Authors
Osman Mirghani Mohamed Ali
Abstract
This paper appraises the process and performance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the Sudan. The implications of the severance of Southern Sudan on the country’s natural resources and development policies are underscored. The main legislative and institutional constraints of (EIA) efficient application are highlighted, emphasizing its limitations to developmental projects. The new trend in addressing the complicated issues salient to policies, plans and programmes that calls for a higher tier of impact assessment is illustrated. Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEA) which operates at the policies, plans and programmes level is defined. A comparison between (EIA) and (SEA) is portrayed. Justifications for the application of (SEA) in the Sudan and the steps and prerequisites needed are expressed. The institutional and legislative reforms as well as human resources capacity building are underlined. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Impact Assessment, Environmental Legislation
Introduction
Sudan is a country endowed with a variety of natural resources, both biotic and abiotic. Even prior to its independence in 1956, the country has administrated several management instruments towards conserving its environment and natural resources. There are over 150 natural resources laws and sectoral regulations dealing with forests, health, water supply, land tenure, game, protected areas, fisheries and marine resources among other sectors of natural resources. Some of these laws date back to the first years of the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium. The Forest Protection Act, to give an example, was passed in 1902. Prominent landmarks in the realm of the environment protection and natural resources conservation were achieved in the last decade of the 20th century. The year 1991 saw the establishment of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR) to oversee, co-ordinate and liaise on issues pertaining to, and linked with the environment and natural resources. The State had adopted the National Strategy for Development (NSCD) from 1992 to 2002. The culmination of these governmental steps occurred in 1994 when the environment portfolio was promoted to a ministerial level. The country, at the governmental as well as the non-governmental levels, made an initiative towards establishing a National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). On the legislative arena the Environment Protection Act was passed by the National Assembly in 2001. A quarter century development strategy for the period 2007-2032 is being implemented at shorter phases’ intervals.
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How to cite this article?
| APA Style | Mohamed Ali, O. M. (2019). Strategic Impact Assessment: A Potential Tool in Achieving Sustainable Development in the Sudan in the Wake of the Severance of Southern Sudan. Academic Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(1), 1-7. |
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