What is the role of sociologists in the EIA process?

• A. To assess soil stability for foundations.
• B. To calculate budget and financing.
• C. To monitor air quality.
• D. To assess community and cultural acceptability of the project.

Answer: (D)

Sociologists in an EIA focus on how a project will affect people and communities—the social dimension. They examine impacts on livelihoods, social networks, culture, daily life, and how acceptable or unacceptable the project is to those who would be affected. This involves identifying stakeholders, guiding public participation, and considering equity, vulnerable groups, and resettlement or cultural changes. By assessing social impacts and engagement needs, they help ensure the project’s social effects are understood and addressed.

Tasks like evaluating soil stability, budgeting, or monitoring air quality come from geotechnical engineering, finance, and environmental science, respectively, so they don’t fit the sociologist’s role.