Introduction to Environmental impact assessment (EIA) by Prof Dr Asim Farooq

Lecture Content.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
• An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact--positive or negative--that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social, and economic aspects.
• Studies undertaken to assess the effect on a specified environment of the introduction of any new factor, which may upset the current ecological balance.

1. It is a study of the effects of a proposed action on the environment.
2. It compares various alternatives by which a desired objective may be realized and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits.
3. It is based on predictions of the changes in environmental costs and benefits.
4. It is based on a prediction of the changes in environmental quality which would result from the proposed action.
5. It attempts to weigh environmental effects on a common basis with economic costs and benefits
6. It is a decision-making tool

Brief history of EIA
Purpose and aims of EIA
Importance of EIA
Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)