2020-09-18

Unit 4. Environmental Assessment and Negative Impact of Development

Monitoring
4.1 Introduction to environmental assessment and activities in Nature or environment
monitoring Development Activities
4.2 Tools of environmental assessment and  Road construction
monitoring (Introduction, significance and  Irrigation cannel
procedures)
 Hydropower
4.3 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
4.4 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)  High tension electricity line
4.5 Environmental Auditing  Cable car
 linear structure (Road, fence, Cannel, etc)

BY: Shailendra Kumar Yadav

Conservation Officer, NTNC/
NTNC/ACAP

Loss of Forest Due to road

Impact
construction
 Loss of biodiversity
 Road kill increases due to transportation
 Loss of aquatic biodiversity due to
hydropower
 Forest loss due to landslide because of
unplanned road construction
 Many more

Biological barrier for animal

Road Kill
movement

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Impact of Road on wildlife Impact of development activities on

Environment

Impact of Over extraction of 4.1. Introduction to environmental

environmental recourses assessment and monitoring
 Environmental assessment: “It is an
amalgamation of art and science of
identifying/predicting and evaluating the results
of interactions between environmental variables
and human activities in nature.”
An Environmental Assessment (EA):
 Identifies potential adverse environmental effects
 proposes measures to mitigate adverse
environmental effects
 Measure the feasibility of the development
project

4.1. Introduction to environmental 4.1. Introduction to environmental

assessment and monitoring… assessment and monitoring…
 Predicts whether there will be significant adverse  Why do we need EA?
environmental effects, after mitigation measures  To minimize or avoid adverse environmental
are implemented effects before they occur
 Ensures compliance with the policy and legal  To ensures public consultation and participation
provisions of affected community
 Includes a follow-up program to verify the  To help to judge environmental performance of
accuracy of the environmental assessment and any projects/activities
the effectiveness of the mitigation measures  To incorporate environmental factors into
 Monitoring of biodiversity including all decision making and provide inputs into decision-
environmental attributes before and after the making
project implementation

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4.1. Introduction to environmental

assessment and monitoring… Problem due to road
 Environmental Assessment (EA)- Benefits
 Avoidance or minimization of adverse environmental
effects
 Opportunities for public participation and
consultation
 Increased protection of human health
 Reduced project costs and delays
 Reduced risks of environmental harm or disasters
 Increased government accountability and
harmonization
 Lessen probability of trans-boundary environmental
effects
 Informed decisions that contribute to responsible
development of natural resources

Some Benefit from Under pass

4.1. Introduction to environmental 4.1. Introduction to environmental

assessment and monitoring… assessment and monitoring…
 Environmental Assessment (EA)- Principles  Environmental Assessment (EA)- Types of EA
 Principle 1: Focus on main issue
 Principle 2: Involve the appropriate persons and groups
 Principle 3: Link information to decisions about the
project
 Principle 4: Present clear options for the mitigation of
impacts and for sound environmental management
 Principle 5: Provide information in a form useful to the
decision makers
Source (UNEP, 1988)

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4.1. Introduction to environmental 4.1. Introduction to environmental

assessment and monitoring… assessment and monitoring…
 Environmental Assessment (EA)- Types of EA  Legal measures
 Brief Environmental Study  Forest Act, 1993 (Updated 2019_2076)
 Initial Environment Examination (IEE)
 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for a policy or plan  Water Resources Act, 1993
or programs  Electricity Act, 1993
 Regional Environment Assessment (REA) for proposals on  Environment Protection Act, 1996 (2018_2075)
regional scale
 Environment Protection Rules, 1997 (2020_2077)
 Sectoral Environmental Assessment (SeEA) for proposal on a
sector e.g. EIA guideline for forestry sector  Tourism Act, 1978
 Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) for proposal on past,  Mines and Mineral Rules, 2000
present and foreseeable future actions in given area
 Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for in-depth analysis of social
aspects of a proposal

