Improved and transparent methodology to compare alternatives in transport sector environmental impact assessments

Abstract

The objective of an environment impact assessment (EIA) is to ensure that the development options under consideration are environmentally sound and sustainable and environmental consequences are recognized and taken in to account early in the project design. A number of EIA reports related to transport sector projects have been prepared during the last 15 years in Sri Lanka. A careful evaluation of these reports clearly indicate that majority of them have not fulfilled the objectives of an EIA even though they appear to satisfy the terms of reference (TOR) given by the project approving agency.