Inclusion of biodiversity in environmental impact assessments (EIA): a case study of selected EIA reports in India

Abstract

To assess the status of biodiversity inclusion in EIA studies in India, we evaluated 22 EIA reports from different sectors (transport, power, urban management, etc.) using a set of seven criteria and 30 questions defining attributes. Results indicate that in most cases biodiversity-related information is either missing or described in a superficial way. Major limitations in the current practices are poor description of indirect, secondary and cumulative biodiversity impacts, and lack of representation of all the three levels (habitat, species and genetic) and forms (compositional, structural and functional) of biodiversity in impact prediction as well as in mitigation measures and monitoring plans. None of the reports received a Biodiversity Inclusion Index score of >0.75, while approximately 63% of reports scored 0.50–0.75 and 37% <0.50.

Keywords:

• biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment
• biodiversity impacts
• India
• EIA report
• Biodiversity Inclusion Index