Transmission Component)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Transmission Component) Environmental Impact Assessment (Draft) August 2014 (Updated: November 2014) BHU: Second Green Power Development Project (Part B: Transmission Component) Prepared by Druk Green Power Corporation Limited and Tangsibji Hydro Energy Limited for the Asian Development Bank The environmental impact assessment report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. NIKACHHU HYDROPOWER PROJECT, BHUTAN (118 MW) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR 132 kV TRANSMISSION LINE FROM NIKACHHU POTHEAD YARD TO MANGDECHHU POTHEAD YARD- 2014 Prepared for: Prepared by: Druk Green Power Corporation Limited and Tangsibji Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) Hydro Energy Limited (THyE) Taba, Post Box: 955, Thimphu Thori Lam, Thimphu (revised by PWC Consultants) Bhutan Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 10 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 24 1.1 Background................................................................................................................. 24 1.2 Purpose of the report .................................................................................................. 24 1.3 Extent and scope of the study ..................................................................................... 24 1.4 Structure of the Report ................................................................................................ 25 2 Policy, Legal, and Administrative Framework ..................................................................... 27 2.1 National Laws and Regulations ................................................................................... 27 2.2 Applicable Guidelines and Standards.......................................................................... 32 3 Description of the Project ................................................................................................... 36 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 36 3.2 Description of the Transmission Line .......................................................................... 38 3.2.1 Project Ancillaries ............................................................................................... .45 3.2.2 Land Required for the Project ............................................................................. ;46 3.2.3 Construction Power Requirements .......................................................................47 3.2.4 Water Supply Requirement ..................................................................................48 3.2.5 Requirements for Raw Materials/Construction Materials ......................................49 3.3 Construction Activities and Schedule .......................................................................... 50 3.4 Work Implementation and Staffing Requirement ......................................................... 51 4 Analysis of Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 54 5 Description of the Environment .......................................................................................... 56 5.1 Physical Resources .................................................................................................... 56 5.1.1 Location ...............................................................................................................56 5.1.2 Topography, Geology and Soils ...........................................................................59 5.1.3 Climate ................................................................................................................62 5.1.4 Air Quality ............................................................................................................64 5.1.5 Noise ...................................................................................................................68 5.1.6 Surface Water ......................................................................................................69 5.1.7 Ground Water ......................................................................................................73 5.2 Ecological Resources ................................................................................................. 74 5.2.1 Protected Areas ...................................................................................................74 1 5.2.2 Forest and Vegetation ..........................................................................................75 Vegetation Types in Bhutan ...............................................................................................75 5.2.3 Wildlife .................................................................................................................85 Graph 5.5: Percentage of plots with wildlife signs in them ..................................................85 5.2.4 Birds ....................................................................................................................87 5.2.5 Amphibians and Reptiles .....................................................................................88 5.3 Economic development ............................................................................................... 89 5.3.1 Land Use, Industry and Agriculture ......................................................................89 5.3.2 Infrastructure........................................................................................................93 5.3.3 Transportation ......................................................................................................94 5.3.4 Tourism Industry ..................................................................................................94 5.4 Social and Cultural Resources .................................................................................... 95 5.4.1 Demography ........................................................................................................95 5.4.2 Health and Education ...........................................................................................96 5.4.3 History and Culture ..............................................................................................97 6 Anticipated Project Impacts ................................................................................................ 99 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 99 6.2 Determining the degree of potential impacts ............................................................... 99 6.3 Impacts during Pre-Construction ............................................................................... 101 6.3.1 Economic Impacts ............................................................................................. 101 6.3.2 Employment Opportunities ................................................................................. 102 6.3.3 Mobilization of Construction Equipment and Materials ....................................... 103 6.3.4 Environmental Impacts ...................................................................................... 106 6.4 Impacts during construction phase ............................................................................ 