## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, specifically notification number S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006. The amendment, issued on April 12, 2022, primarily focuses on extending the validity period of Environmental Clearances (ECs) for various project types, including River Valley projects, Nuclear Power projects, and Mining projects. Key changes include extending the EC validity for specific projects and outlining extension application procedures. This amendment appears to address concerns regarding project delays and aligns mining EC validity with the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide an informative analysis of the amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as published in the Gazette of India on April 12, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the amendment.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This report analyzes an amendment to the original policy: Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006).
* **Core Objectives (inferred from text):**
* Extend the validity of Environmental Clearances (ECs) for specific project types.
* Align the validity of mining ECs with the duration of mining leases as per the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957.
* Address project delays caused by geological issues, forest clearances, land acquisition, and other factors beyond the project proponent's control.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment appears to address the following issues within the original EIA Notification, 2006:
* **Insufficient EC Validity Periods:** The text highlights that Nuclear Power Projects and Hydro Power Projects often experience high gestation periods due to unforeseen challenges. Extending the EC validity aims to provide project proponents with more realistic timeframes. The text also mentions time is needed to address local concerns including environmental issues.
* **Misalignment with Mining Lease Durations:** The amendment aims to align the validity of mining ECs with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957, which grants mining leases for a period of fifty years. The previous EC validity limit of thirty years was deemed insufficient.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment introduces the following key changes to paragraph 9 of the EIA Notification, 2006:
* **Subparagraphs (i) and (ii) are substituted with the following:**
* **Validity of Environmental Clearance (i):** Defines the validity period as the time from EC grant (or presumed grant) to the start of production operations or completion of construction (for Item 8 projects of the Schedule). *For mining projects, the validity is counted from the date of execution of the mining lease.*
* **Effect:** Clarifies the starting point for calculating EC validity, explicitly linking it to the mining lease execution date for mining projects.
* **Specific Validity Periods (ii):** Sets specific validity periods for different project types:
* River Valley projects (Item 1c): 13 years
* Nuclear power projects (Item 1e): 15 years
* All other projects (excluding mining and River Valley and Nuclear power projects): 10 years
* **Effect:** Establishes differentiated validity periods based on project type, potentially reflecting the varying complexities and timelines associated with each.
* **Area Development Projects (iii):** States for Area Development projects and Townships (item 8b), the validity period of ten years is limited only to such activities as may be the responsibility of the applicant as a developer
* **Effect:** Narrows the validy period of 10 years to only activities the applicant is responsible for.
* **Extension Provisions:** Allows for extensions of existing ECs:
* River Valley projects: Up to 2 years
* Nuclear power projects: Up to 5 years
* All other projects: Up to 1 year
* Requires application in a laid-down proforma within the existing EC validity period.
* Regulatory authority may consult the Expert Appraisal Committee before granting the extension.
* **Effect:** Provides a mechanism for extending EC validity, subject to application and potential expert review.
* **Mining Project Validity (iv):** States that EC for mining projects will be valid for the project life as in the mining plan, up to a maximum of 30 years, or 50 years with examination every 5 years past 30 years.
* **Effect:** Aligns the mining EC validity with the mining plan and allows for longer EC validity aligned with mining lease duration (up to 50 years), contingent on periodic review by the Expert Appraisal Committee.
* Subparagraph concerning extension applications is updated.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are:
* Project proponents of River Valley projects.
* Project proponents of Nuclear Power projects.
* Project proponents of Mining projects.
* Developers of Area Development projects and Townships
* Regulatory authorities involved in granting and extending Environmental Clearances.
* Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) consulted during the extension process for projects and every five years after 30 years for mining projects.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (issuing authority). Regulatory authorities and Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) are involved in the extension process.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** Project proponents must apply for EC extensions *within* the existing EC validity period using a laid-down proforma. For mining projects, the Expert Appraisal Committee is to examine the adequacy of existing environmental safeguards every five years beyond the initial thirty-year validity period, provided the project proponent submits an application in the laid-down proforma.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes of these amendments are likely to include:
* **Reduced Project Delays:** By extending EC validity, the amendment aims to alleviate the pressure on project proponents facing delays due to unforeseen circumstances.
* **Improved Alignment with Mining Regulations:** Aligning mining EC validity with mining lease durations should provide greater regulatory certainty for mining companies.
