How are land use changes addressed in the EIA framework?

• A. They are ignored during impact assessment
• B. They are evaluated for environmental impacts and included in mitigation and monitoring plans
• C. They are considered only after project approval
• D. They are addressed by separate regulatory processes

Answer: (B)

In the EIA framework, land use changes are treated as environmental impacts that must be examined and managed throughout the project. The assessment looks at how shifting land use or land cover due to the proposed activity would affect ecosystems, soil stability, water flow, biodiversity, noise, traffic, aesthetics, and nearby communities. Based on that analysis, the process requires proposing concrete mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for negative changes, and it also mandates a monitoring plan to track the effectiveness of those measures over time. This integrated approach ensures land-use effects are anticipated and controlled before decisions are made and continue to be managed after implementation, rather than being ignored, considered only after approval, or handled by separate regulatory tracks.