Abstract
Following its introduction in the developed countries, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is now established in many developing countries. However, EIA systems in developing countries vary greatly in procedures and practice. The concept of EIA in Rwanda was introduced through the establishment of Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA). Under Organic Law No.04/2005 of 08/04/2005 Article 64, REMA came in to coordinate and oversee all aspects of environmental management for sustainable development in the country. Currently, the EIA department was transferred from REMA to Rwanda Development Board (RDB). By a set of criteria, the present work aims to evaluate and analyze the EIA system in Rwanda, focusing on process and methodology, highlighting some challenges of EIA practice and suggesting some recommendations. Given the nature of the work, the evaluation was based on the review of literature, investigation of legislative and administrative framework. EIA practice in Rwanda enhances the developmental projects to be viable and environmentally friendly. In regard of implementation challenge, environment-related government bodies are recommended to strengthen environmental monitoring and audits. Findings of this study could contribute to wider international experience of EIA performance in developing countries.
Highlights
In 1970, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was first introduced to the United States and has since rapidly entered the world [17, 37]
Foundation measures are designed to improve the effectiveness of the environmental impact assessment system, including the existence of environmental impact assessment guidelines, training, capacity building, and professional recognition (Table 1)
To ascertain the range of views held on the effectiveness of EIA in Rwanda, we pleaded the opinions of professionals and practitioners involved in the environmental impact assessment process
Summary
In 1970, the EIA was first introduced to the United States and has since rapidly entered the world [17, 37]. The Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) [34] defines the EIA as a systematic, reproducible and multilevel process of identification, prediction and analysis of significant environmental impacts (positive or negative) of a proposed project or activity and its practical alternatives on the physical, biological, cultural and socio-economic characteristics of a particular geographic area in order to provide information necessary for enhancing decision-making. Following this REMA’s definition, the EIA is mainly used to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of major development projects in Rwanda
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