~ 2108 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2019; 8(4): 2108-2119 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2019; 8(4): 2108-2119 Received: 01-05-2019 Accepted: 03-06-2019 Shelly Banyal Department of Environmental Science, YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry. Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India RK Aggarwal Department of Environmental Science, YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry. Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India SK Bhardwaj Department of Environmental Science, YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry. Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Correspondence Shelly Banyal Department of Environmental Science, YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry. Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India A review on methodologies adopted during environmental impact assessment of development projects Shelly Banyal, RK Aggarwal and SK Bhardwaj Abstract Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the proven anticipatory and legislative tool used to predict the environmental consequences of any development project. It is a decision making tool used to anticipate and quantify the positive and negative impact of a proposed development project on environment consisting of a social, economic and biophysical aspects. The purpose of the assessment to assist decision makers in considering the environmental impacts of proposed project when deciding whether to proceed with a project. Numerous EIA methodologies have been developed such as Interaction Matrices, Network, Checklist, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Although, there are number of studies on EIA methodologies to identify their strength and weakness, the adequacy of impact assessment methodologies was evaluated in terms of specific criteria like impact identification, impact communication and impact interpretation. A review on these EIA methodologies and their adoption has been presented in the current study. The aim of this review paper is to find out that, which method we can use to assess the environmental assessment of highway road expansion in mountainous regions. Keywords: Impact, assessment, environment, method, development Introduction Environment Impact Assessment EIA as required by the National Environmental policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 as stimulator for the growth and development of the environmental attributes. India is an assembly of federal states in which the central and state government have contemporaneous jurisdiction over natural deposits and ecological management (Rosencranz & Rustomjee, 1995; Bakshi, 1998) [98, 7] . In 1994, EIA ratification at central level was enacted by a notification passed under The Environmental Protection Act 1986. In India, EIA has been introduced in 1994 and relied on Institutional framework with strong support of legislative, executive and operational set up (Sinclair & Duck, 2000) [108] . The purpose of incorporating EIA methodologies has been to examine what the possible environmental impact of proposed development plan would be and to asset ways to anticipate any long term negative impacts (Weaver, Greyling, Van, & Kruger, 1996) [121] . Quantitative and Qualitative assessment of environmental parameters of mining units on Environmental components could be considered as major aim of this study (Jarvis & Younger, 2000) [54] . Impact assessment methodologies range from simple to complex and are also progressively changing from a static, piecemeal approach to the one that reflect the dynamism of the nature and the environment (Johnson & Bell, 1975) [57] . It describes some simple and widely used EIA tools and offer information to help in EIA analyst for conducting an adequate analysis. These assessment tools may make preparation of an environment statement a less formidable and more significant task. The recognition and appraisal of environmental impacts of expansions activities were complex due to the multiplicity of impacts caused by human obtrusion to the ecological and community system. However, a large number of impact assessment tools has been build out but EIA is a scientific and professional approach enhanced the public involvement which in turn will contribute to the natural economic growth in the long term of building trust from stakeholders for EIA procedure act as stabilizer of the interest of capitalist and society. The concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to the examination, analysis and assessment of planned activities with a view to ensuring their environmental soundness and sustainable development. It is said to be a valuable means of promoting the integration of environmental and natural resource issues into planning and program implementation (Tukker, 2000) [117] . EIA has been introduced in the United States in the late 1960s. It has been ratified by many developed and developing countries (Sowman, Fuggle & Preston, 1995; Leu, Williams &