ASSESSMENT OF EIA EFFICACY: COMPARISON OF SOCIETIES FOR SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS, ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

In present study, two private sector housing societies from two zones IV and V of Islamabad are compared to evaluate the efficacy of Environmental Impact Assessment, in which one has approval from EPA on the base of EIA and other one without EPA approval. Research is based on primary and secondary data. Primary data includes questionnaire survey and interview whereas secondary data consist of the reports provided by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the housing societies. Data is compared, analyzed on the bases of selected parameters that include Master Plan (parks, grounds, plantation, and green belts), Solid Waste Management, Water Management and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) of both societies. Research showed that both societies have visible differences in the selected parameters. The society operational without NOC from Pak-EPA has EMP completely missing whereas; Solid waste management and water management is not according to the guideline of Pak-EPA and CDA and as far master plan is concerned the land distribution plan demonstrate that it has 15% more land for residential and commercial use and has 8% less open space with uneven distribution of greenery that illustrate economic priority over environment as compared to the other society. Society with approval from Pak-EPA has a detailed EMP and Solid waste management plan for the project but it has few elements in water management which has to be addressed. This research shows the importance, that conducting EIA for projects contributes in sustainable development and the projects are successful in the long run. Projects without EIA reports has adverse effect on the environment even if it gets short term initial success, such projects should not be even allowed to begin and the projects that has started should be monitored by the regulatory authorities and post construction phase monitoring should also be done on a regular bases to make sure environment friendly progress.