Module Code and Title:        ENM409 Environmental Impact Assessment

Programme:                          BSc in Environmental Management

Credit:                                    12

Module Tutor:                       Jamyang Pelmo (Coordinator), Bikram Sharma

General objective:  The module will inform the students about the likely effects of a proposed development on the natural and man-made environment. The module will enable students to gain awareness of and practice with EIA procedures. The module also emphasizes goals and approaches to environmental planning, dealing with key environmental and social issues as well as natural hazards. This module will provide a background to the principles and practice of the EIA process and hands-on experience and skills training with realistic environmental impact scenarios.   

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Discuss common methodologies involved in environmental assessment.
2. Describe key themes and approaches for environmental planning as a context for EIA.
3. Analyse and discuss current and future trends in the use of EIA.
4. Outline the processes for conducting EIA.
5. Describe the legislative context for EIA in Bhutan.
6. Analyse potential issues and bottlenecks that can arise with EIA.
7. Assess a sample EIA using the EIA tools.
8. Discuss the emerging approaches to environmental planning in the context of EIA.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

1. Individual Field Visit Report: 10%

Students will produce a field report based on a field trip to a site in the Thimphu area. The field trip will be intended to make the students aware of some environmental planning approaches and the state of their implementation. Students will collect the information and produce a critical reflection (500-750 word) on the trip, which must engage key informants/hosts in the field. The students have to combine theory and analysis learned in the classroom with methods of observation and practice applied outside of the classroom. The report will be evaluated on:

4%       Accuracy and completeness of summary

3%       Insightful use of class material to explain the significance of the findings

3%       Mechanics (Language, organization and referencing)

1. Group Mock EIA Project: 25%

Students, in groups of 4, will undertake a mock EIA proposal in which they are to produce (1) a project proposal, (2) an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), following the format provided by the National Environment Commission, and (3) a presentation.  Students will be assigned a particular sector and be expected to draw up a proposal that highlights all necessary information required by the IEE. Reports must include maps of the project sites and show consideration to sustainable development pillars. The cumulative project report with all sections must be 2000-2250 words.

10%     Project Proposal (5% Completeness/Accuracy, 2% Grammar/Referencing, 3% Originality)

8%       IEE Application (7% Completeness/Accuracy, 1% Grammar/Referencing)

7%       Presentation (4% Completeness/Accuracy, 3% Clarity/Delivery)

1. Class Tests: 10%

Students will take two written class tests: one before midterm and one after the midterm (5% each) of 45-min duration covering 3-5 weeks of material. Reflection on key concepts and applying them to case studies will be assessed.

1. Midterm Examination: 15%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5-hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester. The exam will comprise structured questions like MCQ, fill-in-the-blanks, matching, definition, as well as open-ended essay questions.

1. Semester-End Examination: 40%

Students will take a written exam of 2.5-hr duration encompassing all the subject matter covered in the semester. This assessment is comprehensive and summative in nature, and will comprise structured questions like MCQ, fill-in-the-blanks, matching, definition, as well as open-ended essay questions.

Overview of assessment approaches and weighting

Pre-requisites: ENV101 Introduction to the Environment

Subject Matter:

1. Unit I: Environmental planning as a context for EIA
   • Conventional approaches to planning
     • Types of environmental planning: Reactive, proactive and integrative planning
     • Different Approaches to planning: Rational, comprehensive, incremental, participatory and advocacy
   • Incorporating interdisciplinary aspects
     • Role of Interdisciplinary aspects: Market, state and civil society
   • Land use, urban sprawl, growth management
   • Industrial ecology: Concepts, definition and principles
   • Emerging approaches
     • Community based planning
     • Adaptive management
     • Watershed management
     • Ecosystem management

2. Unit II: Environmental impact assessment
   • Introduction, definition, history, principles
   • Overview of steps involved in EIA: Screening, scoping, impact analysis, managing impacts, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, adaptation
   • Procedures for obtaining environmental clearance in Bhutan
3. Unit III: EIA Methodologies: overview, uses/applications in specific cases, advantages, limitations
   • Public Participation
     • Traditional ecological knowledge
     • Participatory rural appraisal
     • Rapid rural appraisal
   • Networks
   • Cost-Benefit Analysis:
     • Determine the objective of CBA
     • Identify the cost and benefits
     • Value the cost and benefit
     • Aggregate the cost and benefit
     • Perform sensitivity analysis
     • Consider distributional impacts
     • Report
   • Similar Project Examination
4. Unit IV: EIA policies and practices in Bhutan
   • EA Act (2000) and Regulations (2016): overview of main principles and detailed analysis of sections
   • Roles and responsibilities of the National Environment Commission (NEC)
   • Guidelines & Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) forms: main requirements
   • Review of IEE Application and EIAs submitted to NEC
5. Unit V: Developments in EIA
   • Strategic environmental assessment: Screening, scoping, baseline assessment, opportunities and risk assessment, avoidance, enhancement and mitigation.
   • Community-based environmental assessment
   • Case Studies related to emerging EIA practices
     • Mandatory EIA requiring sectors: Mining, hydropower and additional sectors (automobiles, food processing)

List of practical work:

1. Students will be taken to a field site (ongoing construction site) in the Thimphu area. This will be a one-day event that takes place during the semester. The students will be required to observe the impacts resulting from the construction and have to explore the process of environmental assessment.

Reading List:

Essential Readings

Carroll, B., Fothergill, J., Murphy, J. & Turpin, T. (2019). Environmental impact      assessment handbook: A practical guide for planners, developers and communities            (3^rd ed.). London, UK: ICE Publishing

Glasson, J., & Therivel, R. (2005). Introduction to environmental impact assessment (5^th ed.). London: Routledge

Mareddy, A.R. (2017). Environmental impact assessment: Theory and practice. London, UK: Butterwork-Heinemann. 

Morris, P & Therivel, R. (2001). Methods of environmental impact assessment. London, UK:        Spon Press.

Additional Reading

Monteiro, M.B., & Partidario, M.R. (2018). A comparative analysis on how different governance contexts may influence Strategic Environmental Assessment. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 72, 79-87. 

National Environment Commission. (2000). Environment assessment act 2000. Thimpu, Bhutan: NEC.

National Environment Commission. (2004). Environmental discharge standards 2004. Thimpu, Bhutan: NEC.

National Environment Commission. (2006). Reference manual for environmental impact assessment training in Bhutan. Thimpu, Bhutan: NEC.

National Environment Commission. (2007). National environmental protection act of Bhutan 2007. Thimpu, Bhutan: Phama Printing and Publishers.

National Environment Commission. (2016). Bhutan state of the environment, 2016. Thimpu, Bhutan: NEC. 

National Environment Commission. (2016). Regulations for the environmental clearance of projects. Thimpu, Bhutan: NEC.

Quarrie, J. (1992). Earth Summit ’92, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Rio de Janiero. London, UK: Regency Press.     

Randolph, J. (2004). Environmental land use planning and management.  Washington, DC:       Island Press.

Spaling, H. (2003). Innovation in environmental assessment of community-based projects in sub-Saharan Africa. The Canadian Geographer, 47(2), pp.151-168.

Tetlow, M. and Hanusch, M. (2012). Strategic environmental assessment: the state of the art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (30)1, pp.15-24.

Date: June 2021