4.1. Introduction to environmental 4.1. Introduction to environmental

assessment and monitoring… assessment and monitoring…
Environmental monitoring: Environmental monitoring:
 Environmental monitoring describes the processes  For example, air quality monitoring, vegetation monitoring,
and activities that need to take place to characterize and biodiversity (plant and animal) monitoring, water quality
monitor the quality of the environment. monitoring, soil quality monitoring
 Environmental monitoring is used in the preparation
 Pre and post monitoring of Babai-Bheri Diversion (Warm
of environmental impact assessments, as well as in many
circumstances in which human activities carry a risk of vs Cold water)
harmful effects on the natural environment.  Monitoring environmental impact gives project managers
 All monitoring strategies and programs have reasons and and communities critical information on project
justifications which are often designed to establish the performance and should be given the same attention as
current status of an environment or to establish trends in social or economic monitoring.
environmental parameters.  The monitoring of environmental impacts can be built into
 In all cases the results of monitoring will be reviewed, the overall project monitoring process.
analyzed statistically and published.

4.2. Tools of environmental assessment 4.2. Tools of environmental assessment and

and monitoring monitoring…
 Those instruments (e.g., scales, questionnaires and  The Benefits/significance of Environmental
checklists) that support an environmental assessment Assessment and monitoring
 Environmental assessment and monitoring tools helps  Reduced cost and time of project implementation.
in estimating and evaluating significant short-  Cost-saving modifications in project design.
term and long-term effects of a program or project on  Increased project acceptance.
the quality of its location's environment.  Avoided impacts and violations of laws and regulations.
 It also includes identifying ways to minimize, mitigate,  Improved project performance.
or eliminate these effects and/or compensate for  Avoided treatment/clean up costs.
their impact.
 The assessment tools differ in terms of which
environmental objectives are included and how
indicators are constructed and interpreted.

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4.2. Tools of environmental assessment 4.2. Tools of environmental assessment

and monitoring… and monitoring…
The benefits to local communities from taking part Conducting an Effective Environmental Assessment:
in environmental assessments include: Key Points to Remember
 A healthier local environment (forests, water sources,  Keep environmental assessment in perspective.
agricultural potential, recreational potential, aesthetic  Recognize it as a tool to enhance the decision-making
values, and clean living in urban areas). process, "not the decision making process itself"
 Keep the assessment simple and concentrate on relevant
 Improved human health.
or pertinent factors and data. It should be “exact or
 Maintenance of biodiversity. rigorous but not necessarily laborious"
 Decreased resource use.  Focus time and effort on the most relevant matters.
 Fewer conflicts over natural resource use.  Don't invest too much, nor too little, time on an
 Increased community skills, knowledge and pride. assessment.The process should be neither
extended/protracted nor hasty/speedy. It is better to take
the time needed to do a proper job than to pay later for
carelessness.

4.2. Tools of environmental assessment  Procedures

and monitoring…
 Tailor each assessment to the particular needs of the project.
Each project has a unique set of environmental, economic and
social characteristics. The values and priorities of the target
population and the extent of their participation and support
will also vary from project to project.
 Be creative/inventive. There is no standard format available for
interpreting the information gathered during an environmental
assessment.
 Be prepared for inexact and suggestive data that call for
gossip/speculation and extrapolation.
 Avoid secrecy. Open communication among all stakeholders
throughout the assessment process not only produces better
results, but also increases the project's credibility and builds
trust and acceptance on the part of the wider community.
 Seek external help and advice in situations that require more
expertise than is available in the project management and
environmental assessment teams.

4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)

Brief Environmental Study (New from 2077 BS)
 Means a report on Screening of project activities whether,
in implementing a proposal listed in Schedule (1) of EPR
(2020_2077), the proposal does have very minimal level of
impact
 low level of development activities

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4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)

Initial Environment Examination (IEE)
 "Initial Environmental Examination" means a report on
analytical study or evaluation to be prepared to ascertain
as to whether, in implementing a proposal listed in
Schedule (2) of EPR (2020_2077), the proposal does have
significant adverse impacts on the environment or not,
whether such impacts could be avoided or mitigated by
any means or not

4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
 "Environmental Impact Assessment" means a report on
detailed study and evaluation to be prepared to ascertain
as to whether, in implementing a proposal listed in
Schedule (3) of EPR (2020_2077), the proposal does have
significant adverse impacts on the environment or not,
whether such impacts could be avoided or mitigated by
any means or not.

