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Balancing between Two Extremes during Environmental Impact Assessment: a Case Study

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Abstract

The paper examines how opposing interests (cost effectiveness versus environmental sustainability) are balanced during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. During an EIA study, it is the Environmental Specialist’s role to conduct an EIA and bridge the gap between the Proponent and Activists. This study involves the developmental impact of coal transportation through a mangrove forest, a sensitive ecosystem. There are three major areas of disagreement among the Proponent and Activist: (i) overall impact on Sundarbans Mangrove Reserve Forests (SMRF); (ii) impact of air emissions; and (iii) impacts due to coal shipment. Assessment showed air quality impacts would be within applicable standards and guidelines. There will be an increase in marine traffic due to coal transportation; however, if the recommended mitigation measures are followed, then the project will have a manageable and limited impact on the SMRF. There will be water quality degradation and coal dust accumulation in the riverbed at the coal trans-shipment point. An aquatic habitat of approximately 290 ha in size is recommended as compensation for degraded land in the study.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Government of Bangladesh and Engconsult Ltd., Canada. Authors wish to confer thanks to the BIFPCL, Bangladesh Department of Environment and CEGIS, Bangladesh for providing support during the whole study period.

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  1. Engconsult Ltd., 8501 Mississauga Road, Suite 102, Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 5G8, Canada

    Navin Bindra & Masud Karim

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  1. Navin Bindra
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  2. Masud Karim
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Correspondence to Navin Bindra.

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Bindra, N., Karim, M. Balancing between Two Extremes during Environmental Impact Assessment: a Case Study. Environ. Process. 6, 283–307 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-019-00357-y

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