Environmental Auditing
Environmental Audit is an effective tool for environmental management and sustainable development. Audit refers to examining and assessment of performance. As far as EIA is concerned, the environmental audit refers to assessment of actual environmental impact, the accuracy of prediction, the effectiveness of remedial or mitigation measures andthe functioning of monitoring mechanisms.
An audit can be undertaken after the project has been implemented for sometime. Many agencies which provide consultancies and have expertise in this area are coming up.In India, it has been made mandatory for industries to submit an environmental audit report every year since the Gazette Notification dated 13th March 1992 and the amendments following it.
An Environmental Audit report is to be submitted in form V by every person carrying out an industrial activity, operation or process for the year ending 31st March or before 15th May starting from 1993 to the State Pollution Control Board. The report should clearly mention about the steps proposed and undertaken for waste minimization, recycling and reuse, adoption of clean technologies and investments made for pollution control and protection of the environment. Non-compliance to this may lead to an imprisonment extending upto five years or a fine, which is extendable upto Rs 1 Lakh, or both.
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