ENVIRONMENTALPLANNINGINRWANDA-IAIA.pptVIP

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING IN RWANDA:ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT(EIA) AS A PLANNING TOOL AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS Theobald MASHINGA Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) Rwanda. IAIA 07, Seoul, Korea 3rd -9th ,June 2007 Presentation Outline Definition of EIA; Historical Background and Context of EIA in Rwanda; Policy and Legal Framework on EIA; International Context of EIA; EIA Practice in Rwanda: EIA Process and Procedures in Rwanda Presentation Outline (Cont…..) The EIA Process in Practice; Challenges to operationalise EIA: Screening;Scoping and Terms of Reference; Quality of the EIAs ; Decision-making and appeals against decisions; Inadequate expertise Presentation Outline (Cont…..) Public Participation; Data Inadequacy; Cost of Conducting EIA and Processing Fees; Opportunities for Improving the EIA Process: Publicizing and developing the EIA Legislation; Private Sector and Public Participation Presentation Outline (Cont…..) Environmental Management Plans and Audits; Strengthening Public Private Partnership; Promoting and Developing Capacity Building; Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms; Conclusion Definition of EIA EIA is defined as a systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed actions and projects. This process is applied prior to major decisions and commitments being made, and particular attention is given in EIA practice to preventing, mitigating and offsetting the significant adverse effects of proposed undertakings. Historical Background and Context of EIA in Rwanda The EIA adoption in Rwanda was triggered by environmental challenges posed by environmental degradation: soil erosion; Deforestation; wetland drainage; water degradation; climate change, and the loss of biodiversity. Historical Background and Context of EIA in Rwanda (cont……..) These problems are exacerbated by: low levels of environmental awareness; inadequate technical human resources; low intra-sectoral coordi