Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads.

Environment Impact Assessment is a tool to address and find the impact of any project on the Environment and thus understand its viability.

Steps of EIA

Reasons for limited success

(1) Lack of transparency in assessment process leading to licence raj.

(2) Low deterrence due to non-enforcement of penalties.

(3) Lack of proper classification into white, green, red, orange industries.

(4) Poor judicial system to held accountability.

(5) Lack of people's participation and their ignorance leads to surpassing of rules.

Measures to make EIA effective

(1) Using ICT and digital portals to carry out assessment and reduce licence raj as done in 48 hours report for MSME.

(2) Carrying out social audit on regular basis to improve regulations and adherence to EIA rules.

(3) Designating a separate board to address EIA related issue.

(4) Fast-track courts for quick enforcement and remedy.

(5) Effective guidelines, proper classification and easy compliance methods using good governance.

Also a step can be taken to address combined Environment and Social Impact Assessment to ensure communities are not harmed in setting of industrial projects.

tourism, health and poor management that leads to floods and other disasters.

Plastic waste management Rules, 2016 & other measures

(1) It extends the responsibility to the producer to collect back plastic (Extended producer responsibility).

(2) India has committed to reduce plastic waste by banning 'Single use plastics' -> 'BEAT Plastic'.

(3) Minimum thickness of plastic increased to 50 microns to make it costly. This will reduce free giving of plastic bags.

(4) Engaging with the informal sector - rag pickers to make waste collection effective and economical.

(5) Segregation at source directives for individuals.

(6) Nudge towards Circular Economy. However there are many challenges that India face like

• job loss
• increasing cost of production
• status quo by individuals etc

In beating plastic waste we need to generate awareness and responsibility to ensure

to beat plastic.