* **Enhanced Environmental Safeguards for Mining Projects:** The periodic review of environmental safeguards by the Expert Appraisal Committee for mining projects beyond 30 years aims to ensure continued environmental protection.
* **Streamlined Processes:** The amendment outlines clear procedures for applying for EC extensions, potentially streamlining the process for project proponents.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 represents a significant adjustment to the validity periods of Environmental Clearances, particularly for River Valley, Nuclear Power, and Mining projects. By addressing concerns about project delays and aligning with mining lease regulations, the amendment aims to create a more efficient and predictable regulatory environment. The introduction of extension provisions and the requirement for periodic review of environmental safeguards for longer-term mining projects reflect a commitment to balancing project development with environmental protection. The affected industry should take note of the changes to application and review processes.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An act of the Parliament of India. This act provides a framework for the protection and improvement of the environment.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006: A notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, mandating prior environmental clearance for certain categories of projects.
Nuclear Power Projects: Projects related to the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
Hydro Power Projects: Projects related to the construction and operation of hydroelectric power plants.
Forest Clearance: Clearance required from the forest department for projects involving forest land.
Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957: An act of the Parliament of India which regulates the mining sector.
Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Amendment Act, 2015: An amendment to the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules framed under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, providing details on environmental protection measures.
River Valley projects: Projects related to development of river basins including dams and irrigation.
Area Development projects: Projects related to development of specific areas.
Townships: Projects related to the construction of townships.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
New Delhi: The capital of India.
Expert Appraisal Committee: Committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to appraise projects requiring environmental clearance.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E1x3x0x 42022-235092
CG-DL-E-13042022-235092
ऄसाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—ईप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1720] नइ ददल्ली, मगं लवार, ऄप्रलै 12, 2022/चत्रै 22, 1944
No. 1720] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022/CHAITRA 22, 1944
पयाावरण, वन और िलवाय ुपररवतना मत्रं ालय
ऄजधसचू ना
नइ ददल्ली 12 ऄप्रैल, 2022
का.अ. 1807(ऄ).—केन्द्रीय सरकार, पयाावरण (संरक्षण) ऄजधजनयम, 1986 की धारा (3) की ईपधारा 2 के
खंड (v) और ईपधारा (1) के ऄधीन प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करत े हुए, तत्कालीन पयाावरण एवं वन मंत्रालय म,ें
पररयोिनाओं के कजतपय प्रवगों के जलए पूव ा पयाावरण ऄनापजत्त अज्ञापक बनाते हुए, संखयांक का.अ. 1553(ऄ),
तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण ऄजधसूचना, 2006 (जिसे आसमें आसके पश्चात ईि
ऄजधसूचना कहा गया ह)ै प्रकाजित दकया ह;ै
और, पूवा ऄनुभवों के अधार पर, यह ईल्लेखनीय ह ै दक नाजभकीय िजि पररयोिनाओं और िल िजि
पररयोिनाओं को परू ा होन े की ऄवजध जवजभन्न मद्दु ों िैस े भौगोजलक अश् चय,ा वन मंिरू ी म ें दरे ी, भूजम ऄिान, स्ट्थानीय मुद्दों,
पुनवाास और पनु ःव्यवस्ट्थापन अदद के कारण पररयोिना परू ी होने में ऄजधक समय लगता ह,ै िो प्रायः पररयोिना
प्रस्ट्तावक के जनयंत्रण से बाहर होता ह ै और आस संदभा में, केन्द्रीय सरकार को ऐसी पररयोिनाओं के जलए पयाावरण मंिूरी
