Environmental authorisation: Are you adhering to its conditions? |17 August 2015

During the last decade or so, Seychelles has seen a significant increase in the number of development. It is not a secret that the country has seen developments in different scales which has benefited both the population and the country’s economy.

Nonetheless, this recent boom in construction has resulted in several environmental issues. Concerns have and continue to be raised especially during the construction phase of the developments.

The Environmental Impacts Assessment Regulations 1996 governs the procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Seychelles, prior to the start of any project or activity as prescribed in the Schedules of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1996.  This process is carried out under the authority of the environment department in close collaboration with the Ministry of Land Use and Housing (MLUH).

The EIA itself is the study which is conducted to identify the potential impacts of any proposed development; it further provides ways in which the impacts may be mitigated.

 There are two types of EIA in Seychelles. A Class 11 EIA is conducted for developments which are on a smaller scale such as houses, retaining walls, subdivisions etc. This study is conducted under the auspice of the environment department by its officers. On the other hand, a Class I EIA is conducted for large scale developments and for projects listed in Schedule 1 of the EPA or which will be located in ecologically sensitive areas. This type of EIA requires the proponent/developer to obtain the services of an environmental consultant to carry out the assessment.

Environmental authorisations are given for the developments if the EIA conducted shows that the development is feasible and/or is able to propose measures to reduce foreseen adverse effects on the environment. Environmental authorisations are issued with conditions which need to be adhered to. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

Failure to comply with the environment authorisation conditions will result in further actions to be taken by the authority.

• Since last year, the number of reported non-adherence cases has increased. The most common ones include: Burning and tree felling without the benefit of proper permits (which are stipulated in environmental authorisations) from the forestry section;
• Working beyond approved working hours.  (The environmental authorisation states that “Normal working hours 0800-1600hrs during weekdays, 0800-1300hrs on Saturdays, and strictly no work on Sundays and public holidays”). 
• Undertaking earthworks during rainy seasons; which often cause severe sedimentation into rivers as well as construction works which are carried out after normal working hours.

Failure to comply with the stated conditions may result in one of the following actions to be taken:

• Stop Notice to be issued on the development;
• An Enforcement Notice to be served to the developer which may result in fines to be imposed.

The work of the environment department is an ongoing quest to protect and manage the environment for our future generations.

However, it is not only the responsibility of the environment department but it is also the responsibility of every individual to do their part to maintain the high quality of the Seychelles environment.