Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Define Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its importance in India.
• Briefly introduce the role of environmental NGOs and activists in the EIA process.

2. Key Roles of NGOs and Activists

• Advocacy and Awareness: Explain how NGOs raise public awareness and mobilize community support regarding environmental issues.
• Monitoring Compliance: Discuss the role of NGOs in monitoring projects and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
• Legal Intervention: Describe how activists utilize legal avenues to challenge inadequate or flawed EIAs.
• Public Participation: Highlight the facilitation of community engagement in the EIA process by NGOs.

3. Examples of Influence

• Provide four detailed examples of how NGOs and activists have influenced EIA outcomes:
  1. Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining Project (Odisha): Discuss the involvement of Survival International and the Dongria Kondh tribe, focusing on their advocacy for tribal rights and environmental protection.
  2. Mumbai Coastal Road Project (Maharashtra): Explain how NGOs like Vanashakti filed petitions regarding the project’s environmental impact, leading to a halt in construction.
  3. POSCO Steel Plant (Odisha): Detail the protests led by Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti and Greenpeace India against the project due to inadequate EIA and community displacement.
  4. Aarey Forest Metro Car Shed (Mumbai): Describe the efforts of the Save Aarey Movement in highlighting the project’s impact on biodiversity and indigenous communities, resulting in a change of plans.

4. Conclusion

• Summarize the critical role of NGOs and activists in shaping EIA outcomes.
• Emphasize the importance of their continued engagement in promoting sustainable development.

Relevant Facts

1. EIA Significance: The EIA process is essential for assessing the environmental impacts of major projects before approval, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into decision-making.
2. Narmada Bachao Andolan: This movement successfully mobilized communities against the Sardar Sarovar Dam, highlighting the importance of community involvement in EIAs.
3. Legal Challenges: Activists have effectively used public interest litigations (PILs) to challenge flawed EIAs, as seen in the Khandadhar Iron Ore Mine case.
4. Community Engagement: Local NGOs have facilitated public consultations, ensuring diverse perspectives are included in the EIA process, such as in the Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline project.
5. Supreme Court Rulings: The Supreme Court of India has recognized the rights of indigenous communities in projects like the Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining Project, emphasizing the role of NGOs in advocating for these rights .

By following this roadmap and utilizing these facts, you can construct a comprehensive answer to the question regarding the role of environmental NGOs and activists in influencing EIA outcomes in India.