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What role do environmental NGOs and activities play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all the important details

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Introduction

Environmental NGOs act as watchdogs, playing a pivotal role in shaping Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India, ensuring environmental sustainability and social responsibility by ensuring transparent process, public participation and that the projects are environmentally sustainable.

Major Projects NGOs Influenced EIA  & Outcomes
1.POSCO Steel Project (Odisha)

South Korean Project

Greenpeace India + Local groups (POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti)
  1. Actively campaigned against due to potential environmental degradation, displacement of locals & destruction of forests.
  2. Mobilised local communities & conducted their own assessment highlighting flaws in governments EIA.

Outcome- Eventually Project got cancelled in 2017.

2. Vedanta Bauxite Mining, Niyamgiri Hills 

(Odisha)

Survival International, Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti
  1. NGO- Highlighted  adverse impact on tribal population “Dongria Kondh” and biodiversity.
  2. EIA- conducted ground level assessment, advocated for rights of Indigenous population, garnered International attention.

Outcome- SC ruled project could not proceed without consent of local Gram sabha.

3. Lavasa Township Project, Pune, Maharashtra National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and other environmental groups.
  1. They argued that the EIA did not adequately address the ecological damage to the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. 
  2. They filed public interest litigations, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued stop-work notices multiple times. 

Outcome-  stricter environmental safeguards were imposed before allowing the project to continue.

4. Sterlite Copper Plant, Tutikorin, Tamil Nadu NGOs such as MDMK + environmental health groups + Environmental activist
  1. Concerns about air and water pollution and its impact on local health were raised. 
  2. Activist pressure led to multiple EIA reviews and legal challenges.

Outcome-  Eventually, after widespread protests and investigation revealing environmental violations, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the permanent closure of the plant in 2018.

Conclusion

Thus, NGOs have effectively leveraged legal avenues, media, and grassroots mobilisation to influence EIA outcomes, ensuring environmental justice and the protection of vulnerable communitie

 

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