satisfactory (51–100) – This may cause minor breathing difficulties in sensitive
people.

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Moderately polluted (101–200) – May cause breathing difficulties in people with

lung diseases like asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children, and
older adults.
Poor (201–300) – This may cause breathing difficulties in people on prolonged
exposure and discomfort to people with heart disease.
Very Poor (301–400) – This may cause respiratory illness in people on prolonged
exposure. The effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases.
Severe (401-500) – This may cause respiratory issues in healthy people, and serious
health issues in people with lung/heart disease. Difficulties may be experienced even
during light physical activity.
4.5. Importance of Indian Traditional Knowledge on the
Environment
In many parts of India, communities have inherited the rich tradition of love and
devotion to environmental conservation through the ages. Traditions and customs of
Indian culture have generally been the advocates of environmentalism. Today, when
the world is undergoing a crisis of ecological imbalance and environmental
degradation, it is all the more important for us to understand such traditions and
customs of Indian culture.
Devotion for Nature
The culture of conservation of nature dates back to the ancient Vedic Period. The four
Vedas — Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda are full of hymns
dedicated to the supremacy of various natural entities. The Rigvedic hymns refer to
many gods and goddesses identified with the sun, moon, thunder, lightning, snow,
rain, water, rivers, trees, etc. They have been glorified and worshipped as givers of
health, wealth, and prosperity.
Sun worship is of vital importance in Vedic worship; the sun was worshipped in the
form of gods like Surya. Today it has been proved that solar energy is the ultimate
source of energy that regulates the energy flow through the food chain, drives various
nutrient cycles, and thus controls the ecosystem all over the earth, but it was probably
well understood and realized by the ancient people as well. The Gayatri mantra of the
Rig Veda, which is chanted on every auspicious occasion, is full of praise for the sun.

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Flora and fauna

Trees have also been given huge importance in the ancient Indian tradition. The four
Vedas are full of references to various herbs, trees, and flowers and their significance.
Trees and plants were considered animate beings and to harm them was regarded as
a sacrilege. The Atharva-Veda glorifies the medicinal value of various herbs. In your
own locality, you must have seen women moving in a circle around a tree each
morning. Did you ever try to understand the reason? There is a scientific reason
underlying those beliefs. The pipal tree continuously releases oxygen into the
atmosphere, and therefore, such knowledge must have been put into a spiritual form
by our ancestors.
Wildlife
Wild animals and even domesticated ones were also given pride of place and respect
in the ancient tradition. Many Hindu gods and goddesses have some particular animal
or bird as their vehicles. These include lion, tiger, elephant, bull, horse, peacock, swan,
owl, vulture, ox, mouse, etc. The association of wild animals with peoples’ religious
beliefs played a significant role in their preservation for so very long in India, until the
colonial rule indulged in intensive hunting. The feeling of sacredness attached to
wildlife protected it and contributed to maintaining an ecological balance.
For instance, the snake’s association with Lord Shiva and snake worship was a
conscious effort by our saints to preserve the creature, who otherwise incites fear and
persecution because of its perceived venomous nature. In fact, snakes are an
important link in the food cycle and play a significant role in maintaining the ecological
balance.
Kautilya’s Arthaśhastra mentioned forests and animal sanctuaries, where animals were
protected from poaching. A superintendent of forests was responsible for their upkeep
and for the proper management of forest produce; poaching was punished with
various penalties.
Conservation teachings in Buddhism and Jainism
Buddhism and Jainism, the two most popular heterodox sects of ancient times also
advocated nature conservation. Buddhism believes in tolerance, love, compassion,
forgiveness, and non-violence toward all. Jainism advocates complete non-violence or
Ahimsa; it treats every creature on earth including the smallest insects or microbes as

