Q1. What is the primary purpose of the Initial Project Description (IPD) in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process?
- To calculate project costs
- To assist in project marketing
- To enable project screening and scoping
- To finalize land acquisition
Correct Option: 3. To enable project screening and scoping
Explanation: The Initial Project Description (IPD) plays a critical role at the beginning of the EIA process. It provides baseline information on the project such as location, size, type of activities, phases (construction, operation), and preliminary environmental implications. This information enables regulatory authorities to decide whether a project requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment and what specific environmental aspects need to be studied. Without the IPD, it would be impossible to conduct proper screening or to define the scope of the EIA.
Q2. According to the siting criteria by MoEF, how far must an industrial project be located from a flood plain?
- 200 metres
- 500 metres
- 1 kilometre
- No minimum distance
Correct Option: 2. 500 metres
Explanation: As per the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) guidelines, projects should maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from flood plains or modified flood plains. This precaution is important to prevent potential environmental and human damage during flood events and to maintain the ecological functions of floodplains, which often act as natural buffers, recharge zones, and biodiversity hotspots.
Q3. Which of the following is not typically a part of the Public Hearing Panel?
- Representative from the State Pollution Control Board
- Local MLA of the region
- District Collector or nominee
- Senior citizens nominated by the District Collector
Correct Option: 2. Local MLA of the region
Explanation: The public hearing panel is constituted to ensure balanced representation from government, local governance, and the civil society. The panel generally includes representatives from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), the District Collector or their nominee, officials from the relevant environmental department, representatives from local bodies such as municipalities or panchayats, and three senior citizens nominated by the District Collector. Elected political figures like MLAs are not officially part of the public hearing panel to maintain neutrality and avoid political interference.
Q4. One of the major drawbacks of the current EIA system in India is:
- Too many biodiversity reports
- EIA reports are always reviewed by international experts
- Single-season data is used in many reports
- Projects are rarely granted clearance
Correct Option: 3. Single-season data is used in many reports
Explanation: A significant flaw in the Indian EIA process is the reliance on single-season environmental data, often collected during favorable or convenient seasons. This limited data set can be misleading because it does not capture the full range of environmental variations across different seasons (e.g., monsoon, dry, winter). For example, water quality, species diversity, or air pollution levels can vary dramatically throughout the year. Relying on single-season data leads to inaccurate assessments, which in turn can result in inappropriate project approvals and environmental harm.
Q5. What does the acronym PARIVESH stand for in the context of environmental clearances?
- Participatory Regulation and Investigation of Various Environmental Sites and Habitats
- Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub
- Protected Areas Regulation for Industrial Verification and Environmental Safety Hub
- None of the above
Correct Option: 2. Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub
Explanation: PARIVESH is an online single-window platform developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for streamlining the process of submitting, tracking, and monitoring applications for various clearances including Environmental, Forest, Wildlife, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). It simplifies the process for project proponents by offering a centralized portal with unique IDs for each project, enabling better transparency and faster decision-making. It represents a significant step in digitalizing environmental governance in India.