Mitigation Hierarchy

The Mitigation Hierarchy is a structured approach used to reduce environmental impacts from projects or activities. It follows a prioritized sequence: First, avoid harm by not undertaking activities in sensitive areas. If avoidance isn't possible, then minimize the impact through careful planning. If some impact remains, the next step is to rehabilitate or restore the affected environment. Finally, if there are still residual impacts, compensate for them through offset measures, such as protecting other natural areas. This hierarchy helps ensure that environmental protections are taken seriously and effectively integrated into decision-making processes.