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

Is Effective EIA practice possible when socio-economic development is slow? The case of Pakistan. IAIA 2011 Conference, Puebla Mexico Session: Stakeholder Networks and Impact Assessment Muhammad Irfan Tariq Co-Project Manager/Director Ministry of Environment. Contents of Presentation.

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

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  1. Is Effective EIA practice possible when socio-economic development is slow? The case of Pakistan IAIA 2011 Conference, Puebla Mexico Session: Stakeholder Networks and Impact Assessment Muhammad Irfan Tariq Co-Project Manager/Director Ministry of Environment

  2. Contents of Presentation Socioeconomic Development and EIA Socio Economic Indicators Background of Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) State of Environment in Pakistan Constraints to effective EIA implementation in Pakistan Suggested Way Forward

  3. 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)

  4. Socio economic development and EIA Socio-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.

  5. Pace of Socio Economic Development in Pakistan Literacy Human Development Index Poverty Socioeconomic indicators Economic Growth Economic Development

  6. Socio Economic Indicators Human Development Index (HDI):Development incorporates the notion of a measure/measures of human welfare. 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 of goods and services within a time period Pakistan’s GDP growth- 2.7% (2011est) Country comparison to the world- 135 Rank in health and education

  7. Indicators---- Continued Economic Development: A measure of the welfare of humans 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 deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living in a given country. 24% population below poverty line (2005-6) Country comparison to the world- 90 Rank

  8. 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

  9. State of Environment- Pakistan Environmental situation in Pakistan has reached a critical stage. As per World Bank studies, economic loss due to environmental degradation has been increasing exponentially. 2006 2002002006 6

  10. Pakistan – Environmental DebtContinued

  11. Background of Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) Throughout the 1980s many countries decided to establish EIA as an element of Environmental policy and legal requirement for proposed 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 scope to strengthen its practice.

  12. Constraints to effective EIA implementation in Pakistan EIA system is significantly influenced by socio-economic and political conditions currently existing in the country and the general attitude towards the environmental Protection. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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. .

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

  17. 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.

  18. Thank You!

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