Lok Sabha Question No. 3713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: EIA of Projects in and around Joshimath
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3713

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

## EIA of Projects in and around Joshimath

## 3713.   SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  Government's  policies  regarding  Himalayan  States  and  fragile Himalayan towns such as Joshimath, particularly in light of the 2022-23 disaster;
- (b) whether the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Social Impact Assessments (SIA) have been conducted for major development projects in and around Joshimath, including tunnel construction, large hydroelectric projects and four-lane highways, if so, the details of the reports thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  a  reassessment  of  large-scale  infrastructure projects  in  the  Himalayas,  which  are  considered  a  major  factor  behind  recurring disasters and if so, the details of alternative development plans; and
- (d) if not, the alternative disaster mitigation strategies chalked out by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (d) As per provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended, all infrastructure projects like the Hydro-electric projects and Highways etc., including those located in Himalayan States, require prior Environmental Clearance before the start of construction of the project, as applicable.  The Ministry has delineated a detailed procedure for comprehensive assessment of environmental and social impacts of such projects in  the  EIA  Notification,  2006,  as  amended,  which,  inter-alia,  provides  for  four  stages  of consideration process i.e., Screening, Scoping, Public Consultation and Appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee.

Whenever  the Projects require prior Environmental Clearance, the Expert Appraisal Committee at  the Central level or the State/UT level Expert Appraisal Committee and State/UT level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) comprising domain area experts, after detailed examination and deliberations on various environmental and social aspects of the project including appraisal of the studies/information related to seismology, geological profile, study  of  landslide  prone  areas,  risk  analysis  studies,  recommend  the  project  for  grant  of Environmental  Clearance  by  suggesting  suitable  mitigation  measures  and  Environment Management to minimize the environmental and social impacts associated with the project. It is only after such detailed study and analysis that environmental clearances are issued subject to compliance of necessary environmental safeguards and general and specific conditions by the Project Proponent before undertaking construction of the project.

Project  specific  conditions  related  to  safety  measures  like  installation  of  Early  Warning Telemetric system, implementation of Emergency Preparedness Plan, Disaster Management Plan,  Catchment  Area  Treatment  plan,  stabilization  of  muck  disposal  sites,  rim  plantation, pasture development, nursery development etc. are also prescribed as part of General/Specific conditions forming part of Environmental Clearances, as may be applicable.

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