The projects activities which require prior environmental clearance from the
concerned regulatory authority, shall hereinafter referred to be as the Central
Government in the Ministry Of Environmental and Forest for projects falling under
category ‘A’ and at state level the state Environment Impact Assessment Authority
(SEIAA) for project falling under Category ‘B’ before any construction work, or
preparation of land by the project management except for securing the land, is
started on the project or activity.
An application seeking prior environmental clearance in all cases shall be made in
the prescribed format Form 1 and supplementary Form 1A if applicable. The check
list of environmental impacts given by the competent authority as per Indian
environmental condition are given in form 1A. after the identification of prospective
site (s) for the project and/or activities to which the application relates, before
commencing any construction activity, or preparation of land, at the site by the
applicant or proponent. The applicant shall furnish, along with the application, a copy
of the Pre-Feasibility project report. In case of construction project activities, in
addition to form I and in the supplementary Form IA, a copy of the conceptual plan
shall be provided, stead of the Pre-Feasibility report. Form I highlight four important
aspects, namely: basic information of the project, the line of activity including
construction operation or decommissioning of the project. Physical changes in the locality like topography, land use, changes in water bodies etc. Environmental
sensitivity including ecological, landscape and cultural features, wetlands, coastal
lands, national boundaries, defense installations etc., and proposed terms of
reference (TOR) for EIA studies.
