Environmental NGOs and activists play a crucial role in shaping Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes by raising awareness, advocating for sustainable practices, and holding stakeholders accountable. Their influence has led to significant changes in project approvals, aligning with the GS3 syllabus on environmental governance.

Q8. What role do Environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.

Model Answer:

Introduction

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a critical process in India, governed by the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, and the EIA Notification, 2006, aimed at evaluating the potential environmental impacts of major projects. Environmental NGOs and activists play a pivotal role in influencing EIA outcomes by raising public awareness, contesting flawed data, offering legal assistance, and amplifying the concerns of affected communities.

Body

Key Roles of NGOs and Activists:

• Raising Public Awareness: NGOs educate citizens about the ecological risks of projects.
• Challenging Data: Activists scrutinize and challenge inaccurate or misleading data presented by project proponents.
• Legal Interventions: They provide legal support to communities affected by improper EIAs.
• Advocacy for Local Communities: They highlight concerns such as displacement, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation.

Examples:

• Tata Mundra Power Plant:
  • NGO: Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan (MASS) filed complaints, leading to tighter environmental controls by the IFC.
• Koodankulam Nuclear Plant:
  • NGO: PMANE and S.P. Udayakumar organized protests, resulting in additional safety measures.
• Posco Steel Project:
  • NGO: POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti and Abhay Sahoo led protests, halting the project over environmental concerns.
• Vedanta Niyamgiri Mining:
  • NGO: Survival International and Prafulla Samantara successfully stopped the project, protecting tribal rights.

Criticism of NGO Activity:

• In some cases, NGOs have been criticized for delaying development projects unnecessarily. For instance, the Sterlite Copper Plant in Tamil Nadu was shut down after environmental protests, leading to significant economic losses, affecting copper production and jobs. 
• Such delays or closures can have negative impacts on industrial development and economic growth, raising concerns about a balance between environmental activism and development needs.

Conclusion

NGOs and activists ensure greater transparency and accountability in the EIA process, influencing policy changes such as improved public consultation and data transparency. However, it is important to balance environmental concerns with development to avoid undue harm to the economy and livelihoods.

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