ELECTIVE COURSE:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT (EIA)

Course Tutor: Dr. Kishan D. Bhatta

Email: kishandatta@yahoo.com
Mobile: 9841341094
 LECTURE 1:

 Definition of EIA
 Benefit of EIA
 National and Sectoral Environmental
Protection Guidelines
 Concept of Environmental System
Definition of EIA :
 A Planning tool to identify and predict the environmental
impacts of a proposed development project.

 A tool to integrate environmental concerns and

considerations into the decision-making process.

 Mainstreaming environmental and social issues into

development project level starts with the EIA (The World
Bank,2006).

 EIA is now applied worldwide in various forms.

 Its potential role in attaining the objective of sustainable

development was explicitly recognized during the Earth
Summit 1992 held in Rio de Janeiro (United Nations, 1992).
 As an amalgamation of ART and SCIENCE
 As an art or a management tool that ensures environmental
analysis of actions , complying with the policy and legal
provisions, and influence decision-making process;

 As a science deals with methodologies and techniques for

identifying, predicting and evaluating the environmental
impacts associated with a particular proposal;

 A prevention strategy for environmental protection

 Has well defined beginning and an end: environmental

screening to auditing;
 Ensures public consultation and participation of affected
community, helps to judge environmental performance of the
proponent;

 Not a decision making process but provides input into

decision-making

 Used as a creative/constructive process not a restrictive tool

A tool used to:

 Identify and predicts beneficial and adverse

environmental impacts;

 Examine and evaluate the significance of impacts;

 Assess whether adverse impacts can be mitigated;

 Recommend preventive, minimization or compensatory

measures;

 Assess whether proposal should go ahead, modify and

improve the design and address conflicts;

 Inform stakeholders about environmental implication;

 Provide adequate information to decision-makers on

project implementation
In Short, EIA:

2. Find ways to
1. Identifies and reduce
Predicts likely unacceptable
impacts impacts

3. Presents these
predictions and
options to decision-
makers
CORE PRINCIPLES OF EIA

 Sustainability: the EIA process will result in

environmental safeguards;

 Integrity: the EIA process will conform to

agreed standards;

 Utility: the EIA process will provide balanced,

credible information for decision-making
 OBJECTIVES OF EIA
To protect our environment in order to have:

 Healthy and functional ecosystems and preservation of

biodiversity;

 Resources on which sustainable economic development is based;

 Safe and healthy living conditions for a high quality of life;

 A sound socio-cultural structure

THIS CAN BE ACOMPLISHED THROUGH:

 Planning development and economic activities;

 Conservation and protection of physical, biological, socio-economic,

and cultural environment;

 Maintenance of environmental health

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Think Globally, Act Locally

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GENERAL CONCEPT ABOUT EIA & EIA SYSTEM
AROUND THE WORLD

 Originated from USA (1970s)

 Adopted in many Western and European

Countries

 It is now practiced in more than 100 countries

(Wood,2003)

 The implementation of mandatory EIA procedure

started in the developing countries specifically
after the Rio Earth Summit in 1992
GENERAL CONCEPT ABOUT EIA & EIA SYSTEM
AROUND THE WORLD

 Although the purpose and objectives of EIA is

same across the world; its form varies not only
between developed and developing countries but
also within the regions and from one country to
another countries

 It is because of difference in resources, political

and administrative system, social and cultural
systems and the level and nature of economic
development
GENERAL CONCEPT ABOUT EIA & EIA SYSTEM
AROUND THE WORLD
 The widespread use of EIA in developing countries is delayed
due to lack of suitable methodologies for their social, economic
and institutional conditions;

 The major problem created there was how to carry out EIA
under limited cost, time and available expertise

 Emergence of sustainable development agenda was also an

influential factor in the development of some Asian EIA
systems;

 Several international agencies have involved themselves with

EIA , such as : OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development) recommended that member governments
adopt EIA procedures and methods in the process of granting
aid to developing countries (OECD,1992).
GENERAL CONCEPT ABOUT EIA & EIA SYSTEM
AROUND THE WORLD
 In 1989, the World Bank ruled that EIA for major projects
should normally be undertaken by the borrower country
under the Bank’s supervision;

 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also

made recommendations to member states regarding the
establishment of EIA procedures, and established goals and
principles for EIA. It subsequently issued guidance on EIA in
developing countries (UNEP,1988).

