Environment assessment and site selection
Courtesy : epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/
The 20th century has been regarded as the century of revolutions and overall growth. The 20th
century has witnessed highest population, industrial, agriculture growth etc. The increase in
population at very rapid rates necessitated the requirements of more resources especially
basic requirements of food, cloth and housing. In order to sustain the fast increasing
population, the major focus of all the governments throughout the world was to increase
agriculture production, setting up of industries, construction of houses and other
infrastructure facilities. During the initial phases of overall growth, no importance was given
to the ecological imbalance and environmental destruction. This overall growth does not
come solely as blessing but took many challenges for the future generations. The major
challenges for the world population are health, environment, and safety. The increased
pollution due to anthropogenic activities tend to increase the human concerns about the
environment and sustainable living. The matter in the mid of 20th century was of major
concern for most of the developed countries. Efforts were made by various International
organizations like United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) through decelerations to make some policies to decease
the load of infrastructure activities on the environment and emphasized on sustainable
development. The developed countries made various policies in this regard and started the
process of conducting Environment Impact Assessment studies. In consistent to developing
nations, India also took various steps by various acts, notifications and policies. The process
of evolution of EIA in various counties is enlisted chronologically in table-1.
- Evolution of EIA
EIA is a formal policy innovation for environmental conservation in many countries. The
process of EIA first started in USA in the early 1970s with the implementation of the
National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969. The other developed or high-income
countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also followed the footsteps of US and
formally started the EIA. This was followed by other countries as well, which started EIA
relatively early – Columbia (1974), Philippines (1978).
Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 06 Introduction to EIA
This was further strengthened by the efforts of the World Bank which adopted EIA in 1989.
The World Bank made it necessary to undertake an EIA under the Bank’s supervision for all
major development projects funded by them. The main strength came from the Rio Earth
Summit (1992). After this the consolidation and international dissemination of environmental
impact assessment was officially recognized as decision-making tool for sustainable
development. The three documents of Rio viz. Principle 17, Article 14, and Agenda 21
played very important role for the consolidation of EIA.
The Principle 17 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development states that
“Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for
proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment
and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority”.
The Article 14 (titled Impact Assessment and Minimizing Adverse Impacts) of the Convention
on Biological Diversity states that ”Each Contracting Party, as far as possible and as
appropriate, shall: (a) Introduce appropriate procedures requiring environmental impact
assessment of its proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on
biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects and, where
appropriate, allow for public participation in such procedures; (b) Introduce appropriate
arrangements to ensure that the environmental consequences of its programs and policies that
are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity are duly taken into
account”.
Similarly, Agenda 21 also refers about EIA in different chapters. The Chapter 8 of agenda 21
(titled Integrating environment and development in decision-making) recommends
“environmental impact assessment should extend beyond the project level to policies and
programs”. The Chapter 18 of agenda 21 titled “protection of the quality and supply of
freshwater resources” discusses about application of integrated approaches to the
development, management and use of water resources
Though it started in late 20th century still it has been managed to be practiced in more than
100 countries. Briefly the evolution and history of EIA is discussed in table-1.
Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 06 Introduction to EIA
Table 1: Evolution and history of EIA
Development of EIA
*Pre-1970 Project review based on the technical/engineering and
economic analysis
Limited consideration given to environmental consequences
*Early/mid – 1970s EIA introduced by NEPA in 1970 in US
Basic principle: Guidelines, procedures including public
participation requirement instituted
Standard methodologies for impact analysis developed (e.g.
matrix, checklist and network).
Canada, Australia and New Zealand became the first countries
to follow NEPA in 1973-1974. Unlike Australia, which
legislated EIA, Canada and New Zealand established
administrative procedures
Major public inquires help shape the process’s development
1970 Introduced in China
*Late 1970 and early
1980s
More formalized guidance
Other industrial and developing countries introduced formal
EIA requirements (France, 1976; Philippines, 1977), began to
use the process informally or experimentally ( Netherlands,
1978) or adopted elements, such as impact statements or
reports, as part of development applications for planning
permission (German states [lander], Ireland)
Use of EA by developing countries (Brazil, Philippines,
China, Indonesia)
Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), risk analysis
included in EA processes
Greater emphasis on ecological modeling, prediction and
evaluation methods
Provision for public involvement.
Coordination of EA with land use planning processes
1974 In Malaysia, Environmental Quality Act
Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 06 Introduction to EIA
*Mid 1980s to end of
decade
In Europe, EC Directive on EIA establishes basic principle
and procedural requirements for all member states
Increasing efforts to address cumulative effects.
World Bank and other leading international aid agencies
establish EA requirements
Spread of EIA process in Asia
*1990s Requirement to consider trans-boundary effects under Espoo
convention
Increased use of GIS and other information technologies
Sustainability principal and global issues receive increased
attention
India also adopted the EIA formally
Formulation of EA legislation by many developing countries
Rapid growth in EA training
1994 In India, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF),
formulated EIA notification under EPA Act 1986
1997 Environment Protection Act in Nepal
1997 Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance in Hong Cong
1998 In Sri Lanka, The National Environmental Act
2004 In Russia, state authority responsible for conducting the State
EIA in Russia
2006
In India, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)
occurred major amendments in 1994 Rules
2012 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
2015 Introduced the Federal Permitting Improvement Act for
improvement of NEPA
*Source: International Study of the Effectiveness of Environmental Assessment, final
report, Environmental assessment in a changing world, prepared by Barry Sadler, June
1996
Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 06 Introduction to EIA - Definition of EIA
The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) has defined environmental
impact assessment 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”
Environmental Impact Assessment is a stepwise process of identification, evaluation,
monitoring and management of the potential impacts of proposed projects on the environment
of the local area. By doing so it provides opportunities to minimize proposed environmental
damage at initial stages. The main purpose of EIA is to provide information regarding the
impacts of project on environmental, ecological, cultural, social and economic components of
project area to the decision makers for decision making and policy transformation. It works
on the principle of sustainable development i.e. to ensure that no or minimum environmental
degradation is caused due to proposed project. It also takes into account the short term,
midterm and long term effects on the demography, ecology and environment of the area. In
simple words, EIA is a planning tool for decision making regarding the starting or denying of
proposed project based on the measurable environmental and social impact of the proposed
activity. - Objectives of EIA
The basic objectives of EIA are to
Consider environmental factors in the decision-making process of any project
Identify potential environmental, social and economic impacts of proposed activities
Take steps at initial stages to minimize adverse environmental impacts
Promote sustainable development through environmental management plan by either
alternatives or mitigation measures.
Public participation in the decision making of the establishment of proposed activity
