--- title: "EIA; environmental problems in Nepal" subject: "Project Engineering" chapter: 2 key: "semester_7/project_engineering:eia-nepal-problems-improve" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/eia-nepal-problems-improve site: BCT Engineering --- # EIA; environmental problems in Nepal Project Engineering · Chapter 2: Project Appraisal and Project Formulation - Asked in: 2066 Bhadra (old course), 8 marks - Video: [Environmental Impact assessment of a project](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eqe-xlDgL8) — EnviroVerse - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/eia-nepal-problems-improve - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-2 ## Question Define EIA. What are the environmental problems in Nepal and how do you improve them? ## Short answer Environmental Impact Assessment is a systematic study to identify, predict, evaluate and mitigate project effects on the physical, biological, social and cultural environment before decision-making. In Nepal, major problems include deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, solid waste, and climate change impacts. Improvement requires strict EIA enforcement, afforestation, slope stabilization, treatment plants, clean transport, waste management, and public awareness. ## Answer #### 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 1. Screening: decide whether IEE or EIA is needed. 2. Scoping: identify key issues and prepare the terms of reference. 3. Baseline study of existing environment. 4. Impact identification and prediction (checklist, matrix, network, overlay). 5. Evaluation of significance and comparison of alternatives. 6. Mitigation measures and Environmental Management Plan. 7. Report preparation, public hearing and review. 8. 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 | #### Improvement measures Strict EIA and monitoring, afforestation, slope stabilisation, treatment plants, clean transport and emission standards, waste management, community forestry, public awareness and law enforcement. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. In Nepal EIA is required by: A. Public Procurement Act, 2063 B. Environment Protection Act, 2019 and Rules, 2020 C. Labour Act D. Local Government Act only Answer: B. The Environment Protection Act, 2019 and Rules, 2020 require IEE or EIA. (Key point: Legal basis) 2. What is the purpose of scoping? A. Decide whether IEE or EIA is needed B. Identify key issues and prepare terms of reference C. Monitor after approval D. Hold the public hearing Answer: B. Screening decides IEE/EIA; scoping identifies key issues and terms of reference. (Key point: EIA step) 3. Which is listed as an air pollution cause in Kathmandu valley? A. Glacier retreat B. Vehicles, brick kilns and dust C. Sand extraction D. Sewage Answer: B. Vehicles, brick kilns and dust cause air pollution; sewage pollutes rivers. (Key point: Environmental problem) 4. Which measure helps control soil erosion and landslides? A. Slope stabilisation and afforestation B. Increasing emissions C. Open dumping D. Removing laws Answer: A. Afforestation and slope stabilisation reduce erosion and landslides. (Key point: Improvement measure) ## Related in Project Engineering - [EIA, environmental impacts, checklist method](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aeia-problems-impacts-checklist) — Project Engineering, chapter 2 - [Short note: Environmental problems and impacts](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aenvironmental-problems-impacts-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Short note: EIA](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aeia-short-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 2 - [EIA; shadow pricing, externalities, social CBA](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aeia-shadow-pricing-externalities) — Project Engineering, chapter 2 ## Related in other subjects - [Nepal's immediate environmental issues and technology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Anepal-env-issues-technology) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4, asked 2× - [Nepal's environmental issues and global effort](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Anepal-env-issues-global-effort) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4 - [Current environmental issues: Nepal vs global](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Anepal-vs-global-env-issues) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4 - [Nepal's environmental issues and mitigation strategies](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Anepal-env-issues-strategies) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4