Environmental Impact Assesment

1. Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic
impacts of a project prior to decision making. The process leads to the selection of the projects on the principle of
sustainable development, sothat the adverse effects ofthenewdevelopments are mitigatedthroughproactive andrational
decisionsmaking.Overthe years,EIA has not been practicedholistically in the developing countries and particularly in
South Asian Nations. However in the last few years Governments, environmentalists, researchers, media and
communities of these countries have formulated sufficient legislative and institutional frame work for the EIA. In this
paper, an overview of the EIA practices in developing countries and particularly South Asia, have been given, with
specialreference to the developments in Pakistan.The creationofawareness and formulating legislation has thus forced
the countries to abandon many developmental projects, which were detrimental to the environment Some of the basic
flaws in the EIA ofa mega project (Zero Point Interchange ProjectZPIP0have been highlighted..
Keywords:EnvironmentalImpact Assessment,economic impacts,South Asia.
1.0. INTRODUCTION Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process to apply current scientific
knowledge to checkthe socialand environmentalconsequences ofprojects,policies and programs and device strategies
to mitigate their adverse impacts. EIA aims to predict the environmental impacts of the developmental activities at an
early stage in project planning&designingto find ways andmeans to reducetheiradverse impacts,shape projects to suit
the localenvironment and present optionsto decision-makers.
The international history of EIA dates back to the National Environmental Policy Act of the United States of America
(NEPA) in 1969. Following the US initiative,severalcountries implemented EIA systems,forexample Australia (1974),
Thailand (1975), France (1976), Philippines (1978), Israel (1981) and Pakistan (1983).
Three decades back,there seems very negligible policy and legislative framework for EIA in developingcountries,but
today,EIA is firmly establishedin the planningprocess in many ofthese countries.TheWorld Bank,AsianDevelopment
Bank and UNEP have developed guidelines forEIA in the developingcountries.The enforcement ofEIA guidelines in
these countriesis stilla big challenge andtheindividualefforts by various departments in these countries have notbrought
the desired results.The environmentalsustainability in the developing countries has notbeenassuredby theEIA.Hence
there is need to develop Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment(SEA).
Following discussed are the problems and issues relating to establishing EIA and SEA in the developingcountries with
specialreference toPakistan.Suggestionshavebeenmade toimprove thepolicy and institutionalframework.Some basic
flaws in the EIA ofa mega project namely Zero Point Interchange Project (ZPIP)have beenhighlightedat the end.
1.1.Constraints inimplementation of EIA procedure in Pakistan:
i. EIA implementation unit is often the subsidiary of the project management units in developing countries and
hence placed at verypriority.The relatively lowstatus oftheseagencies in the bureaucracymakes it difficult for
themto have sufficient influence to ensure effective implementationofthe EIA process.
ii. The EIA monitoring and Management units are lacking the qualified and trained human resource. There is a
shortage ofqualified environmentalengineers,ecologists andsocio-economists in many parts ofthedeveloping
countries.
iii. The project managersare oftenexpert in monitoring and executionofconstructionprojects,with very little orno
knowledge aboutthe Environmentalmonitoringandmanagement.Thereis a need to place the EIA as coresubject
in Civil Engineering and Project Management curriculum.
iv. A time limit is imposed on approvalofthe EIA to avoid project delays in public and private sectors.But due to
limited human resourcein the relevantdepartments and subsequent pressureon the agencies involved,the quality
of the reviewof EIA is not ofthe desired standards.

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v. Public participation is an effective tool for the involvement of the basic stakeholders in the EIA process and
particularly the affected community. But unfortunately this process is often neglected. In some countries the
government is unwilling to have any form of public debate or scrutiny of its development policy. In other
countries,while there are no formal prohibitions,there are no mandatory requirements forpublic participation.
In most countries,affectedgroupsdo not have sufficientresources to participate in the process.
vi. The EnvironmentalImpact Statement(EIS)orEnvironmentalImpact Reportis notwellstandardized.The variety
of formats used by these countries makes the analysis and assessment of the developmental projects towards
environmentalimpact more difficult. The lack of baseline data and shortage ofrequisite information makes the
prediction ofthe potentialdevelopments on environment more difficult. Asian Development Banks (ADB)has
reported the following weaknessesin the EIA reports ofthe developing countries:
a assessment ofecologicalimpacts;
b analysis ofalternatives;
c economic analysisofenvironmentalimpacts; and
d Public participation.
vii.Finally, the environmentalmanagement plans proposed forimplementation ofthe recommendations ofthe EIA
report were usually inadequate both in terms oftheinstitutionalarrangements proposedand the fundingallocated.
2.0.EIA PROCESSIN PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan EIA startedwith the promulgationofPakistanEnvironmentalProtectionOrdinance(PEPO)of1983 (repealed
in 1997).The National Environmental Protection Act was enacted in 1997, which was followed by National
EnvironmentalPolicy in 2005. The ECNEC (Executive Committee of the NationalEconomic Council)decided in 2004,
that “in case of development projects having environmental implication, an environmental impact assessment (EIA)
report should be submitted along with the project document at the time ofgetting approval.
The Pakistan EnvironmentalProtection Agencyis the main organization to evaluate andmonitorEIA.
The generic EIA processfollowed in Pakistan in shownin Fig.1.
Fig. 1: Current EIA process in Pakistan

