What are the objectives of EIA? Differentiate between EIA and IEE

The objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are:

1. To ensure that environmental considerations are explicitly addressed and incorporated into the development decision-making process.
2. To anticipate and avoid, minimize or offset the adverse significant biophysical, social and other relevant effects of development proposals.
3. To protect the productivity and capacity of natural systems and the ecological processes which maintain their functions.
4. To promote development that is sustainable and optimizes resource use and management opportunities.

Now, differentiating between EIA and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE):

EIA is a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of a project or policy and its alternatives. It is used for complex projects with potentially significant environmental impacts. It involves a detailed study which includes baseline data collection, impact prediction, evaluation of mitigation measures, and development of environmental management and monitoring plans.

On the other hand, IEE is a preliminary environmental review of smaller projects with potentially less significant environmental impacts. It is used to determine whether a full EIA is required. It involves a simpler, more concise study which includes a brief description of the project, identification of potential environmental impacts, and preliminary evaluation of mitigation measures.

In summary, the main difference between EIA and IEE is the level of detail and complexity of the study. EIA is used for larger, more complex projects with potentially significant environmental impacts, while IEE is used for smaller, simpler projects with potentially less significant environmental impacts.