Mill Development Plan II (MDP II)

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT

Project Proponent

SESHASAYEE PAPER AND BOARDS LIMITED Erode, Tamil Nadu

April 2015

EIA Consultant Project Consultant

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited Parry House, 4th Floor, No.2, NSC Bose Road Esvin House, Perungudi, Chennai 600 001, Tamil Nadu Chennai 600096 ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Company [email protected] QCI Accredited EIA Consultant Organization www.spbpc.com

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT for Mill Development Plan - II (MDP - II) At Village Pallipalayam, District Namakkal, Tamil Nadu State M/s. Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited, Tamil Nadu

Project Proponent: M/s. Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited), District Erode, Tamil Nadu

DECLARATION BY EIA CONSULTANT

This EIA report has been prepared by Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited (CMSRSL), in line with EIA Notification, dated 14th September 2006, seeking prior environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.

This work has been undertaken in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the contract with the client, incorporating our General Terms & Conditions of Business and taking account of the resources devoted to it by agreement with the client.

We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above.

Further, this report is confidential to the client and the use of this report by unauthorized third parties without written authorization from CMSRSL shall be at their own risk.

For and on behalf of Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited

Approved by : N V Subba Rao

Sign :

Position : Chief Executive

Details of Experts/Consultants Engaged For This EIA Study

Sr. Name Role in the EIA Study No. 1. Mr V S Bhaskar EIA Coordinator – Pulp and Paper Industry Functional Area Expert - Meteorology, Air Quality Modelling and Prediction FAE - Water Pollution Monitoring, Prevention and Control FAE - Noise & Vibration 2. Mr D Ravishankar Functional Area Expert (FAE) - Air Pollution Monitoring, Prevention and Control FAE –Solid &Hazardous Waste Management 3. Mr N V Subba Rao FAE - Risk & Hazards Management 4. Mr J Rajendra Prasad FAE -Land use 5. Mr Vikrant A Kulkarni FAE -Ecology and Bio-diversity (EB) 6. Dr. Mangalam FAE – Socio-Economy Balasubramaniam 7. Mr Mugundan AFAE - Meteorology, Air Quality Modelling and Prediction 8. Mr P Ramesh AFAE - Air Pollution Monitoring, Prevention and Control 9. Ms. Sathya S Team Member 10. Mr. Harsh Yadav Team Member 11. Mr C S Karthick AFAE - Socio-Economy 12. Environmental Monitoring M/s. CVR Labs Pvt. Limited, Chennai Agency Engaged for Air, Water, Soil and Noise sampling & Analysis

Name Role Signature

Mr N V Subba Rao Chief Executive

EIA Co-ordinator and Mr V S Bhaskar Functional Area Expert

Mr D Ravishankar Functional Area Expert

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II)

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

CHAPTER # TITLE PAGE #

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 Preamble ...... 2 1.2 Proposed Project ...... 2 1.3 Need for the EIA Study ...... 3 1.4 EIA Study ...... 3 1.5 Environmental Setting of the SPB Mill site ...... 4

2 OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASPECTS IN THE EXISTING FACILITY ...... 6

3 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION ...... 6 3.1 Land for the proposed Mill Development Plan ...... 7 3.2 Materials and Resources Requirement ...... 9

4 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE ENVIRONMENT ...... 11 4.1 Site Specific Meteorology Conditions ...... 11 4.2 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring ...... 11 4.3 Water Environment...... 12 4.4 Noise Level Survey ...... 12 4.5 Soil Environment ...... 12 4.6 Flora and Fauna Studies ...... 12 4.7 Socio-Economic Environment ...... 13

5 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ....14 5.1 Impact during Construction Phase...... 14 5.2 Impact during Operation Phase ...... 14 5.3 Predicted Ground Level Concentration ...... 15 5.4 Fugitive Emissions and Associated Environmental Impacts ...... 15 5.5 Noise Emissions and Control ...... 15 5.6 Impacts on the Water Environment...... 16 5.7 Environmental Risks due to Storage and Handling of Solid and Hazardous Wastes 16 5.8 Soil and Groundwater Quality Related Impacts ...... 16 5.9 Impacts on Ecological and Biological Environment ...... 17

6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 17 6.1 Air Quality Management...... 17 6.2 Wastewater Management ...... 18 6.3 Solid Waste Management...... 19 6.4 Green Cover Development ...... 19 6.5 Community Development Plan under CSR Programs...... 20 6.6 Budget for Environmental Measures ...... 21 7. ADDITIONAL STUDIES ...... 22 7.1. Public Consultation...... 22 7.2. Risk Assessment & Mitigation Measures ...... 23 8 PROJECT BENEFITS ...... 23 9 CONCLUSIONS ...... 23

Prepared by & ES-1 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II)

Executive Summary

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Preamble

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPB) the flagship company belonging to ‘SPB-ESVIN GROUP’ operates an integrated pulp and paper mill at Pallipalayam Erode – 638 007, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu.

SPB commenced commercial operation in December 1962 with a capacity to produce 20,000 tpa of printing and writing grades of paper with two paper machines. In the year 1968 the mill expanded the capacity to 35,000 tpa by adding a 3rd paper machine viz., Yankee machine to produce light weight posters. Again in 1978 the mill added a 4th paper machine and expanded the capacity to 60,000 tpa of paper.

In 1996, the company obtained Environmental Clearance (MoEF Ref: J- 11011/56/95-IA-II (I) dated 21.05.1996) to “modernise and expand the integrated pulp and paper mill from 60,000 tpa to 120,000 tpa” of paper. Based on this in 2001, the mill added paper machine #5 to increase production to 120,000 tpa.

Presently SPB, Erode unit produces about 120,000 tpa of paper.

1.2 Proposed Project

Now SPB proposes to expand by implementing Mill Development Plan II (MDP II).

MDP - II will comprise the following:

¾ Up-gradation of existing paper machines to produce 165,000 tpa of finished paper from 120000 tpa without installation of any new paper machine

¾ Up-gradation of existing Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleached wood pulp line capacity to 145,000 BD tpa from 115000 BD tpa

¾ Up-gradation of existing 35,000 BD tpa ECF bagasse pulp line (No change in capacity)

¾ Up-gradation of chemical recovery complex to process additional black liquor from pulp mill.

¾ Increase in Captive Power Plant (CPP) capacity by about 15 MW, to meet 100% power requirement of the Erode unit after MDP II and export surplus power.

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Executive Summary

¾ Up-gradation of Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to take care of the additional waste water load

¾ Up-gradation / augmentation of supporting utilities etc.

1.3 Need for the EIA Study

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests MoEF under Environment Protection Act 2006 paper and pulp industries (excluding manufacture of paper from waste paper) are required to obtain Environmental Clearance for any expansion or modernisation. In addition to this, any captive power plant with capacity greater than 5 MW also requires environmental clearance.

SPB submitted an application during May 2013 for prior Environmental Clearance to the MOEF,New Delhi. MOEF issued the terms of reference vide their letter ref:F.No.J-11011/194/2013-IA-II(I)Dt 15.10.2013 .Based on the terms of reference this EIA report has been prepared.

Since the proposed mill development involves manufacture of additional pulp, the subject project falls under category “A” under sector 5(i). In addition to this, it is proposed to Increase Captive Power Plant (CPP) from 40 MW to 55 MW by adding another 15 MW captive power plant within the Mill site, which falls under category “B” under sector 1(d) of the EIA Notification 2006. Since the proposed Mill site does not fall under any notified industrial area, public consultation has to be conducted as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.

1.4 EIA Study

The EIA study was undertaken during December 2013 – March 2014 covering all the aspects of the specific conditions mentioned in the T.O.R issued by MoEF.

EIA study was undertaken by M/s Cholamandalam MS Risk Services, a NABET accredited EIA consulting organization, with specific project related inputs required for undertaking the EIA studies obtained from SPB Projects and Consultancy Ltd (SPB-PC), Chennai. The risk assessment and disaster management plan have also been prepared to meet the eventualities during operation of proposed MDP II project of SPB at Pallipalayam Village, Tiruchengodu Taluk, Nammakal District, Tamil Nadu. The summary of the findings of the EIA study are presented in the subsequent sections of this document.

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Executive Summary

1.5 Environmental Setting of the SPB Mill site

The study area constitutes 10 km radius of the existing SPB Mill at Pallipalayam village. Figure 1 presents the existing SPB Mill site and the study area. The SPB mill area is located within the coordinates of 11°20'52.59’’N latitude and 77° 45'31.41’’E longitude and can be identified as per Topo sheet No.58 E/11 & 58 E/15. Details of environmental setting around the mill site and the study area are given in Table 1.

Table 1 Environmental Setting of the Mill Site and the Study Area S No. Particulars Details 1 Location: Village Odapalli 0.5 km SSE Taluk (Mandal) Tiruchengodu District Namakkal State Tamil Nadu 2 Latitude 11020’52.59” N 3 Longitude 77045’31.41” E 4 Elevation above mean sea level (MSL) 157 m Annual Max. Temp 34.2 oC Annual Min. Temp 23.4 oC Annual total rainfall 897.6 mm Climatic conditions as per IMD (Mettur Predominant wind direction Annually 5 Dam is the nearest meteorological SW is 1st predominant followed by NE station) during day time SE is also the 1st predominant followed by NE during night time 6 Present land use at the proposed site Industrial Land use National Highway (11.6 km, North) 7 Nearest Highway/Road State Highway (1.8 km, North) 8 Defence Installations None 9 Nearest railway station Erode 10 Nearest airport/air strip Coimbatore 100 km South West 11 Nearest village Odapalli 0.5 km 12 Nearest town Erode 3.0 km South West 13 Nearest river River Cauvery 0.5 km 14 Hills/valleys None 15 Archaeologically important places None Nearest place of Tourist/Religious 16 None importance Ecologically sensitive areas (National 17 Parks/Wildlife sanctuaries/bio-sphere None reserves) Reserved/Protected forests within 10 18 None km radius Ponni Sugars and Small and large 19 List of Industries Textile Industries in study area. 20 Topography of the plant site Plain Land 21 Nature of soil Mixed Soil Paddy - Food crop Floriculture, banana 22 Major Crops in the study area plantations, sugarcane and tapioca cultivation

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Executive Summary

Figure 1: Study Area Map – 10 Km Radius

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Executive Summary

2 OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASPECTS IN THE EXISTING FACILITY

Presently SPB, Erode unit produces about 120,000 tpa of paper, SPB has obtained Environmental Clearance (MoEF Ref: J-11011/56/95-IA-II (I) dated 21.05.1996) to “modernize and expand the integrated pulp and paper mill from 60,000 tpa to 120,000 tpa” of paper. The mill is regularly submitting the Environmental compliance report to the Regional Office, Bangalore of MOEF and SPB has complied with all conditions of the Environmental Clearance issued by MOEF for expanding capacity from 60000 tpa to 120000 tpa. The Mill has obtained Consent to Operate (CTO) vide No. M-II/30102/93/A dated, 08/07/96 under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and CTO No. M-II/30102/93/W dated, 08/07/96 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for Mill Development Plan I (MDP I). Extension of validity of Consent has also been obtained under Air and water Acts and the validity of the consents is up to 31st March 2014. SPB has also applied for renewal of consent for 2014-15.

3 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION

The proposed mill development Plan II (MDP II) is to enhance the paper production from 120,000 tpa to 165,000 tpa without installation of any new paper machine and bleached wood pulp production to 145,000 tpa.. In addition to this, it is proposed to increase Captive Power Plant (CPP) capacity from 40 MW to 55 MW by adding another 15 MW captive power plant within the mill site.

Overview of the proposed expansion project requirements are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Overview of the Proposed Expansion Project Requirements

Description Unit Existing Post Incremental Proposal capacity project capacity capacity Paper Machines Paper production tpa 120,000 165,000 45,000 Modernisation/ Upgradation/ Pulp Mill Wood Pulp BD tpa 115,500 145,000 29,500 Upgradation/ (bleached) modernisation Bagasse pulp BD tpa 35,000 35,000 -- No increase in (bleached) capacity O2 generation Nm³/h -- 400 400 New PCC plant tpd -- 100 100 New

Chemical Recovery Plant

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Executive Summary

Description Unit Existing Post Incremental Proposal capacity project capacity capacity Evaporation plant tph 200 250 50 Upgradation/ of water Augmentation evaporation Recovery Boiler tpd of black 630 950 320 Augmentation liquor solids and Addition of one more ESP for handling additional capacity Recausticising plant tpd of AA 200 200 -- Up gradation Lime kiln tpd of lime 200 200 -- No change Power plant -- Power Boiler (s) tph of steam 117 217 100 Addition of one more 100 tph boiler Turbo Generators MW of power 40 55 15 Addition of one 15 MW TG Water Treatment m³/day 50,000 50,000 -- Adequate to Plant handle the load RO/DM plant required for boiler will be added Wastewater m³/day 53,000 53,000 -- Up gradation Treatment

3.1 Land for the proposed Mill Development Plan

The exiting mill has total land of 82 acres, with vacant spaces and well covered with greenery. About 4 acres of land is required for the proposed mill development project. The vacant spaces available in the mill premises have been identified and found to be suitable and adequate to accommodate all the new facilities planned under MDP-II Land break-up for the existing and proposed expansion is given in the Table 3. The figure showing the proposed facilities is given in Figure 2

Table 3 Land Use Break-Up of the Existing and Proposed Plant

S.No Description Existing Area MDP II Area Total area after in Acres in Acres MDP II in Acres 1 Plant and Building 14.52 2.15 16.67 2 Storage yards 11.38 0.85 12.23 3 Guest house, hostel and 4.00 4.00 quarters 4 Road and pathways 5.10 5.10 5 Effluent treatment plant 4.00 0.20 4.20 6 Green belt 34.00 0.50 34.5 7 Open space 9.00 5.30 Total 82.00 3.70 82.00

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Figure-2: Proposed Project Facilities within the Existing Mill Area

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Executive Summary

3.2 Materials and Resources Requirement

3.2.1 Raw Materials

The raw materials required for the project are wood and bagasse. The average annual requirement of the raw materials is given in Table 4.

Table 4 Raw Materials Requirement

Raw material Unit Existing Post MDP II Incremental Bagasse (Depithed) BD tpa 57,800 57,800 -- Wood BD tpa 227,000 317,000 90,000

3.2.2 Fuels Requirement

Table 5 Fuel Requirement

Fuel Unit Existing Post MDP II Incremental

Furnace oil kl 6,920 9,170 2,250 Coal tpa 188,000 269,000 81,000

3.2.3 Water Requirement

The total water requirement post MDP II will be around 44,500 m³/day including recycled water (Recycling paper machine back water of 10,500 m³/day) and the fresh water requirement will be 34,000 m³/day. It is proposed to be drawn from Cauvery River and the mill has water drawl permission of 15 MGD (68,191 m³/day). The water requirement of the mill post MDP II is given in the following Table 6.

Table 6 Water Requirement for MDP II

S.No. Category Average daily requirement (in m³/day) Existing Post MDP II 1 Paper Machine 1-5 8,800 10,000 2 Bagasse Pulp mill 2,400 2,400 3 Hard wood pulp mill 7,500 10,300 4 Chemical recovery plant 3,000 3,800 5 Power plant 4,400 5,600 6 Miscellaneous 1,900 1,900 Fresh water requirement 28,000 34,000 Plus: Recycling paper machine back water 9,000 10,500 Total water requirement 37,000 44,500

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Executive Summary

3.2.4 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

The wastewater generated from the mill after MDP II is presented here under 1 Total waste water quantity : 29,800 m³/ day 2 Loss of water in sludge/cooling tower : 500 m³/day 3 Total treated waste water discharge : 29,300 m³/day 4 Treated effluent for irrigation : 29,300 m³/day

3.2.5 Solid Waste Generation and Disposal

The expected solid wastes generation in the proposed MDP II is non- hazardous in nature. The solid waste generation will be ash from chain grate boiler. In addition to this, there will be fibre sludge generation from the effluent treatment plant. The details of solid waste generation and quantities with disposal methods are given in Table 7.

Table 7 Post MDP II Solid Waste Generation and Disposal

S.No Source Quantity (as per Current Disposal Post MDP II plant record), tpd Method disposal method Existing Post MDP II 1 Wood dust/ 70 100 Sent to Tirunelveli unit, Sent to Tirunelveli Bark dust to be sold or used as unit, to be sold bio fuel in boiler or used as bio fuel in boiler 2 Primary 25 37 Sent to board making Sent to board clarifier sludge units making units 3 Secondary 2 5 Used as manure for Used as manure clarifier sludge greenbelt development for greenbelt development 4 Lime sludge 31 60 Used in lime kiln and Used in lime kiln balance sent to cement and balance sent industry to cement industry 5 Fly ash 12 24 Cement industry and Cement industry also used for making and also used for hollow blocks/ making hollow compressed bricks blocks/compresse d bricks

3.2.6 Project cost

The project is estimated to cost “300crores as per break up given below in Table 8..

Table 8 Project Cost

Sl. No Description Cost Rs in Crores 1 Civil Works 15 2 Plant & Machinery Cost (including erection and engineering) 255 3 Other Capitalisation Cost (pre operative expense, escalation and 30 contingency, start up expenses and interest during construction) Total 300

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Executive Summary

4 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

Primary baseline environmental monitoring studies were undertaken during December 2013 – March 2014 as per the ToR issued by MoEF. Summary of the baseline environmental study findings are presented in the following subsections.

4.1 Site Specific Meteorology Conditions

The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded during the study period are 33 oC and 21oC respectively. The relative humidity was found varying from 52% to 100%. The predominant winds are mostly from NE and E directions. No rainfall was recorded during study period. The sky was observed to be cloud free and clear during most part of the study period.

Site specific SODAR studies indicated that the hourly average mixing height pertaining to unstable Atmospheric Boundary layer during the day time (1000- 1700 hours) is seen to vary from a minimum of 564 m to a maximum of 1568 m. The average level is seen to be 1179±282 m during the study period. The maximum day time mixing height, around noon (1200-1400 hours) is seen to be more than 1 km on several days which is good for winter. The elevated inversion is also seen on few days during this period. Site specific meteorological data was adopted in predicting the ground level concentrations of pollutants due to emissions from co-generation power plant stack.

4.2 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality monitoring at eight locations was undertaken during the study period as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. The summary of the 2nd highest background concentrations of particulate matter

(PM10), particulate matter (PM2.5), Sulphur dioxide (SOx) and Oxides of Nitrogen

(NO2) are presented in Table 9. The results of the monitored data indicate that the average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the entire study area are within the NAAQs.

Concentration of other stipulated pollutants were reported to be well within the National Ambient Air Quality standards of CPCB.

Table 9 Summary of Ambient Air Quality in the Study Area

Pollutant PM 10 PM 2.5 SOx NO2 Concentration range 57.7 – 69.4 28.5 – 32.8 14.5 - 18 29.1 – 35.5 - Pg/m3

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Executive Summary

4.3 Water Environment

To assess the water quality of the study area, water sample was collected from Cauvery River at 3 locations i.e. near the existing mill, upstream and downstream.

The pH of Cauvery river water is found to be alkaline in nature along the river stretch. This may be due to the contamination of the river water in the upstream due to the waste water discharge from the small scale dyeing units and tanneries and Public sewage. The TDS varies in the range of 240 mg/l to 264 mg/l. The Heavy metals concentration is well within the drinking water quality standards. Bacteriological studies reveal that Coliform bacteria are higher than the limit specified in IS 10500:2012.

4.4 Noise Level Survey

Day time and night time noise levels at residential areas in the study area was found to be varying from 49.9 to 62.8 dB (A) and 53.2 dB(A) to 60.7 dB(A) respectively. Noise level at industrial area i.e. SPB plant was found to be 59.5 to 65.7 dB (A) which is within the CPCB limits for industrial areas.

Noise monitoring was also carried out at Erode town where noise levels were found to be 62.7 dB (A) and 64.9 dB (A) it was observed to be higher than the limit for commercial area during night time.

4.5 Soil Environment

The soils in the study area are mostly sandy clay loam, sandy loam and loam type. The pH of the soil extracts varied from 6.86 to 8.19. Based on soil pH the soils can be classified into moderately alkaline type.

The concentration of chlorides and sulphates varied from 193 mg/kg to 723 mg/kg and 5758 mg/kg in Vendipalayam and 41 mg/kg to 135 mg/kg and 7530 mg/kg in Vendipalayam respectively. Available phosphorus level in the soil was found ranged from 81mg/kg to 386 mg/kg. The test result indicated that the soils are free from any oil contamination.

4.6 Flora and Fauna Studies

The flora of study area was represented by agriculture crops over large area. Major area in the vicinity of project site was sugarcane farms. However, thick greenbelt inside paper mill exhibited diverse flora. Dry land beyond lift irrigation area sustained mostly xerophytic floSPB Ltd has developed nearly 35 acres of thick green cover inside and around existing paper mill. Dominant species planted in greenbelt are Eucalyptus, Casuarina equisetifolia, Sinaruga sp, Leusiana sp, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Azadiracta indica, Delonix regia,

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Executive Summary

Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Ficus spp, Melia dubia, Thespesia populnea, Polyalthia longifolia, Palms and Bougainvilla.

Overall 35 species of birds were recorded from entire study area during this survey period. Majority of species were recorded from greenbelt. Large number of water bodies over entire area, sustained rich diversity of birds. Number of water bird species observed could be attributed to availability of suitable nesting and roosting sites inside greenbelt. No migratory species were recorded during this study.

Species like Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cormorants, Indian Shag, Red vented Bulbul, House sparrow and Myna were dominantly observed from study area. Little Cormorant, Parakits, Wablers, Sunbird, Kingfishers and Cuckoo were common while species like black winged kite and oriole were rarely observed.

In the agriculture areas, large numbers of Bee-eaters, Mynas and Drongos were observed along with Hoopoes. No critically endangered or Schedule I species were sighted from this region. However, villagers confirmed the presence of Indian Peafowl (Schedule I) from study area.

4.7 Socio-Economic Environment

Since the proposed project is an expansion project within the existing plant area, the project doesn’t require any additional land. Hence rehabilitation and resettlement of people is not envisaged. Although the proposed project does not displace any human settlement, for purpose of the establishing the background socioeconomic conditions of the study area, the human settlements falling within the buffer zone of 10 km radius from the project site have been considered for mapping socioeconomic aspects. Survey was undertaken in March 2014. The study area consists of 44 human settlements including one Municipal Corporation of Erode, of which 15 settlements of Erode municipal corporation are within 5 Km of the plant boundary, the other 29 human settlement are within 10 km. Cumulative population in the study area is 7,78,623 with 3,91,431 males and 3,87,192 females. Sex ratio in the study area was 989 females for 1000 Males. The Sex ratio of children’s below 6 year of age was about 952. Population density of Namakkal and Erode district is 391 and 505 per square kilometre respectively. The Cumulative of Vulnerable population such as BPL was 10,859; Scheduled Caste was 97,892 and 934 ST population in the study area. Within the study area there are no important archaeological sites

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Executive Summary

Economic condition in the villages near the SPB mill have improved since the inception of the mill due to increased agriculture activities attributable to the availability of treated wastewater from the mill for irrigation.

5 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

5.1 Impact during Construction Phase

The environmental impacts during the construction stage will be short term, temporary in nature and will be confined very close to project site. The manpower required for these activities should preferably be employed from nearby villages.

Construction work will provide work to a number of people both directly and indirectly. Approximately 400 people on an average peak day will be employed for a period of about 10 to 12 months. This will be beneficial to the local economy.

5.2 Impact during Operation Phase

5.2.1 Point Source and Associated Environmental Impacts

The major pollutants envisaged from post MDP II will be Particulate Matter

(PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). The emission sources proposed are co-generation plant boiler, existing chemical recovery boiler and existing lime kiln unit. In addition to the existing facilities, additional electrostatic precipitators (dust collection systems) will be installed in the captive power plant and recovery boiler units. Tall stacks will be designed as per the CPCB guidelines to achieve better dispersion of pollutants into the atmosphere.

In order to assess the likely possible impacts on the background air quality, air quality modelling exercise was undertaken as per the CPCB guidelines. Site specific meteorological data collected at the site was adopted while predicting the 2nd highest 24 hours average ground level concentrations of Particulate

Matter, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. ISCST3 air quality modelling tool, an MoEF approved software, was used for predicting the ground level concentrations in the study area. The site specific meteorological information indicated that, predominantly winds were found to blow from North Easterly and East direction and hence the impact zone in the down wind direction will located in the South Westerly and East direction.

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Executive Summary

5.3 Predicted Ground Level Concentration

The predicted cumulative post project scenario of 24 hours average GLC of sulphur dioxide near the villages and settlements located was estimated to be in the range of 14.5 to 37.9 µg/m3 which is within the prescribed NAAQ standards.

The predicted 24 hours GLC of Oxides of Nitrogen near the villages and settlements located in the impact zone will be less than the norms prescribed by the NAAQ standards. Further, the concentrations were found to get diluted rapidly and the GLC will reach less than 2 µg/m3 within a distance of 5Km from the project site. The predicted cumulative post project scenario of 24 hours average concentration was estimated to be in the range of 29.1 to 39µg/m 3 which are within the prescribed NAAQ standards.

The predicted cumulative 24 hours GLC of particulate matter (PM10) was reported to be in range of 58.7 to 69.7 µg/m3.

5.4 Fugitive Emissions and Associated Environmental Impacts

SPB has adequately designed and installed water sprinkling systems at the existing coal yard to control the surface emissions. The conveyor belt for coal transfer is covered from top. Likely possible controlled fugitive emissions due to natural wind conditions at the coal yard were estimated using USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) emission factor document guidelines.

ISCST3 model with particle deposition and non-buoyant and non-plume option was considered for modelling the dispersion of the controlled fugitive dust emissions from coal stock yard. Site specific hourly meteorological data was used for predicting the GLCs. The 24-hours average GLCs at the facility at nearby villages will be below 5 µg/m3 due to the implementation of dust control measures.

5.5 Noise Emissions and Control

Major noise generating equipment will be housed inside the room to attenuate noise emissions. Predicted sound pressure levels in and around the proposed project site due to operation of the facility was modelled as per ISO 9613 standards and the modelled sound pressure levels at the facility boundary were found to be below the stipulated threshold noise level of 75 dB(A) for industrial areas. Noise levels outside the facility boundary will be further attenuated due to the proposed green belt all along the plant boundary.

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Executive Summary

5.6 Impacts on the Water Environment

Water is sourced from Cauvery River for the existing facilities and the same will be extended for MDP -II facilities also. SPB has necessary permission for drawl of 68,191 m³/day water from Cauvery River as against the total water demand of 34,000 m3/day after MDP-II

5.7 Environmental Risks due to Storage and Handling of Solid and Hazardous Wastes

Total Ash generation from the existing facility is 12t/day and after mill development plan it has been estimated as 24T/day. The existing dry ash storage facilities will be augmented to store additional fly ash. SPB has been disposing the fly ash to brick/hollow block manufacturing units and cement mills and the same will be continued after mill expansion program.

Sludge generated from the primary clarifier of the wastewater treatment plant is being sold to board manufacturing facilities and similar practice will be continued after mill expansion program. The wood and bark dust generated from the facility will be sold or sent to Tirunelveli unit, as bio fuel for the boiler.

The lime sludge will be processed in the existing lime-kiln after mill expansion plan and the lime produced is reused in the process .Excess if any will be disposed to cement plants.

Except used spent oil from the mechanical and rotating equipment, no other hazardous wastes will be generated from the facility. SPB is disposing used spent oil to recycling vendors in the existing facility and similar practices will be adopted in the expansion operations.

5.8 Soil and Groundwater Quality Related Impacts

Treated wastewater is being used for irrigation applications at adjoining area in the existing facility and similar practices will be followed after expansion program. The treated wastewater will comply with the stipulated inland surface water discharge standards and hence impacts on the soil and ground water quality will be insignificant. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) is the critical water quality parameter that will show some impact on the plant growth and crop yield. SAR levels greater than 10 will have some impact on the yield of the crop as per guidelines published by Indian Agriculture Research Council.

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Based on the assumption that the total dissolved solids of the treated wastewater will not exceed stipulated standard of 2100 mg/l (envisaged range of 500 to 1200mg/l), the maximum SAR will not exceed a level of 5, which is well below the permissible level of “10”. Hence the treated wastewater will be suitable for irrigation (sugarcane and other crops).

5.9 Impacts on Ecological and Biological Environment

5.9.1 Impacts on Flora

There are no ecologically sensitive locations within the impact zone of the existing mill. Due to implementation of vast green cover in the existing mill, the overall bio-diversity at the mill site has improved by several folds.

5.9.2 Impacts on Fauna

The mammalian faunal density in this region is as such very low and no further impact is expected on mammalian fauna. During operational phase noise levels will be maintained below 55 dBA and 45 dBA at plant boundary, which will be further reduced due to presence of existing greenbelt canopy in the mill. No ecologically sensitive site is identified in study area, hence no direct or indirect adverse impacts are expected on ecology due to proposed development.

6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

6.1 Air Quality Management

The existing facility has implemented various air quality management programs and the stack emission test reports of TNPCB and external testing agency confirmed that emissions were found to comply with stipulated standards. The following environmental management plan will be adopted under proposed expansion plan:

The Mill Development Plan envisages installation of a new coal fired boiler. This boiler will use high calorific value low ash, low sulphur content coal as fuel. In view of this the sulphur dioxide emission will be lower than the conventional cogeneration power plants operated with high ash Indian coal. Sufficient stack height will be provided as per the stack height norms stipulated by CPCB for wider dispersal of the pollutants. A continuous online stack emission monitoring unit will be installed to monitor particulate matter,

SO2 and NOX emissions and will be connected to TNPCB. Water sprinkling system and necessary dust extraction system will be provided wherever necessary. An electrostatic precipitator will be installed for the coal fired boiler to limit the particulate matter concentration below 50mg/nm3.

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As part the Mill Development Plan it is proposed to install an efficient electrostatic precipitator for the Chemical Recovery Boiler. The electrostatic precipitator will have an efficiency of more than 99.9% to limit the particulate matter concentration to about 50 mg/nm3 even though the stipulated norm is 150mg/nm3.

6.1.1 Management of Non Condensable Gases (NCG) Emission

NCG levels in the following vents, W ood Pulp-Blow Tank Vent, Washer Vent, CR Evaporation Vent and Wood Digester Vent and ambient air were monitored during the study period. The ambient concentration of NCG is below the detectable limit at all locations at the nearby villages

SPB has already implemented control measures by improving the process technology, adopting Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) system during digestion of pulp and controlled low temperature, low consistency pumping from digester to improve the overall thermal efficiency and also to reduce NCG gas emission in the operation of the digesters. SPB has already installed alkali scrubbing system in evaporators for mitigating odour. As part of this Mill Development Plan, SPB will install a scrubbing system for digestion area also.

6.2 Wastewater Management

The water consumption after MDP II will be 34,000 m3/day and the treated wastewater generation will be in the order of 29,300 m 3/day. Wastewater generated from the plant will be treated in the existing effluent treatment plant. The existing ETP is adequate to handle the additional load. The existing ETP consists of primary treatment, anaerobic lagoon and extended aeration/biological treatment facilities based on Activated Sludge Process. Fixed surface aerators (12 nos of 50 HP each) present in the ETP are adequate for aeration of additional wastewater generated. It is proposed to install additional treatment units such as Clariflocculator (polishing unit) for enhanced coagulation to remove any residual colloidal matter present in the wastewater, if any.

Due to scanty rainfall in the region and lack of major irrigation canals, the treated wastewater from the mill has become a major water resource for irrigation in the nearby areas. SPB has signed MoUs with the local farmers to

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utilize the treated wastewater for irrigation. About 2,140 acres of land can be irrigated after MDP-II which will bring direct economic benefit to the local people. SPB along with the agriculturists has formed four Lift Irrigation Associations registered under the Cooperative Act for use of treated waste water for irrigation.

Based on the hydraulic load the maximum water requirement for irrigation is in the order of 35m3/ha/day. Based on this most liberal estimates, about 1745 Acres (706 Ha) of land is required to utilize the existing treated wastewater quantity of 24,700m3/day from the mill. Total land required for irrigation after expansion program has been estimated as 2068 Acres (837 Ha) to utilize the treated wastewater quantity of 29300 m3/day after MDP-II. SPB has MoU with farmers under Lift Irrigation Scheme for about 2140 acres.

6.3 Solid Waste Management

No major solid wastes are generated in the process. All the solid wastes generated in the mill are from the auxiliary plants. They include lime sludge from the recausticising section, ash from the boilers, sludge from the wastewater treatment plant and wood and bark dust from the pulp mill. Based on the utilization of 100% imported coal, the total ash generation from the facility after Mill development plan II has been estimated as 24T/day.

Primary clarifier sludge will be disposed to board manufacturing facilities. The wood and bark dust generated will sent to Tirunelveli unit to be used as bio fuel in boilers. About 60 T/day of lime sludge will be processed in the existing lime-kiln after mill expansion and the balance will be disposed to cement plants.

Except used oils from the mechanical and rotating equipment, no other hazardous wastes will be generated from the facility. Similar to the existing practices, used oil will be reused internally as lubricant in chains and conveyors and if any excess will be disposed to TNPCB authorised recyclers.

6.4 Green Cover Development

Extensive plantation has been done under green cover development for the existing mill. Green cover has been developed and well maintained along the internal roads and mill area.

The mill has sound management practices, in harmony with nature, by greening of wastelands, which helps in mitigating green house gases and sequestration of carbon, expanding the plantations for improving the soil moisture conservation measures and checking soil erosion.

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SPB have already developed thick greenbelt of nearly 34 Acres in and around the mill.

SPB has taken up a “Tree Farming Activity”, under which the Company produces quality Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in the Company’s Clonal Multiplication Centre and Casuarina Seedlings in diversified Production Centres nearer to the prospective farmers who will procure them from the Company. The total area planted under tree farming is about 64642 acres upto the year 2013-14 in that Eucalyptus plantation is about 10013 acres and Casuarinas plantation is about 54629 acres.

6.5 Community Development Plan under CSR Programs

The Company has voluntarily undertaken the following Community Development Measures in the adjoining Villages, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which include:

Drinking Water Facilities

About 4500 m3/day of Drinking Water is supplied to the nearby villages through 320 drinking water taps and 5 over head tanks constructed by State government water board authority.

Community Health Centers

Community Health Centres run by SPB in four places namely Ayakkattur, Odappalli, Pappampalayam and Cauvery R.S

Infrastructure Facilities

¾ Rain water Harvesting Structures in Neighbouring villages

¾ Laying of Village Roads

¾ Construction of culverts at strategic places

¾ Provision of Street Lights

¾ Renovation of Old Village Temples

¾ Construction of Public Community Toilets

¾ Repair and Maintenance of Burial Ghats

¾ Construction, Deepening & De-silting of Storm Water Drains and Strengthening of Bunds

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¾ Implementation of Tree Farming Programme in association with marginal Land Owners

Educational Activities

¾ Running an Elementary School, High School and a Matriculation Higher Secondary School in SPB Colony for the children of employees and public in the neighbourhood.

¾ Company contributes to a Polytechnic at Tiruchirappalli, “Seshasayee Institute of Technology” to serve the education needs of poor and down trodden students

x Company has provided 2 acres of land free of cost for constructing Government High School at Pappampalayam Village.

Based on the need based assessment, community development plan has been developed and budget for CSR programs is presented in the following Table 10.

Table 10 Proposed CSR Budget

S.No CSR Activity Budget (Rs. in Lakhs)

Year Year Year Year Yea Year Year Year Year Year Total 1 2 3 4 r 5 6 7 8 9 10 1. Drinking 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Water Facilities 2. Agriculture 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Development Programs 3. Animal 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Husbandry 4. Health 15 15 15 30 30 45 45 45 30 30 300 Facilities 5. Infrastructure 22.5 22.5 22.5 45 45 67.5 67.5 67.5 45 45 450 Development 6. Economic 15 15 15 30 30 45 45 45 30 30 300 Development Programs 7. Total 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 1500

Note: 5% of the Project cost is allocated for CSR development plan.

6.6 Budget for Environmental Measures

It is proposed to invest about Rs 35 Crores towards pollution control equipment, implementation of environmental pollution control measures and environmental management programmes.

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7. ADDITIONAL STUDIES

7.1. Public Consultation

In accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, dated 14.09.2006 of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India, New Delhi, and in part fulfilment of the procedure for seeking Environmental Clearance, the mill applied to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for conduct of public hearing for the proposed MDP II.

The draft Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report along with Executive summary, both in English and vernacular language (Tamil), was submitted to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on 29.10.2014 requesting for conduct of the Public Hearing.

As per the District Collector’s approval, the public hearing was scheduled at 10.00 AM on 22.01.2015 at Sri Lakshmi Thirumanamandapam, No.4, Kumarapalayam, Main Road, Pallipalayam, Namakkal District. The Press release of public notices in “Daily Thanthi” and in “New Indian Express” was published on 17.12.2014 for inviting suggestions, views and reactions from the public regarding proposed MDP II,

Public hearing meeting was chaired by Thiru.V.Dakshinamoorthy, I.A.S., District Collector, Namakkal District and Thiru.M.Murugan, District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal District. The meeting was initiated by District Environmental Engineer Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal. He requested the District Collector, Namakkal District to preside over the public hearing and conduct the proceedings.

For few objections raised against the mill, the representatives of SPB provided all the clarifications on the issues raised by the public and the reasons why the Mill Development Plan II is essential. They also assured that there will not be any adverse impact due to this project and requested that the proposed MDP- II be recommended for Environmental Clearance.

The District Collector thanked all the participants and informed them that all their views and suggestions on the project were recorded and the same will be forwarded to the Government / MoEF. He strongly objected the views of some speakers about the inadequate drinking water supplied to the villages by Government. He pointed out that proper portable drinking water is being provided to all the Village Panchayats, Town Panchayats and Municipalities in the District. The quality of water supplied to the public is being continuously checked by the TWAD Board and local bodies.

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7.2. Risk Assessment & Mitigation Measures

Risk assessment study of the proposed operations at the project has identified no hazardous events, which would project damaging energies outside of the plant boundary. Management of hazardous event scenarios and risks in general can be adequately managed to acceptable levels. An effective Disaster Management Plan (DMP) to mitigate the risks involved will be implemented during to the operational phase of the project.

8. PROJECT BENEFITS

The proposed project will bring the following benefits to the region, state and nation based on the following merits:

The project will generate direct employment to about 40 persons and indirect employment to about 200 persons in the plant and material handling areas. In addition, during the implementation and construction stage of the project, it will generate employment to about 400 persons for about a year. The project is likely to generate additional income to the state by way of sales tax to the tune of about Rs 4 crores per annum and by way of excise duty to the tune of about Rs 18 crores per annum.

The project is likely to produce additional pulp of about 12300 tpa for its Unit II at Tirunelveli and thus would save foreign exchange to the tune of about Rs 40 Crores per annum.

The unit will be generating additionally 4 MW power from its process generated biomass and will be exporting to its other unit at Tirunelveli and thus becoming self reliant in power and will not be dependent on the state grid for electricity.

The implementation of the project will undoubtedly provide stimulation for added growth to a number of other industries like trucking industry which will load and haul raw materials, coal, and other supplies to the mill and also mill outputs. Establishment of ancillary industries such as core for paper reels, core plugs, machining and welding units, etc.

SPB will spend at least two (2) percent of the annual profit after tax (PAT) on CSR activities by including in its budget for CSR activities

9. CONCLUSIONS

¾ This project will have significant beneficial effects in terms of growth and development of the regional economy.

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¾ This project will also generate direct and indirect employment to a considerable number of families, who will render their services for the project.

¾ The project will also pave way for additional growth of ancillary industries in the region, which will not only increase the employment potential but also further strengthen the economic base of the region.

¾ Growth and development, in harmony with the environment, has always been the approach of SPB and this will be ensured under MDP II.

¾ The proposed project is structured to be in line with the requirements of MoEF/CPCB/ TNPCB.

¾ Full fledged wastewater treatment facilities and high efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators and other pollution abatement measures will result in minimising the adverse impacts on the environment.

Thus, it can be concluded that with judicious implementation of the pollution control and mitigation measures, the proposed project can proceed without any significant negative impact on the environment.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER # TITLE PAGE #

1 INTRODUCTION ...... C1-1 1.1 Overview of Seshasayee Paper and Board Limited ...... C1-1 1.2 Proposed Project ...... C1-3 1.3 Location of the Mill site ...... C1-4 1.4 Need for the Project for Country and Region ...... C1-7 1.5 Need for the EIA study ...... C1-8 1.6 Regulatory Context ...... C1-9 1.7 Overview of the Methodology of the EIA Study ...... C1-14 1.8 Structure of the EIA Report ...... C1-18

2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASPECTS IN THE EXISTING FACILITIES ...... C2-1 2.1 Overview of the Existing Facilities ...... …………….. C2-1 2.2 Process Description of the Existing facilities ...... C2-1 2.3 Summary of the Environmental Compliance ...... C2-10 2.4 Compliance with CREP Guidelines ...... C2-10 2.5 Existing Pollution Sources...... C2-11

3 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION...... C3-1 3.1 Overview ...... C3-1 3.2 Land for the Project ...... C3-2 3.3 Site Analysis ...... C3-5 3.4 Proposed Expansion- Paper Mill ...... C3-6 3.5 Materials and Resources Requirement ...... C3-19 3.6 Water Requirement and Water Resources for the Proposed Expansion . C3-23 3.7 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) ...... C3-24 3.8 Solid Waste Generation and Disposal ...... C3-24 3.9 Power Requirement and Source...... C3-25 3.10 Fire Fighting System ...... C3-25 3.11 Project cost estimates and Schedule ...... C3-26

4 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS (To Come) ...... C4-1

4.1 Introduction...... C4-1 4.2 Land Environment ...... C4-2 4.3 Geology and Soil Quality ...... C4-21 4.4 Mineral Resources ...... C4-22 4.5 Geomorphology and Structure...... C4-26 4.6 Soil Environment...... C4-30 4.7 Seismic Zone ...... C4-35 4.8 Meteorological Data ...... C4-36 4.9 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring ...... C4-44 4.10 Non Condensable Gases ...... C4-51 4.11 Noise Environment ...... C4-55 4.12 Water Environment ...... C4-56 4.13 Ecological Environment...... C4-78 4.14 Socioeconomic Environment ...... C4-96

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5 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ...... C5-1 5.1 General ...... C5-1 5.2 Impacts during Construction Phase ...... C5-1 5.3 Impacts during Operational Phase ...... C5-3 6. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... C6-1 6.1 General ...... C6-1 6.2 Environmental Management during Construction Phase ...... C6-1 6.3 Environmental Management Plan during Operation Phase ...... C6-3 6.4 Environmental Monitoring Plan ...... C6-37 6.5 Environmental Management Cell ...... C6-39 6.6 Budgetary Cost Estimates for Environmental Management ...... C6-39

7 RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY AND RISK MITIGATION MEASURES ...... C7-1 7.1 Introduction ...... C7-1 7.2 Risk Assessment Methodology ...... C7-1 7.3 Risks due to Storage and Handling of Coal and Risk Control Measures ...... C7-18 7.4 Electrical Hazards and Safety Measures ...... C7-19 7.5 Occupational Health and Noise Management Plan ...... C7-20 7.6 Occupational Safety Management and Surveillance Programme ...... C7-21 7.7 Fire Protection and Fire Fighting Systems...... C7-23

8 PROJECT BENEFITS ...... C8-1 8.1 Improvement in the Infrastructure ...... C8-1 8.2 Improvement in Social Infrastructure ...... C8-1 8.3 Social Benefits ...... C8-2 9 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION ...... C9-1 9.1 Overview of the Project ...... C9-1 9.2 Environmental Setting of the Site ...... C9-1 9.3 Base Line Environmental Status ...... C9-2 9.4 Environmental Impacts and Management Plan ...... C9-3 9.5 Project Benefits ...... C9-5 9.6 Conclusions ...... C9-6 10 DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS...... C10-1 10.1 Introduction ...... C10-1 10.2 Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited – EIA Consultant ...... C10-1 10.3 SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited –Technical Consultant ...... C10-2 Annexure # 1 Copy of ToR Letter 2 Copy of the Accreditation Status 3 ToR Compliance 4 Latest CTO Copy 5 Compliance Letter to MoEF 5a Statement of Compliance from MoEF Regional Office 6 CREP Compliance Report 7 TNPCB Reports (Stack) 8 Water Drawal Permission Letter

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9 TNPCB Report for Treated Wastewater 10 MoU for Treated Wastewater with Farmers 11 TNAU Agricultural Report 12 Hazardous waste Acknowledge Letter 13 MoU for Fly Ash Brick Manufacture 14 Copy of ISO Certificate 15 Occupational Health Report 16 Imported Coal Linkage Letter 17 Petrography analysis of raw material, Grain size, Major elemental analysis of raw material 18 Steam and Power Balance 19 Soil Quality Report 20 SODAR Report 21 Air quality Monitoring Result 22 Ambient Noise Quality Results 23 Water and Treated wastewater quality Result 24 NCG Monitoring Result 25 Modelling Input and Output Datas 26 ETP Adequacy- Mass Balance 27 Disaster Management Plan

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview of Seshasayee Paper and Board Limited

Consistent with its environment friendly and quality conscious development policy and in order to meet the Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) requirements, the company initiated a Mill Development Plan (MDP I) in which the mill replaced its old chlorine based wood pulp line with a modern wood pulp line with RDH Technology, Oxygen De-lignification (ODL), Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) Bleaching, Efficient Chemical Recovery complex including Lime Mud re-burning kiln and so on. Bagasse pulp line also was installed with ECF bleaching.

The mill has since been operating as a 120,000 tpa paper/board mill with fully integrated ECF pulp mills.

1.1.1 Project Proponent

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPB) the flagship company belonging to SPB-ESVIN GROUP operates an integrated pulp and paper mill at Pallipalayam Erode – 638 007, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu.

Apart from ISO 9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified Company, the Mill has also obtained International Certification by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for a period of 5 years from 2010 to 2015, for the following 3 standards:

¾ FSC Standard for Chain of Custody (FSC-STD-40-004 V2-0)

¾ FSC Standard for Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 V2-1) and

¾ FSC Standard for Multi-site (FSC-STD-40-003 V-1)

SPB has always been a responsible player in the paper industry.

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1.1.2 Awards and Public Accolades

In pursuit of industrial excellence, SPB has won many accolades, in recognition of its continuous innovation and constant improvement in all spheres of its activity.

Environment Conservation

¾ "TERI Corporate Environmental Award" Large Category - I Prize by The Energy Resources Institute in 2000 - 2001

¾ State Environmental Award- Large category- I prize by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

Energy Awards

¾ SPB is awarded the "National Award for Excellence in Energy Management 2008" by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for its excellence in energy management

¾ National Energy Conservation award by Ministry of Power Government of India in the year 2004. And second prize in the year 2003

Safety Award

¾ First prize for the Southern Zone (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) in the year 2011 by CII

¾ State Level Safety award in the year 2006 given by Government of Tamil Nadu

Export Awards

¾ Certificate of Export Recognition for Outstanding Export Performance for the year 2002 – 2006 for four consecutive years given by CAPEXIL

1.1.3 Environment Friendly Technologies adopted at SPB

¾ Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) technology for digestion

¾ Oxygen De-Lignification (ODL)

¾ Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching with chlorine dioxide and Hydrogen peroxide for both W ood and Bagasse pulps

¾ Energy efficient black liquor evaporation plant

¾ Chemical recovery boiler with ESP and on-line stack monitoring system

¾ Lime mud re-burning kiln with ESP and on-line stack monitoring system

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¾ Energy efficient environment friendly captive power plant with ESP and on-line stack monitoring system

¾ Water recycling measures to reduce fresh water consumption

¾ Covered anaerobic Lagoon (Balloon) for methane recovery and use

1.1.4 SPB’s measures in Energy and Water Conservation

The mill has reduced the water consumption from 200 to 80 m³ per tonne of paper production by installing various conservation measures as below among others

¾ PER system – Paper machine Effluent Recycling

¾ Installation of save all system for white water

¾ High efficiency poly disc filters

Energy conservation to reduce the steam and power consumption

¾ Heat recovery system

¾ Variable frequency drives

¾ Choosing Best Available Technology (BAT) to reduce power and energy consumption

1.2 Proposed Project

SPB is a company commissioned in 1962. As the paper machines have been operating for long years, they are not able to produce to their full capacities and also consuming higher energy and other inputs. All the older paper machines need to be modernised to increase their life cycle, improvement in productivity and performance.

With the above background, Mill Development Plan II (hereinafter referred as MDP II) is now proposed at SPB, with the main aim to modernise the mill to debottleneck the production imbalances by introducing new technologies energy efficient and sustainable equipment.

MDP II is proposed to enhance the paper production from 120,000 tpa to 165,000 tpa and pulp production to 145,000 tpa of bleached wood pulp. In addition to this, it is proposed to increase Captive Power Plant (CPP) from 40 MW to 55 MW by adding another 15 MW captive power plant within the mill site.

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1.2.1 Nature of Project

MDP II will comprise of the following:

¾ Up-gradation of existing paper machines to produce 165,000 tpa of finished paper from 120000 tpa without installation of any new paper machine

¾ Up-gradation of existing Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleached wood pulp line capacity to 145,000 BD tpa from 115000 BD tpa

¾ Up-gradation of existing 35,000 BD tpa ECF bagasse pulp line (No change in capacities)

¾ Up-gradation of chemical recovery complex to process additional black liquor from pulp mills.

¾ Increase Captive Power Plant capacity by about 15 MW, to meet 100% power requirement of the Erode unit after MDP II

¾ Up-gradation of Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to take care of the additional waste water load

¾ Up-gradation / augmentation of supporting utilities etc.

1.3 Location of the Mill site

All MDP II proposals will be installed within the existing mill premises.

About Four (4) acres of land required for MDP II is available within the existing plant. SPB is located at Pallipalayam village, Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu state. The site is located at the intersection of longitude 77°45’31.41”E and latitude 11°20’52.59”N. Location map of the mill site is given in Figure 1.1. Google imagery of the site location is shown in Figure 1.2.

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Figure-1.1: Location Map of the Mill Site

Figure-1.2: Google Imagery of the site location

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1.3.1 Environmental Setting of the SPB Mill

The details of environmental setting around the proposed MDP II site are given in the following Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Salient Features of the Mill site and Its Environs S.No. Particulars Details 1 Location: Village Odapalli 0.5 km SSE Taluk (Mandal) Tiruchengodu District Namakkal State Tamil Nadu 2 Latitude 11020’52.59” N 3 Longitude 77045’31.41” E 4 Elevation above mean sea level (MSL) 157 m 5 Climatic conditions as per IMD Annual Max. Temp 34.2 oC (Mettur Dam is the nearest Annual Min. Temp 23.4 oC meteorological station) Annual total rainfall 897.6 mm Predominant wind direction Annually SW is 1st predominant followed by NE during day time SE is also the 1st predominant followed by NE during night time 6 Present land use at the proposed site Industrial Land use 7 Nearest Highway/Road National Highway (11.6 km, North) State Highway (1.8 km, North) 8 Defence Installations None 9 Nearest railway station Erode 10 Nearest airport/air strip Coimbatore 100 km South West 11 Nearest village Odapalli 0.5 km 12 Nearest town Erode 3.0 km South West 13 Nearest river River Cauvery 0.5 km 14 Hills/valleys None 15 Archaeologically important places None 16 Nearest place of Tourist/Religious None importance 17 Ecologically sensitive areas (National None Parks/Wildlife sanctuaries/bio-sphere reserves) 18 Reserved/Protected forests within 10 None km radius 19 List of Industries Ponni Sugars and Small and large Textile Industries in study area. 20 Topography of the plant site Plain Land 21 Nature of soil Mixed soil 22 Major Crops in the study area Paddy - Food crop Floriculture, banana plantations, sugarcane and tapioca cultivation

1.4 Need for the Project for Country and Region

SPB is looking for ways and means to bring the production of captive pulp at Erode unit to their optimum capacities. Though the existing pulp plants are capable of producing more, SPB has restricted the investment during MDP I in 2008 and installation of equipment to suit the production of ECF pulp to around 115,500 BD tpa of wood pulp and 35,000 BD tpa of bagasse pulp. There is scope to increase the above capacities by adding certain balancing

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equipment in pulp and recovery plants, by way of marginal investment. The above investment will result in achieving wood pulp production of 145,000 BD tpa. After internal consumption at Erode unit, any surplus will be made available to Tirunelveli unit, so that its dependence on imported pulp is reduced.

The objectives of the MDP II are as below

¾ Debottleneck and achieve full production capacities of paper machine, pulp mills and auxiliaries such as evaporator, re-causticiser section, etc to meet the increased pulp production level

¾ Install one more chamber of Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) for the recovery boiler to control particulate matter emission from the boiler with additional black liquor firing as per pollution control norms.

¾ Optimise the steam and power requirement

¾ Reduce the cost of production to sustain market conditions

¾ To meet the 100% captive power generation after MDP II

¾ Achieve overall improved environmental performance

1.4.1 Employment Generation

The project will generate direct employment for about 40 people and indirect job to about 200 persons in the industries and service organisations and material handling etc, which will be supported by the operations of mill.

