Environmental Impact

Assessment
Section 1: Introduction
(Rationale, definition and procedures)

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

 Definition of EIA

 In general, it is an instrument that undertakes

systematic identification and evaluation of the
potential impacts of proposed projects, plans,
programs or legislative actions relative to the both
natural and man-made components of the total
environment

 A report on detailed study and evaluation to be

prepared to ascertain as to whether, in
implementing a proposal, the proposal does have
significant adverse impacts on the environment or
not, whether such impacts could be avoided or
mitigated by any means or not (Environment Protection Act
1996, Nepal)
• EIA is a preventive tool.
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
 Definition of EIA

• International Association for Impact

Assessment defines EIA as:
The process of identifying, predicting,
evaluating and mitigating the biophysical,
social and other relevant effects of
development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitments
made.

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a
process by which the likely significant effects
of a project or development on the
environment are identified, assessed and then
taken into account by the competent authority
in the decision-making process. It is a
systematic process that examines in advance
the environmental impacts of proposed
development actions and therefore can
contribute to better projects from an
environmental perspective.

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

 Objectives of EIA
 Identify, describe and assess potential
environmental, social and health impacts of a
proposed development project
 Assist planning procedures and improve decision
making processes and ultimately arrive at actions
that are more environmentally compatible
 Develop a project that is environmentally sound,
technically suitable, locally acceptable and
economically feasible (not always)
 Consider effects on biophysical resources, social
and cultural aspects, health and safety, indigenous
peoples’ rights and traditions while undertaking
developmental activity
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
 EIA: History of development
• The concept started in the USA in 1969
• During the 1970s, only natural environment
(physiochemical and biological) was considered
 Physiochemical: geography, climate, water and air
quality
 Biological: species of flora and fauna
• In the following decades man-made environments
(cultural and socioeconomic) were considered
 Cultural: historic and cultural sites, aesthetic quality
such as visual quality
 Socioeconomic: range of considerations related to
humans such as demography, economic indicators,
educational systems, and other man-made physical
infrastructures such as transport networks, water
supply and waste disposal systems
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D etc.
 Guidelines for conducting EIA
• Simple, Concise, focused: bulky reports with
complex words are not desirable. Facts and
findings, conclusions, recommendations should be
understood to the decision makers easily.
• Appropriate stakeholders involved: identification
and incorporation of ideas, and concerns of
individuals and groups.
• Clear impact mitigation options presented: options
on the planning and implementation of the proposal
e.g. pollution control technologies, designs, models,
waste disposal and reduction options,
compensations options
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
 Approaches
 Use of scientific and expert knowledge
 Public participation (requires PR and dispute resolution
skills),
 Public is informed
 ‘Public concerned’ is consulted
 Information and Communication Technology
 Efficiency in the management of prediction models,
database
 Policy makers, environmental officers, administrators,
researchers, academics, private and public sectors
Thus EIA is both an Art and Science:
Art because it requires managerial, decision-making and
public relation skills AND Science because it entails
knowledge and techniques for identifying, predicting and
evaluating the environmental impacts
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
 Types of EIA (based on level of application)
• Project level: Site specific impacts and propose
environmental protection measures (EPMs)
• Sector level: at sector level such as roads,
hydroelectricity plants
• Regional level: at regional level, e.g. government
plans to develop a region as an industrial area
• Policy, Plan and Program Level: Identify and
predict impacts of a policies and programs (also
called Strategic Environmental Assessment)
Types based on subject area:
• Biodiversity Impact assessment
• Social Impact Assessment
• Health Impact assessment
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
Strengths & limitations of EIA
Strengths
• Improved public participation and co-operation
• Decision-making becomes more transparent
• Universal applicability (many positive outcomes in developing
countries)
• Tool for innovations and cost-saving alterations Increases
environmental awareness
• Tool for sustainability
• Extends into SEA as an integrated part of decision making
• Introduces a cyclical learning process into a linear planning
process
• Takes into account transboundary impacts
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
Environmental Impact Assessment Principles and Process

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

 The eight guiding principles...

• Participation: An appropriate and timely access to

the process for all interested parties.
• Transparency: All assessment decisions and their
basis should be open and accessible.
• Certainty: The process and timing of the
assessment should be agreed in advanced and
followed by all participants.
• Accountability: The decision-makers are
responsible to all parties for their action and
decisions under the assessment process.

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

• Credibility: Assessment is undertaken with
professionalism and objectivity.
• Cost-effectiveness: The assessment process and its
outcomes will ensure environmental protection at the
least cost to the society.
• Flexibility: The assessment process should be able
to adapt to deal efficiently with any proposal and
decision making situation.
• Practicality: The information and outputs provided by
the assessment process are readily usable in decision
making and planning.

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

Limitations
• Ignores politics and models of decision making
• Uncertainty an intrinsic factor
• The inadequate understanding of the behavior of the
environment
• To a great extent a commitment dependent tool
• Susceptible to bias and personal interests
(developer as well as pressure groups)
• Quality of data (out of date or the level of detail may
be insufficient)

Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D

 Effects and Impacts
• Effects
 Direct, more obvious and non relative
 Example: cutting down of trees due to a
development activity (eg. Road construction)
• Impacts:
 indirect, less obvious, relative and vary
depending on the priorities
 Example: loss of faunal diversity, aesthetic
quality, microclimate imbalance etc due to the
cutting down of trees due to a development
activity.
Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D
Benefits Flaws
Provides systematic methods of Time-consuming
impact assessment
Estimates the cost/benefit trade-off Costly
of alternative actions
Facilitates the public participation Little public participation in actual implementation

Provides an effective mechanism Unavailability for reliable data (mostly in developing

for countries)
coordination

environmental integration

negotiations

feed back

Top-level decision making Too focused on scientific analysis (sometimes)

Triggers an institutional building Poor presentation of EIA report (bulky volumes,

scientific explanation, difficult to understand)

Achieve a balance between the Compliance monitoring after EIA is seldom carried
impact of developmental and out
environmental concern Er. Bikash Adhikari, Ph.D