Expert support for project proponents and accredited EIA consultants across the full Environmental Impact Assessment lifecycle — from screening and scoping through baseline analysis, impact prediction, Environmental Management Plans, public hearing preparation, and post-clearance compliance under the EIA Notification 2006 (as amended).
Environmental Impact Assessment is a statutory requirement under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the EIA Notification 2006 (S.O. 1533(E), as amended). Any project listed in the Schedule to the Notification must obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) before commencing construction or operations. Non-compliance attracts penalties under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 and can result in project closure orders.
Activity categories in the EIA Notification Schedule covering mining, thermal power, infrastructure, industry, and real estate
Project categories — A (MoEFCC), B1 (SEIAA with EIA), B2 (SEIAA without EIA) — determined by activity type and thresholds
MoEFCC’s single-window portal for EC, forest clearance, CRZ clearance, and wildlife applications since 2018
Only QCI-NABET accredited consultants can prepare and sign EIA reports for regulatory submission in India
RSustain India provides technical support and advisory services to project proponents and QCI-NABET accredited EIA consultants. We do not prepare or sign statutory EIA reports — that authority rests solely with accredited consultants. Our value lies in strengthening EIA quality through specialised environmental analysis, data management, compliance planning, and digital tools.
The EIA process under the 2006 Notification follows six mandatory stages. Here is what each stage involves and where RSustain adds value.
The first step determines whether a project requires EIA and under which category. The EIA Notification Schedule lists 39 activity categories with specific thresholds (capacity, area, investment) that determine classification as Category A (central appraisal by MoEFCC), Category B1 (state appraisal with EIA), or Category B2 (state appraisal without EIA). General Conditions further modify categorisation based on proximity to eco-sensitive areas, protected forests, and inter-state boundaries.
RSustain support: We help project proponents determine the applicable activity category, verify thresholds against the latest amendments, and assess whether General Conditions elevate the project category. Use our free EIA FastTrack tool for instant screening.
Category A and B1 projects must submit Form 1 (or Form 1A for construction/township projects) along with a pre-feasibility report via the PARIVESH portal. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Category A or State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Category B1 reviews the submission and prescribes site-specific Terms of Reference (ToR) within 60 days. ToR validity is typically 4 years for Category A projects (3 years for B1) and specifies the environmental parameters to be studied.
RSustain support: We assist in preparing Form 1/1A with accurate project descriptions, help compile the pre-feasibility report, and support PARIVESH portal submissions. We review prescribed ToR for completeness and help design the baseline study programme accordingly.
Baseline studies establish the existing environmental conditions in the project’s area of influence. A comprehensive (multi-season) EIA requires data across all four seasons; a rapid EIA requires at least one season of primary data. Key parameters include:
RSustain support: We provide analytical support for baseline data — statistical analysis, spatial mapping, trend assessment, and quality assurance. Our digital tools (AirQ Modeller, NoiseMap, Groundwater Assessment, RiverPulse) help analyse and visualise environmental baseline data.
The EIA report is the core deliverable — a comprehensive document prepared by the QCI-NABET accredited consultant covering: project description, analysis of alternatives, baseline environment, anticipated environmental impacts (air, water, noise, land, ecology, socio-economic), environmental risk assessment, Environmental Management Plan (EMP), disaster management plan, and a summary for public disclosure (Executive Summary in English and local language).
The EMP must include specific mitigation measures, monitoring protocols, institutional arrangements, implementation schedule, and cost estimates for both construction and operation phases.
RSustain support: We provide technical inputs to the accredited consultant — dispersion modelling results, biodiversity assessments, water balance analysis, and EMP design support. We do not prepare or sign statutory EIA reports. Tools: AirQ Modeller for dispersion studies, BiodiversityNet for ecological assessment, WaterBalance Pro for water budgets.
Category A and B1 projects must undergo public consultation comprising (a) a public hearing at or near the project site, and (b) written responses from stakeholders. The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) conducts the hearing within 45 days of receipt of the EIA report. The project proponent must publish notice in two newspapers (one in the vernacular language) at least 30 days prior. The public hearing panel records all concerns, and the proponent must respond to every issue raised.
RSustain support: We assist in preparing presentation materials, anticipating likely public concerns, drafting point-by-point responses, and documenting the hearing proceedings. We also support stakeholder engagement programmes and social impact assessments that strengthen the public consultation process.