In addition during the implementation and construction stage of the project, it will generate employment to about 400 people for about a year.

1.4.2 Contribution to State Exchequer

The project is likely to generate additional income to the state by way of sales tax to the tune of Rs 4 crores per annum and by way of excise duty to the tune of Rs 18 crores per annum.

1.4.3 Non Dependence on Grid Power

The unit will be generating additionally power from its process generated biomass and will be exporting to its unit at Tirunelveli and thus becoming self reliant in power and will not be dependent on the state grid which is going through acute shortage of grid power for the supply.

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1.4.4 Development of Ancillary Industries

The implementation of MDP II will undoubtedly provide stimulation for added growth to a number of other ancillary industries such as:

¾ The haulage requirement due to project would be around 0.3 million tones per annum comprising both inputs and outputs, transportation industry which will load and haul, raw materials, coal, and other supplies to the mill and also mill outputs will be hugely benefited.

¾ Establishment of ancillary industries such as core for paper reels, core plugs, machining and welding units, etc.

¾ Indigenous machinery suppliers / manufacturers.

¾ Establishment of indirect industries and shops near the mill site such as small scale workshops, hardware shops, small scale restaurants, petty civil and electrical contractors, grocery and provision shops, etc.

¾ Construction industry during erection and construction period of Ancillary Business

1.5 Need for the EIA study

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests MoEF under Environment Protection Act 2006, paper and pulp industries (excluding manufacture of paper from waste paper) are required to obtain Environmental Clearance for any expansion or modernisation. In addition to this, any captive power plant with capacity greater than 5 MW also requires environmental clearance.

Since the proposed mill development involve manufacture of additional pulp, the subject project falls under category “A” under sector 5(i). In addition to this, it is proposed to Increase Captive Power Plant (CPP) from 40 MW to 55 MW by adding another 15 MW co-generation captive power plant within the Mill site, which falls under category “B” under sector 1(d) of the EIA Notification 2006. Since the proposed Mill site does not fall under any notified industrial area, public consultation has been conducted on 22.01.2015 as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.

1.5.1 Project Screening (Cat A) and TOR

The proposed MDP II was appraised by the Reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry), Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) during the 11th Expert Appraisal Committee meeting held on 26-27th August 2013 and the project was accorded Terms of Reference (ToR) vide File no. J-11011/194/2013-IA-II(I), dated, 15th October 2013 and the copy of the ToR is enclosed as Annexure 1.

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1.5.2 EIA Study

The EIA study was undertaken in conformity with the guidelines of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), covering all the aspects of the specific conditions mentioned in the terms of reference issued by MoEF.

This EIA study was undertaken by M/s Cholamandalam MS Risk Services, a NABET accredited EIA consulting organisation, with specific project related inputs required for undertaking the EIA studies obtained from SPB Projects and Consultancy Ltd (SPB-PC), Chennai.

M/s Cholamandalam MS Risk Services is authorized to undertake EIA studies for pulp and paper sector and thermal power plants as per the NABET accreditation scheme. A copy of the accreditation status is presented in Annexure 2.

1.6 Regulatory Context

The following environmental laws are applicable to the proposed project: Environment Protection Act 1986, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules,1989 as amended in 2000, Hazardous W astes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2008.

The following guidelines and regulations are applicable for the proposed MDP II: EIA Notification and its amendments, Emission and wastewater discharge standards stipulated by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Noise level standards, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, minimum stack height requirements specified by Central Pollution Control Board, fly ash utilisation notifications etc.

1.6.1 Ambient Air Quality Standards

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, with its latest amendment, to prevent and control air pollution, in line with the general standards prescribed in the Act. The general standards for National Ambient Air Quality follow Schedule VII prescribed in Environment (Protection) Rules 1986 and Schedule I of Environment (Protection) Rules 1986. The National ambient air quality standard is given in Table 1.2

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Table 1.2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Concentration in Ambient Air (µg/m3) Time Industrial Ecologically Sensitive Pollutant Weighted Residential, Rural Areas (notified by Average & Other Areas Central Government) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Annual 50 20 (µg/m3) Average* 24 hrs** 80 80 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Annual 40 30 (µg/m3) Average* 24 hrs ** 80 80 Particulate Matter (Size less Annual 60 60 3 than 10 µg) (PM10) (µg/m ) Average* 24 hrs ** 100 100 Particulate Matter (Size less Annual 40 40 3 than 2.5 µg) (PM2.5) (µg/m ) Average* 24 hrs ** 60 60 3 Ozone (O3) (µg/m ) 8 hrs ** 100 100 1 hrs ** 180 180 Lead (Pb) (µg/m3) Annual 0.5 0.5 Average* 24 hrs ** 1.5 1.0 Carbon monoxide (CO) 8 hrs ** 2000 2000 (µg/m3) 1 hrs ** 4000 4000 3 Ammonia (NH3) (µg/m ) Annual 100 100 Average* 24 hrs ** 400 400 Benzene (C6H6) Annual* 5 5 Benzo(a) Pyrene (BaP)- Annual* 0.001 0.001 Particulate phase only (µg/m3) Arsenic (As) (µg/m3) Annual* 0.006 0.006 Nickel (Ni) (µg/m3) Annual* 0.020 0.020 * Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform interval.

** 24 hourly/8 hourly values should be met 98% of the time in a year. However, 2% of the time, it may exceed but not on two consecutive days.

1.6.2 Air Emission Discharge Standards

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) emission discharge standards for paper and pulp industry, particulate matter emissions from point source emissions from captive power plant should not exceed 150 mg/Nm3.

1.6.3 Minimum Stack Height Standards

According to the environmental protection rules, a minimum stack height of the

thermal power plant will be defined based on the total sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission released from the stack using empirical formula (14 x (Q)0.3, where

Q is expressed in SO2 emission rate in kg/h).

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1.6.4 Work-zone Noise Standards

Noise levels in the work-zone area should not exceed 85 dBA for a cumulative exposure time of eight (8) hrs. The CPCB has since finalised the Ambient Air Quality standards in respect of Noise under Section 16 (2) (h) of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended in 1987. General noise standards are given in Table 1.3.

Table 1.3 General Ambient Noise Standards

Area Category Area Limits in dB (A) Leq Code Day Time Night Time A Industrial area 75 70 B Commercial area 65 55 C Residential area 55 45 D Silence zone 50 40 Definition Day time: Between 6 AM and 10 PM Night time: Between 10 PM and 6 AM

Silence Zone: Areas upto 100 metres around such premises as hospitals, educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are to be declared by the Competent Authority. Use of vehicular horns, loudspeakers and bursting of crackers shall be banned in these zones.

1.6.5 Pulp and Paper Mill – Specific Wastewater Discharge Standards

The relevant standards for a Large Pulp and Paper Mill for the wastewater discharge as per Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Notifications are presented in the following Table.1.4

Table 1.4 Wastewater Discharge Standards

S No Parameter Units Not to exceed 1 Flow m³/t of paper 200 Large pulp and paper mill - Large rayon grade/newsprint m³/t of paper 150 2 pH 7 to 8.5 3 Total Suspended Solids mg/l 100 4 BOD at 27°C for 3 days mg/l 30 5 COD mg/l 350 6 TOCL kg/tonne of 2 .0 product 7 Adsorbable Organic Halogens (AOX) kg/ tonne of 1 product

1.6.6 Standards for Motor Vehicle Emissions

Standards for emission of smoke, vapour etc. from motor vehicles

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¾ Every motor vehicle shall be manufactured and maintained in such condition and shall be so driven that smoke, visible vapour, grit, sparks, ashes, cinders or oily substance do not emit there from.

¾ On and from the 1st day of March 1990, every motor vehicle in use shall comply with the following standards:

a) Idling CO (carbon monoxide) emission limit for all four wheeled petrol driven vehicles shall not exceed 3 per cent by volume.

b) Idling CO emission limit for all two and three wheeled petrol driven vehicles shall not exceed 4.5 percent by volume.

c) Smoke density for all diesel driven vehicles shall be as follows in Table 1.5

Table 1.5 Smoke Density for all Diesel Generator

MAXIMUM SMOKE DENSITY Method Test Limit absorption Bosch Hatridge co-efficient units units a) Full load at a speed of 60% to 3.1 5.2 75 70% of maximum engine rated speed declared by the manufacturer b) Free acceleration 2.3 - 65

1.6.7 Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement ) Rules, 2008

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has enacted the above rules so as to ensure effective collection, storage, treatment, transport, reception, import and disposal of hazardous wastes. Any occupier or unit, generating hazardous wastes and involved in the collection, storage, treatment, transport, reception and disposal of hazardous wastes should obtain authorisation of the Pollution Control Board.

All units generating or handling hazardous wastes more than the regulatory quantities will have to apply for the authorisation of the State Board in a prescribed form. In the amendments introduced in the year 2000, 44 categories were listed. In 2002, lists of processes generating hazardous were regrouped into a total of 47 hazardous processes, generating hazardous wastes. In the amendments brought in 2006, the list of hazardous processes and waste from them were reduced to 36 after regrouping. The Table 1.6 gives standards applicable for to pulp and paper industry.

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Table 1.6 List of Hazardous Wastes as Applicable to Pulp & Paper Industry

S,No Processes Hazardous wastes 1 5. Industrial operations using 5.1 Used/spent oil mineral/synthetic oil as 5.2 Wastes/residues containing oil lubricant in hydraulic systems or other applications 2 32. Pulp & Paper industry 32.1 Spent chemicals 32.2 Corrosive wastes arising from use of strong acid and bases 32.3 Sludge containing absorbable organic halides

1.6.9 Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP)

The Charter on CREP, which was launched in 2002, in a National Seminar at New Delhi, enlists time-bound action plans in respect of highly polluting categories of various industries, including pulp and paper, for progressive upgradation of technologies and in-plant practices for reduction of pollutants as well as improvement in waste management systems. An industry specific interaction meet with respect to pulp and paper industry was organised in December 2002 and the CREP norms came into force in 2003. The charter on CREP requires the following norms for the pulp and paper industry to be implemented within the schedule specified.

Type of Industry/Requirement Implementation Schedule Large Pulp and Paper Mill Discharge of AOX kg/tonne of paper AOX 1.5 kg/tonne of paper within 2 years AOX 1 kg/tonne of paper within 5 years Installation of lime kiln Within 4 years Wastewater discharge m3/tonne of paper Less than 140 m3/tonne of paper within 2 years Less than 120 m3/tonne of paper within 4 years for units installed before 1992 Less than 100 m3/tonne of paper per units installed after 1992 Odour control by burning the reduced sulphur Installation of odour control system within 4 emissions in the boiler/lime kiln years Utilisation of treated wastewater for irrigation Utilisation of treated wastewater for irrigation wherever possible Colour removal from the wastewater Indian Paper Manufacturers Association to take up project with Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute (CPPRI)

1.7 Overview of the Methodology of the EIA Study

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared based on the methods and guidelines suggested by MoEF to address all the specific conditions stipulated in the Terms of Reference issued by MoEF File no. J-11011/194/2013-IA-II(I), dated, 15th October 2013. A summary compliance statement to the specific conditions of the terms of reference is presented in Annexure 3.

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The EIA study team, headed by an accredited EIA Coordinator, along with the approved Functional Area Experts, undertook detailed baseline studies and the additional special studies as per TOR, between 9th December 2013 and 9th March 2014.

Micro-meteorological data comprising hourly readings of wind speed, wind direction, dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were measured by installing an onsite meteorological station near the Mill site. Hourly readings were collected for a period of three (3) months.

Micro-meteorological data was adopted for generating wind-rose diagrams and also to predict the ground level concentrations due to release of emissions from the proposed facility. As per the terms of reference issued for the project, site specific mixing heights and inversion conditions were estimated using SODAR technique.

Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) was measured at eight (8) locations in the study area as per the methods and procedures recommended by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Air quality sampling was undertaken for period of 12 weeks with a total of 24 samples per site were taken as per the MoEF guidelines. Stipulated criteria pollutants such as particulate matter size less

than 10 microns (PM10), particulate matter size less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5),

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ammonia (NH3), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Benzene and Particulate phase Benzo (a) Pyrene (BaP) were analysed at all the locations. In addition to the above parameters, representative samples of particulate

matter samples (PM10) were also analysed for heavy metals, representative ions and prominent Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) as per the requirements of terms of reference issued by MoEF. The measured background air quality data was compared with that of the prevailing National Ambient Air Quality Standards and this will also form the basis for predicting the cumulative air quality scenario due to the operation of the proposed facility.

Hydro-geological studies were undertaken during the study period. Data on sub-surface soil profile and also bore-log data in the study area was obtained. In addition, a preliminary study on the regional and local aquifer status was studied based on primary and secondary published long-term data. Draw- down tests were undertaken at a few bore wells to assess the condition of the ground water yield near the Mill site.

Ground water samples from eight (8) locations were analysed as per the terms of reference for all the designated parameters. The measured values were compared with drinking water standards. The duro-V diagrams were plotted to study the chemical properties of the ground water. This will help to assess the scaling and corrosion potential of these waters. Secondary data on the

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regional ground water status was also collected from the Central Ground Water Board and the State Ground Water Board.

Cauvery River flows adjacent to the existing mill. All seasonal streams and rivers located within the study area were mapped through latest remote sensing data under land use and land cover study. Walkthrough surveys were undertaken to assess the current status of the water resources. Details about the major cropping pattern and irrigation methods etc were collected from local village offices and also published district census data. Details of the surface water quality in the study area were also collected and analysed for designated physicochemical, elemental and biological parameters.

Land use and land cover was mapped using remote satellite imagery, L4FMX satellite on 16th December 2013. The data was processed using applicable software models and level 1 and level 2 land use classification within the study area was developed. As per the recommendations made in the Terms of Reference (ToR), Digital Elevation Model of the study area was developed to assess the terrain conditions and also possible flooding scenarios.

A walkthrough survey was also undertaken near the forest boundaries, major settlements and plantation areas to verify the land use as a part of the ground truth survey procedures. Soil samples were collected as per the terms of reference and all relevant parameters such as texture, nutrients, heavy metals, oil and grease and other parameters were analysed in the soil samples.

Flora and Fauna survey was undertaken in the study area and all spotted ecological and biological aspects were mapped based on grind sampling method. Bio-diversity density and abundance were estimated. Walkthrough surveys near forest areas and its environs were also undertaken to assess the ecology around the forest areas and dependency of the local people on the forest produce.

Primary socio economic survey was undertaken in the study area to capture the socioeconomic conditions, major occupation of the people, drinking water and sanitation facilities, transportation and other amenities in the study area, with a specific reference to the villages located within five (5) km radius of the Mill site.

In addition to the above, district level census data published by National Informatics Centre (NIC) was also collected for a detailed analysis on the socioeconomic aspects. Based on the socioeconomic survey, a need based Community Development Plan under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was suggested. Since, land inside the existing mill premises will be used for the MDP II no land acquisition involved, detailed Rehabilitation and Resettlement studies are not envisaged under this study; however, the indirect impacts on the local and regional community due to the MDP II were studied.

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A detailed review on the process and material balance of the proposed operations were undertaken. Water and energy balance diagrams were developed as per the terms of reference issued for the proposed project. In addition, a detailed review on the process technology, material balance, source of raw materials, fuels etc were also studied.

A typical review on the process equipment, various pollution control systems proposed, details of wastes and discharges that are envisaged from the proposed project were also undertaken. Such inputs are adopted while predicting various environmental impacts due to operation of the facility and also to suggest an appropriate environmental management plan and environmental monitoring plan.

As a part of the environmental impact assessment study, an attempt was made to predict the possible and likely impacts on background environment. Likely air quality impacts due to release of emissions (captive power plant and vehicular emissions) were modelled using ISCST3 model. Ground level concentration of criteria pollutants such as Particulate Matter, Sulphur Dioxide, and Oxides of Nitrogen were estimated using MOEF approved ISCST3 model. Hourly meteorological data generated at the Mill site was adopted to assess ground level concentrations. Second highest ground level concentrations were predicted and concentration isopleths of the above mentioned pollutants were plotted.

The predicted ground level concentrations of the respective pollutants were added to the prevailing baseline concentrations of the designated pollutants to assess the likely cumulative post project scenario and such values were compared with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Noise generating sources and the expected noise levels (with and without control measures) were estimated. ISO compliant noise propagation models were adopted to predict likely noise levels at the facility boundary and nearby villages.

Impact due to utilisation of treated wastewater for green cover and irrigation applications was studied using one dimension sub-soil pollutant transport model published by U.S Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to the above aspects, the positive environmental benefits arising from community development plans under CSR programme, ecological

and biodiversity enhancement aspects due to development of plantation and green-cover development in the vicinity of the Mill site were also studied.

Based on a detailed environmental impact assessment study, a comprehensive report on the environmental management plan was developed covering the following aspects: construction phase environmental

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management plan, air quality management plan, noise and water quality management plan, wastewater treatment, reuse, recycling and disposal programme, solid and hazardous waste collection, storage and disposal programme, fly ash collection and utilization plan, rainwater harvesting plan, socioeconomic and community development plan, ecological and biodiversity enhancement plan. An outline of the proposed environmental management systems, environmental cell and environmental monitoring programme were also presented in this report.

Although the proposed facility utilises the limited quantities of flammable and combustible materials with threshold levels below the stipulated quantities under Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2008, a preliminary risk assessment study, was undertaken to assess the residual risks, if any, due to storage and handling of diesel, furnace oil, coal and other combustible material. Wherever applicable, quantitative methods were adopted to establish the heat radiation levels due to accidental fires at diesel storage facilities.

CPCB guidelines on risk assessment methods were adopted and CPR 18E guidelines were used for estimating the consequences of fire accidents. Based on the risk assessment study, a preliminary fire safety and occupational health management plan was suggested. A road map for onsite emergency and disaster management plan was suggested based on the preliminary information available at this stage.

1.8 Structure of the EIA Report

This EIA report is structured into nine chapters as below.

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 – (Details of the Project) Overview of the of the existing facilities and consents issued (EC, NOC etc), Summary of the environmental compliance, Air pollution sources, stacks as per the NOC and summary of the emission test results, Water allocation, Water consumption and water balance in the existing facility, Wastewater quality and ETP data, Summary of various environmental monitoring programs adopted, Details of the environmental management cell.

Chapter 3 - (Details of Proposed MDP II) presents details of the proposed MDP II, process and material balance, raw-materials and energy balance and details of various supporting facilities required for the project, status of various permits and clearances obtained and an outline of the project cost and project implementation schedules.

Chapter 4 – (Baseline Environmental Status) presents a comprehensive description of the baseline environmental conditions of the study area

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including site specific mixing heights and ground level inversion conditions. This includes the data obtained from primary surveys and also secondary published data from various authentic sources. All the specified environmental components such as meteorological data, air quality, noise levels, surface and ground water resources, surface and ground water quality, geological and mineralogical features, soil quality, land use and land cover in the study area, cropping pattern, ecological and biological environmental conditions and socioeconomic and cultural aspects of the Mill site. All the relevant aspects as mentioned in the Terms of Reference (ToR) were thoroughly addressed.

Chapter 5 – (Prediction of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures) presents the environmental aspects associated with the proposed project, envisaged emissions and discharges from the facility, an overview of various pollution control systems proposed under project planning activities in the detailed project report and construction and operational phase environmental impacts.

Chapter 6 – (Environmental Management Plan) depicts the summary of proposed Environmental Management Plan.

Chapter 7 – (Additional Studies) This chapter describes various additional studies carried out for the project. Public Consultation/Public Hearing was carried out to take the views and comments of the public on the Mill Development Plan-II. Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation Plan presents the findings of the risk assessment study, risk mitigation plan, a preliminary onsite emergency and disaster management plan.

Chapter 8 – (Project Benefits) presents the various benefits of the project.

Chapter 9 – Presents the (Summary and Conclusion) of EIA report.

Chapter 10 – Disclosure and Declaration by Consultant presents the declaration by the EIA consultant organisation as per the NABET requirements.

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASPECTS IN THE EXISTING FACILITIES

2.1 Overview of the Existing Facilities

This section presents an overview of the existing facilities of SPB has Erode unit, its environmental compliance aspects and Environmental Management Program implemented in the existing facility.

Presently SPB, Erode unit produces about 120,000 tpa of paper. The mill is regularly submitting the Environmental compliance report to the Regional Office, Bangalore of MoEF and SPB has complied with all conditions of the Environmental Clearance issued by MOEF for expanding capacity from 60000 tpa to 120000 tpa. The Mill has obtained Consent to Operate vide No. M- II/30102/93/A dated, 08/07/96 under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and CTO No. M-II/30102/93/W dated, 08/07/96 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for Mill Development Plan I (MDP I). Extension of validity of Consent is also been obtained under Air and water Acts and the validity of the consents has up to 31st March 2014. The copies of the consent renewal are enclosed as Annexure 4.

The existing mill has a total land of 82 acres, with vacant spaces well covered with greenery. The typical land use break-up of the existing plant is given in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Land use Break-up of the Existing facilities

S.No Description Area in Acres 1 Plants and Building 14.52 2 Storage Yards 11.38 3 Guest house, hostel and quarters 4.00 4 Road and Pathways 5.10 5 Effluent treatment plant 4.00 6 Greenbelt 34.00 7 Open Space 9.00 Total area 82.00

2.2 Process Description of the Existing facilities

2.2.1 Raw Material Preparation

2.2.1.1 Hardwood Pulp

Causurina and Eucalyptus Hybrid are the main raw material used for hard wood pulping.

2.2.1.2 Chipper House

Presently, the existing three (3) chippers are capable to generate 950 – 1000 tpd of chips at around 35% moisture. In addition to chippers, chipper house

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also includes chips screen and rechipper. Each chipper has a dedicated log feeding system. The chips are stored in a chips silo of 1000 m³ capacity. The quality of chips needs to be improved as the pin chips and long chips fraction are excess in the accept chips.

2.2.1.3 Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) Cooking Plant

SPB commissioned the RDH cooking plant in 2007. The cooking plant consists of four (4) digesters, each of 200 m3 capacity. The Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) cooking system based on double displacement technology:

At present, the mill is able to perform 15-16 ‘pump-outs’ to produce about 115,500 BD tpa (330 BD tpd) pulp. The target Kappa number is 24, with an

active alkali charge (AA) of 17.5 % as Na2O on BD chips. It was reported that the digester cycle time is about 5 hours, as against the norm of 4 hours. The possible reasons are the inadequate performance of heat exchangers and also the abnormal amount of dust and pin chips present in the digester feed. The trim cooler is unable to handle the volume. In BL/WL heat exchanger, some tubes are plugged often it goes out of operation for maintenance due to leakages. The temperature rise is not adequate in C1 – C2 heat exchanger. Heating of the digester takes considerably more time due to low temperature achieved after hot fill.

2.2.1.4 Brown Stock Washing

There are three (3) washers, 8’ x 16’ each having 400 m² area. The present loading works out to 0.82 t/ m². At 115,500 BD tpa (330 BD tpd) of pulp production, the mill has reported an increase in soda loss from 3rd BSW. The inlet consistency is around 1.7% - 2.0% and outlet consistency is around 12% - 14%. Some of the filtrate pumps do not have adequate capacity. The pulp from washing stage goes to screening plant.

2.2.1.5 Oxygen Delignification (ODL)

ODL is a new plant with a single stage reactor. Caustic and purchased oxygen are used. The Kappa reduction is around 40% - 45%. It is reported that the brightness after ODL stage has come down when the pulp throughput is around 115,500 BD tpa (330 BD tpd).

2.2.1.6 Screening Plant

The existing screening plant consists of two (2) primary screens (one working and one standby), one secondary screen and one tertiary screen (vibrating screen). Screening plant is able to handle, up to 115,500 BD tpa (330 BD tpd) of pulp comfortably.

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2.2.1.7 Bleach Plant (ECF Bleaching)

Three-stage ECF bleaching sequence (D0-EOP-D1) is being followed. Bleach

plant has three (3) washers. While D0 & EOP Washers have sizes of 8’ x 16’,

the D1 washer is of size 9’ x 16’. The performance of bleach washers is satisfactory. It is reported that bleach plant has a normal run at around 410 tpd of throughput.

The pulp mill process flow diagram is given in Figure 2.1.

Figure-2.1: Pulp Mill - Flow Diagram

2.2.1.8 Chemical Bagasse pulp

Bagasse Preparation-The bagasse handling system consists of HORKELs for depithing, which are not efficient. The fibre pith ratio is around 2:1 HORKELs are also not energy efficient. Due to high residual pith after depithing and inefficient slushing, the bagasse slush tank and pith filtrate tank are to be periodically cleaned. For taking up cleaning work, Pandia digester used for pulping of bagasse has to be shut.

2.2.1.9 Pandia Digester

There are two (2) horizontal continuous digesters, each having a capacity to produce about 88 tpd of unbleached of pulp.

2.2.1.10 Brown Stock Washing Plant

The existing two (2) streets together are capable of handling about 100 tpd of pulp. The performance of the washer will improve, with 3:1 fibre pith ratio of bagasse. The washing losses are high.

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2.2.1.11 Screening and Cleaning

Screening plant operates with very low consistency and there is no control on reject dilution and DP control to maintain the throughput and control fibre loss. Sand removal is negligible due to high consistency operation in centricleaning.

2.2.1.12 Bleach Plant

The old bleach plant has been modified for an ECF bleaching sequence. The chemical consumption per tonne of bleached pulp is high due to inadequate washing.

The power consumption is also high due to running of two (2) streets in washing and equipment in bleaching is located in different areas, thereby imposing additional power consumption. This report does not consider any major modifications in chemical bagasse line, except in bagasse preparation, screening and instrumentation.

2.2.1.13 Chlorine Dioxide Plant

The capacity of existing ClO2 plant is 10 tpd and present production is around 7 tpd. There is a limitation in chilling plant which operates at 380 TR as against designed of 468 TR due to higher temperature of cooling water. Existing machine is with MP steam fired.

2.2.2 Pulp Making

Pulp is produced from cellulosic raw materials like wood and bagasse. These raw materials contain, in addition to cellulose and hemi-cellulose, a significant amount of lignin, which binds the cellulosic fibres. In pulping, the cellulosic fibre is separated from the surrounding lignin, either by mechanical or chemical means. Removal of lignin is further accomplished by oxygen delignification.

2.2.2.1 Pulp Bleaching

Conventionally, the cooked unbleached pulp is brown in colour, due to the presence of residual lignin and chemicals. In order to obtain good brightness of paper, the pulp is bleached using strong oxidants like oxygen, chlorine dioxide, NaOH and hydrogen peroxide, etc. The aim is to obtain good brightness without degradation or loss of cellulosic fibre. The utilisation of elemental chlorine has been dispensed with, by way of a change over to chlorine dioxide and at present totally Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching is in operation.

2.2.2.2 Stock Preparation

Pulp is conditioned in the stock preparation section for bondage to form sheet. The pulp received from pulp mill is passed through a series of refiners for

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fibrillation and then the required additives viz. fillers, dyes, whitening agents, rosin and alum are added. These are added to impart functional properties to the final paper such as opacity, reflectance, shade and water resistance. The final blended stock is pumped to paper machine chest.

2.2.3 Paper Making

The blended stock in very dilute suspension is allowed to flow and spread on a moving wire where water is drained and fibre binds together to form a wet web. The wet paper web is then pressed, dried and wound. `Papermaking, mechanical in nature and the variations exist only in the design of the paper machine.

The mill is having five (5) paper machines producing 120,000 tpa of printing and writing grade papers using raw material of bagasse and hardwood. The brief description of the existing process is given below

2.2.3.1 Paper Machines

The mill has five (5) paper machines producing a wide range of both surface sized (SS) and non-surface sized (NSS) printing and writing (P&W) papers, as detailed below.

2.2.3.2 Stock Preparation

Pulp is conditioned in the stock preparation section for bondage to form sheet. The pulp received from pulp mill is passed through a series of refiners for fibrillation and then the required additives viz. fillers, dyes, whitening agents, rosin and alum are added. These are added to impart functional properties to the final paper such as opacity, reflectance, shade and water resistance. The final blended stock is pumped to paper machine chest.

2.2.3.3 Paper Making

The blended stock in very dilute suspension is allowed to flow and spread on a moving wire where water is drained and fibre binds together to form a wet web. The wet paper web is then pressed, dried and wound. Papermaking is purely mechanical in nature and the variations exist only in the design of the paper machine.

2.2.3.4 Paper Machine # 1 (MF I)

PM #1 is a MF machine installed in 1960, with a deckle trim of 3.048 m and operates at 230 mpm speed. This machine produces different printing and writing grades, with basis weights ranging from 45 gsm to 120 gsm. The gross production capacity of the machine is around 52 tpd, at 100% operating efficiency.

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2.2.3.5 Paper Machine #2 (MG)

PM #2 is a fourdrinier MG dryer machine installed in 1960, with a deckle trim of 3.048 m and operates at 230 mpm speed for paper grades and 110 mpm speed for boards. The machine produces different grades of multiply boards and printing & writing paper grades, with basis weights ranging the 45 gsm to 280 gsm. The gross production capacity of the machine is around 65 tpd (board production) at 100% machine efficiency.

2.2.3.6 Paper Machine #3 (Yankee)

PM #3 is a fourdrinier with MG single dryer machine installed in 1968, with a deckle trim of 2.38 m and operates at 230 mpm speed. The machine produces different bleached MG poster grades and unbleached MG kraft grades, with basis weights ranging from 28 gsm to 90 gsm. The gross production capacity is 24 tpd at 100% operating efficiency.

2.2.3.7 Paper Machine #4 (MF II)

PM #4 is a MF machine installed in 1978, with a deckle trim of 3.05 m and operates at 310 mpm speed. The machine produces different grades of printing and writing papers, with basis weights ranging from 47 gsm to 250 gsm. The gross production capacity of the machine is around 63 tpd at 47 gsm and at 100% machine efficiency.

2.2.3.8 Paper Machine #5 (MF III)

Paper machine #5 is a used MF machine installed in 2001, with a deckle trim of 2.67-2.75 m and operates at 900 mpm speed. The machine produces different grades of P&W, Copier (sprint) and light weight coated (LWC) papers, with basis weights ranging from 47 gsm to 140 gsm. The gross production capacity of the machine is around 220 tpd at 80 gsm and at 100% machine efficiency.

2.2.3.9 Stock and Approach Flow System

For Paper Machine #1 (MF I)- The stock preparation system of PM#1 is of a continuous type and is designed to handle hardwood pulp, chemical bagasse and imported softwood pulp. While hardwood pulp street is provided with double disc refiners and conical refiners, the imported softwood pulp street is provided with control refiners only. The chemical bagasse pulp line does not have any individual refiners: this has to be mixed with hardwood pulp and broke in control refiners.

For Paper Machine #2 (MG) - The stock preparation system of PM#2 (MG) is of a continuous type and is designed to handle hardwood pulp, bagasse pulp and broke. The blended stock from machine chest is supplied to the paper machine through the centricleaning and screening system. There is no control refining of the stock at present.

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For Paper Machine #3 (Yankee)-The stock preparation system of PM#3 (Yankee) is of a continuous type and is designed to handle kraft grade hardwood pulp (unbleached), bleached hardwood and imported softwood pulp. The average furnish mix comprises 80% bagasse pulp and 20% wood pulp for the bleached grades and 70% wood pulp and 30% recycled fibre (Double Line Kraft-DLK) for the kraft grades. There is no control refining facility in this system.

For Paper Machine #4 (MF II)- The stock preparation system of PM#4 (MF II) is of a continuous type and is designed to handle 70% hardwood pulp and 20% bagasse pulp and 10% imported hardwood pulp.

Its approach flow system consists of machine chest, control refiner, stuff hard box and fan pump.

For Paper Machine #5 (MF III) (Twin Wire Former)-The stock preparation system of PM#5 is of a continuous type and is designed to handle hardwood pulp, chemical bagasse pulp and imported softwood pulp, while hardwood and imported soft wood pulp are provided with double disc refiners.

The approach flow system consists of a deculator system with a four stage centricleaning system and a three stage screening system.

Pulp

Figure-2.2: Paper Machine Flow diagram

The process flow diagram of the Paper machine is given below in Figure 2.2.

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2.2.4 Chemical Recovery Plant

2.2.4.1 Evaporation Plant

A seven effect evaporation plant was installed with a water evaporation capacity of 200 tph. The evaporation plant is operating presently at 175 tph water evaporation.

2.2.4.2 Chemical Recovery Boiler

The present capacity of recovery boiler is 630 tpd firing liquor solids.

2.2.4.3 Recausticising Plant

The available existing recausticising plant was upgraded during MDP I to produce 200 tpd AA considering MDP II requirement also, by adding one Preslaker, one post slaker, one WLCD, three causticisers and one LMCD. The AA production of MDP is 160 tpd AA. A rake mechanism for black liquor (3K) tank was also added to operate as lime mud washer. The clarifiers and lime mud washers were reconfigured to operate the recausticising plant as two stage system.

2.2.4.4 Lime Mud Reburning Kiln

A new reburning kiln of 200 tpd burnt lime capacity was installed. Present lime production is 160 tpd. The lime kiln has provision for firing fuel oil, producer gas and non-condensable gases. The kiln operates with oil and producer gas as fuels. Chemical Recovery Flow Diagram is given in Figure 2.3

Figure-2.3: Chemical Recovery Flow Diagram

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2.2.5 Power House

The power plant has two pressure systems for steam and power generation and the details of plant & machinery are given below. The steam and power generation of Boiler house and Turbo generator is given in Table 2.2 and 2.3. The Process Flow Diagram of Captive Power Plant is given in Figure

¾ Boiler house

¾ Coal handling system

¾ Ash handling system

¾ DM plant

¾ Turbo generator

¾ Air compressor s

Figure-2.4: Flow Diagram for CPP

Table 2.2 Steam and Power Generation of Boiler House

Description Unit Power Power Power Boiler #1 Boiler # 2&3 Boiler # 4 Type CFB CFB CFB Pressure kg/cm² 28 28 106 Capacity tph 25 Each 40 117 The power boilers #1, #2 and #3 are kept as standby.

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Steam and Power Generation of Turbo Generators

Description Unit TG #1 TG #2 TG #3

Type Double Extraction Extraction - back Extraction – –condensing pressure condensing Capacity MW 21 16 3 The Turbo Generator #3 is kept as standby.

2.2.6 Electrical

The grid power to SPB, Erode is drawn through 110 kV over head EHT line. There are 2 nos. of 12.5 MVA 110 kV/22 kV power transformers. These power transformers are paralleled with 21 MW and 16 MW TG sets @22 kV through 15 MVA 11/22 kV transformer. The power requirement of this mill is catered through both 11 kV and 3.3 kV (old) switchgear panels.

2.3 Summary of the Environmental Compliance

Presently SPB Erode unit produces about 120,000 tpa of paper. The Mill has obtained CTO vide No. M-II/30102/93/A dated, 08/07/96 under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and CTO No. M-II/30102/93/W dated, 08/07/96 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for Mill Development Plan I (MDP I) and further got renewed vide no.MII/30102/RL/KKL/A/99 dated 03/06/99 under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and CTO MII/30102/RL/KKL/W/99 dated 03/06/99 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for Mill Development Plan I (MDP I)

Extension in validity of Consent is also obtained in 2011 under Air and water Act vide no. T10/TNPCB/NMK/F-13102/A/2011 dated, 5.8.2011 and T10/TNPCB/NMK/F-13102/W/2011 dated, 5.8.2011 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and further validity of the consent is extended upto 31st March 2014 vide no.T12/F131201/TNPCB/NMK/RL/A/2013 dated, 11.06.2013 under Air Act and T12/F131201/TNPCB/NMK/RL/W/2013 dated, 11.06.2013 under Water Act

The mill is regularly submitting the Environmental compliance report to Regional Office of MoEF. The copy of the latest compliance report and the approval for the compliance submitted from the Regional Office, MoEF is enclosed as Annexure 5 (Compliance Letter to MoEF) Annexure 5A (Statement of Compliance from MoEF Regional Office).

2.4 Compliance with CREP Guidelines

The implementation of the Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) became mandatory. A Mill Development Plan (MDP) was drawn up to implement the CREP requirements besides replacement and modernisation of aged, outdated and inefficient equipment.

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Owing to constraints in fund raising, the MDP was proposed to be implemented in two phases. The first phase (MDP I) was essentially focused on compliance with the CREP Charter without any increase in paper production and within the CREP time schedule as instructed by TNPCB vide units report enclosed as Annexure 6.

MDP I was implemented by adding a ECF wood pulp mill, converting bagasse pulp mill to ECF, with other CREP requirements and completed in 2008. The mill has since been operating as a 120,000 tpa paper/board mill with fully integrated ECF pulp mills.

In order to meet the CREP requirements, the company initiated a Mill Development Plan I (MDP I) in which the mill replaced its old chlorine based wood pulp line with a modern wood pulp line with RDH Technology, Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF), Oxygen Delignification, Efficient Chemical Recovery complex including Lime Mud re-burning kiln and so on.

As per the CREP guidelines, the final treated effluent, the AOX should be less than 1.0 Kg/t of paper. At Present AOX in the treated effluent is around 0.12 kg/t of paper.

Under MDP, Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) system of cooking has been installed in place of conventional stationery digester and blow tank system. With this digestion technology and with low consistency pump out system, the discharge of NCG is minimum.

As per the CREP guidelines, waste water discharge should be less than 100 m³/t of paper and at present waste water discharge is around 78 m³/t of paper.

2.5 Existing Pollution Sources

In the process plants along with the useful products, several waste products are also generated. These waste products include flue gases, wastewater and solid wastes. The waste gases include the flue gases generated in the Power boilers, chemical recovery boilers, vents from Wood pulp digester, Vents from Pandia digester and lime kiln. The atmospheric pollutants from the stacks of these sources include particulates, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

The quantities and the composition of the gaseous, liquid and solid waste that are generated in the plant will be regulated such that their final disposal into the environment meets all the statutory requirements and the environmental impacts are minimised.

2.5.1 Stack Emissions

The emission of PM, SO2 and NOX were monitored at the project site. Summary of stack details and the emissions details from the stacks attached

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to power boilers chemical recovery boilers and lime kiln are given in Table 2.3 and Table 2.4. The average stack emission plant data for the period of September 2013 to February 2014 is given in Table 2.5

Table 2.3 Summary of Stack Details

Stack Connected Type of Stack Stack Stack Gas Stack Gas Pollution Height, m Diameter, Velocity, Temperature, Control m (m/sec) (Deg C) System Coal Fired Boiler ESP 85 2.31 3.34 146 Chemical Recovery ESP 80 2.0 5.22 142 Boiler Lime Kiln ESP 60 1.5 2.17 142 Note: Values as per the TNPCB Test Report vide Report No.41/AAQ/SM/NLS/2013- 14, dated: 24.02.2014 (Copy enclosed as Annexure 7).

Table 2.4 Summary of Stack Emissions Monitoring Data- TNPCB

3 3 Stack Connected PM, mg/Nm SO2, mg/Nm NOx, Cl2, H2S, mg/Nm3 mg/Nm3 mg/Nm3 Coal Fired Boiler 21.5 120 5.7 - - Chemical Recovery 75.46 32 9.97 <0.0005* 0.188 Boiler Lime Kiln 27.2 66.6 10.38 - 0.52 *Indicates minimum detectable limits Note: Values as per the TNPCB Test Report vide Report No. 41/AAQ/SM/NLS/2013-14, dated: 24.02.2014

Table 2.5 Summary of Stack Emissions monitoring data- Plant data

3 3 3 Stack Connected PM, mg/Nm SO2, mg/Nm NOx, mg/Nm Coal Fired Boiler 34 182 - Chemical Recovery Boiler 107 - - Lime Kiln 38 - -

It is observed that the values are well within the standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Tamil Nadu Pollution control Board for emission standards.

The steam requirement of the project is met by the captive power boilers and chemical recovery boilers after extracting power from turbo generator. The fuel consumption for the existing boilers is given in Table 2.5 and the quality of the fuels used is given in Table 2.6.

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Table 2.6 Fuel Consumption in the Existing Plant

Parameter Units Power Power Power Power Chemical Lime Boiler 1 Boiler 2 Boiler 3 Boiler 4 Recovery Kiln Boiler Design steam tph 25 40 40 117 200 tpd generation capacity Type fuels - Imported Imported Imported Imported Black Furnace used Coal Coal Coal Coal Liquor Oil Solids & Furnace Oil Quantity of tpd - - - 553 630 21 kls the fuel The power boilers #1, #2 and #3 are kept as standby

Table 2.7 Characteristics of the Fuel used in Boiler

S.No Particular Units Min* Max* Imported Coal 1 Total Moisture % 26.5 30.5 2 Air Dry Moisture % 11.5 13.5 3 Air Dry ash % 6.00 16.2 4 Dry Basis Ash % 6.91 18.0 5 Air Dry Calorific value cal/gm 5282 5662 6 Dry Basis Calorific cal/gm 6093 6462 value 7 As fired Calorific value cal/gm 4431 4674 Furnace Oil 8 Density kg/m3 0.947 0.964 9 Calorific value cal/gm 10240 10284 *Values is as per plant record

2.5.2 Existing Water Sources and Requirement

The existing source of water is from the Cauvery River, which is 0.5 km away from the project site. The mill has one (1) water intake well situated at the bank of the river. The water is pumped to the water treatment plant at mill site through two (2) underground mild steel fabricated pipelines. A major portion of water from the intake well is processed through a combination of flash mixers, distribution chamber and clariflocculators. The raw water consumption for existing mill is about 28,000 m3/day and supply to adjoining villages is about 4,500m3/day. The total raw water consumption is about 32,500 m3/day.

The necessary approval letter from Public Works Department, Government of Tamil Nadu vide no. G.O. Ms.No.1205 dated, 23rd August 1974 for the drawl of 15MGD (68,191m3/d). The water drawal permission letter is enclosed as Annexure 8.

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Water Treatment Plant (WTP)

The mill has one (1) water intake well situated at the bank of the river Cauvery. The water is pumped to the water treatment plant at mill site through two (2) underground mild steel fabricated pipelines. The raw water consumption for existing mill is about 28,000 m³/day and supply to adjoining villages is about 4,500 m³/day. The total raw water consumption is about 32,500 m³/day.

A major portion of water from the intake well is processed through a combination of flash mixers, distribution chamber and clariflocculators. The clarified water from the clariflocculators goes to clarified water storage reservoirs by gravity.

The water from the flash mixer is distributed to two (2) clariflocculators each of size 24.38 m dia x 3.66 m SWD operating parallel. Addition of lime, alum, polymer and pre-chlorination are done before the raw water enters to clarifloculators.

The clarified process water is pumped to the process as per the requirement and a portion of clarified water is processed through sand filter and used for domestic purpose inside mill and residential colony and nearby villages.

Another portion of raw water is treated separately in reactivator clarifier and the clarified water after pH correction is processed through UF & RO-DM plant for supplying to high pressure power boiler and recovery boiler.

Water requirement for Existing facilities (typical Operation)

The existing overall water balance of the mill is as below.

Paper Machine 1-5 - 8,800 m3/day Bagasse Pulp mill - 2,400 m3/day Hard wood pulp mill - 7,500 m³/day Chemical recovery plant - 3,000 m3/day Power plant - 4,400 m3/day Misc and domestic - 1,900 m3/day Total Fresh Water Requirement for existing operations- 28,000 m3/day

The mill has reduced the water consumption from 200m3 to 80 m3 per tonne of paper production by installing various conservation measures. This is far below the stipulated CREP guidelines of 100 m3/t.

2.5.2.1 Water Conservation Measures Adopted

As early as 1984, the Company introduced ”Paper Machine Effluent Recycling (PER) System”, by which the entire white water from all paper machines is collected, pumped to a clariflocculator for treatment and reused within the mill. This has enabled the Company to reduce raw water consumption to a considerable extent. In order to further reduce the raw water consumption,

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various other water recycling / conservation measures were implemented, as detailed hereunder

During the year 2003 - 04, the Company implemented the following water recycling / conservation measures:

¾ Reuse of back water in pulp mill bleaching.

¾ Installation of save-all system in all the paper machines for backwater recycling and fiber recovery.

¾ Installation of high efficiency poly disc filters in paper machine - 5 for backwater recycling and fiber recovery.

¾ Installation of water re-circulation system for cooling tower in compressors, heat exchangers and vacuum pumps of paper machine - 5.

¾ Use of hypo filtrate in both Bagasse and wood streets in unbleached pulp tower dilution.

¾ Use of Paper machine - 4 concrete tank white water for incoming bleach pulp tower dilution.

¾ Use of Paper machine Effluent Recycled water (PER Water) for condensate cooling purposes in soda recovery plant, replacing fresh water consumption.

During the year 2004 - 05, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ Use of Primary Treated Effluent in ETP Filter House replacing PER Water.

¾ Squirt water excess being taken to 40 Bar tank in Paper Machines (1-4).

¾ Surface Condenser water connected to concrete tank in Paper Machine- 4.

¾ Brake cooling in Paper Machine connected to concrete tank.

¾ Knock off shower auto valve checked and operated only during paper breaks.

¾ In Paper Machine-1 lump breaker roll shower was replaced with new shower by which fresh water saving is about 50 m3/day.

¾ One 40 Bar pump, one 10 Bar pump, one 3 Bar pump stopped.

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¾ Use of Paper Machine-5 back water for Preparation of clay solution Recycling of the sand filter back wash water to raw water tank.

¾ Replacement of Paper Machine-4 white water pumps with high.

¾ Capacity pump for recovery of fiber by 0.5 t/d.

¾ Reuse of UF rejects to raw water system.

¾ Diversion of Filter Back Wash Water along with raw water.

During the year 2005 - 06, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ Installation of high efficiency poly disc filters in Paper Machine-5 for back water recycling & fiber recovery.

¾ Deculator for Vacuum pump Seal water recycling.

¾ Recycling of Bagasse thickener filtrate.

¾ Diverting WTP sand filter back water to raw water sump.

¾ Installation of Paper Machine-3 back water recycling system.

¾ Use of Paper Machine-5 back water for talcum powder preparation.

¾ Recycling of hypo filtrate seal tank over flow in bleach plant.

During the year 2006 - 07, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ RO Plant Reject water diverted to Paper Machine Effluent Recycled (PER) water sump to minimize water consumption.

¾ A portion of effluent from Thickener section diverted to Bagasse slush tank to reduce the PER water consumption.

¾ Possible quantity of CPU water is diverted so as to minimize the operation of old DM Plant and hence the water used for old DM plant regeneration is minimized.

¾ Under flow of water clarifiers (I & II) diverted to untreated PER water sump for clarification and reuse, thus saving about 750 m3/day of water.

¾ Bagasse pith effluent quantity is reduced by:

x Avoiding unnecessary use of PER water at slush tank

x Arresting the leakages at the channel and

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x Effective operation of B2 Thickener

¾ In RO plant, on-line meter sampling water diverted to raw water sump.

¾ About 30 m3 of CPU water / day used for flushing RO membrane diverted to treated PER water sump.

¾ Air line of RO-MGF vessel kept to open to avoid high pressure. The water from this earlier sent to common effluent sump, now diverted to clarified water sump.

During the year 2007 - 08, the Company implemented the following water recycling / conservation measures:

¾ Recycling of underflow from water clariflocculator along with PER water

¾ Recycling of RO plant rejects along with PER water

¾ Diverting RO Plant sampling water to raw water sump

¾ Installation of side screen filters in Captive Power Plant cooling tower, thereby reducing the make up water consumption by 20%

¾ Installation of energy efficient feed water pumps for Captive Power Plant

¾ Installation of energy efficient feed water pumps for Stock Preparation of Paper Machines 1 to 4

¾ Reduction in steam consumption in fiber line for PO-1 filtrate cooler heat recovery through installation of innovative Wide Gap Plate Heat Exchangers (WGPHE)

¾ Reduction in LP steam consumption by partial avoidance of Evaporator cooling water

¾ Installation of Common condensate for Paper Machines -1 to 3

During the year 2008 - 09, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ White water from Paper Machine 5 is used for bleached pulp supply Tower in RDH pulp mill

¾ New RO plant reject water diverted to PER water sump

¾ Up-gradation of Deculator System in Paper Machine 5

¾ Installation of Centricleaning System in Paper Machine 3

¾ Installation of pith / screw press for pulp mill

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During the year 2009 - 10, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ Diversion of Hot condensate and flash steam recovery from MG, Yankee paper machines, coating plant, chilling plant and RDH Black & White liquor heaters

¾ Diversion of RDH Trim cooler Hot water to DM water heating

¾ Installation of Centricleaning System in Yankee Paper Machine

¾ As part of Mill Development Plan (MDP), environment friendly and technologically advanced systems and equipment, such as RDH, ODL, ECF, etc were installed, which resulted in significant reduction in raw water consumption, waste water generation and pollution load in waste water

During the year 2010 - 11, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ Provision of Heat Exchangers in RDH plant

¾ Installation of Heat Exchangers for white Liquor in RDH plant

¾ Installation of balancing equipment for Evaporators & Causticisers in Recovery Island

¾ Re-use of MF2 Paper Machine back water from concrete tank to MF3 Paper Machine and RDH plant for final bleaching tower dilution

¾ Re-cycling of Thickener Seal Pit (TSP) water in bagasse screening system

¾ Re-use of Alkaline Peroxide Stage (EOP Stage) filtrate in first chlorine Dioxide Bleaching Stage (DO Stage) in RDH Bleach Plant

During the year 2011 - 12, the Company implemented the following water recycling/conservation measures:

¾ Mist Cooling system was commissioned with the evaporation plant process condensate and fresh water used as sealing water for vacuum pumps and compressors were replaced

¾ Recovery Boiler feed water pump sealing / cooling water & spout cooling Heat Exchanger cooling water collected and sent to Pulp Mill for reuse, thereby reducing fresh water consumption

¾ Vacuum pump sump pit water taken to poly disc save all and the seal pit make up taken from back water instead of fresh water

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¾ Deculator seal pit overflow arrested and re-circulated in the cooling tower

¾ PM1-4 Machine all 3 bar & 10 bar wire showers’ worn out nozzles replaced with new one to reduce water consumption

¾ Yankee Paper Machine hydra pulper dilution water is only seal pit water - fresh water line removed

¾ White water tank to pulper dilution line cleaned to avoid over flow in white water tank

¾ Recycling of raw water clarifiers sludge and after treating, being used in process

¾ By increasing the consistency by 1% from 1.5 to 2.5%, water consumption for 10T of Kraft supply had been reduced

¾ By reducing or stopping the EOP hot water depending upon the situation, spray water is getting saved

¾ The fresh water used in the recovery boiler feed water pumps for sealing and the spout heat exchanger cooling water was collected and recycled to bagasse plant as warm water

¾ Total RO back wash water has been diverted to raw water sump instead of draining

During 2012-2013, the company implemented the following water recycling /conservation measures.

¾ Increasing pump out line size in digesters #3 & 4 in RDH plant

¾ About 80% make up water being used for temperature reduction for chlorine dioxide Vapour Absorption Machine (VAM) unit is being reused in process

¾ Entire back water from wet lap machine is recycled in process for pulp dilution

2.5.3 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

2.5.3.1 Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)

Based on their origin and characteristics, the wastewater from the mill is divided into three main streams. First one is low BOD wastewater stream, second one is medium BOD wastewater stream and the third one is high BOD wastewater stream.

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

The wastewater generation is around 24,900 m3/day. The existing wastewater overall balance is as under.

Waste water generation from existing operations - 24,900 m³/day Loss of water in sludge - 200 m³/day Treated wastewater for irrigation - 24,700 m³/day

At present the mill has (3) streams of wastewater with a common treatment plant with an installed capacity to treat 53,000 m3/day of effluent.

The description of wastewater plant is as below.

2.5.3.2 Process Description

¾ Low BOD wastewater stream:

Low BOD stream, generates from stock preparation, paper machines, waste paper plant, wet lap machine and cooking plant and the system consists of the following

x Bar screen

x Collection sump

x Clarifloculator

¾ The wastewater from paper machine section contains lower BOD concentration and mainly fibres. This stream, which is comparatively less in pollution load, is passed through a series of screens and flash mixer. The wastewater is clarified in a clariflocculator and the clarified water is recycled in the process. The underflow sludge is dewatered in the vacuum drum filter and sold as a raw material to the nearby board making units.

Concentration of BOD in the Low BOD stream is 50 mg/l. The typical characteristics of low BOD wastewater stream is given below in Table 2.8

Table 2.8 Characteristics of Low BOD Stream

Description Unit Characteristics pH -- 7.3 – 7.8 Temperature °C 32-39 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 1,000-1,100

Bio chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD3) mg/l 50 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/l 300-370 About 80% of low BOD wastewater after clarifloculator is recycled.

