UNIT-4

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Definition:
Environmental Impact Assessment can be defined 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.
UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental,
social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental
impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse
impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to
decision-makers.
Scope of EIA
EIA is a good tool for prudent environment management.
It is government-policy that any industrial project in India has to secure EIA clearance from the
Environment Ministry before approval for the project itself.
Objectives of EIA
• To ensure that environmental considerations are explicitly addressed and incorporated into the
development decision making process;
• To anticipate and avoid, minimize or offset the adverse significant biophysical, social and other
relevant effects of development proposals;
• To protect the productivity and capacity of natural systems and the ecological processes which
maintain their functions; and
• To promote development that is sustainable and optimizes resource use and management
opportunities.
Basic EIA Principles :
Purpose – the process should inform decision making and result in appropriate levels of environmental
protection and community well-being.
Rigorous – the process should apply “best practicable” science, employing methodologies and
techniques appropriate to address the problems being investigated.
Practical – the process should result in information and outputs which assist with problem solving and
are acceptable to and able to be implemented by proponents.
Relevant – the process should provide sufficient, reliable and usable information for development
planning and decision making.
Cost-effective – the process should achieve the objectives of EIA within the limits of available
information, time, resources and methodology.
Efficient – the process should impose the minimum cost burdens in terms of time and finance on
proponents and participants consistent with meeting accepted requirements and objectives of EIA.
Focused – the process should concentrate on significant environmental effects and key issues; i.e., the
matters that need to be taken into account in making decisions.
Adaptive – the process should be adjusted to the realities, issues and circumstances of the proposals
under review without compromising the integrity of the process, and be iterative, incorporating lessons
learned throughout the proposal's life cycle.
Participative – the process should provide appropriate opportunities to inform and involve the
interested and affected publics, and their inputs and concerns should be addressed explicitly in the
documentation and decision making.
Interdisciplinary – the process should ensure that the appropriate techniques and experts in the
relevant bio-physical and socio-economic disciplines are employed, including use of traditional
knowledge as relevant.
Credible – the process should be carried out with professionalism, rigor, fairness, objectivity,
impartiality and balance, and be subject to independent checks and verification.
Integrated – the process should address the interrelationships of social, economic and biophysical
aspects.
Transparent – the process should have clear, easily understood requirements for EIA content; ensure
public access to information; identify the factors that are to be taken into account in decision making;
and acknowledge limitations and difficulties.
Systematic – the process should result in full consideration of all relevant information on the affected
environment, of proposed alternatives and their impacts, and of the measures necessary to monitor and
investigate residual effects
Classification of EIA
EIA can be classified based on the purpose and the theme of development. EIA can be climate impact
assessment, demographic impact assessment, development impact assessment, ecological impact
assessment, economic and fiscal impact assessment, health impact assessment, risk assessment, social
impact assessment, strategic impact assessment, technology assessment.
In addition to this list, EIA is also categorized based on systematic analysis of environmental
parameters, geographical region, carrying capacity limitations and sectoral planning. They are strategic
EIA, regional EIA, sectoral EIA, project level EIA and life cycle assessment.
Strategic EIA (SEIA):
Strategic EIA refers to systematic analysis of the environmental effects of development policies, plans,
programs and other proposed strategic actions. This process extends the aims and principles of EIA
upstream in the decision- making process, beyond the project level and when major alternatives are still
open. Strategic EIA represents a proactive approach to integrate environmental considerations into the
higher level of decision-making.
Regional EIA:
EIA in the context of regional planning integrates environmental concerns into development planning
for a geographic region, normally at the sub- country level. Such an approach is referred to as the
economic-cum- environmental (EcE) development planning. This approach facilitates adequate
integration of economic development with management of renewable natural resources within the
carrying capacity limitation to achieve sustainable development.
It fulfills the need for macro-level environmental integration, which the project-oriented EIA is unable
to address effectively. Regional EIA addresses the environmental impacts of regional development
plans and thus, the context for project-level EIA of the subsequent projects, within the region. In
addition, if environmental effects are considered at regional level, then cumulative environmental
effects of all the projects within the region can be accounted.
Project Level EIA:
Project level EIA refers to the developmental activity in isolation and the impacts that it exerts on the
receiving environment. Thus, it may not effectively integrate the cumulative effects of the development
in a region.
