Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is, as of early 1997, a legislative
requirement in Malawi for certain development activities. EIA is a process
by which the potential environmental effects associated with development
activities are minimised through proper planning of' those activities before
they are implemented A prescribed list of projects for which EIA is mandatory
in Malawi has been drawn up and will in the near future be published in
the government gazette and other communication media. Also available are
Guidelines for EIA and a directors of experts capable of carrying out EIA
in Malawi. These publications are available and efforts are underway to
ensure that they are widely distributed.
The key responsibility of the Environmental Affairs Department, the
government agency responsible for the coordination of the VIA process in
Malawi, is nod' to sensitise and train developers and government regulatory
agencies to the fact that EIA is a requirement and how it applies to their
activities. So far, there are several success stories where developers
have submitted a project brief; in accordance with the Malawi EIA Guidelines,
and terms of references have been developed by a technical review committee
to provide guidance to the developer on how the detailed EIA work have
been carried out. These examples include:
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The Ministry of 'Works' proposed Mangochi Bridge Reconstruction Project;
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The National Bank of Malawi's Malangalanga Industrial Park; City of Lilongwe;
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Viphya Corporation's proposal to log the Viphya Forest Reserve and site
a pulp and paper mill at Chintheche; and
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The Ministry of' Water Development's proposed Shire River flow Augmentation
Project.
It should he noted, however, that there have been several failures a well,
especially in the urban development and infrastructure sectors, where the
EIA process has not been applied properly or in a timely manner and these
have required costly and time-consuming remedies. 'lliese examples include:
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The Ministrv of' Water Development's Expansion to the Mulunguzi Dam, Zomba
mountain:
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The Department of Lands' commercial development adjacent to the area 3
Round-about. City of Lilongwe, and the proposed Malida Industrial Park,
City of Lilongwe
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