Integrating indigenous environmental knowledge into the environmental impact assessment process

Ogwuche J.A

Department of Geography, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

E-mail: Ogwuche.jonathan@yahoo.com 

Accepted 09 May, 2012

Abstract

Emerging challenges of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) indicate that environmental impacts are becoming larger and more complex, hence the need for the incorporation of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge (IEK) as well as the integration of aboriginal people into EIA research, policy and process. In most cases, most EIAs are far from this realization, hence ineffectiveness. IEK is the knowledge, experiences, wisdom and philosophies about the environment in which the people live and can bring to bear in environmental assessment and management. To achieve this, research on indigenous knowledge and management systems should include taxonomical, spatial, temporal, and social perspectives. This paper therefore suggests that IEK should be documented and backed-up by law, if we are to achieve sustainable project development.

Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessment,Indigenous Environmental Knowledge, sustainable project development, Valued Ecosystem Components.