How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (Answer in 150 words)

The draft EIA Notification, 2020 sought to replace the 2006 framework, aiming to streamline environmental clearances but raising concerns about dilution of safeguards.

• It proposed post-facto environmental clearance for projects that had commenced or expanded without prior approval, subject to penalties and remediation.
• It reduced or altered public-consultation timelines and expanded exemptions from public hearing in specified cases.
• Several projects could receive clearance through a centralised or classified process with reduced scrutiny.
• Compliance reporting was proposed to shift from twice yearly to once yearly.
• It introduced a validity period of up to 50 years for some projects and extended monitoring and clearance timelines.

Supporters argued that clearer categorisation and digitisation would reduce delays and improve ease of doing business. Critics feared legalising violations, weakening public participation, reducing state and community oversight and undermining the precautionary principle.

A credible EIA regime requires prior appraisal, independent expertise, cumulative-impact assessment, transparent data, meaningful consultation and strict compliance enforcement.

Keywords: prior environmental clearance, public consultation, precautionary principle, post-facto approval, compliance monitoring.