## Report on Amendment to Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on January 18, 2021. This notification constitutes an amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The core purpose of the amendment is to address the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on project implementation. The key finding is that the amendment provides a time extension for the validity of both Terms of Reference (TOR) and Prior Environmental Clearances (EC) by excluding the period from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, from the calculation, while also validating activities undertaken during this period.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide an informative overview and analysis of the notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on January 18, 2021, which amends the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This notification is an **amendment** to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (S.O. 1533 E, dated September 14, 2006).
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective of this amendment, as inferred from the text, is to mitigate the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on the progress and validity of projects requiring environmental clearances. The amendment aims to provide relief to project proponents facing delays due to circumstances beyond their control.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment is likely a direct response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns (total or partial). The text explicitly states that the Ministry received numerous requests for the extension of the validity of prior environmental clearances due to project implementation being affected. The rationale for this amendment is to address the genuine concern that project activities were significantly hampered due to lockdowns and restrictions, potentially jeopardizing the validity of previously granted clearances and Terms of Reference (TOR). The government acknowledges the difficulties faced by project proponents and aims to provide a practical solution.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification introduces two key changes to the EIA Notification, 2006.
* **Change 1: Terms of Reference (TOR) Validity:**
* **Original Policy Part Affected:** Paragraph 7, subparagraph 7i, under subheading II. Stage 2 Scoping, after clause viii.
* **New Provision:** A new clause (ix) is inserted, stating that the period from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, *shall not* be considered when calculating the validity of Terms of Reference (TOR). Critically, the amendment *validates* all activities undertaken during this period concerning the TOR.
* **Effect of Change:** This effectively extends the lifespan of existing TORs by a year. It also provides reassurance to project proponents that work completed during the lockdown period remains valid for EIA purposes.
* **Change 2: Prior Environmental Clearance (EC) Validity:**
* **Original Policy Part Affected:** Paragraph 9A is being entirely substituted.
* **New Provision:** The new Paragraph 9A states that the period from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, *shall not* be considered when calculating the validity of Prior Environmental Clearances (EC). Critically, the amendment *validates* all activities undertaken during this period concerning the EC.
* **Effect of Change:** This effectively extends the lifespan of existing ECs by a year. It also provides reassurance to project proponents that work completed during the lockdown period remains valid.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include:
* Project proponents and developers undertaking projects or activities that require prior environmental clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006.
* Industries across various sectors impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns and seeking an extension on the validity of their TOR and EC.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the responsible agency for implementing and overseeing the amendment.
* **Timelines:** The amendment explicitly defines the period to be excluded from the validity calculation, from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Project proponents will need to factor this exclusion into their project timelines.
* **Procedures:** While the amendment does not explicitly detail new procedures, it implies that project proponents should be prepared to demonstrate the impact of the lockdown on their project progress if required. They will likely need to maintain records of activities undertaken during the specified period to demonstrate their validity.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes are:
* **Reduced Project Delays:** Preventing projects from lapsing due to time constraints imposed by lockdowns, therefore minimizing delays in project commencement and completion.
* **Alleviated Compliance Burden:** Reducing the burden on project proponents by granting an effective extension on existing environmental clearances and Terms of Reference.
* **Economic Recovery Support:** Supporting economic recovery by facilitating the continuation of existing projects and encouraging new investments.
* **Regulatory Certainty:** Providing clarity and certainty to project proponents regarding the validity of their clearances in light of the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, represents a pragmatic response by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By extending the validity of Terms of Reference and Prior Environmental Clearances, the amendment aims to alleviate the burden on project proponents, facilitate project continuity, and support economic recovery. The changes demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by industries during these unprecedented times.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Capital of India, place of publication of the gazette notification
Ministry of Environment and Forests: The erstwhile ministry that issued the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The Act under which the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 was published and the current notification is issued.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006: Notification S.O.1533E, dated the 14th September, 2006, which mandates prior environmental clearance for projects.
