Is Effective EIA practice possible when socio-economic development is slow? The case of Pakistan

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP)

Is Effective EIA practice possible when socio-economic development is slow?

The case of Pakistan

IAIA 2011 Conference, Puebla MexicoSession: Stakeholder Networks and Impact Assessment

Muhammad Irfan TariqCo-Project Manager/Director

Ministry of Environment


Contents of PresentationSocioeconomic Development and EIASocio Economic IndicatorsBackground of Environmental Impact assessment

(EIA)State of Environment in PakistanConstraints to effective EIA implementation in

PakistanSuggested Way Forward


Geographical Location of Pakistan

Population: 177,276,594 Capital: IslamabadBordering Countries: Afghanistan, Iran,

India and ChinaLand Area: 307,374 square miles

(796,095 sq km)Coastline: 650 miles (1,046 km)


Socio economic development and EIASocio-economic advancement has important implications through out the world for the effectiveness with which legislature and institutional regimes are developed and applied for the promotion of environmental management.


Pace of Socio Economic Development in Pakistan

Poverty

Literacy

Economic Development

Economic Growth

Human Development

IndexSocioeconomic indicators


Socio Economic Indicators

Human Development Index (HDI):Developmentincorporates the notion of a measure/measures of humanwelfare. HDI for Pakistan- 0.490 (below the average) Country comparison to the world- 125 Rank (2010)Economic growth: A measure of the value of output ofgoods and services within a time period Pakistan’s GDP growth- 2.7% (2011est) Country comparison to the world- 135 Rank

in health and education


Indicators---- Continued

Economic Development: A measure of the welfare ofhumans in a society. Less than 30% of the budget devoted to infrastructural development and

other needs in health and education

Poverty: The minimum level of income deemednecessary to achieve an adequate standard of living in agiven country. 24% population below poverty line (2005-6) Country comparison to the world- 90 Rank


Indicators---- Continued

Literacy : The ability to read and write at a specified age Literacy rate for total population- 49.9% Country comparison to the world- 194 Rank

Source : CIA World Fact Book ,2010 Human Development Report, 2010


State of Environment- Pakistan

Environmental situation in Pakistan has reached a critical stage. Asper World Bank studies, economic loss due to environmentaldegradation has been increasing exponentially.

200620020020066


Pakistan – Environmental DebtContinued


Background of Environmental Impact assessment (EIA)

Throughout the 1980s many countries decided to establish EIAas an element of Environmental policy and legal requirement forproposed development activities and sustainable development.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance (PEPO) 1983 Environmental Protection Act 1997 (PEPA’97), IEE / EIA Review Rules 2000. Environmental Policy 2005

It has come a long way since then, but there is still ample scopeto strengthen its practice.


Constraints to effective EIA implementation in Pakistan

EIA system is significantly influenced by socio-economicand political conditions currently existing in the countryand the general attitude towards the environmentalProtection.Following are the major constraints: Political will : Slow socio-economic advancement influences

political will to initiate, implement and enforce appropriate environmental policies and laws

Weak capacities and motivation Inequity and Poverty Influence of Powerful Persons


Constraints……Continued

Low level of environmental awareness Ethnic-territorial conflicts/Emergencies Example: IDPs, 2005 Earthquake & Flood 2010 Legalizing the shadow economy and the

elimination of corruption Federal Vs Provincial Legislation (No Provincial

Acts post promulgation of PEPA 97) Lack of tradition of Planning


Constraints….Continued

Delegation of Authority..what about responsibility? Ignorance of approval procedure established by the PEPA 1997 legislation by project proponents Few well-established consulting companies that are mainly oriented at providing services to the project proponents EIA is considered as one time activity , rather it is a continuous process


Conclusion

• Taking environmental considerations into account in development planning does not imply that the pace of socio-economic progress will be slowed down, and taking environmental considerations into account in the various phases of the project cycle must not be seen as placing undue constraints on a country's development options.

• .


Lack of environmental considerations in our planning processes has hampered socio economic growth as well as slowed down the development activities.


The Way Forward

The EPA should be resourced and strengthened to meet the emerging environmental challenges.

Stringent legal and penal legal mechanism should be developed

Public Awareness Ensure effective enforcement mechanism of EIA

process.


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Is Effective EIA practice possible when socio-economic development is slow? The case of Pakistan