What is the purpose of identifying sensitive receptors in EIA?

• A. To determine project budget
• B. To understand who is at risk and ensure their concerns are addressed
• C. To decide construction methods
• D. To reduce regulatory requirements

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing who could be affected by a project and making sure their needs and concerns are addressed through the planning process. Sensitive receptors are people and environmental features that are more vulnerable to changes caused by a project—such as residents, children, the elderly, hospitals, schools, and fragile ecosystems or habitats that could be harmed by noise, air pollution, water contamination, or land-use changes.

Identifying these receptors helps you assess how significant any potential impacts might be for those most at risk. It guides the development of targeted mitigation measures, monitoring plans, and stakeholder engagement to reduce exposure or vulnerability—for example, placing noise barriers near a school, implementing stricter emission controls near residential areas, or protecting a nearby stream habitat.

This focus is not about budgeting, construction methods, or reducing regulatory requirements. It centers on understanding who could be affected and ensuring their concerns are addressed in the impact assessment and management plan.