Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
4. What are the different procedures of Environment Impact Assessment? Discuss the role of health impact analysis and public participation in impact analysis. (250 words)
Reference: cbd.int
Why the question:
The question is premised on the concept of EIA.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the different procedures of Environment Impact Assessment and elaborate upon the role of health impact analysis and public participation in impact analysis.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define EIA.
Body:
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a statutory procedure in which the environmental impacts of a project are determined. The assessment is the responsibility of the party implementing the project.
Discuss the procedure in detail, explain what are the major steps involved.
Then talk about Health Impact Assessment (HIA) ; it provides a framework and procedure for estimating the impact of a proposed programme or policy action on a selected environmental health issue for a defined population. HIA is typically a prospective assessment of a programme or intervention before implementation, although it may be carried out concurrently or retrospectively. HIA gathers opinions and concerns regarding the proposed policy: and uses knowledge of health determinants as to the expected impacts of the proposed policy or intervention, and describes the expected health impacts using both quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate. There is no one definitive methodology for EHIA/HIA, although several toolkits are being (and have been) developed.
Then talk about its relevance. Also discuss the importance of Public participation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