107 6.4.1 Economic Impacts ............................................................................................. 108 6.4.2 Social Impacts ................................................................................................... 108 6.4.3 Environmental Impacts ...................................................................................... 109 6.4.3.5 Risk of slope instability ................................................................................... 112 6.4.3.6 Impacts on community forest .......................................................................... 112 6.4.3.7 Impact on surface waters ............................................................................... 112 6.4.3.8 Impacts from improper storage of fuel ............................................................ 113 6.4.3.9 Impacts from improper closure of project work sites ....................................... 113 2 6.5 Impacts during Operation Phase ............................................................................... 113 6.5.1 Economic Impacts: Decrease in income opportunities ....................................... 113 6.5.2 Social Impacts ................................................................................................... 113 6.5.3 Environmental Impacts ...................................................................................... 114 6.5.4 Electrocution of raptors and other large birds ..................................................... 115 7 Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan ............................................................. 116 7.2 Employment opportunities ..................................................................................... 117 7.3 Management of impacts from mobilization of equipment, construction materials and their storage ....................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Promoting Clean Energy Development in Bhutan (Financed by the Government of Norway)
    Technical Assistance Report Project Number: 47275 Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance (PATA) March 2014 Kingdom of Bhutan: Promoting Clean Energy Development in Bhutan (Financed by the Government of Norway) The views expressed herein are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s members, Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 6 January 2014) Currency unit – Norwegian krone/kroner (NKr) NKr1.00 = $0.1621 $1.00 = NKr6.1682 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank DHPS – Department of Hydropower and Power Systems DRE – Department of Renewable Energy JCG – joint consultation group MRV – measurement, reporting, and verification MW – megawatt NAMA – nationally appropriate mitigation action NEC – National Environment Commission PMU – program management unit TA – technical assistance TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CLASSIFICATION Type – Policy and advisory technical assistance (PATA) Targeting – General intervention classification Sector (subsectors) – Energy (renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, large hydropower) Themes (subthemes) – Environmental sustainability (eco-efficiency, environmental policy and legislation); social development (human development); capacity development (institutional development); private sector development (a conducive policy and institutional environment) Climate change – Climate change mitigation Location (impact) – National (high), urban (low), rural (low) Partnership – Government of Norway, Energy+ Partnership,
    [Show full text]
  • 6 Dzongs of Bhutan - Architecture and Significance of These Fortresses
    6 Dzongs of Bhutan - Architecture and Significance of These Fortresses Nestled in the great Himalayas, Bhutan has long been the significance of happiness and peace. The first things that come to one's mind when talking about Bhutan are probably the architectures, the closeness to nature and its strong association with the Buddhist culture. And it is just to say that a huge part of the country's architecture has a strong Buddhist influence. One such distinctive architecture that you will see all around Bhutan are the Dzongs, they are beautiful and hold a very important religious position in the country. Let's talk more about the Dzongs in Bhutan. What are the Bhutanese Dzongs? Wangdue Phodrang Dzong in Bhutan (Source) Dzongs can be literally translated to fortress and they represent the majestic fortresses that adorn every corner of Bhutan. Dzong are generally a representation of victory and power when they were built in ancient times to represent the stronghold of Buddhism. They also represent the principal seat for Buddhist school responsible for propagating the ideas of the religion. Importance of Dzongs in Bhutan Rinpung Dzong in Paro, home to the government administrative offices and monastic body of the district (Source) The dzongs in Bhutan serve several purposes. The two main purposes that these dzongs serve are administrative and religious purposes. A part of the building is dedicated for the administrative purposes and a part of the building to the monks for religious purposes. Generally, this distinction is made within the same room from where both administrative and religious activities are conducted.
    [Show full text]
  • Monpas of Black Mountain Forest of Bhutan: a Study of Socio-Cultural Sensibility and Transition
    The Himalayan Review 37 (2006) 39-52 39 Monpas of Black Mountain Forest of Bhutan: A Study of Socio-Cultural Sensibility and Transition Raghubir Chand, Ph.D. [email protected] Abstract One small, isolated and less assimilated tribal stock inhabited at the Black Mountain forest of central Bhutan is identifi ed as Monpas. These people are certainly different than the Mon race that is spread out in various parts of the Himalaya. The Monpas of Bhutan possess their distinct identity with pre- Buddhist ethnic beliefs and often described as the aboriginal indigenous inhabitants of the country. A sharper focus on the internal life of Monpas, however, reveals that they have an integral social relation with mountains and the forests. They are not yet properly explored and there exists an urgent quest to bring them to national mainstream in on going development context of Bhutan. This fascinating fi eld based investigation being fi rst research attempt in Monpas of Bhutan so far, has a direct relevance to the basic objective of promoting the understanding of society and environmental interaction of mountain communities of this very less known part of the Himalaya. Key words: Tribal, indigenous, mountains, society, environment, interaction, relevance The Monpas and Monyul The history of Monpas is deeply wrapped in the mystery of the past because of the number of reasons. Before the advent of the Drukpa school of Buddhism founded in the 12th century A.D. in Bhutan, the Tibetans called Bhutan as the Lhomon or Monyul. In the Tibetan dictionaries, the word Mon is defi ned as the general name for different nations and tribes living between Tibet and Indian plains who from remote antiquity have lived by hunting.