Sectoral EIA:
Instead of project-level-EIA, an EIA should take place in the context of regional and sectoral level
planning. Once sectoral level development plans have the integrated sectoral environmental concerns
addressed, the scope of project-level EIA will be quite narrow. Sectoral EIA will help to address
specific environmental problems that may be encountered in planning and implementing sectoral
development projects.
Life Cycle Assessment:
A systematic set of procedures for compiling and examining the inputs and outputs of materials and
energy and the associated environmental impacts directly attributable to the functioning of a product or
service system throughout its life cycle.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a technique for assessing the potential environmental aspects and
potential aspects associated with a product (or service), by:
1. compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs,
2. evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs and outputs,
interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in relation to the objectives of the
study.
The "life-cycle" impacts include the extraction of raw materials; the processing, manufacturing, and
fabrication of the product; the transportation or distribution of the product to the consumer; the use of
the product by the consumer; and the disposal or recovery of the product after its useful life. There are
four linked components of LCA:
•Goal definition and scoping: identifying the LCA's purpose and the expected products of the
study, and determining the boundaries (what is and is not included in the study) and
assumptions based upon the goal definition;
•Life-cycle inventory: quantifying the energy and raw material inputs and environmental
releases associated with each stage of production;
•Impact analysis: assessing the impacts on human health and the environment associated with
energy and raw material inputs and environmental releases quantified by the inventory;
•Improvement analysis: evaluating opportunities to reduce energy, material inputs, or
environmental impacts at each stage of the product life-cycle.
The EIA Process
EIA involves the steps mentioned below. However, the EIA process is cyclical with interaction between
the various steps.
Screening: The project plan is screened for scale of investment, location and type of development and
if the project needs statutory clearance.
Scoping: The project’s potential impacts, zone of impacts, mitigation possibilities and need for
monitoring.
Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental status of study area.
Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and irreversible and temporary and permanent
impacts need to be predicted which presupposes a good understanding of the project by the assessment
agency.
Mitigation measures and EIA report: The EIA report should include the actions and steps for
preventing, minimizing or by passing the impacts or else the level of compensation for probable
environmental damage or loss.
Public hearing: On completion of the EIA report, public and environmental groups living close to
project site may be informed and consulted.
Decision making: Impact Assessment Authority along with the experts consult the project-in-charge
along with consultant to take the final decision, keeping in mind EIA and EMP (Environment
Management Plan).
Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan: The various phases of
implementation of the project are monitored.
Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures and Environmental Impact
Assessment Report: For every project, possible alternatives should be identified, and environmental
attributes compared. Alternatives should cover both project location and process technologies.
Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be drawn up for the selected option and
is supplemented with an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to guide the proponent towards

environmental improvements.
Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability and index also form part of EIA
procedures.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process for the formal, systematic evaluation of the
likely significant environmental effects of implementing a plan or programme, before a decision is
made to adopt the plan or programme.
SEA EIA

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a

systematic process for evaluating the environmental process of evaluating the likely environmental
implications of a proposed policy, plan or impacts of a proposed project or development,
programme and provides means for looking at taking into account inter-related socio-economic,
cumulative effects and appropriately address them at cultural, and human-health impacts, both
the earliest stage of decision making alongside beneficial and adverse.
economic and social considerations.
Takes place at earlier stages of decision-making Takes place at end of decision- making cycle
cycle
Multi-stage process with variations e.g. policy v Well-defined process, clear beginning and end
plans
Pro-active, out-in-front approach to development Reacts to specific development proposal
proposals
Broad level of analysis, e.g. focus on cross-sector Detailed, cause-effect analysis of the impact of
links and issues project components
Considers potentially wide range of development Considers limited range of feasible alternatives
alternatives (how to carry out projects)
Gives early warning of cumulative impacts (sector or Limited opportunity to address cumulative
region wide) impacts at project level
Emphasis on meeting sustainability goals and Emphasis on mitigating and minimizing impacts
safeguards
Focus on 'do most good' – i.e explores the best Focus on do no/least harm
development
Environmental Policy of India:
Environment policies of the Government of India includes legislations related to environment.
