Iv Ii Eiam - Unit I PDF
Iv Ii Eiam - Unit I PDF
Iv Ii Eiam - Unit I PDF
P.PAVITHRA
Assistant Professor
It is important to recognise that there is a general principle of assessment that applies to EIA,
and to other assessment processes. There are several other processes that relate closely to the
review of environmental impacts that may result from a proposed project. The following are
well recognised processes:
Purposes of EIA
EIA is a process with several important purposes, which can be categorised as follows:
To facilitate decision-making: For the decision-maker, for example the local authority, it
provides a systematic examination of the environmental implications of a proposed action, and
sometimes alternatives, before a decision is taken. The decision-maker along with other
documentation relating to the planned activity can consider the environment impact statement
(EIS).
To aid in the formation of development: Many developers see EIA as another set of hurdles for
them to cross in order to proceed with their various activities. They may also see the process
involved in obtaining the permission from various authorities as costly and time-consuming. In
reality, however, EIA can be of great benefit to them, since it can provide a framework for
considering location and design issues and environmental issues in parallel. It can be an aid to
the formulation of developmental actions, indicating areas where the project can be modified to
minimise or eliminate altogether the adverse impacts on the environment. The consideration of
environmental impacts early in the planning life of a development can lead to environmentally
sensitive development; to improved relations between the developer, the planning authority
and the local communities; to a smoother planning permission process and sometimes to a
worthwhile financial return on the expenditure incurred.
To be an instrument for sustainable development: The key characteristics of sustainable
development include maintaining the overall quality of life, maintaining continuing access to
natural resources and avoiding lasting environmental damage. Institutional responses to
sustainable development are,therefore, required at several levels. For example, issues of global
concern, such as ozone-layer depletion, climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss,
require a global political commitment to action. The United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was an example of
international concern and also of the problems of securing concerted action to deal with such
issues. Governments have recognised the interaction of economic and social development and
the ecosystems, and the reciprocal impact between human actions and the bio-geophysical
world. While there are attempts to manage this interaction better, investigation reveal
disquieting trends that could have devastating consequences for the quality of the environment.
These trends are likely to be more pronounced in developing countries where, because of
greater rates of population growth and lower current living standards, there is more pressure on
environmental resources.
In principle, environmental assessment can be undertaken for Individual projects such as a
dam, motorway, airport or factory and call it as 'Environmental Impact Assessment' (EIA).
Plans, programs and policies and call it as 'Strategic Environmental Assessment'(SEA).
These two sections are discussed in detail in the further sections
In recent years, there has been a remarkable growth of interest in environmental issues,
sustainability and the better management of development in harmony with the environment.
Associated with this growth of interest has been the introduction of new legislation, emanating
from national and international agencies (e.g., the European Commission) that seek to
influence the relationship between development and environment. Environmental impact
assessment (EIA) is an important example. It is defined as an activity designed to identify and
predict the impact of legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects and operational
procedures on the bio-geophysical environment and on the health and well being of human
beings and to interpret and communicate information about the impact.
That is to say, EIA focuses on problems, conflicts or natural resource constraints that could
affect the viability of a project. It also examines implications of a project that might harm
people, their homeland or their livelihoods, or other nearby developments. After predicting the
problems, a EIA identifies measures to minimise the problems and outlines ways to improve
the project’s suitability for its proposed environment. In the last three decades,EIA has been
recognised as the most valuable, inter-disciplinary and objective decision-making tool with
respect to alternate routes for development, process technologies and project sites. It is
considered an ideal anticipatory mechanism allowing measures that ensure environmental
compatibility in our quest for socio-economic development.
EIA is generally wider in scope and less quantitative than other techniques, such as cost-benefit
analysis. EIA has the potential to be a basis for negotiation among the developers, public
interest groups and planning regulators.
The Benefits of Environmental Assessment
Most governments and donor agencies acknowledge the contribution of EA to improved
project design. The weakness of EA in the past has been largely due to poor techniques and the
failure to pay attention to findings at the implementation stage (ESSA Technologies 1994). A
review of current environmental practices found the
major benefits of the EA process for project sponsors to be (ESSA Technologies 1994: 16):
The benefits to local communities from taking part in environmental assessments include:
A healthier local environment (forests, water sources, agricultural potential, recreational
potential, aesthetic values, and clean living in urban areas).
Hierarchy in EIA