 The 1992 Earth Summit provided additional momentum to

these developments

 EIA 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.
MAJOR TRENDS IN EIA:
Major Description
Trends/Evolution
Introduction and early Mandate & foundation of EIA established in USA; then adopted by few other countries
development (1970- (Canada, Australia, New Zealand); basic concept, procedure and methodology still
1975) used.
Increasing scope and More advanced techniques ( e.g. risk assessment); guidance on process
sophistication (mid implementation (e.g. screening and scoping);social impacts considered; Public
1970s to early 1980s) inquiries and reviews drive innovations in leading the countries

Process strengthening Review of EIA practice and experience; scientific and institutional frameworks of EIA
and integration (early updated; coordination of EIA with other processes ( e.g. project appraisal, land use
1980s to early 1990s) planning); ecosystem-level changes and cumulative effects begin to be addressed;
attention given to monitoring and other follow-up mechanisms. Many countries
adopted EIA; the European Community and the World Bank establish international
lending requirements

Strategic and EIA aspects enshrined in International Agreements, marked increase in international
sustainability training, capacity building and networking activities; development of Strategic
orientation (early Environmental Assessment (SEA) of policies and plans; EIA applied in all OECD
1990s to till date) countries and large number of developing and transitional countries

After Sadler (1996)

BENEFITS OF EIA
The benefits of EIA can be direct such as improved design or location of a project or
indirect such as better quality EIA work or raised environmental awareness of the
personnel involved in the project
In general, the benefits of EIA include:
i) Better environmental planning and design of a proposal:
Analysis of alternatives in the design and location of projects.
A well-designed project can minimize risks and impacts on the environment and
people, thereby avoid associated costs of remedial treatment or compensation for
damage
ii) Ensuring compliance with environmental standards:
Compliance with environmental standards reduces damage to the environment and
disruption to communities.
It also avoids the likelihoods of penalties, fines and loss of trust and credibility
iii) Savings in capital and operating costs: EIA can avoid the unnecessary costs of
unanticipated impacts. These can escalate if environmental problems have not been
considered from the start of proposal design, and require rectification later.
An ‘anticipate’ and ‘avoid’ approach is much cheaper than ‘react’ and ‘cure’.
Changes made late in the project cycle are the most expensive.
BENEFITS OF EIA
Reduced time and costs of approval of development applications:
If all environmental concerns have been taken into account properly before
submission for project approval, then it is unlikely that delays will occur as a result of
decision-makers asking for additional information or alterations to mitigation measures

The benefits are achieved when the EIA study answers:

1) Is the development really required?
2) Are there relevant alternatives?
3) To what degree is environmental protection required?
4) Whether it has addressed ecological and socio-economic impacts as well as
technical aspects (Political, Financial)
5) Whether it has ensured integration of conservation and management of natural
resources, and reduction of pollution; and
6) Uses environmental data into the project planning and decision-making
 Increased Project Acceptance by the Public:

This is achieved by an open and transparent EIA process with provision

of opportunities for public involvement that is appropriate to the people
who are most directly affected by and interested in the proposal
 NATIONAL AND SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES
 In the process of implementing National Conservation Strategy (NCS) in 1990, the
Government of Nepal in collaboration with the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
developed a national system for EIA

 It was a significant contribution towards the preparation of locally suitable

environmental assessment guidelines.

 The national EIA guidelines for Nepal was drafted, tested, and finalized through a
participatory approach and within two years of continued efforts, the government
endorsed the guidelines on 27 September 1992 through an administrative decision
(cabinet decision) and gazetted it on 19 July 1993.

 The National EIA guidelines contains objectives, methods of screening projects

requiring the level of environmental assessment (IEE or EIA); scoping; impact
identification and prediction; review of report; monitoring and evaluation; and
impact auditing

 The guidelines also contain methods for ensuring public participation during the
preparation of the EIA report, including the need of impact mitigation measures in
the EIA report.
 NATIONAL AND SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES

 It calls for identifying physical, chemical, biological, socio-economic and

cultural impacts and proposing the mitigation measures to avoid or minimize
each adverse impact and to enhance beneficial impacts resulting from the
project.

 The guidelines also stresses on the inclusion of monitoring and evaluation, and
a framework for environmental auditing in the EIA report.

 Within the broad framework of National EIA guidelines, two separate EIA
guidelines of Forestry and Industry Sector were prepared and the government
endorsed them in 1995.