In the Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 48 says “the state shall endeavour to protect and
improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”; Article 51-A states
that “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”
India is one of the parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) treaty. Prior to the CBD,
India had different laws to govern the environment. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 protected
biodiversity. It was amended later multiple times. The 1988 National Forest Policy had conservation as
its fundamental principle. In addition to these acts, the government passed the Environment
(Protection) Act 1986 and Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 for control of
biodiversity.
Objectives of National Environment Policy (2006):
The following are the objectives of the national environment policy:
[Link] of Critical Environmental Resources: To protect and conserve critical
environmental resources and invaluable natural and man-made heritage which are essential for life-
supporting livelihoods and welfare of the society.
[Link]-generational Equity: To ensure judicious use of environmental resources to meet the needs
and aspirations of present and future generations.
[Link] in Environmental Resources Use: To ensure efficient use of environmental resources
in the sense of reduction in their use per unit of economic output and to minimize adverse
environmental impacts on society.
[Link] Governance in the Management of Resources: To apply the principles of
resources. To apply the principles of good governance (i.e. transparency, rationality, accountability,
reduction in costs and time, and public participation) to the management of environmental
resources.
[Link] of Resources: Appropriate technology and traditional knowledge, managerial
skills, and social capital will be used for the conservation and enhancement of resources.
[Link] Security for the Poor: To ensure equitable access to environmental resources for
poor tribal communities, which are most dependent on environmental resources for their livelihood.
[Link] of Environmental Concerns for Socio-economic Development: To integrate
environmental concerns into policies, plans, programs, and projects for Socio-economic
development.
Strategy for Conservation of Environmental Resources
The following strategy will be adopted for conservation of environmental resources in India:
1. Land Degradation:
The following steps will be taken to reduce land degradation:
➢Encourage adoption of science based and traditional sustainable land use practices through
research and development.
➢Pilot scale demonstrations and farmers ‘training.
➢Promote reclamation of wasteland and degraded forest land through formulation and adoption
of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the land-owning agency, local communities and
investors.
➢To reduce desertification through action plans.
2. Forests:
To formulate an innovative strategy for the increase of forest and tree cover from the present level of 23
percent of the country ‘s land area, to 33 percent in 2012 through afforestation of degraded forest land,
wasteland, and tree cover on private or revenue land.
Key elements of the strategy would include:
[Link] implementation of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the forest department, local
communities, and investors, with clearly defined obligations and entitlements for each partner,
 following good governance principles, to derive environmental livelihood, and financial
benefits.
[Link] of restrictions on the cultivation of forest species outside notified forest areas.
[Link] farmers to undertake social and farm forestry where their returns are more favorable
than cropping.
[Link] of the Joint Forestry Management System throughout the country.
[Link] an appropriate methodology for reckoning and restoring the environmental
values of forests that are unavoidably diverted to other uses.
[Link] legal recognition of the traditional rights of forest-dwelling tribes and provide long-
term incentives to the tribals to conserve the forests.
3. Wildlife:
In respect of wildlife conservation, the following steps would be pursued:
[Link] the Protected Area Network of the country. It must be ensured that the overall area
of the network in each biogeographic zone would increase in the process.
[Link] multi-stakeholder partnerships for [Link], formulating and
implementing similar partnerships for enhancement of wildlife habit in conservation and
community reserves.
[Link] Eco-tourism at wildlife sites.
4. Implementing measures for captive breeding and release into the wild identified endangered
species.
4. Biodiversity:
According to the National Environment Policy, a large- scale exercise has been already completed for
providing inputs towards a National Biodiversity Action Plan. However, following measures would be
taken to protect biodiversity at national level.
[Link] the protection of biodiversity hot spots.
[Link] attention to the potential impacts of development projects on biodiversity resources and
natural heritage.
[Link] genetic material of threatened species of flora and fauna must be conserved on priority.
4. Conferring intellectual property rights for traditional knowledge.
5. Wetlands:
Wetlands, natural and man-made, freshwater or brackish, provide numerous ecological services. They
provide habitat to aquatic flora and fauna. But now wetlands are under threat from drainage and
conversion for agriculture and human settlements, besides pollution.
The key strategy for action will include the following steps:
[Link] set up a legally enforceable regulatory mechanism for identified valuable wetlands to
prevent their degradation and enhance their conservation.
[Link] formulate and implement sustainable tourism strategies for identified wetlands thorough
multi-stakeholder partnerships involving public agencies, and local communities.