¾ High BOD wastewater stream

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The high BOD stream consists of wastewater only from the bagasse preparation section. This wastewater contains high pollution load and the COD is in the level of 6,750 – 7,500 mg/l. Suspended solids present in the wastewater are removed in the settling pit. Then it is treated in a dedicated (HDPE lined) anaerobic lagoon of size 80 m x 35 m x 4 m SWD, which functions at an efficiency of 90-92% organic material removal. Finally, it mixes with medium BOD wastewater. The bio gas generated is burnt in the boilers and the high BOD stream consists of the following

x Screw press

x Collection sump

x Anaerobic lagoon

x The treated high BOD effluent is mixed with medium BOD stream

Concentration of BOD in the High BOD stream is 3000 mg/l. The typical characteristics of high BOD wastewater stream at the inlet of anaerobic lagoon after pH correction are given below in Table 2.9

Table 2.9 Characteristics of High BOD Stream

Description Unit Characteristics pH -- 6.5-7.0 Temperature °C 32-37 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 1,000-1,200

Bio chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD3) mg/l 2,500-3,000 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/l 6,750 – 7,500 ¾ Medium BOD wastewater stream

Wastewater from pulp mill, recovery plant, boiler and anaerobic lagoon are categorised as medium BOD wastewater. Medium BOD stream consists of the following system based on Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

x Bar screen

x Mechanical screen

x Collection sump

x Primary clarifier

x Collection sump

x Aeration basin with 12 surface aerators of 50 HP each

x Secondary clarifier

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

x Vacuum drum filters (2 Nos.)

x Sludge thickener

x Decanter Centrifudge

The medium BOD wastewater along with anaerobic treated wastewater is clarified in a primary clarifier of 54.86 m dia x 4.26 m SWD. The settled fibrous solids along with other solid wastes are dewatered in vacuum drum filters and the dewatered solid waste is sold as a raw material for board making units. The clarified overflow is treated in aeration basin of size 65.6 m x 49.2 m x 4.5 m SWD by activated sludge process. Twelve (12) slow speed fixed surface aerators each of 50 hp rating are installed. Finally, it is clarified in the secondary clarifier of size (47.25 m diameter x 4 m SWD) and the final treated wastewater from the secondary clarifier is well within inland surface water discharge standards prescribed by TNPCB/CPCB and it is used for sugarcane cultivation in 2140 acres in the nearby villages. The system is designed for a water flow by means of gravity as well as by pumping through HDPE pipe lines with distribution networks.

One sludge thickener of size 13.5 m diameter and 3.5 m SWD caters to the need of thickening the underflow from secondary clarifier. Two (2) vacuum drum filters of size 3.65 m diameter and 6.10 m face width are installed to dewater the thickened sludge along with primary sludge.

Concentration of BOD in the Medium BOD stream is 280 mg/l. The typical characteristics of wastewater stream entering the primary clarifier are given in Table 2.10

Table 2.10 Characteristics of Medium BOD Stream

Description Unit Characteristics pH -- 6.8 – 7.2 Temperature °C 39-42 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 900 – 1,500

Bio chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD3) mg/l 250-280 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/l 550-720

The existing wastewater treatment plant flow diagram is given in Figure 2.5. Treated wastewater quality of the WWTP is given in Table 2.11 and the existing mill water and wastewater balance is given in Figure 2.6.

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Figure-2.5: Flow Diagram of Wastewater Treatment Plant

Figure-2.6: Existing Mill Water and Wastewater Balance

The typical characteristics of final treated wastewater stream at the outlet of secondary clarifier are given in Table 2.11

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Table 2.11 Treated Wastewater Quality Data

S. Parameter Values as Tamil Nadu Waste water Waste water No per Plant Pollution discharge discharge records Control Board standard for Pulp standard as per Test report* & Paper as per TNPCB EPA 1 pH 7.8 7.4 7.0 to 8.5 5.5 to 9 2 TDS, mg/l 1116 504 2100 2100 3 TSS, mg/l 22 12 500 50 4 COD, mg/l 137 128 350 250 5 BOD, mg/l 15 4 30 30 * Note: Values as per the TNPCB Test Report vide, dated: 23.10.2013 (Copy enclosed as Annexure 9.)

2.5.3.3 Treated Wastewater Utilization

The final treated wastewater from the secondary clarifier is well within inland surface water discharge standards prescribed by TNPCB/CPCB and it is used for sugarcane cultivation in an area of about 2,140 acres in the nearby villages. MOUs with farmers for utilization of treated wastewater is enclosed as Annexure 10.

The treated waste water quality is analyzed periodically by the Department of Environmental Sciences,Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in order to monitor the ground water quality and soil contamination in the area where treated wastewater is utilized. The test report of Agricultural University is enclosed as Annexure 11.

The system is envisaged by means of gravity flow as well as by pumping through HDPE pipe lines with distribution networks. The yield of sugarcane is superior and higher in the fields irrigated with treated paper mill wastewater when compared with fresh water irrigation. The yields are proved to be higher by about 10 to 15 % when compared to those irrigated with fresh water (100 to 125 t of sugarcane per hectare). This has been corroborated by various Research Studies.

SPB has undertaken a collaborative research project with the Department of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Mettupalayam, attached to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), for establishment of Clonal Casuarina / Eucalyptus Hybrid testing trials, supply of Clonal Casuarina/ Eucalyptus Hybrid Seedlings and other allied research activities.

The Company has taken up a “Tree Farming Activity “, under which the Company produces quality Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in the Company’s Clonal Multiplication Centre and Casuarina Seedlings in diversified Production Centres nearer to the prospective farmers who will procure them from the Company. The total area planted under tree farming is about 64642 acres during the year 2013-2014 in that Eucalyptus plantation is about 10013 acres and Casuarina plantation is about 54629 acres.

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

2.5.3.4 Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)

The mill sewage goes to septic tank and the overflow from the tank is combined with mill effluent stream and treated in WWTP.

2.5.4 Solid and Hazardous Wastes Generation and Disposal

The solid waste generation from the existing operation is from the expected solid wastes generation in the proposed project are non-hazardous in nature. The solid waste generation will be ash from Power boilers, Wood dust/Bark dust & Lime Sludge. In addition to this, there will be fibre sludge generation from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Solid and hazardous waste from the existing plant is given below in Table 2.12. The necessary approval from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for the collection, storage and disposal of hazardous waste from the plant will be obtained and the copy of the acknowledgment letter for the submission of application is enclosed as Annexure 12. The MoU for the disposal of the fly ash to the brick manufacture is also enclosed as Annexure 13.

Table 2.12 Solid Waste quantity and Method of Disposal

Type of Waste Unit As per Plant Disposal Method Records Wood dust/ Bark dust tpd 70 Sent to Tirunelveli unit, to be sold or used as bio fuel in boiler Primary clarifier sludge tpd 25 Sent to board making units Secondary clarifier tpd 2 Used as manure for greenbelt development Lime sludge tpd 31 Used in lime kiln and balance sent to cement industry Fly ash tpd 12 Cement industry and also used for making hollow blocks/compressed bricks

2.5.5 Existing Green Cover

About 35 acres of for extensive plantation has been done under green cover development for the existing plant. Green cover has been developed and well maintained along the internal roads and mill area. The mill has made elaborate arrangement in developing green cover inside the mill. The photographs of the existing green cover is given in Figure 2.7

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Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II)

Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Figure-2.7: Existing Green cover

2.5.6 Environmental Management Cell

The Company has been accredited with ISO 14001 Certification (2004 version) (Environmental Management System - EMS) and OHSAS 18001 Certification (2007 version) (Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series), by M/s Det Norske Veritas, Netherlands. The copy of the accreditation certificate is enclosed as Annexure 14.

Environmental protection is being monitored and implemented by a centralised Environmental Management Cell. The constitution of the Environmental Management Cell of the mill is given in Figure 2.8

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Figure-2.8: Environmental Management Cell of the SPB Unit

2.5.7 Fire Fighting System

Extension of existing plant hydrant network (with augmentation of pumps, if required) for new project facilities will be done.

Further, it will consist of fire alarm systems for control room, MCC room and cable alleys.

Portable extinguishers at strategic locations in the plant will be provided.

Details of installation of fire fighting units - On site emergency measures shall be taken to mitigate the effect of any risk due to fire hazard. It has been taken care to take all necessary measures in each area like raw material, coal yard, paper machine finishing godown etc. The plant has all fire fighting system in place. Photographs of the Fire hydrants and fire extinguishers located in the plant is given in Figure 2.9

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Fire Hydrants & Fire Extinguishers

Emergency Assembling Point

Figure-2.9: Fire Hydrants & Fire Extinguishers in the plant

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

2.5.8 Occupational Health Centre

SPB is equipped with a full fledged Occupational Health Centre within the factory premises. OHC is manned by a qualified Medical Officer supported with four paramedical staff.

SPB OHC has the following facilities: -

1) Eye Wash Shower 2) Oxygen Cylinders 3) Stretchers, 4) IV facility 5) Nebuliser 6) Examination Table 7) Medicines and disposal syringe 8) Accu Check – Blood Sugar – Glucometer 9) Rotacaps 10) Rotahaler 11) Infra red lamp 12) Cervical Collar 13) Spilints for snake biting emergencies and fracture 14) Wound suturing and dressing Two Ambulances are stationed in the Mill 24 hours with basic facilities fitted like retractable stretcher, first aid boxes with medicines, oxygen cylinders etc., 57 first aid boxes provided with medicines, kept at vulnerable places inside the Mill. Alike 17 first aid boxes are provided in the company vehicles. The Photographs of the facilities in the Occupational Health centre is given in Figure 2.10

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Figure-2.10: Facilities in Occupational Health Centre

In OHC, medicines are given for fever, cold, body pain, headache, etc., and dressing is done for minor injuries. In case of major injuries, first aid is given at OHC and injured are sent to nearby Tie up with the following hospital at Pallipalayam and Erode. The hospitals are located within the radius of 3 to 7 kms.

¾ Cheran Hospitals, Pallipalayam – 3 kms

1) 24X7 working hours

2) 25 beds

3) X-ray

4) ECG

5) Lab

6) One Operation theatre

¾ LVS Hospitals, Erode – 6 kms

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

1) 24X 7 hours working

2) 10 beds

3) Total Eye Care facilities

¾ Lotus Hospital, Erode- 7 Kms

It is a multi specialty Hospitals working 24X 7 hours with the following facilities.

1) 100 beds

2) MRI

3) Digital X ray

4) Emergency Surgical procedure

5) Operation Theatres

6) ECG

7) Treadmill

8) Ultra Sound

9) ICCU

10) ICU

11) Full fledged laboratory

¾ Meena Pasupathy Hospitals – 7 kms

1) 24X 7 hours working

2) 25 beds

3) ICU for Burns – Chemical Burns

4) X-Ray

5) Scan

6) One Operation Theatre

Pre-employment medical test is done and the necessary Counselling is done by the Company Medical Officer

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

The Company is conducting various health camps like Cardio, diabetic, eye, dental, respiratory etc., for employees and findings are updated in the employee medical history cards at OHC.

Lung function test, audio metric test are being conducted periodically for the employees working in strategic places and reviewed.

Health Awareness Programme by a qualified Doctor from outside on various diseases is conducted every month for the benefit of employees.

Photographs of the Various Occupational Health Camps conducted for the employees of SPB is given in Figure 2.11

Blood Donation Camp-29.07.2013

Eye Camp-27.12.2013

Hepatitis awareness Programme on 05.02.14

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Lungs Camp by Cipla-23.09.2103 to 24.09.2013 Figure-2.11: Employee Health Check up

To take care of the medical care in the nearby Villages, the company is having four numbers of Community Health Centres, headed by a qualified Medical Officer with additional paramedical staff. About 160 to 200 outpatients are being treated as outpatients every day by supplying free medicines and injections. The photographs of the camp conducted in the nearby villages is given below in Figure 2.12

Odapalli Village Health center Pappampalayam Village Health center

Cauvery RS Village Health Ayakattor Village Health center center

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Eye camp conducted for the nearby Ortho camp conducted for the villages nearby villages Figure-2.12: Free Medical Facilities in Nearby Villages

Occupational Health Report is enclosed as Annexure 15.

2.5.9 Community Development Programs

The Company has voluntarily undertaken the following Community Development Measures in the adjoining Villages, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which include:

Drinking Water Facilities

Daily supply of 4500 m3 of protected & treated Drinking Water through 320 drinking water taps installed by the Company and 5 Overhead Tanks constructed by TWAD Board and maintained by Local Panchayats.

Community Health Centres at:

¾ Ayakkattur

¾ Odappalli

¾ Pappampalayam

¾ Cauvery R.S

With full time qualified Physicians, Paramedical Staff and Free Medical facilities

CSR Activities in the Neighbouring Villages:

¾ Provision of Rain Water Harvesting Facilities

¾ Laying of Village Roads

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

¾ Construction of culverts at strategic places

¾ Provision of Street Lights

¾ Renovation of Old Village Temples

¾ Construction of Public Community Toilets

¾ Repair and Maintenance of Burial Ghats

¾ Construction, Deepening & De-silting of Storm Water Drains and Strengthening of Bunds

¾ Implementation of Tree Farming Programme in association with marginal Land Owners.

¾ Conducting yearly Free Eye Camps, Blood Donation Camps, Diabetic Check Up Camps, etc., for public in the neighbourhood

¾ Provision of illuminators on the Highways Road from Railway Under Bridge to SPB Schools

¾ Provided 2.5 acres of land for ESI Hospital & Staff Quarters for the benefit of employees and public in the neighbourhood

¾ Provided 2 acres of land free of cost for the Government High School Pappampalayam, for the benefit of public in the neighbourhood

¾ Provided 7.5 acres of land for the State Electricity Board Sub station & Staff Quarters, for the benefit of public in the neighbourhood

¾ Provided accommodation for Public Library of Alampalayam Town Panchayat, UCO Bank , Kadachanallur Branch, Post Offices ( 2 Nos), ATMs, Tailoring & Embroidery Training Centre, Creche and Reading Room

Cauvery Rural Development Centre

The Company promoted “Cauvery Rural Development Centre" in Kadachanallur village, Tiruchengode Taluk, to provide employment opportunities to the poor and downtrodden women folk in the neighbouring villages. Activities such as Coir Making, Tailoring, Garment Making, etc., are undertaken in this unit.

The table gives the CSR programs undertaken in each village past four (4) years, and the amount spent.

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Chapter 2 – Environmental Management Aspects in the Existing Facilities

Table 2.14 CSR Programs and Budget spent

Year S.No Programs 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 1 Health Care - Community Health Centre 1478444 1222800 1222800 1145500 Rural up-liftment & Environmental Sustainability - Lift 2 1500000 1550000 1600000 1677000 Irrigation Schemes 3 Drinking Water Facilities 6515000 6670000 7099000 7373000 4 Promotion of Education - 11879942 12505202 13163370 Contributions by the Company to Public Charitable 5 Trusts and other 200000 700000 - 100000 Educational Institutions 6 Contribution to renovation of old village temples - 300000 547000 63000 Total 9693444 22322742 22974002 23521870

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3 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION

3.1 Overview

This chapter covers details of projects highlighting the features of plant layout and design, details of the process to be adopted, raw material requirement, utilities and services, infrastructural facilities and sources of waste generation, their quantity, treatment and safe disposal of the waste.

The environmental scenario as achieved in pre project stage will continue to prevailing unaltered post project too, without any adverse impact on the environment.

SPB proposes to expand by implementing MDP II which is proposed to enhance the paper production from 120,000 tpa to 165,000 tpa without installation of any new Paper machine and bleached wood pulp production to 145,000 tpa of bleached wood pulp.

Overview of the proposed expansion project requirements are presented in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Overview of the Proposed Expansion Project Requirements

Post Existing Incremental Description Unit project Proposal capacity capacity capacity Paper Machines Modernisation / Paper production tpa 120,000 165,000 45,000 Upgradation/ Pulp Mill Wood Pulp Upgradation/ BD tpa 115,500 145,000 29,500 (bleached) modernisation Bagasse pulp No increase in BD tpa 35,000 35,000 -- (bleached) capacity O2 generation Nm³/h -- 400 400 New PCC plant tpd -- 100 100 New Chemical Recovery Plant tph of water Upgradation/ Evaporation plant 200 250 50 evaporation Augmentation Augmentation and Addition of one tpd of black Recovery Boiler 630 950 320 more ESP for liquor solids handling additional capacity Recausticising plant tpd of AA 200 200 -- Up gradation - Lime kiln tpd of lime 200 200 -- No change Power plant -- Addition of one Power Boiler s tph of steam 117 217 100 more 100 tph boiler Addition of one 15 Turbo Generators MW of power 40 55 15 MW TG Water Treatment Adequate to handle m³/day 50,000 50,000 -- Plant the load

Prepared by & C3-1 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Post Existing Incremental Description Unit project Proposal capacity capacity capacity RO/DM plant required for boiler will be added Waste Water Treatment Waste Water m³/day 53,000 53,000 -- Up gradation Treatment

3.2 Land for the Proposed Mill Development Plan

The existing mill has total land of 82 acres, with vacant spaces and well covered with greenery. 4 acres of land is required for the proposed mill development project as per the broad break-up given in the following table. The vacant spaces available in the mill premises have been identified and found to be suitable and adequate to accommodate all the new facilities planned under project MDP-II. The Overall Mill Layout showing the proposed expansion is given in Figure 1.1 and the photographs of the area for proposed facilities is given in Figure 1.2.

Table 3.2 Land use break-up of the Existing Plant Existing Area MDP II Area Total area after S.No Description in Acres in Acres MDP II in Acres 1 Plant and Building 14.52 2.15 16.67 2 Storage yards 11.38 0.85 12.23 3 Guest house, hostel and 4.00 4.00 - quarters 4 Road and pathways 5.10 5.10 5 Effluent treatment plant 4.00 0.20 4.20 6 Green belt 34.00 0.50 34.5 7 Open space 9.00 - 5.30 Total 82.00 3.70 82.00

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Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Paper Machine area Bagasse Storage area

Proposed Power Boiler

Proposed Oxygen Plant

Figure-3.1: Overall Mill Layout

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Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Pulp Mill

Location for Washer and Press Location for O2 Plant

Location for Chip Storage Area Location for Wet Lap Machine Recovery Plant

Location for CD filter Location for CRB- ESP

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Location for Lime Mud Washer Location for PCC Plant Power Plant

Location of Proposed Power Boiler Figure-3.2: Photographs of the area for proposed facilities

3.3 Site Analysis

3.3.1 Site Location aspects

The proposed location for the project is within the existing mill premises. So there will not be any change in the topography of present land. The proposed facilities will be located in the vacant spaces in the mill permises. The surroundings of the project site are mostly agriculture land and villages. The nearest village, Odapalli is about 0.5 km from the mill and SH is reachable at 1.8 km and the railway network is adjacent. Cauvery River is about 0.5 km from the plant. There are no hospitals, schools, temples and community hills within 1 km area. This area is not falling into the forest land and there is no eco-sensitive zone.

3.3.2 Connectivity & Transportation

The plant is well developed with necessary infrastructure facilities such as motorable road up to plant site, nearness to rail head, telephone and telefax facilities.

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The plant is well connected with roadways, railways and airways. The plant is well connected with State Highway 79 (Connecting Salem, Namakkal, Erode). The nearest railway station is erode Junction which is 4 Km towards South west from the project site.

3.4 Proposed Expansion- Paper Mill

3.4.1 Paper Machines

In SPB, there are five Paper Machines producing about 1,20,000 tpa. As detailed earlier in chapter 2, all the machines are old and some of them are operating since 1962. It is therefore necessary to upgrade/modernise these machines to produce 165,000 tpa of paper protection with improved quality, production, energy and environmental performance to meet today’s competitive environment.

Paper Machine # 1 (MF – I) is in operation since 1962 and generally runs on colour printing papers and Dandy papers. It is proposed to carry out certain minor upgradation on this machine as detailed below:

¾ Fine tuning of Headbox

¾ Replacement of Drainage Elements

¾ Upgradation of Dryer Section

¾ Upgradation of QCS

¾ Upgradation of Backwater System to reduce

¾ Fresh Water consumption

Paper Machine # 2 (MG) is in operation since 1962 and it is a MG machine manufacturing heavy weight [upto 250 gsm] single layer pulp boards and MG posters. It is proposed to carry out certain minor upgradation on this machine as detailed below:

¾ Fine tuning of Headbox

¾ Replacement of Drainage Elements

¾ Upgradation of Press Section

¾ Upgradation of Dryer Section

¾ Upgradation of QCS

¾ Upgradation of Backwater System to reduce Fresh

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Paper Machine # 3 (Yankee) is a single Yankee cylinder Paper Machine installed in the year 1969. This machine produces light weight posters and kraft papers.

In order to improve quality, production, energy and environmental performance, it is proposed to carry out certain minor upgradation on this machine as detailed below:-

¾ Upgradation of Press Part

¾ Upgradation of Backwater System to reduce fresh water consumption

Paper Machine # 4 (MF - II) was installed in the year 1979 and it is an ideal machine for upgradation/modernization. This machine produces presently printing and writing grades and speciality high bulk papers.

It is proposed to carry out the following upgradation in the machine in order to increase the machine speed from present level of 300 mpm to 550 mpm.

¾ Upgradation of Stock and Approach Flow Systems including

¾ Automation

¾ New Headbox

¾ Replacement of Drainage Elements

¾ Upgradation of Press Part

¾ Grinding of Dryers

¾ Upgradation of Winder and Conversion Equipment

¾ New QCS

¾ Upgradation of Drive System

¾ Upgradation of Backwater System to reduce fresh water consumption

Paper Machine # 5 (MF - III) is a used machine from Germany installed in the year 2001. This is a high speed machine with hydraulic head box, tri-nip press, metering size press and so on. The machine presently operates at around 780 mpm and there is ample scope to improve the quality, production, energy and environmental performance of the machine by suitable upgradation/ modernisation. The deckle of the machine upto 3rd group of drying section is about 3.1 m and the deckle from 4th group onwards is about 2.74 m (excepting calender stack).

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It is therefore planned to increase the deckle of paper at reeler from the present level 2.74 m to 3.10 m by replacing certain Dryers and the Metering Size Press. It is proposed to carry out the following upgradation on the Machine:

¾ Introduction of Shoe Press

¾ Replacement of Dryers after III Group

¾ Replacement of Metering Size Press

¾ Upgradation of Rope Carrier System

¾ Upgradation of sheeters and A4 line

3.4.2 Pulp Plant

3.4.2.1 Wood Pulp Mill

For the production of around 410 BD tpd unbleached hard wood pulp, the requirement of BD chips is around 890 BD tpd (approximately 1410 tpd on ‘as such’ basis).

3.4.2.2 Chipper House

The existing chipper house will not be able to cater to the additional demand for chips. Hence, it is proposed to add one (1) drum chipper of 50 tph capacity (as such), with one (1) chip screen and one (1) re-chipper along with their accessories.

3.4.2.3 Rapid Displacement Heating (RDH) Cooking Plant

410 BD tpd pulp is to be produced in RDH digesters. The existing four (4) digesters, operating on a 4-hour cooking cycle/digester should deliver 20 t of pulp from each pump out. However, the mill is experiencing some problem in heat exchangers, with the result that each cycle takes about 5 hours. Additional heat exchangers are needed. This will increase the temperature of the white liquor feed to the digester from 140°C to 155°C. With new heat exchangers for hot black liquor and hot white liquor, the cycle time of digester will get reduced from 5 hours to 4 hours. The technical data for heat exchanger is given below in Table 3.3

Prepared by & C3-8 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Table 3.3 Technical Data for Heat Exchanger

Application For heating white liquor with medium pressure steam Position Vertical Type Tube / Shell (White Liquor in Tube) Design Pressure (T/S) 20.5 / 20.6 bar (g) Design Temperature (T/S) 260 / 260 °C Metallurgy Tube Side SAF 2205 Shell Side (Steam Side) SA 516 Gr. 60 According to ASME VIII Div. 1, flanges according to Design Code DIN, TEMA “B”

3.4.2.4 Brown Stock Washing

Presently, brown stock is washed in three (3) stages. Each washer is of size 8’ x 16’. The washers are run at 1.3 – 1.4 rpm with an inlet consistency of 1.7 – 2.0 % and an outlet consistency of 13 -14 %.

The mill reports high soda losses when the production is around 330 tpd. In order to reduce the washing losses and to increase the throughput to around 410 BD tpd pulp, it is suggested that SPB may install a fourth washer (one size higher than the existing BSW washer), with all required accessories like filtrate tanks, pump etc and be introduced as a first stage washer so that no major modification is needed in the rest of the system. First stage washer will be of size 4.1 m diameter by 5.5 m long vacuum filter complete with inlet box, main vat, showers take off and final repulper.

Prepared by & C3-9 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.4.2.5 Oxygen Delignification

The ODL system is designed for an output of 400 tpd oxygen de-lignified pulp. At present, it is a single stage ODL system. The oxygen reactor has a volume of 180 m³. The retention time in the reactor may not be adequate when the production is increased. Hence, it is suggested that one (1) more reactor and accessories be installed so that there will be a two stage ODL system, which will take care of the required kappa reduction and retention time. The additional equipment in ODL stage include feed pump and stand pipe. Oxygen mixer, pre reactor tube, booster pump and high pressure steam mixer.

3.4.2.6 Screening Plant

Pulp from the ODL stage blow tank is passed through the screening section. Screening section consists of two (2) primary screens, one (1) secondary screen and one (1) tertiary screen. With increased production, both the primary screens are to be operated and hence there will not be any spare screen.

In order to ensure sustained production from the screening plant, it is suggested that SPB installs one (1) more screen which can work as a standby or upgrade the rotor of the primary screen.

Prepared by & C3-10 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.4.2.7 Bleach Plant

The performance of the washers in bleach plant is good; the washers with its accessories can produce 380 BD tpd bleached pulp. However, the capacities

of some of the filtrate tanks pumps are to be increased. The D0 & D1 filtrate pump delivery lines are of FRP material. In order to avoid down time, in case of failure of FRP pipes, it is suggested that the FRP pipes in bleach plant be replaced with MS pipes lined with PTFE or FRP pipes having CPVC liner inside. The inlet consistency to the washer may have to be kept around 2 %, so as to maintain the washer hydraulic capacities.

3.4.2.8 Chemical Bagasse Line

Vertical depithers will be installed in place of existing HORKELs to improve the quality bagasse feed to digester, which results in better yield and lesser chemical consumption

It is suggested that one (1) additional slush tank and one(1) pith filtrate tank be provided , so that cleaning can be done periodically without affecting PANDIA operations. Removal of sand and pith from the bagasse will improve the performance of washers. Screening and cleaning can be improved with good

Prepared by & C3-11 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

control on reject dilution. Automation in operation of the bagasse pulping line and wet pith removal system needs to be improved.

3.4.2.9 Weak Black Liquor (WBL)

Weak Black liquor Solids (WBL) generation will be around 950 tpd.

3.4.2.10 Chlorine Dioxide Plant

Chlorine dioxide plant capacity is 10 tpd. As the requirement is less than 10 tpd, even after increase in pulp production, no modification is suggested.

It is proposed to convert the existing VAM machine as LP steam fired which will provide possibility to generate additional 2200 kW/day. However, LP steam firing will derate existing VAM to 300 TR. It is suggested that one (1) new chilling plant (350 TR capacity) be installed.

The existing cooling tower is common to Chilling plant and CPP, resulting in cooling water temperature of 34 – 35°C, as against 32°C required. It is hence

suggested that one dedicated cooling tower for ClO2 plant be installed.

3.4.2.11 Oxygen Generation Plant

To meet the oxygen requirement for Fibre line, Ozone generation plant and the mill plans to install an oxygen generation plant based on the VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption system.)

Two (2) molecular sieves vessels operate in a cycle. At a time, one vessel remains in oxygen production while second vessel remains under vacuum regeneration.

Feed air at around 30°C temperature from blower after cooler is taken to molecular sieves vessels. Oxygen is continuously produced and is collected in a surge vessel.

Oxygen gas is taken to oxygen compressor for increasing the pressure to 25 kg/cm2 (g). Then the compressed gas is stored in storage tanks. After storage tank, gas pressure is reduced to 14 bar in pressure reducing station and from there, Oxygen gas will go to process.

3.4.2.12 Wet Lap Machine

With the increase in hard wood and chemical bagasse bleached pulp production to 500 tpd, SPB will have some surplus pulp which will be sent; wet lapped, to SPB Papers Limited, Tirunelveli. A wet lap machine of about 100- 120 tpd capacity is proposed.

Prepared by & C3-12 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.4.3 Recovery Island

Summary of existing facilities and proposed additions (area-wise) is given below in Table 3.4

Table 3.4 Summary of Existing Facilities

Section Present Future Shortage Proposal capacity requirement Evaporation 200 tph of water 250 tph of water 50 tph of water Addition of two bodies, Plant evaporation evaporation evaporation Cooling tower and cooling tower pump Recovery 630 tpd of Black 950 tpd of Black 320 tpd of One more ESP, ID fan, 2 boiler Liquor solids Liquor solids Black Liquor feed water pumps, BL solids heater etc Causticising 200 tpd AA 200 tpd AA as 50 tpd AA as One new WLCD filter, 1 plant (operating Na2O Na2O Causticiser, 1 Lime mud capacity is 150 washer tpd AA as Na2O) Lime Kiln 200 tpd 200 tpd Nil Producer gas plant is already installed

3.4.3.1 Evaporation Plant

Presently the evaporation plant is operated with a capacity of 200 tph water evaporation. The evaporation plant will handle the weak black liquor generated from 410 BD tpd bleached hard wood pulp and 100 BD tpd bleached bagasse pulp. However provision for addition of two bodies is made to match the requirement of the project, water evaporation capacity of 250 tph.

One more cooling tower cell of 1200 m³ capacity is to be added along with cooling water pump. A new heavy black liquor storage tank will be added in MDP II.

3.4.3.2 Chemical Recovery Boiler

After MDP II the black liquor solids generated will be 950 tpd. This matches with capacity of chemical recovery boiler, 950 tpd.

Augmenting a new ESP chamber is to be installed with an ID fan. Presently the boiler is running with feed water pumps of lower capacity. Two (2) new feed water pumps are to be installed. Other equipments to be added are as shown blow.

The following equipments will be added

¾ Two new boiler feed water pumps

¾ Replacement of deformed tertiary super heater

¾ Black liquor indirect heater

Prepared by & C3-13 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

¾ Addition of SCAPH

¾ One more new ESP chamber

¾ One new ID fan

¾ Two new DTPA valves

¾ Required flue gas ducting

3.4.3.3 Recausticising Plant

The overall plant is designed for an active alkali production of 200 tpd with two stage causticising concept. The plant is operating at an AA production of 150 tpd. Presently the plant is facing the following deficiencies

¾ WLCD is not able to produce more than 150 tpd active alkali as Na2O

¾ Frequent damage to filter clothing resulting in shut of 6-8 hrs

¾ Non performance of 3K lime mud washer. The behaviour of rake mechanism is erratic, resulting in low concentration of underflow lime mud

¾ SPB is practicing two stages recausticising to purge out silica partially. It is required to add 20 % of lime in the first stage to remove silica to the extent of 30 to 40%. The lime mud from the first stage causticising is purged and sent to nearby cement mill. The lime mud purged per day is 60 tpd. The lime mud fed to lime kiln is 240 tpd

¾ The alkali carry over through lime mud is on the higher side which adversely affects the performance of LMCD and lime kiln. Addition of one lime mud washer is recommended during MDP II

The following proposals will be in recausticising plant

¾ One new causticiser

¾ One new WLCD of 75 tpd Na2O capacity

¾ One new lime mud washer

¾ required pumps

¾ Required piping and instrumentation

Prepared by & C3-14 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.4.3.4 Lime Mud Reburning Kiln

The design capacity of limekiln is 200 tpd at 75% purity with producer gas and fuel oil firing. The required capacity is also 200 tpd. The makeup lime stone requirement per day after MDP II is 60 tpd.

Kilns are typically fuelled by low sulfur fuel oil. Due to high cost of fuel oil, coal based producer gas is also used. The producer gas replaces about 50 % fuel oil.

3.4.3.5 Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Plant (PCC)

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) is a filler material in the paper making process.

In SPB, while reburning the lime sludge (Caco3) in the rotary lime kiln, calcium

dioxide (Cao) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are generated. Since, the precipitated calcium carbonate requires very high brightness for paper making, it is proposed to use purchased burnt lime of high purity and convert the same to calcium hydroxide using water. This calcium hydroxide will then react with carbon dioxide from the lime kiln in a controlled “carbonator” and stored in storage tanks for use in the paper making process. The likely capacity of the precipitated calcium carbonate plant is 35,000 tpa.

3.4.4 Power Plant

The mill has installed CPP when the power tariff was steadily increasing and the viability of operation was marginal due to power cost. Mill’s past experience justifies the installation of CPP to make the mill self reliant in power front as well as dependable quality of power (both voltage and frequency). As the scenario has not changed in the State as part of the proposed project additional capacity power plant is proposed.

Power plant consists of steam and power generation units with auxiliary plants. The details are furnished below.

3.4.4.1 Power Boiler

It is estimated that additional steam requirement after MDP II will be around 77 tph. Considering peaking provision of 15% and operating margin, 100 tph boiler is selected

It is proposed to install a 100 tph chain grade boiler operating at a pressure of 105 kg/ cm2(g) and temperature of 520°C. The high pressure steam generated is used for power generation and the steam from the turbine at a pressure of 4.5 kg/cm2(g) will be used for process.

Prepared by & C3-15 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

The boiler will have

¾ Pressure parts

¾ Mountings and accessories

¾ Water control system

¾ Air and flue gas system

¾ Structural

¾ Fuel firing system

¾ Ash collection system

¾ Refractory & insulation

¾ Electrostatic Precipitator

¾ Instrumentation and control system

The electrostatic precipitator will collect the particulate matter in the flue gas to limit the suspended particulate matter in the flue gas well within the norms prescribed by the authorities.

3.4.4.2 ESP Ash

Below each ESP hopper outlet, suitable adapter / MS surge chute with fluidising arrangement, one (1) manually operated isolation plate valve and one (1) expansion joint are provided. A level probe is provided in each surge chute for automatic operation of the system.

An ash vessel will be installed below ESP hopper. Material will be conveyed through a common MS ERW heavy duty conveying pipeline. Conveyed material will be discharged into the fly ash silo with the help of a terminal box provided on its top.

One (1) chain wheel operated plate valve with rotary feeder will be provided along with drum type ash conditioners and canvas type retractable chute below the silo for dust free unloading of fly ash on the truck.

1 set of fluidising pads and two (2) roots blowers are also considered for the fly ash silo. A level probe will be provided at the silo for high level sensing. Both the silos will be provided with vent filters on top to prevent any dust fly off.

Prepared by & C3-16 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

¾ One (1) RCC fly ash silo will be constructed for fly ash.

¾ One (1) RCC bed ash silo will be constructed for bed ash.

¾ Two (2) air compressors will be provided for ash conveying.

3.4.4.3 DM/RO Plant

Two (2) streams of DM/RO plant of suitable capacity will be considered. This plant will consist of the following equipment.

- HRSCC Clarifier 1 Nos

- Multi grade filter 2 Nos. - ACF 2 Nos - UF 2 Nos - RO 2 Nos - Strong acid cation exchanger 2 Nos - Degasser 1 No. - Anion exchanger 2 Nos - Mixed bed 2 Nos

The operation of the entire water treatment is on manual basis except for the UF/RO Plant, which will be fully automatic with PLC systems and, accordingly, pneumatic actuated valves will be considered at appropriate points in the UF/RO Plant.

3.4.4.4 Condensate Polishing Unit (CPU)

CPU consists of plate type heat exchanger with provision for pumping system to store in DM water storage tank. The condensate from process will be polished with CPU, after passing through a plate type heat exchanger. DM water will be used as cooling medium for the heat exchanger.

3.4.4.5 Turbo Generator

It is estimated that additional power requirement after MDP II will be as below

Additional requirement for process - 6.73 MW Power requirement of PCC plant - 1.00 MW Power requirement of Tirunelveli unit - 4.00 MW ------11.73 MW ------

Considering peaking provision of 15% and operating margin 15 MW turbo alternator is selected. It is proposed to install a CPP with double extraction condensing turbo generator of capacity 15 MW and surplus 4 MW will be wheeled to Tirunelveli unit to minimise dependency of grid power

Prepared by & C3-17 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

The turbo generator will consist of - Steam turbine - Gear box - Governor - Steam inlet chamber - Oil lubrication system - Generator - Static exciter - Instrumentation and controls

3.4.4.6 Air Cooled Condenser

The air cooled condenser is proposed to eliminate water consumption on this account.

The general technical features of Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) are as follows.

¾ Finned tube bundles

¾ The main steam manifold feeding the bundles

¾ Fan units with drive assembly and protection guards at the bottom of A frame (tube bundles)

¾ Supporting structure for A frame

¾ Air inlet rings at an elevated level above the ground to provide air inlet area

¾ Wind wall for prevention short circulation hot air

¾ Condensate extraction pump and hot well drain pumps

¾ ACC online fin cleaning system to improve efficiency of condensation

3.4.4.7 Auxiliaries

Coal Handling System

As the present coal handling plant does not have any surplus capacity to meet the requirement of new boiler, it is proposed to upgrade existing coal handling plant or to install coal handling plant, to cater to the new boiler. The coal handling plant will be provided along with extension of coal yard.

The coal handling plant will consist of underground feed hopper, primary and secondary screens, coal crusher and necessary conveyor network for handling and transportation of coal to the boiler bunker.

Prepared by & C3-18 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Ash Handling System

A new ash handling plant of suitable size is proposed to convey the ash from the boiler area. The system will be a dense phase conveying system consisting of ash coolers, ash vessels, piping system, ash silos, ash conditioners with pneumatic conveying system. Separate storage silos for fly ash and bed ash are considered.

3.5 Materials and Resources Requirement

3.5.1 Raw Materials

The raw materials required for the project are Bagasse and wood. The average annual requirement of the raw materials is given in Table 3.5. The raw materials will be stored in covered sheds at the project site.

Table 3.5 Raw Materials Requirement

Input Units Existing Post Incremental Source (Pre-MEP) MEP Bagasse BD tpa 57,800 57,800 -- Purchased from Ponni (Depithed) Sugars as depithed bagasse and transported by trucks & Tractors Wood BD tpa 227,000 317,000 90,000 Tamilnadu Forest Plantation Corporation Limited (TAFCORN), Trichy, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Aranthangi Virudhachalam, Vilupuram, Thirukovilur, Cuddalore etc.

3.5.2 Chemicals Requirement

The major process chemicals required to be used and procured for the production is given in Table 3.6. Most of the chemicals required for the production are already being used in the pulp plant and sourced locally and chemicals used in are also available locally and shall be procured from Indian market.

Table 3.6 Chemical Requirement

Existing Input Units Post MDP Incremental (Pre- MDP) NaOH tpa 1,670 2,180 510 Hydrogen peroxide tpa 1,550 1,600 50 Oxygen tpa 4,150 4,300 150 Chlorine dioxide tpa 2,620 3,200 580 H2SO4 tpa 5,270 6,410 1,140 Sodium chlorate tpa 4,380 5,350 970 Methanol tpa 520 640 120 Lime stone tpa 23,800 31,500 7,700

Prepared by & C3-19 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.5.3 Fuels Requirement

SPB requires about 81000 t per annum of additional coal for the proposed project.SPB is already importing about 1.88 lakh tons of high calorific value ,low ash coal from Indonesia through the Tuticorin Port. From the Tuticorin port coal is transported by trucks to the mill at Erode. Additional fuels requirement are given in Table 3.7. The imported coal is supplied by Yasin Impex India Pvt Ltd and the letter for supply of imported coal for the proposed expansion is enclosed as Annexure 16. Petrography analysis of raw material, Grain size, Major elemental analysis of raw material is enclosed as Annexure 17.

Table 3.7 Fuel Requirement

Existing Input Units Post MDP Incremental (Pre- MDP) Furnace oil Kla 6,920 9,170 2,250 Coal (imported) tpa 188,000 269,000 81,000

3.5.4 Steam and Power - Requirement

The facility requires thermal energy in the form of steam for the process use and captive power generation. The steam requirement of the proposed expansion will be met by the captive power boilers and chemical recovery boilers after extracting power from turbo generator. The total steam generation from the Boiler is 280.69 tph.

The total power requirement for the proposed expansion will be about 40.3 MW; including 4.0 MW for Tirunelveli unit. About 28.7 MW of power demand will be met through the captive power generation at the power plant and about 12.3 MW of power will be generated by Recovery Island.

The summary of the Steam and Power Balance is given in Table 3.8 and the flow diagram is given in Annexure 18.

Table 3.8 Steam & Power Balance

Description Units Post MDP-II PRODUCTION Annual finished Production tpa 165,000 Gross Operating days considered for calculations days 330 Finished Production tpd 500 RAW MATERIAL REQUIREMENT Chemical Bagasse Pulp Bleached Pulp Required/production BD tpd 75.76 Total Unbleached Screened Pulp Required BD tpd 78.91 Overall Yield % 45.08

Prepared by & C3-20 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Description Units Post MDP-II BD bagasse requirement BD tpd 175.05 Bleached Wood Pulp Requirement of wood Bleached Pulp production BD tpd 410.00 Overall yield % 42.70 BD Hardwood required BD tpd 960.19 Summary of Raw material requirement Bagasse BD tpa 58,000 Wood BD tpa 317,000 REQUIREMENT OF CHEMICALS Bleaching chemicals NaOH tpa 2,177 Hydrogen Peroxide tpa 1,603 Oxygen tpa 4,309 Chlorine dioxide tpa 3,206 Sulphuric Acid tpa 2,885 Sodium chlorate tpa 5,354 Methanol tpa 641 Sulphuric acid tpa 3,527 Lime stone to be procured tpa 31,526 Furnace Oil for Lime Kiln kl 9,166 Coal for PG plant tpa 9,000 STEAM & POWER LP Steam - at Paper Machine tph 42.88 - at CBP tph 3.66 - at CWP tph 18.80

- at ClO2 tph 2.83 - Recovery plant tph 63.84 - Lime kiln tph 0.93 - Miscellaneous tph 20.83 Add deaerater steam - LP tph 35.09 Total LP Steam consumption tph 188.87 MP Steam - at Paper Machine tph 5.98 - at CBP tph 6.31 - at CWP tph 20.50 - at ClO2 including chilling plant tph 3.24 - Recovery plant tph 5.44 - Lime kiln tph 0.46 Total MP Steam consumption tph 45.07 Total process steam tph 233.94 Less desuperheater water tph 10.11 Condensation steam tph 48.87 Soot blowing for Rec blrs tph 8.00 Total steam generation from Boilers tph 280.69 Steam generated from Chemical Recovery Boiler tph 112.45 Total Steam generation from Power Boiler(s) tph 168.24 Steam generation from existing PB (105 ata) tph 85.00

Prepared by & C3-21 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

Description Units Post MDP-II Steam generation from new PB (105 ata) tph 83.24 Capacity of new PB (105 ata) tph 100.00 Steam per tonne of coal t/t 5.39 Coal consumption tph 31.20 tpd 749 tpa 247,137 Add : Handling & Carpet losses % 5.0 Imported Coal requirement tpa 260,000

POWER CONSUMPTION - Paper machine MW 15.7 - Wet lapping MW 0.2 - CBP MW 1.6 - CWP MW 4.7 MW 0.4

- ClO2 MW 0.2 - Chemical Recovery MW 4.7 - Lime kiln MW 0.4 - Power Plant MW 4.7 - WTP & ETP MW 2.3 - Power for PCC plant MW 1.0 - Power for Tirunelveli unit MW 4.0 - Miscellaneous ( Essentials & Yard Lighting ) MW 0.2 - Total MW 40.3 Power generated in Rec Blr 65 ata TA Set MW 12.3 Power generated in existing 105 ata Power boiler TA Set MW 17.3 Power to be generated in new 105 ata Power boiler TA MW 11.4 Set Capacity of new TG MW 15.0

3.5.5 Raw Materials Transport

The construction of facilities involves movement of material of great magnitude. The material to be transported includes earthwork, concrete and other materials. Transport of construction material to the project site will result in increased traffic in the area, which shall certainly put additional load on the existing road infrastructure. Project needs heavy-duty equipment and requires strengthening of the existing approach road to plant site to handle the additional heavy traffic on the existing moderate road. While strengthening the existing road, enough spaces on both sides of the road will be done to avoid any eventualities keeping in mind the low awareness levels of the local population regarding heavy-duty vehicles.

Transportation for this project involves the following:

¾ Raw materials and finished products maximum extent will be transported through trucks and lorries.

Prepared by & C3-22 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

¾ Coal is envisaged to be supplied from Indonesia coal fields and imported through ship from thereby high capacity trucks and tankers

¾ However, for the road traffic expected due to the plant construction and operations, SPB shall provide necessary resting facilities for the truck drivers. Also, variety of business opportunities exists to the local population to start services such as rest rooms, food, and automobile repairing.

The raw material and the transportation details are given in Table 3.9

Table 3.9 Raw Materials and Transport (After Expansion)

Number of Vehicles Number of Vehicles per Type of Vehicles per day (one way) day (Round Trip) Gate No.1 Trucks carrying Coal 12 24 Trucks carrying chemical and 11 22 other Trucks carrying wastewater 6 12 treatment sludge Trucks carrying Wet Pith 3 6 Trucks carrying Lime stone 4 8 Gate No. 2 Trucks carrying Bagasse 60 120 Trucks carrying Saw dust 1 2 Gate No. 3 Trucks carrying Wood 100 200 Gate No. 4 Trucks for carrying Finished 30 60 product Total 227 454

3.6 Water Requirement and Water Resources for the Proposed Expansion

The total water requirement for post MDP II will be around 44,500 m³/day including recycled water (Recycling paper machine back water of 10,500m3/day) and the fresh water requirement will be 34,000 m³/day. It is proposed to be drawn from Cauvery River and the mill has water drawal permission of 15 MGD (68,191 m³/day). The water requirement for the MDP II is given in the following Table 3.10

Table 3.10 Water Requirement for MDP II

Average daily requirement S.No. Category (in m³/day) Existing Post MDP II 1 Paper Machine 1-5 8,800 10,000 2 Bagasse Pulp mill 2,400 2,400 3 Hard wood pulp mill 7,500 10,300 4 Chemical recovery plant 3,000 3,800

Prepared by & C3-23 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

5 Power plant 4,400 5,600 6 Miscellaneous 1,900 1,900 Fresh water requirement 28,000 34,000 Plus: Recycling paper machine back water 9,000 10,500 Total water requirement 37,000 44,500

3.7 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

The waste water generated from the entire mill after MDP II will be around 29,800 m³/day. Total treated waste water discharge from WWTP will be 29,300 m³/day. Post MDP II wastewater generation is given below in Table 3.11

Table 3.11 Wastewater Generation

Waste water balance S.No Category Existing Post MDP II 1 Paper machine 1-5 * 300 ** 300 2 Bagasse pulp mill 4,200 4,200 3 Wood pulp mill 12,700 16,300 4 Chemical recovery boiler 2,700 3,400 5 Power plant 3,500 4,100 6 Misc and Domestic 1,500 1,500 7 Wastewater to WWTP 24,900 29,800 8 Loss into sludge 200 300 9 Cooling tower loss - 200 10 Treated wastewater to irrigation 24,700 29,300 * Existing: 9000 m³/day of paper machine back water is internally recycled ** Post project: About 10,500 m³/day of paper machine back water will be internally recycled.

Existing WWTP is adequate to treat the proposed load and the waste water treatment is designed to handle equivalent of 53,000 m3/day of waste water discharged at secondary over flow. The following addition/ upgradation will be done in the existing WWTP

¾ Addition of Cooling Tower for the RDH Pulp mill effluent

¾ Upgradation of Aeration System

¾ Addition of MLSS Sludge Concentrator

¾ Addition of the Tertiary Treatment

3.8 Solid Waste Generation and Disposal

The expected solid wastes generation in the proposed project are non- hazardous in nature. The solid waste generation will be ash from chain grade boiler. In addition to this, there will be fibre sludge generation from the effluent

Prepared by & C3-24 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

treatment plant. The details of solid waste generation and quantities with disposal methods are given in the following Table 3.12

Table 3.12 MDP II Solid Waste Generation and Disposal

Quantity in tpd S.No Source Composition Post Disposal method Existing project 1 Wood dust/ Bio degraded 70 100 Sent to Tirunelveli unit, Bark dust organics to be sold or used as bio fuel in boiler 2 Primary Fines and fibre 25 37 Sent to board making clarifier Sludge units 3 Secondary Organic 2 5 Used as manure for clarifier sludge matters greenbelt development

4 Lime sludge CaCO3, SiO2 31 60 Used in lime kiln and balance sent to cement industry 5 Boiler ash Silica 12 24 Cement industry and also used for making hollow blocks/ compressed bricks

3.9 Power Requirement and Source

The total power requirement after the project is around 41.3 MW .The additional power requirement is about 11.7 MW including 4 MW will be wheeled to Tirunelveli unit. It is proposed to install 15 MW CPP.

In addition mill has facility and permission to draw power from state grid for any exigencies.

. 3.10 Fire Fighting System

Extension of existing plant hydrant network (with augmentation of pumps, if required) for new project facilities will be done. Further, it will consist of fire alarm systems for control room, MCC room and cable alleys. Portable extinguishers at strategic locations in the plant will be provided.

Prepared by & C3-25 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 3 – Details of the Proposed Expansion

3.11 Project cost estimates and Schedule

3.11.1 Project cost

The project is estimated to cost “300 crores as per break up given below in Table 3.13.

Table 3.13 Project Cost

Cost Rs in S. No Description Crores 1 Civil Works 15 2 Plant & Machinery Cost (including erection and engineering) 255 Other Capitalisation Cost (pre operative expense, escalation 3 and contingency, start up expenses and interest during 30 construction) Total 300

3.11.2 Implementation Schedule

The major activities are highlighted below and the completion time indicated are from the “zero date” which is the date of Environment Clearance (EC)

- Start date “Zero Date” - Ordering of long delivery plant and equipment 3rd month - Commencement of Civil Construction 9th month - Commencement of start-up trial & commissioning 23rd month - Commencement of commercial production 25th month

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4 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter illustrates the description of the existing environmental status of the study area with reference to the prominent environmental attributes. The study area covers 10 km radius around the boundaries of the proposed Project site. The Topo map (10 Km radius) of the project site area is shown in Figure 4.1.

The Project site is located at Pallipalayam village, Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu state. The proposed mill site lies within the coordinates of 11°20’52.59” N latitude and 77°45’31.41” E longitude and can be identified as per Topo sheet No.58 E/11 & 58 E/15. The study area of 10 km radius from the proposed Mill site was defined for primary data collection as per the TOR approved by Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The site is about 45 km from Namakkal District headquarters and approximately 310 km from Chennai. The national highway NH- 47 is 11.5 km from the site.

The existing environmental setting is considered to adjudge the baseline environmental conditions, which are described with respect to climate, hydrogeological aspects, atmospheric conditions, water quality, soil quality, vegetation pattern, ecology, land use and socio-economic profile of the people.

Land use section forms the first part of this chapter.

The physical environment consisting of geology forms the second part of this baseline chapter.

The third part contains primary as well as secondary data for environmental attributes viz.,

¾ Soil quality

¾ Micro-meteorology

¾ Ambient air quality

¾ Water quality, aquatic

¾ Terrestrial ecology and socio-economic profile of the study area

The primary baseline data monitored covered three (3) months i.e., from December 2013 to March 2014, and secondary data was collected from Government and Semi-Government organizations. The primary baseline data has

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been generated by CVR Labs Pvt Ltd, an MoEF and NABL approved Environmental Testing Laboratory.

4.2 Land Environment

4.2.1. Physiography and Drainage

4.2.1.1. Physiography

Physiographically, the district forms a plateau with many hillocks and undulating terrain. Various landforms namely Structural hills, buried pediments, pediments, bazada zone and valley fills have been identified from Satellite imagery. A major part of the district forms part of Cauvery river basin. All the rivers except Cauvery are ephemeral in nature. The Tirumanimuttaris the important tributary of Cauvery River, whereas Vasista and Suvedha are the important tributaries of Vellar river draining the no rthern part of the district. The district has no major surface water reservoirs. It has about 270 tanks and 46 canals, which are used, as surface water irrigation sources. The Northern portion of Namakkal are mountains and the Southern areas are plains. The plain area of the district can be divided into 3 elevating stages. The lower elevation (below 150 m) has Namakkal and Paramathy taluks which are being benefitted by Cauvery river. The mid elevation (150-300 m above M.S.L.) occupies the major area in all Taluks. The high elevation area (between 300-600 m) spreads over mainly in Rasipuram and Namakkal Taluks.

According to the Watershed Atlas of India, the study area forms part of Kaveri (Cauvery) Middle Sub-basin of Kaveri (Cauvery) Basin flowing east into Bay of Bengal and is shared by CVRM051 watershed. The main streams in the study area is Kaveri River running northwest - southeast in the study area. Number of manmade ponds also present across the entire area. The study area has a fairly good network of canals. Mettur East Branch Canal in the northwest and Kalingarayan Canal running northwest-southeast along Kaveri River are the major canals in the study area.

The Physiographic map is presented in Figure 4.1.

