Reviewing Biodiversity Assessments in EIAs in

Myanmar
S

Part 1
Biodiversity assessment in EIAs
 Key take away messages
• Assessing biodiversity: ensure proper description of methodologies,
justification for study area, proper presentation of species (incl. red list
status and Myanmar law status), references, inclusion of maps

• Linking presence of biodiversity to impacts: properly assess

impacts, include the significance of these impacts, ensure impacts
on processes are included

• Linking impacts to mitigation measures: based on impacts,

propose appropriate measures and how these will be
monitored

• Study and propose avoidance options – through

alternatives
 How to assess the presence of biodiversity
• What biodiversity is present and in
what abundance?
• Where is it located, how is it
organized and what part does the
ecosystem play in the larger area?
• What are key ecological processes in
the area?
 Assessing biodiversity in EIAs
• Include proper description of methodology and details about when
the surveys were carried out
• Maps showing study area and where surveys have been carried out
• Justification for study area selected
• Site specific information about biodiversity – not general
• References
• Status according to IUCN red list and Myanmar law
• Descriptions of ecosystems and processes
Example of a not proper description of species
Example: Kalewa-Yagyi road section
Example: Kalewa-Yagyi road section
Describing impacts on biodiversity in
EIAs
 Possible impacts on biodiversity
• Ecosystem/Habitat removal and fragmentation
• Ecosystem/Habitat degradation
• Wildlife mortality and/or population loss
• Disturbance
• Invasive alien species
• Unsustainable natural resource use
• Pollution

• Different for different sectors – need for more sector specific information
about impacts
 Linking biodiversity assessments to impacts
• Based on the species present in the area,
what are the likely impacts?
• Based on important ecological impacts in
the area – what are the likely impacts?
• Need to make the link between presence of
biodiversity and impacts
• Ecological processes need to be described
and impacts laid out
 Example: resort in Myeik archipelago

• Resort and Dive Shop

• Two islands
• Within Myiek Island Group – KBA
• Biodiversity – from expert at
University and site visit (only land
assessment)
• Used IUCN red list
 Example: resort in Myeik archipelago
5.2.1 Related Environmental issues
1. deforestation of 50 acres each on both the islands for construction,
2.Soil erosion in the cleared areas to the marine water during construction
time,
3. change in topography and effect of it on drainage of water,
4. depletion of natural and public resources such as fossil fuels, and water,
5. air emissions and noise generation from transportation and operations,
6. increased traffic in the waters and the road,
7. waste generation from the resort and the people visiting dive sites
8.The restriction or loss of access to drinking water in the islands for the local
people
9. Potential fire break-out accidents in the resort
 Example: resort in Myeik archipelago
EIA identified a lot of EN and VU species near the island site
• Caretta Caretta Loggerhead Turtle Turtle (EN)
• Chelonia Mydas Green Turtle Turtle (EN)
• Lepidochelys Olivacea Olive Ridley Turtle Turtle (VU)
• Indotestudo Elongata Yellow Tortoise Herpetofauna (EN)
• Limnonectes Blythii Blyth‟s Giant Frog Herpetofauna (NT)

However, the probability of these species using the islands as a habitat or

nesting site cannot be ruled out due to the proximity to the Lampi park.
 Example: resort in Myeik archipelago
Issues raised by biodiversity assessment:
• No assessment of corals or marine ecosystem
• Used photos and information from Lamphi Reserve showing exceptional
biodiversity
• The only conclusion is that the Resort should not be approved because of its
impact on biodiversity.
• The EIA Report states: “The project being in an island is surrounded by sea
that is rich in aquatic biota such as fishes, crustacean, corals, jelly fishes
turtles and their habitats are in the project area. The sedimentation and
discharge of waste water can seriously affect the life and habitats around
the island.”
Linking impacts on biodiversity
with mitigation measures
 How to identify mitigation measures
• Joint planning with proponent, planners,
engineers, ecologists and other specialists
• Best to be identified during the scoping stage
to ensure feasibility
• A good alternative analysis and selection of
option that will produce the most
“avoidance” will result in the need of less
mitigation measures
• Measures to mitigate and enhance
biodiversity
• Monitoring is key
Example: Dawei two-lane road
 Example: Dawei two-lane road
• Biodiversity surveys conducted but lacking
description of methodologies and proper
description of species

• Scope of biodiversity and wildlife mitigation

too narrow – no cumulative impacts on
biodiversity considered

• Impacts on the main wildlife corridors are

very significant and should be described
properly

• Major lack of proper mitigation measures

Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA – mitigation
proposed during construction
Biodiversity recorded by INGOs in the vicinity
of the road
 Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA – during
construction
• Impacts on forests and wildlife: clearing of forest for Right of Way,loss
of habitat, loss of food, noise, alteration of natural habitat,
Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA – during
operation
Avoidance is always the best option
 Key take away messages
• Assessing biodiversity: ensure proper description of
methodologies,
• justification for study area, proper presentation of species (incl.
red list status and Myanmar law status), references, inclusion of
maps

• Linking presence of biodiversity to impacts: properly assess

impacts, include the significance of these impacts, ensure
impacts on processes are included

alternatives
• Linking impacts to mitigation measures: based on impacts,
propose appropriate measures and how these will be