Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Studies for an Upcoming Multiplex - A Case Study

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment can be defined as the systematic process of identifying and evaluating the future consequences of a current or proposed action relative to the physical, chemical, biological, cultural and socioeconomic components of the environment. Any development project plan to improve the quality of life has some built-in positive and negative impacts. The development project should, thus, be planned in such a manner that it has maximum positive impacts and minimum negative impacts on the environment. The purpose of incorporating EIA approaches has been described as subjecting a proposed action to an examination of what the possible environmental impacts of that action would be and to find ways to mitigate any negative long term impacts. This paper highlights the importance of EIA in the sustainable development of a Construction project with a case study of an upcoming Multiplex in BalloMajra near Mohali (Punjab). The parameters covered in present work are Biological, Air, Water, Noise, Soil and SocioEconomic. A study period from January 2012 to April 2012 was selected for collection of Base Line Environmental Data. The impact of various environmental parameters, due to the proposed project has been predicted and depending on them mitigation measures have been suggested. The "Leopold Impact Matrix" has been used to evaluate the impacts of various parameters. With the help of "Leopold Impact Matrix" the impact of the environmental changes, due to the project, with and without the mitigation measures has been evaluated. Finally, an Environment Impact Statement has been prepared.