22-08-2013, 04:38 PM
Manual on norms and standards for environment clearance of large construction projects
Manual on norms .pdf (Size: 5.03 MB / Downloads: 258)
Introduction
Background
With an economic growth rate of 8.9%, which is the second
fastest in the world, India is fast seen emerging as a major
global business giant. With 35 cities with populations in excess
of 1 million, and more cities joining the list, investments in
urban infrastructure are projected to be higher than ever before.
This of course is besides the investments already coming into
the economy via ‘foreign direct investments’ into urban real
estate development. This is one sector of the Indian economy
that has activities, which are directly or indirectly linked to
every other economic sector. The gross built-up area added to
commercial and residential spaces was about 40.8 million
square meters in 2004-05; the trends show a sustained growth
of 10% over the coming years.
Construction activities in India have been pursued without
giving much attention on environmental issues. This has
resulted in pressure on its finite natural resources, besides
creating impacts on human health and well-being. Unplanned
and unsustainable urban development has lead to severe
environmental pressures. The green cover, ground water
resources have been forced to give way to the rapidly developing
urban centres. Modern buildings built in our cities have high
levels of energy consumption because of requirements of air-
conditioning and lighting.
The objectives of the Notifi
Broad framework of notification
The Government of India enacted Environment Protection Act,
in 1986. The process of Environmental Impact Assessment was
made mandatory in 1994 under the provisions of the Act. From
time to time amendments have been made to the EIA
Notifications. Extending the provisions of the Act to cover
additional activities, the notification was amended on 7.7.04 to
include large construction projects including new townships
and industrial estates. The notification was further amended on
14.09.06 and the environmental clearance for large
construction projects was redefined and modified.
Site selection
The process of site selection for sustainable development
involves identifying and weighing the appropriateness of the
site with respect to sustainable building design criteria. This
step is the first step and needs to be done long before the
project’s design phase commences. Appropriate site selection
procedure reduces the negative impacts and requirement for
mitigation measures for large construction projects.
Site selection and analysis should be carried out to create living
spaces for people in harmony with the local environment. The
development of a project should not cause damage to the
natural surrounding of the site but in fact should try to improve
it by restoring its balance. Thus site selection should be carried
out in light of a holistic perspective of land use, development
intensity, social well-being and preservation of the
environment. The selection should be based upon several
feasibility and impact studies related to sustainability such as
existing wind pattern, solar access, soil, air, water conditions,
noise pollution, and bio diversity.
Ecosystems and diversity
Sites for new developments should be carefully assessed in
context of the wider environment particularly in relation to the
habitats dwelling on site or on adjacent sites. There may exist
on the site some rare or endangered species of plants and
animals, such sites are considered unsuitable for development.
The site(s) selection can be an effective approach in minimising
the requirement of mitigation measures.
Project siting restrictions depend on the sensitivity of the site
and its surrounding environment and the following
considerations should be made while selecting a site.
Site analysis
After the first analysis of the site evaluation and site selection,
the site should be analysed with respect to all the issues
involved in its sustainable development. The natural functions
of a plot of land (hydrology, geology and microclimate) could be
seriously disrupted by the placement of buildings on it if site
analysis for optimum placement and design of buildings is not
carried out. Layout the site activities and building requirements
after carrying out detailed site analysis so as to ensure
sustainable site development is in tune with its topography,
climate, ecological character and functional requirements of the
building. The main objective is to allocate and define the use of
various parts of the site in a manner that is most appropriate to
specific building activities to be carried on the proposed site.
The purpose of site analysis is also to determine the site
characteristics so that proper drainage pattern and system,
circulation pattern, landscape design and other site
development features can be considered in relation to the
existing site features and proposed building design parameters
such as building form, solar orientation, shape, skin to volume
ratio, materials etc.