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Figure 4-1 Phyisiography of the Study Area

4.2.1.2. Digital Elevation Model of the Study Area The study area forms part of the upland plateau region of Tamil Nadu with undulating terrain with a gentle slope towards southeast. The elevation of the land in buffer zone ranges from 120.17 m above mean sea level along Kaveri River to 225 m above mean sea level in the northeastern part. The general slope of the area is towards southeast with major part having 1-1.5% slope. The elevation of land in core zone ranges from 120.17 m above mean sea level along

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Kaveri River to 192 m above mean sea level in the northeastern part. The general slope of the area is towards southeast with major part having around 1% slope. The elevation of the proposed project site is 169 m above mean sea level. The 3D Digital Elevation models of the buffer and core zones are presented in Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3.

Figure 4-2 3D View - Digital Elevation Model-DEM of the Buffer Zone (10 km)

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Figure 4-3 3D View - Digital Elevation Model-DEM of the Core Zone (5 km)

4.2.1.3. Drainage of the region Cauvery River, which is perennial in nature, flows along the western and southern boundaries of the district. Tirumanimuttar river, which is the most important tributary of Cauvery in the district, has its origin in Manjavadi area of Shevroy hills in Salem district and traverses the district before its confluence with Cauvery at Nanjai Edayar village of Paramathi taluk. A small area in the northeastern part,

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which is drained mainly by Vasista Nadi and Sweta Nadi rivers, which are tributaries of Vellar River.

4.2.1.4. Drainage of the study area The Study area forms part of Cauvery Basin. The study area of 10 km radius exhibits flat terrain. The major river flows in the study area is Cauvery. The Cauvery River flows from North West to south east. The river flows in the western boundary of the project site. The rivers in the study area are dentritic to sub- dentritic. The river Perumpallam flows from west to east and confluences with river Cauvery at Venipallayam. There are other riverlets flows in the study area. All the rivers confluences with river Cauvery. Apart from the river there are numbers of canals flowing in the study area. The major canals are Kalingarayan Canal and Mettur canal. The drainage with watershed boundary is presented in Figure 4.4

Figure 4-4 Drainage Map of the Study area

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4.2.2. Land Use Pattern based on Remote Sensing Data

Remote sensing satellite imageries were collected and interpreted for the 10 km radius study area for analysing the land use pattern of the study area. Based on the satellite data, land use/ land cover maps have been prepared.

4.2.2.1. Satellite Data

IRS Resourcesat-2 L4FMX multispectral satellite data of 16th December 2013 was utilized for the buffer zone and core zone are shown in Figure 4.5 and Figure 4.6 The rectification of imagery was carried out on to bring the digital data on the earth coordinate system by means of ground control point (GCP) assignments. The details of the satellite data is given on Table 4.1

Table 4.1 Details of Satellite Data

Path & SOI Toposheet Date of Satellite Sensor Scale Row No. Pass IRS L4FMX 1:25,000 100- 58E11 (C43F11- 16.12.2013 Resourcesat-2 65D OSM) 58E15 (C43F15-OSM)

The spectral bands of IRS Resroucesat-2 data are furnished in Table 4.2 and Table 4.3 respectively.

Table4.2 Characteristics of IRS Resourcesat-2 Data

Multi Bandwidth / Spectral Product Format / Satellite Spectral wave length in resolution type scale Bands microns (mts.) Band 2 : 0.52-0.59 Geocoded IRS Resourcesat-2 2,3,4 Band 3 : 0.62-0.68 5 Digital scale Band 4 : 0.76-0.86 1:25,000

Table 4.3 IRS Resourcesat-2 LISS-IV Satellite Spectral Bands and their Principal Applications

Wave Length Band Application (microns) 2 0.52 - 0.59 Soil/vegetation differentiations, coniferous/ deciduous flora discrimination, vegetation vigour assessment, rock/soil boundary differentiation, turbidity and bat hymetry in shallow water. 3 0.62 - 0.68 Strong chlorophyll absorption leading to discrimination of vegetation types mining area, mapping of settlements and transport network. 4 0.76 - 0.86 Delineation of surface water features, land forms / rock types, mining area, mapping of settlements and transport network.

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Figure 4-5 IRS Resourcesat-2 L4FMX Image of the Buffer Zone (10km)

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Figure 4-6 IRS Resourcesat-2 L4FMX Image of the Core Zone (5 km)

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4.2.2.2. Land Use/Land Cover Classification System

The present land use / land cover maps were prepared, based on the classification system of national standards. For explanation of each of the land use category, the details as given in Table 4.4 were considered.

Table 4.4 Land Use/Land Cover Classification System

S. No. Level-1 Level-2 1 Built-up Land Town/cities Villages Institution/Industry/Godown etc Plotted Area/Layout 2 Agriculture Land Crop Land Plantations Fallow 3 Forest Evergreen/Semi evergreen Deciduous Forest Plantation 4 Wastelands Rocky/Stony W aste Land with /without shrubs Saline/sandy & Marshy/swampy 5 Water Bodies River/Stream Lake/Reservoir/Tanks 6 Others Orchard/Other Plantation Shifting cultivation Salt Pans, Snow covered/Glacial Barren/Vacant Land

4.1.1.1 Data Requirements

IRS Resource Sat-2 on L4FMX with 5m resolution was acquired for 16th December 2013 (haze free and cloud free) and was used for the mapping and interpretation. Besides, other collateral data as available in the form of maps, charts, census records, other reports and especially topographical survey of India maps are used. In addition to this, ground truth survey was also conducted to verify and confirm the ground features.

4.1.1.2 Methodology

The land use/land cover map is prepared by adopting the interpretation techniques of the image in conjunction with collateral data such as topographical maps and census records. Image classification can be done by using visual interpretation techniques and digital classification using any of the image processing software. For the present study, ERDAS and ArcView Softwares are used for preprocessing, rectification, enhancements and classifying the satellite data for preparation of land use land cover map and assessing land use land

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cover and land developmental activities. Flowchart showing the methodology adopted is presented in Figure 4.7

Figure 4-7 Flowchart of Simplified Methodology

4.2.2.3. Pre-field Interpretation of Satellite Data

The False Colour Composite (FCC) of IRS Resource Sat-2 satellite has been used for pre-field interpretation work. Taking the help of topo-sheets, geology, geomorphology and by using the image elements, the features are identified and the boundaries are roughly delineated. Each feature is identified on image by their image elements like tone, texture, colour, shape, size, pattern and association. A tentative legend in terms of land cover and land use, physiography and erosion was formulated. The sample areas for field check are selected covering all the physiographic, land use/land cover feature cum image characteristics.

¾ Ground Truth Collection

Both topo-sheets and imagery were taken for field verification and a transverse plan using existing road network was made to cover as many representative sample areas as possible to observe the broad land use features and to adjust the sample areas according to field conditions. Detailed field observations and investigations were carried out and the land use features on the imagery were noted.

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¾ Post Field Work

The base maps of the study area were prepared, with the help of Survey of India Topo-sheets. Preliminary interpreted land use and the land cover features boundaries from IRS Resource Sat-2 False Colour Composite were modified in the light of field information, and the final thematic details were transferred onto the base maps. The final interpreted and classified thematic map was cartographed. The cartographic map was coloured with standard colour coding and detailed description of feature with standard symbols. All the classes were noted and marked by the standard legend on the map.

4.2.2.4. Final Output

Using the standard land use classification system proposed by NRSA, 4 classes of level I and 13 of level II land use / land cover classes were identified and mapped using satellite data in the present study. The results of Level I and Level II land use/land cover mapping of the 10 Km radius and 5 Km radius areas of the proposed Mill Development Plan- II is presented in the following steps.

4.2.2.4.1. General Level I Land Use/Land Cover in Study Area

The following are the main interpreted land use/land cover classes of the study area and their respective areas are given in ha in Table 4.5 for the year 2014. The thematic map and land use pattern within 10 km and 5 km radius based on IRS Resource Sat-2 L4FMX with 5 m resolution for 16th December 2013 are shown in Figure 4.5 and Figure 4.6

Table 4.5 Level 1 Land Use/Land Cover Statistics of 10 Km Radius of the Study Area

10 Km Radius 5 Km Radius S.No. Land Use Area Area Area Area (%) (Hectares) (Hectares) (%) 1 Built-up Land 7513.99 23.92 2695.65 34.32 2 Forest 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3 Agricultural land 21500.58 68.44 4323.73 55.05 4 Waste Land 1029.31 3.28 245.73 3.13 5 Water Bodies 1370.45 4.36 588.48 7.49 Total 31414.33 100.00 7853.58 100.00

Observation The overall land use of 10 km radius area reveals the dominance of agriculture land (68.44%) followed by built-up land including industrial area (23.92%), water bodies (4.36%) and waste land (3.28%). The overall land use of core zone (5 km) area also reveals the dominance of agricultural land (55.05%) followed

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by built-up land including industrial area (34.32%), water bodies including Kaveri River (7.49%) and waste land (3.13%).

Note: There is no forest cover in the study area.

Figure 4-8 Level-I - Land Use/Cover Map of 10 Km Radius Area- Level-I

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Note: There is no forest cover in the study area.

Figure 4-9 Land Use/Cover Map of 5 Km Radius Area – Level-I

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Level-I Land Use/Land Cover in 10 and 5 Km Radius Area has been projected by pie-chart in Figure 4.10 and Figure 4.11 to understand variations in land use/land cover within the 10 km and 5 radius areas.

Figure 4-10 Distribution of LU/LC in 10 Km Radius Area – Level-I

Figure 4-11 Distribution of LU/LC in 5 Km Radius Area – Level-I

4.1.1.2.1 General Level II Land Use / Land Cover in Study Area

The level-II land use/land cover is further sub divided into meaningful sub-classes to highlight the dominant land use in the study area. The level-II land use/land

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cover statistics and features of the 10 km radius and 5 Km radius area from the proposed Mill site are presented in Table 4.6 shown in Figure 4.12 and Figure 4.13

Table 4.6 Level II Land Use/ Land Cover Statistics of 10 Km Radius

10 Km Radius 5 Km Radius S.No. Land Use Area Area Area Area (%) (Hectares) (%) (Hectares) Built-up Land 1 Settlements 6277.39 19.98 2416.09 30.76 2 Industry/Institutional Land 1051.11 3.35 251.01 3.20 3 New Development/Layout 185.49 0.59 28.55 0.36 Forest 4 Dense/Open Forest 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5 Degraded Scrub 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6 Forest Blank 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Agricultural Land 7 Plantation 1518.44 4.83 302.59 3.85 8 Double Crop/Irrigated Land 4396.08 13.99 1157.99 14.74 9 Other Agriculture Land 10598.61 33.74 2254.52 28.71 10 Fallow Land 4987.45 15.88 608.62 7.75 Waste Land 11 Land with Scrub 438.34 1.40 168.17 2.14 13 Rocky/Stony/Barren Land 468.19 1.49 65.91 0.84 14 Quarry/Mining Land/Dumps 122.78 0.39 11.65 0.15 Water Bodies 15 Stream/River 1070.30 3.41 506.13 6.44 16 Tank/Reservoir/Pond/Lake 161.64 0.51 20.64 0.26 17 Canal 138.51 0.44 61.71 0.79 To ta l 31414.33 100.00 7853.58 100.00

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Note: There is no forest cover in the study area. Figure 4-12 Land Use Classification (Level II) 10 km radius of the Study

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Observations of Land Use/Land Cover in 10 Km Radius – Level-II

Agriculture land is the major land use class in the study area (buffer zone) occupying 68.44% of the area. In agriculture, un-irrigated/other agricultural land predominates (33.74%) followed by irrigated/double crop (13.99%). fallow lands occupy reasonable area (15.88%) followed by plantations (4.83%).

Built-up land including Erode town is the second major land use category occupying 23.92% of the study area. Of the 23.92% built-up area, 19.98% area is occupied by settlements/towns including Erode which is a major town located towards west of the MDP-II. Industrial area occupies 3.35%, followed by 0.59% of the study area with new developments coming. Water bodies occupy 4.36% of the study area of which, Kaveri River and other streams covers 3.41% of the study area. Other water bodies including irrigation tanks and small ponds occupy 0.51% of the study area. Mettur East Bank Canal and Kalingarayan Canal occupy 0.44% of the study area. Waste land takes a share of 3.28% of which, stone quarrying/brick industry area occupy 3.41% followed by undulating flat land with or without scrub (0.51%) and a small portion with stony waste and rocky exposures (0.44%).

There is no forest cover in the study area.

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Note: There is no forest cover in the study area.

Figure 4-13 Land Use/Cover Map of 5 Km Radius Area – Level-II

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Observations of General Land Use/Land Cover in 5 Km Radius Area – Level- II The core zone is spread over an area of 78.53 sq km and the general land use/land cover of core zone is an agriculture dominant with built-up land as the second major land use category.

Agriculture land is the major land use class in the core zone occupying 55.05% of the area. In agriculture, un-irrigated/other agricultural land predominates (28.71%) followed by irrigated/double crop (14.74%). fallow lands occupy reasonable area (7.75%) followed by plantations (3.85%).

Built-up land including Erode town is the second major land use category occupying 34.32% of the core zone. Of the 34.32% built-up area, 30.76% area is occupied by settlements/towns including part of Erode which is a major town located towards west of the proposed MDP-II. Industrial area occupies 3.20%, followed by 0.36% of the study area with new developments coming.

Water bodies occupy 7.49% of the core zone of which, Kaveri River and other streams covers 6.44% of the core zone. Other water bodies including irrigation tanks and small ponds occupy 0.26% of the core zone. Mettur East Bank Canal and Kalingarayan Canal occupy 0.79% of the core zone.

Waste land takes a share of 3.13% of which, undulating flat land with or without scrub area occupy 2.14% followed by stony waste and rocky exposures (0.84%) and a small portion with stone quarrying/brick industry (0.15%). There is no forest cover in the core zone.

Distribution of LU/LC in 10 Km Radius Area – Level-II in the form of pie-charts for a better understanding in Figure 4.14 & 4.15

Figure 4-14 Distribution of LU/LC in 10 Km Radius Area – Level-II

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Figure 4-15 Distribution of LU/LC in 5 Km Radius Area – Level-II

4.2.3. List of Industries

M/s. Ponni Sugars (Erode) Limited is located adjoin compound, coinciding with the promotion of the lift irrigation scheme wherein treated waste water of SPB is being utilized for irrigating sugarcane and other crops. This sugar mill utilize the sugar cane from the lift irrigation scheme area for manufacturing sugar and spares the Bagasse (sugarcane residue) to SPB for manufacturing of paper. There are other small industries in the study area, but the area is not having any large industries.

4.3 Geology and Soil Quality

4.3.1. Geology1

Namakkal district forms part of the upland plateau region of Tamil Nadu with many hill ranges, hillocks and undulating terrain with a gentle slope towards east. The prominent geomorphic units identified in the district through interpretation of Satellite imagery are 1) Structural hills, 2) Bazada zone,3) Valley fill,4) Pediments, 5) Shallow Pediments and 6) Deep Pediments. A number of hill ranges are located in the eastern and northeastern parts of the district, whereas the southern, western and northern parts of the district are plain to undulating, dotted with a few isolated hillocks. The important hill ranges in the district are Kollimalai hills, Bodamalai hills, Naraikinaru hills and Pachamalai hills. The highest peak in the district is the Kollimalai hill peak with an elevation of 1293 m. above MSL. Other

1 District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of W ater Resources, Central Ground W ater Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

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important peaks are Kedda Malai (1284 m) and Melur hill in the Bodamalai hill range. The geology of the study area is given in Figure 4.16

4.3.1.1. Geology at the study area and Project site

Geologically the area is covered by Hard rock formation of Archaean age. The various Rock types in the study area include Fissile hornblende biotite gneiss, Granite, Granitic gneiss, Grey biotite gneiss, hornblende biotite gneiss, pink migmatite and syenite. The project site is located in Hornblende Biotite Gneiss. In these rock types the ground water occurrence and movement is controlled by the weathered and fractures. The Geology map of the study area (10 km radius) is given in Figure 4.17 and the general geological succession Namakkal district is given in Figure 4.18

4.4 Mineral Resources

In Namakkal District, both categories of Major and Minor Mineral are available. The crystalline variety of Limestone is mainly available in this District in parts of Namakkal, Tiruchengode and Paramthi-Velur Taluka.

Gravel is a mineral, admixed with soil (hard soil produced by crushing of loose rocks) and fragments of weathered (easily broken) rock pieces. It is mainly used for Road making and filling purpose. It is mainly available in all parts of the District.

Brick Earth is reddish in colour, loose in nature it does not contain fragment of rock pieces etc pure reddish soil is mainly used for the purpose of Manufacturing of Bricks. It is mainly available in all parts the District.

The River sand is available only in River bed. In this District, in Cauvery River several stretch contains sand heaps. The Mineral Map is given in Figure 4.7

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SPB Mill Site

Figure 4-16 Geology and Mineral Map2

2 Geological and Mineral Map of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, Geological Survey of India, 2006

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Figure 4-17 Geology of the Study area (10 Km radius)

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Figure 4-18 General Geological Succession of Namakkal District

4.5 Geomorphology and Structure

The land forms / geomorphic units and structures such as fractures, fissures and faults have been interpreted from the recent satellite image. All the landform / geomorphic units and structures occurring in the study area are mapped. The geomorphology and structures of the area plays the vital role in identifying the ground water potential zones. The following geomorphic units have been interpreted using the satellite images.

1) Buried pediplain – under canal command

2) Flood Plain-Shallow

3) Weathered Pedipalin – Moderate

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4) Weathered Pedipalin – Shallow

5) Weathered Pediplain – under canal command

6) Pediment

7) Inselberg

Flood plain, Weathered pediplain, are good in ground water occurrence and movement. However the Flood plain shallow, weathered pediplain moderate are comparatively very good. The Project site is located in Buried pediplain under canal command.

Apart from the above there are numerous fractures occur in and around the project site. The fractures are the good ground water conduit. High yielding bore wells expected in the intersection of fractures. In the proposed site there are no promising fracture systems. However, miner fractures are observed. It is also observed that there is no promising fracture aquifer within 1km from the project boundary except the river Cauvery which induces the recharge to the bore wells located in the project site. The photographs showing the geological formation is given in Figure 4.19 and the Geomorphology and Structure of the study area is presented in Figure 4.20

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Geological formation in the Prem Nagar area

Geological formation in the Cauvery area

Figure 4-19 Photographs showing the geological formation of the study area

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Figure 4-20 Geomorphology of the Study area (10 Km radius)

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4.6 Soil Environment

4.6.1. Soil of the Region3

The soils of Namakkal district can be broadly classified into 5 major soils types viz., Red Soil, Black Soil, Brown soil, Alluvial and Mixed Soil. Major part of the district covered by Red Soil. Block soils are mostly seen in Namakkal taluk. Brown Soil occupies only a small portion of Tiruchengode taluk and the Alluvial Soil is seen along the river courses in Namakkal, Paramathi and Tiruchengode taluks. Mixed soil is the second major soil type occurring all the taluks of the districts. The soil Map of Namakkal district is given in Figure 4.21.

SPB Mill Site

Source: District Planning Map Series, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Figure 4-21 Soil Map

4.6.2. Soil in the Study area

It is essential to determine the potential of soil in the area and identify the current impacts of urbanization and industrialization on soil quality and also predict impacts, which may arise due to the proposed project operations.

3 District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Ground W ater Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

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Soil type and its fertility of an area are essential to plan for cropping. Soils are primarily derived from parent rocks. The colour, texture and mineral content are normally used to classify the soils. The soils in the study area are classified into 4 types and is presented in the Table 4.7. The soil map of the study area is prepared based on the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land use Planning, Nagpur and shown in Figure 4.22

Table 4.7: Soil Classification in the Study Area

S. No. Soil Classification Moderately deep, well drained, calcareous, gravelly loam soils on gently sloping 1 lowlands, moderately eroded; associated with; shallow, well drained, gravelly loam soils. Moderately deep, well drained, gravelly loam soils on gently sloping lands, severely 2 eroded; associated with: moderately drained, gravelly loam soils. Moderately shallow, well drained, calcareous gravelly clay soils of very gently sloping 3 valleys, moderately eroded; associated with; shallow, well drained, clayey soils. Shallow, well drained, calcareous, gravelly loam soils on gently sloping lowlands, 4 slightly eroded; associated with; shallow, well drained, loamy soils.

The site is located in Shallow, well drained, calcareous, gravelly loam soils on gently sloping lowlands, slightly eroded; associated with; shallow, well drained, loamy soils.. The soil of the project site is clearly indicates that predominant soil is gravelly loamy soils which prevents vertical movement of ground water. The soil sample collected from the project site during the study period also indicates that the porosity of the soil is 45% which indicates moderate permeability.

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Figure 4-22 Soil Map of Study Area (10 Km Radius)

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4.6.3. Background Soil Quality in Study Area

For studying soil quality in the region, sampling locations were selected to assess the existing soil conditions in and around the existing plant area representing various land use conditions. The physical, chemical and heavy metal concentrations were determined. The present study of the soils establishes the baseline characteristics and this will help in future in identifying the incremental concentrations if any, due to the enhancement of capacity and allied operations.

Eight locations within the 10 km around the study area were selected for soil sampling. At each location, soil samples were collected from three different depths viz. 30 cm, 60 cm and 90 cm below the surface and are homogenized with the help of stainless steel soil-sampling probe. The soil samples were collected during Northeast monsoon and winter season. Various physical and chemical parameters were analyzed as per Indian Standards. The soil sampling locations are given in the Table 4.8 and the same are sho wn in Figure 4.23. The summary results of the soil quality are presented in Annexure 19. The soil sampling results are compared with the standard soil classification.

Table 4.8 Details of Soil Sampling Locations

Location Sampling Coordinates Location Name Distance* Direction* Code (Latitude, Longitude) SPB Plant S 1 - - 11°20'46.40"N, 77°45'19.86"E SPB Colony S 2 2.58 NE 11°21'54.41"N, 77°47'8.49"E Kuppandapalayam S 3 5.5 NW 11°24'48.21"N,77°42'46.87"E Vendipalayam S 4 1.32 SW 11°19'39.34"N, 77°44'46.68"E Pappampalayam S 5 1.60 SE 11°20'5.76"N, 77°46'38.64"E Villarasampatti S 6 5.59 W 11°20'27.74"N, 77°40'24.67"E Erode S 7 2.05 W 11°20'31.31"N, 77°43'38.01"E Manpalayam S 8 5.32 NE 11°23'32.42"N, 77°45'55.08"E *With respect to the Plant Site

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Figure 4-23 Soil Sampling Locations

4.6.4. Observations on Baseline Soil Status

It has been observed from the site survey and the values of bulk density, porosity, water holding capacity and, texture of soil is mostly sandy clay loam, sandy loom and loam type. The pH of the soil extracts varied from 6.86 to 8.19. Based on soil pH the soils can be classified into moderately alkaline type.

The concentration of chlorides and sulphates varied from 193 mg/kg to 723 mg/kg and 5758 mg/kg in Vendipalayam and 41 mg/kg to 135 mg/kg and 7530 mg/kg in Vendipalayam respectively. Available phosphorus level in the soil was found ranged from 81mg/kg to 386 mg/kg. Based on above results, it is evident that the soils are not contaminated by any pollution sources since the levels of chemical parameters are normal.

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4.7 Seismic zone

The project area falls under ZONE II of seismic zones of India as per the IS 1893 (part 1):2002. According to GSHAP data, the state of Tamil Nadu falls mostly in a region of low seismic hazard with the exception of western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard zone. The Seismic zone map of India and Tamilnadu is shown in Figure 4.24 and Figure 4.25 respectively.

Study area

Figure 4-24 Seismic Zone Map of India

Zone II- Low Damage Risk Zone (MSK VI or less) Zone III-Moderate Damage Risk Zone (MSK VII) Zone IV- High Damage Risk Zone (MSK VII) Zone V- Very High Damage Risk Zone (MSK IX or more)

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SPB Mill Site

Figure 4-25 Earthquake Hazard map of Tamilnadu

4.8 Meteorological Data

Micro-meteorological data forms an important component of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study. As a part of the EIA study, both published long- term data and site specific meteorological data was collected as per the ToR (Terms of Reference) awarded for the proposed project. A meteorological station was installed within the SPB Mill to collect the site specific meteorological data.

4.8.1. Climatological Data – IMD

The meteorological data collected from “Climatological Tables” comprises monthly mean wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall etc., published by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and is presented in Table 4.9 Thus, the secondary data collected was recorded over 30 years (1970 to 2000). IMD station located at Mettur (Aerial distance-50.0 km) was considered as observatory station for the proposed project. This data was compared with the site specific data generated during baseline monitoring studies for analysis purpose.

Erode region experiences maximum temperature to the tune of 40.6°C during the summer months, especially in April, whereas the lowest temperature reported during the winter season (January month) was in the order of 19.8°C.

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The maximum relative humidity is generally experienced during October with a peal level of about 76%. The lowest humidity can be observed during summer period, especially in March with about 34%. The average annual rainfall of the Erode region was reported to be in the order of 841.2 mm and about 75% of rainfall occurs from the last week of May to mid of September (south west monsoon).

The winds predominantly blow from Northeast direction during January and February. During summer (March to May), the winds blow from Southwest and Northeast direction. Seasonal as well as annual wind rose diagrams are presented in Figure 4.26 and Figure 4.27 respectively. Wind velocities were found almost stable throughout year with an annual average level of 1.6 m/s (5.8 kmph).

Figure 4-26 Annual Windrose (January-December) as per IMD Mettur observatory data

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Winter (January-February)

Summer (March-May)

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South-West monsoon (June-September)

North-East monsoon (October-December)

Figure 4-27 Windrose diagrams for various seasons as per IMD Mettur observatory data

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Table 4.9 Indian Meteorological Department – Climatological Tables 30 Years Data: 1971-2000 Station: Mettur Temperature (ºC) Rainfall (mm) Mean Mean Extremes Heavi wind Humidity No. of Date Month Monthly est speed (%) Rainy and Highest Lowest Highest Lowest Total fall in (kmph days Year 24 Hrs ) Jan 34.2 17.5 37.6 14.4 69-38 4.7 0.4 48.4 11,1967 4.2 Feb 36.8 18.6 39.0 13.1 64-30 7.9 0.6 38.4 20,1986 5.2 Mar 39.2 20.8 40.9 17.4 59-26 10.4 0.9 54.4 22,1967 6.1 Apr 40.4 21.8 41.4 19.6 62-35 64.5 3.4 71.0 6,1990 7.1 May 40.4 22.3 42.4 20.7 63-42 112.3 6.4 92.0 13,1972 5.8 Jun 38.2 22.8 42.0 18.6 65-47 52.2 3.7 67.2 19,1967 5.9 Jul 37.2 22.2 38.6 16.8 69-51 80.7 5.8 88.8 7,1966 5.5 Aug 36.7 22.3 37.9 21.0 71-52 97.2 5.9 85.8 10,1965 5.4 Sep 36.4 21.4 38.9 18.2 72-56 161.1 8.8 150.0 3,1989 4.8 Oct 35.4 21.3 38.0 18.5 75-60 162.1 8.6 128.8 4,1970 3.9 Nov 34.2 19.2 37.6 16.4 73-58 93.1 5.1 86.0 4,1978 3.9 Dec 32.9 17.9 34.4 14.0 71-51 51.4 2.5 251.2 9,1972 4.4 Avg./ Annual 40.9 16.8 42.4 13.1 68-46 897.6 52.1 251.2 - 5.2 Total

4.8.2. Site Specific Meteorology Data

The continuous weather monitoring station was installed at SPB mill during the study perio d i.e. f rom 9th December 2013 to 8th March 2014, for ho urly measurements of the following parameters: Wind speed (m/s), wind direction (Degrees), Temperature (ºC), Relative humidity (%), and Rainfall (mm).

Ambient Temperature: During the study period temperature varied from 21°C to 33 °C. The average temperature recorded was 27.5°C during 3 months of study period.

Wind: Site specific Meteorological data shows that mean average wind speed during study period are 8.1 km/hr.

Wind rose prepared for study period is shown as Figure 4.28. It can be observed that during study period wind blows mostly from North East direction. Calm wind contributes to approximately 27% of the winds.

Relative Humidity: The mean average relative humidity recorded was 82% with mean maximum humidity of 100% and mean minimum of 52%.

The data obtained during the study period has then been compiled to obtain average data. Compiled mean meteorological data is represented in Table 4.10.

No rainfall was observed during the study period.

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Figure 4-28 Windrose of the study period

Table 4.10: Mean Meteorological Data for Winter Season (2013 – 2014) Temperature Wind Speed Time Humidity % Rainfall (mm) Wind Direction °C (km/hr) 0.00 23.6 79.6 9.7 0.0 E 1.00 23.8 76.9 10.4 0.0 E 2.00 23.7 75.1 8.7 0.0 E 3.00 23.7 75.5 8.2 0.0 E 4.00 23.6 77.9 8.1 0.0 NE 5.00 24.3 78.1 9.0 0.0 NE 6.00 25.6 78.8 8.0 0.0 NE 7.00 26.4 80.4 8.6 0.0 NE 8.00 28.4 82.3 7.6 0.0 E 9.00 29.4 82.5 7.9 0.0 E 10.00 30.3 80.9 7.7 0.0 NE 11.00 30.9 82.7 8.9 0.0 NE 12.00 32.5 82.7 6.4 0.0 NE 13.00 32.7 86.8 6.4 0.0 NE 14.00 31.4 87.3 7.1 0.0 NE 15.00 30.5 88.7 8.8 0.0 NE 16.00 29.6 84.8 7.6 0.0 NE 17.00 29.5 87.0 8.1 0.0 NE 18.00 28.5 89.5 8.3 0.0 NE 19.00 28.1 84.5 8.4 0.0 NE 20.00 27.1 82.8 7.1 0.0 NE 21.00 26.0 84.1 7.7 0.0 NE 22.00 25.3 84.2 8.1 0.0 NE 23.00 24.8 80.5 7.6 0.0 NE Average / 27.5 82.2 8.1 0.0 NE Predominant

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4.8.3. Site Specific Upper Air Data Measurements

In order to assess the specific inversion levels and mixing heights for the proposed Project site, the upper air meteorological data was also collected by installing SODAR equipment.

Mixing heights and inversion levels are one of the significant parameters that would influence the overall dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere and these parameters will have some bearing on the predicted ground level concentrations of the pollutants due to release of pollutants from the stacks. As per the requirements of the terms of reference, site specific upper air meteorological data was measured near the Project site by installing a SODAR instrument. Site specific SODAR study, Odapalli village, Pappalipalyam Taluk, Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu state for a period of about 30 days (30th January to 1st March 2014) has been successfully completed shown in Figure 4.29.

SODAR Antenna- Front View SODAR Antenna- Top View Figure 4-29: Established SODAR instrument at Project site

Summary of the SODAR study findings are presented hereunder and detailed report is presented in Annexure 20.

Analysis of the data obtained during the study period shows that inversion height varies from a minimum of 62m to maximum of 248m during the study period. The averaged inversion level considering stable ABL conditions (1800-0600 hours) is 168±32m during the study period. The thermally convective free convection is seen to well develop during the day time. The hourly averaged mixing height pertaining to unstable ABL during the day time (1000-1700 hours) is seen to vary from a minimum of 564m to a maximum of 1568m. The average level is seen to be 1179±282m during the study period. The maximum day time mixing height, around noon (1200-1400 hours) is seen to be more than 1 Km

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on several days which is fairly good for winter. The elevated inversion is also seen on few days during this period.

The diurnal variation of ABL mixing height ( Figure 4.18) further shows that maximum of inversion height is in seen during periods of maximum ground cooling (0300-0500 hours) while maximum of day time maximum mixing height is observed around noon hours (1200-1400 hours) when the ground temperature is also maximum. These observations support the concept of the meteorological considerations that maximum inversion height and mixing heights are observed during periods of maximum cooling and heating of the ground.

Figure 4-30 Diurnal variation of ABL mixing height at SPB – Mill Site (30th January to 1st March 2014)

Besides fore going analysis, elevated layers and waves are also seen during the observation period. Low lying elevated capping layer limits the vertical mixing height to its own height of occurrence and at times pose environmental hazards for air pollution. Such observations are normally typical of winter fog weather or typical of coastal sites. Such layers, if seen to occur frequently do need a separate focused studies over the whole year and for several years.

4.9. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

The ambient air quality with respect to the study area of 10 km radius around the proposed project site forms the baseline information. Various sources of air pollution in the region are rural activities, traffic and industries. This will also be useful for assessing the conformity to standards of the ambient air quality during

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the plant operation. The study area represents mostly rural environment. This section describes the selection of sampling locations, methodology adopted for sampling, analytical techniques and frequency of sampling.

4.9.1. Methodology Adopted for Air Quality Survey

4.9.1.1. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations

The selection of the ambient air quality monitoring stations was done based on the CPCB guidelines and Environmental Impact Assessment Manual published by MoEF. The study area forms a typical rural background. The primary source of air pollution is industries present in the vicinity of project site. The secondary published data collected from the district census records indicated that there are no minerals and mining exploration facilities located in the study area.

The air quality monitoring stations were selected based on a screening air quality modeling exercise prior to commence of the study. Long-term meteorological data of nearest IMD station at Metur dam for the specific seasons was adopted while estimating the possible impact zone due to emissions from the proposed facilities at the Project site. The regional meteorological data for December to March indicates the winds predominantly blow from Northwest direction and during summer (March to May), the winds blow from NW, SE and NW direction. Based on the findings of the screening air quality models, the impact zone is limited to 2 to 3 km from the proposed Project site beyond such a distance the pollutants would rapidly get diluted.

Eight (8) air quality monitoring stations were selected for a detailed monitoring as per the CPCB guidelines. Details of the air monitoring stations are presented in Table 4.11. Stations at villages Vendipalayam (AAQ4), Villarasampatti (AAQ6) and Erode (AAQ7) represent the down-wind direction of the proposed Project site, whereas stations at SPB Colony (AAQ2) and Manpalayam (AAQ8) represent the upwind direction. Stations at Erode represent the air quality near major town and major settlement. Ambient air quality station near the Project site represents typical background scenario of the proposed Mill site. Location of the ambient air quality stations are presented in Figure 4.31

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Table 4.11 Details of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Locations

Distance from Location Location Boundary Direction Environmental Latitude Longitude code (Aerial Distance setting in km) AAQ1 Plant Site - - - 11°20'42.00"N 77°45'19.52"E AAQ2 SPB Colony 2.58 NE Upwind 11°21'55.51"N 77°47'16.02"E Kuppandapalayam AAQ3 village 5.5 NW Crosswind 11°24'48.21"N 77°42'46.87"E Vendipalayam AAQ4 village 1.32 SW Downwind 11°19'39.34"N 77°44'46.68"E Pappampalayam AAQ5 1.60 SE Crosswind 11°20'5.76"N 77°46'38.64"E village Villarasampatti AAQ6 5.59 W Downwind 11°20'27.74"N 77°40'24.67"E village AAQ7 Erode Town 2.05 W Downwind 11°20'31.31"N 77°43'38.01"E AAQ8 Manpalayam 5.32 NE Upwind 11°23'32.42"N 77°45'55.08"E

Ambient air quality monitoring was carried out at a frequency of two days per week at each of the identified location during study period (January to March 2014). The following criteria parameters were monitored according to the terms of reference and National Ambient Air Quality Standards as stated under MoEF Notification th dated 16 November, 2009: (1) Particulate Matter (PM 10) (2) Particulate Matter

(PM2.5) (3) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) (4) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (5) Carbon

monoxide(CO) (6). zone (O3) (7) Lead (Pb) (8) Ammonia (NH3) (9) Benzene (C 6H6 ) (10) Benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) in Particulate Phase; (11) Arsenic (As) and (12) Nickel.

In addition to the above parameters representative samples of PM10 samples were analyzed for elemental analysis and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as odour producing components such as mercaptans, Dimethyl sulphide, Dimethyl

Disulphide and H2S, were monitored as per the terms of reference issued for the project. The measured data was used for assessing for any anthropogenic impacts on the existing background levels.

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Figure 4-31 Locations of Air Quality Monitoring Stations

The consolidated data of ambient air quality monitoring is shown in the Table 4.12 and Table 4.13 and test reports are presented in Annexure 21. It indicates that all the values are within the limits of National Ambient Air Quality Standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board.

Table 4.12: Summary of the Average Baseline Concentrations of Pollutants CO SO2 NO2 PM2.5 PM10 Pb 3 O3 Sr. No. Location 3 3 3) 3 3 (mg/m ) 3 (µg/m ) (µg/m ) (µg/m (µg/m ) (µg/m ) (µg/m )

Pappampalayam BDL 1 15.0 29.1 28.6 63.1 0.02 <1.2 village (DL19.6) 2 Kuppandapalaya 17.1 35.5 30.8 62.6 0.01 <1.2 BDL m village (DL19.6) 3 Manpalayam 16.4 33.3 31.6 69.1 0.01 <1.2 BDL (DL19.6) Villarasampatti BDL 4 14.8 35.0 28.5 57.7 0.05 <1.2 village (DL19.6) BDL 5 SPB Colony 18.0 30.5 29.9 66.5 0.03 <1.2 (DL19.6)

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Vendipalayam BDL 6 17.9 34.7 30.9 62.4 0.02 <1.2 village (DL19.6) BDL 7 Plant Site 14.5 29.4 32.2 69.4 0.04 <1.2 (DL19.6) BDL 8 Erode Town 16.8 37.5 32.8 68.2 0.08 <1.2 (DL19.6) Note: BDL (Below detectable limit), DL (Detectable limit)

Table 4.13: Summary of the Average Baseline Concentrations of Pollutants

Benzo (a) NH3 Benzen Arsenic(As) Nickel (Ni) S.No Location 3 3 pyrene 3 3 (µg/m ) (µg/m ) 3 (ng/m ) (ng/m ) (ng/m ) Pappampalayam BDL BDL BDL BDL 1 3.5 village (DL :20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) Kuppandapalayam BDL BDL BDL BDL 2 3.8 village (DL :20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) BDL BDL BDL BDL 3 Manpalayam 3.5 (DL :20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) Villarasampatti BDL BDL BDL BDL 4 2.6 village (DL: 20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) BDL BDL BDL BDL 5 SPB Colony 3.9 (DL: 20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) Vendipalayam BDL BDL BDL BDL 6 2.4 village (DL: 20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) BDL BDL BDL BDL 7 Plant Site 4.6 (DL: 20) (DL:0.005) (DL;0.1) (DL:1.0) BDL BDL BDL BDL 8 Erode Town 4.1 (DL: 20) (DL:0.005) (DL:0.1) (DL:1.0) Note: BDL (Below detectable limit), DL (Detectable limit)

4.9.1.2. Observations on Ambient Air Quality of the Study Area

Particulate Matter (PM10): Average, minimum and maximum reported

concentrations of PM10 are presented in Table 4.14 and Figure 4.32. The PM10 concentrations were observed in the range of 36 µg/m3 to 98µg/m3, with the 3 average values in the range of 57.7 to 69.4 µg/m . The measured PM10 concentration in the study area are inside the stipulated National Ambient Quality Standard of 100 µg/m3 prescribed for 24 hourly monitored values of concentration for industrial, residential, rural and other areas.

Table 4.14 Measured Ambient Pm10 Concentration

PM10 Concentration µg/m³ S.No. Location Minimum Maximum, Average, 98th µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Percentile

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PM10 Concentration µg/m³ S.No. Location Minimum Maximum, Average, 98th µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Percentile Pappampalayam 1 village 43.0 81.0 63.1 80.8 Kuppandapalayam 2 village 46.0 91.0 62.6 90.5 3 Manpalayam 45.0 96.0 69.1 95.5 Villarasampatti 4 village 36.0 87.0 57.7 85.4 5 SPB Colony 40.0 90.0 66.5 89.5 Vendipalayam 6 village 44.8 85.1 62.4 84.6 7 Plant Site 46.9 95.4 69.4 94.8 8 Erode Town 42.0 98.0 68.2 96.8

Figure 4-32 Trends of Measured Ambient PM10 Concentrations in the Study Area

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) – Average, minimum and maximum reported

concentrations of PM2.5 are presented in Table 4.15 and Figure 4.33. The PM2.5 concentrations were observed in the range of 15 to 54.5 µg/m3, with the average 3 3 values in the range of 28.5 µg/m to 32.8 µg/m . The measured PM 2.5 concentration in the study area are inside the stipulated National Ambient Quality Standard of 60 µg/m3 prescribed for 24 hourly monitored values of concentration for Industrial, Residential, Rural and other areas. The data indicates that the study area represents typical rural background.

Table 4.15 Measured Ambient Pm2.5 Concentration

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3 PM2.5 Concentration, µg/m S.No. Location Minimum Maximum, Average, 98th µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Percentile 1 Pappampalayam village 17.0 41.0 28.6 40.6 2 Kuppandapalayam village 15.0 42.0 30.8 41.5 3 Manpalayam 18.0 42.0 31.6 42.0 4 Villarasampatti village 18.0 41.0 28.5 40.5 5 SPB Colony 19.0 45.0 29.9 42.8 6 Vendipalayam village 22.3 46.4 30.9 41.5 7 Plant Site 17.9 54.5 32.2 48.6 8 Erode Town 23.2 52.4 32.8 44.8

Figure 4-33 Measured Ambient PM2.5 Concentrations

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): Average, minimum and maximum reported

concentratio ns of SO2 are presented in Table 4.16 and Figure 4.34. SO2 concentrations at the designated eight locations were observed in the range of 8.6 to 54 µg/m3. The average values were found to be in the range of 14.5 to 18 3 µg/m . Thus, the observed SO2 concentrations as well as their average values are well within the limits (80 µg/m 3) specified for Industrial, Residential, Rural and other areas.

Table 4.16 Measured Ambient So2 Concentrations

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3 SO2 Concentration, µg/m S.No. Location Minimum Maximum, average, 98th µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Percentile 1 Pappampalayam village 8.6 25.0 15.0 23.9 2 Kuppandapalayam village 10.0 24.0 17.1 23.5 3 Manpalayam 10.0 36.0 16.4 30.6 4 Villarasampatti village 9.0 24.0 14.8 22.9 5 SPB Colony 10.0 54.0 18.0 52.9 6 Vendipalayam village 10.6 31.5 17.9 30.8 7 Plant Site 10.0 21.6 14.5 21.4 8 Erode Town 10.0 24.6 16.8 24.0

Figure 4-34 Measured Ambient SO2 Concentrations

Oxides of Nitrogen- Average, minimum and maximum reported concentrations

of NoX are presented in Table 4.17 and Figure 4.35. The NOx concentrations at the eight locations were observed in the range of 7.6 to 78 µg/m3. The average values were found to range from 29.1 to 35.5µg/m3. Concentrations as well as their average values are well within the limits (80 µg/m3) specified for Industrial, Residential, Rural and other areas.

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Table 4.17 Measured Ambient NO2 Concentrations

3 NOx Concentration, µg/m S.No. Location Minimum Maximum Average 98th µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Percentile 1 Pappampalayam village 7.6 60.9 29.1 60.2 Kuppandapalayam 2 village 13.0 65.0 35.5 65.0 3 Manpalayam 16.0 76.0 33.3 74.9 4 Villarasampatti village 18.0 68.0 35.0 66.4 5 SPB Colony 13.0 62.0 30.5 59.8 6 Vendipalayam village 15.6 78.0 34.7 70.8 7 Plant Site 13.9 51.6 29.4 50.8 8 Erode Town 20.7 55.0 37.5 53.9

Figure 4-35 Measured Ambient NOx Concentrations

4.10. Non-Condensable Gases (NCG)

The characteristic NCG of the mill is caused by the emission of reduced sulfur compounds, the most common of which are hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide, all with extremely low odor thresholds. The major source of hydrogen sulfide is the direct contact evaporator, in which the sodium sulfide in the black liquor reacts with the carbon dioxide in the furnace exhaust.

Methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide can be formed in reactions with the wood component, lignin. Dimethyl disulfide may be formed through the oxidation of mercaptan groups derived from the lignin. Major source of NCG emissions are the digester/blow tank systems and the direct contact evaporator

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Chapter 4– Baseline Environmental Status

NCG levels in the following vents, Wood Pulp-Blow Tank Vent, Washer Vent, CR Evaporation Vent and Wood Digestor Vent and ambient air were monitored during the study period.

4.10.1.1. Methodology

For assessing the source emission sorbent tube was used to adsorb the NCG on the adsorbent and then analyzing using GCMS. The sampling was carried out at night time for 8 hours to capture the NCG during the stable condition.

For assessing ambient concentration of NCG compounds same methodology was followed of adsorbing on the sorbent tube and then analyzing using GCMS.

The Location of NCG compounds monitoring stations is given in Figure 4.36 and the values are presented in Table 4.18 and Table 4.19. The test report is enclosed as Annexure 24

Figure 4-36 NCG sampling Location

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Chapter 4– Baseline Environmental Status

NCG Monitoring at Washer Vent NCG Monitoring at Blow tank Vent

NCG Monitoring near Coal Storage NCG Monitoring at Prem Nagar Area

Figure 4-37 NCG Monitoring

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Chapter 4– Baseline Environmental Status

Table 4.18: NCG Emissions from Vents

Wood Pulp- Wood Pulp CR CR Wood Wood Washer Washer S.No Parameter Protocol Unit Blow Tank Blow Tank Evaporation Evaporatio Digester Digester Vent - 1 Vent - 2 Vent - 1 Vent - 2 Vent - 1 n Vent – 2 Vent - 1 Vent- 2 Dimethyl By GC - BDL(DL: BDL(DL: 1 ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) 318 356 BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) Disulphide MS 10) 10) Dimethyl By GC - BDL(DL: BDL(DL: 2 ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) Sulphide MS 10) 10) Hydrogen IS : 11255 3 Sulphide as (Part 4) : mg/m3 2 2 2 2.2 24 27.3 2 2 H2S 1985 By GC - BDL(DL: BDL(DL: 4 Mercaptan ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) MS 10) 10)

Table 4.19: Ambient Concentrations of NCG Compounds

CR Blow - Odappalli Prem Near Coal Near LPG S.No Parameter Protocol Unit Evaporation Tank Area Village Nagar Storage Area Storage Area Area 1 Dimethyl Disulphide By GC - MS ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) 2 Dimethyl Sulphide By GC - MS ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) IS : 5182 (Part Hydrogen Sulphide 3 17) : 1973 Reaff µg/m3 63.6 56.5 BDL(DL:5) BDL(DL:5) BDL(DL:5) BDL(DL:5) as H2S 1999 4 Mercaptan By GC - MS ppb BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10) BDL(DL:10)

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Observation- NCG compound Dimethyl Disulphide is found at CR Evaporation Vent 1 and 2 which is in the order of 318, 356 ppb and at all the other vents it was found to be below the detectable limit of 10 ppb. Dimethyl Sulphide, Mercaptans are observed to be below the detectable limit of 10 ppb at all the vents. Hydrogen Sulphide is observed in the range of 2 to 27.3 mg/m3 and maximum level was found at CR Evaporation Vent-2.

Ambient concentration of NCG compounds were below the detectable limit of 10 ppb for all the odour producing compounds except hydrogen sulphide which was 56.5 and 63.6 µg/m3 at chemical recovery evaporation area and blow tank area respectively, in the vicinity of plant at Odappalli Village and Prem Nagar the hydrogen sulphide was found to be below the detectable limit of 5 µg/m3.

4.11. Noise Environment

To evaluate the noise level in the study area, noise levels were recorded at the proposed Mill site and other eight locations in the study area. The measurements were carried out using Type 1 noise level integrated sound level meter. Monitoring was done at each location during the study period for 24 hrs on hourly basis to obtain hourly equivalent sound pressure level. A digital noise level meter was used to record the noise levels. From these

values, day time and night time and 24-hrs Leq values were calculated. Day time is considered from 0600 hrs to 2200 hrs and night from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs.

Noise level equivalent values are presented in Table 4.20. The measured noise levels have been compared with the standard specified in Schedule III, Rule 3 of Environmental Protection Rules.

Table 4.20 Noise Sampling Locations

Location Latitude & Distance in S.No Location Direction* code Longitude km* 11°20'42.00"N 1 SPB Plant N 1 - - 77°45'19.52"E. 11°21'55.51"N, 2 Papampallayam N 2 2.58 NE 77°47'16.02"E 11°24'48.21"N 3 Kunpandapalayam N 3 5.5 NW 77°42'46.87"E 11°19'39.34"N, 4 Mampalayam N 4 1.32 SW 77°44'46.68"E 11°20'5.76"N, 5 Vendipalayam N 5 1.6 SE 77°46'38.64"E 11°20'27.74"N, 6 Erode Town N 6 5.59 W 77°40'24.67"E 11°20'31.31"N, 7 SPB Colony N 7 2.05 W 77°43'38.01"E 11°23'32.42"N, 8 Villarasampatti N 8 5.32 NE 77°45'55.08"E *with respect to the project site

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Observations- Average day time and night time noise levels at residential areas in the study area was found to be varying from 49.9 to 62.8 dB (A) and 53.2 dB(A) to 60.7 dB(A) respectively. Noise level at industrial area i.e. SPB plant it was found to be 59.5 to 65.7 dB (A) which is within the CPCB limits for industrial areas.

Noise monitoring was also carried out at Erode town where noise levels were found to be 62.7 dB (A) and 64.9 dB (A) it was observed to be higher than the limit for commercial area during night time. The hourly noise level monitoring data is enclosed in Annexure 22.

4.12. Water Environment

Both water resources and water quality have been studied within the 10 km radius of the Project site under this EIA study. The source of water for the mill is River Cauvery.

4.12.1. Surface Water Resources in the Study Area

The river enters Tamil Nadu through Dharmapuri district leading to the flat plains where it meanders. It drops into the Hogenakkal Falls just before it arrives in the town of Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu. The three minor tributaries, Palar, Chennar and Thoppar enter into the Kaveri on her course, above Stanley Reservoir in Mettur, where the dam has been constructed. The Mettur Dam joins the Sita and Pala mountains beyond that valley through which the Kaveri flows, up to the Grand Anicut. The dam in Mettur impounds water not only for the improvement of irrigation but also to ensure the regular and sufficient supply of water to the important Hydro-Electric generating station at Mettur, Salem .It then flows through the western parts & cities of Salem Disrict. It then flows further through the length Erode district where river Bhavani, which running through the breadth of the district, merges with it. The confluence of the rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and Akash Ganga (imaginary) is at the exact place of Bhavani, Tamil Nadu Kooduthurai or Tiriveni Sangamam, Northern part of Erode City.

While passing through Erode, two more tributaries merge. Thirumani Mutharu join it in a village called Kududurai in Namakkal District.

The major river flows in the study area is Cauvery. The Cauvery river flows from north west to south east. The river Perumpallam flows from west to east and confluences with river Cauvery at Vendipallayam. There are other riverlets flows in the study area. All the rivers confluences with river Cauvery. Apart from the river there are numbers of canals flowing in the study area. The major canals are Kalingarayan Canal and Mettur canal

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Cauvery River near the Project site

Canal within the Study Area

Figure 4-38 Cauvery River near the Study Area

4.12.2. Surface Water Quality

Water quality parameters of surface water resources within the study area have been considered for assessing the water environment. To assess the water quality of the study area a surface water sampling location was selected in three locations. The water sample was collected in the Cauvery River near to the project site and Upstream and downstream of the Cauvery River which is the major source of water for the project. The location details of the sampling is given below in Table 4.21

Table 4.21: Surface Water sampling

Location Location Code Intake point- Cauvery river SW 1 Upstream Cauvery River SW 2 Downstream Cauvery River SW 3

The observation of the surface water sample is given below and surface water quality analysis report are enclosed in Annexure 23

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Observations- The pH of Cauvery river waters is found to be alkaline in nature along the river stretch. This may be due to the contamination of the river water in the upstream due to the waste water discharge from the small scale dyeing units. The ranges for desirable limit of pH of water prescribed for drinking purpose by IS:10500, 1993 and WHO (1984) as 7.44 to7.59. The EC values are found to vary from 371to410 µmhos/cm. The TDS varies in the range of 240 mg/l to 264 mg/l. The Heavy metals concentration is well within the drinking water quality standards. Bacteriological studies reveal that Coliform bacteria is 90,100 & 170 MPN/100ml are present in the samples.

4.12.2.1. Cauvery Water Quality of the Study area- (Published Data)

Water Quality of the Cauvery Basin has been studied by researchers, Sivaraja, R and Nagarajan (International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 4, Issue, 7, pp.1112– 1115, July, 2013) studied the “Estimation of Heavy Metal Contents in Surface water of River Cauvery in Salem, Erode and Namakkal districts, Tamil Nadu, India” and the studies inferred that the water quality monitoring study was carried out in River Cauvery in January 2011. During the study period water samples for heavy metal quality were analyzed. The Minimum and maximum levels of Nickel content in River Cauvery were 0.02 µg/l in Ponni Sugars station and 1.34 µg/l in B. P. Agraharam respectively, the average was 0.63 µg/l. As for as lead is concerned, 0.96 µg/l was recorded as the maximum in Vairapalayam station. The minimum of 0.02 µg/l was recorded in Uratchikottai station and the average was 0.49 µg/l. Zinc content of 0.68 µg/l was recorded in Stanley Reservoir station and minimum of 0.02 µg/l in Uratchikottai and Komarapalayam stations and the average was 0.2 µg/l. A maximum of 0.006 µg/l mercury was detected in Stanly Reservoir and Uratchikottai stations and no trace of mercury was detected in other stations. The studies concluded that even though the heavy metals analysed in River Cauvery are within the prescribed limits set by Bureau of Indian Standards and WHO guidelines but their presence in smaller quantities itself is the indication that the levels may go up with the increased industrialization, urbanization and through biomagnification. It is suggested that enough precautionary measures should be taken before the levels cross the danger line.

