{"id":53942,"date":"2023-03-24T15:54:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T10:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=53942"},"modified":"2023-03-24T15:54:41","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T10:24:41","slug":"how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Conduct Public Hearing during EIA?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Public hearing (PH), also\nknown as public Consultation, refers to the process of ascertaining the\nconcerns of local persons and others who have plausible stakes in environmental\nimpacts of the project to take into account all the material concerns in the\nproject or activity design. The main objective of Public Hearing during EIA is\nto involve key stakeholder groups such as individuals, NGOs, agencies,\nauthorities, and interest groups in the assessment process. Also, by including\ninput from important stakeholders, the project is strengthened as PH is\nacknowledged as a crucial step in conducting an environmental impact assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The general public has a\nright to knowledge and to participate in discussions on issues that could\nimpact people&#8217;s lives, resources, and property. A Public Hearing during EIA\nprovides a venue for interested parties, those who will be affected, and\/or\nentire communities to learn about the project and exchange pertinent\ninformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/#History_of_Public_Hearing\" >History of Public Hearing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/#Projects_Where_Public_Hearing_during_EIA_Is_Not_Applicable\" >Projects Where Public Hearing during EIA Is Not Applicable<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/#Stages_in_the_Public_Hearing_Process\" >Stages in the Public Hearing Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/#Relevance_of_Public_Hearing_in_the_EC_Process\" >Relevance of Public Hearing in the EC Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-conduct-public-hearing-during-eia\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_Public_Hearing\"><\/span>History of Public Hearing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The EIA notification of 1994 was amended in 1997 to require a public hearing in the process of EIA for development projects. Under the Environmental (Protection) Act, environmental impact assessments (EIA) were introduced in India. However, it became legally binding when the Ministry of Environment and Forest <strong>(MoEF)<\/strong><sup><a class=\"text-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/moef.gov.in\/en\/\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/sup> issued the EIA notification on January 27, 1994, in accordance with EPA 1986, making environmental clearance necessary for any activity&#8217;s extension or modernisation for the establishment of new projects. The following sections show the changes brought in the public hearing provisions over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>2002 amendment in the EIA Notification 1994 exempted pipeline and highway projects from EIA. However, projects proponent were mandated to conduct public hearings in all the districts through which the pipeline or highway passed.<\/li><li>Amendment to this notification in 2003 mandated that public hearing was not required for offshore exploration activities beyond 10 km from the nearest habitation, village boundary or ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves (with 1,000 sq. mt area), coral reefs, national parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, marine parks and breeding and spawning grounds of marine life.<\/li><li>The EIA notification introduced in 2006 carried many provisions from the 1994 notification but included some provisions where a public consultation can be foregone. These provisions could exempt some projects from PH if the authorities felt that the situation is not conducive for holding a public hearing.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Projects_Where_Public_Hearing_during_EIA_Is_Not_Applicable\"><\/span>Projects Where Public Hearing during EIA Is Not Applicable<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All Category &#8216;A and B1\nprojects or activities undertake Public Consultation. Some projects and\nactivities are excluded from this process, including.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Modernisation of irrigation\nprojects (item 1(c) (ii) of the Schedule).<\/li><li>Projects or activities located\nwithin industrial estates or parks (item 7(c) of the Schedule) approved by the\nconcerned authorities and which are not disallowed in such approvals.<\/li><li>In case of expansion of highways\nand roads (item 7 (f) of the Schedule), which do not involve any further land\nacquisition.<\/li><li>Building, area Development\nprojects, townships and construction projects given in item 8.<\/li><li>All Category \u2018B2\u2019 projects and\nactivities.<\/li><li>Projects concerning national\ndefence and deemed important by the Central Government for security reasons or\nother strategic considerations.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stages_in_the_Public_Hearing_Process\"><\/span>Stages in the Public Hearing Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Public Hearing during EIA comprises of two aspects; a public consultation process in which only the local -affected people can participate and a process for obtaining written comments from those who are concerned citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The consultation process\nhas two components. First, it is carried out at the site or in its proximity-\ndistrict-wise, in the manner prescribed in Appendix IV of the notification for\nascertaining concerns of local affected persons. Secondly, it aims to obtain\nresponses in writing from other persons having a plausible stake in the\nenvironmental aspects of the project. Anyone likely to be affected by the\nproposed project is entitled to have access to the Executive Summary of the\nEIA. The following people are allowed to make written\/ oral suggestions to the\nSPCB.