Environmental impact assessment main purpose – UGC NET Question

Environmental impact assessment is a formal process to identify,predict and evaluate potential environmental impacts of proposed projects. It helps decision makers consider environmental consequences alongside economic and technical factors. By doing so,it aims to avoid,reduce or compensate for adverse impacts before they occur. Therefore the definition in the question clearly refers to environmental impact assessment.

Option A:
A social audit evaluates the social performance and accountability of institutions,especially in governance and welfare schemes. While it may touch on environmental issues,it is not primarily about predicting environmental impacts of projects. Hence it does not match the process described in the stem.

Option B:
Environmental impact assessment is designed to be conducted before project approval. It involves baseline studies,impact prediction,mitigation planning and public consultation. This systematic approach fits perfectly with the description given in the question.

Option C:
Resource mapping involves identifying and documenting the distribution of various resources in a region. It is a useful planning tool but does not itself evaluate the impacts of a proposed project. Therefore it is not the best answer here.

Option D:
Performance appraisal usually refers to evaluation of employees in an organisation. It focuses on productivity and work behaviour rather than environmental effects of projects. Thus it is unrelated to the concept defined in the question.