Public Participation and

Consultation in EIA
Engr. Tanveer Ahmed
Teaching Fellow IEER.
General

 Consultation with stakeholders is an important tool through

which people with interest in the project (stakeholders)
influence and share control over development initiatives
and decisions and resources that affect them. It is a tool
for managing two-way communications between the
project sponsors and concerned public. The goal is to
improve decision - making and build understanding by
actively involving individuals, groups and organizations
which have a stake in the project. Their involvement
increases project’s long-term viability and enhances
benefits to locally affected people and stakeholders.
Identifying the Public

People who care, positively or negatively, about a

project.
It depends on their ethical, moral, interest, welfare
etc. viewpoints. Other reason may include…
Proximity – Environmental issues, Property values,
Employment.
Economics – Landowners, House-owners.
Use – Amenity value, rights of way, vista.
Social Issues – Justice.
Values – Animal Rights, Ecology, Religion.
Levels and forms of public involvement

 Informing – one way flow of information from the

proponent to the public;
 Consulting – two way flow of information between the
proponent and the public with opportunities for the public
to express views on the proposal;
 Participating – interactive exchange between the
proponent and the public encompassing shared analysis
and agenda setting and the development of understood
and agreed positions on the proposal and its impacts; and
Levels and forms of public involvement

 Negotiating – face to face discussion between the

proponent and key stakeholders to build consensus and
reach a mutually acceptable resolution of issues, for
example on a package of impact mitigation and
compensation measures
 Reporting: Documentation process in which results are
made available in a written document, on the basis of
which third parties/the public can make their comments,
providing for feedback on the analyses, alternatives and
decisions made.
Public Participation and Consultation

Public involvement provisions exist worldwide EIA

systems.
Public participation and consultation are key
stages in the EIA process.
EIA processes often only involve consultation
rather than participation
The minimum requirement of consensus is public
should express their opinions on the proposal.
Role of Public Participation and
Consultation
 They are important sources of information in EIA for e.g.
 the identification of impacts,
 potential mitigation measures and
 the establishment of alternatives.
 (UNEP, 2002b, p.161)-Participation and consultation make
the EIA process
 Open- Provide access to everyone.
 Transparent- have clear, easily understood requirements
for EIA content
 Robust- Logically and intellectually strong.
The purpose of public involvement
(UNEP, 2002b, p.161):
“inform the stakeholders about the proposal and
its likely effects;
canvass their inputs, views and concerns; and
take account of the information and views of the
public in the EIA and decision-making”.
 key objectives of public involvement

 “obtain local and traditional  reduce conflict through the

knowledge that may be useful early identification of
for decision-making; contentious issues;
 facilitate consideration of  provide an opportunity for the
alternatives, public to influence project
 mitigation measures and design in a positive manner;
trade-offs;  improve transparency and
 ensure that important impacts accountability of decision-
are not overlooked and making; and
benefits are maximized;  increase public confidence in
the EIA process.”
Matching public participation aims
with appropriate involvement levels
Public Participation in Pakistan
Public participation or consultation in the form of
public hearing is mandatory in Pakistan under
section 12(3) of the Pakistan Environmental
Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 and section 10 of
IEE/EIA Regulations, 2000 during the EIA review
process in Pakistan.
Section 12(3) PEPA 1997 (2012)

“proponents should explain their proposals clearly

to affected communities, actively listen to the
communities’ responses, and make prudent
changes to the proposal to avoid or mitigate
adverse impacts. Where proponents are able to
go beyond this to “participation”, they will achieve
even greater benefits for themselves and for the
stakeholders.”
Identification of Main Stakeholders

Consultants carry out public consultation in various

villages/towns located along the alignment of the road
project.
Strategy adopted for public
consultation;
 Categories of the interacted people
 Focus Group Discussions and Scoping Sessions
 Consultation Session Schedule
 Commonly Raised Concerns of Stakeholders
 Proposed Measures for Addressing the Stakeholders Concern
 Village meetings
 Future Information Disclosure
 Grievances Redress Mechanism (GRM)
 Grievances Redress Committee (GRC)
 Procedure for Filing the Complaint
Categories of the interacted people