(इसी) की वैधता बढाना अवश्यक हो िाता ह;ै
और, ऄन्द्य पररयोिनाएं भी, ऐसी पररयोिनाओं के कायाान्द्वयन से संबंजधत पयाावरणीय मुद्दों सजहत स्ट्थानीय
मामलों को संबोजधत करन े के जलए लग े समय पर जवचार करने के जलए, केन्द्रीय सरकार यदद वह अवश्यक समझे ऐस े
पयाावरणीय मंिूरी की वैधता की सीमा को बढा सकती ह ै
और, खान और खजनि (जवकास और जवजनयमन) ऄजधजनयम, 1957 (1957 का 67) के ईपबंधों के ऄनुसार, खान
और खजनि (जवकास और जवजनयम) संिोधन ऄजधजनयम 2015, के प्रारंभ की तारीख से ही, सभी खजनि पट्टे पचास वषों
की ऄवजध के जलए ददए िा रह े ह,ैं और तद्नुसार, केन्द्रीय सरकार खनन के पयाावरण मंिूरी की वैधता को, संरेजखत करना
2661 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
अवश्यक समझती ह ै िो वतामान म ें ईपयुि पयाावरणी सुरक्षा और पुनर्ववलोकन के ऄधीन ऄजधकतम तीस वषों की ऄवजध
तक ऄनुज्ञेय ह।ै
ऄतः ऄब, केन्द्रीय सरकार, पयाावरण (सुरक्षा) जनयम, 1986 को जनयम 5 के ईपजनयम (4) के साथ परित
पयाावरण (सुरक्षा) ऄजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की ईपधारा (2) के खंड (v) और ईपधारा (1) द्वारा
प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करत े हुए, लोकजहत में ईि जनयमों के जनयम 5 के ईपजनयम (3) के खंड (क) के ऄधीन सूचना की
ऄपेक्षा की ऄजभमुजि के पश्चात ् भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पयाावरण और वन मंत्रालय की ऄजधसूचना का और संिोधन
संखयाकं का.अ. 1533(ऄ), तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा करती ह,ै ऄथाात् :-
(i) पैरा 9 म,ें
(क) ईपपरैा (i) और (ii) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत ईपपैरा रखा िाएगा, ऄथाात ्:-
(i) “पयाावरणीय मंिूरी की वधै ता” स ेवह ऄवजध ऄजभप्रेत ह,ै जिसम ेंपूवा पयाावरणीय मंिरूी जवजनयामक प्राजधकारी द्वारा
स्ट्वीकृत ह,ै या अवेदक द्वारा पैरा 8 के ईपपैरा (iii) के ऄधीन स्ट्वीकृत दकया गया माना िा सकता ह,ै की सुरुवात
पररयोिना या गजतजवजधयों द्वारा ईत्पादन प्रचालन ; या ऄनुसूची के मद 8 स ेसंबंजधत जनमााण पररयोिनाओं के मामले म ें
सभी जनमााण प्रचालनों को परूा करना ह,ै जिसम ेंपूवा पयाावरणीय मंिूरी के जलए अवेदन संदर्वभत ह ै:
परंत ुखनन पररयोिनाओं या गजतजवजधयों के मामलें म ेंवैधता खनन पट्टे के जनष्पादन की तारीख स ेददए िाएंग े।
(ii) दकसी जवद्यमान या नइ पररयोिना या दियाकलाप के जलए दी गइ पूव ापयाावरणीय मिं ूरी ईस ऄवजध के जलए वैध
होगी,िो-
(क) नदी घाटी पररयोिनाओं या दियाकलापों के मामल ेमें तरेह वष ा[ऄनुसूची का मद 1(ग)]; (ख) परमाणु उिा ा
पररयोिनाओं या दियाकलापों और परमाण ुईंधन के प्रसंस्ट्करण के मामल ेम ेंपंरह वष ा[ऄनुसूची का मद 1(ङ)];
(ग) खडं (क) और (ख) म ेंजनर्ददष्ट खनन पररयोिनाओं और नदी घाटी पररयोिनाओं और परमाण ुउिा ापररयोिनाओं के
जसवाए ऄन्द्य सभी पररयोिनाओं और दियाकलापों के मामले में दस वषा।
(iii) क्षत्रे जवकास पररयोिनाओं और टाईनजिप [मद 8(ख)] के मामले म,ें दस वषा की वैधता ऄवजध केवल ऐसी दियाकलापों
तक सीजमत होगी िो जवकासकताा के रूप म ेंअवेदक का ईत्तरदाजयत्व हो सकता ह:ै
परंतु यह दक आस ईप-पैरा और ईप-पैरा (ii) म ेंसूचीबद्ध पररयोिनाओं और दियाकलापों के संबंध म ेंपयाावरण
मंिूरी की वैधता की ऄवजध को नदी घाटी पररयोिनाओं के मामल ेम,ें संबंजधत जवजनयामक प्राजधकरण द्वारा वैध पयाावरण
मंिूरी के संबंध म ेंऄजधकतम दो वष ाकी ऄवजध द्वारा, परमाणु उिा ापररयोिनाओं और परमाण ुईंधन के प्रसंस्ट्करण के
मामले म ेंपांच वषा और ऄन्द्य सभी पररयोिनाओं के मामल ेम ेंएक वषा के जलए बढाया िा सकता ह,ै यदद अवेदन जवद्यमान
पयाावरण मंिूरी की वैधता ऄवजध के भीतर अवेदक द्वारा जवजनयामक प्राजधकरण के जलए ऄजधकजथत प्रोफामा ाम ेंदकया
िाता ह:ै
परंतु यह और दक जवजनयामक प्राजधकरण ऐसे जवस्ट्तार के ऄनदुान स ेपहले संबंजधत जविेषज्ञ मूल्यांकन सजमजत स े
भी परामि ाकर सकता ह।ै
(iv) खनन पररयोिनाओं के जलए दी गइ पूव ापयाावरण मंिरूी, समय-समय पर, ऄजधकतम तीस वषा, िो भी पहल ेहो, के
ऄधीन, सक्षम प्राजधकारी द्वारा ऄनुमोददत और नवीनीकृत खनन योिना म ेंजनधारारत पररयोिना िीवन के जलए मान्द्य
होगी:
परंतु आस ईप-पैरा म ेंसजममजलत पररयोिनाओं या दियाकलापों के संबंध म ेंपयाावरण मंिरूी की वैधता की ऄवजध
को ऄगल ेबीस वषों के जलए, तीस वषों स ेअग ेबढाया िा सकता ह,ै आस ित ाके ऄधीन दक जवद्यमान पयाावरण मंिरूी में
ऄजधकजथत जवद्यमान पयाावरण सुरक्षा ईपायों की पयााप्तता की िांच,तीस वषा की पयाावरणीय मंिूरी की ऄजधकतम वैधता