[Link] take explicit account of impacts on wetlands of significant development projects during
environmental appraisal of such projects.
6. Conservation of Man-made Heritage:
Man-made heritage reflects the pre-history, ways of living and culture of people. In the case of India,
such heritage is at the core of our national identity. At the same time, considerable economic value, and
livelihoods may be derived from conservation of man- made heritage and their sustainable use.
The following action plans would be required for their sustainable use.
[Link] setting ambient environmental standards, especially for air quality, the potential impacts on
designated heritage sites must be taken into account.
[Link] regional development plans should be drawn up with participation of the local
community with respect to shifting polluting activities and waste far away from sites.
[Link] on designated heritage sites must be considered at the stage of developing the terms
of reference for environmental impact assessments of the projects.
7. Environmentally Sensitive Zones:
Environmentally sensitive zones may be defined as areas with identified environmental resources with
incomparable values, which require special attention for their conservation. In order to conserve and
enhance these resources, without impeding legitimate socio-economic development of these areas, the
following actions will be taken.
[Link] and give legal status to Environmentally Sensitive Zones in the country.
[Link] area development plans for these zones on a scientific basis with adequate
participation by the local communities.
[Link] local institutions for the environmental management of such areas.
8. Strategy for Sustainable Mountain Development:
Mountain ecosystems play a key role in providing forest cover, feeding perennial river systems,
conserving genetic diversity, and providing an immense resource base for livelihoods through
sustainable tourism.
There has been significant adverse impact on mountain ecosystems by way of deforestation,
submergence of river valleys, pollution of freshwater resources, despoiling of landscapes, degradation
of human habitat, loss of genetic diversity, retreat of glaciers, and pollution.
Keeping in view, the following action plan for sustainable mountain development would be taken
up:
[Link] best practice norms for infrastructure construction in mountain regions to avoid or
minimize damage to sensitive ecosystems and despoiling of landscapes.
[Link] cultivation of traditional varieties of crops and horticulture by promotion of
organic farming and enabling farmers to realize a price premium.
[Link] sustainable tourism through adoption of best practice norms for tourism facilities
and access to ecological resources.
[Link] strategies or particular unique mountains capes.
9. Strategy for Sustainable Coastal Resources:
Coastal environmental resources provide habitats for marine species, which in turn comprise the
resource base for large numbers of fisher folk, protection from extreme weather events, a resource base
for sustainable tourism, agricultural and urban livelihoods.
In recent years, there has been significant degradation of coastal resources, for which the proximate
causes include poorly planned human settlements, improper location of industries and infrastructure,
pollution from industries, and settlements, and over exploitation of living natural resources.
In keeping with these adverse effects on coastal resources, the following measures would be
taken:
[Link] mainstream the sustainable management of mangroves into the forestry sector regulatory
regime, ensuring that they continue to provide livelihoods to local communities.
[Link] disseminate available techniques for regeneration of coral reefs, and support activities
based on application of such techniques.
[Link] embody considerations of sea-level rise in coastal management plans.
[Link] has passed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification in February 1991 and Integrated
Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) to ensure protection to coastal environmental in India. Their
rules and regulations are firmly founded on scientific principles. Specific projects should be
consistent with the approval of ICZM plans.
10. Strategy for Conservation of Freshwater Resources:
The fresh water resources comprise the river systems, groundwater and wetlands. Each of these has a
unique role and characteristic linkage to other environmental entities.
River Management:
The following comprise elements of an action plan for river management:
[Link] integrated approaches to management of river basins by the concerned river
authorities, considering upstream and downstream inflows and withdrawals by reason.
[Link] authorities will check pollution loads and natural regeneration capacities to ensure
adequate flows and adherence to water quality standards.
[Link] consider and mitigate the impacts on river flora and fauna.
[Link] consider mandating the installation of water saving closets and taps in the building
byelaws of urban centres.
Groundwater:
Groundwater is present in underground aquifers in many parts of the country. The water table has been
falling rapidly in many areas of the country in recent years. This is largely due to withdrawal for
agricultural, industrial, and urban use in excess of annual recharge.
In urban areas, apart from withdrawals for domestic and industrial use, housing and infrastructure such
as roads prevent sufficient recharge. In addition, some pollution of groundwater occurs due to leaching
of stored hazardous waste and use of agricultural chemicals in particular pesticides.
