What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. (150 words)
Environmental NGOs and activists in India play a critical role in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes by raising public awareness, mobilizing communities, and ensuring adherence to environmental norms. Their efforts have often led to increased scrutiny and revisions of project proposals, ensuring environmental protection.
Role of Environmental NGOs and Activists:
- Advocacy and Awareness: NGOs like the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) regularly educate communities about the potential environmental impacts, empowering them to participate in the EIA process.
- Legal Interventions: Activists often file Public Interest Litigations (PILs) in courts to challenge faulty EIA reports, such as in the case of Vedanta’s Niyamgiri mining project in 2013, where Supreme Court intervention upheld tribal rights and environmental concerns.
- Scientific Assessment: Greenpeace conducted independent assessments for the proposed Mahan Coal Block Project in Madhya Pradesh (2014), revealing significant ecological damage, which led to the project’s cancellation.
- Public Mobilization: In the POSCO steel project in Odisha (2017), protests led by NGOs like “POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti” delayed the project, compelling a comprehensive re-evaluation of the EIA.
Conclusion:
NGOs and activists are crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability in EIA outcomes by providing scientific insights, legal challenges, and public engagement, fostering sustainable development.