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of equal importance and forbids their killing. This perception went a long way toward
preserving biodiversity.
Indian traditions, customs, and religious beliefs enlighten us about the protection of
the flora and fauna. They teach us one fundamental principle of ecology, especially
that every living entity of the biosphere has its own important role in the flow of energy
and cycle of nutrients that keep the world going. Environmentalists, therefore, have
started realizing the significance of culture as a force for conservation and have
focused on traditional knowledge systems. Religious teachings and cultural traditions
could be used in a positive sense for the conservation of the environment and ecology.
4.6. Bio Assessment of Environmental Quality
According to the official definition of the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), bioassessment refers to the process of evaluating the biological
condition of a body of water using biological surveys (bio surveys) and other direct
measurements of the organisms living in the surface water, including fish, insects,
algae, plants, and others. They include measuring water quality indicators such as
dissolved oxygen, evaluating habitat conditions, and determining the health of aquatic
insect communities.
Biological communities are sensitive to stress, both natural and anthropogenic (caused
by human activities). When our actions adversely affect the environment, the
biological population will change, leading to an impaired or imbalanced community.
Biological monitoring allows us to directly assess waterbody health. It provides an
excellent way of prioritizing waterbodies for special protection, restoration, or
rehabilitation.
Methods of Bio Assessment
A biological survey is conducted to collect a representative sample of the biological
community found in the water body. For each site sampled specific attributes, known
as biological indicators, are compared to the conditions expected for that indicator
based on reference sites.
Biological indicators: The groups of organisms are used to assess the condition of
an environment. Depending on the type of waterbody being sampled, the biological
indicators used in biological surveys may include the following:

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• Fish (trout, sunfish, perch, salmon)

• Benthic macroinvertebrates (insects, snails, crayfish, worms)
• Periphyton (algae)
• Amphibians (frogs, salamanders)
• Macrophytes (aquatic plants)
• Birds (residential or migratory)
Reference Sites. Data collected at reference sites provide a benchmark for assessing
the biological condition of surveyed sites. Ideally, reference sites are water bodies that
have not been disturbed or minimally disturbed by human activity.
Metrics for Bio Assessments: Metrics are quantitative measures of biological
indicators. Commonly three types of metrics are used for bio assessments, which are
defined in the following table along with their examples.
Metrics Definition Example
The number of different There are 41 different species of benthic
species (or genera or families) macroinvertebrates observed in one
Total Taxon Richness counted in a sample collection. sample. The expected richness in
reference sites is 40 or more species. The
metric value of the sample (41) is
comparable to reference site values.
The percentage of the number 19.5 percent in a sample of benthic
of species in a sample that are macroinvertebrates are pollution-sensitive
either pollution sensitive or species. The reference site percentage is
pollution tolerant species 36 percent or higher.
Relative Richness compared to the total taxon
richness.
Species that are sensitive to
pollution disappeared, and
more pollution-tolerant species
will be found.
Percent Occurrence The percent of sampled fish 12 percent of fish sample show external
of Anomalies that have visible, external anomalies. Samples from the reference
anomalies (e.g. tumors, sites show less than 1 percent.
lesions, abnormalities).

4.7. Environmental Management System

Every organization today establishes its own environmental management system
(EMS). An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of policies, processes,
plans, practices, and records that monitor an organization’s interactions with the
environment and enable it to reduce the environmental impact of its activities.
Organizations set their environmental goals under the EMS framework and achieve

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them through continuous review, evaluation, and improvement in their environmental

performance.
ISO 14001
Many organizations are putting an effort to earn ISO 14001 certificates to become
environmentally friendly organizations. ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed
standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It
helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient
use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the
trust of stakeholders.
ISO 14001 is suitable for organizations of all types and sizes, be they private, not-for-
profit, or governmental. It requires that an organization considers all environmental
issues relevant to its operations, such as air pollution, water, and sewage issues, waste
management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and
resource use and efficiency.
Stages of EMS

Figure 4.1: Stages of EMS

As shown in figure 4.1, there are five main stages of an EMS, defined by the ISO
14001 standard.

