Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 12 : Environmental impact assessment

12.1.Introduction
In recent years, the protection of environment has become a permanent importance to planners. Events throughout the world substantiate the view that planning and decision making for industrial development needs a better integration of environmental, social and economic considerations. Few hazards like London Cholera Epidemic, Bhopal Gas tragedy proved a starter for both the government and public to thoroughly examine the consequences of unplanned and uncontrolled development and industrialization.
Earlier attempts at project assessment were made based on Cost Benefit Analysis and Technical Feasibility Studies. Flows in CBA became more apparent and a new evaluation approach ‘EIA’ came into existence. It evolved as a comprehensive approach to evaluation, in which environmental, economic, social, cultural and technical consideration were given proper weightage in decision making process.