Leather/Skin/Hide Processing Industry - Environmental Clearance

Operational Aspects of EIA4.9 Public ConsultationPublic consultation refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected peopleand others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the project oractivity are ascertained.Public consultation is not a decision taking process, but is a process to collect viewsof the people having plausible stake. If the SPCB/Public agency conducting publichearing is not convinced with the plausible stake, then such expressed views need notbe considered.All Category A and Category B1 projects require public hearing except the following:− Modernization of irrigation projects− Once environmental clearance is granted to an industrial estate/SEZ/EPZ etc., for agiven composition (type and capacity) of industries, then individual units will notrequire public hearing Expansion of roads and highways, which do not involve anyfurther acquisition of land.− All building/ construction projects/ area development projects/townships− All Category B2 projects− All projects concerning national defense and security or involving other strategicconsiderations as determined by the Central GovernmentPublic consultation involves two components, one is public hearing, and other one isinviting written responses/objections through Internet/by post, etc., by placing thesummary of EIA report on the website.Public hearing shall be carried out at the site or in its close proximity, district-wise,for ascertaining concerns of local affected people.Project proponent shall make a request through a simple letter to the Member-Secretary of the SPCB/UTPCC to arrange public hearing.Project proponent shall enclose with the letter of request, at least 10 hard copies and10 soft copies of the draft EIA report including the summary EIA report in Englishand in the official language of the State/local language prepared as per the approvedscope of work, to the concerned Authority.Simultaneously, project proponent shall arrange to send, one hard copy and one softcopy, of the above draft EIA report along with the summary EIA report to thefollowing Authorities within whose jurisdiction the project will be located:− District magistrate(s)/District Collector/Deputy Commissioner (s)− Zilla parishad and municipal corporation or panchayats union− District industries office− Urban local bodies (ULBs)/PRI concerned/development authorities− Concerned regional office of the MoEF/SPCBAbove mentioned Authorities except regional office of MoEF shall arrange to widelypublicize the draft EIA report within their respective jurisdictions requesting theinterested persons to send their comments to the concerned regulatory authorities.They shall also make draft EIA report for inspection electronically or otherwise to thepublic during normal office hours till the public hearing is over.TGM for Tanneries August 20104-36