STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF URBAN RIVER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been used in recent years as a planning tool in the developing and transitioning nations. Being its widespread use, however, certain limitations are observed to ensure their sustainable development. The growing understanding of policy and decision-making theory, community working for the environmental assessment has recently initiated a discussion about the theoretical basis and suitable practical application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) instead of only project specific EIA. In this study the EIA and SEA have been applied to analyse the management of river Yamuna in the stretch of Delhi, a highly urbanised city. The application of SEA in planning and policy formulation for achieving variety of dimensions has also been presented. The present situation of the river Yamuna in various aspects such as water quality, E flow, return flow, floodplain management, flood plain regulation, wetlands & waterbody management, riparian buffer, and water treatment etc. has been analyzed and policy interventions for urban river management have been suggested. The EIA of activities from river management as per suggested policy interventions is also carried out using checklist method. The policy interventions are also suggested to boost the economic potential of the river after taking into consideration the illness cost, cost of treatment, wage loss from illness, cost of avoiding environmental flows, cost of water pollution and pollution control. Socio-economic impact of Yamuna riverfront development project has is also conducted. It was found that SEA was effective in analysing the impacts of urban river management. Water quality tests indicated the improvement of river water from river management interventions. The impact score method confirmed that river management was effective in social economic and environmental sustainability of the river. Impact assessment from checklist method suggests the use of urban river management plan (URMP) as benefits outweighed the environmental costs. It was evident from social impact score that URMP would uplift the present social economic status. The recommendation of E flow release was agreed upon to support river ecology and further, the use of constructed wetlands was found to be more cost effective compared to construction of water treatment plants.