Tanzanian Environmental Impact Assessment Laws and Practice for Projects in World Heritage Sites

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an integral component of sound decision-making. Environmental impact assessment helps to prevent or reduce environmental harms by informing the decision-makers the likely environmental impacts of intended project, its alternatives and/or mitigation measures before the implementation starts. This study examines the effectiveness of Tanzania EIA laws and related practice on the protection of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the world heritage sites during implementation of development projects. The study used data obtained from government officials, policies, laws and reports; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and World Heritage Committee reports; and scholarly works. The study demonstrates that Tanzania EIA laws are inadequate to ensure effective protection of OUV of world heritage sites against harms caused by development projects. The laws do not guarantee effective and broader participation of stakeholders and inclusion of heritage impact assessment in EIA study. The study, therefore, recommends for reform of EIA laws and institutions responsible for supervising EIA.