    [Show full text]
  • 5-Day Tour Programme Contact Person: Ms. Karma Choden Email: [email protected]
    www.intourbhutan.com Zomlha Building (P.O Box 01645) Thimphu 11001, Bhutan Telefax: 00975-2-328001 Mobile: 00975-1711 8812 5-Day Tour Programme Contact person: Ms. Karma Choden Email: [email protected] Day-by-day Travel Itinerary (Summary) Day Places Places to be visited Associated activities 1. Kuensel Phodrang ( Buddha Visit to 13 traditional arts and crafts, point) the institute of Zorig Chusum. Visit 2. Memorial Choeten (stupa) the centenary farmer’s market Day one Thimphu (weekend vegetable market). Visit Tashichhoe Dzong and witness the 3. Folk Heritage Museum fortress get adorned with special light design as dusk falls. 1. Dochula pass Visit one of the longest suspension bridge nearby Dzong and experience a Day two Punakha “walk to remember” along the bridge. 2. Punakha Dzong Experience river rafting in Phochu river. 1. Visit Chimmi Lhakhang In the evening at the home stay, Day three Punakha experience the traditional cooking 2. Phobjikha valley style and ara (local alcohol) making. In the evening, at the hotel, invite the folk dancers and experience the Day four Wangdue/Paro 1. Visit Bajo town cultural program (traditional cultural dance and mask dance). Day five Paro 1. Hike to Taktsang Day six Paro Drop the guest at the Airport Detail day-by-day itinerary Day 01: Arrive Paro (2250m) & transfer to Thimphu (2350m) Before landing, enjoy the views over the clear blue waters of Paro River and the lush green foliage of the breath taking Himalayas. The distance of about 55kms from paro town and about 50km from airport takes around one hour excluding the stops to Thimphu.
    [Show full text]
  • UN System in Bhutan and Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
    UN System in Bhutan and Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs Joint Monitoring Mission Report (18 September Earthquake) Samtse, Chukha, Haa and Paro 26-29 February 2012 1. Background The September 18th Sikkim earthquake affected several families and public activities in Bhutan causing damages to homes and community infrastructures. The earthquake resulted in 15 casualties, including one fatality. All dzongkhags in Bhutan suffered varying degrees of damages to homes, social infrastructure, including health and educational facilities, administrative offices, dzongs, lhakhangs and choetens. A Joint Rapid Assessment Team composed of members from RGoB (DDM-MoHCA, Doc-MoHCA, MoE, MoH), UN System (UNDP BCPR, UN OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and WHO) and World Bank undertook field assessment on 6-12 October in Paro, Haa, Chukha and Samtse (the most affected districts). The assessment estimated that 62 percent of all residential structure damaged and over 87 percent of residential structure damaged beyond repair were in Haa, Paro, Chukha and Samtse Dzongkhags.1 The majority of the damages to 12 Dzongs, 320 Lhakhangs, 111 Chortens, 110 schools, 36 hospitals/BHUs/ORCs, 27 RNR Centers and 40 Geog Centers/Gups Offices were located in these most affected dzongkhags. All casualties took place in Haa and Chukha Dzongkhags. The People’s Welfare Office of His Majesty (Gyalpoi Zimpon’s Office), RGoB, local administrations, RBA and doesung/volunteers provided support to the affected families in forms of kidu grant, food, timber, transportation and workforce, especially in erecting temporary shelters. In response to the RGoB’s appeal to the UN System for immediate support of CGI-sheets, winterized school tents for schools and dignity kits on 22 September 2011, the UN system in Bhutan mobilized emergency cash grant of US$ 50,000 (UNOCHA), US$ 1.6 mln.(CERF-Rapid Response Grant) and US$ 75,000 (UNDP-BCPR Trac 1.1.3.).