4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE) 4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)
Features of IEE:  Initial Environment Examination (IEE)- Proposals
 It is generally used for small scale project listed in Schedule (2), EPR (2020):
 It is conducted within short time period 1. Forest sector
 It works on some known impacts mainly 2. Industrial sector
 It requires limited budget 3. Mining sector
 It requires small term of human resource 4. Road sector
 It may recommend for further assessment (EIA) 5. Water resources and energy sector
6. Tourism sector
7. Drinking water
8. Waste management
9. Agriculture sector

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4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)… 4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)…
 Screening: Screening is an initial stage to decide whether  Systematizing the working procedure
the project requires IEE or EIA or none.  Delineating the specific activities to be implemented
 Saves money and time  Fitting environment assessment into context of existing
 Identification of environmental issues of major concern policies, rules and administrative procedures
 Accomplishing work within specified time frame
 Establishes needs of the projects
 Initial Environment Examination (IEE)-Terms of
Reference and its Content- Schedule
 Initial Environment Examination (IEE)-Terms of  Name and Address of proponent preparing the report
Reference and its objectives  General Information (Description of proposal and
 Terms of Reference- contain detailed information on Relevancy of proposal- EPA, 1996 and EPR,1997)
project and activities to be done during IEE study as  Methodology
described in Schedule EPR 2020  Relevant Legal Measures (Interim Constitution of Nepal,
 Identifying and describing the impacts/issues to be Acts and Regulations, Policies and Plans, Manuals and
investigated Guidelines, Standards, Conventions)

4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)… 4.3. Initial environmental examination (IEE)…
 Time and Cost of IEE  Initial Environment Examination (IEE)- Public
 Specific impacts of implementation of proposal (Physical Issuance Notice
and Chemical, Biological, Socio-economic and cultural)-  The proponent shall publish a notice in any national level
Beneficial and Adverse Impacts news paper, requesting the local government, RM where
 Alternatives for implementation of proposal the proposal is to be implemented , as well as the schools ,
Mitigation measures (Protective, Design, Compensatory hospitals , health posts and concerned individuals or

and Enhancement) institutions of the area to offer in writing their suggestions
concerning to the possible impact of the implementation
 Monitoring during implementation of proposal of he proposal of the environment with giving 15 days of
 Other necessary matters time period- Section 7 of EPR, 1997
 References  Proof public notice, opinions and suggestion received if any
must be included in Final IEE report submitted to
concerned Ministry

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4.4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 4.4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)...
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Definition Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Definition
and importance and importance
 EIA is an important preventative environment  Assess whether the adverse impacts can be mitigated
management tool
 Recommend preventive and curative mitigation measures
 EIA is a systematic process that examines the
environmental consequences of development action in  Ensure people’s participation and inform affected parties
advance  Advise whether proposed development projects should
 EIA is an important tool for examining the environmental proceed
implications of any developmental activities that are taken  Provide information to decision makers and interested
into considerations before decision to proceed ahead. parties about implications of projects
 EIA is a planning and management tool for studying and
evaluating potential environmental consequences of
proposed development projects in order to:
 Identify beneficial and adverse environmental impacts
 Examine the significance of environmental implications

4.4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)… 4.4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)…
Objectives of EIA Features of EIA
 To collect the background information on physical,  It is generally used for large scale works
biological, socio-economic and cultural environment  It requires long time period for detail study
 To identify the impacts of proposed actions  It works on both known and unknown impacts
 To balance the interests between environment and  It requires more budget
development  Large term work with subject matter specialist
 To help achieving the goal of sustainability
 To develop an important reference point for
environmental monitoring and auditing
 To suggest the alternatives and other important
information to the decision and policy makers

5.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Procedure 5.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Procedure
Kathmandu Forestry College (KAFCOL)
Yr,, 1st Sem, 2073

Designated Issuance of 15 days public notice in

Project Requiring EIA
Projects national daily newspaper for Issuance of 30 days public
(Schedule 2 of EPR, 1997)
Scoping Approval of EIA report within
notice in daily newspaper for
60 or 90 days upon receipt
public opinions and suggestions
Preparation and
Preparation and submission of
Bsc . 2nd Yr

Submission of TOR
Scoping Document Compliance of EIA report and other
(format of Schedule 4)
conditions during proposal implementation
Science-- Bsc.

