## Report on Notification Regarding State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Himachal Pradesh
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 2500(E)) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, on June 1, 2022. This notification establishes the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Himachal Pradesh, outlining their composition, powers, and operational procedures. The core purpose is to decentralize and streamline the environmental clearance process for projects within Himachal Pradesh, ensuring environmental protection and sustainable development. Key findings include the defined structure of both bodies, their terms of office, and provisions to manage conflicts of interest.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of Notification S.O. 2500(E), dated June 1, 2022, regarding the establishment of the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Himachal Pradesh. This analysis is based solely on the information contained within the provided notification text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a *new policy* establishing bodies for environmental impact assessment.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objective is to establish a State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and a State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Himachal Pradesh, as mandated by the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and prior notifications. This aims to facilitate environmental clearances at the state level.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **Likely Problem/Issue Addressed:** The establishment of the SEIAA and SEAC for Himachal Pradesh suggests a need for a more localized and efficient process for environmental impact assessment. Previously, the central government or a different structure may have been responsible. The policy likely aims to expedite environmental clearances, ensure state-specific environmental considerations are addressed, and promote sustainable development within Himachal Pradesh. The notification references the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and S.O.1533(E) implying that this is part of a larger framework for environmental governance.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The notification establishes the following key provisions:
* **Establishment of SEIAA and SEAC:** The policy formally constitutes the SEIAA and SEAC for Himachal Pradesh.
* **Composition of SEIAA:** The SEIAA consists of a Chairman (Shri Arvind Mehta), a Member (Dr. S.S. Samant), and a Member Secretary (Director, Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh).
* **Composition of SEAC:** The SEAC consists of a Chairman (Dr. Sandeep Bhatnagar), and several Members including Dr. Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, Dr. Harish Sharma, Dr. R.C. Chauhan, Dr. Ashwani Tapwal, Dr. Ranbir Singh Rana, and Er. Parveen Gupta as the Member Secretary.
* **Term of Office:** The Chairman and Members of both the SEIAA and SEAC hold office for a term of three years from the date of publication of the notification.
* **Powers and Procedures:** The SEIAA exercises powers and follows procedures as specified in the said notification S.O.1533E, dated the 14th September, 2006.
* **Decision Making:** The SEIAA makes decisions based on the recommendations of the SEAC.
* **Operational Principles for SEAC:** The SEAC functions on the principle of collective responsibility, with the Chairman endeavoring to reach a consensus. If a consensus cannot be reached, the view of the majority prevails.
* **Conflict of Interest Management:** The notification includes provisions to avoid conflicts of interest, including declarations of association with consulting organizations and project proponents, prohibition of consultation on projects being appraised by the Authority and SEAC during tenure, and recusal from meetings if consultancy services were provided to a project proponent in the preceding five years.
* **Secretariat:** The Government of Himachal Pradesh will notify an agency to act as the Secretariat for the Authority and SEAC. The Secretariat will provide financial and logistical support.
* **Allowances:** The siting fee, travelling allowances and dearness allowances to the Chairman and Member of the Authority and SEAC shall be paid as per the rules of the State Government of Himachal Pradesh.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders are:
* **Project Proponents in Himachal Pradesh:** Companies and individuals planning projects within Himachal Pradesh that require environmental clearance.
* **Government of Himachal Pradesh:** Specifically, the Department of Environment, Science and Technology, and the agency designated as the Secretariat for the SEIAA and SEAC.
* **Environmental Consultants:** Organizations providing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and environment management plan services.
* **Local Communities in Himachal Pradesh:** Potentially affected by projects undergoing environmental assessment.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:** Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (issuing authority), State Government of Himachal Pradesh (responsible for notifying the secretariat and paying allowances), SEIAA, SEAC, and their respective secretariats.
* **Any timelines or procedures specified in the text?:** The term of office for the Chairman and Members of the SEIAA and SEAC is three years. The SEIAA is required to take its decision on the recommendations of the SEAC. Other procedures are referenced in S.O.1533(E) but not detailed in this notification.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* **Likely intended outcomes:**
* A more efficient and localized environmental clearance process for projects in Himachal Pradesh.
* Improved environmental governance and sustainable development within the state.
* Greater accountability and transparency in the environmental assessment process.
* Reduced potential for conflicts of interest in environmental decision-making.
**9. Conclusion:**
Notification S.O. 2500(E) is a significant step towards strengthening environmental governance in Himachal Pradesh by establishing the SEIAA and SEAC. The policy outlines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of these bodies, as well as measures to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest. The effective implementation of this notification is crucial for promoting sustainable development and protecting the environment within Himachal Pradesh. The notification references external procedures, so full understanding requires examination of these related policy documents.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An Indian environmental law under which powers are conferred for environmental protection.