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Public Accounts Committee (Pac), to the First Session of the 2 Parliament
    20th September, 2013 RREEPPOORRTT OOFF TTHHEE PPUUBBLLIICC AACCCCOOUUNNTTSS CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE ((PPAACC)),, TTOO TTHHEE FFIIRRSSTT SSEESSSSIIOONN OOFF TTHHEE 22NNDD PPAARRLLIIAAMMEENNTT Committee Members: 1. Tharchen (NC MP-Trongsa Dzongkhag), CHAIRPERSON; 2. Yogesh Tamang (NA MP- Kilkhorthang-Mendrelgang Constituency) DY. CHAIRPERSON; 3. Choida Jamtsho (NA MP-Nganglam-Pemagatshel) Member; 4. Karma Tenzin (NA MP-Wamrong, Trashigang), Member; 5. Karma Damcho Nidup (NC MP-Eminent), Member TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 2. REVIEW REPORTS OF ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 ...... 2 2.1. Review Report of AAR 2008 ................................................................................................ 2 2.2. Review Report of AAR 2009 ................................................................................................ 3 2.3. Review Report of AAR 2010 ................................................................................................ 4 2.4. Review Report of AAR 20111 .............................................................................................. 6 3. ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT 2012 ............................................................................................. 14 3.1. Accomplishment of Royal Audit Authority ........................................................................ 14 3.2 Audit Findings ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Destination Haa: Tourism Action Plan (2018-2023)
    DESTINATION HAA: TOURISM ACTION PLAN (2018-2023) DZONGKHAG ADMINISTRATION, HAA Destination Haa: Tourism Action Plan (2018-2023) Dzongkhag Administration, Haa May 2018 Table of Contents Foreword v Acknowledgements vii Summary viii Part 1: The context 1 1.1 Background to Tourism Development in Bhutan 1 1.1.1 Tourism Development Approach 1 1.1.2 Bhutan's Attractions 3 1.1.3 Bhutan’s Tourism Market 3 1.2 Introduction – Haa 6 1.3 Status of Tourism Development in Haa 8 1.3.1 Haa's Attractions 10 1.3.2 SWOT analysis of Tourism Development in Haa 13 1.3.3 Challenges 14 Part 2: Framing Sustainable Tourism 16 2.1 Understanding Sustainable Tourism 16 2.2 Sustainable Tourism and its Sustainability Dimensions 17 Part 3: The Action Plan 20 3.1 Vision of Haa: Towards Sustainable Tourism Development 20 3.2 Thematic Areas for Development 23 3.2.1 Destination Development 23 3.2.2 Destination Marketing 24 3.3.3 Destination Management 24 3.3 Implementation/Activity Plan 27 List of Tables Table 1: Top 20 market sources in 2016 based on total leisure travels 5 Table 2: Geographical size, household and population of the Gewogs of Haa 7 Table 3: 2017 Visitor arrivals of Haa in comparison to the other Dzongkhags 9 Table 4: Attractions of Haa 11 Table 5: List of existing trek routes and condition 12 Table 6: Tourism development – risks and opportunities for three dimensions of sustainability 18 Table 7: Recommended members for tourism representation 26 List of Figures Figure 1: Tourists by primary purpose of visit to Bhutan 3 Figure2: Growth in International arrivals
    [Show full text]
  • Figure 7. Economic Density Across Bhutan (Proxied by Nighttime Lights, VIIRS 2015)
    Bhutan Urban Policy Notes Regional Development and Economic Transformation Contents Public Disclosure Authorized a. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 4 b. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 8 c. Bhutan’s Development Trajectory ........................................................................................................... 8 d. Current Institutions and Policy Framework for Regional Development .............................................. 9 e. Spatial Transformation in Global Perspective ...................................................................................... 12 I. Territorial Development Trends in Bhutan ........................................................................................... 13 a. Urbanization: Bhutan’s Leading Cities are Creating Opportunities .................................................. 13 b. Job Creation and Structural Transformation ....................................................................................... 18 c. Regional Markets and Economic Geography ........................................................................................ 19 Public Disclosure Authorized d. Structural transformation and economic geography ............................................................................ 21 e. Spatial Dimensions of Poverty
    [Show full text]
  • Education in Emergency ADAPTED CURRICULUM & PRIORITIZED CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 3: Classes
    Education in Emergency ADAPTED CURRICULUM & PRIORITIZED CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 3: Classes VII - VIII May 2020 Ministry of Education Royal Education Council Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment 1 Published by @MoE, REC & BCSEA 2020 Acknowledgment This curriculum resource is a joint effort of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Royal Education Council (REC) and the Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) towards facilitating the continuity of learning of our students under the emergency of COVID 19 virus pandemic. This venture would not have materialized without the participation and contribution of various key players in the field of education. We commend the voluntary contribution of teachers from different schools in terms of their professional input in outlining and sequencing of curriculum content and learning objectives. In this hour of emergency, we are thankful to our development partners like UNICEF, HELVETES, Save the Children for their continued support both professionally and financially. The education fraternity remains hopeful that our students gain the optimum benefit from the generous gesture and help us take education to greater heights in realising the national purpose of education. Above all, the wisdom and blessing of the Government has been the impetus, which proved vital in rolling out numerous EiE programs and activities. Without the full support of policy makers and professionals in the country, there is little hope that the EiE outcomes are translated and materialized to fruition. ISBN: …………………….. 2 FOREWORD The detection of the first COVID-19 case on 5th March 2020 resulted in closure of schools and institutes in the proximal zone of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Project Report English Pdf 73.95 KB