The following action plans are required in this direction:
[Link] efficient use of groundwater would accordingly, require that the practice of non-metering
of electricity supply to farmers be discontinued.
[Link] promote efficient water use techniques such as sprinkler or drip irrigation among farmers.
[Link] support practices of contour bunding and revival of traditional methods for enhancing
groundwater recharge.
[Link] mandate water (rainwater) harvesting in all new constructions in relevant urban areas to
enhance groundwater recharge.
[Link] support research and development in cost effective techniques suitable for rural drinking
water projects.
Policy for Pollution Abatement:
The following measures will be adopted to control the pollution at local and national level:
1. Water Pollution:
The following measures will be adopted to control water pollution:
[Link] enhance reuse of treated sewage and industrial waste water before final discharge to water
bodies.
[Link] set up common effluent treatment plants on cost recovery basis.
[Link] take explicit account of groundwater pollution in pricing policies of pesticides and
fertilizers.
[Link] develop a strategy for strengthening regulation regarding the impact of ship breaking on
marine resources.
[Link] promote research and development in the field of low cost technologies for sewage
treatment.
[Link] develop public-private partnership for setting up effluent and sewage treatment plants.
2. Air Pollution:
The following are elements of an action plan for air pollution:
⚫To accelerate the national programs of dissemination of improved fuel wood stoves, and solar
cookers for rural women. To provide incentive-based instruments for controlling air pollution
⚫To provide adequate investments in low pollution mass transport systems with the help of
public and private partnerships. To give greater legal standing to local community and NGOs to
undertake monitoring of environmental compliance, to promote reclamation of wastelands by
energy plantations.
3. Noise Pollution:
The following would comprise elements of an action plan on abatement of Noise Pollution:
[Link] appropriate distinctions between different environments in terms of setting ambient
noise standards, e.g. rural versus urban , educational and hospital establishments versus other
areas, daytime versus night time in residential areas; areas in the vicinity of rail, road and
airport infrastructure etc.
[Link] between noise standards and protection measures the context of occupational
exposure, and environmental exposure to third parties.
 [Link] noise emissions norms i.e. loudspeakers, automobile horns and fireworks ratings
appropriate to various activities о ensure that exposure levels to third parties who are not
participants in the activity do not exceed prescribed ambient standards.
Encourage dialogue between state/local authorities and religious/ community representatives on the
adoption of enforceable specific duration, timings for use of loudspeakers or fireworks.
4. Soil Pollution:
The following are elements of an action plan on soil pollution:
[Link] and implement strategies for clean-up of pre-existing toxic and hazardous waste
dumps, in particular, in industrial areas and reclamation of such lands for sustainable use.
[Link] the capacities of local bodies for segregation, recycling, and reuse of municipal
solid wastes.
[Link] and implement strategies for recycling, reuse, and final environmentally benign
disposal of plastics wastes, including through the promotion of relevant technologies, and use of
incentive-based instruments.
[Link] organic farming of traditional crop varieties through research.
[Link] transparent, voluntary, and science-based eco-labeling schemes.
[Link] legal recognition to, and strengthen the informal sector systems of collection and
recycling of various materials.
[Link] public-private partnerships for setting up and operating secure landfills and
incinerators for toxic and hazardous wastes, both industrial and biomedical.
Baseline Data Acquisition: Environmental Inventory
Baseline data collection is a crucial step in environmental impact assessment (EIA), as it provides the
information needed to identify, predict, and evaluate the potential effects of a proposed project on the
environment. However, collecting baseline data can also be costly, time-consuming, and challenging,
especially in complex or sensitive ecosystems.
Environmental Inventory:
“Environmental inventory” is a complete description of the environment as it exists in an area where a
particular proposed action is being considered.
The inventory is compiled from a checklist of descriptors for the physical – chemical, biological,
cultural, and socioeconomic environments. The “physical-chemical environment” includes such major
areas as soils, geology topography surface-water and groundwater resources, water quality, air quality,
and climatology.
The “biological environment” refers to the flora and fauna of the area, including species of trees,
grasses, fish, herpetofauna, birds, and mammals. Specific reference must be made to any threatened
and/or endangered plant or animal species. General biological features such as species diversity and
overall ecosystem stability should also be presented. Items in the “cultural environment” include
historic and archaeological sites, and aesthetic resources such as visual quality.