Gazette of India: Official government publication in which notifications are published.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: A ministry of the Government of India.
State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Himachal Pradesh: A constituted authority in Himachal Pradesh for environmental impact assessments.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India.
State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh: A committee constituted to assist the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority in Himachal Pradesh.
Arvind Mehta: Chairman of State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Himachal Pradesh
S.S. Samant: Director Member of State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Himachal Pradesh
Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh: A department of the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Sandeep Bhatnagar: Chairman of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Satish Kumar Bhardwaj: Prof. and Head, Department of Environment Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Distt. Solan, Himachal Pradesh, Member of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Distt. Solan, Himachal Pradesh: University in Himachal Pradesh
Harish Sharma: Principal Scientific Officer Retd., Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, VPO Fagu, Shimla. Himachal Pradesh, Member of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board: Pollution Control Board of Himachal Pradesh
R.C. Chauhan: Retd. Professor Environmental Science Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, College of Basic Science Himachal Pradesh, Agriculture University, Palampur, Member of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Agriculture University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh: Agriculture University in Himachal Pradesh
Ashwani Tapwal: Scientist E, Forestry and Bioresource, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Member of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Forest Research Institute in Himachal Pradesh
Ranbir Singh Rana: Principal Scientist, Agronomy Centre for Geoinformatics Research and Training, CSK Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, Member of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
CSK Palampur, Himachal Pradesh: Institution in Himachal Pradesh
Parveen Gupta: Addl. Director, Department of Environment, Science and Technology and Chief Environment Engineer SPCB, Shimla, MemberSecretary of State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: City in Himachal Pradesh
New Delhi: City in India
Chandigarh: City in India
रजजस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
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सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-01062022-236198
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CG-DL-E-01062022-236198
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2373] नई ददल्ली, बधु वार, जनू 1, 2022/ज्य ष्े ठ 11, 1944
No. 2373] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022/JYAISHTHA 11, 1944
पयावा रण, वन और जलवाय ुपररवतना मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई ददल्ली, 1 जून, 2022
का.आ. 2500(अ).—केन्द रीय सरकार, पयाावरण (सरं क्षण) अजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की
उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रदत् त िजतत यक का प्रय ग करत े ए ए और तत्कालीन पयाावरण और वन मंत्रालय की अजधसूचना सं.
का.आ. 1533(अ), तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006 (जजसे इसमें इसके पश् चातउ उतत अजधसूचना काा गया ा)) द्वारा भारत के
राजपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (ii) में प्रकाजित भारत सरकार की अजधसूचना के अनुसरण म ें जनम्न जलजखत
व्यजियक से जमल कर बनने वाले राज्य स्ट् तर पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे (जजसे इसमें इसके
पश् चातउ प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदेि काा गया ा)) का गठन करती ा,) अथाात उ :-
1. श्री अरववद मेाता, आईएएस (सेवाजनवृत्त) अध्यक्ष
ई-1 माारानी बाग, नई ददल्ली (भारत)
2. डॉ. एस.एस. सामंत, जनदेिक सदस्ट्य
एचएफआरआई, क जनफर कैंपस, पंथाघाटी, जिमला,
जामाचल प्रदेि-171013
3. जनदेिक, पयाावरण, जवज्ञान और प्रौद्य जगकी जवभाग, सदस्ट्य-सजचव
जामाचल प्रदेि सरकार, जिमला-171001
3659 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
2. प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे के अध्यक्ष और सदस्ट्य, राजपत्र में इस अजधसूचना के प्रकािन की तारीख से तीन वर्ा के
जलए पद धारण करेंग े।
3. प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे ऐसी िजियक का प्रय ग करेगा और ऐसी प्रदिया का अनुसरण करेगा ज उि राजपत्र की
अजधसूचना में जवजनर्ददष् ट ा।ैं
