In S.O. 1533 dated 14th September 2006, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), GoI have notified EIA Notification 2006 under sub-rule (3) of Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by imposing certain restrictions and prohibitions on new projects or activities, on the expansion or modernization of existing projects and activities based on their potential environmental impacts.
Under the notification, it is mandatory of getting for prior Environmental Clearance for certain new projects, expansion or modernization of existing projects based on their potential on environmental impact. Projects falling under Category ‘A’ in the Schedule to the Notification, requires Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC), GoI and for matters falling under Category ‘B’ , depending upon the thresholds of the activities requires Clearance at State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The Notification provides for constitution of a SEIAA empowered to grant Environmental Clearance to mitigate pollution and protect environment. To assist SEIAA, a State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) is constituted. The Expert Appraisal Committee scrutinize the projects and forward its recommendations to the SEIAA for taking a decision on granting Environmental Clearance.
Accordingly, the MoEF & CC, GoI in Notification S.O.No.417(E) dated 03.03.2008, 731 (E) dated 04.04.2012 and in Notification S.O.No.219 dated 12.08.2015 constituted the SEIAAs and SEAC for the period of three years from the date of Notification. The present SEIAA was constituted vide MoEF & CC, GoI notification dated 05/11/2018 comprising of a three members SEIAA and 12 Members SEAC for Tamil Nadu for a term of three years.
The SEIAA and SEAC have conducted meetings at frequent intervals periodically and issue clearances for the projects under their purview.