Abstract
An info-tech complex is proposed for 286 acres (116 ha) of land within the East Calcutta wetlands. The proposed site is 15 km east of Kolkata city and only 8 km south of Dum Dum airport. The site is vacant, with pockets of agricultural land and a few degrading water-logged areas. In order to assess the likely impact of the proposed development on the environment, a rapid environmental impact assessment of an area of 10 km radius from the centre of the project site was carried out. The present status of the environment with respect to ambient air, surface water, groundwater, soil, landuse, noise, and socio-economics of the core and buffer zone has been documented and correlated with 24 project activities during construction, development and operational phases. The frequency of adverse impacts is greater than that of beneficial impacts. Out of the total adverse impacts 20 are short term, reversible and have a low magnitude. The total impact score for the proposed project is ( − )468.75 and as per the Assessment Value Index Scale the environmental impact of the proposed project activities is ‘no appreciable impact.’ But there are certain sectors where the environment will be adversely impacted. Therefore, appropriate measures have been suggested to ameliorate the adverse impacts. It is envisaged that if these measures are implemented then there will be an improvement in the quality of the environment, as well as life, by 687.5 units.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
APHA (American Public Health Association). (1985) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water,16th ed., 1268 pp. APHA, AWWA, WPCF.
Banerjee, I. and Khan, D.K. (1982) Hydrogeology and groundwater development potential of 24-Parganas district, West Bengal, C.G.W.B. Technical Report Series D 24, 1–31.
Banerjee, M., Sen, P.K. and Dastidar, A.G. (1984)On the depositional condition of the Holocene sediments of Bengal Basin with remarks on environmental condition of the soft grey clay deposition in Calcutta, Indian Geotechnical Conference 84(1), 63–69.
Barui, N.C. and Chanda, S. (1992) Late Quaternary pollen analysis inrelation to palaeoecology, biostratigraphy and dating in Calcutta peat. Proc. Indian Nat. Sci. Acad. B58(4), 91–200.
Black, C.A.(1982) Methods of Soil Analysis, 1150 pp. New York: Academic Press Inc.
Chaterji, G.C., Biswas, A.B., Basu, S. and Niyogi, B.N. (1964)Geology and groundwater resources of the Greater Calcutta Metropolitan Area, West Bengal, Bull. Geol. Surv. Ind. Sr. B21, 1–150.
Chaterji, G.C., Deshmukh, D.S., Sinha, S.C. and Niyogi, B.N. (1959) Some Recent Observations on the Depths of Sediment in the Ganga ValleybelowV aranasi, Ganga Valley-A Symposium. Dehra Dun: ONGC.
CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). (1994) National AmbientAir Quality Standard, New Delhi, Notification no. S.O. 384(E).
Hait, A.K., Das, H.K., Ghosh, S., Ray, A.K. and Chanda, S. (1996) Newdates of Pleisto-Holo subcrop samples from West Bengal, India, Indian Jour. Earth Sci. 23(1 and 2), 79–82.
Jackson, M.L. (1973)Soil Chemical Analysis, 421 pp. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd.
Niyogi, B.N., Dasgupta, A.V. and Gangopadhyay, M.K. (1966)A preliminary report of the exploration of groundwater resources of Calcutta Metropolitan District. Unpublished Report, Geological Survey of India.
Rau, J.G. and Wooten, D.C. (1980) Environmental Impact Analysis Handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Sen, P.K. and Banerjee, M. (1990) Palynoplankton stratigraphy and environmental changes during Holocene in the Bengal basin, India. Rec. Palaeobotany and Palynology 62, 25–35.
Sikdar, P.K. (1999) Development dynamics and management of groundwater in and around Calcutta, India.Indian Jour. Geol. 71(3), 173–186.
Sikdar, P.K. (2000) Geology of the Quaternary aquifers of the twin city of Calcutta-Howrah.Jour. Geol. Soc. Ind. 56(8), 169–181.
Sikdar, P.K. and Dasgupta, S.P. (1997) Pollution-risk analysis of groundwater of Calcuttaand Howrah cities, Indian Minerals 50(4), 397–402.
Sikdar, P.K., Sarkar, S.S. and PalChowdhury, S. (2001) Geochemicalevolution of groundwater in the Quaternary aquifer of Calcutta and Howrah. India. Jour. Asian Earth Scs. 19, 579–594.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sikdar, P., Mondal, S., Saha, L. et al. Environmental impact assessment of a proposed info-tech complex in East Calcutta wetlands. The Environmentalist 22, 241–260 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016531912884
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016531912884