Environmental impact assessment of transport infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka: Way forward

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was established to manage impacts on environment due to development projects and to enhance its quality where possible. However recent incidents concerning several projects have aroused the question, “Are we utilising EIA effectively?” Therefore this study was conducted to find possible methods of improving the quality and effectiveness of EIA. Literature regarding EIA process in both Sri Lankan context and international context was reviewed together with several past EIA reports related to Civil Engineering infrastructure projects to identify possible improvements. Identified problems can be categorised in to two; problems in established EIA framework, methodologies adopted in impact assessment. Main problems identified in the framework are the lack of, broad frameworks of environmental, social protection; accountability of EIA process; public participation and proper post monitoring system. The problems identified in the assessment process are the lack of incorporating cumulative effects and sustainability concepts.

To address these issues, legislature should be improved and they should focus on allocating proper weight to the EIA findings in the decision process. Analysing impacts should focus more on concepts of environmental resources and limitations rather than narrow impacts of the project. Further in impact assessment the product of magnitude of the impact and the duration of impact should be taken into account rather than just focusing on the magnitude. In addition to the project based EIA process, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) can be practised to overcome the weaknesses of the reactive nature of EIA and to direct development in the right direction.

Keywords: Environmental impact assessment, Effectiveness, Assessment methodology