Environment clearance for real estate projects in India


Being a studious one :-), for an assignment from our real estate firm in the family, over the weekend I read guidelines by the Indian ministry of environment and forests for environment clearance of building, construction, township and area development projects in various states of India. The guidelines provide a standardized process and requirements for environment impact analysis of these projects. It is heartening to see such a comprehensive document made available by a government ministry. It will help reduce subjectivity in the environment clearance process across 25 states that have formed State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) and state export appraisal committees (SEAC).

The guidelines make 2 categories of projects. Building and construction projects, and township and area development projects. Building and construction projects involve construction of one or more standalone buildings sans the infrastructure development while Township and area development projects involve development of infrastructure like roads, water supply and management, electricity supply and management and social infrastructure like school, recreation and community centre, security, waste management, medicare and shopping center with adequate facilities should also be housed in the township itself.

All building and construction projects with built up area over 20,000 sq. meters and less than 150,000 sq. meters and all Township and area development projects covering an area of 50 hectors or built-up area over 150,000 sq. meters require to come up with environment impact assessment for environment clearance from SEIAA. These requirements get tougher for projects within 10KMs of a protected forest or near a critically polluted area listed or a listed ecologically sensitive area like Matheran etc.

For environment clearance one needs to apply using a prescribed Form 1 and supplementary Form 1A along with a conceptual plan of the project. EIA document should include following sections.

  • Introduction
  • Project description
  • Description of the environment
  • Anticipated environmental impact and mitigation measures
  • Analysis of alternatives (Technology and site)
  • Environment monitoring program
  • Additional studies
  • Project benefits
  • Environment management plan
  • Summary and conclusions
  • Disclosures of consultants engaged (wondering why this is required? Proper channel? J)

I’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Jai Hind!

Amit

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