Evaluation of project-level environmental impact assessment and SWOT analysis of EIA process in India

In the context of project-level EIA, key areas for improving EIA process, viz., scoping, evaluation of significance, review of EIA reports, and monitoring and follow-up are examined. Based on evaluation of > 90 EIA reports prepared by consultants for manufacturing, power and infrastructural sector projects, additional areas like role of EIA team leader and some finer aspects of EIA which are often overlooked by practitioners and competent authority are brought out. SWOT analysis of the EIA process is carried out. Opportunities for improving the process include proactive approach by ETA consultants, public involvement in scoping, establishing realistic baseline conditions, quantification of environmental impacts, peer-review of EIA reports, and post-project monitoring and follow-up by third party.