On 19/20 March, two biodiversity, business and human rights events were organised by MCRB in Yangon: a multistakeholder consultation on the draft Briefing Paper, and a training session conducted by a number of international experts on biodiversity and environmental impact assessment (EIA) for around 70 representatives from companies, particularly EIA consultancies. Read more: http://www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org/news/reinforcing-connections.html

1. Part 1
Reviewing
Biodiversity
Assessments
in EIAs in
Myanmar

4. Biodiversity assessment in EIAs

5. Key take away messages
• Assessing biodiversity: ensure proper description of methodologies,
justification for study area, proper presentation of species (incl. red list status and
Myanmar law status), references, inclusion of maps
• Linking presence of biodiversity to impacts: properly assess
impacts, include the significance of these impacts, ensure impacts on processes
are included
• Linking impacts to mitigation measures: based on impacts,
propose appropriate measures and how these will be monitored
• Study and propose avoidance options – through
alternatives

6. How to assess the presence of
biodiversity
• What biodiversity is present and in
what abundance?
• Where is it located, how is it
organized and what part does the
ecosystem play in the larger area?
• What are key ecological processes in
the area?

7. Assessing biodiversity in EIAs
• Include proper description of methodology and details about when
the surveys were carried out
• Maps showing study area and where surveys have been carried out
• Justification for study area selected
• Site specific information about biodiversity – not general
• References
• Status according to IUCN red list and Myanmar law
• Descriptions of ecosystems and processes

8. Example of a not proper description
of species

9. Example: Kalewa-Yagyi road section

10. Example: Kalewa-Yagyi road section

11. Describing impacts on biodiversity in
EIAs

12. Possible impacts on biodiversity
• Ecosystem/Habitat removal and fragmentation
• Ecosystem/Habitat degradation
• Wildlife mortality and/or population loss
• Disturbance
• Invasive alien species
• Unsustainable natural resource use
• Pollution
• Different for different sectors – need for more sector specific information
about impacts

13. Linking biodiversity assessments to
impacts
• Based on the species present in the area,
what are the likely impacts?
• Based on important ecological impacts in
the area – what are the likely impacts?
• Need to make the link between presence of
biodiversity and impacts
• Ecological processes need to be described
and impacts laid out

14. Example: resort in Myeik archipelago
• Resort and Dive Shop
• Two islands
• Within Myiek Island Group – KBA
• Biodiversity – from expert at
University and site visit (only land
assessment)
• Used IUCN red list

15. 5.2.1 Related Environmental issues
1. deforestation of 50 acres each on both the islands for construction,
2. Soil erosion in the cleared areas to the marine water during construction
time,
3. change in topography and effect of it on drainage of water,
4. depletion of natural and public resources such as fossil fuels, and water,
5. air emissions and noise generation from transportation and operations,
6. increased traffic in the waters and the road,
7. waste generation from the resort and the people visiting dive sites
8. The restriction or loss of access to drinking water in the islands for the local
people
9. Potential fire break-out accidents in the resort
Example: resort in Myeik archipelago

16. EIA identified a lot of EN and VU species near the island site
• Caretta Caretta Loggerhead Turtle Turtle (EN)
• Chelonia Mydas Green Turtle Turtle (EN)
• Lepidochelys Olivacea Olive Ridley Turtle Turtle (VU)
• Indotestudo Elongata Yellow Tortoise Herpetofauna (EN)
• Limnonectes Blythii Blyth‟s Giant Frog Herpetofauna (NT)
However, the probability of these species using the islands as a habitat or
nesting site cannot be ruled out due to the proximity to the Lampi park.
Example: resort in Myeik archipelago

17. Issues raised by biodiversity assessment:
• No assessment of corals or marine ecosystem
• Used photos and information from Lamphi Reserve showing exceptional
biodiversity
• The only conclusion is that the Resort should not be approved because of its
impact on biodiversity.
• The EIA Report states: “The project being in an island is surrounded by sea
that is rich in aquatic biota such as fishes, crustacean, corals, jelly fishes
turtles and their habitats are in the project area. The sedimentation and
discharge of waste water can seriously affect the life and habitats around
the island.”
Example: resort in Myeik archipelago

18. Linking impacts on biodiversity
with mitigation measures

19. How to identify mitigation measures
• Joint planning with proponent, planners,
engineers, ecologists and other specialists
• Best to be identified during the scoping stage
to ensure feasibility
• A good alternative analysis and selection of
option that will produce the most
“avoidance” will result in the need of less
mitigation measures
• Measures to mitigate and enhance
biodiversity
• Monitoring is key

20. Example: Dawei two-lane road

21. Example: Dawei two-lane road
• Biodiversity surveys conducted but lacking
description of methodologies and proper
description of species
• Scope of biodiversity and wildlife mitigation
too narrow – no cumulative impacts on
biodiversity considered
• Impacts on the main wildlife corridors are
very significant and should be described
properly
• Major lack of proper mitigation measures

22. Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA –
mitigation proposed during construction

23. Biodiversity recorded by INGOs in
the vicinity of the road

24. Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA –
during construction
• Impacts on forests and wildlife: clearing of forest for Right of Way, loss
of habitat, loss of food, noise, alteration of natural habitat,

25. Example: Dawei two-lane road EIA –
during operation

26. Avoidance is always the best option

27. Key take away messages
• Assessing biodiversity: ensure proper description of methodologies,
justification for study area, proper presentation of species (incl. red list status and
Myanmar law status), references, inclusion of maps
• Linking presence of biodiversity to impacts: properly assess
impacts, include the significance of these impacts, ensure impacts on processes
are included
• Linking impacts to mitigation measures: based on impacts,
propose appropriate measures and how these will be monitored
• Study and propose avoidance options – through
alternatives