4. प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे प)रा 5 के अधीन गरठत राज्य स्ट्तरीय जविेर्ज्ञ अंकन सजमजत की जसफाररिक पर अपना
जवजनश्चय लगे ा।
5. केंरीय सरकार, जामाचल प्रदेि की राज्य सरकार के परामिा म ें प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदेि की साायता करन े के
प्रय जन के जलए राज्य स्ट्तरीय जविेर्ज्ञ अंकन सजमजत (जजसे इस अजधसूचना में इसके पश्चातउ एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि
काा गया ा)) का गठन करती ा )जजसमें जनम्नजलजखत सदस्ट्य ा ते ा,ैं अथाातउ: -
1. डॉ संदीप भटनागर, आईएएस (सेवाजनवृत्त), ााउस नंबर 45, सेतटर -4, चंडीगढ़ अध्यक्ष
2. डॉ. सतीि कुमार भारद्वाज, प्र . और प्रमुख, पयाावरण जवज्ञान जवभाग, वाजनकी कॉलेज, सदस्ट्य
डॉ. वाई.एस. परमार बागवानी और वाजनकी जवश्वजवद्यालय, नौनी-173230, जजला,
स लन, जामाचल प्रदेि
3. डॉ. ारीि िमाा, सदस्ट्य
प्रधान व)ज्ञाजनक अजधकारी (सेवाजनवृत्त),
जामाचल प्रदेि राज्य प्रदर्ू ण जनयंत्रण ब डा, वीपीओ फाग,ू जिमला, जामाचल प्रदिे
4. डॉ. आर.सी. चौाान, (सेवाजनवृत्त) प्र फेसर सदस्ट्य
(पयाावरण जवज्ञान) जीव जवज्ञान और पयाावरण जवज्ञान जवभाग,
बेजसक साइंस कॉलेज जामाचल प्रदेि, कृजर् जवश्वजवद्यालय,
पालमपुर-176062
5. डॉ अजश्वनी टपवाल, सदस्ट्य
व)ज्ञाजनक ई, वाजनकी और ज)व-संसाधन, जामालयी
वन अनुसंधान संस्ट्थान, िंकुधारी पररसर, पंथाघाटी, जिमला,
जामाचल प्रदेि
6. डॉ. रणबीर वसा राणा, सदस्ट्य
प्रधान व)ज्ञाजनक, (कृजर् जवज्ञान) भू-सूचना
जवज्ञान अनुसंधान और प्रजिक्षण केंर, सीएसके पालमपुर,
जामाचल प्रदेि
7. इंजीजनयर परवीन गुप्ता, सदस्ट्य-सजचव
अजतररि जनदेिक, पयाावरण, जवज्ञान और प्रौद्य जगकी जवभाग और मुख्य पयाावरण
अजभयंता (एसपीसीबी),
जिमला-171001
6. एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदिे के अध्यक्ष और सदस्ट्य, राजपत्र में इस अजधसूचना के प्रकािन की तारीख से तीन वर्ा के जलए
पद धारण करेंगे।
7. एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि ऐसी िजियक का प्रय ग करेगा और उि राजपत्र अजधसचू ना में यथा-जवजनर्ददष्ट ऐसी
प्रदियाओं का पालन करेगा।
8. एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि सामूजाक उत्तरदाजयत्व के जसद्ांत पर काम करेगी और अध्यक्ष प्रत्येक मामले में सवासम् मजत
पर पए चं ने का प्रयास करेगा और यदद सवासम् मजत पर ना पए चं ा जा सकता ा )त बए मत का मत अजभभावी ा गा ।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 3
9. जात के दकसी जवर ध से बचने के जलए, -
(क) प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदेि और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि के अध्यक्ष और सदस्ट्य, उस परामिादाता
संगठन क घ जर्त करेगा वे पररय जना के प्रस्ट्तावकक के साथ भी जुडे रा ेा ैं ;
(ख) प्राजधकरण,जामाचल प्रदिे और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि, के अध्यक्ष और सदस्ट्य,पररय जना के जलए
पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण (ईआईए) पयाावरण प्रबंधन य जना, त)यारी के साथ क ई परामिा या साय ग ना
करेंगे जजसे उनके कायाकाल दौरान प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदेि और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि द्वारा अंकन दकया
जाना ा;) और
(ग) यदद जपछल े पााँच वर्ों में, प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि के अध्यक्ष या
सदस्ट्यक म ें से क ई भी, दकसी भी पररय जना के प्रस्ट्तावक के जलए परामि ा सेवाएाँ प्रदान करता ा ) या पयाावरण
समाघात जनधाारण अध्ययन प्रदान करता ा,) उस घटना म ें ऐस े प्रस्ट्तावक द्वारा प्रस्ट्ताजवत दकसी भी पररय जना
के अंकन की प्रदिया म ें व े खुद क प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदिे की ब)ठकक स े ाटा
देंगे ।
10. जामाचल प्रदेि सरकार, प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदेि और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि के जलए सजचवालय के रूप म ेंकाया
करने के जलए दकसी अजभकरण क अजधसूजचत करेंगी और सजचवालय सभी जवत्तीय और संभार तंत्र संबंधी साायता, जजसके
अंतगता वास-सुजवधा, पररवान और उनके सभी कानूनी कृत्यक की बाबत अन्दय सुजवधाएं भी ा,ैं उपलब्ध कराएगी ।
11. प्राजधकरण, जामाचल प्रदिे और एसईएसी, जामाचल प्रदेि के अध्यक्ष और सदस्ट्य क ब)ठक की फीस, यात्रा भत्ते और
मागं ाई भत्ते जामाचल प्रदेि राज्य सरकार के जनयमक के अनुसार भुगतान दकया जाएगा।
[फा.सं. आईए3-1/4/2022—आईए.III]
डा. सुजीत कुमार बाजपेयी, संयुि सजचव
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 1st June, 2022
S.O. 2500(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and in pursuance of the notification of the Government of
India published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) of the erstwhile
Ministry of Environment and Forests, vide number S.O.1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006
(hereinafter referred to as the said notification), the Central Government hereby constitutes the State Level
Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Himachal Pradesh (hereinafter referred to as the Authority,
Himachal Pradesh) consisting of the following persons, namely:-
1. Shri Arvind Mehta, IAS (Retd.) Chairman
