Answer:

Following environmental clearances are required to set up an industrial unit;

Stage I: Screening

• Screening means scrutiny of category ‘ET projects seeking prior environmental clearance made by the concerned State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
• Screening determines whether or not the project requires further environmental studies for preparation of EIA for its appraisal depending upon the nature and location specificity of the project.
• MoEF constitute EAC at Central level for Scoping and Appraisal of projects. MoEF also notify SEAC at state level on receiving nominations from State Government. EAC/SEAC may inspect sites (during screening, scoping and appraisal)
• As per new notifications no screening required for Category A projects (Sole Central List). Category B projects (Sole State list) will be further screened at the state level for categorization into either B1 or B2.
• Category B1 required EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and PH (Public Hearing) but B2 doesn't require EIA and PH.

Stage II: Scoping

• Scoping refers to the process by which the EAC in the case of Category ‘A’ projects and SEAC in the case of Category ‘Bl’ projects determine detailed and comprehensive TORs (Terms of Reference) addressing all the relevant environmental concerns for the preparation of EIA report.
• TOR will help the project proponents and consultants to prepare report with relevant project specific data, which are informative, compact and easy to comprehend.

Stage III : Public Consultation or Public Hearing (PH)

• Public Consultation refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected persons and others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the project or activity are ascertained. It can be direct hearing at site/or close proximity for local affected persons or indirect responses (written) i.e. through different modes of communication from plausible stake holders. And views can be displayed in websites, libraries, offices.
• Following routine is adopted for PH.

1. DM to preside over the PH process
2. Alternate Public Authority / Agency to be engaged by MoEF in case SPC'B fails to comply with time limit ° Incorporation of public concerns in EIA report ° Videography of proceedings must and to be enclosed with application for EC
3. Preparation of PH proceedings and signature by DM/AD Mon the same day.
4. Display of PH Proceedings in web site and other Govt, offices.

• It’s important to clarify that PH is not a decision stage - it is only to ascertain the concerns of local affected persons and from plausible stakeholders.

Stage IV: Appraisal

• Appraisal means the detailed scrutiny by the Expert Appraisal Committee or State Level Expert Appraisal Committee of the application and other documents submitted by the applicant for grant of environmental clearance. MoEF has so far constituted 25 State Level Expert Appraisal Committee to appraise category B projects.