Corona Virus COVID19: The virus outbreak cited as the reason for delays in project implementation and the subsequent extension of environmental clearances.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The current ministry responsible for the notification.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules under which the Central Government is making amendments to the notification.
Gazette of India: Official government gazette where the notification was published.
Government of India: The government under which the notification is published.
GEETA MENON: Joint Secretary of the ministry who signed the notification.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E1x8x0x 12021-224513
CG-DL-E-18012021-224513
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 201] नई ददल्ली, सोमवार, िनवरी 18, 2021/पौि 28, 1942
No. 201] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021/PAUSHA 28, 1942
पयावा रण, वन और िलवाय ुपररवतना मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई ददल्ली, 18 िनवरी, 2021
का.आ. 221(अ).— केंद्रीय सरकार, तत्कालीन पयाावरण और वन मंत्रालय म,ें पयाावरण (सरं क्षण) अजधजनयम,
1986 की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (1) और उप-धारा (2) के खंड (v) के अधीन अपनी िजियों के प्रयोग करत े हुए, पयाावरण
समाघात जनधाारण अजधसूचना, 2006 (जिसे इसके बाद उि अजधसूचना कहा गया ह)ै संख्या का. आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख
14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा प्रकाजित दकया िा चुका ह,ै उि अजधसूचना की अनुसूची में सभी संबंजधत सूचीबद्ध नई
पररयोिनाओं या दियाकलापों के जलए उनके जवस्ट्तार और आधुजनकीकरण और/या उत्पाद जमश्रण म ें पररवतना दकया िा
सकता ह ै यथाजस्ट्थजत, भूजम को अजभप्राप्त करन े के जसवाय, पररयोिना प्रबंधन द्वारा दकसी भी संजनमााण काय ा या भूजम को
तैयार करने से पूवा संबंजधत जवजनयामक प्राजधकरण से पूवा पयाावरणीय अनापजि अपेजक्षत होगी ।
और कोरोना वायरस (कोजवड-19) के प्रकोप को देखत े हुए और तत्पश्चात इसके जनयत्रं ण के जलए घोजित
लॉकडाउन (कुल या आंजिक) ने , क्षेत्र में पररयोिनाओं या दियाकलापों के कायाान्वयन को प्रभाजवत दकया ह।ै पयाावरण
और वन िलवायु पररवतान मंत्रालय उि अजधसूचना म ें अनज्ञु ात अजधकतम अवजध स े परे पूव ा पयाावरणीय अनापजियों की
जवजधमान्यता के जवस्ट्तार के जलए अनुरोधों की संख्या प्राजप्त में है, क्योंदक कोजवड 19 महामारी अभी तक समाप्त नहीं हुई ह।ै
मामले की उि मंत्रालय में समीक्षा की गई ह ैऔर चचता इस तथ्य को ध्यान म ेंरखत े हुए ह ैदक लॉकडाउन (कुल या आंजिक)
के कारण, क्षेत्र में दियाकलापों को िारी रखना करिन हो सकता ह।ै
305 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
अत: अब, केंद्रीय सरकार, पयाावरण (संरक्षण) जनयम, 1986 के जनयम 5 के (4) खंड के साथ परित पयाावरण
(संरक्षण) अजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (1) की उप-धारा (2) के खडं (v) द्वारा प्रदि
िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, लोक जहत में उि जनयमों के जनयम 5 के उप-जनयम (3) के खंड (क) के अधीन नोरिस की
अपेक्षा अजभमुजि के पश्चात भारत के रािपत्र असाधारण, भाग- II, खंड 3, उपखंड (II), में प्रकाजित, भारत सरकार की
तत्कालीन पयाावरण और वन मंत्रालय अजधसूचना का.आ.1533 (अ), तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006, में जनम्नजलजखत और
संिोधन करती ह,ै अथाात:् -
उि अजधसूचना म,ें
(i) उप िीि ा II “चरण (2)_जवस्ट्तारण”, के अधीन परै ा 7 के उप पैरा 7(i) म,ें खंड (viii) के पश्चात जनम्नजलजखत खंड
अंत:स्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा अथाात्: -
“(ix) उपरोि में अंतर्ववष्ट दकसी बात के होते हुए, 1 अप्रैल 2020 से 31 माचा 2021 की अवजध में कोरोना वायरस
(कोजवड-19) के प्रकोप को देखते हुए और तत्पश्चात इसके जनयंत्रण के जलए घोजित लॉकडाउन (कुल या आंजिक)
की दजृ ष्ट म ें इस अजधसूचना के उपबंधो के अधीन मंिरू संदभा की ितों की जवजधमान्यता की अवजध की गणना के
प्रयोिन के जलए जवचार नहीं दकया िाएगा ,तथाजप उि सदं भा की ितों के संबंध में इस अवजध के दौरान
अपनाए गए सभी दियाकलाप जवजधमान्य समझे िाएंग े ।”;
