**Executive Summary**
The document is the answer to a starred question in Lok Sabha regarding the impact of oil drilling and industrial projects on desert ecology, specifically in Barmer, and whether similar reviews are conducted in coastal areas. The Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change responded by stating that environmental clearances (EC) are required for relevant projects, and regular monitoring and mitigation measures are in place to ensure environmental sustainability. The reply will be laid on the Table of the House.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Environmental Clearance (EC) Requirements:**
* All projects/activities listed in the EIA Notification, 2006, require prior EC for new projects/activities or expansion beyond specified thresholds.
* The EC is granted by regulatory authorities based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
* The EAC rigorously assesses projects/activities based on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
* EIA considers impacts on the environment.
* Mitigation measures recommended by the EAC form part of the EC conditions.
* **Oil Drilling Project Assessments:**
* For oil drilling projects, the EAC assesses site suitability and impacts on air, water, noise, ecology, and socio-economic conditions.
* In ecologically sensitive areas (e.g., deserts), the EIA evaluates effects on habitats, biodiversity, soil, water resources, and overall ecological balance.
* A detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is prepared, covering mitigation measures, pollution control, conservation actions, risk management, and environmental monitoring.
* The appraisal emphasizes siting away from sensitive areas, settlements, floodplains, and forest land.
* Safe management of drilling wastes, effluents, hazardous chemicals, and safety risks.
* Key mitigation measures include low-toxicity drilling fluids, lined waste pits, authorized waste treatment, site restoration, SCADA operations, and comprehensive disaster management and emergency response plans.
* **Compliance and Monitoring:**
* Projects granted EC must file six-monthly compliance reports through PARIVESH.
* Projects are also governed by the consent mechanism implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/SPCCs).
* The consent mechanism operates under the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act, 1981.
* Projects are granted Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) by the respective SPCBs/SPCCs.
* Compliance with CTE/CTO conditions is regularly monitored by SPCBs/SPCCs.
* The Ministry has notified the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, to strengthen environmental compliance.
* **Geographical Applicability:**
* These mechanisms are uniformly applicable across the country.
* This includes desert areas of Barmer and industrial zones in Coastal States and Union Territories.
* Coastal areas are also subject to the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011 or 2019.
**Impact Analysis**
**Oil and Industrial Project Developers**
* **Impact:** Must comply with EIA Notification, EC requirements, and consent mechanisms. Subject to ongoing monitoring.
* **Action Required:** Conduct EIAs, implement EMPs, obtain EC, CTE, and CTO, file compliance reports, and adhere to monitoring requirements.
**Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards/Committees (SPCBs/SPCCs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and monitoring the consent mechanism.
* **Action Required:** Grant CTE/CTO, monitor compliance, and enforce regulations.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change**
* **Impact:** Oversees the environmental compliance framework and regulates projects.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the effective implementation of EC and consent mechanisms, monitor compliance, and enforce regulations.
**General Public/Communities near Industrial Projects and Desert Areas of Barmer**
* **Impact:** The projects will have direct and indirect impacts on the environment and socioeconomic conditions in these areas.
* **Action Required:** None specified in the document, however, it is implied the government agencies mentioned above are there to protect their interests.
Key Entities Referenced
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process for evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
EIA Notification, 2006: Notification listing projects/activities requiring prior Environmental Clearance (EC).
Barmer: A desert area in India affected by oil drilling and industrial projects.
Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC): A committee that rigorously appraises projects/activities based on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before granting Environmental Clearance (EC).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and related policies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO 134
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026
Impact of Oil Drilling and Industrial Projects on Desert Ecology
*134. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the impact of oil drilling and industrial projects on
desert ecology in Barmer;
(b) if so, the measures taken to mitigate damage; and
(c) whether similar reviews have been conducted for industrial zones in coastal States/UTs?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
***STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 134 RAISED BY SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL
REGARDING IMPACT OF OIL DRILLING AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS ON DESERT
ECOLOGY DUE FOR REPLY ON 09.02.2026.
(a) to (c): All projects/activities listed in the Schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended,
require prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for the setting up of a new project/activity or expansion
of an existing project/activity beyond the thresholds mentioned in the Notification. These
projects/activities, including oil drilling and industrial projects, are granted EC by the regulatory
authority based on the recommendations of the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which
rigorously appraises the projects/activities based on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
carried out for such projects, taking into account the impact of the said projects/activities on the
environment. The mitigation measures recommended by the EAC’s form a part of the EC conditions
for the proposed project/activity.
For oil drilling projects, the EAC assesses site suitability and impacts on air, water, noise, ecology,
and socio-economic conditions. In ecologically sensitive areas such as deserts, the EIA evaluates
effects on habitats, biodiversity, soil, water resources, and overall ecological balance using baseline
data and impact predictions. Based on anticipated impacts, a detailed Environmental Management
Plan (EMP) is prepared, covering mitigation measures, pollution control, conservation actions, risk
management, and environmental monitoring. The appraisal emphasizes appropriate siting away from
sensitive areas, settlements, floodplains, and forest land, along with safe management of drilling
wastes, effluents, hazardous chemicals, and safety risks. Key mitigation measures include use of low-
toxicity drilling fluids, lined and reclaimed waste pits, authorized treatment and disposal of wastes,
full site restoration, SCADA-based operations, and comprehensive onsite and offsite disaster
management and emergency response plans.
The projects/activities once granted EC are required to file six monthly compliance reports,
mandatorily through PARIVESH, with regard to the conditions prescribed in the EC. In addition to
the above, projects are governed by the consent mechanism which is implemented by the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with the State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution
Control Committees (SPCBs/SPCCs), under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Under the consent
mechanism, projects are granted Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) by the
respective SPCBs/SPCCs taking into account various criteria such as siting of the project /activity,
the environmental safeguards to be observed by the project/ activity etc., thereby ensuring
sustainability. The compliance to CTE/CTO conditions are regularly monitored by the respective
SPCBs/SPCCs. Recently, the Ministry has also notified the Environment Audit Rules, 2025 to
strengthen the environmental compliance framework for projects operating under various
environmental laws.
These mechanisms are uniformly applicable across the country, including desert areas of Barmer and
industrial zones located in Coastal States and Union Territories. In addition, for coastal areas, the
provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011 or 2019, as the case may be, are also applicable.
***