3. 2010 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT 49
2.1 Problems and issuesinEIA of developmental Projects inPakistan.
Like many othercountriesofthe SouthAsia,serious efforts have beenmade at policy and institutionallevels to develop
EIA studies for developmental projects in Pakistan, however the following issues as identified by Pak EPA (2000)
through consultation with the stakeholder,needs to be addressed:
i. Availability and reliability ofbaseline data:
The accuracyofthe anticipatedimpactsdepends ontheavailable base line dataandselectionofappropriate methods
and techniquesforprediction ofthe impacts owningto the proposeddevelopmentalactivities.The lackofbaselines
data about the existing environment is one of the major impediments to the quality of EIA studies. To solve this
problemmore research is required todevelopand enhance theexisting database andlinking ofthe available datafor
easy accessto researchers,throughNationalDatabase System.
ii. Lack ofstandardizationand disseminationofEIA procedures
The proceduresand methodsadopted forEIA are not standardized at Federaland provinciallevels and again these
are not well disseminated.There is a need touse allprint and electronic media besides internetandothersourcesfor
data sharing.
iii. Lack ofinstitutionalcapacity, trainedhumanresources and shortage ofnon-humanresources:
The exiting institutionalframework of the nation building departments is not sufficient to dealwith the volume of
EIA work and its review. The existing Environment Cells in the Planning and Development Departments at
provinciallevels are not having thedesired human andnon-human resources forthe implementation ofthe EMP.It
is required to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of these organs and one hand and provide them the
necessaryequipment and infrastructure on theotherhand.
iv. Poorimplementationand enforcement ofEIA
One can see some good EIA work at the planning stage,but its implementation has beenalways an uphilltaskdue
to potential pressure from the politicians and other influential groups. The lack of political will and poor
infrastructure at lowlevels makes the implementation of EIA, very difficult. The involvement ofcore stakeholders
at the lowest levelis essentialand it has been proposedthat theEIA may be involved throughthe TehsilMunicipal
Authority (TMA), monitored and controlled by Provincial EPA and evaluated by the Federal EPA for the
involvement ofstakeholders.
v. Weak public participationpractices:
The public Participation is considered as an important part of EIA process, for creating awareness and ownership
amongst the community andbasic stakeholders.
In Pakistan, the public participation process is most of the time a formality and the affected populations and
communities are not mobilized for their participation. The media persons, though appear in the process, but their
knowledge is often limited and they cannot guide the masses about the detrimental aspects of the projects. There
must be training and awarenessopportunities forthesebasic stakeholders and media people.
vi. Lack ofstandardsconsultancy servicesfor EnvironmentalAssessment.
The quality of services provided by the consultants for Environmental Assessment of developmental projects is
usually oflow quality and lacks the desired depth.Mostofthe consultancy firms in the EnvironmentalAssessment
at Pakistan are predominantly engineeringand design firms registered with Pakistan Engineering Council(PEC).
Their expertise and involvementin the Environmental Assessment (EA) of Projects has been very marginal. The
Environmental Assessment requires active collaboration of the multidisciplinary groups of experts to analyze a
variety of environmentalconsequences ofa project on naturalenvironment,built environment and socioeconomic
environment. The existing level of expertise with the consultants in Pakistan is superficial and cursory. Hence an
objective and realistic ES is rarely developed.The report is more focusedon gettingapprovalofthe project rather

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than to highlight negative aspects ofthe projects and theirmitigation.The low capacity ofthe EPA (Pakistan)and
lack of awarenessofthe community,the EIA doesn’t serve the purpose ofsoundplanning.
vii. Insufficient Judicial supportand lackoffinancialresources:
Despite ofthe facts that much legislation have been done in last two decades forEnvironmentalimprovement and
sustainability but the enforcement part is still lacking due to insufficient policy and institutional framework. The
lack of will on the part of political and public fabrics,require active perusalofthe judiciary towards cases relating
to environmentaldegradations.The recent judiciary role fordeveloping good governance in Pakistan is a hallmark
of the history of the country; however the Environment needs to be placed on top most agenda besides good
governance.
The Govt.must allocate sufficient fundsin the Public Sectordevelopment Program(PSDP),forthe capacitybuilding
ofthe human resources,acquisition oftoolsandequipmentandcollection ofdata primary data byresearchat various
levels.
Though there have been some serious efforts in developing countries during the last two decades to develop
compliance to environmentallegislation,yet the true benefits ofthese endeavors lie in the firm commitment on the
parts ofpoliticians,media and generalpublic to play theirdue roles in theseefforts.
In the following a case study of EIA of Zero Point-Interchange, a mega under construction project in Islamabad-
Pakistan has beendiscussedto highlight the weaknesses andshortcomings in the study.
3.0.ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTOFZERO POINTINTERCHANGEISLAMABAD-PAKISTAN.
Islamabad is the capitalcity ofPakistan,which has beenplannedand designedontheprinciples ofmodern Town planning
and Urban Development.In last fewyears,the road networkofthe city has been improvedsubstantially and barrierfree
Avenues andunderpasses have been constructed.The Zero Point Interchange Project (ZPIP)is one ofthe mega projects
initiated by the CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA)-Islamabad.The layoutofZIPPhas been given in Fig.2.
The salient featuresofthe ZIPare given as follows:
Client : Capital Development Authority,Islamabad-Pakistan.
Consultant : ECIL (Pvt.) Limited.
Contractor : MaqboolAssociates (Pvt.)Limited.
Locations : The Project is located at the intersection oftwo majorarterial roads in Islamabad i.e.
Islamabad Highway &Kashmir Highway.
Interchange Type: Cloverleaf Interchange
Project Cost: Pak Rs. 2.500 Billions (US$ 300 million)
Completion Period: 24 Months
Date of Commencement: September,2008
Date of Completion: September,2010
Defect Liability Period: 730 Days.
Fig 2. The layout ofZero Point Interchange
Project (ZPIP)-Islamabad-Pakistan.
[CDA,2010]