E-1 Maharani Bagh, New Delhi (India)
2. Dr. S.S. Samant , Director Member
HFRI, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh-
171013
3. Director, Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Member-Secretary
Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-171001
2. The Chairman and Members of the Authority, Himachal Pradesh shall hold office for a term of three
years from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
3. The Authority, Himachal Pradesh shall exercise such powers and follow such procedures as specified
in the said notification.
4. The Authority, Himachal Pradesh shall take its decision on the recommendations of the State Level
Expert Appraisal Committee, constituted under paragraph 5.
5. For the purposes of assisting the Authority, Himachal Pradesh, the Central Government, in
consultation with the State Government of Himachal Pradesh, hereby constitutes the State Level Expert
Appraisal Committee (hereinafter referred to as the SEAC, Himachal Pradesh) consisting of the following
Members, namely:-
1. Dr. Sandeep Bhatnagar, IAS (Retd.), House No. 45, Sector-4, Chandigarh Chairman
2. Dr. Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, Prof. and Head, Department of Environment Member
Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and
Forestry, Nauni-173230, Distt. Solan, Himachal Pradesh
3. Dr. Harish Sharma, Member
Principal Scientific Officer (Retd.), Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control
Board, VPO Fagu, Shimla. Himachal Pradesh
4. Dr. R.C. Chauhan, Member
(Retd.) Professor
(Environmental Science) Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences,
College of Basic Science Himachal Pradesh, Agriculture University, Palampur-
176062
5. Dr. Ashwani Tapwal, Member
Scientist E, Forestry and Bio-resource, Himalayan Forest Research Institute,
Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
6. Dr. Ranbir Singh Rana, Member
Principal Scientist, (Agronomy) Centre for Geo-informatics Research and
Training, CSK Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
7. Er. Parveen Gupta, Member-Secretary
Addl. Director, Department of Environment, Science and Technology and Chief
Environment Engineer (SPCB), Shimla-171001
6. The Chairman and Members of SEAC, Himachal Pradesh shall hold office for a term of three years from
the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.
7. The SEAC, Himachal Pradesh shall exercise such powers and follow such procedures as specified in the
said notification.
8. The SEAC, Himachal Pradesh shall function on the principle of collective responsibility and the
Chairman shall endeavour to reach a consensus in each case, and if consensus cannot be reached, the view
of the majority shall prevail.
9. In order to avoid any conflict of interest –
(a) the Chairman and Member of the Authority, Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh
shall declare as to which consulting organisation they have been associated with and also the project
proponents;
(b) the Chairman and Member of the Authority, Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh
shall not undertake any consultation or associate with preparation of Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) Environment Management Plan for a project, which is to be appraised by the
Authority, Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh during their tenure; and
(c) if in the preceding five years, the Chairman or any of the Members of the Authority, Himachal
Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh have provided consultancy services or conducted
Environment Impact Assessment studies for any project proponent, in that event they shall recuse[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 5
themselves from the meeting of the Authority, Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh in
the process of appraisal of any project being proposed by such proponents.
10. The Government of Himachal Pradesh shall notify an agency to act as Secretariat for the Authority,
Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh and the Secretariat shall provide all financial and logistic
support including accommodation, transportation and such other facilities in respect of all their statutory
functions.
11. The siting fee, travelling allowances and dearness allowances to the Chairman and Member of the
Authority, Himachal Pradesh and SEAC, Himachal Pradesh shall be paid as per the rules of the State
Government of Himachal Pradesh.
[F. No. IA3-1/4/2022-IA.III]
Dr. SUJIT KUMAR BAJPAYEE, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.