Abstract
Being an agro-based economy, Pakistan depends mainly on fertile lands and Indus River irrigation systems. The extensive expansion and unsustainable growth in this sector is rapidly degrading ecosystem and environmental services, which leads to undermine the rural livelihoods. This research explores root causes of poor performance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in this sector, taking the case of Chotiari water reservoir construction as an example. It further explores the outcomes of the unilateral decisions taken towards development projects which had led to the destruction of environmental services, biodiversity, fertile agricultural lands and sustenance of local population in the region. The aim of the article is to highlight inadequacies of EIA framework in the country and to recommend good governance practices to promote regional sustainability through such infrastructural projects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jepsl.v1i2.5147 Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka Vol.1(2) 2012 46-57
Highlights
In order to protect natural environment, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for infrastructural projects are imperative to accomplish sustainable development goals through better governance, but this potential is barely exploited in most of the developing nations like Pakistan (Aslam, 2006; Ahmad and Wood, 2002)
In developing countries many loopholes and weaknesses have been identified in EIA framework and practice, which leaded towards flawed decision making (Ahmad and Wood, 2002), where Pakistan is not an exception in this regard
Federal and provincial environmental agencies and departments under ministry of environment are responsible for review and approval of both public and private projects
Summary
In order to protect natural environment, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for infrastructural projects are imperative to accomplish sustainable development goals through better governance, but this potential is barely exploited in most of the developing nations like Pakistan (Aslam, 2006; Ahmad and Wood, 2002). The aim of the article is to highlight inadequacies of EIA framework in the country and to recommend good governance practices to promote regional sustainability through such infrastructural projects. The irrigation network widely expanded in the 20th century, to increase the cropping area and production in the country (FAO, 2002). The public authorities have approved the Chotiari water reservoir project in 1994 along with LBOD (Government of Pakistan, 1993)
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