The “socioeconomic environment” refers to a range of considerations related to humans in the
environment, including population trends and population distributions; economic indicators of human
welfare; educational systems; transportation networks and other infrastructure concerns such as water
supply, wastewater disposal, and solid-waste management; public services such as police and fire
protection and medical facilities; and many others.
The physical-chemical and biological environments can be referred to as the “natural environment,” or
the “biophysical environment,” while the cultural and socioeconomic environments represent the “man-
made environment.”
The health impacts of projects, plans, programs, or policies should be considered in the decision-
making process. Because of the importance of these concerns, particularly in developing countries, an
environmental health impact assessment process has been proposed (WHO, 1987). For certain types of
projects, such as nuclear power plants, it may be necessary to address psychological impacts on nearby
residents (“Can Change Damage Your Mental Health,” 1982).
The emphasis in environmental impact studies in the early 1970s was on the physical-chemical and
biological environments; however, added attention was given to the cultural and socioeconomic
environments as the decade progressed.
One reason for the attention to the socioeconomic environment was the emphasis on secondary impacts
mentioned in the NEPA guidelines issued by the Council on Environmental Quality in 1973. Attention
to health and ecological risks is increasing and this trend is expected to accelerate.
The environmental inventory serves as the basis for evaluating the potential impacts on the
environment, both beneficial and adverse, of a proposed action. It is included in an environmental
impact statement (EIS).
Development of the inventory represents an initial step in the environmental impact assessment
process. The scope of the environmental inventory or baseline data acquisition includes a detailed
characterization of the environment in an area of 10 Km radius around the proposed facility for
environmental components viz., air, noise, water, land, ecology and socioeconomic environment.
Acquisition of baseline data is mainly:
(a) To assess the present status of air, noise, water, land, ecology and socio-economic components of
the environment in an area of 10 Km radius around the proposed site, which is mandatory,
(b) To identify and quantify significant impacts of processing operations on environmental components,
(c) To prepare Environmental Management Plan (EMP) with pollution control technologies to be
adopted for mitigation of adverse impacts and site specific remedial measures and
(d) To delineate future environmental quality monitoring programmes to be pursued by the proponents
after commissioning the proposed project.
Baseline data collection required for EIA
Baseline data collection refers to collection collection of baseline information information on
biophysical biophysical, social and economic aspects of a project area.
Project area is defined as the area where environmental environmental effects effects and impacts
impacts are felt during construction or operational stages of a project.
Collection of baseline information serves two purposes:
It provides a description of the status and trends of environmental factors (e.g., air pollutant
concentrations) against which predicted changes can be compared and evaluated in terms of
importance.
It provides a means of detecting actual change by monitoring once a project has been initiated.
Major environmental environmental parameters parameters to be considered in field are:
•Physical: topography, geology, soil types, surface and ground water condition, watershed condition,
pollution levels etc.
•Biological: terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, types flora and fauna, environmentally environmentally
sensitive sensitive wetlands wetlands, prime agricultural land etc
•Socio‐economic: demography, development needs and potential, infrastructure facilities, economic
activities etc.
•Cultural: location and state of archeological, historical, religious sites
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS OF COLLECTION
Primary Sources: Result of the field and laboratory data collected and analyzed directly
Secondary sources: Data collected indirectly from published records or documents such as project
documents, village profile, maps, photos, internet sources etc
Methods of data collection:
General methods: Literature review, map interpretation, checklists (e.g. scaling and questionnaire
checklists, matrices etc)
Resource‐based methods: methods: Scientific Scientific instruments instruments and techniques
techniques(inventory, species area curve, sampling techniques, PRA, RRA)
Data Processing
Raw data is converted into knowledge and information that is more easily comprehensible. Tools such
as tables, graphs, maps can be used for presentation.
[Link] physical data: graphs, tables, enumeration
[Link] biological data: species numbers, volume, density, biomass can be calculated.
[Link] diversity (No. of species/Area sampled) can also be used for processing processing
biological biological data calculated calculated through through species richness of an area.
[Link] data: Data such as male/female male/female, skilled/semi skilled/semi skilled
skilled labor force for construction and operational activities can be presented through, graphs,
tables, population pyramids etc. which can be collected through sampling (random, stratified or
mixed).
