AScreening, scoping, impact prediction, mitigation and monitoring
BImpact prediction, mitigation and monitoring
CScreening, scoping and impact prediction
DMitigation and monitoring
Answer:
A. Screening, scoping, impact prediction, mitigation and monitoring
Read Explanation:
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is an iterative and systematic procedure with several interconnected stages designed to ensure that the environmental consequences of a proposed project are considered before a decision is made to proceed.
The most universally recognised and key operational stages of the EIA process are:
Screening: Determines whether a project requires an EIA and, if so, what level of assessment is necessary.
Scoping: Identifies the key issues, potential impacts, and alternatives that must be studied in the EIA, setting the Terms of Reference (ToR).
Impact Prediction (or Analysis): Forecasts the magnitude and significance of the potential environmental (and social/economic) effects of the proposed project.
Mitigation: Develops measures to avoid, minimize, remedy, or compensate for any adverse significant impacts identified.
Monitoring: Establishes a plan to check that the predicted impacts are accurate and that the prescribed mitigation measures are implemented and effective during and after project implementation.
Option (A) includes all the essential, foundational, and continuous steps of the assessment cycle. The other options are incomplete as they miss critical early steps like Screening and Scoping, which define the need and focus of the entire study.