 Business men
 Services
 Agriculture/farming
 Artisan
 Medical practitioners
 Transport
 Labor
 Shopkeeper
 Law advocate
 Public representatives
 Heads of educational institutes
Focus Group Discussions and Scoping
Sessions
 A series of scoping sessions and informal focus group discussions
are held with local communities.
 Generally, people had the project information gathered through
newspapers, political leadership and topographic survey team
conducting survey at site.
 People are made aware of the significance of project in
development of the area.
 Following issues are discussed during the consultation process;
 Overall objectives and activities of the project
 Possible impacts on natural vegetation, land and properties
 Possible mitigation measures
 Beneficial factors and their involvement opportunities
Consultation Session Schedule

Sr. No. Date District/Tehsil Chainage Village No. of Participants

Consultation Session Schedule
Commonly Raised Concerns of
Stakeholders
Road Design
 To receive fair price and compensation;
 Provide adequate number of underpasses/ overheads to
facilitate the easy movement of local population and cattle in
the area
 Plant adequate number of trees along the road to compensate
for the fallen trees and to control air and noise pollution;
 Abate dust emission providing paved road shoulders;
 Plan appropriate arrangement for the disposal of sewage from
the road service area to avoid nuisance in the nearby
settlements;
 Appropriate and timely compensation against the acquired
land to facilitate resettlement;
 Commonly Raised Concerns of
Stakeholders
Road Construction
 Avoid disturbances to public utilities if necessary replace before
start
 Dust control
 Construction completion at the earliest.
 Avoid dumping of construction material near and along the road
 Induct local labor during construction as far as possible to avoid
social conflict between the migrant and local workers;
 Proper diversion/ alternate may be given to avoid Traffic jam, dust,
smoke and accidents.
 Implement a proper solid waste management plan.
Commonly Raised Concerns of
Stakeholders
Road Operations
 Control use of pressure horns near school, mosques, hospitals
and residential clusters especially during night.
 Specify speed limit where required;
 Cross drainage pipes and culverts timely cleaning to avoid
ponding of rain water
 Local people should be employed in the operational phase of
the project;
 Regularly remove accumulated piles of rubbish from the ROW.
 Irrigation water from water courses may not be used for watering
of plants.
Proposed Measures for Addressing the
Stakeholders Concern
Road Design
 Overhead pedestrian bridges for safe crossing of the people.
 Cattle crossings may also be provided.
 Proper funds for compensation against land acquisition
 Tree plantation program to compensate for the anticipated loss
of vegetation during the construction activities, and to help
abate pollution caused by emissions, dust, and noise during road
operations;
 Appropriate drainage system should be provided to control
surface runoff and avoid flooding of nearby localities
 Contractor should abide by the provisions of the EMP in
consultation with the supervision consultant and client;
Proposed Measures for Addressing the
Stakeholders Concern
Road Construction
 The movement of construction vehicles should remain confined
to designated areas of movement;
 The contractor’s staff and workers should be provided training for
sensitivity towards the local culture and traditions and
development of good relations with local communities avoid
any social friction.
 Employment of locals should be encouraged for the skilled,
unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
 Abide by the provisions of the national / provincial law with
regard to pollution of air, water and land resources of the project
area.
 The construction vehicles should abide the provincial emission
standards.
Proposed Measures for Addressing the
Stakeholders Concern
Road Construction
 The waste oil and grease generated by the construction vehicles
should be appropriately treated and disposed of;
 Solid waste generated in the construction camp sites should be
properly treated and safely disposed of in the demarcated
disposal sites as approved by the supervision consultants;
 A meticulous Traffic Management Plan should be developed to
ensure the safety during construction operations during plan
should be developed;
 All barricades including signs, pavement markings, flags, lights
erected as required by the highway standard criteria.
 Water showering may be regularly done for control of dust
Proposed Measures for Addressing the
Stakeholders Concern
Road Operations
 Cautionary and information signs should be erected;
 Use of loud horns near schools, traffic disorders and
violation of traffic regulations should be monitored and
controlled by NH & MP;
 Speed limit will be specified and NH& MP will control it;
 Rescue 1122 service may be provided for any accident.
 Cross - drainage pipes should be cleaned on regular basis.
Village Meetings

