Course

Unit 1

Concept of environment, Concept of environmental impact, Environmental impact assessment (EIA) – definitions, terminology and overview, Evolution of EIA in the USA, Key features of the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementation and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) guidelines, Role of the USEPA, Evolution of EIA in India, Sustainable development, Generalised EIA process flow chart, Screening, Initial environmental examination (IEE), Scoping, Public participation.

Unit 2

Environmental baseline, Impact assessment methods – checklists – matrices – quantitative methods – networks – overlay mapping. Introduction to impact prediction and evaluation, Factors to be considered while assessing the impacts of water related projects, power projects, waste water treatment facilities etc. Major features of the EIA notification in India, Present status and procedures of EIA in India.

Unit 3

Prediction and assessment of impacts of developmental activities on surface water, land and soil, groundwater, air, biological environment etc.

Prediction and assessment of visual impacts, Socioeconomic impact analysis, Evaluation of alternatives, Preparing the EIA document, Environmental impact statement (EIS), Environmental monitoring, Environmental audit (EA).Case studies.

Course Objectives

To highlight the evolution of Environmental impact assessment methods To introduce the Impact assessment methods for various projects

To explain the various components for preparing the EIA document

Course Outcome

CO1: Understand the background of Environmental impact assessment in US and India

CO2: Analyze the factors and perform Impact assessment methods for various projects including water, power related projects

CO-PO Mapping