National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Public Participation in EIA – How Can it Help in Resolving Conflict ? Asadullah Faiz, Director General, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency IAIA 2011, Puebla, Mexico

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Contents Introduction Kurri Landfill Project Design Considerations EIA, Review Process and Public Consultation Challenges Conclusions Way Forward

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Introduction Pakistan (South Asian Country) Pakistan – Population: million – Area: 796,095 sq km – GDP: US$ Billion – Per Capita Income: US$ 1051 ( ) Islamabad (Capital City) – Population: 1.33 million – Solid Waste Production: tons per day – Capital Development Authority (CDA): Municipal authority to provide civic amenities for Islamabad

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Introduction Planning and Development Division, Government of Pakistan – 5 Year plan for developing 5 landfill sites in Pakistan – Kurri at Islamabad (the 1 st project)

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Kurri Landfill Project Integrated Waste Management Project Design: International Standard & Specifications Area: Hectares Assessment of Alternate Sites Land recommended by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and Pak-Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Acquisition of Land

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Kurri Landfill Project Facilities at the Landfill Site – Composting Facility – Leachate Treatment Facility / Gas Collection Facility – Environmental & Waste Management Training Institute for Training of Staff – Ancillary & Support Facilities – Waste Transfer Station / Material Recovery Facility

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Design Consideration Technology: Anaerobic Life Span: 22 – 25 years Specific Pollution Control Technologies Technical Studies / Technical Experts Inputs Development in 3 Phases to Minimize Construction Period Noise and Vibration Air Pollution Topography, Geology and Soil Surface and Ground Water Ecology

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) EIA, Review Process and Public Consultation EIA Submission, Review by Pak-EPA & Committee Public Consultations – 7 Public Consultations Public Hearing – Attended by 179 representatives Meetings of all Stakeholders – 5 Consultations with Local residents, Environmentalists, NGOs, Educationists, CDA, Consultants, Media Representatives, NGOs, WWF, IUCN, International Experts, etc. Conditional Environmental Approval by Pak-EPA – 28 th Feb, 2008 Writ Petition in the court of law – 3 rd July 2008

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Challenges Lack of Political Will Lack of Vision Tyranny of Participation Social Issues – Paternalistic Societies, Interest Groups, Compensation, Resettlement, etc Lack of Trust Between Communities and Municipal Authorities Regulatory Challenges

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Conclusion Relevant Stakeholders to be consulted from inception stage Writ of the Government to be exercised judiciously Official ownership and will to defend at legal form

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Way Forward Environmental Protection Agency to play more assertive role Improvement in Legislative Framework Ministry of Environment and CDA in consultation with Planning & Development Division to make efforts for reviving the project

National Impact Assessment Programme (NIAP) Thank you!