The application of EIA in the evaluation of sustainable desertification control activity: Examples from Namibia and Inner Mongolia

Abstract

To judge potential success stories in combating desertification, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) sent teams to agricultural projects in Namibia and Inner Mongolia. UNEP evaluation criteria were used. Each team first used records, interviews, and anecdotes to outline the pre-treatment situation, and 'guesstimated' the impacts of pre-treatment activities on the biophysical environment. A description of the desertification control, mitigation and treatment projects was prepared. An EIA determined the impacts of the projects. A comparison of before and after revealed how far mitigation was successfully achieved.