We are a specialist environmental consultancy with offices in Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. We offer a range of services associated with environmental planning, assessment and management, including:

• Environmental impact assessment studies
• Strategic environmental impact assessment studies
• Carrying capacity studies
• Environmental Audit
• Environmental monitoring
• Air quality modeling and management
• Noise Impact Assessment and Modeling
• Environmental due Diligence and audits
• Regulatory compliance assessment
• Site assessments and investigations
• Specialized training

More information about our capabilities and services can be found by clicking directly on the links above.

Environmental Impact Assessment Studies

Most statutory plans and significant developments now require Environmental Assessment as per EIA Notification issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. The objective of Environmental Assessment is to identify and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts from plans and projects during the planning process.
Our team of experienced Environmental Assessment professionals can carryout out Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) of statutory plans and programs and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of development projects. We can successfully guide our clients through these processes from project inception stage to public enquiry.
The EIA services we provide include:

• Screening of projects, plans and programs
• Scoping studies
• Environmental baseline condition assessments
• Preparation of full Environmental Statements/Environmental Impact Statements
• Preparation of Environmental Reports and SEA Statements
• Presentation of EIA reports at State level of Impact Assessment Committees and Ministry of Environmental and Forests
• Stakeholder Consultation
• Screening/Appropriate Assessment of plans and projects in relation to Habitats Directive
• Management of public enquiry process
• Sustainability appraisals and assessments for development
• Planning applications, appraisals, assessments and appeals

Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment Studies

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) has emerged in the last few years as a term for tools which aim to integrate environmental considerations into proposed laws, policies, plans and programs. “SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed policy, plan or program initiatives in order to ensure they are fully included and appropriately addressed at the earliest appropriate stage of decision-making on par with economic and social considerations". In general environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are conducted at the design phases of the individual projects that would come up within a larger development region. However, these project specific EIA studies could not fully define the regional scale environmental impacts on biological, ecological, sociological and economical components due to operation of integrated facilities within the defined geographical boundaries. In order to develop environmental policies, project specific environmental standards and guidelines and to evaluate various project alternatives during the master plan development stage, an integrated environmental assessment (SEA) is generally undertaken at the early stages of the project development. 

SEA includes the following

• Establishing the context of the SEA – Screening, Setting objectives, Identifying stakeholders,
• Conducting SEA Study – Scoping, Review of environmental regulations, guidelines, regional plans and international environmental protection protocols, Baseline studies, Identification of alternatives, Conducting a developmental level environmental impact assessment, Identifying environmental risk mitigation plans, Developing environmental management plan, Developing environmental monitoring plan,
• Consultation with Stake Holders - Project proponents, Environmental regulatory agencies, Regional transport development agencies, Municipal authorities, Water and Electricity authorities, Other stake holders,
• Integrated Environmental Management Plans - Regulated land use plans, Air quality management plan, Water quality management plan, Soil and ground water quality management plan, Water and energy conservation polices, Transport net work plans, Other policies.
  
  
  

Carrying Capacity Studies

The Carrying Capacity studies aims to bring out the steps to raise the levels of ecologic compatibility and economic efficiency while ensuring sustainable development in a region. Since there is a limit for the total emissions and discharges that can be discharged in the area without any adverse short term and long term environmental risks the best combination of the industries, which ensures optimum utilization of natural resources, generating maximum employment opportunities and wealth in the area, subjected to the environmental constraints.

The following aspects will be covered under carrying capacity studies:

• Considerable data collection, mapping and analysis, including significant field work, with modeling to explore development scenarios and levels of protection as part of the process of setting management objectives;
• Consideration of a wide array of ecosystem components and environmental effects;
• Consensus among Cumulative Effects Management Association members regarding desirable management objectives and tools;
• An adaptive management approach (based on a system of goals, indicators, management objectives and management options), with regular reviews of management systems to ensure that objectives are being met.

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services’ teams have a wide experience in undertaking environmental audits and pollution prevention investigations in process industries and manufacturing facilities. The following aspects are covered under environmental audit program:

