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Tle usefulness of zoning is self-evident. Without it environmental problems can grow to
unmanageable proportions. Tfo main advantages can be snmarized as follows:
(i) Isolation of reeiduel pollutentr and their impact
Tfe Malaysi". rpp*l"h to regulatory control of pollution is largely based on the best
practicable r""n" (B.P.M.) c6ncept with provisions. for gradual integraLion with air
quality r"n"gu|nunt concepts. The best practicable means are defined by technical
f easibility and economic viabitity. Theref ore, thq installation of in-plant control
equpment and the adoption of control rneasures would limit Lhe discharge of pollutants
to a certain level but not necessarily totally eliminate it, and as much as 5% to l0% of
the "residual pollutants'r may still be discharged into the envitonment from each
polluting source. The provision of buffer zones would isolate the people from the
impact ereas.
(ii) Reduced cct of control meaaures
As the degree of control becomes rnore stringent, the cost increases exPonentially' If
the polluti-ng source could be located well away from populated areas, control measures
need not be as stringent as would otherwise be necessary' In the ultimate analysis
pollution control cost -sre borne by the consuners, hence the reduction of control eosts
wouldreducetheburdenonthepeopleandthecountryasawhole'
(iii) More effieient end effective infrestructure planning
The provision of various zones for housing, hrffeis, and compatible industries would
help to lower the cost of infras[ructure cJch as commuting routes, sanitary services,
centralized treatment systems for industries, water and electricity sjpplies' wsBer
recycling Plantsr etc.
Under the proposed Environmental Impact Assessnent Procedure, which is currently
being refined by'the Division of Environment for submission to the Cabinet Committee on
Investment, projects with high potential impact will require an assessment to be sr'rbmitted to
the Ministry for review. lriitiators of the project will be required to describe the various
environmental and pollution impacts which can be foreseen and quantified so that steps may
be taken in advance to plan to control or miLigate their environmental consequences'
The advantages of the Environmental lnpact Assessrnent ere self -evident. While the
primary goal of thJ environmental impact assessrrnnt is to determine the impact of a project
on [he- sulrounding environment, it also sarves the following purposes:
(i) The findings of an impact essessrnent may be utilized in selecting the site for a project
r,rfiere ihe resulting advense environmentel impact and the associated cost of
implementing control rneasures to reduce the impact will be minimized, and the
hoped-for benef its rnaximi zed.
(ii) With regard to existing facilities, the assessrnent will help to determine the actual need
for and extent of control required.
(iii) The environmental consequencee of an aetivity will be disclosed to government
agencies, and to the public if and when necessary'
Tfe Guidelines for selection of sites for solid waste disposal and man€gement of site
ere intended to help the various Lcal Authorities to avoid haphazard selection and
rnanagernent of waste disposal sites disregarding environmental factors.
The problems of soil erosion and eiltation can mty be overcome by employing ruitable
controls and preventive measures' especially at the planning stege of ^a project, whether for
alricutfure, mining, housing, road eonstru"lion or logging' The guidelines for prevention of
eiosion and siltati-on contaii well-defined and precise specifications for prevenLive measures
to eontrol siltation, such as silt traps and other ppropriate control structures'