Use of Local Knowledge in Impact Assessment

While local knowledge matters in impact assessment, it is also important to identify issues and concerns, which given budgetary and time constraints, could be addressed more meaningfully through such knowledge. This paper, through a review of certain development projects, illustrates the specific advantages of drawing on local knowledge for design and implementation of projects. The examples cited point to a substantial gain in terms of richness of analysis and cost reduction. However, local knowledge from different sources needs to be tapped more efficiently.