• Regulatory frame work,
• Reconnaissance survey and planning, data collection - Products, individual process units and production capacity, year of establishment of individual sections and environmental permits obtained, Production capacity – annual basis, Typical material consumption on yearly basis and per ton of product, Typical annual fuel consumption
• Material balance on typical day or year basis,
• Water balance and air balance
• Environmental compliance assessment and identification of environmental aspects - Point source emissions/stack emissions, Fugitive emissions and indoor/work zone air quality, Noise level data and compliance, Wastewater streams, segregation and collection facilities, Compare wastewater flows with consent conditions, Typical characterization of wastewater based on the material balance, Solid waste storage, handling and disposal compliance, Compliance with Hazardous materials and waste rules, Chemical spill management,
• Overall environmental performance and compliance - Air quality modeling data, Ambient air quality data and compliance, Facility boundary noise level data and compliance, Marine water quality data and compliance, Soil and groundwater quality data and compliance statement, Performance of wastewater treatment plant, compliance with discharge standards and any residual risks due to disposal of treated water, Hazardous waste disposal compliance, Ozone depleting substance compliance, Chemical spill compliance, Green belt and green cover area, Public concerns
• Environmental Management Plan - Emission (point and fugitive sources), Noise abatement , Water resource management , Wastewater segregation and treatment, Solid and hazardous waste management, Spill management, Waste minimization, Pollution prevention and control, Monitoring program,
• Environmental management systems, Upgrade the aspect and impact matrix, Develop an action plan, Review the documentation procedures, Contractors environmental management, Green purchasing policy,
• Environmental monitoring program, Air quality monitoring, Facility level water quality monitoring, Regional soil quality monitoring, Fence line noise level monitoring, Community level public grievance monitoring

Emission testing

Our qualified engineers have a wide experience in undertaking emission tests as per USEPA Method 5 and IS0 9096 for establishing the performance of electrostatic precipitators. Similarly, our scientists can undertake gravimetric sampling of stack gas for establishing sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen as per USEPA test method 20. Our scientists have hands on experience in measuring fine particulate matter and heavy metals in the flue gas streams. We can also undertake systematic analysis of the performance of the electrostatic precipitators (ESP) using field sampling and ESP performance assessment simulation software.

Air quality monitoring program

Systematically and strategically designed air quality monitoring programs will help to demonstrate air quality impacts from a specific emission source and also interference from other emission sources in a designated area. Our scientists can develop a most appropriate air quality monitoring programs based on a comprehensive air quality modeling exercise. The measured air quality data will be used to assess the relative contribution from individual known emission sources using Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) models and source apportionment techniques. These techniques will help not only to identify the impacts from the subject emission source, but also to clearly delineate the impacts from other sources in a complex industrial cluster.  



Air Quality Modeling and Management

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services provides comprehensive air quality services, from initial facility planning to source retirement. Our technical professionals have the experience in air quality regulations to successfully complete permitting and compliance for a variety of emission sources. We offer the following air quality modeling and management services:

• Development of emission inventories as per USEPA emission inventory development protocols

• Air quality prediction for upcoming and planned developments such as industrial projects, highways, ports and harbors and airports

• Adequacy of the stack heights will be assessed based on a detailed air quality modeling for various metrological conditions and suitable stack height or alternative mitigation measures will be suggested

• Regional scale air quality impact assessment studies including ground level ozone modeling and ambient NOX compliance

• Carrying capacity studies for urban and industrial zones to establish bubble limits and strategic air quality management plans

Noise Impact Assessment and Modeling

Commercial and industrial facilities generate sound and vibration which may impact the communities. Cholamandalam MS Risk Services evaluate the range of environmental impact in ways that allow the public and regulatory agencies to make informed responsible decisions. Environmental acoustics and environmental noise consulting includes:

• Noise analysis and reporting
• Regulatory compliance
• Noise modeling
• Mitigation analysis and design

Reasons for environmental audits include:

• Corporate mergers
• Internal facility risk assessment
• Property acquisition or divestiture
• Refinancing
• Real estate development, commercial and industrial projects
• Facility closure
• Bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services offer comprehensive regulatory permitting and compliance services and provides innovative and practical solutions to expedite local, state, and federal permitting for a variety of mining, energy, land use, development, and industrial projects. We have a successful record of preparing documents and obtaining permits and/or clearances for:

• Oil and gas development and production, including seismic surveys
• Highways
• Pipelines and utility corridors 
• Manufacturing facility construction and renovation
  
  
  

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services perform comprehensive, practical assessment of the environmental condition and potential liabilities of residential, commercial and industrial sites. Our site investigation and assessment services include the following:

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
• Phase II ESAs (site investigations)
• Due diligence investigations
• Property condition assessments
• Facility inspections and waste sampling 
• Release investigations
• Complete characterization of the extent and magnitude of environmental impacts 
• Contaminant fate and transport modeling 
• Risk assessments (ecological and human health)
  
  
  

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services provides customized training programs to meet the specific needs of the individual professionals, organizations and institutions. Our state-of-the-art training facilities at Chennai office will provide access to a well managed library and advanced environmental software models. We offer specialized training in the following areas:

• Regulatory impact assessment procedures to evaluate the impact of the environmental regulations on various business sectors
• Mathematical models and quantitative techniques for environmental impact assessment studies
• Air quality modeling and management
• Application of biological treatment processes in chemical and process industries
• Emission and air quality monitoring techniques and procedures
• Marine oil spill modeling and response programs