Strengthening EIA capacity in Asia : environmental impact assessment in The Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka

These case studies are used to highlight issues, problems, and needs that may be left out of the usual analytical framework. Constraints and opportunities that influence Asian countries to develop effective environmental and natural resource planning and management programs are examined. In addition to an overview and a summary of the EIA process in each country, the document reviews key findings from the three case studies. These cover the following issues: (1) institutional context; (2) EIAs within environment planning and management; (3) developing effective participatory mechanisms; (4) the need for skilled human resources; (5) improving the physical resources for EIA; (6) creating an environmental data system; (7) the search for project acceptability; and (8) donor influences on EIA process development. Four major recommendations are made for governments undertaking EIAs. (1) Facilitate public participation. (2) Clarify participants" responsibilities. (3) Make information available to the public. (4) Link EIAs to development planning, programming, and policy-making.