The effectiveness of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in safeguarding the environment due to tourism development in coastal areas

Malaysia is now experiencing a rapid development of tourism project mushrooming in several tourism spots. The influx numbers of tourist has urged tourism developer to construct development projects. This issue raised concerns among environmentalists regarding its impact on the environment. Therefore, the main focus of this paper is the effectiveness of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EM) in safeguarding the environment due to tourism development in coastal areas. Environmental Impact Assessment (EM) is an enabling piece of legislation for preventing, abating and controlling pollution, and enhancing the environment, or for other related purposes. This paper starts with a brief introduction to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its role from the legal perspective. Can EIA be used to safeguard these coastal areas from the disruption of coastal areas, which damaged sea heritage like corals, fishes, flora and others related to it? Investigating the barriers to the implementation of the EIA will conclude the paper.