State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA)

Subject – Environment

Context – A move by the Union Environment Ministry to implement a ‘star-rating system’ has sparked controversy

Concept –

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, central Government constituted State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The Notification provides for constitution of a SEIAA empowered to grant Environmental Clearance to mitigate pollution and protect environment.
To assist SEIAA, a State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) is constituted.
Under the notification, it is mandatory of getting for prior Environmental Clearance for certain new projects, expansion or modernization of existing projects based on their potential on environmental impact.
- Projects falling under Category ‘A’ in the Schedule to the Notification require Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF& CC), GoI and for matters falling under Category ‘B’, depending upon the thresholds of the activities requires Clearance at State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).