“GIS Study on Vulnerability Assessment of Water Quality in a Part of Cauvery River “ was studied by S.Hema, T.Subramani ,L.Elango, International Journal of Environmental Sciences, Volume 1,No1,2010 and Spatial variations of various surface water quality parameters were studied using the Geographical Information System (GIS). The study indicates that some of the samples of February-2009 exceed the permissible limit for drinking. The study further reveals that the variation of water quality with respect to space and time is not uniform. Agricultural runoff, sewage and industrial effluents are the probable sources for the variation of water quality in the study region.

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Vijayalakshmi .et al studied the” Evaluation of Physico - chemical parameters and microbiological populations of Cauvery River water in the Pallipalayam region of Tamil Nadu, India, the study inferred that The Physico-chemical parameters like temperature, hydroxyl ionic concentration (pH), electrical conductivity recorded were in a range of 24.7 to 29°C, 7.5 to 9.2, and 406 to 982 µS/cm respectively. Besides, turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS ), Total hardness and Total alkalinity of river water samples recorded were in the ranges of 7 – 11 NTU, 5 - 12mg/L, 291-701mg/L , 3 - 5mg/L, 228-364mg/L, and 139 - 245mg/L respectively. Nitrite, Phosphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Chloride of the river water exhibits within the ranges of 0.012 to 0.102 mg/L, 0.019 to.023 mg/L, 41.08 to 77.24 mg/L, and 53.56 to 143.16 mg/L respectively. A calcium and magnesium levels of the water samples during the study period were analyzed and the results recorded were in the ranges of 57.31 to 101.4 mg/L and 27.22 to 57.35 mg/L respectively. The amount of Sodium, Potassium and Ammonical nitrogen of the water samples estimated were in the ranges of 35.44 - 88.57 mg/L and 3 to 8 mg/L, 5.83 and 3.26 mg/L respectively. Bicarbonates and carbonates levels analyzed during the study period recorded were in the ranges of 164.7-303.78 mg/L and 2.4 - 9.6 mg/L respectively. The total bacterial and fungal populations were recorded during the study period. The values of Physico-chemical parameters recorded were indicated that, the river was polluted in terms of increased accumulation of xenobiotics compounds by anthropogenic activities .The immediate attention from the concerned authorities is required to protect river from further pollution.

4.12.3. Ground Water Resources

4.12.3.1. Regional Hydro-geological Features and Aquifer Details 4

Namakkal district is underlain entirely by Archaean Crystalline formations with recent alluvial deposits occurring along the river courses and Colluvium at the foot hills. The important aquifer systems in the district are constituted by weathered & fractured crystalline rocks and Colluvial deposits.The porous formations in the district are represented by alluvium and colluvium. The alluvial deposits are confined to the major river courses only. Ground water occurs under phreatic conditions. The maximum saturated thickness of these aquifers is up to 5 m depending upon the topographic conditions. The area lying at the foot hill zones which are seen in the northern parts of the district is underlain by the colluvial material derived from the nearby hill ranges comprising sands and gravels. The maximum saturated thickness of these aquifers is up to 20 m depending upon the topographic conditions. Ground water occurs under phreatic conditions.

4 District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

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The hard consolidated crystalline rocks of Archaean age represent weathered and fractured formations of Granite Gneiss, Granite, Charnockite and other associated rocks. Ground water occurs under phreatic conditions in the weathered mantle and under semi-confined conditions in the fractured zones. The thickness of weathered zone in the district ranges from <1m to 30m. It is within the depth of 20 m in major part of the district while in the western and extreme north-north-eastern parts of the district, they are more than 20 m. The depth of the dug wells ranged from 7 to 45m bgl. The yield of the open wells range from <50 to 200 m3/day in weathered crystalline rocks and up to 400 m3/day in Recent alluvial formations along major drainage courses.

Water level Behaviour- The depth to water level in the district varied between 1.20 – 14.33 m bgl during pre-monsoon depth to water level (May 2006) and varied between 0.86 – 16.60 m bgl during post monsoon depth to water level (Jan 2007). The seasonal fluctuation shows a rise in water level, which ranges from 0.03 to 3.51 m bgl. The piezometric head varied between 1.35 to 9.40 m bgl (May 2006) during pre-monsoon and G.L to 13.00 m bgl during post monsoon. The hydrogeology map of the district is given in Figure 4.39

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Figure 4-39 Hydrogeology Map of Namakkal District5

5 Plate V, District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

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Ground water occurs under water table condition in the weathered mantle. The occurrence and movement of controlled by the weathered and fractures of the hard rock formations. The fractures and fissures are the main source of ground water in the study area. Ground water is transmitted through fractures, fissured and joints of hard crystalline formations. These crystalline formations are impervious in nature and have developed secondary porosity.

Ground water level data for a monitoring well collected from CGWB located in Erode observation well indicates that the deepest water level is 7.70 m bgl during November 2012 and shallowest water level is 2.40 m bgl during November 2007. The season wise ground water level data collected for Erode monitoring well is given in below in Figure 4.40

Figure 4-40 Erode Observation well (CGWB) Ground Water Level

4.12.3.2. Ground Water Resources- Block wise

The ground water resources have been computed jointly by Central Ground Water Board and State Ground & Surface Water Resources and Development Centre (PWD, WRO, Government of Tamil Nadu) as on 31st March 2004. The salient features of the computations are furnished below. The computation of ground water resources available in the district has been done using GEC 1997 methodology.

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The proposed Project site falls under Pallipalayam Block according to ground water management survey by CGWB. Ground Water Resources & Development Potential of Namakkal district as per CGWB is given below in Table 4.22

Table 4.22 Ground Water Resources & Development Potential of Namakkal District (in Ham) Allocation for Domestic Net ground Net Existing Existing Existing and water Ground Gross Draft Stage of Gross Gross Industrial Availability Block water for Domestic Groundwater Draft for Draft for Requirement for future Availability and industrial Development Irrigation all uses supply upto Irrigation in Ham water supply next 25 years Development (2029) Pallipalayam 4210.65 4089.47 310.14 4399.61 321.45 -200.27 104 Source: District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

As per CGWB 31st March 2004, the Pallipalayam block is categorized as an Over Exploited Zone and the ground water potential and the categorization of blocks is given in Figure 4.41

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Source: Plat IV, District Groundwater Brochure, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, December 2008

Figure 4-41 Ground Water Potential and the Categorization of Blocks

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4.12.3.3. Groundwater Table and Yield in the Study Area

The occurrence of ground water in the study area (10 km radius) has been studied in detail by collecting the water level from 25 well (borewells). The depth of the wells ranges from 200 m to 240 m. The ground water levels are collected from the bore wells. At the time of the collection of ground water level the yield of the wells have been recorded by oral enquiry. The ground water levels vary between 4.1to 21.1 m bgl and yield of the wells varies between 35 to 180 liters / minutes.

The ground water level zone clearly depicts that the water level varies between 4.1 to 21.1 m. The ground water level zone map shows that the water level ranging between 4-10 m occupies majority of the area. The project site is located in 4-10m zone. The ground water level zone map is presented in Figure 4.43

Figure 4-42 Bore well in 3 km radius The location, ground water level and depth collected from the 10 m radius is given the Table 4.23 below:

Table 4.23 Ground water level (10 m radius)

Depth Water S.No Location Longitude Latudude in m level in m 1 Kuttikkinattur 77° 45' 42.597" 11° 26' 18.336" 230.0 18.2 2 Mampalaiyam 77° 45' 33.903" 11° 23' 29.949" 240.0 21.1 3 Kattuppalaiyam 77° 47' 44.199" 11° 23' 35.981" 250.0 17.2 4 Kalivelampalaiyam 77° 50' 46.09" 11° 22' 38.487" 220.0 16.0 5 Marasakkuttai 77° 49' 15.477" 11° 21' 39.839" 230.0 15.3 6 Vilangkattur 77° 46' 58.824" 11° 21' 24.037" 240.0 14.1 7 Alamedu 77° 45' 21.908" 11° 21' 34.698" 240.0 9.2 7 Odappalli 77° 45' 31.993" 11° 20' 37.47" 240.0 8.2 9 Pappampalaiyam 77° 46' 21.342" 11° 20' 14.316" 230.0 7.6 10 Malappalaiyam 77° 48' 42.451" 11° 20' 13.672" 240.0 17.6 11 Perumampalaiyam 77° 50' 3.684" 11° 18' 45.263" 230.0 16.9 12 Samayasangali 77° 43' 32.933" 11° 22' 40.909" 220.0 7.1 13 Alangattuvalasu 77° 42' 58.849" 11° 25' 33.636" 220.0 16.2

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Depth Water S.No Location Longitude Latudude in m level in m 14 Senapattipm 77° 41' 39.213" 11° 17' 38.224" 220.0 15.2 15 Sengodampalaiyam 77° 40' 47.758" 11° 19' 43.854" 220.0 7.2 16 Kumalankuttai 77° 42' 4.352" 11° 20' 13.901" 220.0 7.9 17 Kasipalaiyam 77° 42' 35.49" 11° 19' 12.698" 250.0 8.6 18 Kongampm 77° 40' 22.055" 11° 22' 37.733" 220.0 9.3 19 Krishnanpm 77° 44' 9.808" 11° 21' 27.821" 220.0 7.8 20 Periya Agaragarm 77° 42' 25.655" 11° 22' 3.612" 220.0 6.8 21 Vendipm 77° 44' 41.632" 11° 19' 31.171" 220.0 8.1 22 Erode 77° 43' 37.566" 11° 20' 9.467" 200.0 7.3 23 Kumarapalaiyam 77° 45' 52.401" 11° 17' 55.15" 250.0 7.2 24 Alichampalaiyam 77° 45' 8.199" 11° 16' 34.248" 250.0 7.8 25 Kangayampalaiyam 77° 48' 2.368" 11° 16' 34.271" 250.0 4.1

Figure 4-43 Ground Water Level Zone of the Study Area (10 Km radius)

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4.12.3.4. Lithology

The Bore well lithology pertaining to the project has been collected and it is presented below. The lithology of the borewell clearly indicates that it is a hard rock bore well. The topo soil extends up to 2 m. The soil analysis results of the project site reveals that the porosity of the soil is 45% and the Texture is Loamy. The porosity indicates that the infiltration rate of the soil is moderate. The horizontal and vertical permeability of the formation up to 2 m is very less.

The lithological cross section and the Bore well lithology of the project site is given below in Figure 4.44

Depth Range (mbgl) Thickness (m) Lithology 0-2 2 Top Soil 2-6 6 Highly Weathered Rock (with intrusions) 6-15 15 Highly Fractured Rock 15-30 30 Partially Fractured Rock 30-60 60 Highly Jointed Rock 60-100 100 Fractured Rock 100-160 160 Joitned Rock 160-200 200 Massive Rock

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Figure 4-44 Lithological cross section

4.12.3.5. Movement of Groundwater in the Study area

The movement of ground water is controlled by the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and hydraulic gradient. In study area the hydraulic conductivity is mainly based on the secondary porosity. The homogeneity of the weathered zone plays a vital role in the movement of the ground water. In the study area the formations are heterogeneous in nature. Below the weathered zone the fractures and fissures acts as ground water conduit. Hornblende biotite gneiss is the principal aquifer in the study area apart from the other hard rock aquifers. The hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer is mainly due to the fractures, fissures and joints. Based on the water level data (Pre and Post monsoon) the ground water table

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has been constructed for the Pre and Post monsoon periods. The ground water table contour depicts that the flow is in the east both the seasons. The hydraulic gradient in the project site is moderate to high and has been observed as 5.3 m/Km in pre monsoon and 4.8 m/Km in post monsoon. ground water trough is noticed in the project site and in the southern side of the study area which indicates the convergent flow of ground water. The ground water table constructed for the study area is presented in Figure 4.45 and Figure 4.46

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Figure 4-45 Ground Water Table- Pre Monsoon

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Figure 4-46 Ground Water Table- Post Monsoon

4.12.3.6. Evaluation of Aquifer Parameters

Pumping test is the most accurate reliable and commonly used method to evaluate the hydraulic parameters of an aquifer, efficiency of a well / tube well, safer operational rates of pumping and selection of suitable pump. The methods of a pumping test are highly varying in its application. The main objective of pumping test is to determine the aquifer parameters such as Transmissivity (T), Storage co-efficient (S) Hydraulic Conductivity (K), well performance and safe yield for execution of water supply.

The pumping test was conducted in the same hydrogeological environment and data has been collected from the CGWB. The result of the pumping test is given in Table 4.24

Table 4.24 Result of Pumping Test Bore Well in m 210 Static Water level in m 18 Pump capacity 7.5 HP Discharge in lpm 110 lpm Time in min. 320 minutes Stability not attained Drawdown in m 8 m Specific Capacity lpm per m draw down 14 Transmissivity of the fractured aquifer m2/day 40 Rate of recovery In 400 minutes static water level was attained

The pumping test results revels that the drawdown is 8 m at the pumping rate of 110 lpm. As the aquifer not a potential aquifer, the drawdown is high. It is also observed that the average T Value is 40 m2/day which indicates the aquifer is a not a productive aquifer.

The above aquifer parameters are used to estimate the radius of influence of the bore wells located in the project site. The estimated radius of influence is 220 m.

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The radius of influence confines within the project site itself and there would not be any adverse impact in the surrounding irrigation or drinking water wells located outside the project site.

Estimated Yield from Borewells- There is 3 bore well wells within the premises of the project site. The locations and its latitude and longitude values and yield from each bore well are given in Table 4.25. As the total water requirement of the project is being met out from the river source (Cauvery) The bore wells are not utilized for plant operation purpose.

Table 4.25 Locations of the Borewell

S.No Latitude Longitude Depth in m Yield in lpm 1 11°20'46.60"N 77°45'18.10"E 130 60 2 11°20'48.67"N 77°45'20.37"E 160 140 3 11°20'58.35"N 77°45'33.51"E 130 60

Intake well arrangements from the Cauvery River

4.12.4. Ground Water Quality

Selected water quality parameters of ground water resources within the study area have been considered for assessing the water environment. To assess the water quality of the study area, eight (8) ground water sampling locations and three (3) surface water samplings were selected. These samples were collected as grab samples and were analysed for various parameters. Forty three (43) water quality parameters are analysed. The water sampling locations are listed below in Table 4.26 and the locations are marked in 10 km map which is given below in Figure 4.47.

Table 4.26: Details of Water Sampling Locations Location Location Code Devanam Palayam Village GW 1 Manpalayam Village GW 2 Erode Town GW 3 Kumarapalayam Village GW 4 Vannamparai Village GW 5 SPB Colony GW 6 Villarasampatti Village GW 7 Vendipalayam GW 8

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Figure 4-47 Water sampling locations

Observation The analysis results of ground water samples indicate that the average pH ranges in between 6.67 to 7.91, TDS ranges from 652 mg/l to 2612 mg/l and 5188 mg/l in the sampling location Vendipalayam which is higher than the desirable limits, TDS in the proposed Project site is 1072 mg/l. total hardness is in the range of 133 mg/l to 811 mg/l which is also higher than the desirable limit. The heavy metal concentration is Below Detectable Limit in all sampled locations and well within the standards for drinking water as per IS: 10500 –1991 “Specification for drinking Water” for ground water. Fluorides concentrations are in the ranges of 0.1 mg/l to 0.5 mg/l which are found within the drinking water standards The ground water analysis results are compared with the standards for drinking water as per IS: 10500 –1991 “Specification for drinking Water” for ground water. The analysis report is enclosed as Annexure 23

All the sampled locations are found to be slightly salty in nature with presence of prominent sodium ions, chlorides ions and Bicarbonate ions Figure 4.48 and Ionic Variation in surface and Ground water is given in Table 4.23, represents the groundwater quality at different sampling locations in a piper diagram. The groundwater at the proposed Project site has high TDS and hardness concentration, and treatment will be needed for drinking water and for domestic use.

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GW1-Village Papampalayam GW2-Village vendipalyam

GW3-SPB Colony GW4-Village Villasarampatty

GW5-Village Devanapalayam GW6-Erode Town

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GW7-Village kuppandapalayam GW8-Village Mampalayam

Surface –Cauvery River up stream Surface water intake point

Surface water down stream

Figure 4-48 Piper- Duro diagram

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Table 4.27: Ionic Variation in surface and Ground water

Sampling + + 2+ 2+ 2- HCO ¯+C Unit Na + K Ca Mg Cl¯+F SO 3 Water Type Location 4 O meq/L 17.81 30.7 4.77 9.8 12.74 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G1 Percentage 54.7 9.98 14.7 0.43 0.56 0.0 Water meq/L 39 16.87 22.29 43.68 11.47 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G2 Percentage 49.9 21.1 28.5 0.7 0.2 0.0 Water meq/L 7.49 7.88 22.29 7.63 2.85 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G3 Percentage 19.9% 20.9 59.2 0.72 0.27 0.0 Water meq/L 15.54 1.05 1.65 4.22 3.04 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G4 Percentage 85.2 5.7 9.0 0.58 0.41 0.0 Water meq/L 27.57 13.92 2.30 15.40 17.78 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G5 Percentage 63 31.8 5.3 0.46 0.56 0.0 Water meq/L 32.77 3.14 2.06 0.76 0.96 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G6 Percentage 84.1 9.6 6.3 3.05 0.23 0.0 Water meq/L 5.81 4.59 2.96 1.97 3.79 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G7 Percentage 43.5 34.4 22.2 0.34 0.65 0.0 Water meq/L 12.92 2.10 3.29 4.53 2.85 0.0 Sodium Chloride Type G8 Percentage 70.6 11.4 18 0.61 0.387 0.0 Water SW- Sodium Chloride Type Cauvery meq/L 2.23 1.40 1.23 1.05 0.44 0.0 Water River up Percentage 45.9 28.8 25.4 0.70 0.29 0.0 stream SW – Sodium Chloride Type Cauvery meq/L 2.01 1.40 1.48 0.82 0.27 0.0 Water River intake Percentage 41.1 28.6 30.3 0.75 0.24 0.0 point SW – Sodium Chloride Type Cauvery meq/L 2 1.40 1.56 0.76 0.27 0.0 Water River down Percentage 40.4 28.1 31.5 0.73 0.26 0.0 stream

4.12.4.1. Ground Water Quality of the Region-(Published Data)

According to the CGWB, Ground water in phreatic aquifers in Namakkal district is in general colorless, odorless and predominantly alkaline in nature. The specific electrical conductance of ground water in phreatic zone (in Micro Seimens at 25°C) during May 2006 was in the range of 1300 to 7080 in the district. It is between 2000 and 4000 µS/cm at 25°C in the major part of the district. It is observed that only in selected places of the district, the ground water is suitable for drinking and domestic uses in respect of all the constituents. The

total Hardness as CaCO3 as well as nitrate is observed to be in excess of permissible limits in about 66 and 86 percent of samples analysed. Fluoride in excess of the drinking water limit of 1.5 mg/l is observed in 30 percent of the samples. In about 14 percent of the samples sulphates was in excess of the drinking water limit of 400 mg/l. The incidence of high total hardness and fluoride is attributed to the composition of lithounits constituting the aquifers in the district, whereas the nitrate pollution is most likely due to the use of fertilizers and other improper waste disposal. Excess of fluoride is observed in places such as Venandur, Udaiyarpalayam, Talamabadi, V.G.Patti and Mohanur.

With regard to irrigation suitability based on specific electrical conductance and sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), it is observed that ground water in the phreatic zone may cause high to very high salinity hazard and medium to high alkali

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hazard when used for irrigation. Proper soil management strategies are to be adopted in the major part of the district while ground water for irrigation.

Ground water quality of the region was studied by various researchers; K. Karunakaran et al (ISSN: 0973-4945; CODEN ECJHAO E-Journal of Chemistry 2009, 6(3), 909-914) studied the “Statistical Study on Physicochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in and around Namakkal, Tamilnadu, India” Groundwater samples collected at different locations in and around Namakkal were analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics. Ten locations of groundwater samples were collected and studied for every two month for the period June-2007 to December-2007. The present investigation is focused on the determination of physicochemical parameters such as temperature, taste, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, hardness, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chlorides, sulphate, nitrate, fluorides, dissolved oxygen, sodium, potassium and E.coli bacterium. Groundwater suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes was examined by using WHO and BIS standards, which indicate the groundwater in a few areas, were not much suitable for domestic and agriculture purposes. Thus the objective of this study is to identify the quality of groundwater especially in the town and nearby town where groundwater is used for domestic and agriculture purposes

S. Samson et al (Vol.30, Issue 1, 2011; Page No.(85-94), EM international) studied the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India, the study inferred that the parameters electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH, total hardness, iron, chlorides, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, potassium manganese, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite and total alkalinity. The test results were interpreted using Indian standard specification IS: 10500 1991 and statistical plots. Higher values of turbidity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, sulphate and total alkalinity influence the quality of groundwater of the study area however some of the samples collected from east, west and central part of the study area are found to be potable. Turbidity is high in the groundwater samples collected from the locations along the river bank which envelops the study area at south west side. The groundwater qualities of north and south side of the study area are unsuitable in any one of the parameters governing the quality.

4.12.5. Treated Wastewater Quality

Treated wastewater was also collected for analysis. The results of treated wastewater are compared with General Standards for Discharge of Environmental Pollutants Part-A: Effluents under Schedule – VI, GSR-422 (E) of The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986

The analysis results indicate that the pH was found to be 7.11. The TDS values are observed to be 520 mg/l, which have been observed to be well within the permissible limits. The temperature of the treated wastewater is almost the same as ambient temperature. BOD and COD values are about 19 and 59 mg/l respectively and are within the prescribed limits. The heavy metal content is

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found to be within the permissible limits of General Standards for Discharge of Environmental Pollutants Part-A: Effluents under Schedule – VI, GSR-422 (E) of The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. The treated wastewater from the WWTP is being utilised for agriculture. The analysis report is enclosed as Annexure 23

4.13. Ecological Environment

Living things are organized in to natural communities with mutual dependencies among their members, and they show various responses and sensitivities to the outside influences. However, the process of rapid development and industrialization has marked some prominent questions about survival of the flora and fauna. Fortunately, global awareness during past few years has been augmenting and worldwide programs for wild life conservation have been formulated. The worldwide-accepted concept of ‘Sustainable development’ has given a vision of eco-friendly project execution.

4.13.1. Objectives of Ecological Monitoring

a) To evaluate the prevailing ecological status of the habitats adjacent to the existing paper mill

b) To evaluate positive impacts of greenbelt developed by SPB

c) To assess the impact of proposed mill expansion on flora, mammals and avifauna

d) To recommend suitable environment management plan to minimize any adverse impact on adjacent area due to the proposed developments.

4.13.2. Methodology

4.13.2.1. Study Area

The project site falls near Odapalli – Vannampalli village, of Namakkal Dist. Tamil Nadu State. Total area of 10 km radius considering project site as center was surveyed for prevailing status of ecology and biodiversity. The area surveyed will be henceforth termed as ‘Study Area’.

The entire study area was dominated by agriculture land, dry land and Erode city. Total 15 sites were selected randomly for ecology and biodiversity assessment so that maximum habitats are covered.

These sites were divisible into three zones on the basis of their distance from the project site: Zone I – existing greenbelt, nursery and SPB colony, Zone II – outside greenbelt area up to 5 km from the project-site boundary, Zone III – 5 km to 10 km from the project-site boundary. Coordinates and map showing sampling sites are given in Table 4.28 and Figure 4.49 respectively.

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Table 4.28 Coordinates of Survey Locations in Study Area

Station Latitude Longitude Nearest Village Zone Habitat 1 11° 20' 43.3" N 77° 45' 20.8" E Odapalli I SPB Greenbelt 2 11° 21' 01.1" N 77° 45' 16.6" E Kaveri II Riverbank 3 11° 19' 56.1" N 77° 46' 36.2" E Pappampalaiyam II Agriculture Land 4 11° 18' 37.2" N 77° 46' 44.7" E Kokkarayanpettai II Riverbank 5 11° 17' 17.6" N 77° 48' 43.7" E Elayampalayam III Agriculture Land 6 11° 18' 44.1" N 77° 50' 39.0" E Perumampalayam III Dry Land 7 11° 19' 56.7" N 77° 48' 50.1" E Malappalayam III Dry Land 8 11° 22' 09.8" N 77° 50' 15.9" E Thokkavadi III Dry Land 9 11° 23' 48.2" N 77° 46' 41.0" E Chinnarpalayam II Agriculture Land 10 11° 25' 15.9" N 77° 47' 53.2" E Sowdapuram III Dry Land 11 11° 25' 09.5" N 77° 43' 58.9" E Virappampalayam III Agriculture land 12 11° 24' 21.7" N 77° 41' 53.8" E Kuppadapalayam III Riverbank 13 11° 20' 30.3" N 77° 43' 41.0" E Erode II Urban Area 14 11° 20' 18.8" N 77° 40' 28.7" E Bharthiyar Nagar III Urban Area 15 11° 17' 26.5" N 77° 41' 51.6" E Kutiraipalli III Urban Area

Figure 4-49 Map Showing Ecology Survey Locations

4.13.3. Ecology Assessment

At each site, a study of floral diversity was carried out in the following manner:

A quadrat of approximately 20 m x 20 m was marked. The species of trees, shrubs and large climbers, as well as the number of individuals of each species, falling within this area were noted.

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A quadrat of approximately 5 m x 5 m was marked within this larger quadrat. The species of herbs, both grasses and forbs, and the number of individuals of each species, falling within this area were noted.

Smaller quadrats of 1m x 1 m, for the more prolifically-growing larger herbs, and 10 cm x 10 cm, for prolifically-growing minute herbs, were employed when required.

At each site, faunal diversity was studied through direct evidence, in the form of visual sightings, and indirect evidence such as calls, nests, burrows, droppings, scats, tracks etc. All available types of habitats at the site were evaluated and marked. These areas were visited at specific times when most bird activity is expected i.e. early morning – noon and late afternoon – late evening (for crepuscular birds). The activities of birds and animals were observed during this time and an exhaustive list of the birds seen was prepared. The birds were identified and confirmed with their unique calls wherever they were not observed directly. The survey was conducted with high quality binoculars (Olympus 10x50) and Digital cameras (Nikon 3100D) and photographs were clicked wherever possible and are presented in the report.

4.13.3.1. Statistical Analysis

The biodiversity of the survey area was then evaluated in terms of:

x species richness of the woody and non-woody florae, and the avifauna,

x percentage frequency, abundance and density of each floral species, and

x percentage frequency of each bird species

Vegetation structures were assessed by estimating Shannon, Simpson and Margalef indices, and Evenness.

4.13.4. Observations

4.13.4.1. Conditions during Survey

The weather of study area was calm and sunny during survey. Average temperature ranged between 30 - 35º C. No precipitation occurred during survey period.

The vegetation in study area showed flowering stages as spring season has started. Annual herbs were mostly in seed dispersal stage. No schedule I or endangered animals were observed during this survey. Only domestic animals were recorded near villages. Cattle and goats were commonly observed grazing at the periphery of villages.

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4.13.4.2. Forest Types in Study Area

According to the revised survey of forest types in India, the vegetation of this region falls under forest types Group 6 - Tropical Thorn Forests (Sub Group 6A - Southern Tropical Thorn Forests) and Sub Group C1 - Southern Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests (Champion and Seth, 1968).

This forest type occurs on shallow and boulder soils and on the outcrops of lime stones, rocks up to an elevation of 1,100 meters, annual rainfall being 60 to 70 cm a year, the climatic condition are extremely dry. The floristic over wood composition of this type of forest includes Acacia ferruginea, Albezzia amara, Azardirachta indica, Canthium diccoccum, Zizyphus species etc. The under story tree species includes Randia dumetorium, Carissa carandas, Atlantia monophylla, Gmelina asiatica etc. The undergrowth vegetation includes Cassia auriculata, Mundulea sericea, Capparis zeylanica etc.

4.13.5. Habitats

The study area covers different habitats varying from greenbelt, agriculture land, urban area and dry lands. Major habitats observed in ecology survey are as follows.

4.13.5.1. Greenbelt and Nursery in Existing Paper Mill

SPB Ltd has developed nearly 35 acres of thick greenbelt inside and around existing paper mill. Dominant species planted in greenbelt are Eucalyptus, Casuarina equisetifolia, Sinaruga sp, Leusiana sp, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Azadiracta indica, Delonix regia, Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Ficus spp, Melia dubia, Thespesia populnea, Polyalthia longifolia, Palms and Bougainvilla.

Greenbelt development was observed to be supporting rich avifauna inside existing paper mill, by providing suitable habitats for nesting and roosting. Bird species like Pond Herons, Night Herons, Egrets, Carmorants, Indian Shags, Black Drongo, Sunbirds, Myna, Parakeets and Bablers were commonly observed inside greenbelt.

Nesting sites of Herons and Egrets were commonly observed in greenbelt. Juveniles of avifauna were seen in many nests as well as broken eggshells were also seen under many trees. Predators like kites and shikra were occasionally seen hunting on juveniles.

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Greenbelt Developed by SPB Ltd inside and around Paper Mill

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Along with greenbelt development Forest Development Dept of SPB has developed nursery over 2 acres to raise saplings of Eucalyptus, Melia dubia, Casuarina equisetifolia and Thespesia populnea. Saplings are raised using cultivation methods like cuttings and sprigs. The forest dept was formed in 2005 with an objective of sustained raw material supply to improve productivity. Saplings raised in SPB nursery have been planted all over Tamil Nadu, over 7000 ha. Saplings are provided to individual farmers as well as to forest dept.

Nursery developed by SPB Ltd inside Colony Area

SPB Ltd had funded research program to Tamil Nadu Agriculture University to study effect of treated effluent irrigation on commercial crops like Sugar Cane

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and Banana. Other hardwood species like Dalbergia sisoo, Thespesia populnea, Chulcrasia tabularis, Acrocarbus fraxinifolius and Anthocephalus kadamba are also raised in this farm. The project was started in 2010 over 13.5 acres of land.

4.13.5.2. Agriculture area

The area around existing paper mill is majorly agriculture land cultivating sugarcane, banana, coconut and castor plants. SPB Ltd has developed 2400 acres of lift irrigation program supporting sugarcane farmers in nearby villages. Treated effluent of existing paper mill is being provided to sugarcane farms through pipeline. Apart from sugarcane, paddy is another important crop in this region. Vegetables like Gourds, Pumpkins, Tomatoes, Chilly and Brinjal are commonly cultivated. Orchards of Chikoo, Guava, Pomegranate and drumsticks were also seen around villages.

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Lift Irrigation Area Drinking water facility provided by SPB

Sugarcane Plantations Treated effluent of SPB used for irrigation

Banana Plantations Coconut Plantations

4.13.5.3. Cauvery River

The Cauvery River is one of the major rivers of South India. The Cauvery rises at Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri Range of Hill in Western Ghats of India. The river has an approximate length of 760 km flows in the South and East through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu States. The Kalingarayan Canal is a 90 km long irrigation canal in the Erode region of study area. It was constructed by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan and completed in the year 1823. This runs parallel to

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Cauvery River. The canal was designed with a meandering route to maximize the amount of agricultural land which benefited.

The river flows from northwest to southeast direction in study area. Existing paper mill is situated on eastern bank of river. Main channel of river was observed to be shallow and not suitable for navigation. Both banks were observed to be rocky and aquatic flora such as Eichhornia crassipes, Polygonum glabrum, Typha angustifolia, Cyperus rotundus and Ludwigia repens were commonly observed in rock pools.

Channel of Cauvery River was observed to be suitable feeding ground for water birds such as Carmorant, Indian Shag, Egrets and Herons. However, no commercial fishing was observed since river channel is shallow (less than 3 m deep). Local villagers use circular plate like boats woven from Bamboo sticks and Coconut leaves for fishing. Catla catla, Chanos chanos, Esomus danricus, Labeo spp, Mugil spp, Puntius spp and Salmostoma spp are commonly occurring fish species in Cauvery River.

Total of 36 ditom species belonging to 17 genera have been identified from Cauvery – Bhavani region (Venkatachalapathy and Karthikeyan, 2013). Major diatom species are Achnanthes inflata, Achnanthes minutissima, Amphora ovails, Caloneis pulchra, Cocconeis placentula, Caloneis silicula, Cyclotella catenata,Cyclotella meneghiniana, Cymbella aspera, Cymbella cymbiformis, Cymbella tumida, Cymbella tumidula,Cymbella turgida, Cymbella ventricosa, Eunotia fallax, Fragilaria intermedia and Gomphonema gracile.

A total of 13 species of zooplankton were identified from Erode region of which, 5 species belonged to cladocera, 3 to rotifera, 3 to copepoda and 2 to protozoa (Mathivanan et al, 2007). The annual mean percentage composition of zooplankton groups showed that rotifera contributed 25%, cladocera 24%, copepoda 27% and protozoa 24%. The zooplankton population also fluctuates temporally (Biswas and Konar, 2001) and productivity was observed to be high during August and low during December.

Benthic fauna of Cauvery River is dominated by mollusca and represented by 8 species of gastropods and 5 species of bivalves (Amanullah and Hamid, 1996). Bellamya dissimilis, Paludomus tanscharicus and Thiara spp were observed to be dominant gastropods in Cauvery River.

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Cauvery River channel in study area

Cauvery River channel near Erode city

Cauvery River channel behind SPB Paper Mill

4.13.5.4. Dry Land

Open dry land is one of the largest habitats in study area. The thorny scrub forests found on eastern side of Project site receive very less rainfall and made up of thinly spread thorny forests of Prosopis juliflora which is considered as invasive species. The southern tropical thorn scrub type forests consist of open, low vegetation that is characterized by thorny trees with short trunks and low, branching crowns. The trees in study area attained maximum heights of 4–7 m.

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Typical grasses of this region include Chrysopogon fulvus, Heteropogon contortus, Eremopogon foveolatus, Aristida setacea, and Dactyloctenium species. The plant species that dominate the vegetation in these forests are Acacia species, Balanites roxburghii, Cordia myxa, Capparis spp., Euphorbia angularis, Prosopis spp., Azadirachta indica, Cassia fistula, Diospyros chloroxylon, Carissa carandas, and Phoenix sylvestris.

View of Dry Land flora in study area

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4.13.5.5. Urban Area

Western region of Cauvery River is densely populated and mainly falls under Erode district. Erode is major city situated in west direction of project site. Numbers of small villages are present in the periphery of Erode. Occasional patches of vegetation were observed in parks and along roadside. Roadside flora was dominated by Azadiracta indica, Mangifera indica, Terminalia catappa, Pongamia pinnata, Tamarindus indica, Annona squamosa, Ficus spp etc. Parks mainly showed cultivated exotic species such as Delonix regia, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Bombax ceiba, Nerium spp etc. Invasive species like Lantana camera, Calotropis gigantia and Leonotis sp. were dominant along roadside.

4.13.6. General Characteristics of Floral Density

4.13.6.1. Flora in Zone – 1, Greenbelt, SPB Colony and Nursery

SPB Ltd has developed nearly 15 acres of thick greenbelt inside and around existing paper mill. Dominant species planted in greenbelt are Eucalyptus, Casuarina equisetifolia, Sinaruga sp, Leusiana sp, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Azadiracta indica, Delonix regia, Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Ficus spp, Melia dubia, Thespesia populnea, Polyalthia longifolia, Palms and Bougainvilla.

Average species richness was observed to be 29 in Zone I. diversity indices such as Margalef Index, Evenness, Shannon Index and Simpson Index values were observed to be 4.82, 0.94, 3.15 and 0.95, respectively. Shannon index value above 3 prove that diversity in this zone is very rich.

4.13.6.2. Flora in Zone II - up to 5 Km from Project Site

Zone II mainly comprised of sugarcane farms, Cauvery River and Erode City. Due to monoculture of sugarcane, diversity of zone II was observed to be very low. Aquatic flora such as Eichhornia crassipes, Polygonum glabrum, Typha angustifolia, Cyperus rotundus and Ludwigia repens were commonly observed in rock pools.

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Roadside flora in Erode city was dominated by Azadiracta indica, Mangifera indica, Terminalia catappa, Pongamia pinnata, Tamarindus indica, Annona squamosa, Ficus spp etc. Parks mainly showed cultivated exotic species such as Delonix regia, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Bombax ceiba, Nerium spp etc. Invasive species like Lantana camera, Calotropis gigantia and Leonotis sp. were dominant along roadside.

Average species richness was observed to be 30 in Zone II. Diversity indices such as Margalef Index, Evenness, Shannon Index and Simpson Index values were observed to be 2.82, 0.71, 1.43, and 0.86, respectively. Shannon index value below 1.5 shows that diversity in this zone is poor. This could be attributed to sugarcane cultivation over large area.

4.13.6.3. Flora in Zone III- 5 to 10 Km in from Project Site

Flora of Zone III was observed to be xerophytic due to dry land. The plant species dominated this zone were Acacia species, Balanites roxburghii, Cordia myxa, Capparis spp., Euphorbia angularis, Prosopis spp., Azadirachta indica, Cassia fistula, Diospyros chloroxylon, Carissa carandas, and Phoenix sylvestris.

Average species richness was observed to be 38 in Zone III. Diversity indices such as Margalef Index, Evenness, Shannon Index and Simpson Index values were observed to be 2.56, 0.73, 2.64 and 0.88, respectively.

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Table 4.29: Frequency, Density and Abundance of Flora in Study Area

Zone I - Project Site Core Zone Zone II - up to 5 km Zone III - 5 km to 10 km Species Family %FO Density Abundance %FO Density Abundance %FO Density Abundance Acacia chundra Mimosaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 33.3 0.002 2.0 Acacia ferruginea Mimosaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 22.2 0.001 1.5 Aegle marmelos Rutaceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.001 1 11.1 0.000 1.0 Albizia amara Mimosaceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.002 1.5 11.1 0.001 2.0 Albizia richardiana Mimosaceae 100 0.013 5 40 0.003 2.5 44.4 0.001 1.3 Albizia lebbeck Mimosaceae 100 0.038 15 40 0.002 1.5 0.0 0.000 0.0 Azadirachta indica Meliaceae 100 0.033 13 100 0.013 5.2 77.8 0.003 1.7 Bauhinia racemosa Caesalpinea 100 0.010 4 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Bombax ceiba Bombacaceae 100 0.023 9 20 0.001 1 22.2 0.001 1.5 Borassus flabellifer Aracaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 33.3 0.007 8.7 Caryota urens Aracaceae 100 0.043 17 20 0.001 1 11.1 0.000 1.0 Cassia fistula Caesalpinea 100 0.020 8 20 0.001 2 22.2 0.001 1.0 Cassia siamea Caesalpinea 100 0.018 7 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Cauarina equisetifolia Casuarinaceae 100 0.055 22 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Cocos nucifera Aracaceae 100 0.030 12 100 0.055 22 66.7 0.038 22.5 Delonix regia Caesalpinea 100 0.013 5 20 0.007 13 22.2 0.002 3.0 Erythrina suberosa Fabaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 33.3 0.003 3.3 Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae 100 0.063 25 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Euphorbia angularis Euphorbiaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 33.3 0.007 8.0 Ficus benghalensis Moraceae 100 0.020 8 20 0.002 3 33.3 0.001 1.3 Ficus hispida Moraceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.004 3.5 22.2 0.003 4.5 Ficus religiosa Moraceae 100 0.010 4 60 0.003 2 66.7 0.003 1.7 Garuga pinnata Burseraceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 22.2 0.001 1.5 Grewia tiliaefolia Tiliaceae 100 0.005 2 0 0.000 0 22.2 0.001 2.5

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Zone I - Project Site Core Zone Zone II - up to 5 km Zone III - 5 km to 10 km Species Family %FO Density Abundance %FO Density Abundance %FO Density Abundance Haldina cordifolia Rubiaceae 100 0.013 5 0 0.000 0 11.1 0.001 4.0 Holarrhena pubescens Apocynaceae 0 0.000 0 20 0.001 2 11.1 0.000 1.0 Lagerstroemia parviflora Lytheraceae 100 0.040 16 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Leusiana sp 100 0.033 13 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Limonia acidissima Rutaceae 100 0.013 5 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Madhuca longifolia Sapotaceae 100 0.010 4 20 0.001 1 22.2 0.001 2.5 Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae 100 0.068 27 80 0.005 2.5 66.7 0.003 1.7 Melia dubia Meliaceae 100 0.033 13 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Mimusops elengi Sapotaceae 0 0.000 0 20 0.002 3 22.2 0.001 2.5 Morinda pubescens Rubiaceae 100 0.003 1 40 0.002 1.5 11.1 0.001 2.0 Moringa oleifera Moringaceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.004 3.5 44.4 0.002 2.0 Murraya koenigii Rutaceae 0 0.000 0 80 0.004 2 22.2 0.001 1.5 Peltophorum pterocarpum Caesalpinea 100 0.045 18 20 0.006 11 22.2 0.007 12.5 Phyllanthus emblica Euphorbiaceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.001 1 22.2 0.001 1.5 Prosopis Juliflora Mimosaceae 0 0.000 0 0 0.000 0 44.4 0.018 16.5 Psidium guajava Myrtaceae 0 0.000 0 40 0.003 2.5 22.2 0.002 3.0 Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae 0 0.000 0 100 0.031 12.4 66.7 0.033 19.8 Sinaruga sp 100 0.035 14 0 0.000 0 0.0 0.000 0.0 Syzygium cumini Myrtaceae 100 0.035 14 20 0.001 1 33.3 0.001 1.7 Tamarindus indica Caesalpinea 100 0.053 21 100 0.042 16.6 100.0 0.049 19.4 Tectona grandis Verbenaceae 0 0.000 0 20 0.001 1 22.2 0.002 4.0 Thespesia populnea Malvaceae 100 0.060 24 100 0.009 3.4 66.7 0.006 3.8 Vitex negundo Verbenaceae 0 0.000 0 20 0.001 1 22.2 0.002 4.0 Ziziphus zuzuba Rhamnaceae 100 0.005 2 100 0.007 2.6 88.9 0.008 3.8

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4.13.7. Faunal Diversity

4.13.7.1. Avifauna

Table 4.30: Avifauna Observed in the Study Area during Survey Period

Zone Zone Zone Common Name Scientific Name % FO I II III Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger + + - 66.6 Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis + + - 66.6 Great Egret Casmerodius albus + + - 66.6 Little Egret Egretta garzetta + + + 100 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis + + + 100 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii + + + 100 Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus - + - 33.3 Indian Peafowl (Call Pavo cristatus - + - 33.3 only) Rock Pigeon Columba livia + + + 100 Indian Rosering Psittakula krameri + + + 100 Parakit Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus + + - 66.6 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis - + + 66.6 White Throated Halcyon pileata + + - 66.6 Kingfisher Small Blue Alcedo attbis + + - 66.6 Kingfisher Green Bee-eater Meropus orientalis + + + 100 Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula - - + 33.3 Black Drongo Dicrirus macrocercus + + + 100 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus - - + 33.3 Long Tailed Shrike Laniaus schach + + + 100 Common Wood Tephrodornis - - + 33.3 Shrike pondicerianus

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Zone Zone Zone Common Name Scientific Name % FO I II III Common Myna Acridotheres tristis + + + 100 Red Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer + + + 100 Red Whiskered Pycnonotus jocosus + + + 100 Bulbul Eurasian Golden Oriolus oriolus + - - 33.3 Oriole Copper Smith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala + - - 33.3 Jungle Babbler Terdoides striatus + + - 66.6 Oriental Magpie Copsychus saularis + - - 33.3 Robin Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea - + - 33.3 House Sparrow Passsel domesticus + + + 100 Ashy Prenia Prenia socialis - + + 66.6 Grey Breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii - - + 33.3 Olive Backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni - + + 66.6 Indian Silver bill Lonchura malabarica - + + 66.6 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus + + + 100 Purple Rumped Leptocoma zeylonica + + - 66.6 Sunbird

4.13.7.2. Mammals

No wild mammal species were observed from study area since, nearly half of study area is agriculture land and remaining major area is densely populated. Only domestic mammals like cattle, goats and dogs were observed.

4.13.7.3. Fishery in Cauvery River

No commercial fishing was observed since river channel is shallow (less than 3 m deep). Local villagers use circular plate like boats woven from Bamboo sticks and Coconut leaves for fishing. Catla catla, Chanos chanos, Esomus danricus, Labeo spp, Mugil spp, Puntius spp and Salmostoma spp are commonly occurring fish species in Cauvery River. In general, fish catch from Cauvery River near Erode region was observed to be very low.

Table 4.31: Inland Fish Production in Erode Region 2012 - 13

Inland fish catch during 2012-13 Tonne Value in Lakhs Bhavani Sagar 13.877 4.90574 Gunderipallam 13.378 4.72935 Varattupallam 13.711 3.79665 Odadurai 12.8 4.3333

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Council 16.02 5.66175

TOTAL 69.786 23.42679

Source: Assistant Director of Fisheries, Erode, Bhavani Sagar

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4.13.7.4. Statistical Analysis

Typically the value of the index ranges from 1.5 (low species richness and evenness) to 4.5 (high species evenness and richness), though values beyond these limits may be encountered. Because the Shannon Index gives a measure of both species numbers and the evenness of their abundance, the resulting figure does not give an absolute description of a sites biodiversity. It is particularly useful when comparing similar ecosystems or habitats, as it can highlight one example being richer or more even than another. There is always the need to inspect the data or use another index to unpack the true reasons for the difference.

Where: where S is the total number of species and pi is the frequency of the ith species.

Margalef’s Index

It is calculated from the total number of species present and the abundance or total number of individuals.

Margalef Index (D) = S – 1/ log e N

Where: S – total number of species

N – total number of individuals

The higher the index the greater is the diversity.

Simpson’s Index

Simpson's Index measures the probability that two individuals randomly selected from a sample will belong to the same species (or some category other than species).

Simpson's Index Ȝ = n(n-1)/N(N-1)

Where: n – total individuals of each species

N – total individuals of all species

With this index, 0 represents infinite diversity and 1, no diversity. That is, the bigger the value of D, the lower the diversity. This is neither intuitive nor logical, so to get over this problem, D is often subtracted from 1 to give:

Simpson's Index of Diversity 1 - Ȝ

The value of this index also ranges between 0 and 1, but now, the greater the value, the greater the sample diversity. This makes more sense. In this case, the

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index represents the probability that two individuals randomly selected from a sample will belong to different species.

Table 4.32 Diversity Indices of Study Area

Margalef Shannon Simpson Sample Richness Evenness Index Index Index Zone I 29 4.82 0.94 3.15 0.95 Zone II 30 2.82 0.71 1.43 0.86 Zone III 38 2.56 0.73 2.64 0.88

4.14. Socioeconomic Environment

4.14.1.1. Methodology and Data Source

This section presents the details such as geographical area considered for the study, socioeconomic indicators considered; secondary data used for the study, field study undertaken are depicted below:

4.14.1.2. Administrative structure of the Study Area

The study area of 10km radius from the project site includes Two districts namely Namakkal District and Erode District. Namakkal district and Erode District are demarcated as 5 Taluks each. The study area of 10 km radius mostly includes Tiruchengodu Taluk from Namakkal District and Erode Taluk from Erode district.

Table 4.33: Administrative structure of Study Area Districts

S.No Administrative Structure Namakkal District Erode District 1 Revenue Divisions 2 2 2 Taluks 5 5 3 Blocks 15 14 4 Corporation & Municipalities 5 4 5 Town Panchayats 19 42 6 Revenue Villages 391 368 7 Panchayat Villages 322 343 Source: GIS Division-NIC 4.14.1.3. Geography of the Study Area

The proposed project site is located at Odapalli Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal Dist, Tamil Nadu. The proposed project is an expansion project within the existing plant and the project doesn’t require any additional land to be acquired and no human displacement is envisaged. The total plant area is of 82 Acers in which about 3.7 acres of vacant land is found for this expansion project. Though the proposed project does not displace any human settlement, for the purpose of the establishing the background socioeconomic conditions of the study area, the human settlements falling within the buffer zone of 10 km radius from the project site have been considered for mapping socioeconomic aspects. The study area consists of 44 human habitations including one Municipal Corporation (Erode). The study area villages are further grouped as Group A villages and Group B villages.

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‘Group A’ are the villages / towns falling within 5 km radius of the project site and ‘Group B’ are villages / Towns falling within 5 km to 10 km radius. The project study area is comprised of mostly urban areas on the Erode side the other side Cauvery River and mostly villages on Namakkal side.

Table 4.34: Study Area Villages/Towns

S.No Group A S.No Group B 1 Alampalayam (TP) 1 Anangur 2 Brahmana Periya Agraharam (TP) 2 Ellandaikuttai (CT) 3 Erode (M.Corp) 3 Ellapalayam 4 Kadachanallur 4 Emappalli 5 Kaliyanur 5 Gangapuram 6 Kasipalayam (E) (M) 6 Kaliyanur Agraharam 7 Odappalli Agraharam 7 Kanagapuram 8 Pallipalayam (M) 8 Kangayampalayam 9 Pallipalayam Agraharam (CT) 9 Kokkarayanpettai 10 Pappampalayam 10 Kumarapalaiyam Agraharam 11 Periyasemur (M) 11 Kuppandapalayam 12 Pudupalayam Agraharam (CT) 12 Modavandi Sathyamangalam 13 Pudur 13 Muthampalayam 14 Punjailakkapuram 14 Nanjaiuthukuli 15 Surampatti (M) 15 Nanjanapuram 16 Veerappanchatiram (M) 16 Pallipalaiyam Agraharam (Part) Legend 17 Patlur TP Town Panchayat 18 Puthur Pudupalayam CT Census Town 19 Samayasangili Agraharam M Municipality 20 Sowdapuram M.Corp Municipal Corporation 21 Suriyampalayam (TP) 22 T.Kavundampalayam 23 Thathankuttai (CT) 24 Thindal (CT) 25 Thokkavadi 26 Thottipalayam 27 Thuyyampoondurai 28 Villarasampatti

4.14.1.4. Socioeconomic Indicators considered for the Study

For the purpose of this study, socioeconomic indicators such as demography, literacy, health, livelihood, amenities and cultural aspects were collected. Secondary Published data on population and amenities obtained from Directorate of Census Operations, GOI. Apart from this, district household level survey data published by the “International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS)” have been considered for the study. 2011 Census data on demography, literacy, health status, work-group population, existing amenities (Drinking Water, Transport, Government

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Health Centers, Hospitals, Government Schools and Colleges) have been considered for validation and re-confirmation through ground truth survey. In addition to this, IIPS published data on Health Indicators such as immunization levels, institutional births and awareness on HIV, use of contraceptives and family planning programs have been collected and analyzed. Data on Poverty level has been obtained from the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India. Data related to Livestock population has been collected from ‘18th Livestock Census’ data by ‘Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries’, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India.

Apart from secondary data analysis, Primary Survey was undertaken at the designated villages to establish the existing amenities in the study area. Socio- Economic Indicators have been considered for the primary survey: Infrastructure facilities, education status, house-hold amenities, major source of income, age of marriage, irrigation sources and facilities, transport facilities, drinking water supply and sanitation facilities, health aspects, cultural aspects, etc.

4.14.1.5. Reconnaissance Survey and Discussion with Village Communities

Reconnaissance Survey and interaction with village communities were undertaken. The survey was conducted on 5th to 7th March 2014. During this survey, primary data in relation to geographical features, settlements, roads and amenities in the respective villages were observed. The detailed discussion on understanding the basic needs of the locals were undertaken in the villages falling within 2 km radius and the villages using waste water for irrigation.

Reconnaissance and Primary Survey

Discussion with Mr. Manoharan Discussion with Mr. B Ramaswamy Odapalli Liftt Irrigation Society President Kattur Liftrrigation Society President

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Reconnaissance and Primary Survey

Discussion with Fishermen adjecent to the Project site Fishemen with Parical used for Fishing in river

Waste water Used for Banana Planation for Research Eucalyptus Tree Grown from Waste Water Purpose by TamilNadu Agricultural Universtity

Status of Land which is not having Wastewater for Castor Plants grown in the area where Waste water Irrigation irrigation facility is not there

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Reconnaissance and Primary Survey

Areal View of Sugarcane Plantation and Showing the Cauvery River source of water for Project Existing Plant

Nearest Railway Station – Cauvery Railway Station Waste water Drinage sent for Irrigating Sugarcane Fields Table 4.35 Reconnaissance and Primary Survey

4.14.1.6. Socioeconomic Profile

4.14.1.6.1. Regional Socioeconomic Indicators The project site is in the District of Namakkal. However the study area of 10 km radius falls within Districts of Namakkal and Erode districts. The data represented in the below table is based on the findings of Census 2011 and from various authentic government sources (Ref - 6).

