Sustainable frugality through EIA: role of socio-ecological linkages in poverty alleviation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to bring out the shortcomings of the EIA model imported from developed countries when it is assessed for its focus on poverty alleviation in a developing nation (India) and to suggest improvements in the existing framework. Design/methodology/approach - The paper explores the current performance of EIA process in India, critically analyses the philosophy of continued sidelining of environmental protection in favour of unrestricted economic growth in the light of evidence regarding growing inequality. Findings - The paper finds that for the proponent driven EIA model to contribute towards poverty alleviation, a new "socio-ecological linkage document" is needed. This will bring out the fragile linkages that marginalized communities have with their local ecosystems and can be prepared with the help of local ecological knowledge. A framework to integrate the socio-ecological linkage document into the EIA-SEA-SA domain is presented. Practical implications - The paper shows that the supportive framework of generating the "socio-ecological linkage document" has the potential to enhance the EIA-SEA-SA process in terms of ensuring that plans, policies, programs and projects are sensitive to the need of ecosystem dependent poor. Originality/value - The paper proposes a framework to support the alternative thinking that poverty alleviation can be enhanced through preservation of ecosystem linkages, in contrast to the modern paradigm of economic growth at the cost of ecosystem.