Buffers

The buffer zone represents an area or distance which is to be found outside of the
property boundary of the project or proposed activity. Acceptability of the buffer zone is
approved by the Local Authorities or the Land Authorities and for purposes of meeting the
requirements for approval of the site depends on the land uses and activities which occur or
are planned for the area. Buffer zones are not zones of zero-use, to be left as green areas or
neutral areas not to be developed. Rather, they are zones where use restrictions apply.
Examples of buffer zones are as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.

roads and road reserves,

car parks,
drains and drain reserves,
rivers and riparian reserves,
soil conservation and slope protection areas,
lakes and other natural open water systems,
forests
sports facilities,
agriculture areas,
warehouse, light and service industries, and cottage industries

Risks of Toxic Clouds, Fire and Explosion

The outer boundary of the buffer zone and human settlements should be outside of the
hazard distances of the project site. Any hazards should be containable within the premise
and will not spread over the buffer zone. It also should accounts for traffic jam scenarios
which could occur in the vicinity.
Access
The accessibility must be made for easy entry and exit of raw material, product and waste
transportation vehicles while avoiding all weather access roads (unpaved roads). Utilization
of secondary roads is also undesirable because of noise impacts and traffic congestion on
routes not designed for heavy trucks. Besides that, the timing of construction must be paid to
avoid peak traffic periods.

REFERENCES

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Procedure and Requirements in Malaysia.

Revised, October, 2007
2. Guidelines for Siting and Zoning of Industry and Residential Areas. Department of
Environment Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia. Second
Revised Edition, October 2012.
3. Pacifica F. Achieng Ogolo. Environmental Impact Assessment General Procedures.
4. Ahmad Y. J. and Sammy G. K., 1987: Guidelines to Environmental Impact
Assessment in Developing Countries, UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No.
85, UNEP, 1987.
5. European Commission, 1999: Guidelines for the Assessment of Indirect and
Cumulative Impacts as well as Impact Interactions. Luxembourg, 172pp
6. International Association for Impact Assessment, 1999: Principles of Environmental
Impact Assessment Best Practice, UK. 20pp
7. Lee N., 1995: Environmental Assessment in European Union: a tenth anniversary
project appraisal 7: pp 123-136.
8. Modak P. & Biswas A. K., 1999: Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment for
Developing Countries, United Nations University press.
9. Morris P and Therivel R., (eds), 1995: Methods of environmental impact assessment,

UCL press, London.