5. 2010 ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT 51
The following issues have been observed in the EIA studyofthe ZPIP:
i. The major objectionsraisedon the construction ofZero Point Interchange Islamabad,was that CapitalDevelopment
Authority(CDA)being proponent ofthe projectdidnot submit EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA)report,a
mandatory requirement underSection 12of Pakistan EnvironmentalProtectionAct,1997 [12] in time and before
approvalofthe project.It was agreed thatthe EIA shallbe submitted byJan,2010 before major work is started,but it was
not complied with and major earthworkwas started wellbefore it.
ii. The Flora & Fauna,Light & Visual Pollution was not given due considerations.It was assumed that no trees will be cut
except papermulberry and eucalyptusandallothertrees,which fall in the constructionarea,will be replanted.But
unfortunately no such effortsare observedat site.
iii. It was also agreed thatroad safety andsignage measures forthe commuters will be ensured andnecessary mitigation
measures will be taken to construct the levelofdust pollution,but noefforts have been made forthat.
iv. It was ensured that the CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA)pledged to plant 7,400 new trees at Zero Point Interchange
in place of 530 trees to be cut during construction activities,butno suchefforts have been initiated.
v. During Public hearing of the project,CDA had assured that.706 trees will be transplanted and 1000 indigenous trees
shallbe planted but the effortsare not seemingly
vi. Huge concrete workwas plannedandexecutedat various components ofZPIP,which has violated the principlesof
resource conservation. There could have beenbettersolutionin terms ofindigenous and environment friendly
designsand material.
vii. The ZPIP will severely affect the visualquality ofthe buildings in the adjoiningareas and many buildings have lost their
significance and uniquenessin the area.The access to many such buildings is again a major problem.
viii. On the economic side,the construction ofZPIPaftercompletion ofmany signalfree Avenues in Islamabad at a huge cost
of US$300 million is considered as a pre-mature project,where the diversion ofvehiculartraffic to othernewly
constructed arteriesin the city will make the ZPIP underutilized,aftercompletion.The opportunitycost ofthis investment
at the time, when the CDA and country is facing financialcrunch,is very high as many otherimportant housingand
building projects need finances.The housing problemofthe city has been worsening forthe last one decade,as noserious
efforts have beenmade to solve the problemon rational grounds.The money collected fromthe sales ofplots in housing
projects hasbeenspenton relatively insignificant projects,which shows the non-serious attitudes ofthe planners and
CDA executive management towardssolving thelong standinghousingproblem in the capitalcity of Pakistan.
ix. The quality ofEIA report later submitted to EPA,was regarded up to the desire by the concerned authorities,howeverthe
actualsuccess ofthe EIA would depend on thecompliance to various commitments exhibited in the report and EMPof
the EIA studies,which seems a remote possibility forZPIP.
Some of the damages inflectedto the environmentby ZPIPhas been shown in Fig.3.
a. Extensive deforestation b. severe damage to National Monument c. huge concrete works

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d. Unnecessary use ofconcrete in pedestrian crossing.e.Visual quality of many building damaged f. huge earth &concrete
work.
Fig 3: The various environmental issues observed during execution of the ZPIP.
4.0.COMPARISON OF EIAs OF HYDROPOWER PROJECTS OF PAKISTAN:
CRITERIA RESULTS
With EIA studies Without EIA studies
Unsolved issues 1 0
Losses to humans and environment 2 0
Success of mitigation measures 2 0
Total 5 0
4.0.CONCLUSION
Sustainable built environmentrequiresequitable use ofnaturalresources to provide modern facilities to the people fortheirsocio-
economic development.The developing countriesrequire more physicaldevelopmentfortheireconomic uplift and alleviation of
poverty,butthe principlesofsustainable development needto be religiously followed.Despite ofvisible changes in the attitudesof
legislature,policy makers,media people and generalpublic towards environmentalimprovement,there is a need formore funding
and support forthe concernedorganization forthe improvement in the human resources andequipment forbettercompliance
towards the commitments in the EIA for developmentalprojects.