Table 4.36 Regional Socioeconomic Profile

S.No Indicators Namakkal Erode Chamarajanagar district, North Salem Dist Karnataka Geographic Perambalur & 1 Location of South Tirupur District Tiruchirapalli District the District East Salem Dist Salem, Namakkal and Karur West Erode Dist Coimbatore and Nilgiris district 2 Area 3420 Sq.Km 5,760 Sq.Km

6 Source: Census 2011, *-Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai, #-District Level Household Survey-3(2007-08)

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S.No Indicators Namakkal Erode 3 Population Density 391/Sq.Km 505/Sq.Km 4 Population Growth (2001-11) 15.61% 11.66% 5 Urban Rural Ratio 40:60 51:49 6 Households 4,75,511 6,58,071 7 Population 1,726,601 2,251,744 8 Males 869,280 1,129,868 9 Females 857,321 1,121,876 10 Children 150,699 195,213 11 Children Proportion 8.72% 8.66% 12 Scheduled Caste 20.04% 16.4% 13 Scheduled Tribes 3.3% 0.97% 14 Literates 1,176,131 1,492,662 15 Literacy Rate 74.63% 72.58% 16 Working Population 52.03% 53.10% 17 Main Workers 93.42% 92.91% 18 Agriculture Workers 45.88% 45.86% 19 Sex Ratio 986 993 20 Children Sex Ratio 914 953 21 Birth Rates/1000* 12.9% 13.9% 22 Death Rates* 7.16% 7.63% 23 Infant Mortality Rate* 6.60% 10.62% 24 Institutional births# 94.8% 98.5% 25 Immunization# 81% 81.6% 26 Toilet Facilities# 39.7% 47% 27 Safe Drinking W ater# 99.8% 99.3%

4.14.1.7. Socioeconomic Profile of the Study Area

4.14.1.7.1. Demography The population in the study area is read using the 2011 census. The total households in the study area are 2,18,238 with a total population of 7,78,623. In which 74.29% of the population is falling under Group A. The sex ratio in the study area was 989 females for 1000 Males. The children population was about 73,260 in which 37,539 were males and 35,721were females. The children sex ratio was 952 which is very less when compared with the general population sex ratio. The ratio of urban and rural population in the study area is 78:22 respectively. The nearest city is Erode City which is situated at a distance of 2.5 Km (Aerial). Socioeconomic status of the area depends on the vulnerable and weaker section of the society. Here vulnerable population generally indicates the population of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled tribes. Largest Scheduled Castes found in the districts are Arunthathiyar, Adi Dravida, Pallan, Chakkiliyan, Madari, etc and largest Scheduled Tribes are Malayali, Irular, Malakkuravan, Uraly, Kondareddis, Sholaga, etc. The SC population in study area seems to be 12.5% to the total population. The ST population is very less when compared with SC population. The percentage of ST population is 0.12%. The mean age at marriage for boys was about 21-27 and for girls it was 18-21.

Table 4.37 Demographic Indicators of Group A and Group B Villages

S.No Villages Population Sex Ratio Children Child Sex Ratio SC ST 1 Group A 74.3% 990 9.6% 966 10.7% 0.13% 2 Group B 25.7% 986 8.8% 909 17.8% 0.08% Avg/Tot 100% 989 9.4% 952 12.5% 0.12%

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Table 4.38 Population Distribution in the study area S No Villages T/V HH POP M F P<6 M<6 F<6 SC ST 1 Alampalayam T 5785 20286 10264 10022 1926 950 976 2665 16 Brahmana Periya 2 T 6539 24798 12343 12455 2539 1248 1291 7484 6 Agraharam 3 Erode (M.Corp) T 43184 157101 78222 78879 14599 7412 7187 17351 230 4 Kadachanallur V 3698 13001 6520 6481 1204 590 614 3056 6 5 Kaliyanur V 2677 9185 4658 4527 881 453 428 1157 0 6 Kasipalayam T 20822 73425 36976 36449 6832 3535 3297 11024 282 7 Odappalli Agraharam V 1422 4879 2433 2446 460 246 214 816 4 8 Pallipalayam T 11210 40140 20200 19940 3707 1872 1835 1367 28 Pallipalayam 9 T 4625 16479 8436 8043 1681 863 818 711 48 Agraharam 10 Pappampalayam V 1762 6134 3103 3031 604 325 279 157 6 11 Periyasemur T 15198 55282 28202 27080 5682 2880 2802 4180 21 Pudupalayam 12 T 1696 5704 2898 2806 572 298 274 91 22 Agraharam 13 Pudur V 4588 16054 8129 7925 1440 747 693 1570 12 14 Punjailakkapuram V 2833 9739 4875 4864 869 434 435 1529 41 15 Surampatti T 11855 41782 20987 20795 4256 2201 2055 2913 14 16 Veerappanchatiram T 24216 84453 42398 42055 8314 4215 4099 6148 37 Total Group A 162110 578442 290644 287798 55566 28269 27297 62219 773 17 Anangur V 1573 5795 2693 3102 467 261 206 1594 0 18 Ellandaikuttai T 4600 16160 8258 7902 1567 817 750 2357 26 19 Ellapalayam V 729 2512 1263 1249 226 105 121 670 0 20 Emappalli V 1309 4498 2310 2188 369 204 165 1172 0 21 Gangapuram V 1680 5844 2928 2916 510 268 242 1312 0 22 Kaliyanur Agraharam V 432 1436 718 718 109 56 53 134 0 23 Kanagapuram V 910 2904 1470 1434 219 115 104 569 0 24 Kangayampalayam V 204 643 301 342 64 27 37 224 0 25 Kokkarayanpettai V 1715 5907 2957 2950 510 254 256 1684 5 Kumarapalaiyam 26 V 3642 12963 6591 6372 1160 590 570 1400 4 Agraharam 27 Kuppandapalayam V 134 435 222 213 36 19 17 6 0 Modavandi 28 V 2333 7548 3812 3736 621 323 298 796 1 Sathyamangalam 29 Muthampalayam V 512 1809 890 919 161 80 81 568 0 30 Nanjaiuthukuli V 3853 13234 6568 6666 1238 640 598 3153 4 31 Nanjanapuram V 556 1897 960 937 171 107 64 242 0 Pallipalaiyam 32 V 796 3281 1535 1746 276 158 118 624 0 Agraharam (Part) 33 Patlur V 1307 4436 2219 2217 349 185 164 1137 8 34 Puthur Pudupalayam V 642 2205 1110 1095 190 92 98 339 0 Samayasangili 35 V 1427 5018 2541 2477 424 221 203 974 10 Agraharam 36 Sowdapuram V 499 1725 858 867 134 65 69 341 0 37 Suriyampalayam T 8153 28585 14305 14280 3014 1602 1412 7444 13 38 T.Kavundampalayam V 343 1189 615 574 91 40 51 12 26

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S No Villages T/V HH POP M F P<6 M<6 F<6 SC ST 39 Thathankuttai T 6747 24708 12634 12074 2073 1083 990 2408 22 40 Thindal T 4256 15440 7671 7769 1411 746 665 1912 21 41 Thokkavadi V 2229 11138 5885 5253 753 404 349 1225 18 42 Thottipalayam V 182 633 319 314 47 25 22 0 0 43 Thuyyampoondurai V 3283 10800 5433 5367 789 410 379 2506 3 44 Villarasampatti V 2082 7438 3721 3717 715 373 342 870 0 Total Group B 56128 200181 100787 99394 17694 9270 8424 35673 161 Total (A+B) 218238 778623 391431 387192 73260 37539 35721 97892 934 Source: Census 2011. HH-Household, POP-Population, M -Male Population, F -Female Population, P<6-Children Population below 6 Years, M<6- Male Children, F<6-Female Children, SC-Scheduled Caste, M-Municipality, V-Village, T - Town.

4.14.1.7.2. Economic Indicators: The economic activities in the Group A villages apart from Erode and other parts of city are mostly dependent on the agriculture, industries and wage employment.

4.14.1.7.3. Employment and Livelihood The total working population in the study area is 3,67,232. The percentage of working population is about 47.16% as against the state’s level of 45.58%. 95.75% of the working population is main workers and this shows the improved life style of the people as they are employed for more than 6 months in the year. In the study area about of the total working population is engaged in agricultural activity. The agricultural workers group is sub-grouped into Cultivators and Agricultural Labors. In which 36.31% were cultivators and 63.68% were Agricultural Labors. Household Industry relates to production, processing, servicing, repairing or making and selling of goods. Other workers are all workers who have been engaged in some economic activity like employed in industries, fishing activity, wagers, construction workers, etc., but are not cultivators or agricultural laborers or Household Industry. The percentage of Household and Other workers group were 2.65% and 84.06% respectively.

The villages and urban areas of Namakkal district which is adjacent to the project site are directly dependent on the existing plant for employment and agriculture. The total number of employees of the existing plant was 1259 as permanent employees and 1004 as contract workers. In addition to these there are number of people dependent for their livelihood on the other activities of the plant such as lift Irrigation schemes, Nursery, Pulpwood plantation, sugarcane plantation, etc. The main source of livelihood in the area is agriculture and dependent on plant directly or indirectly for employment. The area is dry and rain fed land which is not suitable for cultivation. The area is used for growing sugarcane and pulpwood trees using waste water from the plant acting as an only source of irrigation.

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Table 4.39 Workers Group Distribution in the Study Area.

S. Working Population Agricultural Household Other Villages No Total MAIN MGN MCL MAL MGC MGA MHH MGH MOT MGO 1 Alampalayam 20286 9705 9131 574 370 377 6 17 189 7 8195 2 Brahmana Periya Agraharam 24798 10569 10253 316 79 361 3 29 166 17 9647 3 Erode (M.Corp) 157101 66135 63675 2460 220 380 34 34 1693 128 61382 4 Kadachanallur 13001 6036 5761 275 191 752 25 124 172 20 4646 5 Kaliyanur 9185 5352 4899 453 405 492 45 77 95 47 3907 6 Kasipalayam 73425 31689 29780 1909 385 827 49 68 588 79 27980 7 Odappalli Agraharam 4879 2348 2239 109 137 571 10 8 25 3 1506 8 Pallipalayam 40140 21194 20304 890 38 79 12 12 513 32 19674 9 Pallipalayam Agraharam 16479 8947 8740 207 236 400 4 23 324 7 7780 10 Pappampalayam 6134 3599 3513 86 550 358 8 6 491 18 2114 11 Periyasemur 55282 24119 23509 610 213 215 8 19 499 63 22582 12 Pudupalayam Agraharam 5704 3055 3010 45 38 35 0 0 27 2 2910 13 Pudur 16054 7493 7246 247 675 1062 26 30 141 11 5368 14 Punjailakkapuram 9739 4667 4137 530 187 622 17 185 130 16 3198 15 Surampatti 41782 19722 18901 821 62 88 10 9 799 134 17952 16 Veerappanchatiram 84453 37459 36594 865 173 440 21 98 624 39 35357 Total Group A 578442 262089 251692 10397 3959 7059 278 739 6476 623 234198 17 Anangur 5795 3304 3224 80 571 674 1 21 29 2 1950 18 Ellandaikuttai 16160 8630 8242 388 387 1060 22 48 220 43 6575 19 Ellapalayam 2512 1269 1257 12 95 539 4 2 8 0 615 20 Emappalli 4498 2642 2017 625 578 600 20 527 9 3 830 21 Gangapuram 5844 2998 2828 170 511 720 5 87 58 9 1539 22 Kaliyanur Agraharam 1436 891 798 93 260 289 10 26 6 3 243 23 Kanagapuram 2904 1797 1700 97 594 642 5 69 17 1 447

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S. Working Population Agricultural Household Other Villages No Total MAIN MGN MCL MAL MGC MGA MHH MGH MOT MGO 24 Kangayampalayam 643 392 382 10 6 159 1 7 53 0 164 25 Kokkarayanpettai 5907 3754 3629 125 358 1469 30 28 194 11 1608 26 Kumarapalaiyam Agraharam 12963 6877 6695 182 717 618 11 52 177 13 5183 27 Kuppandapalayam 435 287 287 0 48 159 0 0 1 0 79 28 Modavandi Sathyamangalam 7548 4218 4117 101 659 991 7 25 106 7 2361 29 Muthampalayam 1809 968 930 38 237 251 2 7 11 0 431 30 Nanjaiuthukuli 13234 6953 6735 218 698 2652 8 129 222 10 3163 31 Nanjanapuram 1897 907 901 6 128 180 0 0 6 0 587 32 Pallipalaiyam Agraharam -Part 3281 2207 2035 172 192 271 2 5 13 2 1559 33 Patlur 4436 2659 2429 230 838 835 13 171 18 1 738 34 Puthur Pudupalayam 2205 1234 1033 201 240 220 2 92 36 6 537 35 Samayasangili Agraharam 5018 2849 2836 13 712 820 0 5 16 1 1288 36 Sowdapuram 1725 1120 1105 15 368 570 2 8 18 0 149 37 Suriyampalayam 28585 13762 13011 751 520 1270 39 81 241 29 10980 38 T.Kavundampalayam 1189 800 794 6 331 52 1 1 1 0 410 39 Thathankuttai 24708 13412 12731 681 1192 1168 11 187 689 16 9682 40 Thindal 15440 6506 6243 263 175 682 9 14 112 20 5274 41 Thokkavadi 11138 3718 3537 181 425 483 11 62 54 14 2575 42 Thottipalayam 633 377 373 4 53 87 0 4 32 0 201 43 Thuyyampoondurai 10800 6936 6460 476 2002 2936 27 363 56 12 1466 44 Villarasampatti 7438 3676 3607 69 332 830 8 24 38 8 2407 Total Group B 200181 105143 99936 5207 13227 21227 251 2045 2441 211 63041 Total- Total Working Population, MAIN – Main Workers, MGN- Marginal Workers, MCL- Main Cultivators, MAL-Main Agricultural Labors, MGC- Marginal Cultivators, MGA- Marginal Agricultural Labors, MHH- Main Household Industry, MGH- Marginal Household Industry, MOT – Main Other Industry, MGO- Marginal Other Industry.

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Sugarcane Cultivation through Wastewater Fishing in Cauvery River

Local People Working in SPB Nursery Animal Husbandry Figure 4-50 Economic Activities in the study area

4.14.1.7.4. Agriculture Agriculture is the major livelihood for the villages adjacent to the project site. The major crop grown in this area is Sugarcane having yield of 40-45 Tons of sugarcane per Acer. The main source of irrigation is waste water from SPB Plant. Lift irrigation Presidents expressed that during 1987 the villages were dry and mostly used for Ground nut based on the rain and the houses where mostly thatched. At present the farmers are getting continuous supply of water made them to shift to sugar cane and pulp wood which is buy backed by SPB. Apart from the irrigated land the other lands are mostly dry and rain fed commonly used for castor plantation.

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Sugarcane Plantation Eucalyptus Plantation for Pulpwood

Status of Dry lands adjacent to Sugarcane fileds with Castor Plantation in rainfed area irrigation faciltieis Figure 4-51 Agriculture Activities in the study area

4.14.1.7.5. Tree Farming Activity The Company has taken up a “Tree Farming Activity “, under which quality Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones are grown at SPB Clonal Multiplication Centre. These saplings are provided to the farmers at marginal rate. The sapling are having higher growth rate can grow to maturity in short term when compared to the indigenous plants. The Company has undertaken a collaborative research project with the Department of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Mettupalayam, attached to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), for establishment of Clonal Casuarina / Eucalyptus Hybrid testing trials, supply of Clonal Casuarina / Eucalyptus Hybrid Seedlings and other allied research activities. Under this scheme the coverage area was 150 km and planted around 33872 acers of land. The table shows the year wise coverage of land under the program.

Table 4.40 Area Covered under Tree Plantation activity.

Area Planted (Acres) Year Total Area (Acers) Eucalyptus Casuarina 2005-06 1671 1340 3011 2006-07 1875 3727 5602

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2007-08 850 2990 3840 2008-09 690 1714 2404 2009-10 583 1243 1826 2010-11 785 6919 7704 2011-12 1316 8169 9485 Total 7770 26102 33872

Banana Plantation by TNAU through SPB Waste water- SPB Clonal Multiplication Centre Research project

Improved Tissue Culture Nursery – Sugarcane Mist Chamber at SPB Nursery

Figure 4-52 SPB Nursery - Tree Planting Activity

4.14.1.8. Turning Waste Into Wealth

The Waste water generated from the paper plant is used for irrigation in the nearby villages by which the waste water contaminating the river is avoided and benefiting the local people economically. About 2140 of dry and barren lands, mostly sandy and loamy soil is converted into wetlands suitable for sugarcane cultivation and pulpwood cultivations.

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Though the Cauvery River is very nearby, the river bed is very low which makes the drawing water from river through mechanical means is not economically feasible and not assured with continuous supply. Through SPB Triangle scheme the local villagers are getting assured and continuous irrigation supply for their fields and assured buy back of their agriculture produces. At present they are paying 2500/ton of sugarcane in which government rate is 2400/ton and 3500/ton for pulpwood. There are four Lift Irrigation Society in the villages using wastewater for irrigation namely Odapalli- Pappampalayam Lift Irrigation Society, Odapalli- Mukkuparai Lift Irrigation Society, Kattur Lift Irrigation Society, Vellayankadu Lift Irrigation Society The details of area under irrigation is given in Table 4.41

Table 4.41 Area irrigated under SPB Triangle Scheme

Sugarcane Cultivation Pulpwood Plantation S.No Irrigation Scheme (Acers) (Acers) 1 Gravity Flow (since 43 years) 200 -- 2 Odapalli- Pappampalayam Lift Irrigation Society 550 170 3 Odapalli- Mukkuparai Lift Irrigation Society 425 30 4 Kattur Lift Irrigation Society 400 273 5 Vellayankadu Lift Irrigation Society 39 21 6 Own / Lease Lands -- 32 Total area under Lift Irrigation Scheme 2140 acres

4.14.1.9. Fisheries

Odapalli, Pallipalayam, Avarangadu, Pallipalayam Agraharam, Cauvery are the places nearby project site is involved in fishing in Cauvery River. There are about 10 Families in odapalli, 100 in pallipalayam and Avarangadu, 50 in Pallipalayam Agraharam and 10 families in Cauvery RS. The people will be fishing about 10 months in a year from January to October having a peak fish catch during January and February (10-15 Kgs/day/parical). The fishermen use Parisal (Small Round shaped Boat kind) for fishing in Cauvery River. The common fish catches are Arinja, Jilabi, Karipatti, Kalpasu, Katla, Rogu, Ara, Nei Keluthi, Mirgal, Velangu, etc. The fishermen reported that the due to textile industries and their wastewater in Cauvery the fish volume has been reduced. Till data the fishermen did not avail any Government benefits.

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Local Fishemen along with Parical Discussion with Local Fishemen Figure 4-53 Fishermen in the Study Area

4.14.1.10. Households Under Below Poverty Line

Below Poverty Line (BPL) is an economic benchmark of the particular area, the higher the rates of BPL family’s lower the prosperity of the area. The present criteria are based on a Baseline survey conducted under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA), Ministry of Drinking water and Sanitation. According to “NBA”, the percentage of BPL families in the study area ranges from 3.49% to 98.93%. The average rate 39.49% of BPL households in study area villages are more than the state average of 17.1 % (NSSO Sample Survey 2009-10). The table shows the percentage of BPL Households in the study area.

Table 4.42 Rural Households under Below Poverty Line

S.No Panchayat Village Households* BPL HH BPL % 1 Kadachanallur 1648 1204 73.06 2 Kalianur 1722 1485 86.24 3 Kalianur Agraharam 371 103 27.76 4 Odapalli Agraharam 905 337 37.24 5 Pappampalayam 1170 434 37.09 6 Pudur 4298 150 3.49 7 Anangur 538 259 48.14 8 Emapalli 1021 573 56.12 9 Kanagapuram 870 229 26.32 10 Kandampalayam 209 30 14.35 11 Kokkarayanpet 1123 1111 98.93 12 Kuppandapalayam 2433 1145 47.06 13 Modavandi Sathiyamangalam 1916 117 6.11 14 Nanjai Uthukuli 1830 768 41.97 15 Pallipalayam Agraharam 1753 1031 58.81 16 Patlur 632 461 72.94 17 Pudupalayam 605 353 58.35 18 Samayasangili Agraharam 953 81 8.50

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S.No Panchayat Village Households* BPL HH BPL % 19 Sowthapuram 436 380 87.16 20 T Goundampalayam 300 234 78.00 21 Thokkavadi 1756 170 9.68 22 Thuyyampoondurai 1009 204 20.22 Total / Average 27498 10859 39.49 Source: Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA), Ministry of Drinking water and Sanitation *As per baseline survey conducted under NBA. HH- Households, BPL- Below Poverty Line

4.14.1.11. Health Indicators

Under this component the various health indicators, people’s attitude on using the health facilities and available health facilities are included. Within the study area major Government Health facilities are available at GH at Erode, ESI hospital at SPB Colony and PHC at most of the Panchayat villages. In addition to Government Hospitals there are number of private multispecialty hospitals are available at Erode namely City Hospital, Lotus Hospital, Cerebral Palsy Cure Hospital, Nishanth Hospital, SG Met Hospital, etc. Villagers are having a practice of visiting only allopathic hospitals at the time of ailment and most of them prefer private clinics and hospitals. There are also numbers of veterinary hospitals in the study area.

Based on the feedback from Dr.Suguna, Bsc, BBS, Pallipalayam Panchayat Community Health Centre, the most common diseases reported by local people are Arthetics, Skin Diseases, Asthma, Normal Cold and fever.

The District health indicators based on DLHS-3 are as follows. Institutional Birth Rate in the study area was about with respect to state the rate was 94%. The childhood immunization was to be only 81% which is more than that of state rate of 81.6%. The rate of Infant mortality rate in 2008 was about 6.60 per 1000 infants born which was more than the rate of state7. Generally Drinking water and Sanitation is the major concern in relating to public health. The percentage of people having access to safe drinking water facility (99.8%) is very good when compared to the state rate (94.7%).

7 Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai, International Journal of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Research, Vol.2 (2), February (2013)

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SPB Community Health Centre at Odapalli Panchayat SPB Community Health Centre at Pappampalayam Office Panchayat Office

Primary Health Centre – Kokarayanpettai ESI Hospital – SPB Colony

Private Clinic – SPB Colony Private Multispecialty Hospital - Erode

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Veterinary Hospital PallipalayamVillage Veterinary Dispensary Kokarayanpettai Village Figure 4-54 Showing the health facilities in the study area

4.14.1.11.1. Toilet Facility in study area According to District Level Household Survey (DLHS-3), only 34.9% of district’s population had access to toilet facilities. When the same is compared with rural facilities the rate was 13.4%. Based on the reports of Total Sanitation Campaign, the average rate of people availing safe sanitation in the study area was only 46.1%. Sanitation coverage for BPL families is less when compared to APL families. The below table depicts the percentage of population availed safe sanitation facility and various other sanitation status of schools, Anganwadi and Sanitary complexes in the study area. The number of sanitary complexes in the study area was around 36 in numbers in present scenario most of the sanitary complexes was abandoned and not used because of lack of water supply.

Table 4.43 Percentage availed Safe Sanitation Facilities in the Study Area

Toilet Toilet Toilet No of School Anganwadi S.No Panchayat Name Facilities Facilities Facilities Sanitary Toilet Toilet (BPL) (APL) (APL+BPL) Complexes 1 Kadachanallur 51.6 84.7 60.5 3 3 2 2 Kalianur 42.9 82.3 48.3 3 3 2 3 Kalianur Agraharam 26.2 23.9 24.5 3 3 1 4 Odapalli Agraharam 28.5 67.6 53.0 3 3 2 5 Pappampalayam 48.4 53.3 51.5 3 NA 1 6 Pudur 34.7 87.1 85.3 3 3 5 Group A Total / Average 38.7 66.5 53.9 3 3 13 7 Anangur 37.1 49.5 43.5 3 3 1 8 Emapalli 14.8 18.8 16.6 3 3 1 9 Kanagapuram 45.0 52.3 50.3 3 3 1 10 Kandampalayam 43.3 60.3 57.9 3 3 1 11 Kokkarayanpet 37.5 50.0 37.7 3 3 1 12 Kuppandapalayam 57.1 62.3 59.8 3 3 1 Modavandi 13 47.0 58.7 58.0 3 3 3 Sathiyamangalam 14 Nanjai Uthukuli 61.8 67.3 65.0 3 3 3 Pallipalayam 15 51.2 45.6 48.9 3 3 2 Agraharam 16 Patlur 21.0 48.0 28.3 3 3 1 17 Pudupalayam 38.0 35.3 36.9 3 3 1 18 Samayasangili 21.0 22.1 22.0 3 3 1

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Toilet Toilet Toilet No of School Anganwadi S.No Panchayat Name Facilities Facilities Facilities Sanitary Toilet Toilet (BPL) (APL) (APL+BPL) Complexes Agraharam 19 Sowthapuram 43.4 41.1 43.1 3 3 2 20 T Goundampalayam 26.1 9.1 22.3 3 3 1 21 Thokkavadi 20.0 43.4 41.1 3 3 1 22 Thuyyampoondurai 70.6 55.8 58.8 3 3 2 Group B Total / Average 39.7 45.0 43.1 3 3 23 Group A &B Total/Average 39.4 50.8 46.1 3 3 36 BPL- Population under Below Poverty Line, APL – Population Above Poverty Line, NA – Not Applicable, Source: Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation-http://tsc.gov.in

Sanitation Complex – Pallipalayam Village Sanitation Complex – Alampalayam Village Figure 4-55 Showing the health facilities in the study area.

4.14.1.12. Education Indicators

In the study area about 74.1% of the total populations are literates, which is more than the national literacy rate of 64.8% and state’s literacy rate of 71.84%. In the district 70.5% of the children (aged 7plus) are literate and 99.4% of the girl children (aged 6 to 11) are going to school8. The literacy pattern of Group A and Group B scenario is shown in the Figure 4.56

Source: Census 2011. Figure 4-56Literacy Pattern in the study area

8 District Level Household Survey (DLHS -3) 2007-08

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Table 4.44 Village-wise Literacy rate in the study Area Male Female Literacy Male Female S No Village / Town Literates Literacy Literacy Rate % Literates Literates Rate % Rate % 1 Alampalayam 13816 75.3 7658 82.2 6158 68.1 Brahmana Periya 2 17295 77.7 9326 84.1 7969 71.4 Agraharam 3 Erode (M.Corp) 125814 88.3 65865 93.0 59949 83.6 4 Kadachanallur 9208 78.1 5017 84.6 4191 71.4 5 Kaliyanur 5594 67.4 3183 75.7 2411 58.8 6 Kasipalayam 57806 86.8 30708 91.8 27098 81.7 7 Odappalli Agraharam 3384 76.6 1884 86.1 1500 67.2 8 Pallipalayam 26681 73.2 14860 81.1 11821 65.3 9 Pallipalayam Agraharam 10751 72.7 6088 80.4 4663 64.5 10 Pappampalayam 3971 71.8 2269 81.7 1702 61.8 11 Periyasemur 40977 82.6 22310 88.1 18667 76.9 12 Pudupalayam Agraharam 3649 71.1 2058 79.2 1591 62.8 13 Pudur 12232 83.7 6587 89.2 5645 78.1 14 Punjailakkapuram 7062 79.6 3855 86.8 3207 72.4 15 Surampatti 31830 84.8 16992 90.5 14838 79.2 16 Veerappanchatiram 63621 83.6 34098 89.3 29523 77.8 Group A Total / Average 433691 78.3 232758 85.2 200933 71.3 17 Anangur 3971 74.5 2012 82.7 1959 67.6 18 Ellandaikuttai 10180 69.8 5808 78.1 4372 61.1 19 Ellapalayam 1528 66.8 872 75.3 656 58.2 20 Emappalli 2811 68.1 1633 77.5 1178 58.2 21 Gangapuram 3863 72.4 2118 79.6 1745 65.3 22 Kaliyanur Agraharam 830 62.5 506 76.4 324 48.7 23 Kanagapuram 1868 69.6 1071 79.0 797 59.9 24 Kangayampalayam 498 86.0 256 93.4 242 79.3 25 Kokkarayanpettai 3358 62.2 1942 71.8 1416 52.6 Kumarapalaiyam 26 8878 75.2 4953 82.5 3925 67.6 Agraharam 27 Kuppandapalayam 290 72.7 169 83.3 121 61.7 Modavandi 28 4940 71.3 2847 81.6 2093 60.9 Sathyamangalam 29 Muthampalayam 1154 70.0 647 79.9 507 60.5 30 Nanjaiuthukuli 8702 72.5 4788 80.8 3914 64.5 31 Nanjanapuram 1361 78.9 729 85.5 632 72.4 32 Pallipalaiyam Agraharam 2313 77.0 1128 81.9 1185 72.8 33 Patlur 2731 66.8 1549 76.2 1182 57.6 34 Puthur Pudupalayam 1469 72.9 841 82.6 628 63.0 35 Samayasangili Agraharam 3312 72.1 1884 81.2 1428 62.8 36 Sowdapuram 998 62.7 572 72.1 426 53.4 37 Suriyampalayam 19620 76.7 10726 84.4 8894 69.1 38 T.Kavundampalayam 642 58.5 395 68.7 247 47.2 39 Thathankuttai 16334 72.2 9292 80.4 7042 63.5 40 Thindal 12080 86.1 6237 90.1 5843 82.2 41 Thokkavadi 8529 82.1 4822 88.0 3707 75.6 42 Thottipalayam 356 60.8 218 74.1 138 47.3 43 Thuyyampoondurai 6771 67.6 3873 77.1 2898 58.1 44 Villarasampatti 5327 79.2 2895 86.5 2432 72.1 Group B Total / Average 134714 71.7 74783 80.4 59931 63.0 Group A & B 568405 74.1 307541 82.2 260864 66.0 Total / Average Source: Census 2011.

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Educational Facilities in the Study Area

High School -Pappampalayam Anganwadi Karutangadu

Pudupalayam Agraharam Primary School Girls Higher Secondary School - Pallipalayam

Girls Higher Secondary School – Erode Primary School - Erode

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Educational Facilities in the Study Area

SPB Higher Secondary School, SPB Colony SPB Aided Government School, SPB Colony Figure 4-57 Educational Facilities in the Study Area

4.14.1.13. List of Monuments notified by ASI in the Study Area

Table 4.45 List of Monuments in the study area

S.No Historical Place Location 1 Hill Fort Namakkal Temples of Narasimhaswamy and 2 Namakkal Ranganathaswamy 3 Jain temple Mettupudur, Erode 4 Sugrisvara temple and tank Sircarperiyapalayam, Erode Source: Archaeological Survey of India and Primary Survey. 4.14.1.14. Amenities in the Study Area Villages

Amenities such as Schools, Hospitals, Post office, Telegraph office, Bus and Train Facilities of each village is represented in the below mentioned Table. 4.46

Table 4.46 Village-wise Amenities in the study Area

S.No Village PS MS SSS HSS ALHO MCW MH HC PHC PHSC POST TELE BUS Train Bank 1 Anangur 3 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 3 - 2 Ellappalayam 2 3 3 3 - - - - - 3 - - 3 - 3 3 Emapalli 4 - - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - 4 Gangapuram 3 - - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - 5 Kadachanallur 2 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - 6 Kalianur 3 - - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - 3 Kaliyanur 7 1 - - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - Agraharam 8 Kanagapuram 1 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - Kangayampala 9 1 ------3 3 - - - - yam Kokkarayanpett 10 2 3 3 - - 3 - - 3 3 3 - 3 - - ai Kumarapalaya 11 5 3 3 - - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - m Agraharam Kuppandapalay 12 ------3 - 3 - - am

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S.No Village PS MS SSS HSS ALHO MCW MH HC PHC PHSC POST TELE BUS Train Bank Modavandi 13 Sathiyamangal 6 ------3 - - 3 - 3 am Muthampalaya 14 1 ------3 - - 3 - - m 15 Nanjai Uthukuli 5 - 3 3 - - - - - 3 3 - 3 3 3 16 Nanjanapuram 1 ------3 3 - 3 - - Odapalli 17 2 3 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 Agraharam Pallipalayam 18 5 3 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 Agraharam Pappaampalay 19 1 - - - - 3 - - 3 3 3 - 3 - - am 20 Patlur 4 3 3 3 3 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - 21 Pudur 3 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 Pudurpuduppal 22 1 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 ayam Punjailakkapur 23 2 3 3 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 am Samayasangili 24 3 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 - - 3 - - Agraharam 25 Sowdhapuram 1 3 3 - - 3 - 3 3 3 3 - 3 - - T.Kavundampal 26 1 ------3 - 3 - - ayam 27 Thokkavadi 5 3 3 3 - 3 - - - 3 3 - 3 - - Thottiyapalaya 28 1 ------3 - - m Thoyampoondu 29 11 3 - - - 3 - - 3 3 3 - 3 - - rai 30 Villarasampatti 1 3 ------3 3 - 3 - 3 PS- Primary School, MS – Middle School, SSS- Senior Secondary School, HSS – Higher Secondary School, ALHO- Allopathic Hospital, MCW- Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, MH- Maternity Homes, HC- Health Centre, PHC- Primary Health Centre, POST- Post Office, TELE- Telegraph, BUS- Bus Facility, TRAIN – Train Facility, Bank – Bank Facility, 3 . Source: Census 2001.

4.14.1.15. Summary Socioeconomic Indicators of the Study area compared to State Indicators

Table 4.47 Summary Socioeconomic Indicators of the Study Area

S.No Particulars Study Area State 1 Study Area – Districts / State Namakkal, Erode Tamil Nadu 2 Number of Settlements in the Study Area 44 including 14 Urban Areas - 3 Total Households 2,18,238 1,85,24,982 4 Total Population 7,78,623 72,147,030 5 Sex Ratio 989 996 6 Children Population (<6 Years Old) 73,260 74,23,832 7 Children Sex Ratio 952 943 8 Urban Rural Ratio 78:22 48:52 9 SC Population 12.5% 20.01% 10 ST Population 0.12% 1.01% 11 Total Working Population 47.16% 45.58% 12 Main Workers 95.75% 84.98% 13 Marginal Workers 4.25% 15.02% 14 Agricultural Workers 13.28% 42.13% 15 Household Industries 2.65% 4.88% 16 Other Workers 84.06% 53.71%

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S.No Particulars Study Area State 17 BPL Population 39.49% 17.1% 18 Institutional Birth Rate 94.8% 94% 19 Childhood Immunization 81% 81.6% 20 Drinking Water Facilities 99.8% 94.7% 21 Sanitation Facilities 46.1% 39% 22 Literates 74.1% 71.84%

4.14.1.16. Various Social Welfare Schemes Implemented By Government of Tamil Nadu.

¾ Accident relief scheme – Cash Incentive to the Family losing the bread winner due to accident.

¾ Adoption- Accommodation, feeding and Health Care to the babies till they are given in adoption

¾ Annai theresa ninaivu orphan girls marriage assistance scheme – Financial help of Rs.15000 for the orphan girl’s marriage.

¾ Appointment of guardians to special categories of disabled persons under the national trust act, 1999 – Nomination of parents to the disabled persons.

¾ Artificial limbs- Artificial limbs are provided for the amputees free of cost.

¾ Assistance for corrective surgery for polio and spinal cord injured persons

¾ Destitute Agricultural Labourer Pension Scheme – Above age of 60 years.

¾ Destitute physically handicapped pension scheme

¾ Destitute widow pension scheme

¾ Distress relief scheme - Financial assistance to bereaved families who have

lost their breadwinners

¾ Dr. Dharmambal Ammaiyar Ninaivu Widow Remarriage Scheme

¾ Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Intercaste Marriage Scheme

¾ Early intervention centre for infant and young children with hearing impairment

¾ Early intervention centre for the mentally retarded children

¾ E.V.R. Maniammaiyar Ninaivu Poor Widow’s Daughter’s Marriage Assistance Scheme

¾ Free supply of text books and note books to widows children

¾ Free travel concession to the disabled persons in state owned transport corporation buses

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Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited Draft EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 4– Baseline Environmental Status

¾ Free travel concession to the disabled persons in state owned transport corporation buses

¾ Free travel concession to the hearing impaired and locomotors disabled persons in state owned transport corporation buses

¾ Free travel concession to the mentally retarded persons in state owned transport corporation buses

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Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 5 Assessment of Environmental Impacts

5 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

5.1 General

The chapter presents identification and appraisal of various impacts due to the proposed expansion project during construction and operational phases. The environmental impacts are categorized as primary and secondary. Primary impacts are those, which are attributed directly to the project and secondary impacts are those, which are indirectly induced and typically include the associated investment and changed pattern of social and economic activities by the proposed action.

5.2 Impacts during Construction Phase

This includes the following activities related to leveling of site, construction and erection of plant components.

5.2.1 Impact on Land use

The total land area of the existing plant is 82 acres. The construction activities of new installation will not necessitate any land acquisition. The land for the MDP -II is already under the possession of Seshasayee Paper and Board Limited (SPB) and is located within the premises of the existing plant area. Hence, there is no Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) issues involved in the MDP - II.

5.2.3 Impact on Soil Quality

The land identified for the proposed expansion project is a plain land inside the plant premises and wherever required partial filling and leveling to the plant formation level will be carried out. However, the construction activities will result in slight loss of vegetation over and topsoil to some extent in the plant area. The topsoil requires proper handling like separate stacking so that it can be used for greenbelt development. Apart from localized construction impacts at the plant site, no significant adverse impact on soil in the surrounding area is anticipated.

5.2.4 Impact on Air Quality

The sources of emission during the construction period are the movement of equipment at the construction site and dust emitted during erection of plant related activities. The dust emitted during the above mentioned activities depend upon the ambient humidity levels. Temporary increase in air pollution will result from the use of construction equipments, and fugitive dust. Due to the short duration of the planned action, any impacts on ambient air quality during construction activities are expected to be short term.

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5.2.5 Impact on Noise Levels

The major sources of noise during the construction phase are vehicular traffic, construction. The operation of these equipments will generate noise ranging between 85-100 dB (A) near source. These noises will be generated mostly within the existing plant boundary and will be transient in nature. Due to existing green cover all around the periphery of the plant boundary, these noise levels will be attenuated to a large extent and are not likely to have any significant impact on the nearby villages. Overall, the impact of noise due to construction on the environment is likely to be insignificant, reversible and localised in nature.

5.2.6 Impact on Water Quality

The peak requirement of water during construction will be supplied from the existing water system. The construction equipment is more related to mechanical fabrication, assembly and erection. Temporary sanitation facilities (soak pits/septic tanks) will be set up for disposal of sanitary. Sewage generated by the work force as per the prevailing labour laws. Since most of the construction work force will consist of floating population, the demand for water and sanitation facilities will be low and it will be managed by the existing water supply system and additional sanitation.

5.2.7 Impact on Terrestrial Ecology

The construction activities of new installations will be carried out in the existing mill premises. This phase does not involve major changes in the terrain. Impacts on flora during construction period are envisaged only in close vicinity of proposed development due to vehicular movements. However, SPB has developed green cover around the periphery of the plant and also a thick green cover on the western end of the plant which is near to Cauvery River which will act as buffer zone and will help in mitigating impacts on ecology in vicinity.

5.2.8 Demography and Socio-Economics

There is no rehabilitation and resettlement for the proposed project site since the proposed expansion will be in the existing plant premises. During construction phase of the project, this project will provide temporary employment to many unskilled and semi skilled labour for erection and movement of material. Approximately 400 people on an average peak day will be employed for a period of about 10 to 12 months.

5.3 Impacts during Operational Phase

The following activities related to the operational phase will have varying impacts on the environment and are considered for impact assessment:

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¾ Air Quality-Point and fugitive emission and associated environmental impacts

¾ Noise Levels

¾ Water resources and quality- Wastewater discharge quantities, characteristics and disposal practices

¾ Solid and hazardous waste -collection, storage and disposal practices

¾ Impacts on ecological and biological environment

¾ Socioeconomic Impacts

5.3.1 Land Use

The proposed project involving MDP -II is within the plant premises, hence, there will not be any change in the land use pattern in the study area due to the proposed MDP -II.

5.3.2 Impact on Air Quality- Point Source Emissions

The major pollutants post MDP -II will be Particulate Matter (PM) and sulphur

dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). The main source of pollution is due to emissions from proposed power boiler, and upgrade in recovery boiler units. A high efficiency ESP will be installed to reduce the particulate matter

and the stack will be designed suitably to reduce the effect of SO2 and NOx emissions.

Prediction of impacts on air environment has been carried out by employing mathematical model based on a steady state Gaussian Plume Dispersion Model designed for multiple point sources for short term. In the present case, Industrial Source Complex [ISC3] 1993 dispersion model, designed for multiple point sources for short term and developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] has been used for simulations from point sources. The model simulations deal with dispersion of three major

pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) emitted from the stacks.

5.3.2.1 Emissions from Proposed Power Boilers

Based on the preliminary information provided in the project report, it has been estimated that about 16.9 tph of imported coal will be used in power boiler to generate required steam. Published international data on the coal quality indicated that sulphur content in the Indonesian coal was reported to be in the range of 0.1% to 0.95% w/w, whereas for the purpose of this environmental impact assessment study, peak sulphur content of 1%w/w was considered for

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predicting the impacts from the worst case scenario. It can be noted from Table 5.1 that the peak sulphur dioxide emissions from the boiler due to burning of imported coal will be in the order of 339 kg/hr. As per the AP42 emission factors published by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), about 2.2 kg of NOx would be generated for every one tonne of coal fired in the boiler. Based on this information, it can be estimated that about 37 kg/hr of NOx emissions would be released from the stack when the boiler is operated at full capacity.

In order to control the particulate emissions from the boiler, ESPs will be installed in the boiler flue gas streams. ESPs will be designed to maintain 150 mg/Nm3 in the exhaust flue gas released from the stack as the stipulated emission discharge standards of 150 mg/Nm3.

Table 5.1 Basis for the Air Quality Modelling Inputs-Power Boiler Stack Emissions (Imported coal) Imported coal Parameter Units 110 tph Boiler Capacity tph 100 Type of fuel used - Imported Coal Heat input Thousand kcal/Hr 69000 Boiler efficiency % 0.82 Calorific value of the imported coal as kcal/Kg 4967 per feasibility report Coal consumption tph 16.9 Sulphur content in Coal % 1 Bio-gas consumption tpd Nil Rice husk consumption tph Nil Combustion air volume Nm3/hr 124684 Stack gas temperature OC 140 Stack gas velocity from each boiler m/sec 20 Stack height required m 69 Stack height proposed m 80 Stack tip diameter m 3 ESP inlet dust load grams/Nm3 9 ESP outlet concentration mg/Nm3 50 PM emission rate kg/hr 6 PM emission rate g/sec 2 SO2 concentration mg/Nm3 2717 SO2 emission rate Kg/hr 339 SO2 emission rate g/sec 94 3 NO x concentration mg/Nm 299 NO x emission rate as per AP42 kg/hr 37 NO x emission rate as per AP43 g/sec 10

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5.3.2.2 Emissions from Proposed Recovery Boilers

The proposed black liquor processing quantity of existing recovery boiler is augmented to 950TPD from existing capacity of 630TPD, hence the same changes are considered for the modelling. The combustion air volumes of proposed boilers after the expansion are estimated in the order of 274581 Nm3/hr, hence the same contributed combustions air volumes are inputted to

the modeling. The incremental emission concentrations of PM and SO2 and NOx for the boiler is shown in Table 5.2. Modeling is undertaken for the increase in emissions from the current operations.

Table 5.2 Basis for the Air Quality Modelling Inputs-Recovery Boiler Stack Emissions

Parameter Units Existing After Inputs to operations Expansion model Boiler Boiler Boiler Black liquor processing quantity tpd 630 950 Combustion air volume Nm³/hr 121895 274581 Stack gas temperature OC 136 160 160 Stack gas velocity m/sec 14.8 12 12 Stack height m 80 90 90 Stack tip diameter m 2.0 3.43 3.43 ESP outlet concentration mg/Nm3 150 50 50 PM emission rate kg/hr 18.3 41 23 SO2 concentration mg/Nm³ 87.88 - 87.88 SO2 emission rate kg/hr 10.7 13.78 3.1 NOx concentration mg/Nm³ 10.16 - 10.16 Nox emission rate kg/hr 1.24 1.87 0.63

5.3.2.3 Emissions from proposed Lime Kiln operations

Lime Kiln of 200 TPD capacity is installed present lime production from the lime kiln is 160 TPD, the expected increasing combustion air volume is 53418 Nm3/hr from the existing operation. Hence the model emissions inputs are calculated based on the incremental combustion air volume. The emission

concentrations of PM, SO2 and NOx are shown in the following Table 5.3.

Table 5.3 Basis for the Air Quality Modeling Inputs-Lime Kiln Stack Emissions

Parameter Units Existing After Upgrade Model Input scenario Capacity tpd 160 200 - Type of supporting fuel used - FO and FO and - Producer gas Producer gas Sulphur content in FO % 2.0 2.0 2.0 Bio-gas consumption tph Nil Nil Sulphur content in bio-gas % NA NA Combustion air volume Nm3/hr 42734 53418 Stack gas temperature OC 132 132 132 Stack gas velocity m/sec 9.13 9.13

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Parameter Units Existing After Upgrade Model Input scenario Stack height M 60 60 60 Stack tip diameter M 1.5 1.5 1.5 Dust collection outlet mg/Nm3 50 50 concentration PM emission rate kg/hr 1.1 2.7 1.6 SO2 emission rate kg/hr 7.3 9.1 1.8 Nox emission rate kg/hr 6.4 8.0 1.60

In order to assess the likely possible impacts on the background air quality, air quality modeling exercise was undertaken as per the CPCB guidelines. Site specific meteorological data collected at the site was adopted while predicting the 2nd highest 24 hrs average ground level concentrations of Particulate Matter, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. ISCST3 air quality modeling tool, an MOEF approved software, was used for predicting the ground level concentrations in the study area.

Mixing heights play a vital role in predicting the ground level concentrations of the pollutants. Site specific SODAR data obtained during the study period showed that inversion height varied from a minimum of 62 m to maximum of 248 m. The averaged inversion level considering stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) conditions (1800-0600 hrs) is 168+32m (during the study period that is February 2014). The hourly averaged mixing height pertaining to unstable ABL during the day time (1000-1700 hrs) is seen to vary from a minimum of 564 m to a maximum of 1568 m. The average level is seen to be 1179± 282 m (in February).

Since the stack gas velocity is one and a half times higher than that of the peak wind speed in the area during the unstable environmental conditions, stack tip down-wash conditions are not envisaged. As per the requirements stated in the ToR, plume raise calculations were performed for the estimated emissions from the proposed stack.

Based on the Gaussian dispersion modeling protocols, the estimated buoyancy of the power boiler stack gas will be in the order of 109 m4/s2, hence the emissions from the proposed stack are buoyant dominant due to significant enthalpy of the flue gas released into the atmosphere. The estimated plume rise for the specific flue gas during the unstable and neutral conditions will be in the order of 723m, 401m and 294m at 1 m/sec, 2 m/sec and 3 m/sec wind velocity respectively.

The corresponding effective stack heights (sum of plume rise and physical stack height) will be in the order of 803m, 481m and 274m respectively for power boilers. It can be inferred that the effective stack height will be higher than that of the measured average inversion level of 168m. Based on this discussion, it can be concluded that the plume rise will be always higher than

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of the inversion height and hence the ground level fumigation scenarios are not envisaged for the specific stack gas emissions at the proposed Mill site.

The site specific meteorological information indicated that, predominantly, winds were found to blow from north easterly and east direction and hence the impact zone in the down wind direction will located in the south easterly and west direction. Predicted ground level concentrations in the form of Isopleths are presented in Figures 5.1 to 5.3. It can be inferred from the predicted data that the peak ground level concentrations would occur during the unstable conditions at a downwind distance of 1000 m from the stack. The input and output files used for ISCST3 modelling are enclosed in Annexure 25.

5.3.2.4 Output of the Modeling

nd Particulate Matter (PM10)- The predicted 2 highest 24 hrs GLC of particulate matter for imported coal will be in the order of 2.3 µg/m3 and such concentrations may occur at a distance of 1000 m from the stack. The concentrations were found to get diluted rapidly and the GLC will reach less than 2 µg/m3 within a distance of 6.0 km from the Mill site. The envisaged result concentrations in the down-wind villages will be in the range of 58.7 to 69.7 µg/m3 during the post project scenario, which will be far below the prescribed NAAQ standards in Table 5.4. Figure 5.1 gives the Predicted 24- Hrs GLC’s of Particulate matter within 10 km Radius of the Study Area

Table 5.4 Estimated Post Project Scenario of Resultant Particulate Matter Concentration

Particulate Matter (Pm ) (µg/m³) Direction Distance 10 Baseline Post Code Station from from Stack GLCs (average Project Stack (in km ) values) Scenario AAQ1 Plant Site - - NA 69.4 69.4 AAQ2 SPB Colony NE 2.58 NA 66.5 66.5 AAQ3 Kuppandapalayam NW 5.5 NA 62.6 62.6 AAQ4 Vendipalayam SW 1.32 2 62.4 64.4 AAQ5 Pappampalayam SE 1.6 NA 63.1 63.1 AAQ6 Villarasampatti W 5.59 1 57.7 58.7 AAQ7 Erode Town W 2.0 1.5 68.2 69.7 AAQ8 Manpalayam NE 5.3 NA 69.1 69.1 Note: NA: Not Applicable as the specific stations are not located in the down-wind direction of the stack

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Distance(meters) Concentration(µg/m3)

Figure-5.1(a): Predicted 24-Hrs GLC’s of Particulate matter within 10 km Radius of the Study Area

nd Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)- The 2 highest predicted 24 hrs Ground Level Concentration (GLC) of sulphur dioxide for imported coal will be in the order of 22.9 µg/m3 such concentrations may occur at a distance of 1 Km from the stack. Based on the prevailing meteorological data during the study period, the probability occurrence of GLCs above 10 µg/m3 and 20 µg/m3 will be less than 2% of the time, whereas majority of the predicted concentrations 2nd lowest predicted 24 hrs GLC were found for imported coal to be below 14.4 µg/m3.

The predicted concentrations were found to get diluted rapidly and the GLC will reach less than 10µg/m3 within a distance of 5km from the Mill site. The envisaged resultant post project concentrations in the down-wind villages will be in the range of 24.8 to 37.9 µg/m3 during the post project scenario which will be below the prescribed NAAQ standards in Table.5.5. Predicted 24 hrs

GLC’s of SO2 within 10 km radius of the Study area is given in Figure 5.2.

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Table 5.5 Estimated Post Project Scenario of GLCs Resultant Sulphur Dioxide Concentration

Sulphur Dioxide (µg/m³) Distance Code Station from Stack Baseline imported coal (average Post Project (in km ) GLCs values) Scenario AAQ1 Plant Site - 14.5 NA 14.5 AAQ2 SPB Colony 2.58 18.0 NA 18.0 AAQ3 Kupandapalayam 5.5 17.1 NA 17.1 AAQ4 Vendipalayam 1.32 17.9 20 37.9 AAQ5 Pappampalayam 1.6 15.0 NA 15.0 AAQ6 Villarasampatti 5.59 14.8 10 24.8 AAQ7 Erode Town 2.0 16.8 10 26.8 AAQ8 Manpalayam 5.3 16.4 NA 16.4 Note: NA: Not Applicable as the specific stations are not located in the down-wind direction of the stack

Figure-5.2 (a): Predicted 24 hrs GLC’s of SO2 within 10 km radius of the Study area

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)-The 2nd highest predicted 24 hrs’ GLC of Oxides of Nitrogen will be in the order of 3.6 µg/m3 for imported coal such concentrations may occur at a distance of 1Km. The concentrations were found to get diluted rapidly and the GLC will reach less than 2µg/m3 within a distance of 5km from the Project site. The envisaged result concentrations in the down-wind villages will be in the range 36.5 to 39.0 µg/m3 (Imported coal) during the post project

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scenario, Which will be far below the prescribed NAAQ standards in Table 5.6. Figure 5.3 gives the Predicted 24-Hrs’ GLC’s of NOx within 10 km Radius of the Study Area

Table 5.6 Estimated Post Project Scenario of Resultant Oxides Of Nitrogen Concentration GLCs

Nitrogen Dioxide (µg/m³) Distance imported coal Baseline Code Station from Stack Post (average (in km ) GLCs Project values) Scenario AAQ1 Plant Site - 29.4 NA 29.4 AAQ2 SPB Colony 2.58 30.5 NA 30.5 AAQ3 Kuppandapalayam 5.5 35.5 NA 35.5 AAQ4 Vendipalayam 1.32 34.7 3 37.7 AAQ5 Pappampalayam 1.6 29.1 NA 29.1 AAQ6 Villarasampatti 5.59 35.0 1.5 36.5 AAQ7 Erode Town 2.0 37.5 1.5 39.0 AAQ8 Manpalayam 5.3 33.5 NA 33.5 Note: NA: Not Applicable as the specific stations are not located in the down-wind direction of the stack (µ g/m 3) Concentration

Figure-5.3(a): Predicted 24-Hrs’ GLC’s of NOx within 10 km Radius of the Study Area (Imported Coal)

5.3.2.5 Summary of the Air Quality Modeling Results

Based on the findings of the detailed air quality modelling exercise, it has been inferred that the resultant cumulative concentration at the nearby villages will

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comply with the NAAQ Standards. Since there are no ecologically sensitive locations present in the down-wind direction of the Project site, environmental risks due to release of emissions from the proposed process units will be insignificant. The summary of the predicted GLCs is predicted in Table 5.7

Table 5.7 Summary of the predicted GLCs

Resultant Post Baseline Predicted GLCs Parameter Project scenario (µg/m³) (µg/m³) (µg/m³) PM10 57.7 – 69.4 1 to 2 58.7 – 69.7 SO2 14.5 – 18.0 10 to 20 14.5 – 37.9 NOx 29.1 – 35.5 1.5 to 3 29.1 – 39.0

5.3.3 Fugitive Emissions and Associated Environmental Impacts

Fugitive emissions are defined as irregular and non point source emissions that would be generated either from process operations or bulk material handling facilities. In the current scenario, the proposed facility fugitive emissions may be released due to handling of imported coal at the coal stock- yard.

