Question

Define environmental impact assessment with its objectives and methods.

Answer 1

Definitions of EIA:

Environmental Impact Assessment is defined as an activity designed to identify the impact on the biogeophysical environment, on man and well-being of legislative proposals, projects, policies, operational procedures and to interpret and communicate information.

EIA is a systematic process of identifying future consequences of a current or proposed action.

Objective of EIA:

The objective of EIA is (i) to identify, predict and evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of development activities (ii) to provide information on the environmental consequences for decision making and (iii) to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development through the identification of appropriate alternatives and mitigation measures.