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1. Commitment and Policy: Top management commits to environmental

improvement and establishes the organization's environmental policy. The policy
is the foundation of the EMS.
2. Planning: An organization first identifies environmental aspects of its operations.
Environmental aspects are those items, such as air pollutants or hazardous waste,
that can have negative impacts on the environment. An organization then
determines which aspects are significant by choosing criteria considered most
important by the organization.
3. Implementation: An organization follows through with the action plan using the
necessary resources (human, financial, etc.). An important component is employee
training and awareness for all employees (including interns, contractors, etc.).
Other steps in the implementation stage include documentation, following
operating procedures, and setting up internal and external communication lines.
4. Evaluation: A company monitors its operations to evaluate whether objectives
and targets are being met. If not, the company takes corrective action.
5. Review: Top management reviews the results of the evaluation to see if the EMS
is working. Management determines whether the original environmental policy is
consistent with the organization's values. The plan is then revised to optimize the
effectiveness of the EMS. The review stage creates a loop of continuous
improvement for a company.
4.7. Environmental Impact Assessment
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) provides sustainable development by
predicting the environmental consequences of the proposed project.
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social, and economic
impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts
at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce
adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment, and present the
predictions and options to decision-makers.
Environment Impact Assessment in India is guided by the Environment Protection Act
1986, which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

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EIA Process
There are seven stages involved in the EIA process.
1. Screening
At this first stage screening on basis of the level of assessment (full or partial
assessment) of the projects is done.
2. Scoping
The impacts that are necessary to be assessed, are decided in this stage. While
doing so, legal requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge, and
public engagement are also considered. Alternative solutions to avoid or at least
reduce the adverse impacts of the project are also studied in this stage. Also, the
scope of alternative designs or sites is studied to avoid the environmental impacts
of the proposed project.
3. Assessment, Evaluation, and Development
The detailed assessment and evaluation of environmental impacts are done
through proper project analysis. Also, various alternatives are developed.
4. EIA Report
The EIA report has to include the likely significant environmental effects of the
development
5. Making an Application and Consultation
The EIA Report and development application must be publicized so that the
interested parties and the public can give their views on it.
6. Decision-Making
The EIA Report and any comments made on it must be considered by the
competent authority before deciding whether to give consent for the development.
The decision notice has to be published.
7. Monitoring and Compliance
Compliance is enforced by monitoring whether the predicted impacts and the
mitigation efforts are taking place as per the EMP.
4.8. Environmental Audit
The environmental impact assessment takes place prior to the implementation of a
project or development, whereas the environmental audit takes place after the
implementation of a project or development.

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An environmental audit is a type of evaluation intended to identify environmental

compliance and management system implementation gaps of an implemented project
or company’s operations, along with related corrective actions.
At its core, an environmental audit evaluates a company’s environmental performance.
Environmental audits can be done on specific procedures and operational areas to
assess their effectiveness and compliance with environmental rules and regulations.
The main goal of environmental audits is to ensure compliance with environmental
laws
Environmental Audit Tools
The term "protocol" means the checklist used by environmental auditors as the guide
for conducting audit activities. There is no standard protocol, either in form or content.
Typically, companies develop their own protocols to meet their specific compliance
requirements and management systems. Audit firms frequently develop general
protocols that can be applied to a broad range of companies/operations.
Environmental Audit Stages
There are three stages of Environmental Audits.
1. Pre-Audit Phase
During the pre-audit phase, companies can build the team, create an auditing plan,
determine the documents they need, make the appropriate requests, and do as
much prep as necessary.
2. Audit Phase
At this phase, the audit team proceeds with the actual audit. When conducting an
audit, it’s crucial for the team to follow the ground rules put in place during the
first phase. During the audit, teams may conduct site inspections and interviews,
and perform document reviews.
3. Post-Audit Phase
During the post-audit phase, the audit team analyzes and interprets collected data,
identifies areas needing improvements, and finally write a detailed environmental
audit report.

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References
1. https://blog.ipleaders.in/protect-improve-environment/
2. https://safetyculture.com/topics/environmental-audit/
3. https://unece.org/env/pp/protocol-on-prtrs-introduction
4. https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-air-quality-index
5. https://www.clearias.com/environmental-laws-india/
6. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/keyterms-concepts-
factsheet.pdf
7. Knowledge Traditions and Practices of India, Module 5 – Indian Traditional
Knowledge of Environmental Conservation. Central Board of Secondary Education,
Delhi, India.

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