- 2065 Shrawan (old course) · 8 marks
EIA, environmental impacts, checklist method
Short answer
EIA is a systematic assessment of a project's environmental consequences required before approval. Nepal faces deforestation, erosion, air and water pollution, and solid waste. Impacts are classified as direct/indirect, positive/negative, short-term/long-term, reversible/irreversible. The checklist method lists environmental factors; a weighted scoring checklist assigns scores to compare project alternatives.
Explain EIA. Describe the different environmental problems, the types of environmental impacts and the method of identification and comparison by the check list method.
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic study to identify, predict, evaluate and mitigate the positive and negative effects of a proposed project on the physical, biological, social and cultural environment before decisions are taken. In Nepal, it is required by the Environment Protection Act, 2019 and Environment Protection Rules, 2020: IEE for smaller projects and full EIA for larger ones (for example hydropower above 50 MW, roads in sensitive areas).
Steps
- Screening: decide whether IEE or EIA is needed.
- Scoping: identify key issues and prepare the terms of reference.
- Baseline study of existing environment.
- Impact identification and prediction (checklist, matrix, network, overlay).
- Evaluation of significance and comparison of alternatives.
- Mitigation measures and Environmental Management Plan.
- Report preparation, public hearing and review.
- Approval, monitoring and auditing.
Environmental problems in Nepal
- Deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
- Soil erosion, landslides and flood in the hills and Terai.
- Air pollution in Kathmandu valley (vehicles, brick kilns, dust).
- Water pollution of rivers (Bagmati) from sewage and industry.
- Solid waste and poor disposal.
- Glacier retreat and climate change effects.
- Unplanned urbanisation and loss of farmland.
- Noise pollution and haphazard resource extraction (sand, boulders).
Types of impacts
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Direct / indirect | Immediate result vs secondary effect |
| Positive / negative | Beneficial vs harmful |
| Short term / long term | During construction vs during operation |
| Reversible / irreversible | Can recover or not |
| Local / regional / global | Extent of area affected |
| Cumulative | Added effect of many projects |
| Physical, biological, socio-economic, cultural | Component affected |
Identification and comparison by checklist method
A checklist is a list of environmental factors (air, water, soil, noise, flora, fauna, land use, health, employment, culture) against which the possible effects of the project are marked.
- Simple checklist: lists factors; the assessor ticks those likely to be affected.
- Descriptive checklist: adds the nature and measurement of impact.
- Scaling / weighting checklist: each factor is given a scale value (say -5 to +5) and an importance weight; the weighted scores are added for each alternative, and the alternative with the best total is preferred.
Advantages: simple, cheap, quick, ensures nothing is forgotten. Limitations: does not show interaction between factors or the cause and effect link, and gives subjective values.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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