Dust emissions occur at several points in the storage cycle, such as material loading onto the pile, disturbances by strong wind currents, and load-out from the pile. The movement of trucks and loading equipment in the storage pile area is also a substantial source of dust. The quantity of dust emissions from storage operations varies with the volume of coal through the storage cycle. Emissions also depend on three parameters of the condition of a particular storage pile: age of the pile, moisture content, and proportion of coal fines. When freshly processed aggregate is loaded onto a storage pile, the potential for dust emissions is at a maximum.

Fines are easily disaggregated and released to the atmosphere upon exposure to air currents, either from aggregate transfer itself or from high winds. As the aggregate pile weathers, however, potential for dust emissions is greatly reduced. Moisture causes aggregation and cementation of fines to the surfaces of larger particles.

Coal lumps with a size of 6 mm will be received at the Mill site; hence the possibility of dust emissions from the coal handling will be less due to larger lump size that will be handled at site. In order to control the fugitive emissions from coal handling operations, water sprinkling operations will be adopted at the coal yard to maintain desired moisture content to avoid fugitive dust emissions due to wind-borne dust. In addition to this, wind barricades will be provided, coal will be transported through covered belt conveyers from stock yard to boiler rooms. Suitably designed dust collection systems will be installed at all coal transfer points in the captive co-generation power plant.

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As part of this EIA study, an attempt was made to estimate the wind-borne dust emissions due to storage and handling coal at the stock yard within the plant site. Published emission factor guidelines were adopted for estimating coal dust emissions (USEPA1).

The following assumptions were made while estimating the coal dust emissions:

1. About 740 TPD of coal will be stored in an area of 16200 m2

2. Coal contains a maximum silt content of 5% as per USEPA published documents for imported and graded coals

3. Average wind speed in the study will be in the order of 2.7 m/sec

4. The coal handling operations are spread across the day uniformly and no idling periods were considered to represent the worst case and peak 24 hrs average ground level concentrations

5. Moisture content in the coal will be in the order of 5% without water sprinkling for dust suppression.

The most likely possible hourly fugitive emissions were estimated using USEPA emission factor document guidelines (USEPA)2 and the estimated uncontrolled dust emissions from the coal stock yard will be in the order of 3.96 kg/ha/hr during the windy conditions with a minimum velocity of 2.2m/sec. ISCST3 model with particle deposition and non-buoyant and non-plume option was considered for modelling the dispersion of the uncontrolled fugitive dust emissions from coal stock yard.

Watering and the use of chemical wetting agents are the principal means for control of aggregate and coal storage pile emissions. Enclosure or covering of inactive piles to reduce wind erosion can also reduce emissions. Watering is useful mainly to reduce emissions from vehicle traffic in the storage pile area. By effective water sprinkling and other widely practiced measures particulate emissions from aggregate storage operations can be reduced by 90 percent (USEPA)3.

By adopting the above mentioned fugitive dust control measures, the predicted GLCs of particulate matter due to controlled fugitive dust emission from coal yard at the facility boundary can be reduced from 1691 µg/m3 to less than 169µg/m3.

1.G. A. Jutze, et al., Investigation Of Fugitive Dust Sources Emissions And Control, EPA-450/3-74-036a, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, June 1974 2 USEPA Emission Factor Document, Chapter 11 3 G. A. Jutze, et al., Investigation Of Fugitive Dust Sources Emissions And Control, EPA-450/3-74-036a, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, June 1974.

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It can be also inferred that the predicted ground level concentrations near the villages and settlements will be less than 2 µg/m³. Isopleths of 2nd highest 24 hrs average GLC of particulate matter due to controlled emissions are presented in Figure 5.4. Hence, the overall impacts due to fugitive dust emissions from handling coal will be significantly minimised. The summary of the predicted GLCs is predicted in Table 5.7

100

Distance (meters) Figure-5.4: Predicted GLCs of Particulate Matter due to controlled Fugitive Dust Emissions from Coal Stock Yard

Table 5.8 Summary of the Predicted GLCs for Fugitive Emission

Average Baseline Predicted GLCs Resultant Post Project at plant site at Plant scenario (µg/m³) (µg/m³) boundary(µg/m³) PM10 69.4 5 - 10 74.5-79.4

5.3.4 Vehicular Traffic and Impacts

As stated in chapter 3 of this report, raw-materials, finished products and coal will be transported by road in trucks. In order to assess the impacts from increase in traffic, volumes and vehicular emissions were studied as a part of this EIA study and also as per terms of reference issued for the project. The carrying capacity for the proposed traffic movement is calculated in terms of

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Passenger Car Units (PCU equivalent units)4 of the proposed vehicular traffic at the Mill site.

Passenger car units were estimated based on the conception of directly proportional to the ratio of clearing speed, and inversely proportional to the space occupancy. The total contribution on the incremental rise in the PCUs by the plant activities like transportation of raw materials, finished products, coal, ash and other solid waste materials is shown in Table 5.9.

As per the Indian Road Congress (IRC) Standard the design service volume for both rural and urban roads are presented in Table 5.10.The incremental rise due to proposed vehicular movement is 9 PCUs/hr through Gate: 2 and 30 PCUs/hr through Gate: 3, which is very insignificant.

Table 5.9 Proposed Vehicular Traffic Volumes in PCUs Per Day

Type of Number of Number of PCU – Total (PCUs/ Vehicles Vehicles Vehicles Conversion Volume in hr) per day per day Factor (ref) PCU’s/day (one way) (Round (considering the Trip) road with 0% gradient) Gate No.1 Trucks carrying 12 24 3.1 74 3 Coal Trucks carrying 11 22 3.1 68 3 chemical and other Trucks carrying 6 12 3.1 37 2 wastewater treatment sludge Trucks carrying 3 6 3.1 18 1 Wet Pith Trucks carrying 4 8 3.1 24 1 Lime stone Gate No. 2 Trucks carrying 60 120 3.1 37 16 Bagasse Trucks carrying 1 2 3.1 6 0 Saw dust Gate No. 3 Trucks carrying 100 200 3.1 62 26 Wood Gate No. 4 Trucks for 30 60 3.1 18 8 carrying Finished product Total 59

4 Satish Chandra, “Capacity Estimation Procedure for two-lane roads under mixed traffic conditions”, Journal of Indian Roads Congress, 65(1), September 2004, pp. 139 – 171

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Table 5.10 Recommended Design Service Volume For Different Type of Roads

Design service Type of Road IRC standard Terrain volume in PCUs/hr Four lane road and an arterial urban IRC 106/1990 Plain 3600 highway Single lane road in rural area IRC 64/1990 Plain 2000 Intermediate lane road in rural area IRC 64/1990 Plain 6000 Two lane road in rural area IRC 64/1990 Plain 15000

5.3.4.1 Vehicular Emissions and Impacts

The emission factors published by CPCB/ARAI (The Automotive Research Association of India)5 were adopted for the estimation of emissions from the vehicular movement from the main gate to inside the facility and also idling emissions at parking areas. The pollutant emission factors that were referred from CPCB/ARAI manual include Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and PM (Particulate

Matter). Since the emission factor of SO2 is not prescribed by CPCB or ARAI, the same is estimated based on the sulphur content in diesel (max. 50 mg/kg) considering Bharat Stage IV fuel norms (ref)6. Summary of the estimated vehicular emissions at the Mill site is presented in Table 5.9

Most likely possible ground level concentrations of SO2 and NOx due to release of emissions from the vehicular emissions at the Project site were modeled using ISCST3 without buoyancy option. Photochemical reactions of NOx were not considered due to absence of significant quantities of ozone pre-cursor pollutant (Non-methane hydrocarbons) in the background environment. It can be inferred from the modeled 2nd highest ground level

concentrations of SO2 NOx and CO presented in Figure 5.8 to Figure 5.10 that the overall increase in the back ground pollutant concentrations due to release of vehicular emissions will be insignificant. Hence, no additional impacts at the nearby villages are envisaged due to emissions from vehicles.The summary of the predicted GLCs is predicted in Table 5.11

Table 5.11 Emission Factors Considered for the Estimation of Vehicular Emissions

Type of Make Emission Emission factor Units Emission factors

source considered norms compilation NOx SO2* PM Trucks Post 2000 BS-II CPCB/ ARAI g/km 9.30 0.03 1.24 (HCV (Automotive Diesel Research driven) Association of India) - Emission Factor development for Indian Vehicles – 2008

5 Manual “Emission Factor Development for Indian Vehicles” March 2008, as a part of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and Emission source Appointment Studies sponsored by CPVB/MoEF 6 High Speed Diesel Oil Specifications, BPCL and Indian Diesel Specifications and Fuel Economy Data by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) January 2010.

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Note: Emission Factor of SO2 is calculated based on Sulphur content calculations considering Bharat Stage IV fuel norms

Figure-5.5: Predicted 24-Hrs GLCs of SO2 due to Vehicular Emissions

Figure 5.6: Predicted 24-Hrs GLCs of VOC Due to Vehicular Emissions

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Distance (m)

Figure-5.7: Predicted 24-Hrs GLCs of PM Due to Vehicular Emissions

Table 5.12 Summary of the Predicted GLCs

Resultant Post Baseline at plant site Predicted GLCs Parameter Project scenario (µg/m³) (µg/m³) (µg/m³) SO2 11.4-17.4 0.01-0.2 11.4 – 17.6 VOCx - 1E-006 – 4E-005 1E-006 – 4E-005 PM 46.9 – 95.4 0.5 - 3 47.4 – 98.4

5.3.5 Noise Emissions and Compliance Status

The major noise emitting sources at the proposed Project site are presented in Table 5.13. SPB - Erode has considered installing low noise generating equipment wherever applicable as per the recommended standards and guidelines. Some of the major noise generating equipment will be housed inside the room with an average wall thickness of 230 mm to attenuate noise emissions. According to the Noise Control Handbook (ref)7, a 230 mm brick wall will provide a noise reduction level of about 20 dB(A) to 25 dB(A) across the wall. Considering such a reduction, the overall noise levels outside the power Boiler, Chipper house and Cooling tower will be less than 65 dB(A), which will comply with work-zone and industrial noise level standards.

7 7: Acoustics and Noise Control Handbook for Architects and Builders, Leland K. Irvine Roy L. Richards

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Table 5.13 Envisaged Equipment Noise Levels (Sound Pressure Levels)

1m from the Source Outside the Parameter dB(A) Room dB(A) Power boiler 85 72 Cooling Tower 80 80 Chipper Plant 105 80

According to the environmental regulations, industrial facilities should adopt sound noise abatement and control programme to meet the following criteria. Sound pressure levels at the property boundary should be less than 55 dBA during daytime hours and 45 dBA during night time hours. Noise levels near the work-zone areas should comply with a maximum permissible level of 85 dBA. As a part of this EIA study, a detailed noise propagation modeling was undertaken to establish the abated noise levels at the facility boundary. Noise propagation from various equipment and process units have been modeled based on the international outdoor noise propagation standards.

¾ ISO 9613-1:1996 Acoustics- attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors- Part 1: Calculation of the absorption of sound by the atmosphere

¾ ISO 9613-2:1996 Acoustics- attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors- Part 2: General method of calculation

Noise propagation software model, Noise Sim Version 2.1 has been used for estimating the sound pressure levels due to cumulative dispersion of noise emissions from all the designated sources. The primary inputs required for the noise propagation modelling are equipment noise Power Levels (Lw-dB), coordinates of the noise emitting sources, acoustical characteristics of the walls and barriers etc, if any, and environmental parameters such as relative humidity, wind speed, ambient temperature and typical terrain characteristics. In order to represent the worst case scenario (maximum likely possible noise impacts), dry and hot weather conditions have been considered.

Paved concrete surface has been considered in the present scenario to represent maximum ground reflection. Noise source radiates power P and this result in a sound pressure p. Sound power is the cause – Sound pressure is the effect. Sound Power is a measure of total energy per unit time emitted by the source in all directions. Sound pressure is a measure of the pressure at the receiver’s location. Sound Pressure is dependent on the acoustic environment, which is generally referred to as acoustic impendence (Uc).

The factors involved include the effects of nearby reflecting surfaces, receiver distance, type of space, the amount and location of absorption in the space, the location in the space, the presence of barriers, and the intrusion of

Prepared by & C5-18 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 5 Assessment of Environmental Impacts

ambient sounds. The relationship between Sound Pressure Level (Lp) and Equipment Sound Power Level (Lw) can express in the following equation. Both Lp and Lw are expressed as dB.

ª º ref UcW LwLp 20 10 10 LogrLog 10 «2 » ¬« Pref 4S¼» ------Eq. 1 Lp : Sound Pressure Level Lw : Sound Power Level r : Distance from the equipment at which the Lp is measured (generally 1m) -12 Wref : Reference power level (10 watts) -5 2 Pref : Reference pressure level (2x10 N/m ) Uc : Acoustic impedance (rays)

Predicted sound pressure levels in around the proposed Mill site due to operation of the facility are presented in Figure 5.11. It can be inferred from the modeled data that the sound pressure levels at the facility boundary will below 55 dBA, which is well within the stipulated threshold noise level of 75 dBA for industrial areas. Noise levels outside the facility boundary will be further attenuated due to the proposed green belt all along the plant boundary. Based on this noise modelling analysis, it has been concluded that the noise abatement and control measures considered by SPB - Erode in the design phases of the facility will be adequate to meet the ambient noise criteria suggested by MOEF.

Figure-5.8: Predicted Noise Levels

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5.3.6 Impacts on the Water Environment

5.3.6.1 Surface Water Resources

The source of water for the project is from the River cauvery. The mill has obtained the permission for drawl of 15 MGD (68,191 m³/day) Cauvery river and necessary permission from Public Works Department, Government of Tamil Nadu is already obtained.

Dyeing unit wastes and sewage & wastes from households are disposed into upstream of Cauvery River in which water supply head works for Pallipalayam located. Due to the continuous disposal of sewage and dyeing unit wastes, ground water in this part of the region is highly polluted. Hence suitable treatment facilities for water supply system and scientific disposal facility for sewage and dyeing unit wastes are very essential;

The mill has one (1) water intake well situated at the bank of the river Cauvery. The water is pumped to the water treatment plant at mill site through two (2) underground mild steel fabricated pipelines. A major portion of water from the intake well is processed through a combination of flash mixers, distribution chamber and clariflocculators. The clarified water from the clariflocculators goes to clarified water storage reservoirs by gravity. The clarified process water is pumped to the process as per the requirement and a portion of clarified water is processed through sand filter and used for domestic purpose inside mill and residential colony and nearby villages. Another portion of raw water is treated separately in reactivator clarifier and the clarified water after pH correction is processed through UF & RO-DM plant for supplying to high pressure power boiler and recovery boiler.

The total water requirement for post MDP II will be around 44,500 m³/day including recycled water (Recycling paper machine back water of 10,500m3/day) and the fresh water requirement will be 34,000 m³/day. In order to reduce the fresh water consumption, the mill has installed and adopted various water conservation measures to bring down the water consumption from 200 to 80 m³/t of paper and this will be achieved by adopting various internal water and wastewater recycling programmes within the plant.

Details of the existing water balance and wastewater streams along with the details of the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant have been described in Chapter 2. The water balance for the post MDP II is given below in Table 5.14 and wastewater balance diagram is given in Figure 5.9

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Table 5.14 Water Balance for MDP-II (All values in m3/day)

Waste Fresh Recycled Source Evaporation Water water water Generation Power plant 5600 1500 4100 Hard-wood pulp 10300 7000 1000 16300 Bagasse pulp 2400 2000 200 4200 Chemical recovery 3800 400 3400 Paper machines 10000 1500 700 300 Miscellaneous 1900 400 1500 Total 34000 10500 4200 29800

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700 10000 11500 Paper Machines 300 Total fresh water 34000 1500 Recycle water within process 10500 Total water requirement in plant 44500 200 Evaporation / process loss 4200 2400 4400 Recycle water within process 10500 Bagasse Pulp Mill 4200 Waste water to ETP 29800 Waste water loss in ETP 300 2000 Cooling tower loss 200 Treated effluent discharged for irrigation 29300 1000 10300 17300 Hard wood Pulp Mill 16300 Freshwater Cooling tower loss 7000 200 34000 400 3800 CRB Plant 3400

29800 Effluent treatment Plant 1500 29300 Treated effluent discharge 5600 for irrigation Power Plant 4100 loss with sludge 300 400 1900 Miscellaneous 1500

34000 34000 44500 4200 10500 29800 300 29300

Figure-5.9: Post MDP II Water Balance

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Total treated waste water from WWTP will be 29,800 m³/day in that 29,300 m³/day of treated wastewater will be used for irrigation for which the MOU is made between SPB & farmers. The waste water generated after MDP-II will be treated in the existing waste water treatment plant with the additional equipment, this will be installed to handle the additional load. Existing WWTP is adequate to treat the proposed load and the waste water treatment is designed to handle equivalent of 53,000 m3/day of waste water discharged at secondary over flow. The following addition/ upgradation will be done in the existing WWTP

¾ Addition of Cooling Tower for the RDH Pulp mill effluent

¾ Upgradation of Aeration System

¾ Addition of MLSS Sludge Decanter

¾ Addition of the Tertiary Treatment

New Cooling tower is proposed to reduce the temperature in activated sludge process. The Upgradation of aeration system to improve the dissolved oxygen and the Suitable tertiary treatment for recirculation and recycle of water in the process. A detailed discussion on the ETP adequacy is discussed in section 6 of this report. The WWTP flow diagram with proposed new equipment is given in Figure 5.10.

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Figure 5.10 Process Flow Diagram - Wastewater Treatment Plant Proposed Equipment

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5.3.6. Impact on Treated Wastewater Utilization

The treated waste water of about 29,300 m³/day will be utilized for irrigation purposes, for cultivating sugarcane, which is supplied to Ponni Sugars, who in turn, release the entire bagasse to the Company for paper making. This irrigation scheme, thus not only enables the Company to avoid its waste water discharge into the river, but also paves way for a completely “Closed Circuit System”, evolved on a long term sustainable basis with a visionary approach..

The treated effluent (outlet of Secondary Biological Effluent Treatment System based on ” Activated Sludge Process”), after complying with the stringent inland surface water discharge standards prescribed, is let out on dry and barren lands, mostly of sandy loam soil, for irrigation purposes.

About 2140 acres of dry and barren lands, mostly of sandy loam soil, converted into cultivable wet lands - (Conversion of dry lands into wet & cultivable lands)

The treated waste water is being utilized to develop 2140 acres of barren land in to cultivable land. This activity is clearly indicated by satellite images of 1973 and 2012. (Figure 5.11 and 5.12). The treated waste water has improved the economic status of the people living around the project site.

Another most conscious positive impact is that the water level in the wells located in the downstream of the project site has improved. The Satellite image proves that there is improved cultivation activity in the 2140 acres and in the downstream.

Figure shows the irrigation well in the downstream of the project site (Influenzed zone and

Irrigation well in the downstream of the Irrigation well in the upstream of the project project site (Influenced zone) site ( Non-influence zone)

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Figure 5.11 Satellite image of 1973 (without irrigation – only barren land)

Prepared by & C5-26 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 5 Assessment of Environmental Impacts

Figure 5.12 Satellite image of 2012 (with irrigation by treated waste water)

5.3.7 Soil and Groundwater Quality Related Impacts

SPB is discharging the treated wastewater for irrigation over the period of last 45 years and the soil quality at the plantation area is being analyzed regularly. SPB has undertaken the regular studies in collaboration with Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for ‘Evaluation of Long-Term Effect on the Utilization of Effluent Water for Irrigation’.

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Thirteen monitoring wells are regularly sampled and monitored. As per the latest report of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) vide Report No.Env.Sci/SPB/Well water samples/Result/2013/dt.07.10.2103 the soluble sodium percentage is in the range of 42.09% to 49.94%. The organic content, the SAR is in the range of 2.52 to 3.13 and pH in the range of 7.6 to 8.12. The impact on the soil quality due to utilization of treated wastewater is insignificant.

5.3.7.1 Ground water quality and Movement of Pollutants

Detailed water quality assessment is necessary in areas where there is intensive ground water development, Industrialization and urbanization as it is also subjected to qualitative changes in the environment around. Quality of water is influenced considerably by the quality of its source and occurrence. In order to describe water quality of the study area the ground water quality have been tested for TDS values using TDS Scan (Potable TDS testing equipment) from wells in core and buffer zones during field investigation.

Total Dissolved Solids-The Total Dissolved solids concentration of the study area reveals that 46.82% of the area falls in 500-1000 mg/L category which is potable as per the drinking water standards. The higher concentration of >2000 mg/L occupies very less area of 14.35 %. The project site is located in 500-1500 Category. As per the BIS Standards the TDS concentration in drinking water is in the following order: <500 mg/L Potable 500-2000 mg/L can be used in absence of better source, >2000 Non-Potable. Hence, the water quality with respect to TDS the site is not in the non-potable zone. It is also observed from the spatial distribution map of TDS, the relatively high concentration is in the south side of the study area.

The pathways of important constituents in groundwater has been studied and pathways for the constituents like Total dissolved solids, by using a Visual Modflow software. The dispersion pattern of these constituents reveals that their movement has been in accordance to the groundwater movement, its direction and hydraulic conductivity.

The ground water flow of the area is towards the western direction from the project site. And it is also observed a ground water trough in the project site which indicates the convergent flow of ground water. As ground water moves from east to west, there may be slight increase in the salinity of ground water in the western side. However, Total dissolved solids concentration is comparatively more in ground water in the western side of study area. There is no possibility of any contamination in the vicinity of the project site by the project activity as the higher concentration of TDS is limited western part of the study area. The high concentration in the western portion is not due to the project activity as there is Cauvery river which bisects the TDS high concentration area and the project site. The model showing the pathway for TDS in ground water is presented below in Figure 5.13

Prepared by & C5-28 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 5 Assessment of Environmental Impacts

Figure 5.13 Spatial Distribution of Total Dissolved Solids

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Ground water quality – Dispersion of TDS in Ground water

About 35 cum/ha/day of treated wastewater with TDS less than 1200 mg/L discharged in 2140 acres of land in the southern side of the project site for green belt development and for irrigation of sugarcane. The TDS value of 1200 mg/L is considered for solute transport model. The model is calibrated based on the values collected from the field apart from some assumed valued.

The bore hole lithology of the study area indicates that the top soil is loamy (partially impervious formation) extents up to a depth of 2.0 m below which weathered hornblend biotite gneiss encounters. Hence, the two layer is considered for solute transport model. The depth of the water table aquifer considered is 16 m bgl. (The ground water is available below the weathered rock)

The Hydraulic Gradient is estimated from the water table contour. The estimated pre- monsoon hydraulic gradient of 5.3 m/km is considered. 6 m thickness of the topo soil and weathered rock are considered. The effective porosity of the formation is considered as 45 %. The transmissivity of the shallow aquifer is around 4.6 sq.m/day. The hydraulic conductivity is estimated as 0.846 m/day. The velocity of the ground water is computed as 0.0102 m/day.

While computing, the worse scenario is considered Low rainfall, natural recharge and high TDS value (effluent values).

Based on the aquifer parameters, the model is computed for 10 year period and the output the height predicted value is 1160 mg/L in the project site. The induced recharge such as Ground water Recharge within the project are using the surface runoff generated from different surfaces and the return seepage from the irrigated field from the project site will maintain the ground water level and quality.

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Figure 5.14 Model Showing the Predicted Dispersion of TDS in Ground Water (10 Years period)

The above indicate that there would be no adverse ground water scenario after the post project period.

5.3.8 Impact of Solid Waste

The solid waste generation from the MDP is ash from AFBC boilers, lime sludge and wood/bark dust. In addition to this, there will be fibre sludge generation from the wastewater treatment plant.

The total boiler ash generating from the existing units is about 12 tpd. The boiler ash generated is handled through pneumatic conveying system and stored in silos with three (3) days storage capacity at the site and it is being given to cement manufacturers and also used for making hollow blocks/ compressed bricks As the same practice is proposed for the post MDP-II scenario, no adverse impacts are associated due to ash generation.

Wood/Bark dust are being Sent to Tirunelveli unit to use as bio fuel in boiler and 25 tpd of WWTP sludge will be sent to nearby board manufacturing units. Hence, no adverse impacts due to solid waste generation are envisaged.

About 200 KL of furnace oil is stored in the existing facility in a tank and suitably designed dyke with concrete lining will be provided to retain any spills from the pumps and tank. Underground and mounded fuel oil storage tanks are considered at the Mill site. Hence, contamination of soil due to oil spills is not envisaged. A detailed discussion on the solid and hazardous waste disposal practices is presented in section 3 of this report.

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5.3.9 Impacts on Ecological and Biological Environment

5.3.9.1 Impacts on Flora

The major pollutants from paper mill will be Particulate Matter (PM), sulphur dioxide

(SO2) and NOx. A high efficiency electrostatic precipitators shall be installed to reduce the particulate matter and the stack will be designed suitably to reduce the

effect of SO2 and NOx emissions and the resultant concentration of PM, SO2 and NOx will be kept, well within the standards prescribed by pollution control board.

Floral species present near project site can easily tolerate SO2 concentrations up to 20 µg/m3 (WHO Guidelines, 1997). Similarly thrush hold values of SO2 for native species was observed to be 125 µg/m3. Ficus benghalensis, Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica and Azardirachta indica have high air pollution tolerance and these are suitable sinks to mitigate the air pollution (Randhi and Reddy, 2012). Terminalia arjuna, Pongamia pinnata, Polyalthia longifonia and Peltophorum pterocarpum have intermediate tolerance capacity. Hence enhancement of existing

greenbelt using these species will help in mitigating SO 2 emissions. Syzygium cumini, Terminalia catappa, Swietenia mahagoni and Saraca indica acts as bio- indicators of air pollution stress as these are sensitive to the air pollution. Plantation of these species and continuous monitoring of their health will give early warning of environmental damage if any.

5.3.9.2 Impacts on Fauna

The mammalian faunal density near project site is as such very low and no further impact is expected on fauna near project site. No major impacts on avifauna are envisaged during operational stage. Existing greenbelt is already providing suitable habitats for birds. However, further greenbelt development is highly recommended to provide suitable nesting and rusting sites for birds.

5.3.10 Socioeconomic Impact

The proposed project does not have any direct adverse impact on the local community. The existing project is in existence for the past four decades, majority of the local people directly or indirectly dependent on the plant for livelihood. The people adjacent to the project site may be facing some problems relating to odor and ground water issues.

5.3.10.1 Land Acquisition

The proposed project is an expansion project within the existing plant area and land required for the expansion of 3.7 acres is sourced from the vacant lands within the plant. There is no other additional land to be acquired for this purpose.

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5.3.10.2 Loss of Public properties

As the plant doesn’t acquire any additional land and no activities are done outside the plant area. Thus loss of public properties is not envisaged.

5.3.10.3 Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan

According to National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2007 (NRRP 2007), Rehabilitation and Resettlement activity doesn’t attract for this project as there are no displacements envisaged.

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

6.1 General

This chapter presents an overview Environmental Management Plan and Environmental Monitoring Program.

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is required to ensure sustainable development in the area of the Mill site. EMP also ensures that the project implementation is carried out in accordance with the design and the mitigative measures as recommended in the Environment Impact Assessment study to reduce the adverse impacts during the project’s life cycle. The plan outlines existing and potential problems that may adversely impact the environment and recommends corrective measures where required. The identification and quantification of impacts based on scientific and mathematical modeling have been presented in Chapter 4.

Mitigation measures at the source level and an overall EMP for the study area are planned for implementation, to improve the supportive capacity of the study area and also to preserve the assimilative capacity of the receiving bodies.

6.2 Environmental Management during Construction Phase

During construction phase, the construction activities like levelling, grading, transportation of the construction material cause various impacts on the surroundings. However, the constructional phase impacts are temporary and localised phenomena except the permanent change in local landscape and land use pattern of the project site.

6.2.1. Site Preparation

Since the project site terrain is flat and already levelled during the construction of the existing plant, there will not be any requirement for major levelling. There is no vegetation on the land identified for MEP. During dry weather conditions, dust may be generated by activities like excavation and transportation through unmetalled roads. The dust will be suppressed using water sprinkling and may continue after completion of construction. The mill shall make provision for water sprinklers.

6.2.2. Air Quality Management

The activities like site development, grading and vehicular traffic contribute to

increase in PM, SO2 and NOx concentrations. The mitigation measures recommended to minimize the impacts are:

¾ Water sprinkling in construction area; ¾ Asphalting the approach road to the project facilities;

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

¾ Proper maintenance of vehicles and construction equipment; and ¾ Tree plantation in the area earmarked for greenbelt development.

6.2.3. Noise Level Management

The noise impact on the surrounding population during the construction phase will be within the acceptable limits. High noise generating equipment, if used, shall be sparingly operated during the daytime to minimise any discomfort to the nearby residents. Community noise levels are not likely to be affected because of the vegetation and likely attenuation due to the physical barriers already present in the existing mill area. Earmuffs shall continue to be provided to the workers and their use by workers shall be enforced.

6.2.4. Water Quality

During construction period, the groundwater quality may be affected due to the construction activities and loosening of topsoil. The chemicals (paints, oils etc) shall be stored in designated areas. There is no likelihood of groundwater contamination as there will not be any process wastewaters discharge on to the ground during construction.

6.2.5. Solid & Hazardous Waste Management

The hazardous materials used during the construction may include petrol, diesel, welding gas and paints. Construction sites handle small quantities of lube oils and diesel for running the construction equipment. In order to avoid soil contamination due to accidental spills, it has been recommended to provide spill absorbing material at the construction site and the contaminated soil should be excavated and these materials shall be stored, and disposed of to hazardous waste disposal sites according to the guidelines specified.

6.2.6. Ecological Management

As the new equipment for MDP-II is proposed to be located within the existing mill premises, no effect on vegetation is anticipated. Similarly, there will not be any impact on the aquatic ecology as there are no aquatic bodies in the plant site. A comprehensive greenbelt programme, which is already in place, shall improve the ecological condition.

6.2.7. Socio-Economic Aspects

The existing land will be used for the proposed project. There will not be any resettlement and rehabilitation. Thus, there will not be any adverse socio economic implications. The economic status of the area is likely to improve, as there will be direct/indirect employment generation during construction and operational phase.

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

6.3 Environmental Management Plan during Operation Phase

During the operation phase, the impacts on various environmental attributes should be mitigated using appropriate pollution control equipment. The Environmental Management Plan prepared for the proposed project aims at minimising the pollution at source.

6.3.1 Air Quality Management Plan

The main sources of air pollution from the proposed project and proposed pollution control measures have been discussed in Chapter 3 and the impacts on air environment due to the operation of the plant have been discussed in Chapter 5

It may be seen that the prevailing ambient air quality in the study area is within the ambient air quality limits prescribed by the CPCB. It may also be noted that the predicted ground level concentrations represent the worst-case scenario and actual concentrations will be much lower because of the usage of the efficient ESP and lower ash content coals. It is, therefore, expected that the actual GLCs will be much lower than those predicted in the worst-case scenario. The following management plan will be adopted in the plant during the operational phase of the facility.

6.3.1.1 Reduction of Emission at Source

Due to utilisation of imported coal with high calorific value and sulphur content

less than 1%, the specific SO2 emission rate from the proposed operations will be two to three times lower than that of the conventional co-generation power plants that are operated on high ash content Indian coal

Dedicated Electrostatic Precipitators will be installed for control of Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from the proposed boilers in the captive power plant and chemical recovery. ESPs will be designed to achieve efficiency more than 99.9% to limit the PM concentrations below 50 mg/Nm3 as against the stipulated standards of 150 mg/Nm3.

The details of the stack (At full load operation with Electrostatic precipitator) showing the dust load on ESP, collection efficiency and outlet dust concentration is given below in Table 6.1 Table 6.1 - Details of the ESP Stack Stack attached to (after MDP-II) S.No. Parameters Units New Power Recovery Lime kiln Boiler (100 tph) Boiler 1 Stack height proposed m 80 90 60 2 Stack diameter m 3 3.43 1.5 3 Flue gas velocity m/sec 20 12 9.13 4 Flue gas temperature °C 140 160 132 5 Combustion air volume Nm3/hr 124684 274581 53418 6 ESP outlet concentration mg/Nm³ 50 150 50

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

Sufficient stack height will be provided as per the stack height norms stipulated by CPCB for wider dispersal of pollutants. A continuous online stack

emission monitoring unit will be installed to monitor Particulate Matter, SO 2

and NOx emissions. Provision of water sprinkling system at raw material storage yard and there will be the provision of dust extraction systems at dust generating source.

6.3.1.2 Fugitive Emissions Control Management

SPB has already implemented various fugitive emissions control plan in the existing facility and similar practices will be continued after expansion program and summary of various such measured adopted are presented hereunder.

¾ Existing Closed belt conveyors will be used to transport coal from stock yard to boiler house.

¾ Similar to the existing operations, ash will be transported by closed bulkers to potential users

¾ Adequate numbers of water sprinkling system at coal storage yard have been installed and intensity of the water sprinkling will be done based on the amount of coal handled and meteorological conditions

¾ Unloading of coal trucks has been carried out with proper care, avoiding dropping of the materials from height. It is advisable to moisten the material by sprinkling water while unloading, handling and during storage

¾ Mobile road dust cleaning machines will be employed to collect coal fines if any

¾ The sprinkling of water has been done along the internal roads in the plant in order to control the dust arising due to the movement of vehicular traffic

¾ High efficiency bag filters were installed at the coal yard, coal transfer points, straw storage and preparation yards for the control of dust.

¾ In order to avoid the dust from bagasse handling, a 5 meters height galvanized metal sheet wall was already fenced in the bagasse handling area

¾ Adequately designed greenbelt was developed for further control the fugitive emissions, if any.

6.3.1.3 Management of Non Condensable Gases (NCG) Emission

As discussed in chapter 4, the ambient concentration of NCG is below the detectable limit at all locations at the nearby villages.

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

6.3.2 Noise Management Plan

¾ The impact of noise generated due to plant operations has been estimated in Chapter 5. Sound pressure levels at the facility boundary will below 50 dBA, which is well within the stipulated threshold noise level of 75 dBA for industrial area..

¾ The specifications for procuring major noise generating machines/ equipment shall include built-in design requirements to have minimum noise levels meeting Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) requirement.

¾ Steam turbine and turbo-generator in the co-generation plants will be provided with acoustic insulation and, also, will be placed in a closed room

¾ Appropriate noise barriers/shields, silencers etc will be provided in the equipment, wherever feasible and necessary. As far as possible, noise emanating from noisy equipment shall be adequately attenuated by enclosures, insulations etc.

¾ Ear plugs are being provided to workmen working near high noise generating sources

¾ The existing greenbelt around the plant will further attenuate noise levels

6.3.3 Water and Wastewater Management

6.3.3.1 Water conservation

Waste water from Paper Machine Section constituting about 35% of the total quantity of waste water generated, is recycled, treated and reused within the mill. Apart from this, the SPB has implemented various other waste water recycling and water conservation measures in the existing facility as detailed in section 2.5.2.1 resulting in significant reduction in the quantity of fresh water drawl from the river and the consequential reduction in the quantity of waste water generation and discharge

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

6.3.3.2 Wastewater Treatment

At present the mill has (3) streams of wastewater with a common treatment plant with a design capacity to treat 53,000 m³/day of effluent. The existing treated wastewater discharge is 24,700 m³/day. After MDP-II, wastewater discharge to irrigation will be 29,300 m³/day. The wastewater characteristics will be similar to that of the existing facility.

¾ As there is surplus capacity available with the existing wastewater treatment plant to treat the ultimate wastewater quantity of 29,800 m3/day after mill expansion plan. However the following modifications and upgrades are considered to enhance the overall performance of the existing ETP:

¾ One (1) cooling tower will be installed to reduce the temperature of the influent wastewater entering the activated sludge tank

¾ Aeration system in the activated sludge tank will be upgraded to supply additional oxygen required for the treatment after mill expansion

¾ Suitable tertiary treatment for recirculation and recycle of water in the process

The WWTP will be adequate to treat the wastewater generated with additional facilities. The Adequacy of WWTP has been verified and the adequacy is discussed below and the detailed mass balance of the existing and expansion scenario is enclosed as Annexure-26

6.3.3.3 ETP Adequacy Report- Expansion Scenario

Basic Inputs:

The envisaged wastewater parameters after expansion program are as follows:

High BOD Effluent

Flow m3/day 1200 Total suspended Solids mg/l 4500 BOD mg/l 3000 COD mg/l 7500

All other stream

Flow m3/day 29800 Total suspended Solids mg/l 1500 BOD mg/l 280 COD mg/l 740

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1) High COD Treatment Unit

Existing Anaerobic Lagoon: The existing anaerobic lagoon having a volume of 11200m3 is adequate to handle the current discharge volume of load of 1200 m3/day from bagasse washing. The same is adequate since there will not be any increase in bagasse usage and the COD mass load on the digester.

2) Other streams going to Effluent Treatment Plant

Primary Clarifier -1: The existing Primary Clarifier having 24m dia and capacity of 1628m3 (this wastewater stream is coming from paper machine) and retention time of 4 hrs, will be able to handle the wastewater flow of 11500m3/day with retention time of 3hrs after expansion. The Hydraulic loading rate after expansion will be 26m 3/m2/day which is within the design range of 50 m3/m2/day. The sludge generation will be about 57m3/hr with 1.5% consistency. Existing sludge pump capacity required is adequate.

Primary Clarifier-2 : The existing Primary Clarifier having 54.86 m dia and capacity of 10868m3 , will be able to handle flow of 29800m3/day with retention time of 9 hrs after expansion. The Hydraulic loading rate after expansion will be 13m 3/m2/day which is within the design range of 50 m3/m2/day. The sludge generation will be about 118m3/hr with 1.5% consistency. The existing sludge is adequate to handle additional sludge generated after expansion scheme.

Aeration tank: Based on the inputs from the existing ETP operation data, the following design considerations have been made for assessing the adequacy of the activated sludge process:

x Peak flow of wastewater: 28600m 3/day

x Peak Inlet COD of wastewater: 750mg/l

x MLVSS in the aeration tank: 8000mg/l

x F/M ratio: 0.5

The Existing aeration tanks having volume of 14524m3 would be able to handle about 50000 m3/day as against the envisaged ultimate discharge influent quantity of 29800m3/day after mill expansion. The volume of aeration tank required treat the wastewater is 11622 m3 based on the assumption that the BOD levels in the treated wastewater will be maintained below 20mg/l. The total oxygen requirement is estimated as 373kg/hr after expansion. Net energy requirement for the supply of erquired oxygen is estimated as 250 kWhr. At present 12 surface aerators are providing 450 kWhr, hence the existing aeration system is adequate. However in order to improve the overall oxygen

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transfer rate, SPB intends to augment the existing aeration system with energy efficient aeration system.

Existing Secondary Clarifier: Existing capacity of Secondary Clarifier is 3505m3 with retention time of 3hrs. Hydraulic loading rate and Solids loading rate after expansion will be 17m 3/m2/day and 26 kg/m2/day respectively, which are adequate

The summary table showing the adequacy of the ETP is given below in Table 6.2 & 6.3

Table 6.2 Summary Table of Adequacy of Existing ETP Summary table of Low COD Stream

Comments on the S.No Parameters/Unit Units Value Adequacy Primary Clarifier 1 Size - 24m dia, 3.6SWD NA 2 Volume m3 1630 NA 3 Retention time Hrs 4 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading 4 Hydraulic loading rate m3/m2/day 20.57 rate is within the design value of 35 - 50m3/m2/day Inlet TSS Adequate 5 mg/l 1800 Concentration 6 Solids loading rate Kg/m2/day 37 Adequate Outlet TSS Adequate 7 mg/l 20 Concentration 8 TSS removed Kg/day 16554 Adequate Primary clarifier Adequate 9 bottom sludge % 1.5 consistency assumed Total bottom sludge 3 Adequate 10 m /day 1104 rejected

All other Streams

S. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy Primary Clarifier 1 Size - 54.86m dia, 4.6SWD - 2 Volume m3 10125 - 3 Retention time Hrs 10.47 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading rate Hydraulic loading 4 m3/m2/day 0.44 is lesser than the optimal design rate value of 35 - 50m3/m2/day Inlet TSS 5 mg/l 1500 - Concentration Solids loading 2 6 Kg/m /day 0.7 - rate Outlet TSS 7 Concentration mg/l - - assumed 8 TSS removed Kg/day - - Primary clarifier bottom sludge 9 % 1.5 - consistency assumed 10 Total bottom m3/day 2660 -

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S. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy sludge rejected Aeration Tank This quantity includes the Total wastewater 3 11 m /day 24900 wastewater from primary clarifier discharge of low COD Stream. 12 Inlet BOD mg/l 280 - Outlet BOD 13 mg/l 30 - assumed MLVSS – 14 mg/l 2500 - assumed MLSS – 15 mg/l 3500 - assumed Adequate as optimal F/M ratio is 16 F/M ratio - 0.30 between 0.25 to 1.0 Adequate: The total volume of Aeration Tank 3 17 m 6723 existing aeration tanks is volume required 3 14524m 18 Inlet COD mg/l 742 - 19 Outlet COD mg/l 200 - Recirculation 20 sludge MLVSS - mg/l 8000 - Assumed Sludge to be 21 m3/day 498 - removed Peak waste 3 About 1200 m /day is added from water flow 22 m3/day 23700 the outlet of the existing considered for anaerobic digester design, Q Total Dry sludge mass to be 23 kg/day 3984 - rejected - Calculated Estimated Oxygen demand 24 kg/day 7188 - based on COD removal Estimated Oxygen demand 25 kg/Hr 300 - based on COD removal 26 Aerator Capacity kg/kw 1.5 - Adequate: 12 surface aerators Net Aeration with 37.5 KW each are in 27 KWhr 200 Required operation and the total capacity is adequate. Secondary Clarifier

Total wastewater 3 29 m /day 24900 - flow 30 Tank size 47.25m dia., 4m SWD - 31 Volume m3 3505 32 Retention time Hrs 3 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading rate Hydraulic loading 33 m3/m2/day 15.98 is near to the optimal design rate 3 2 value of 8 - 15m /m /day 34 Inlet TSS (MLSS) mg/l 1500 - Adequate: Solids loading rate is within the optimal design value of Solids loading 2 35 Kg/m /day 24 25 - 35Kg/m2/day required for rate secondary settling for extended aeration

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

High COD Stream - Anaerobic Digester

S. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on Adequacy 1 Flow m3/h 50 - m3/d 1200 - 2 Tank dimensions 80*35*4 - 3 Flow m3/h 50 - 4 Surface area m2 2800 - 5 Volume m3 11200 - 7 HLR m3/m2/day 0.4 - 8 Retention time hr 224.0 - 9 COD inlet mg/l 7200 - 10 COD Outlet mg/l 600 - 11 Net COD Load kg /day 7920 - Adequate: Optimal 12 COD Loading rate kg/m3 0.71 loading rate is between 0.6 to 0.8 13 Methane generated kg/d 2138 - 14 Methane density kg/m3 0.676 - 15 Methane flow rate m3/d 3163 - 16 Methane flow rate m3/h 132 - 17 Total Gas Generation kg/day 3564 -

Table 6.3 Summary table of Adequacy of Proposed ETP Summary table of Low COD Stream

Sl. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy Primary Clarifier 1 Size - 24m dia, 3.6SWD - 2 Volume m3 1630 - 3 Retention time Hrs 3 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading rate 4 Hydraulic loading rate m3/m2/day 25.43 is lesser than the optimal design value of 35 - 50m3/m2/day Inlet TSS 5 mg/l 1800 Adequate Concentration 6 Solids loading rate Kg/m2/day 45.8 Adequate Outlet TSS 7 mg/l 20 Adequate Concentration 8 TSS removed Kg/day 20470 Adequate Primary clarifier 9 bottom sludge % 1.5 Adequate consistency assumed Total bottom sludge 3 10 m /day 1365 Adequate rejected All other Streams

Sl. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy Primary Clarifier 1 Size - 54.86m dia, 4.6SWD NA 2 Volume m3 10868 NA 3 Retention time Hrs 8.75 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading rate 4 Hydraulic loading rate m3/m2/day 0.53 is lesser than the optimal design value of 35 - 50m3/m2/day

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Sl. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy Inlet TSS 5 mg/l 1500 - Concentration 6 Solids loading rate Kg/m2/day 0.8 - Outlet TSS 7 Concentration mg/l 75 - assumed 8 TSS removed Kg/day - - Primary clarifier 9 bottom sludge % 1.5 - consistency assumed Total bottom sludge 10 m3/day 2831 - rejected Aeration Tank

Total wastewater 3 Including the water from primary 11 m /day 29800 discharge clarifier of low COD Stream 12 Inlet BOD mg/l 280 - 13 Outlet BOD assumed mg/l 20 - 14 MLVSS – assumed mg/l 2500 - 15 MLSS – assumed mg/l 3500 - Adequate as optimal F/M ratio is 16 F/M ratio – assumed - 0.30 between 0.25 to 1.0 Adequate: The total volume of Aeration Tank 3 17 m 11622 existing aeration tanks is volume required 14524m3 18 Inlet COD mg/l 750 - 19 Outlet COD mg/l 200 - Recirculation sludge 20 mg/l 8000 - MLVSS - Assumed 3 21 Sludge to be removed m /day 596 - Peak waste water flow 3 1200 m /day is the water coming 22 considered for design, m3/day 28600 from Anaerobic digester Q Total Dry sludge mass 23 to be rejected - kg/day 4768 - Calculated Estimated Oxygen 24 demand based on kg/day 8959 -

COD removal Estimated Oxygen 25 demand based on kg/Hr 373 - COD removal 26 Aerator Capacity kg/kw 1.5 - Adequate: 12 surface aerators with 37.5 KW capacity each are 27 Net Aeration Required KWhr 250 in operation at the existing facility. secondary clarifier 29 Total wastewater flow m3/day 29800 - 30 Tank size 47.25m dia, 4m SWD - 31 Volume m3 3505 - 32 Retention time Hrs 3 Adequate Adequate: Hydraulic loading rate is near the optimal design value 33 Hydraulic loading rate m3/m2/day 17 of 8 - 15m3/m2/day required for secondary settling for extended aeration 34 Inlet TSS (MLSS) mg/l 1500 -

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Sl. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on the Adequacy Adequate: Solids loading rate is 35 Solids loading rate Kg/m2/day 25.5 within the optimal design value of 25 - 35Kg/m2/day

High COD Stream - Anaerobic Digester:

S. No Parameters/Unit Units Value Comments on Adequacy 1 Flow m3/h 50 - m3/d 1200 - 2 Tank dimensions 80*35*4 - 3 Flow m3/h 50 - 4 Surface area m2 2800 - 5 Volume m3 11200 - 7 HLR m3/m2/day 0.4 - 8 Retention time hr 224.0 - 9 COD inlet mg/l 7200 - 10 COD Outlet mg/l 600 - 11 Net COD Load kg /day 7920 - Adequate: Optimal loading 12 COD Loading rate kg/m3 0.71 rate is between 0.6 to 0.8 13 Methane generated kg/d 2138 - 14 Methane density kg/m3 0.676 - 15 Methane flow rate m3/d 3163 - 16 Methane flow rate m3/h 132 - 17 Total Gas Generation kg/day 3564 -

6.3.3.4 Wastewater Colour

The colouring bodies in pulp and paper mill effluent comes from wood extractives, lignin and its degradation products (e.g. lignosulphonic acid, resins, phenols, and hydrocarbons) that are released during various processing steps of lignocellulosic materials.

SPB mill has already adopted following control measures to reduce colour the

¾ Oxygen De- lignifications process

¾ Elemental chlorine free bleaching (ECF) process

¾ Complete reuse and recycle of all spills within the digester and blow tank so that it does not enter the ETP.

Due to SPB’s effort the colour of the treated wastewater has been reduced to 25 Hazen units as discussed in Chapter 4 as against the levels of which is around 500 – 1000 Hazen units in the conventional paper mills, where proper black liquor spill management and recycling operations are not adopted.

Colouring bodies present in the wastewater are colloids which are very small particles that have extremely large surface area. The consequence of this smallness in size and mass and largeness in surface area is that in colloidal suspensions extended coagulation/ flocculation (C/F) process will help to

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

effectively remove colloids by bringing destabilized colloidal particles together to allow them to aggregate to a size where they will settle by gravity.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) indicates that enhanced coagulation is the best available technology to control the colour in wastewater. Contrary to conventional coagulation processes aimed primarily at turbidity removal, enhanced coagulation implies the use of elevated coagulant dosages and strict control of pH.

The enhanced coagulation-filtration processes normally consist of a mixer (e.g. a flash mixer, or in-line static mixer), a flocculation step, a separation step, and a filtration step. In addition, there will be dosage facilities for coagulants, acid or base for pH control depending on raw water alkalinity, and polymeric flocculants and/or filtration aids.

By implementing above mentioned control measures the colour in wastewater can be further reduced from the current reported levels of 24 Hazen. Since the colour levels in the treated wastewater are already below the levels reported in conventional plants, the overall effectiveness and economic viability of implementing the above mentioned extended coagulation methods shall be studies on pilot scale basis prior at site.

6.3.3.5 Treated Wastewater Management

Similar to the existing operations, treated wastewater from the WWTP will be used for irrigation, plantation, gardening, floor washing, and dust suppression after expansion program. About 29,300 m3/day of treated effluent will be used for irrigation after expansion program. At present, the wastewater quality meets the Discharge standard of Trade Wastewaters into Inland surface Waters and the same is supplied to local formers for irrigation needs. Due to scanty rainfall and lack of irrigation systems in the region, the treated wastewater supplied by SPB has given an impetus to the overall economic development in the neighbouring areas due to round the year crop yield.

The characteristics of wastewater generated from various sections of the mill for the MDP-II are as given in the following Table 6.4.

Table 6.4 Expected Wastewater Characteristics before Treatment

Characteristics S.No Parameters Unit Other Combined Stream to High BOD primary treatment 1 pH 6.8 – 7.2 3.5-4.0 2 Total Suspended mg/l 1,500 4,000 – 4,500 3 BOD (3 Days) mg/l 200 2,500 – 3,000 4 COD mg/l 740 6,750 – 7,500

The wastewater will be treated to confirm to the statutory standards of inland surface water discharge of SPCB/CPCB before discharging for irrigation, ash

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quenching and plantation. The expected treated wastewater characteristics after treatment is given in Table 6.5

Table 6.5 Expected Treated Wastewater Characteristics after Treatment

EPA Permissible S.No Parameters Unit Characteristics TNPCB limit Limit 1 pH -- 7.4-7.8 5.5-9.0 2 Total Suspended mg/l 20-25 <100 100 Solids 3 Total Dissolved Solids mg/l 950-1200 <2,100 2100 4 BOD (3 Days at 27°) mg/l 9-12 30 30 5 COD mg/l 98-120 350 250 6 AOX kg/t of 0.068 <1 <1 product

As similar treatment is proposed in the proposed project, the treated water will would also meet the prescribed inland surface water discharge standards. Also the extent of impacts due the disposal of the treated wastewater for irrigation was assessed by collecting samples from the bore wells in the study area and it was found that there is variation in the ground water quality in the vicinity of the areas where the treated wastewater was utilized that of the background ground water quality in the study area. Ground water quality test reports by the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore was also found to depict the similar reports. Based on this analysis, it has been concluded that the overall impacts due to utilization of treated wastewater for irrigation needs are less significant.

Treated Waste Water Utilization

Based on the regional soil conditions, the maximum water requirement for irrigation is estimated as 35 m 3/ha/day. Based on this most liberal estimates, about 1745 Acres (706 Ha) of land is required to utilize the existing treated wastewater quantity of 24,700m3/day from the mill.