The EAC (Category A) or SEAC (Category B1) appraises the EIA report, public hearing proceedings, and proponent’s responses. The committee may seek additional information, conduct site visits, or require supplementary studies. Upon satisfaction, the EAC/SEAC recommends the project for EC with specific conditions. The MoEFCC (Category A) or SEIAA (Category B) grants the EC, typically valid for 10 years for mining projects and 7–10 years for others, subject to compliance with stipulated conditions.
RSustain support: We help prepare EAC/SEAC presentations, compile additional information packages, and develop compliance implementation plans. Post-EC, we support condition tracking, half-yearly compliance return preparation, and EC validity extension applications. Use our ESG Compliance Calendar to track all EC-related deadlines.
Purpose-built digital tools that support each stage of the EIA process — from initial screening to post-clearance monitoring.
Instant screening tool to determine your project’s EIA category (A, B1, or B2) based on activity type, capacity, and location-specific General Conditions.
Try Free →Air quality impact assessment with Gaussian dispersion modelling. Predict ground-level concentrations for SO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5 against NAAQS.
Launch Tool →Noise impact prediction with ambient monitoring analysis against CPCB Noise Rules. Generate noise contour maps for EIA reports and EMP design.
Launch Tool →Biodiversity impact assessment covering habitat condition, species sensitivity, ecological connectivity, and net gain/loss analysis for EIA ecological chapters.
Launch Tool →Industrial water balance and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) feasibility assessment. Essential for water-intensive projects requiring CGWA/SGWA NOC.
Launch Tool →Aquifer characterisation, groundwater vulnerability analysis, and recharge estimation. Supports CGWA NOC applications and EIA hydrogeological studies.
Launch Tool →Flood risk assessment for project sites with return period analysis, inundation mapping, and infrastructure resilience scoring for EMP flood preparedness.
Launch Tool →Coastal and marine environment assessment for port, jetty, and CRZ projects. Includes shoreline analysis, marine ecology, and CRZ mapping support.
Launch Tool →Environmental aspects and impacts register aligned to ISO 14001. Systematic identification and rating of environmental impacts for EMP development.
Launch Tool →We provide EIA support services across all 39 activity categories in the Schedule. Key sectors include:
Coal, iron ore, limestone, bauxite, manganese, sand, and minor minerals. Category A for major minerals >50 ha; B1/B2 based on lease area and production. Includes forest clearance (FC) and wildlife clearance integration where applicable.
Coal-fired, gas-fired, and co-generation plants (≥5 MW thermal). Stack emission modelling, fly ash utilisation plans, ash pond design, cooling water thermal impact assessment, and coal handling environmental management.
Chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, steel, cement, fertiliser, pulp & paper, and other manufacturing. Process-specific emission inventories, effluent characterisation, hazardous waste assessment, and chemical risk analysis.
National highways (≥100 km), expressways, railways, airports, ports & harbours, pipelines (≥20 km). Linear project EIA with corridor-level ecology, land acquisition environmental assessment, and traffic impact studies.
Building and construction projects ≥20,000 sq.m built-up area or ≥150,000 sq.m for townships. Typically Category B2 with SEIAA clearance. Rainwater harvesting, STP design, green area norms, and solid waste management plans.
Dams ≥15m height or storage ≥75 million cu.m, hydroelectric projects ≥25 MW. Downstream flow assessment, reservoir impact, submergence mapping, fisheries impact, and rehabilitation planning.
Ports, jetties, ship breaking, reclamation, and projects in CRZ areas. Requires both EC under EIA Notification and CRZ clearance under CRZ Notification 2019. Marine ecology, shoreline change, and sediment transport analysis.
Common hazardous waste treatment (CHWTSDF), municipal solid waste processing, common biomedical waste treatment, and integrated waste management facilities. Requires Category A or B1 clearance depending on capacity.
Solar parks (≥500 MW), large wind farms, and hybrid RE projects on ecologically sensitive land. Environmental assessment for land use change, wildlife corridor disruption, water body impacts, and community displacement.
EIA is often part of a broader environmental compliance programme. RSustain India provides integrated support across related areas.
EC, FC, CRZ, and wildlife clearance applications via PARIVESH portal
Water balance, ZLD design, STP/ETP planning for EMP compliance
Hazardous waste, solid waste, and e-waste management plans for EC conditions
Extended Producer Responsibility registration and compliance for plastic, e-waste, and packaging
Note: Statutory EIA reports for Environmental Clearance in India must be prepared and signed by a QCI-NABET accredited consultant organisation. RSustain India provides technical support, advisory, and digital tools to strengthen EIA quality — we do not prepare or sign statutory EIA reports.
Whether you need help determining your project’s EIA category, supporting baseline studies, designing EMPs, or managing post-clearance compliance — our team and digital tools are here to help.