The general objectives of involving the public at different stages in the EIA process were considered by a recent European Commission research project (EC, 1999) as given in the table. European union is composed of several hundred countries including Muslim nations like Turkey, Albania etc. So, if one gets access into nation like Poland or Romania, he gets access throughout Europe. Objectives of public participation during stages of the EIA process Formal opportunities for public participation in EIA are defined in legislation. While rights of involvement in many countries are limited to opportunities for viewing and commenting on finalised reports, in principle, public consultation and participation can occur at every stage in the EIA process. The table summarizes the main objectives of public involvement at each stage of the EIA process, including a detailed description of these objectives (EC, 1999). In brief, literature shows that there are a number of advantages of involving the public early on in the EIA process. If participation does occur early on then interaction between the public, developer and decision-making body should continue throughout the EIA process if the full benefits are to be seen. Table : Summary of Objectives of Public Involvement in EIA Stage of EIA process Objectives of public involvement Screening Identification of significant impacts Scoping • Identification of public's interest and values • Identification of priorities for assessment • Encouraging public understanding of the proposed project Assessment • The public can contribute local knowledge and values to the prediction, evaluation and mitigation of impacts • Improvement in quality and acceptability of EIA report EIA Report Review Public contribute to evaluation of quality and acceptability of report Decision Public comment on acceptability of project impacts Monitoring Public evaluate impacts that occur and support project environmental management process There is an international agency called Environmental Protection Agency EPA. EPA forms and implements regulations regarding making the environment better. We are at present in a very critical state as far as the situation of global warming and receding snowcaps in the Antarctica. It has been found that there is a hole in the Ozone layer due to increasing level of pollution throughout the world. The rising sea-levels are threatening the global community. Moreover, the increasing amount of garbage thrown into the seas is a major problem now for countries like Canada. How to manage this sort of problems is equally challenging in both the developed and underdeveloped nations.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OF NEPAL
Clark (1994) suggests that public participation in EIA has a critical role to play in
helping to integrate economic, social and environmental objectives, i.e. move
towards more sustainable development by acting as a device to strengthen and
increase public awareness of the delicate balance between economic and
environmental trade-offs. It also safeguards against bad or politically motivated
decisions. Public participation is necessary for minimizing or avoiding public
controversy, confrontation and delay, and can make a positive contribution to the
EIA process. The general objectives of involving the public at different stages in
the EIA process were considered by a recent European Commission research
project (EC, 1999) as given in the table.
European union is composed of several hundred countries including Muslim
nations like Turkey, Albania etc. So, if one gets access into nation like Poland or
Romania, he gets access throughout Europe.
Objectives of public participation during stages of the EIA process
Formal opportunities for public participation in EIA are defined in legislation.
While rights of involvement in many countries are limited to opportunities for
viewing and commenting on finalised reports, in principle, public consultation
and participation can occur at every stage in the EIA process. The table
summarizes the main objectives of public involvement at each stage of the EIA
process, including a detailed description of these objectives (EC, 1999).
In brief, literature shows that there are a number of advantages of involving the
public early on in the EIA process. If participation does occur early on then
interaction between the public, developer and decision-making body should
continue throughout the EIA process if the full benefits are to be seen.
Table : Summary of Objectives of Public Involvement in EIA
Stage of EIA
process
Objectives of public involvement
Screening Identification of significant impacts

2. Scoping
 Identification of public's interest and values
 Identification of priorities for assessment
 Encouraging public understanding of the proposed
project
Assessment
 The public can contribute local knowledge and values to
the prediction, evaluation and mitigation of impacts
 Improvement in quality and acceptability of EIA report
EIA Report
Review
Public contribute to evaluation of quality and acceptability of
report
Decision Public comment on acceptability of project impacts
Monitoring
Public evaluate impacts that occur and support project
environmental management process
There is an international agency called Environmental Protection Agency EPA.
EPA forms and implements regulations regarding making the environment better.
We are at present in a very critical state as far as the situation of global warming
and receding snowcaps in the Antarctica. It has been found that there is a hole in
the Ozone layer due to increasing level of pollution throughout the world.
The rising sea-levels are threatening the global community. Moreover, the
increasing amount of garbage thrown into the seas is a major problem now for
countries like Canada. How to manage this sort of problems is equally challenging
in both the developed and underdeveloped nations.
(This is an article prepared by CIST College BPH students with the help of their
teachers. Solely property of Pokhara University.)