Investigation of Scoping document and forward to Determination of Scoping

Environmental monitoring and inform MoEST
Environmental Science

MOEST with opinions and suggestions document as proposed or

amended on directive issued to proponent

Public hearing in Drafting of EIA report Approval of TOR as proposed Environmental Auditing after 2 years after the
project site as in Schedule 6 or in revised form commencement of the services of the
proposal

Preparation of Final EIA report Investigation and forward Issuance of 30-days

and submission to concerned 10 copies of EIA report to public notice in
body MOEST within 21 days of newspaper
receipt 55

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5.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Scoping

Scoping is to ensure that EIA study addresses all relevant issues and
provide sound basis for decision making
• Identify concerns and issues for consideration
• Identify all affected parties and involve them in determining
factors to be assessed
• Identify possible alternatives and impacts of different activities
• Facilitate agreement on contentious issues
• Establish terms of reference for EIA study
• Save time and money

Mechanism of Scoping:
1. Opening Scoping: public meetings, workshop and seminars
2. Closed Scoping: letters, interviews 57

5.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Scoping 5.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- Scoping

List of Participants for Scoping Methods of Scoping Format of Scoping document

• Proponent (Consultancy) • Literature review • Introduction
• Review agency (departments • Map interpretation • Scoping methodology: Literature review, map interpretation,
and ministries) reconnaissance survey, issues prioritization methods
• Field observation
• Licensing agency (MOEST) • Existing environmental conditions: Physical-chemical, biological,
• PRA/RRA
Socio-economic, cultural
• Other relevant agencies (VDC, • Issues prioritization
DDC) • Environmental issues identified: suggestions, public demand and
concerns
• NGOs
• Issues prioritized for EIA study
• Public, local political parties
• Work Schedule
• References
• Annexes

4.5. Environmental Auditing 4.5. Environmental Auditing…

 It is a regulatory measure carried out after the  Environmental impact assessment: review committee
operational stage of a project which evaluates the 1. Join-Secretary, Environment Division, MoEST:
pre and post‐project state of the environmental Chairman
parameters/resources. It is undertaken by the
MOEST two years after the commencement of 2. Representative of the concerned ministry: Member
the services of the project. 3. Experts (Maximum 3): Member
 Assesses the effectiveness of EPMs (benefit 4. Representatives from government organization and
enhancing and impact mitigating), and monitory Or NGOs (Maximum 3): Member
mechanisms including the accuracy of the
5. Under-Secretary (Law), MoEST: Member
predictions.
6. Under-Secretary, EA Section, MoEST: Member-
 Compares the environmental quality (Biophysical,
socioeconomic and cultural) before and after the Secretary
implementation of project

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4.5. Environmental Auditing… 4.5. Environmental Auditing…

Contents and grading of an EIA Report Approaches to Report review : Grading and
 Executive summary‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5 points weighing
Acronyms
 Project Description‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5 points  Acceptable (A): SD, TOR and the EIA reports
 Policy, laws, Standards, guidelines & Institutions‐‐‐‐ 5 points contain adequate information to accept the proposal
 Existing Environmental Conditions‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 10 points (over or equal to 80 points)
 Alternative Analysis‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5 points  Acceptable with conditions (B): contains
 Environmental Impacts & Protections Measures‐‐‐‐ 40 points incomplete information and some discrepancies
 Environmental Management Plan‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 20 points which can be corrected and thus the proposal is
 (Environmental monitoring, auditing, organizational plan accepted with some conditions (60‐ 79 points)
with allocation of responsibilities, budgeting)  Inadequate (C): not adequate information and
 Conclusions and recommendations‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5 points contains major discrepancies.The issues need to be
 References‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5 points resolved before any decision is made on the
 Annexes proposal (equal to or below 59 points)

4.5. Environmental Auditing…

 Types of Environmental Audit (EIA Guideline 1993)

 Decision point Auditing: effectiveness of EIA as a decision

making tool
 Implementation Auditing: focuses on the implementation
of the EPMs, their effectiveness and compliance;
 Performance Auditing: audits the responses of the
stakeholders.
 Project impact Auditing: audits the environmental effects
arising from the project activities,
 Predictive technique auditing: examines the utility and
accuracy of predictive techniques applied as EPMs
 EIA procedure Auditing: critically examines the methods
and approaches used in preparing the EIA report

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