(ii) पैरा 9 क के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखा िाएगा, अथाात् : -
"9 क. इस अजधसूचना म ें अतं र्ववष्ट दकसी बात के होत े हुए, 1 अप्रैल 2020 स े 31 माच ा 2021की अवजध म ें कोरोना
वायरस (कोजवड-19) के प्रकोप को देखते हुए और तत्पश्चात इसके जनयंत्रण के जलए घोजित लॉकडाउन (कुल या आंजिक)
की दजृ ष्ट म ें इस अजधसूचना के उपबंधो के अधीन मंिरू पूव ा पयाावरणीय अनापजि की जवजधमान्यताकी अवजध की गणना के
प्रयोिन के जलए जवचार नहीं दकया िाएगा ,तथाजप उि पयावा रणीय अनापजि के संबंध म ें इस अवजध के दौरान अपनाए
गए सभी दियाकलाप जवजधमान्य समझ ेिाएंगे ।”;
[फा. सं. 22-25/2020-आईए.III]
गीता मेनन, संयुि सजचव
रिप्पण : मलू अजधसूचना भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उप-खंड (ii) संख्या का.आ. 1533 (अ), तारीख
14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी और अजधसूचना अजधसूचना संख्या का.आ. 4254 (अ),तारीख
27 नवंबर, 2020 द्वारा अंजतम बार संिोधन दकया गया था।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 18th January, 2021
S.O. 221(E).—Whereas, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, in
exercise of its powers by 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, making the requirement of prior
environmental clearance from the concerned regulatory authority mandatory for all new projects or activities listed in
the Schedule to the said notification, their expansion and modernisation and/or change in product mix, as the case may
be, before any construction work or preparation of land by the project management except for securing the land;
And whereas, in view of the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or
partial) declared for its control, implementation of projects or activities in the field has been affected. Ministry of[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
Environment, Forest and Climate Change is in receipt of number of requests for extension of the validity of prior
environmental clearances beyond the maximum period allowed in the said notification, as the COVID-19 pandemic
has not yet come to an end. The matter has been examined in the said Ministry and the concern is genuine keeping in
view the fact that due to lockdowns (total or partial), continuation of activities in the field has been difficult.
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 Government of India, in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O. 1533 (E),
dated the 14th September, 2006, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (II),
namely:-
In the said notification, -
(i) in paragraph 7, in sub-paragraph 7(i), under sub-heading II. ―Stage (2) – Scoping‖, after clause (viii), the
following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
“(ix). Notwithstanding anything contained above, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March,
2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Terms of Reference granted
under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent
lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken during this period in
respect of the said Terms of Reference shall be treated as valid.”;
(ii) for paragraph 9A, the following paragraph shall be substituted namely:-
“9A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this notification, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the
31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Prior
Environmental Clearances granted under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus
(COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken
during this period in respect of the Environmental Clearance granted shall be treated as valid.”.
[F.No.22-25/2020-IA.III]
GEETA MENON, Joint 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. 4254(E), dated the 27th November, 2020.
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