ऄवजध के भीतर पररयोिना प्रस्ट्तावक स ेऄजधकजथत प्रोफामाा म ेंऐसे अवेदन की प्राजप्त पर संबंजधत जविेषज्ञ मूल्यांकन[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : ऄसाधारण 3
सजमजत द्वारा हर पांच वषा बाद और तत्पश्चात जवस्ट्ताररत पयाावरण मंिरूी, िैसा अवश्यक समझा िाए, पररयोिना
प्रस्ट्तावक स ेऄजधकजथत प्रोफामाा म ेंऐस ेअवेदन की वैधता ऄवजध के भीतर प्राप्त होने पर पयावारण प्रबंधन योिना म ेंऐस े
ऄजतररि पयाावरण सुरक्षा ईपायों को िाजमल करने के जलए हर पांच वषा म,ें खनन पट्टे की वैधता या खनन िीवन की
समाजप्त या पचास वषा, िो भी पहले हो, तक की िाएगी ।";
(ख) "(iii) िहां ईप-पैरा (i) और (ii) के ऄधीन जवस्ट्तार के जलए अवेदन फाआल दकया गया ह"ै कोष्ठक, ऄंक और िब्दों के
जलए, जनम्नजलजखत रखा िाएगा, ऄथाात:् -
"(v) िहां ईप-पैरा (ii), (iii) और (iv) के ऄधीन जवस्ट्तार के जलए अवेदन ऄजधकजथत प्रोफामा ाम ेंफाआल दकया गया ह"ै।
[फा. स.ं अइए 3-22/10/2022-अइए.III]
तन्द्मय कुमार, ऄपर सजचव,
रटप्पण: मूल ऄजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, ऄसाधारण, भाग II खंड 3, ईप-खंड (ii), संखया का.अ. 1533(ऄ),
तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006 म ें प्रकाजित की गइ थी और ऄजधसूचना संखया का.अ. 2859(ऄ), तारीख 16 िुलाइ,
2021 के ऄधीन ऄंजतम बार सिं ोजधत दकया गया था।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 12th April, 2022
S.O. 1807(E).—WHEREAS, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests,
in exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section (3) of the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 has published the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (hereinafter referred to
as the said notification), vide number S.O.1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006 for mandating prior environmental
clearance for certain category of projects;
And whereas, based on the past experiences, it is noted that Nuclear Power Projects and Hydro Power
Projects have high gestation period due to various issues such as geological surprises, delay in Forest Clearance, land
acquisition, local issues, rehabilitation and resettlement, etc., which are often beyond the control of project proponent
and in this context, the Central Government deems it necessary to extend the validity of Environmental Clearance
(EC) for such projects;
And whereas, for other projects also, considering the time taken for addressing local concerns including
environmental issues related to the implementation of such projects, the Central Government deems it necessary to
extend the validity of such ECs;
And whereas, as per the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
(67 of 1957), on and from the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)
Amendment Act, 2015, all mining leases are being granted for a period of fifty years, and accordingly, the Central
Government deems it necessary to align the validity of mining ECs which is currently permissible up to a maximum
duration of thirty years, subject to review and appropriate environmental safeguards;
Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of
section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with sub-rule (4) of rule 5 of the Environment
(Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government, after having dispensed with the requirement of notice under clause
(a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the said rules in public interest, hereby makes the following further amendments in the
notification of the Government of India, in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O. 1533 (E),
dated the 14th September, 2006, namely:-
In the said notification,-
(i) in paragraph 9,-
(a) for sub paragraphs (i) and (ii), the following sub-paragraphs shall be substituted, namely:-
(i) The “Validity of Environmental Clearance” is meant the period from which a prior Environmental Clearance is
granted by the regulatory authority, or may be presumed by the applicant to have been granted under sub-paragraph
