Trend of Community’s Participation in Environmental Decision-making Process Under EIA: A Study

The present study highlights the plight of public participation in the environmental decision-making process in the state of Gujarat as per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006. The scope of the study is restricted to people’s participation in public hearing sessions as part of the public consultation process under the notification conducted at different places in Gujarat. The tools and techniques used for the empirical data collection include observation method, schedule, interview and focussed group discussions. The observations and recommendations are given based on the actual data collected from the field through visits to public hearing sessions, interactions with stakeholders and analysis of the minutes of the meeting of the public hearing sessions. Approximately 68 public hearings were held in the year 2020 in Gujarat, out of which 13 were visited covering various geographic locations in the State from February to December 2020.