Environmental Impact Assessment or EIA is a tool used to study the impact of different developmental projects on the environment. This study was first introduced in the United States. This technique is used to understand the potential impact, both negative and positive, that a developmental project will have on the environment.
Why Is Environmental Impact Assessment Important?
Most of the times, we are unaware of the deterioration of the environment due to the various development plans. By conducting a study beforehand, each of the players is aware of the impact that their project is going to have on the environment and the responsibility can be assigned accordingly. Regulatory measures can then be put in place to minimise the negative impact on the environment.
EIA comes in handy as a decision making tool when deciding to go ahead or not with a project based on the social and cultural implications that a project will have on the environment. This study also takes care of the aesthetic impact on the environment. The amount of impact that a project will have will help decide the cost of the project.
If the Environmental Impact Assessment OR keskkonnamõju hindamine is done well in advance, like the project planning stage, then it also helps in the selection process of the project based on how environmentally viable a project is.
Projects That Need Environmental Impact Assessment:
All development projects have some impact on the environment. However, many of them don’t show such a significant impact. The EIA exercise might not be necessary in such cases. The need of EIA is decided during the initial stages of the project planning based on the potential impact on environment, and also the location of the project.
Some of the projects that would be in need on an Environmental Impact Assessment are:
- Projects that can alter the land usage pattern and the overall landscape of the area
- Projects, which can cause a shift or concentration of people in a particular area for working or servicing the project. This will lead to a population shift.
- Projects that require use of natural resources like minerals etc.
- Projects that are involved in manufacturing or handling of hazardous materials
- Projects located near ecologically sensitive places like cities, hill stations, places of religious or scientific importance.
- Projects that involve usage of many different industrial units, which can collectively cause a significant impact on the environment
Objective of EIA:
EIA plays an important role in identifying the long term, irreversible damage to the ecosystem. EIA carries out an absolutely systematic and holistic approach in identifying the impact.
The main objective of EIA is to check if a project’s acceptability based on the impacts on the area. It ensures that the resources are appropriately used and identifies, if appropriate measures will be taken to minimise the effects on the environment. To understand more about EIA visit http://adepte.ee/teenused/keskkonnakorraldus/keskkonnamoju-hindamine/.
Environment Impact Assessment reports are very important to assess the long-term effect on the environment of any developmental project. This allows the decision makers to make an informed decision keeping in mind the safety of the environment.
Author’s Bio:
Tony Callison has written several articles environment and conservation of natural resources. You could also read more about environmental Impact assessment OR keskkonnamõju hindamine by visiting their website, http://adepte.ee/teenused/keskkonnakorraldus/keskkonnamoju-hindamine/ and contact their experts for clearing your doubts.