 Village meetings have important role to play in the smooth

implantation of the project by knowing and understanding
the people’s concerns and addressing them appropriately
by incorporating additional measures in the planning,
design, construction and operational phases of the project.
 Concerns raised during the village meetings are discussed
below;
Minutes of Village Meetings
Future Information Disclosure

 Provide EIA report fully incorporating the environmental

and socio-economic concerns expressed by the
stakeholders and the necessary measures incorporated in
the project to address those concerns should be
presented.
 A copy of EIA report will be placed in EPA site offices and
public libraries for easy access to the interested parties.
 Copy of the draft EIA Report can also be made available
to the interested party on request.
Grievances Redress Mechanism (GRM)

 Grievances (complaints) Redress (correct/compensate)

 Grievances Redress Mechanism is an integral part of the
Proposed project planning and implementation
mechanism.
 It aims at addressing public grievances arising from the
work and work related activities. Also workers, employees
conflicts with public and other nuisances.
Grievances Redress Mechanism (GRM)

Specific objectives of establishing Grievances Redress

Mechanism;
 Ensure better safeguard mechanism for implementation of
project;
 Resolve environmental and social grievances in the project
area;
 Build up relationship of trust between the project
proponent and the affected parties;
 Ensure transparency in dealing amongst stakeholders
including affected parties through a proper
communication mechanism.
Grievances Redress Mechanism (GRM)

The major objective of GRM is to establish,

implement and maintain a procedure for handling
environmental and social concerns of the project
stakeholders and affected.
The procedure will include a redressal mechanism
scaled to project’s identified risks and adverse
impacts, focusing on stakeholders.
 Grievances Redress Committee (GRC)

 A Grievances Redress Committee (GRC) is established to

facilitate resolution of complaints of the Stakeholders,
Affected People (AP) and grievances relating to
environmental performance of the project.
 The GRC addresses affected people concerns and
complaints promptly using an understandable and
transparent process.
GRC----

 The terms of functioning of GRC are as follows;

 Provide support to the affected persons and
stakeholders in solving the problems;
 Resolve grievances preferably on the first day of hearing
or within a period of one week, in case of complicated
issues may require additional time;
 Provide information to Project Director on serious cases
at the earliest;
 Coordinate with the Affected Person (AP) and
concerned parties, getting proper and timely
information on the solution worked out for his /her
grievances;
GRC--- Functioning

 Study the normal occurring grievances and advise Project

Director on remedial measures / actions to avoid further
occurrences;
 Create awareness of the Grievances Redress Mechanism
(GRM) through public consultation leaflets.
 GRC meetings will be held in Designated Office or other
locations agreed by the committee.
 If needed GRC members will conduct field visits to verify
and review the issues and dispute.
Composition of Grievances Redress
Committee (GRC)
The GRC normally work under the supervision of Director of
Project. The following members are recommended to form a
GRC to resolve the grievances;
 Deputy Director (CWD)
 Representative of Affected persons (APs)
 Environmental Engineer of Supervision Consultant (SC)
 Environmental Engineer of Construction Contractor (CC)
PEGO

 Deputy Director act as Project Environmental Grievances officer

(PEGO) / Coordinator of the Grievances Redress Committee (GRC).
 He reviews the cases on merit and address the problem in accordance
with prevailing rules / procedures applicable to such grievances as per
Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
 The PEGO refers then refer the case to GRC for final decision, whether
to update and make necessary amendment to EPM. The GRC will give
its decision within 30 days of the registry of the complaint. The
complainant can appeal to Director CWD who should act on the
complaint / grievance within two weeks of its filing.
 If the Affected Person (AP) is not satisfied with the decision of redressal
committee, he can request the higher authorities / relevant govt.
departments for its resolution. In this regard, he may submit the
complaint to Punjab EPA also.
Procedure for Filing the Complaint

