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A Critical Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessments:A Case Study of Goa Mines, India


Affiliations
1 Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India
2 The Centre for Environment Education, Bardez, Goa 403 521, India
3 National Centre for Cell Science, S.P. Pune University Campus, Pune 411 007, India
 

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) form the basis of estimation of environmental and socio-economic impacts of developmental projects. In this study we examine 65 EIA reports of mines in Goa. It is mandatory that the reports should provide, among others, lists of plant species from 314.2 and 78.5 sq. km area for lease areas of mines above 0.5 and below 0.5 sq. km respectively. On the basis of available data covering different spatial scales for the Western Ghats, we determined the species–area relationships, and expected number of species in area of these sizes. We find the plant lists in the EIA reports to be highly incomplete and defective in many ways, including with respect to information on water resources, and ore transport by trucks and barges. We conclude by recommending a set of measures focusing on transparency and public involvement to correct the situation.

Keywords

Developmental Projects, Environmental Impact Assessments, Floristic Diversity, Mines, Plant Lists, Species and Area.
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  • A Critical Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessments:A Case Study of Goa Mines, India

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Authors

Mandar N. Datar
Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India
Sujeet Dongre
The Centre for Environment Education, Bardez, Goa 403 521, India
Madhav Gadgil
National Centre for Cell Science, S.P. Pune University Campus, Pune 411 007, India

Abstract


Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) form the basis of estimation of environmental and socio-economic impacts of developmental projects. In this study we examine 65 EIA reports of mines in Goa. It is mandatory that the reports should provide, among others, lists of plant species from 314.2 and 78.5 sq. km area for lease areas of mines above 0.5 and below 0.5 sq. km respectively. On the basis of available data covering different spatial scales for the Western Ghats, we determined the species–area relationships, and expected number of species in area of these sizes. We find the plant lists in the EIA reports to be highly incomplete and defective in many ways, including with respect to information on water resources, and ore transport by trucks and barges. We conclude by recommending a set of measures focusing on transparency and public involvement to correct the situation.

Keywords


Developmental Projects, Environmental Impact Assessments, Floristic Diversity, Mines, Plant Lists, Species and Area.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv117%2Fi5%2F776-782