‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ in Drylands: Late Knowledge Penetration or a Deliberate Ignorance for Megaprojects?

Despite the paramount role of drylands in supporting people’s livelihoods and rendering ecosystem services, legislation on Environmental Impact Assessment has been introduced belatedly after several decades. By exemplifying Iran, author proposes two main reasons for such a delayed action. First, are misleadingly considered as barren lands where biodiversity is relatively low. In one classification, deserts even categorized along with rocks. Second, emphasizes that have subjected to unprecedented changes due expansion infrastructure urbanization started 1970s. These growing pressures beyond ecological resilience not monitored, assessed, modified correctly. Further scrutiny regarding EIA undertakings way they can be improved now needed.