Status of biodiversity and impact assessment in India. Dr. Asha Rajvanshi Environmental Impact Assessment Cell Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun

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1 Status of biodiversity and impact assessment in India Dr. Asha Rajvanshi Environmental Impact Assessment Cell Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun

2 Salient features of India s biodiversity 2.4% of the world s area 7.31% of the global fauna 30% of the world s recorded flora Homeland of 167 cultivated species and 320 wild relatives of crop plants

3 India has The confluence of three major realms - the Indo- Malayan, Eurasian and Afrotropical Two out of twenty-five biodiversity hotspots in the world 26 recognised endemic centres for flowering plants 92 National Parks 492 Sanctuaries 5 World Heritage sites 12 Biosphere Reserves 19 Ramsar wetlands

4 Biological diversity of India Taxa Number of Species India World Percentage of India to the World Pteridophyta Gymnosperma Angiosperma Mollusca Arthropoda Other invertebrates Pisces Amphibians Reptiles Aves Mammals UNEP-GBA (1995) & MoE&F 1997,1998

5 Endemism Plants - 33% Birds - 14% Reptiles - 32% Amphibians - 62% Mammals - 21%

6 Biogeographic Zonation of India

7 Major threats to Indian biodiversity Key factors 16% of world s population and 18% of world s livestock population on nearly 2% of world s land area Rural population accounts for 74% Annual population growth of 2.3% 0.11 ha per capita forest area

8 Major impacts High dependence on natural resource for sustenance Increasing trends of biotic pressures on biodiversity resources due to decline in forest to man ratio Quest for rapid development Inappropriate development strategies Diversion of forest lands (in millions of hectares) for various non forest activities, viz. Cultivation 4.37 River Valley Projects 0.52 Industries and townships 0.14 Illegal encroachments 0.07 Transmission lines and roads 0.06 Miscellaneous purposes 1.5

9 Adoption of formal EIA system An after thought

10 Adoption of formal EIA system Environmental Impact Assessment Notification (Issued on 27 th January, 1994 and amended on 4 th May, 1994) Salient features Umbrella legislation for EIA EIA for all projects listed in Schedule I Site clearance for specific projects Validity of the environmental clearance limited to 5 years from the commencement of project Compliance with other legal and statutory provisions Provisions for revoking clearance

11 Introduction of public participation in EIA Public Hearing Notification (Issued on April 4, 1997 as an amendment to EIA Notification) Salient features Public hearing mandatory for environmental clearance. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) made responsible for coordinating and conducting the public hearing. No Objection Certificate for implementation of the proposed development project to be issued only after the conduct of public hearing.

12 Key policy documents National Wildlife Action Plan (2002). National Forest Policy, National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, June National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2003)

13 Other EIA related environmental legislations and notifications The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,1977 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Notification for Declaration of Air Pollution Control, Wildlife Protection Act,1972 (last amended in 1991). The Environmental (Protection) Act, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (Amended in 1992). Biodiversity Act, 2002.

14 Environmental legislations for protection of sensitive ecosystems and biodiversity resources Notification for declaration of no development zone Numaligarh (5th July 1996). around The Eco Sensitive Zone - Pachmarhi, Notification, (17th September, 1998). Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications (19th February,1991). Notification for restricting industrial activities, mining and other developments in Doon Valley (1st February 1989 ). Notification for prohibition on the location of industries in Murud - Janjira area in Raigarh ( 6th January, 1989) Notification for protection of Dahanu Taluka in District Thane (as amended up to 2nd August 2000). Notification for restricting certain activities in specified areas of Aravalli Range ( 7th May 1992). National Environment Appellate Authority Ordinance, 1997.

15 Environmental guidelines Shipping and Harbour (1981). Development of Beaches (1983). Siting of Industry (1984). River Valley Projects (1985). Thermal Power Plants (1987). Mineral Exploration (1989). Rail/Road/Highway Projects (1989). Communication Projects (1989). New Towns (1989). Airport Projects (1989).

16 Examples of effective integration Strategies 1. Integration of biodiversity concerns by enhancment of biodiversity values through recommendations creation of new protected areas 2. Preventing biodiversity impacts on important habitats and species of of conservation significance through eco-friendly and superior engineering and technological options 3. Restriction of project activities to defined period outside important phases of lifecycles Examples Recommendation of three new protected areas for mitigation of impacts of Narmadasagar project. Setting up new PA to mitigate impacts of pipeline project Realignment of the boundary of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to mitigate impacts of irrigation canals Recommendation of special technological measures for drilling across rivers to conserve species crocodiles and dolphins Recommendation of tunnels for aligning expressway through Western Ghats Recommendations of restricting activities through contractual clauses for road and pipeline projects

17 Examples of poor integration Issues 1. Lack of integration of public views on biodiversity values in decision making 2. Lack of adequate considerations of livelihood options and social and cultural needs in rehabilitation plans 3. Unsound rehabilitation policies to provide livelihood options and reduce dependence on local natural resources for sustenance Examples Location of some ports, hydropower projects and mining projects in remote wilderness areas despite local opposition. Examples Tehri and Parbati Hydroelectric projects, and roads and highway projects through forested tracts Implementation of some hydropower projects proposed on River Narmada, and mineral extraction projects involving large scale displacement of indigenous communities in central India Cash for land compensation led to socio-economic crisis for over 100,000 displaced persons under a single project Narmadasagar hydropower project

18 Effective integration of biodiversity issues in EIA

19 Strengths Comprehensive environmental legislation Well defined EIA process framework Development of conservation plans increasingly encouraged as part of EMPs Increasing awareness about integration of biodiversity in EIA amongst planners, proponents and decision makers

20 Weakness and barriers Lack of adequate scoping in EIA Collection of copious baseline data that is neither specific to the project nor used in analyses. Inconsistent and lack focus Delays in decision making due to back and forth consultations and revisions in documentation Inadequate post project monitoring mechanism of EMPs and EC conditions Non-compliance of stipulated conditions Lack of coordination among state and central agencies Undesirable dichotomy in EIA reporting procedures leading to delayed and hindered decision making Political expediency Increasing controversies over development versus conservation