(iii) of paragraph 8, to the start of production operations by the project or activity; or completion of all construction4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
operations in case of construction projects relating to item 8 of the Schedule, to which the application for prior
environmental clearance refers:
Provided that in the case of mining projects or activities, the validity shall be counted from the date of execution of the
mining lease.
(ii) The prior environmental clearance granted for an existing or new project or activity shall be valid for a period
of,-
(a) thirteen years in the case of River Valley projects or activities [item 1(c) of the Schedule];
(b) fifteen years in the case of Nuclear power projects or activities and processing of nuclear fuel [item 1(e) of the
Schedule];
(c) ten years in the case of all other projects and activities other than the Mining projects and River Valley Projects
and Nuclear power projects referred to in clauses (a) and (b).
(iii) In the case of Area Development projects and Townships [item 8(b)], the validity period of ten years shall be
limited only to such activities as may be the responsibility of the applicant as a developer:
Provided that the period of validity of Environmental Clearance with respect to the Projects and Activities listed
in this sub- paragraph and sub-paragraphs (ii) may be extended in respect of valid Environmental Clearance, by
the regulatory authority concerned by a maximum period of two years in the case of River Valley projects, five
years in the case of Nuclear power projects and processing of nuclear fuel and one year in the case of all other
projects, if an application is made in the laid down proforma to the regulatory authority by the applicant within
the validity period of the existing Environment Clearance:
Provided further that the regulatory authority may also consult the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee before
grant of such extension.
(iv) The prior Environmental Clearance granted for mining projects shall be valid for the project life as laid down in
the mining plan approved and renewed by competent authority, from time to time, subject to a maximum of thirty
years, whichever is earlier:
Provided that the period of validity of Environmental Clearance with respect to projects or activities
included in this sub-paragraph may be extended by another twenty years, beyond thirty years, subject to the condition
that the adequacy of the existing environmental safeguards laid down in the existing Environmental Clearance shall
be examined by concerned Expert Appraisal Committee every five years beyond thirty years, on receipt of such
application in the laid down proforma from the Project Proponent within the maximum validity period of
Environmental Clearance of thirty years, and subsequently on receipt of such application in the laid down proforma
from the Project Proponent within the validity period of the extended Environment Clearance, every five years
for incorporating such additional environment safeguards in the Environmental Management Plan , as may be
deemed necessary, till the validity of the mining lease or end of life of mine or fifty years, whichever is earlier.”;
(b) for the brackets, figures and words “(iii) Where the application for extension under sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) has
been filed”, the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(v) Where the application for extension under sub-paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv) has been filed in the laid down
proforma”.
[F. No. IA3-22/10/2022-IA.III]
TANMAY KUMAR, Add. Secy.
Note:- The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3,
sub-section (ii), vide, number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and was last amended, vide the
notification number S.O. 2859(E), dated the 16th July, 2021.
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