 In the process for facilitating the environmental consideration in development

project, government of Nepal as a part of the NCS implementation Programme
has also drafted sectoral EIA guidelines

 Some of the sectoral laws also provide opportunity to conduct environmental

assessment studies:
NATIONAL AND SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES
Sectoral Description
Policies
The Hydropower Incorporated the concept of EIA ( Ref.
Policy 1992 Hydropower development Policy 2001)

The Irrigation Design and implementation based on the

Policy 1993 recommendations of EIA and IEE study
( Revision 1997)
(Ref. Irrigation Policy 2003)
The Tourism To promote sustainable tourism
Policy, 1995 development ( Ref MoTCA,1996)
The National Policy emphasizes on reducing
Solid Waste environmental pollution and urges to
Management
Policy,1996
implement activities accordingly (Ref.
MLD,1996)
NATIONAL AND SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES
Sectoral Description
Policies
The Public Conduct EIA and Implement mitigation
Infrastructure measures (Ref. NPC)
(BOT) Policy
2000

The Water Recognized that Nepal had made good

Resource advancement in EIA (Ref. WECS,2002)
Strategy, 2002

The National Strategies to conduct EIA as per EPA 1991

Biodiversity and EPR 1997 ( Ref MFSC/UNDP,2002)
Strategy 2002

The National Need of carrying EIA as per existing laws

Wetland Policy (Ref. MFSC,2003)
2003
EIA HISTORY IN NEPAL
 Integrated in major development projects since early 1980s

 The sixth plan (1980-85), for the first time in the planning
history of Nepal, recognized the need for EIA with the
establishment of Environmental Impact Study Project (EISP)
under the department of Soil Conservation in 1982 to develop
necessary instruments for integration of EIA in infrastructure
development project.

 EIA was elaborated in Seventh Plan (1985-90), and Eighth

Plan (1992-97) as a policy instrument.

 The EIA guidelines 1993

 Environmental Protection Act 1997, and Environmental

Protection Rules 1997
 EIA HISTORY IN NEPAL
 The Eighth Plan, prepared after Nepal’s participation in the
Rio Earth Summit in 1992, emphasized on the need for
preparing the EIA guidelines for large scale development
projects such as Hydropower, irrigation, industry, housing,
drinking water and sewerage.

 The ninth Plan ( 1997-2002) encouraged participatory EIA

system

 The Tenth Plan ( 2002-2007) has been one step forward and
has recognized the role of SEA in integrating Environmental
Aspects in development Planning.

 The plan has committed to make the EIA process effective

and to conduct environmental monitoring of the project
CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM
 Economic, Social, and Environmental Change is Inherent to
Development

 While Development aims to bring positive changes, it may also

lead to conflicts

 In the past, promotion of economic growth was considered as a

vehicle to enhance community well-being, with little sensitivity on
adverse social and environmental impacts.

 Need to avoid adverse impacts and to ensure long-term

benefits led to the development of concept of sustainability

 The environmental system may be understood in an ecological

sense as the set of interactions between the elements of the
biosphere (which includes the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the
lithosphere and ecosphere)
CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM
EIA PROCESS
The major party involved in EIA is the proponent who develop the
project, for example: different departments of the government and or
private sector, the decision maker, the review commission (Ministry of
Science Technology and Environment), Interest Groups (Stakeholders
like users of services, ministries and the consultancy firms engaged in
preparation of EIA report).

The way in which an EIA is carried out is not rigid: it is

a process comprising a series of steps: Screening,
Scoping, Prediction and Mitigation, Management
and Monitoring and Audit
EIA PROCESS
 Carried out for big project
 Addresses Unknown Impacts
 Detail Environmental Protection Measures
(EPMs)
 Scoping and Public Notice Required
 Scoping and TOR to be approved by MoE
 Public hearing at project site required
 EIA report to be made public for 30 days before
approval
 Approval by MoE within 90 days
 Environmental Auditing required
 Identification of Proposal

Environm
Scoping Public Detailed ental
Document Notice EIA Study Auditing

M/E
Public
TOR Hearing

Project
Recommendation Implementation
Review Letter

Review Approval
of EIA
Report

Approval EIA Report

by MoE Submission Public
Notice
Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

 Carried out for small project

 Addresses mostly known impacts
 Conclusion on further study, if required
 Inclusion of EPMs, Issues and areas for further study
 Scoping document not required or no public notice at the
beginning
 TOR approval by Concerned body
 Schematics of EIA Process
Impacts Identification, Mitigation/Enhancement
Prediction, Measures
&Evaluation

Environmental Alternatives
Baseline of the
Proposal EIA
Implementation Site Study/Report
Project
Public
Features/Components
Hearings/Consultations

Terms of
Identification of Schedule-4 of EPR 1997
Reference
Key Issues

Public Project
Consultations/Meetings Scoping
Features/Parameters
Public Notice

Information on Environmental
baseline of the Proposal
Implementation Site
THANK YOU !!!!

HAPPY DASHAIN !!!!!!