    CEPF FINAL PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT I. BASIC DATA Organization Legal Name : Norden Pines Project Title : Production of Alternative Fuel from Sawdust and other Wood Waste by Using Briquetting Technology Implementation Partners for this Project : CEPF is the Co-financer in the project establishment. No Partners in the project implementation. Project Dates : July 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008 Date of Report : 28th February, 2009 II. OPENING REMARKS Bhutan is a small landlocked Kingdom in the Eastern Himalayas. Bumthang is one of the twenty Dzongkhags (districts) located in the North Central part of the country. Its location at a relatively higher altitude means that the homes need to be heated - especially during the cold winter months. In Bhutan, fuel wood has been the traditional source of heating homes as well as for cooking. Therefore, the country has one of the highest per capita fuel wood consumption in the world and Bumthang is one of the highest consumers of fuel wood in Bhutan. In modern times, Bumthang has emerged as the most preferred destination for tourists. Consequently, Bumthang has seen the establishment of a large number of tourist related services such as lodges and hotels, creation of trekking routes etc. All this translated into increased demand for timber - for use as fuel wood and as construction material. This is a serious challenge to the country’s conservation efforts. The Constitution of the Kingdom, the National Environment Protection Act, 2007 and the Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 mandates that 60% of the country’s total land area should be maintained under forest cover at all times.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ethnography of Pre-Buddhist Bon Religious Practices in Central Bhutan
    Contested past, challenging future: an ethnography of pre-Buddhist Bon religious practices in central Bhutan Kelzang (Tingdzin) Tashi March 2020 A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The School of Archaeology and Anthropology The Australian National University © Copyright by Kelzang (Tingdzin) Tashi 2020 All Rights Reserved Declaration This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university. Except where due reference is made in the text, this work is the result of research carried out by the author. ——————————————— Kelzang (Tingdzin) Tashi March 2020 iii Acknowledgements This dissertation would not have come to fruition without the support and generosity of a number of people, who helped me at different stages of working on this four-year doctoral project. It is first and foremost to the people of Goleng that I owe a deep and lasting debt of gratitude for their kindness and hospitality during the period of 12-month fieldwork. They treated me as if I was one of their family members and tolerated my intrusion into their annual rites and everyday rituals which often took place in the face of difficult and serious situations. My sincere thanks to the village headman Ugyen Penjore who introduced me to Tsultrim Wangmo and her brilliant son Sangay Dorji. She was the first Golengpa to welcome me to her house and subsequently became my generous host, while her son helped me as a long-term research assistant before resuming his post-secondary studies. Thanks are also due to Dechen Wangdi, Kinzang Wangchuck, Jambay Tshering, Ugyen Dema, Jambay Kelzang, Tshering Dorji, Kinley Wangdi, Kinley Yangzom, Kinely Namgyal, Dorji, Nima Tshering, and Kunley for their contributions to this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Getting Climate-Smart with the Royal Bengal Tiger in Bhutan: a Species and Climate Change Brief for the Vanishing Treasures Programme
    A SPECIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE BRIEF FOR THE VANISHING TREASURES PROGRAMME GETTING CLIMATE-SMART WITH THE IN BHUTAN Authors: Torjus Solheim Eckhoff, GRID-Arendal Hanna Gjerdi, GRID-Arendal Contributors: Tshering Tempa, Bhutan Tiger Centre Jessica Bitsch, UNEP Maarten Hofman, UNEP Björn Alfthan, GRID-Arendal Reviewers: Matthias Jurek, UNEP Susan Mutebi-Richards, UNEP Cover photo: iStock/Peerajit Citation: United Nations Environment Programme and GRID- Arendal (2020). Getting Climate-Smart with the Royal Bengal Tiger in Bhutan: A Species and Climate Change Brief for the Vanishing Treasures Programme. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme. Disclaimer The contents of this brief do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UN Environment Programme or contributory organisations. The designations employed and the presentation of material on any maps in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. GETTING CLIMATE-SMART WITH THE IN BHUTAN The goal of this information brief This brief is one of three in a series that also will be further explored and developed in the includes the mountain gorilla and the snow course of the Vanishing Treasures programme. leopard, produced under the Vanishing Treasures They do not, however, refer to the definitive programme. Its goal is to highlight how approach being taken by
    [Show full text]