Many Rivers to Cross: Evaluating the Benefits and Limitations of Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Koshi River Basin

Main author: King, Hugh
Other authors: Smith, Laurence
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-22146
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description This paper assesses the value of using Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to account for the spatially and temporally diverse and diffuse impacts of hydropower development in South Asia’s Koshi basin. A policy and practice review and key stakeholder interviews identified opportunities for SEA to improve existing planning procedures, but also barriers to effective adoption. Whilst stakeholders are interested in employing SEA to evaluate cumulative impacts, institutional blockages and an economic development imperative for power generation leave little space for consideration of alternative scenarios as part of SEA. The analysis is conducted through the formulation and application of a conceptual framework for SEA best practice which is then used to identify priority next-steps for SEA in the region.
format Journal Article
author King, Hugh
author_facet King, Hugh
Smith, Laurence
authorStr King, Hugh
author_letter King, Hugh
author2 Smith, Laurence
author2Str Smith, Laurence
title Many Rivers to Cross: Evaluating the Benefits and Limitations of Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Koshi River Basin
publisher World Scientific
publishDate 2016
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/22146/