15.4.10.3. Use of GIS in EIA

1. In Project definition: During project identification and definition, the project proponent conducts feasibility studies and defines the usefulness of the study. GIS can be very well used for defining the project by showing the location of the project and its need can be established with respect to other geographical identities like source of raw material, market for selling, source of labourer, climatic conditions favorable for the project etc.

In this chunk, we learn about the role of GIS in the initial stages of a project. When someone is planning a new project, they first need to identify and define it clearly. This involves studying its feasibility—the likelihood of the project's success given available resources and conditions. GIS (Geographical Information System) comes into play here by providing valuable spatial data. With GIS, project planners can visualize the exact location of the project and assess important factors like where the necessary raw materials will come from, where the market for the product is, the availability of labor, and the climate conditions that might affect the project. Essentially, GIS helps in making informed decisions about the new project’s design and viability by analyzing geographical factors.

Think of GIS in project definition like using a detailed map before starting a road trip. Just as the map shows the best routes, gas stations, and rest stops, GIS helps project managers pinpoint key elements like resources and potential challenges in relation to the project's site.

2. In evaluating environmental and visual impacts: Using GIS various types of visual impacts can be evaluated like, how a road will look like? How much portion of the road will be visible from a particular point? By using DEM we can calculate and visualize the impact on ground levels either in filling or cutting and area of quarries etc (Oterholm, 1999).

This chunk addresses how GIS can evaluate both environmental impacts and visual aspects of projects. Using specialized tools within GIS, planners can analyze how a new road or structure will change the landscape visually. For instance, they can determine what portion of the road will be visible from different points around the area, helping to assess any potential aesthetic concerns. Furthermore, techniques like Digital Elevation Models (DEM) allow for calculations on how the land will be affected, whether ground levels are being raised (filling) or lowered (cutting). This capability of GIS to create visual representations helps in understanding the environmental alterations that a project might cause.

Consider planning a new amusement park next to a forest. Using GIS is like using a virtual reality tool where you can see how the park will change the view of the forest. You can simulate how many trees will be cut down or how the park structures will look against the backdrop of nature, ensuring that planners can address any visual issues before construction begins.

3. In scoping system: GIS can serve as a basis for scoping of environmental effects. Once the basic databases are available, a GIS based system may provide better-targeted guidelines for EIS. A centralized institutional scoping structure, where by EIS guidelines are issued by a single entity, is found to be important for the operation of such a system as it can enjoy the Economies of scale and scope involved in setting up and operating a GIS system for scoping purpose (Haklay et al., 1998).

This segment discusses how GIS can help in the scoping process of environmental effects. Scoping is essentially the process of identifying which impacts need to be studied more closely in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). With a GIS system, planners can directly access basic environmental data, which allows for more precise guidelines. The idea is that if one centralized entity issues these guidelines, the management and usage of GIS become more efficient and cost-effective. This centralization can lead to a more uniform approach to managing environmental assessments associated with projects, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.

Imagine you are part of a committee tasked with evaluating the environmental impact for multiple new construction projects in a city. Using GIS is like having a master planner who collates information from varied sources, providing you with a clear picture of which areas need deeper investigation while streamlining the process so you don’t have repeat work across numerous projects.

4. In impact significance determination: A spatial impact assessment methodology based on the assumption that the importance of environmental impact is dependent, among other things, on the spatial distribution of the effects and of the affected environment.

This part elaborates on the methodology for assessing the significance of environmental impacts using GIS. It posits that understanding how and where impacts occur spatially is crucial for evaluating their significance. Each component of the environment (like air, water, and plants) can have its own impact index, which helps decision-makers gauge how severe the effects are based on their geographic distribution. For example, if a proposed factory will emit pollutants, the assessment will consider how far those pollutants may spread and how they affect different environmental characteristics, helping to prioritize areas for remedial action or mitigation efforts.

Think of considering the significance of environmental impact like evaluating which areas of a garden are most affected by shadow when a new building is erected. By analyzing the shadow pattern across different times of the day, we can understand which plants will suffer the most and need relocation or special care, similarly assessing how a project impacts various environmental aspects based on their locations.

The fact that GIS is not used in practice to the extent that it could be used in principle may also be the due to a number of limitations of GIS like: Availability of digital data, Cost of start up, System maintenance, Database construction, Availability of hardware and software.

In this concluding chunk, we address the challenges that may hinder the widespread use of GIS in Environmental Impact Assessments. Although GIS is a powerful tool, practical usage can be limited by factors like the availability of digital data, which may not always be accessible or up-to-date. The costs associated with initiating a GIS system, maintaining it, constructing databases, and ensuring adequate hardware and software can also be significant barriers to entry. Understanding these limitations is crucial for organizations aiming to implement GIS for environmental management.

Consider GIS limitations comparable to setting up an elaborate new kitchen. While having the best tools would make cooking easier, if you lack certain ingredients (data) or if your kitchen space (funds and technology) is limited, it becomes hard to create the complicated recipes (impact assessments) you want. Thus, even with the right plans, practical issues can often prevent successful implementation.

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