 The Affected person (AP) / stakeholder may submit an

application in the PM Office for the redressal of his
grievances.
 The PM will refer the matter to Deputy Director CWD.
 Deputy Director Communication and Works Department
will address the grievances preferably the same day or he
may take a maximum of one week to resolve the
grievance.
 In case the grievance is not addressed within a week time,
the Affected Person (AP) may take the matter to GRC.
Procedure for Filing the Complaint

 There are several ways to approach GRC for the redressal of

grievances;
 Contact the PEGO of GRC over phone apprising him of his /her
grievances;
 Send an email or courier to the PEGO for taking up the matter in GRC.
 GRC will investigate and review the grievance and convey the final
decision to the AP.
 In case the grievance is not related to the project, the GRC will not
process it and accordingly inform the grievant. All decision of the GRC
will be conveyed to the grievant in writing.
 GRC can take up any matter of project related grievances for
consideration of resolution. Any affected person can lodge a
complaint on matters of environment to
 DG EPA Punjab under section 21(3)(b) under PEPA 1997, amended
2012.
Principles of effective public
involvement
It has been suggested to involve the stakeholders during the
following stages of the EIA process:
 Scoping;
 Assessing impacts;
 Mitigation and impact management;
 Reviewing and decision-making; and
 Monitoring and auditing.
Practical experiences

 The guidelines also advocate participation of women and the

poor by doing gender analysis, identifying and addressing
cultural and educational constraints and using local language(s)
as well as visual methods of communication /consultation.
 In these respects, local and international good practice
examples have also been cited.
 All of the above mentioned aspects of public consultation, as
suggested in the Pak-EPAs guidelines, are comparable with
those suggested in other developing as well as developed
countries.
 However, many deficiencies can be found in the actual
practice of public consultation, which may possibly be
overcome by taking certain measures (See: Nadeem and
Fischer, 2011).
Practical experiences

 While in more developed EIA systems, public participation is

obligatory during scoping (Wood,1999), in Pakistan the
proponent does not legally need to involve the concerned
public during EIA preparation.
 Some proponents, particularly of foreign-funded public
sector projects, however, do consult affectees, even if it is
mainly done for the purpose of collecting socio-economic
baseline data and occasionally for obtaining their views on
a project.
Practical experiences

 Stakeholders are given 30 days, following a notice

published in two national daily newspapers, for submitting
written comments before the public hearing.
 The venue for a public hearing is normally a high class hotel
in the city or office of the concerned EPA or public sector
proponent which are often inaccessible by the directly
affected indigenous people who are living in remote areas
(Nadeem and Hameed, 2006c).
 In addition, stakeholders are not informed about how their
concerns have been incorporated into the EIA report and
final decision.
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT

 This section includes overall project’s benefits in relation to

environmental cost resulting due to the implementation of
Road
Economic Benefits

The economic benefits resulting from the implementation of

the proposed project include;
 Improve communication infrastructure will promote new
business opportunities;
 Increase in the value of land in the project area resulting
from the gentrification effect;
 The operation of the proposed motorway will cause lesser
wear tear of vehicles which will decrease the vehicle
operating cost due to better road conditions;
Economic Benefits

 The proposed road should improve the fuel consumption of

vehicles;
 Reduces the time required for travelling and reaching the
destinations;
 Economic activity will be accelerated by providing smooth
access to markets;
 As a result of job opportunities, local labor will be
accommodated during the construction phase of the
project;
Environmental Cost

 The environmental cost remains negligible against the

capital investment however the economic benefits
becomes enormous.
 The environmental sustainability is built on three pillars;
Environment, Economic and Social.
 The project should take into account all the three aspects
of environmental sustainability with adequate mitigation
which render the project environmentally sustainable.