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Bonafide local residents<\/li><li>Local associations<\/li><li>Environmental groups: active in the area<\/li><li>Any other person located at the project site\/s of displacement<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The SPCB forms a Public\nHearing panel with a representative from the SPCB, the district collector or\ntheir nominee, representatives of the state government handling the project, a\nmaximum of three local Panchayat\/municipal representatives, and a maximum of\nthree senior citizens nominated by the district collector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The project proponent will\nbe required to submit 20 sets of documents as prescribed in the 2006 notification\nat the Sub-Regional office\/Regional office of the concerned SPCB. This will\ninclude the executive summary of the project in English and the local language,\nincluding information about the likely environmental problems and proposed\naction for controlling degradation and pollution from those problems on the\nenvironment. In addition, the SPCB were now required to publish a PH notice in\nat least two widely circulated newspapers in the region, one of which must be\nin the vernacular language of the locality concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The project developer will\nget a NOC from the SPCB following the conclusion of the Public Hearing during\nEIA and submit an application to the secretary of the MoEF for environmental\nclearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relevance_of_Public_Hearing_in_the_EC_Process\"><\/span>Relevance of Public Hearing in the EC Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The law gave the public a right\nto know and to be involved in information exchange and decision-making that may potentially affect lives, resources, and\nproperties. The interested and affected\nentities can obtain and exchange adequate\nand accurate project information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Public Hearing during EIA will\nprovide an opportunity for concerned stakeholders to express opinions, voice\ntheir concerns, and give suggestions to the\nauthorities to encourage fair decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits and effects\nof a project are laid down for the public before the project starts. This\nusually makes project development relatively trouble-free. Hence, the proponent\nalso has a stake in a fair Public Hearing during the EIA process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experience demonstrates\nthe value of effective Public Hearing during EIAs for ensuring action\ntimeliness and efficiency, minimising unforeseen costs and threats to financial\ninvestments and ensuring fair and prompt consensus on controversial matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The public hearing is the only venue in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/environmental-clearance\">environmental clearance<\/a><\/strong> process where citizens can express their concerns about a project directly to government representatives and proponents. A successful Public Hearing during EIA will likely give the project&#8217;s supporters sufficient, valid, timely feedback that will speed up project implementation. Other stakeholders may gain assurance and satisfaction from knowing that the project&#8217;s development will effectively address their concerns. A Public Hearing during EIA that is poorly organised and run may cause issues and hold up proceedings. Therefore, experience in matters of conducting such public participation activities is as essential as the whole assessment process. This requires the expertise of not only certified consultants but of the organisation with a pan India presence and a vast network of infrastructure that will be required to guarantee a successful public hearing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also Read<\/strong>: <br><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/how-to-draft-eia-report-to-spcb-for-public-hearing\/\">How To Draft EIA Report To SPCB For Public Hearing<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public hearing (PH), also known as public Consultation, refers to the process of ascertaining the concerns of local persons and others who have plausible stakes in environmental impacts of the project to take into account all the material concerns in the project or activity design. The main objective of Public Hearing during EIA is to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":53966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3161],"tags":[3312],"acf":{"service_id":"688"},"authorName":"Muskaan Verma","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-14.jpg","authorDescription":"Muskaan has completed her BA.LLB and LLM, gaining vast legal knowledge and expertise. She has keen interest in legal research and content writing, having prior experience of publishing numerous research papers in international journals on Environmental Laws and Corporate Laws.","postViews":11183,"readingTime":4,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53942"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53942"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53944,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53942\/revisions\/53944"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}