ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Environment impact assessment refers to the evaluation of the effects likely to arise from a major significantly affecting the natural and man- made environment. Consultations and participation are integral to this evaluation. EIA is a systematic and integrative process, first developed in the United states as a result of the national environment policy act, 1969(NEPA), for considering possible impacts prior to a decision making taken on whether or not a proposal should be given approval to proceed.
The purpose of EIA is to determine the potential environment, social and health effects of a proposed development. The EIA is designed to define and assess the physical, hydrological and socio economic impacts in a form that permits logical and rational decision to be made. Measures are to be identified to reduce potential adverse impacts through the identification of possible alternatives sites and processes.
Figure The Environment impact assessment process
Environment impact assessment methodologies
McHarg overlay approachInvolves mapping an area and the environmental impact of the projects
Leopard matrix methodUses matrix of human action and environmental factors. Significant impacts are shown placing a diagonal line in appropriate cell of matrix.
Battelle Environmental evaluation systemBased on a checklist of 78 environmental parameters, the predicated value lies in between 0-1 scale.
Adaptive Environmental assessment and managementA workshop comprising group of experts is held to consider and define variables such as objectives, indicators, time and spatial boundaries, alternative actions etc.
Economic valuation input-output modelingSimulates the effects of introducing a project on the economy and environment using a two sector model
Cost benefit analysisAs applicable to the EIA, the technique involves monetary valuation of environmental components and natural resources through surrogate markets, direct questioning or voting.
There are number of interdependent principles governing the design and development of effective EIA processes.
* Clear mandate and provisions.
* Explicit goals and objectives.
* Uniform, consistent application.
* Appropriate level of assessment.
* Relevant scope of consideration.
* Flexible and problem solving approach.
* Open, facilitative procedures.
* Necessary support and guidance.
* Best practice standards.
* Efficient, predictable implementation.
* Decision oriented.
* Related to condition setting.
* Follow-up and feedback inbuilt mechanisms.
* Cost-effective outcomes.
Why is it Important?
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) recognize impact assessment as an important tool for helping ensure that development is planned and implemented with biodiversity in mind. The CBD requests Parties to apply impact assessment to projects, programmes, plans and policies with a potential negative impact on biodiversity and to prevent the development induced displacement of marginalized and deprived people of the country.
Limitation in the process of EIA in India
Conceptual limitation of EIA
The environment implication in the development process arrives at decision related to national policies, regional plans and individual projects. However, the EIA of the urban development project is presently conceived merely as a projected level tool and does not address developmental programs at the policy and planning level. For example EIA does not respond to in the areas such as international trade tax incentives, energy conservation, and agricultural subsidies. Predator control etc has never been the subject of environmental review.
Project level decisions are many times constrained by existing policies and the range of possible alternatives in the project. EIA should ideally be undertaken at the policy and planning levels as the environmental consequences of projects often arise due to higher level decisions.
And the most important one, the stage for the implementing the EIA is at the level of district planning, since at this stage a reasonable number of alternatives are available to the developer. It is hard to execute plan on ground level.
NAME VIJAY PRAKASH
REFERENCES- M.A geography J.N.U class notes, EIA status in India book by Dr. R.B. Singh, http://www.cbd.int/impact/importance.shtml
