Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is adecision making tool to predict the effect of activity/project on the environment,compare various alternatives for a project and identify best combination of economic, environmental and social costs and benefits.

Firstly this study procedure originated in the US in the late 70s and then spread to the developed world. It reached the developing world in the 80s that funding agencies like World Bank/ ADB adopted it in late 80s. Originally focused on environment alone but later on social and economic aspects added to its scope of study.

EIA have Three core values:

1. Integrity

• Should be fair, objective, unbiased and balanced

2. Utility

• Provide balanced and credible information for decision-making

3. Sustainability

• Result in environmental safeguards.       

Generic steps of EIA

         

Integration of EIA in project cycle
(To see bigger picture click on the picture)

Pre feasibility stage 

•Screening

• ØDecide the requirement of EIA

•Scoping

• ØIdentifying significant impact areas and defining terms of reference for the EIA

Feasibility stage

•Baseline data collection

• ØCollecting all the information required for an impact assessment

•Impact assessment

• ØConducting an extensive environment impact assessment using all available information

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Design and engineering stage

•Mitigation and environment management plan

• ØDesigning a mitigation and environment management plan for reducing impacts

Implementation and post monitoring stage

• ØImplementation of the environment management plan and monitoring of impact