Baseline studies in EIA may take a long time, hence EIA is blamed for higher costs and delays in
project implementation. Therefore, the studies should be focused on those aspects that are likely to be
affected.
Four critical points exist project implementation
[Link] on Project Project Approval Approval
[Link] on the Location of Project
[Link] on the Project Design
[Link] on the Operation of Project
Rapid EIA
The Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disaster (REA) is a tool to identify, define, and
prioritize potential environmental impacts in disaster situations. A simple, consensus-based qualitative
assessment process, involving narratives and rating tables, is used to identify and rank environmental
issues and follow-up actions during a disaster. The REA is built around conducting simple analysis of
information in the following areas:
• The general context of the disaster.
• Disaster related factors which may have an immediate impact on the environment.
• Possible immediate environmental impacts of disaster agents.
• Unmet basic needs of disaster survivors that could lead to adverse impact on the environment.
• Potential negative environmental consequences of relief operations.
The REA is designed for natural, technological or political disasters, and as a best practice tool for
effective disaster assessment and management. The REA does not replace an EIA, but fills a gap until
an EIA is appropriate. A REA can be use from shortly before a disaster up to 120 days after a disaster
begins, or for any major stage-change in an extended crisis. The REA does not provide answers as to
how to resolve environmental problems. It does provide sufficient information to allow those
responding to a disaster to formulate common sense solutions to most issues identified. Where
solutions are not evident, the REA provides sufficient information to request technical assistance or to
advocate action by a third party. The REA contributes to activity and environmental M&E, but does not
replace a formal M&E system. The REA does not require expert knowledge. Primary REA users are
people directly involved in disaster response operations, with a basic knowledge of the disaster
management process but no background in environmental issues. The REA process can be used by
disaster survivors with appropriate support. The best results are expected to come when the REA is
completed with structured input from survivors and organizations providing relief assistance. Sections
of the REA can also be used for needs assessment and environmental impact screening during relief
project design and review.
REA Modules and Outcomes
Module Outcomes
Organization
Identification of critical environmental issues related to the disaster from the
Level
perspective of organizations providing relief and recovery assistance.
Assessment
Community
Identification of critical environmental issues related to the disaster from the
Level
perspective of communities and groups affected by a disaster.
Assessment
Consolidation An identification and prioritization of environmentally-linked issues involving
and Analysis significant immediate threat to lives, well being and the environment.

Green Review of
A screening of the procurement of relief commodities and services to minimize
Relief
negative environmental impacts.
Procurement
Normal & Disaster Environmental Assessments
Normal Conditions Disasters

➢ Considerable lead time ➢ Sudden onset

➢ Legal requirement often exists (country &/or ➢ Rarely a legal requirement but some
donor) donor may ask for it
➢ Deliberate & pro-active ➢ Reactive
➢ Will take time, be thorough & extensive: ➢ May need to be partial in coverage
comprehensive data collection ➢ “No project” outcome is not an option
➢ “No project” option is a possible outcome ➢ Unpredictable location
➢ Location chosen ➢ Uncertain duration
➢ Duration planned ➢ Beneficiary population- heterogeneous
➢ Beneficiary population- identifiable & static & dynamic
Environmental goals may be made ➢ Priority given to “life saving” activities
compatible with socioeconomic ones sometime difficult to reconcile with
 environmental goals

NEED FOR REIA

Every anthropocentric activity has some impact on the environment. More often it is harmful to the
environment than benign. However, mankind as it is developed today cannot live without taking up
these activities for his food, security and other needs. Consequently, there is a need to harmonize
developmental activities with the environmental concerns. Environmental impact assessment (REIA) is
one of the tools available with the planners to achieve the above-mentioned goal. It is desirable to
ensure that the development options under consideration are sustainable. In doing so, environmental
consequences must be characterized early in the project cycle and accounted for in the project design.
The objective of REIA is to foresee the potential environmental problems that would arise out of a
proposed development and address them in the project's planning and design stage. The REIA process
should then allow for the communication of this information to:
o The project proponent;
o The regulatory agencies; and,
o All stakeholders and interested groups.
REIA integrates the environmental concerns in the developmental activities right at the time of
initiating for preparing the feasibility report. In doing so it can facilitate the integration of
environmental concerns and mitigation measures in project development. REIA can often prevent
future liabilities or expensive alterations in project design.