Total land required for irrigation after expansion program has been estimated as 2068 Acres (837 Ha) to utilize the treated wastewater quantity of 29300m3/day after expansion operations. SPB has already signed MoU with the local farmers to utilize treated wastewater in an area of 2140 Acres. SPB along with the agriculturists has formed four Lift Irrigation Associations registered under the Cooperative Act for use of treated waste water for irrigation. During the socioeconomic survey in the study area, it was revealed that the overall economic conditions in the villages where treated wastewater is improved by several folds when compared with that of the economic indices for the study area. This aspect clearly indicates that the SPB plant has provided significant direct economic benefits to the local farmers in the area.

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

6.3.3.6 Innovative Irrigation Scheme using treated waste water

Apart from the various environmental issues addressed by this innovative and novel irrigation scheme using company treated waste water, the continuing success of this irrigation scheme is directly related to the unique and distinct advantages as detailed hereunder

¾ Enhancement in Sugarcane yield

The yield of sugarcane is superior and higher when irrigated with treated paper ill waste water when compared with fresh water irrigation. The yield are proved to be higher by about 10 to 15 % when compared to those irrigated with fresh water (100- 125 tonnes of sugarcane per hectare)

¾ Organic matter increases the amount of active surface of soil due to promotion of granular structure

The organic matter present in paper mill waste water promotes a” granular structure” which permits soil to hold more of both water and air. In other words, the organic matter increases tremendously the amount of active surface in each square inch of soil. All chemical and physical activities take place on the surface of each soil particle.

¾ Completely Closed Circuit System evolved on long term sustainable basis

By this unique irrigation scheme, the entire treated waste water of the Company is utilized for irrigation purposes, for cultivating sugarcane, which is supplied to Ponni Sugars, who in turn, release the entire bagasse to the Company for paper making. This irrigation scheme, thus not only enables the Company to avoid its waste water discharge into the river, but also paves way for a completely “Closed Circuit System”, evolved on a long term sustainable basis with a visionary approach.

Mill final treated effluent (outlet of Secondary Biological Effluent Treatment System based on ” Activated Sludge Process”), after complying with the stringent inland surface water discharge standards prescribed, is let out on dry and barren lands, mostly of sandy loam soil, for irrigation purposes, the details of which are as under Table 6.6

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Table 6.6 Irrigation Land Details

Name of the Irrigation Registration Area in acres Additional area in S.No. Scheme No. (Sugar Cane) acres (Plantation) Gravity Flow (since 45 1 -- 200 -- years) Odapalli- Pappam-palayam 2 1/1983 550 170 Lift Irrigation Society Odapalli- Mukkuparai Lift 3 59/1986 425 30 Irrigation Society 4 Kattur Lift Irrigation Society 6/1989 400 273 Vellayankadu Lift Irrigation 5 76/1998 39 21 Society 6 Own / Lease Lands -- -- 32 Total area under Lift Irrigation Scheme 2140 acres

¾ Lift Irrigation Scheme

This apart, the massive Lift Irrigation Scheme using treated waste water of SPB provides improved employment opportunities to rural people and generation of more income for their livelihood, as detailed above. This lift Irrigation scheme provides various agricultural and allied jobs to the rural people, thus paving way for generation of employment opportunities and more income for them by way of value addition to their land holdings / increased sugarcane yield and improved Standard of Living.

Before Irrigation After Lift Irrigation scheme

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

After Irrigation – Sugar Cane After Irrigation – Paddy

¾ Large Scale Plantation “Tree Farming Activity” The Company has undertaken a collaborative research project with the Department of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Mettupalayam, attached to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), for establishment of Clonal Casuarina / Eucalyptus Hybrid testing trials, supply of Clonal Casuarina / Eucalyptus Hybrid Seedlings and other allied research activities.

The Company has taken up a “Tree Farming Activity “, under which the Company produces quality Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in the Company’s Clonal Multiplication Centre and Casuarina Seedlings in diversified Production Centres nearer to the prospective farmers who will procure them from the Company. The details of the tree farming activity for the financial year 2012-13 is given in Table 6.7 and area planted under tree farming from 2005 to 2013 is given in Table 6.8

Table 6.7 Tree Farming Activity

Production Centre Species Target Nos. Supply Nos. SPB Clonal Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones 15 00 000 1110330 Multiplication Centre SPB Clonal Casuarina Hybrid Clones 5 00 000 827294 Multiplication Centre Melia Dubia - 4195 Subabul - 8150 Acacia - 840 Cuddalore Casuarina Naked Seedlings 52500000 72033000

Table 6.8 Area Planted Under Tree Farming Area Planted Total Area Year (Acres) (Acres) Eucalyptus Casuarina 2005-06 1671 1340 3011 2006-07 1875 3727 5602 2007-08 850 2990 3840 2008-09 690 1714 2404 2009-10 583 1243 1826 2010-11 785 6919 7704 2011-12 1316 8169 9485 2012-2013 1133 10130 11263 2013 -14 1110 18397 19507 Total 10013 54629 64642

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Poly House Aerial view of Mist Chambers

Eucalyptus Clones in Mist Chambers Bags filling

40 www.spbltd.com

View of Mist Chamber at SPB’S Clones in root trainers Nursery

Delegates from Thailand visit to irrigation field using treated wastewater

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Chapter 6 – Environmental Management Plan

Casuarina grown in Treated Eucalyptus grown in Treated wastewater wastewater Figure 6.1Tree Farming Activity

¾ Endowment Scheme with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU)

Under the Endowment Scheme with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU), the Company planted Tapioca, castor, and Turmeric using its treated waste water. Under these trials crops have been harvested and the yield of Tapioca, castor, and Turmeric is higher under irrigation with treated waste water when compared with well water irrigation.

Under the Endowment Scheme with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU), the Company initiated Banana crop (saplings procured from Agro Biotech Centre, Coimbatore- a unit of SPIC) cultivation trials, using treated waste water. The banana under these trials crops have been harvested and yield is higher under irrigation with treated waste water when compared with well water irrigation.

¾ Studies by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU),Coimbatore

SPB has undertaken the regular studies in collaboration with Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for ‘Evaluation of Long-Term Effect on the Utilization of Effluent Water for Irrigation’.

6.3.4 Solid Waste Management No major solid wastes are generated in the process. All the solid wastes generated in the mill are from the auxiliary plants. They include lime sludge from the recausticising section, ash from the boilers, sludge from the wastewater treatment plant and wood dust from the pulp mill. Similar to the existing operations, the WWTP sludge will be given to small units to manufacture cardboards. Similarly, fly ash generated will be sold to Cement industry and also used for making hollow blocks/ compressed bricks. The

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wood /bark dust generated will be sent to SPB Tirunelveli unit to use as bio fuel in boiler. The lime sludge as purge for non process elements and silica will be used in lime kiln and balance unutilized sludge will be sent to cement industry.

The MOU for the fly ash and lime sludge disposal to the cement plant is enclosed as Annexure 13. Except used oil from the machinery, there is no other hazardous waste will be generated from the proposed mill expansion program. Necessary authorization will be obtained from TNPCB for the disposal of used oil to the waste oil recycling vendors. The quantity of the solid waste generated and the disposal method for the existing and MEP is given below in Table 6.9.

Table 6.9 MEP Solid Waste Generation and Disposal

Quantity (as per plant record), T/day Current Disposal Post MDP disposal S.No Source Post MDP- Method method Existing II Sent to Tirunelveli unit, Sent to Tirunelveli unit, Wood dust/ Bark 1 70 100 dust to be sold or used as to be sold or used as bio fuel in boiler bio fuel in boiler Primary clarifier Sent to board making Sent to board making 2 25 37 sludge units units Secondary Used as manure for Used as manure for 3 2 5 clarifier greenbelt development greenbelt development Used in lime kiln and Used in lime kiln and 4 Lime sludge 31 60 balance sent to cement balance sent to cement industry industry Cement industry and also Cement industry and also 5 Fly ash 12 24 used for making hollow used for making hollow blocks/compressed ricks blocks/compressed ricks

6.3.5 Storm Water Management

For the Rainwater harvesting within the project site, 10 years monthly normal rainfall has been considered. The pre and post project runoff from the project site is estimated based on rational method. The Co-efficient used to estimate the runoff from the different surfaces is as follows. The co-efficient are considered are as per the MoEF and CGWA Guidelines.

Roof Area - 0.95 Asphalt and Paved Area - 0.85 Green Belt Area - 0.20 Open and Vacant Area - 0.30

¾ Volume of rainwater that can be collected from the project site has been estimated based on monthly normal rainfall.

¾ Vacant & Green belt area, Roof top area and paved area of the project site have been separated for the run off estimation and conservation measures have been suggested.

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The details of various areas are as follows Existing Area in MDP II Area Total area after MDP II Description Sq.m in Sq.m in Sq.m Roof Area 137187 12950 150137 Asphalt / Paved area 20639 - 20639 Green belt, Lawn 137592 2023 139615 Open area 36421 - 21448 Total Area 331840 14973 331840

6.3.5.1. Pre-construction Runoff

¾ Rational method has been used to estimate the runoff for the project site.

¾ As the site is an undisturbed land the volume of the estimated runoff after natural recharge will be about 78000m3/day.

The pre-construction runoff calculation is presented in the form of Table 6.10.

Table 6.10 Pre Project Runoff

Monthly Pre Runoff Month Rainfall (mm) Area in Sq.m Project Runoff in Coefficient Cum January 10.70 331839 0.3 1065 February 6.70 331839 0.3 667 March 10.00 331839 0.3 996 April 46.70 331839 0.3 4649 May 100.30 331839 0.3 9985 June 37.70 331839 0.3 3753 July 53.00 331839 0.3 5276 August 108.90 331839 0.3 10841 September 106.50 331839 0.3 10602 October 171.00 331839 0.3 17023 November 97.40 331839 0.3 9696 December 34.80 331839 0.3 3464 Total Annual Pre Project Runoff in Cum 78019

6.3.5.2. Post-construction Run off

The same rainfall and the land area have been taken up for the estimation of runoff for the prediction from the project site after mill expansion program. As the vacant exposed land would be converted in to build up land, the natural recharge that had taken place during the pre-construction period would not occur and hence there would be meager infiltration. The losses such as, Percolation, evaporation and other unforeseen loses has been considered. The predicted post project runoff is about 1,52,454 m3/day as against the pre- project runoff of 78,000m3/day. Hence there will be an excess runoff of 75,000m3/day will be generated after expansion plan.

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Table 6.11 Post – construction Runoff from Different Surfaces

Predicted Runoff from the Project Site Runoff Location Area (Sq m) Coefficient Roof Area (m²) 150137 0.95 Asphalt area and 0.85 20639 Paved area (m²) Green belt Area 0.2 139615 (m²) Open area (m²) 21448 0.3 Runoff Runoff Runoff Rainfall in Runoff Roof area Asphalt / Green Total Monthly Month Open mm Cum Paved area belt area Runoff Cum area Cum Cum Cum January 10.70 1526.14 188 299 69 2081 February 6.70 955.62 118 187 43 1303 March 10.00 1426.30 175 279 64 1945 April 46.70 6660.83 819 1304 300 9085 May 100.30 14305.80 1760 2801 645 19511 June 37.70 5377.16 661 1053 243 7334 July 53.00 7559.40 930 1480 341 10310 August 108.90 15532.42 1910 3041 701 21184 September 106.50 15190.11 1868 2974 685 20718 October 171.00 24389.76 3000 4775 1100 33265 November 97.40 13892.18 1709 2720 627 18947 December 34.80 4963.53 611 972 224 6770 TOTAL 783.70 111779 13749 21883 5043 152454 Total Predicted Annual Runoff from Different Surfaces in Cum 152454

6.3.5.3. Rain Water Harvesting System

There is lot of surface and subsurface recharging measures available depending upon the site conditions. The specific recharge measures should be selected depending on the soil characteristics, lithology and nature of the aquifer material, pre and post monsoon ground water level and so on. The average ground water level in the Study area various between 4.1 m (Pre- monsoon) and 21.1 m (Post monsoon), which clearly indicates that the ground water level in the study area is moderately deep. As the ground water level is moderately deep, proposal for roof top runoff collection and recharge are feasible options. Storage cum percolation pond with recharge shaft with bore well has been contemplated.

According to the slope of the roof the sump location has been identified. The roof area and the normal monthly rainfall have been considered for designing the capacity of the sump.

Conservation Measures

Roof top collection:

¾ The roof water collection is estimated as 14156 m3/day

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¾ Four (4) sumps with a total capacity of 1200 m3 have been suggested to capture the roof water. Each sump size can be designed as 10m X 10m X 3m.

The rainwater from the roof will pass through a filter media comprising of media is multi-player vertical filters. The size of the filter media can be considered as 2m X 2m X 0.9m

The outlet pipes from the roof area will be connected with 115 mm dia PVC pipe allowing the water to pass through the filter media before storing in the sump.

Table 6.12 Rainwater Harvesting Scheme - Roof Top Runoff Collection

Runoff Location Area (sq m) Coefficient Total Roof Area 150137 0.95

Actual Sump Capacity CUM 1200 Harvestable water CUM 111779 Water harvested CUM 14156 Surplus outflow from Sump CUM 97624 Sump Surplus out Rain fall Harvestable Month Storage flow from (mm) Water (CUM) (CUM) Sump (CUM) January 10.70 1526 1200 326 February 6.70 956 956 0 March 10.00 1426 1200 226 April 46.70 6661 1200 5461 May 100.30 14306 1200 13106 June 37.70 5377 1200 4177 July 53.00 7559 1200 6359 August 108.90 15532 1200 14332 September 106.50 15190 1200 13990 October 171.00 24390 1200 23190 November 97.40 13892 1200 12692 December 34.80 4964 1200 3764 TOTAL 783.70 111779 14156 97624

Storage cum Percolation Pond:

The surplus runoff after roof top collection and from the green belt, paved area has been estimated for Plant area and presented hereunder:

Surplus runoff after roof top collection - 97624 m3/year Runoff from paved area - 13749 m3/year Runoff from Green cover area - 21883 m3/year Runoff from Open areas - 5043 m3/year Total runoff - 138298 m3/year

Rainwater harvesting can be effected by way of storage cum percolation pond with recharge shaft with bore well

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A rain water collection pond is proposed within the project site to capture the runoff and typical sizes of the proposed ponds are presented hereunder:

Sl. No Description Size in m Capacity in CUM 1 Pond 1 40mX30mX2.5m 3000 2 Pond 2 40mX30mX2.5m 3000 Total Capacity 6000 ¾ The total capacity of the pond is 6000 CUM/Year

¾ The rainwater from the above area is proposed to take to the storage pond through unlined open channel with a width of 0.5 m

¾ The storage cum Percolation pond collection is estimated as 55544 m3/day

¾ Evaporation losses (monthly evaporation has been considered – 20-40%) are estimated as 15445 m3/day

¾ Quantity of water added to the ground water reservoir (20% of the stored quantity) from the storage / percolation with recharge bore well is estimated as 8020 m3/day.

¾ The surplus from the storage pond is proposed to let out through the natural stream

¾ Recharge shaft with bore well to a depth of 100 m is recommended in the Storage cum percolation pond. The size of the recharge shaft may 5m length X 5width and 3m depth. In the center of the recharge shaft a bore well with a dia of 6 inches may to drilled and perforated pipes are inserted to facilitate the vertical and horizontal movement of ground water. The Recharge shaft with bore well not only recharges the shallow water table aquifer but also the deeper fractured aquifer.

Abstract Predicted Total Pre Project Runoff m3/Year 78019 Predicted Total Post Project Runoff m3/Year 152454 Predicted excuses runoff during Post Project Period m3/Year 74435 Rain water Harvesting Roof Water Harvesting Capacity of the Sump (10mX10mX3m) 3 Sumps (900 m3 1200 Cum) Rainwater harvested through Roof Top collection m3/Year 14156 (Estimated) Storage cum Percolation Pond Pond size (20mX25mX2m) 1Pond (1000 CUM) m3 6000 Water stored in the Pond (Estimated) m3/Year 55544 Evaporation Losses (Estimated) m3/Year 15445 Quantity of water added to the ground water reservoir m3/Year 8020 (Estimated) 20 % Water available in the pond after evaporation and m3/Year 32079 infiltration (Estimated) Total Harvested Quantity of Rainwater (Storage Pond) m3/Year 40099

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Total Rainwater harvested in the Project Site (Roof Top m3/Year 54255 + Storage cum Percolation Pond (Estimated) Percentage water harvested from the Predicted Post %age 36 Project Runoff

6.3.6 Ecology and Biodiversity Management Plan

The best available technologies that ameliorate the negative impacts of the project on the local vegetation and wildlife have been incorporated in the design and construction of the existing facility and similar practices will be adopted in the mill expansion plan. Efforts will be taken to increase the greencover, primarily, around the project-site, and secondarily, in the successive outer zones within a 10 km radius of the project site, using native plants with a view to ameliorating project-related disturbances and enhancing the ecological value of the area. Plantations should include only native species. No exotic or non-native species should be planted in the area.

6.3.6.1. Greenbelt Enhancement Plan

The greencover enhancement plan aims at overall improvement in the environmental conditions of the region. The plan is developed with following objectives.

¾ Providing aesthetic value to the project area

¾ Enhancing the ecological equilibrium of the area

¾ Prevention of negative impacts on agriculture

A detailed survey was conducted with respect to existing vegetation diversity in the project area for development of greencover around project components. SPB has already implemented greencover in an area of 34 acres and around the existing plant. Efforts will be made to enhance the greencover within the plant in the vacant land.

6.3.6.2. Suggestions Regarding the Plantation-process

Pits measuring approximately 2’x2’x2’ may be dug where the soil is reasonably deep, and, pits measuring approximately 3’x3’x3’ where the soil is shallow or gravelly. Expose the pits to direct sunlight for about 15 days.

If the soil at the site is reasonably good, pits may be filled with 80% site-soil + 20% composted cow-dung. About 200 gm neem-cake and leaf-litter, grass or agricultural residue may be added. If the soil at the site is poor, pits may be filled with 35% site-soil + 35% fertile soil (from an external source) + 30% composted cow-dung. Neem-cake and other organic matter may be added as in the previous instance.

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Saplings should ideally be planted after the annual rains begin. The saplings would need to be watered once the rains cease.

Construction of temporary shelters of locally available materials such as bamboo and grass around the growing saplings is recommended in the summer, to help the plants withstand the hot sun.

6.3.6.3. Vermiculture Development and Usage

Vermicompost is natural organic manure and its chemical composition is much more superior to compost made either in conventional composting pits or by bacterial decomposition. Vermicompost consists of humus, which is the basic building block of fertile soil. It contains all essential macro and micronutrients for plants in readily available form due to which plants are able to easily absorb them. Vermicompost is prepared with the aid of earthworms. Vermicompost pits shall be developed and biodegradable waste from project premises shall be utilized for manure production.

6.3.6.4. General Guidelines Regarding the Plantation-plan

The original topography and vegetation of the site must be retained, that newly-planted saplings may get the benefit of their natural micro-climate and may survive with relatively less inputs.

Soil from the site should be used for the plantation, as far as possible, and supplemented with external nutrients only where necessary.

Chemical fertilizers or pesticides must be avoided, as they reduce soil-quality and integrity, as also, the food/medicinal value of plants. Locally available leaf- litter, grass-cuttings, agricultural residue, compost or other organic material may be used as supplementary plant-nutrients.

Ground-vegetation should be allowed to shed seeds before cutting or mowing it for mulch. This would leave behind a seed-bank to flourish in the next growing-season, providing a natural source of mulch for the following year. Burning of land must be avoided, as it reduces soil-quality, and harms the ground-vegetation, amphibians, reptiles and ground-nesting birds.

Dumping of waste on the soil must be avoided. Non-biodegradable waste must be carefully collected and safely disposed. Biodegradable waste should be collected and processed, that it may be used to enrich the site-soil. Water- saving practices, such as drip-irrigation and mulching, are recommended.

6.3.7 Occupational Health Facility

The existing hospital facilities should be made available round the clock for attending to emergency arising out of accidents, if any. SPB is equipped with a full fledged Occupational Health Centre within the factory premises. OHC is

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manned by a qualified Medical Officer supported with four para medical staff. A detailed occupational health facility in the existing mill is given in chapter 2 of the report.

6.3.8 Corporate Social Responsibility

The Company has voluntarily undertaken the following Community Development Measures in the adjoining Villages, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which include:

6.3.8.1. Existing CSR Activities by SPB

¾ Drinking Water Facilities

Daily supply of 4500 m3 of Drinking Water through 320 drinking water taps and 5 over head tanks

¾ Community Health Centers

Community Health Centres are being run by SPB in four places namely Ayakkattur, Odappalli, Pappampalayam and Cauvery Railway Station village.

¾ Infrastructure Facilities

x Rain water Harvesting Structures in Neighboring villages

x Laying of Village Roads x Construction of culverts at strategic places x Provision of Street Lights x Renovation of Old Village Temples x Construction of Public Community Toilets x Repair and Maintenance of Burial Ghats x Construction, Deepening & De-silting of Storm Water Drains and Strengthening of Bunds x Implementation of Tree Farming Programme in association with marginal Land Owners

¾ Educational Activities

x Running a Elementary School, Primary School, High School & a Matriculation Higher Secondary School in SPB Colony for the children of employees and public in the neighborhood

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x Company contributes to a Polytechnic at Tiruchirappalli, “Seshasayee Institute of Technology” to serve the education needs of poor and down trodden students

x Company has provided 2 acres of land free of cost for constructing Government High School at Pappampalayam Village.

¾ Development Activities in SPB Colony for Employees and Public

x Constructed and Maintenance of Two Churches, a Mosque and a Hindu Temple complex

x Conducting Free Eye Camps, Blood Donation Camps, Diabetic Check Up Camps, etc.,

x Provision of illuminators in the Highways Road from Railway Under Bridge to SPB Schools

x World Environment Day, National Technology Day, etc. celebrated by inviting internationally acclaimed dignitaries for creating awareness to the local people.

x Provided land for ESI Hospital & Staff Quarters.

x Provided land for a 110 KV Sub-station of State Electricity Board for supplying quality power.

x Provided land for the Government High School, Pappampalayam.

x Operates a Retail Outlet (IOC) for supply of Quality and Quantity (Q & Q) - Petrol & Diesel

x Provides accommodation for the Public Library of Alampalayam Town Panchayat

x Provides space for the Nationalized Bank - UCO Bank, Kadachanallur Branch

x Provides space for 2 ATMs of Nationalized Banks - UCO Bank & State Bank of India

x Contributes to a Type Writing Institute & Computer Training Centre, for the benefit of employees and public in the neighbourhood

x Provides accommodation for 2 Co-operative Fair Price Shops for distribution of Ration Items to the public

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x Provides accommodation for a Tailoring & Embroidery Training Centre run by Tamil Nadu Labour W elfare Board

x Provides accommodation for a Creche and Reading Room run by Tamil Nadu Labor W elfare Board for the benefit of employees and public in the neighborhood

Figure 6.2 gives the photographs of the CSR activities done by SPB in the study area

Figure 6.2 CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

Blood Donation Camp Health Checkup

Community Health Centre – Odapalli Community Health Centre – Pappampalayam

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CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

Community Health Centre - Cauvery RS Community Health Centre – Ayakattor

Piped Drinking water Facility at Ayakattoor Piped Drinking water Facility at Pappampalayam

SPB Nursery providing Cloned Tree Saplings on Irrigation Canals Construction and Maintainance Nominal Rates to Farmers

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CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

Funding for Local Festivals and Cultural Funding for Local Infrastrcutre – Bridge Activities, Fund Provided for Renovation of Constructed by SPB Temples

Construction of Roads through Ponni Sugars – Provided land for the Government High School, SEZ Fund Pappampalayam

Running 4 Lift Irrigation Societies for providing Recreation Club at SPB Colony Irrigation in 2140 Acres of Land.

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CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

Community Centre for Employees and Local Childrens Park at SPB Colony People

Tennis Court at SPB Colony Play Ground at SPB Colony

Eye Camp organized by SPB

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CSR Activities by SPB in the Study Area

Ortho Camp organized by SPB Ortho Camp Organized by SPB

Tsunami Relief Materials by SPB

6.3.7.1. Felt Need based for development under CSR plan

The study team has undertaken a socio-economic survey in the study area and identified a need based community development program and the felt needs identified in the villages located in the vicinity of the mill are presented hereunder:

¾ Since the area falls under rain shadow region, there is a need to expand the Lift Irrigation system to the other nearby dry lands.

¾ Some of the villages are not having access to safe drinking water sources so alternative water drinking water facilities may be provided.

¾ Awareness programs on childhood Immunization shall be enhanced

¾ Awareness programs on children education especially female children education shall be given focus under CSR programs.

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6.3.7.2. Proposed Programs under CSR Development Plan

In addition to the existing CSR activities the following programs can be included for future. The below mentioned CSR programs can be implemented in the nearby villages and in future the CSR activities area can be expanded to other villages also.

a) Infrastructure Development Programs

¾ Maintenance of Irrigation canals, Pipelines, etc.

¾ Renovation and Maintenance of Drinking water Pipelines and Overhead tanks.

¾ Construction of Sanitation Complex including water supply at public areas and schools, facility and providing sustenance funds to respective village authorities for maintaining

¾ Providing Solar Street Lights on rural roads

¾ Generating social Forestry in the Public places in consultation with district forest department

¾ Restoration of community ponds and lakes and rainwater harvesting schemes in the villages

¾ Construction of foot over bridge from SPB main gate to Cauvery RS Bus Stop.

¾ Vocational Training Institutes

¾ Developing Internal Village Roads

b) Agriculture Development Programs

¾ Introduction of efficient irrigation practices in the region through model agriculture farm units

¾ Agriculture Extension unit – Providing knowledge on latest agriculture technical knowledge.

c) Economic Development Programs

¾ Knowledge Centre – Business opportunities, Entrepreneurial Development, Government Schemes.

¾ Agriculture Development Programs

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d) Health facilities

¾ Introduction of mobile health clinic in the villages conducting regular checkups

¾ Health Camps – Eye camp, Health Screening, etc.

¾ Various health related awareness programs

6.3.7.3. Village Specific CSR Development Programs

The below mentioned community development programs are proposed based on the need based studies undertaken at site. Under these schemes priority is given to the nearby villages.

Table 6.13 Village Specific CSR Development Programs.

S.No Village Facilitates Programs

1.Odappalli 2.Pallipalayam 3.Pallipalayam Mobile clinic can be 1 Agraharam introduced conducting 4.Pappampalayam regular health camps 5.Pudupalayam Agraharam

1.Odappalli Erecting Solar Street 2 Agraharam Lights 2.Pappampalayam

Construction and 1.Odappalli Maintenance of 3 Agraharam Sanitary Complexes 2.Pappampalayam including water facilities

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S.No Village Facilitates Programs

1.Odappalli Fly Ash Brick 2.Pallipalayam Manufacturing 3.Pallipalayam Training programs 4 Agraharam and Demo 4.Pappampalayam Manufacturing Unit to 5.Pudupalayam train qualified local Agraharam unemployed people

1.Odappalli Developing School 2.Pallipalayam Infrastructure facilities 3.Pallipalayam such as Safe Drinking 5 Agraharam water facilities, 4.Pappampalayam Sanitation facilities, 5.Pudupalayam school supplies, etc. Agraharam

1.Odappalli Improving health 2.Pallipalayam facilities in the 3.Pallipalayam villages by providing 6 Agraharam additional medical 4.Pappampalayam infrastructure 5.Pudupalayam facilities. Agraharam

1.Odappalli Developing Social 7 Agraharam Forestry in village 2.Pappampalayam Roads.

6.3.7.4. CSR Budget

Based on the Total Project cost of Rs 300 Cr., about 5% (Rs.15 Cr.) on the total project cost will be allocated for the CSR activities. Table 6.14 provided the CSR budget for the next ten years.

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Table 6.14 Proposed CSR Budget

Budget (Rs. in Lakhs) S.No CSR Activity Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Drinking Water 1. 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Facilities Agriculture 2. Development 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Programs Animal 3. 7.5 7.5 7.5 15 15 22.5 22.5 22.5 15 15 150 Husbandry Health 4. 15 15 15 30 30 45 45 45 30 30 300 Facilities Infrastructure 5. 22.5 22.5 22.5 45 45 67.5 67.5 67.5 45 45 450 Development Economic 6. Development 15 15 15 30 30 45 45 45 30 30 300 Programs 7. Total 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 1500

6.4 Environmental Monitoring Plan

Regular monitoring of environmental parameters is of immense importance to assess the status of environment during plant operation. With the knowledge of baseline conditions, the monitoring program will serve as an indicator for any deterioration in environmental conditions due to operation of the project, to enable taking up suitable mitigatory steps in time to safeguard the environment. Monitoring is as important as that of control of pollution since the efficiency of control measures can be determined only by monitoring.

In order to demonstrate compliance to conditions stipulated by MoEF/TNPCB, monitoring of parameters in the treated effluent discharge, emissions from stack, periodical Ambient Air Quality and Noise level monitoring are also being carried out by SPB and analysis results are also submitted regularly to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Regional Office of MoEF.

6.4.1 Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Procedure

Monitoring shall ensure that commitments are being met. This may take the form of direct measurement and recording of quantitative information, such as amounts and concentrations of discharges, emissions and wastes, for measurement against corporate or statutory standards, consent limits or targets. It may also require measurement of ambient environmental quality in the vicinity of a site using ecological/biological, physical and chemical indicators. Monitoring may include socio-economic interaction, through local liaison activities or even assessment of complaints.

6.4.1.1 Objectives of Monitoring

The objectives of environmental post-project monitoring are to:

¾ Verify the effectiveness of planning decisions

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¾ Measure the effectiveness of operational procedures

¾ Ensure statutory and corporate compliance

¾ Identify unexpected changes.

6.4.1.2 Monitoring Schedule

Environmental monitoring schedules are prepared covering various phases of project advancement, such as construction phase and regular operational phase.

Monitoring Schedule during Constructional Phase

The construction activities require mobilisation of construction material and equipment. The environmental monitoring that needs to be undertaken during project construction stage are given in Table 6.15

Table 6.15 Environmental Monitoring during Project Construction Stage

Environmental Monitoring Type Monitoring Monitoring Internal Component Location Frequency Reporting Frequency Air Environment AAQ monitoring – 2 locations; 24 hrs Quarterly 4 parameters viz. upstream sampling, PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and twice a month and SO2 downstream Noise Equivalent Noise Site Monthly Incident Environment levels dB(A) boundaries Reporting when necessary Flora and Fauna Status of green Site Monthly Monthly belt

Monitoring Schedule during Operational Phase

The following monitoring program will be implemented for the proposed MDP- II based on baseline data compliances for environmental clearance conditions and regular permits from TNPCB/MoEF are given in Table 6.16

Table 6.16 Environmental Monitoring Programmes During Operation Phase

Environmental Monitoring Type Monitoring Monitoring/recording Component Location Frequency Air Environment On-line Measurement of Final stack Continuous particulates, SO2 and NOx Emission testing by external Final stack Half yearly basis MOEF approved testing agency AAQ 5 km radius 24 hrs sampling Twice from the site a week on half yearly basis Meteorological station At site Hourly basis Personal dust sampling near At site Periodical sampling coal handling areas

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Environmental Monitoring Type Monitoring Monitoring/recording Component Location Frequency Noise Environment Noise Level Measurement At site Monthly Noise Level Measurement At equipment Half-yearly location Noise Level measurement At plant Monthly boundary Water Influent and treated At site lab Daily Environment wastewater for pH, TSS, TDS, BOD, COD and residual chlorine Log book At treated Daily waste recycling areas including green-cover Water Audit At ETP/STP Annually Flora and Fauna Monitoring of green cover Treated Quarterly development wastewater reuse areas Monitoring of test wells near Near ETP and Half yearly the ash storage area treated wastewater utilisation areas Solid & Hazardous Inventory Plant Monthly Waste

6.5 Environmental Management Cell

The existing facilities and organization for environmental management cell shall be utilized for the proposed facilities also. Environmental Management Cell is headed General Manager- Environment, who in turn directly reports to Managing Director .A dedicated team of qualified and experienced personnel are supporting the official in implementing and monitoring the environmental management programmes. Typical structure of the existing environmental cell is detailed given in Chapter 2.

6.6 Budgetary Cost Estimates for Environmental Management

The estimated total cost of the proposed project is Rs.300 Crores. Under the project, about Rs.35 Crores towards pollution control equipment, implementation of environmental pollution control measures and environmental management programmes. Break-up of the budget for the proposed MEP environmental management programmes are presented in Table 6.17

Table 6.17 Budget for Environmental Management Plan

Capital Estimated Operating Item Cost cost after expansion Rs Lakhs Rs. Lakhs Proposed stacks and ESP in power boiler 700 140 Proposed ESP in recovery boiler 500 100 Online stack emission monitoring units 130 13 Upgrading ETP 800 2533 Upgrading Chemical recovery plant 800 Treated wastewater supply for irrigation - 50 (pumping costs etc)

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Capital Estimated Operating Item Cost cost after expansion Rs Lakhs Rs. Lakhs Greenbelt plantation in the existing plant - 20 Water conservation and recycling facilities 400 Ash handling and disposal 150 Environmental Cell - 75 Environmental monitoring and audits etc - 20 Total 3480 2951

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7. ADDITIONAL STUDIES

This chapter describes the public consultation, risk assessment and disaster management plan, Fire Safety Systems and Occupational Health and Safety.

7.1 Public Consultation

The draft Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report along with Executive summary, both in English and vernacular language (Tamil), was submitted to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on 29 10 2014 requesting for conduct of the Public Hearing.

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Figure 7.1 Public Hearing Newspaper Notification - Tamil

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Figure 7.2 Public Hearing Newspaper Notification – English

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Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited EIA Report Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) Chapter 7 – Additional Studies

The public Hearing of proposed Mill Development Plan II for enhancing paper production from 120,000 tpa to 165,000 tpa and Captive Power Plant (CPP) from 40 MW to 55 MW at existing unit, Pallipalayam, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu was conducted by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board at 10.00 AM on 22.01.2015 at Sri Lakshmi Thirumanamandapam, No.4, Kumarapalayam, Main Road, Pallipalayam, Namakkal District.

Public hearing meeting was chaired by Thiru V.Dakshinamoorthy, I.A.S., District Collector, Namakkal District and Thiru M.Murugan, District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal District. The meeting was initiated by District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal. He requested the District Collector, Namakkal District, to preside over the public hearing and conduct the proceedings.

The District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal welcomed the District Collector, Namakkal District representatives of Public, press representatives, management and environmental groups attending the public hearing and briefed about the requirement of conducting this public hearing in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, dated 14.09.2006 of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India, New Delhi.

The District Collector welcomed the gathering present at the public hearing meeting and requested the project proponent to explain the salient features of the project with specific reference to the impacts on environment and its management and pollution control measures adopted by them. He also requested the public to seek additional particulars, if any, and the public’s views on the project will be recorded and forwarded to the Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF).

Thiru. K.S Kasi Viswanathan, Managing Director, M/s Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited made a detailed presentation of the project and explained in detail the proposal under MDP II. Some photos of public consultation and public hearing are given in Figure 7.3

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Figure 7.3 Public Hearing Photos

After the presentation by the project proponent, DEE, TNPCB, Namakkal requested the public to express their views, if any, on the project by furnishing details such as their Name, Age, and their village etc. and informed that their views will be recorded and forwarded to the MoEF.

The issues raised by the public, and recorded are highlighted below.

7.1.1. Emission Compliance and Pollution in existing facilities

7.1.1.1. Air quality Thiru. Nanthagopalan, Sowthapuram stated that the people from the nearby district like Erode were also affected by the smoke emanated from the company’s chimney.

Thiru. Vasu, Odapalli informed that the dust and air pollution were causing health hazard to the public by causing breathing problem.

Thiru. Mukilan, Tamil nadu Environment Protection Force informed that the unit proposed to expand their thermal power project by using coal as fuel. If one tonne coal is burnt 0.01mg of mercury will be released and it may affect the irrigation lands.

Thiru. Panchanateeswaran, Odapalli informed that Ayakattur, Odapalli, Pudhupalayam were affected by severe air pollution

Thiru.T.Sathish Kumar, Councilor, Samayasangali Agraharam Panchayat informed that, he is a boiler operator and objected the allegations made by the previous speaker regarding the mercury released by burning the coal. The company is using the imported Indonesian coal since the Indian coal has high ash content.

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Thiru. Balan, Odapalli informed that even though the unit has provided ESP, the air pollution prevails.

7.1.1.2. Odour Problem Thiru A. Govindharaj, Communist Party of India, Pallipalayam informed about the odour problem caused by the company.

Thiru M. A. Muthupandi, Otta Methai, Pallipalayam informed that severe odour and dust emission problem arises from the unit and no one can eat in the open space due to the said reason. He also informed that though he is residing at ottamedhai, he is able to inhale the pungent odour in this area and advised to kindly think about the people residing near the company

Thiru. Balan, Odapalli informed that odour nuisance from bagasse section causes air pollution.

Thiru. Ponnarasu, Kabilar Malai informed that the Pallipalayam would be remembered for bad odour.

Tmt. Dhanalakshmi, Tamil Nadu Environment Protection Society informed about the odour nuisance caused by the industries

7.1.1.3. Water and wastewater quality

Thiru. Nanthagopalan, Sowthapuram informed that, the agricultural lands in the surrounding villages like Odappalli, Pappampalayam, Kokkarayanpattai were badly affected by using treated effluent discharge by SPB. It affects the male and female by causing infertility. River Cauvery is the main source of drinking water for more than 16 districts, but the river water is polluted due to the discharge of untreated trade effluent from the textile dyeing units located in Erode, Pallipalayam and Komarapalayam area and the SPB is also polluting the river.

Thriu. Vasu, Odappalli informed that the river water is highly polluted due to the company.

Thiru.Raja Manickam, Thottipalayam Village informed that earlier before1970’s the unit disposed their effluent in to the river and some public collected the sludge from the effluent and used it as a fuel for cooking.

Thiru. Natesan mairan, Tiruchengode informed that basically he is a farmer and he is residing 10 km away from the unit. He suggested that separate land is to be earmarked for locating industries far away from the residential area and also stated that he could not cultivate turmeric and the long usage of treated effluent for irrigation will affect the ground water.

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Thiru N.C.Thangavel, Jamin Elampalli informed that the grievance of the farmers are to be taken into account and during the power cut periods the diesel generators installed for pumping treated effluent are not being used and the treated effluent is discharged into river and this may be avoided. The treated effluent shall be completely recycled in the process itself and the river water may be supplied to the farmers for irrigation.

Thiru. Balan, Odapalli informed that the ground water gets polluted due to the discharge of effluent. The polluted water cannot be utilised for cultivation purpose.

Thiru. Ponnarasu, Kabilar Malai challenged the company staffs to drink water from the area identified by him. He requested not to exempt the industry from the G.O.

Thiru Ramesh, Paramathi Velur informed that the unit is discharging their untreated effluent for irrigation; if the industry discharges the treated effluent we could accept it. He also stated that the industry shall adhere to the norms of Hon’ble Supreme Court and High Court as well as TNPCB norms. If the industry deviates from such norms then we will agitate against the industry.

Thiru Adhavan, Tamilar Vazhvurimai Party informed that the water is being discharged into the river and the same shall be controlled

Thiru. Ganesan, Odapalli informed that the drinking water supplied by the industry is contaminated and this can be proved by showing the drinking water bottle

Thiru. Mohanasundaram, President, Odapalli informed that his bore well is located nearer to the effluent carrying canal and he is drinking his bore well water itself which is not affected.

7.1.1.4. Noise Quality Thiru K. Narayanan, Palakad suggested that the company should control the dust emission, noise, odour etc.

7.1.1.5. Solid and hazardous waste No question or clarification raised during the public hearing on this subject.

7.1.1.6. Socio- Economic Aspects Thiru P. Kandasamy, Pappampalayam village informed that he has studied upto 5th standard and worked in the company for the past 30 years and planted Eucalyptus trees by using the treated trade effluent discharged from the company. Nobody was affected by the industry and he requested the authorities to grant permission for the expansion project.

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Thiru Thiruvenkadam, Alampalayam Ward Councilor informed that the expansion project will give rise to the employment opportunities to the educated youths and welcomed the project

Thiru Arumugam, Retired Headmaster expressed his support for this project due to creation of many job opportunities to the youth living nearby.

Thiru Kanda Subramanian, Retired Teacher informed that the unit is donating funds for the school. All the government schemes like NSS, Green Crops were carried out. The unit has also planted trees and established schools for the students around the area residing in the villages.

Tmt. Baby, Thottipalayam informed that she belongs to self help women’s group (Manikuyil Magalir Sangam). She thanked the company for arranging training through Forest College and Research Institute Mettupalayam with regard to plantation activities and her family is totally dependent on the tree farming activities and her husband is a tempo driver who also gets benefitted by transporting tree saplings.

Tmt. Mangamma, Anna Nagar informed that she belongs to self help women’s group. She thanked the company for arranging training through Forest College and Research Institute Mettupalayam with regard to plantation activities and her family is totally dependent on the tree farming activities and a tempo was purchased by the self help group members for transporting tree saplings.

Tmt. Sabariswari, Aindhupanai is engaged in tree farming activities for the past 8 years and her children are studying in SPB schools and she welcomed the project.

Father. Ignanatius, SPB colony church expressed his support for the project stating that it may create employment opportunities and development of industry will develop a country. Though the expansion project may cause some positive and negative aspects, development is essential and he welcomed the project.

Thiru. Arasu, Anna Nagar informed that he is living for the past 20 years in the area and his children were studying in SPB schools and get benefitted.

Thiru. Gandhi Marrippan, Odapalli informed that before 30 years there was pollution caused by the industry but at present 90% was rectified the balance 10% is to be rectified immediately. He also thanked the industry for providing drinking water, schools and health centres.

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Thiru Rajendran, Pappampalayam informed that the agricultural lands in the surrounding areas were benefitted. The industry has adopted around 5 villages and providing health care facilities to the villagers. The residents of SPB colony are getting water for drinking purpose only for half an hour in the morning and evening whereas the villages are getting more drinking water. He welcomed the project.

7.1.2. Clarifications by SPB

7.1.3. Conclusion The District Collector thanked all the participants and informed them that all their views and suggestions on the project were recorded and the same will be forwarded to the Government / MoEF. He strongly objected the views of some speakers about the inadequate drinking water supplied to the villages by Government. He pointed out that proper potable drinking water is being provided to all the Village Panchayats, Town Panchayats and Municipalities in the District. The quality of water supplied to the public are being continuously checked by the TWAD Board and local bodies. He further informed that public that no single case of Dengue or water borne diseases were reported in this district. Moreover he added that, so far 45 eviction operations have been carried out for demolishing the unauthorized Textile bleaching/ Dyeing units for discharging their untreated trade effluent into the River Cauvery. He thanked the Public on behalf of District Administration who came here to offer their views.

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Namakkal.

Detailed Public hearing proceedings are enclosed as Annexure 27 and the summary of the public hearing is given in Table 7.1

Table 7.1 Summary of the Public Hearing

Reply of the query / statement Details of query / statement / information / Name of the / information /clarification S.No clarification sought by the person present at the Person given by the project venue of hearing. proponent 1 Dr. A. Lakshmi, She informed about the expansion project that by No reply is required from Director, Business increasing the paper production from 120000 T/Annum industry School, KSR to 165000 T/Annum and also to install co-generation College, power plant of 50 MW. She also stated that the unit Tiruchengode M/s. SPB has signed (MOU) between the KSR college. The Seshasayee Paper and Board Limited

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has provided in plant training and to conduct Environmental Studies to their students. She quoted that “The first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has stated that the “Temple of Modern India are Industries”. The project proponent in their power point presentation has presented how the water and Air pollution will be controlled as per the TNPCB norms. The unit is organizing various corporate social responsibility activities like blood donation, Medical camp, etc. also providing educational facilities in and around the unit premises. She further informed that the SPB colony is fully developed with Green belt and plastic waste management is in practice before twenty years. The unit is exporting their paper to 32 countries.

She welcomed the expansion project and informed that employment opportunities and national development will be raised by the expansion activities. 2 Thiru P. He informed that he studied upto 5th standard and No reply is required from Kandasamy, worked in the company for the past 30 years and have industry Pappampalayam planted Eucalyptus trees by using the treated trade village effluent discharged from the company. Nobody was affected by the industry and requested to grant permission for the expansion project. 3 Thiru He informed that the expansion project will give raise No reply is required from Thiruvenkadam, to the employment opportunities to the educated industry Alampalayam youths and welcomed the project. Ward Councilor 4 Thiru He informed that, the Agricultural lands in the M/s. SPB Chairman explained Nanthagopalan, surrounding villages like Odapalli, Pappampalayam, that the allegations made were Sowthapuram Kokkarayanpattai were badly affected by using treated not correct, since, 7 villages are trade effluent discharged by SPB. It affects the male being provided with 6 Lakhs and female by causing infertility. Thiru Sathasivam had liters drinking water and the lodged a complaint by furnishing the medical report treated trade effluent is being before the Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Assembly Estimate discharged on land for irrigation Committee. He challenged that the Company shall after satisfying the TNPCB drink the bore/well water from their effluent irrigated norms, the treated trade effluent land. Except paddy and sugarcane no other crops like were utilized by the farmers turmeric, etc., are not able to cultivate. The District those who have registered Administration has not provided drinking water facility themselves by forming and water scarcity arises in the above area. The societies. He also stated that company is providing drinking water facility in Odapalli the ground water in the and Pappampalayam area. Most of the public were surrounding area were affected by asthma, Kidney and skin diseases. Even continuously being monitored the cattles were affected by infertility. River Cauvery is by Tamil Nadu Agricultural the main source of drinking water for more than 16 University (TNAU) and the districts, but the river water is polluted due to the TNAU has not given any discharge of untreated trade effluent from the textile adverse remarks in this regard. dyeing units located in Erode, Pallipalayam and Komarapalayam area and the SPB is also polluting the He also added that 7 crores of river. I had lodged many complaints to the DEE, trees were planted every year TNPCB, Namakkal to plant more trees and the SPB to under the Tree Farming scheme adopt some of the villages by developing green belt. launched by them in association with the Department of Tree He has stated that people from the nearby district like Breeding, Forest College, Erode were also affected by the smoke emanated from Mettupalayam. the company’s Chimney. The District Collector has Finally he has requested not to grant permission for strongly objected the remarks the expansion project. of Mr Nanthagopalan regarding the drinking water scarcity and mentioned that adequate drinking water is being supplied

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to all places with in the District including this area. 5 Thiru C. S. He informed that he is proud to attend the meeting and No reply is required from Gowthaman, also requested the public to explain their views calmly industry Erode either objecting or supporting for the expansion project. I have taken a lead to get the directions from the Hon’ble High Court action against the textile dyeing units located on the bank of Kalingarayan canal for polluting the canal. He stated that once there was severe agitation against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power plant, however the said project had gone to II and III level, whereas the said expansion project will also help for the National development. If there is any problem with the industry relating to environment, it can be suitably taken up with them for required remedial measures and welcomed the project. 6 Thiru. Vasu, He informed that the river water is highly polluted due Chairman of SPB already Odapalli to the company. The dust and air pollution were replied for the same causing health hazard to the public by causing breathing problem. Only paddy and sugarcane can be irrigated in that area.

He requested the Government not to grant permission for the expansion project. 7 Thiru A. He informed about the odor nuisance caused by the The chairman of the company Govindharaj, company. He stated that the project proponent is going has replied that necessary Communist Party to expand their production activity without installing actions were taken to control of India, machineries and if the production would increase the the odor nuisance and 90% of Pallipalayam. overload of production may cause accidents in the the odor had been controlled. company. He also added that what will the company Moreover, the unit is having on- do if any accident occurs? And if so, what action will site emergency, off site be taken by the Government? emergency, Occupational Health and safety team at the He has requested the Government not to grant mill premises and periodical permission for the expansion project. checks are being carried out to avoid accidents. 8 Thiru M. A. He informed that severe odor and dust emission Chairman of SPB already Muthupandi, problem arises from the unit and no one can eat in the replied for the same OttaMethai, open space due to the said reason. I am residing at Pallipalayam Ottamedhai, though if I am able to inhale the pungent odor in this area. Kindly think about the people residing near the company. The company is drawing the river water for their use and discharging the polluted effluent into the surface water thereby affecting the drinking water sources in the nearby district.

He has requested the Government not to grant permission for the expansion project, 9 Thiru Mukilan, He informed that the communication made by the The DEE, TNPCB has Tamilnadu TNPCB for the public hearing is not satisfactory. intervened in this regard and Environment Executive summary of this project is to be served to replied that necessary Protection Force panchayats. advertisement relating to this public hearing meeting He has stated that earlier, public hearing meeting was advertised in Tamil and English conducted in this district for the unit of M/s. Saraswathi News papers on 17.12.2014. Udyog and M/s. Rasi Industries with proper He also informed that the communication and circulation to the concerned local executive summary related to panchayat presidents has been done. But, in this the project have been circulated meeting the panchayat presidents of pudhupalayam to all the concerned local and pappampalayam have informed that they were panchayats and town not aware of this meeting. panchayats and posted in the website of TNPCB, as per the

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If this project is for its expansion activity needs 90000 guidelines given in the EIA tons of trees. The project proponent has not Notification. Executive summary mentioned about the action taken for the raw materials could have been given if (trees). However the unit has been utilizing the effluent anyone approaches in person to for on land irrigation. The Hon’ble Minister of the office of the District Environment has stated that all the textile dyeing unit Environmental Engineer, Tamil has achieved Zero Liquid Discharge system, why don’t Nadu Pollution Control Board, this company shall do the same by achieving Zero till date no one approached to Liquid Discharge system. this office.

A public hearing meeting was conducted in Tirunelveli for their unit II expansion project. There is strong opposition for that unit even it is located 6.5 km away from the River. But this unit is located just 0.5 km away from the river Cauvery which attracts the G.O then how the government can give consent. There was a opposition from the farmers for establishing a paper industry in Srirangam which is proposed to be located nearer to the River so, the same proposal had been shifted to Manaparai. He objected the River water drawl by the industries. The unit has proposed to expand their thermal power project by using coal as fuel. If one tone of coal is burn 0.01 mg of mercury will be released and it may affect the irrigation lands. The project proponent has stated that the power generated from their expansion activity will be utilized for the unit- II project located in Tirunelveli. Instead of burning the coal, the Thirunelveli unit shall obtain captive power by solar/wind energy. The unit shall not import coal from Indonesia and requested the government not to approve the expansion activity and also it shall cancel the existing license too.

The executive summary furnished by the unit not correct since the summary states that no sensitive area/ wild life sanctuary were located nearby unit.

He explained that the Bhavani Kooduthurai, Thiruchengode Temple were located within 10 km radius from the unit whereas the unit has hidden the facts in its executive summary. Moreover the unit shall withdraw water the River and to utilize the same for the farmers for irrigation activity and the trade effluent generated from the unit is to be completely recycled into their process.

He requested the Government to reject the project. 10 Thiru Raja He informed that the unit was in operation for the past No reply is required from Manickam, 54 years and due to latest technologies the unit is industry Thottipalayam developing their cleaner technology day to day. Earlier Village during 1970s the unit disposed their effluent into the river and some public collected the sludge from the effluent and used it as a fuel for cooking. The unit has provided Electro Static Precipitator to control the dust emission. I am utilizing the treated trade effluent on my land to the extent of 2 Acres for irrigation purpose.

He welcomed the project. 11 Thiru He informed that three villages like Ayakattur, No reply is required from Panchanateeswa Odapalli, Pudhupalayam were affected by severe air industry ran, Odapalli pollution. No effluent is being discharged into the river. The TNPCB shall control the dust pollution.

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He welcomed the expansion project. 12 Thiru. V. He informed that he was convinced with the steps No reply is required from Madhavan, Erode taken by the unit and welcomed the project. industry

13 Thiru He expressed to support for this project for creating No reply is required from Maheswaran, employment opportunities to the public and the project. industry Vilankaattur village

14 Thiru Sunanda He pointed out the crop production details relating to No reply is required from Reddy the lift irrigation scheme are missing in the Rapid industry Hyderabad Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA). The unit shall store the river water since it is available for 6 months. He suggested to plant avenue trees fruit bearing plants and medicinal plants. He also informed to provide drip irrigation so as to utilize the treated waste water for more lands. He also stated that a co ordination committee shall be formed to implement the demand oriented rural CSR activities. He expressed his support for this project. 15 Thiru He expressed his support for this project due to No reply is required from Arumugam, creation of many job opportunities to the youth living industry Retired nearby. Headmaster

16 Thiru Kanda He informed that the unit is donating funds for the No reply is required from Subramanian, school. All the government schemes like NSS, Green industry Retired Teacher Corps were carried out. The unit has also planted trees and facilitates schools for the students around the area residing in the villages. He welcomed the project. 17 Thiru T. Sathish He informed that, he is a boiler operator and object the No reply is required from Kumar, allegations made by previous speaker regarding the industry Councilor, mercury released by burning the coal. The company is Samayasangali utilizing the imported Indonesian coal since the Indian Agraharam coal has high ash content. He welcomed the project. panchayat

18 Thiru V He informed that expansion activity will cause certain No reply is required from Gopalakrishnan, damages to the environment. However the TNPCB will industry Trichy look into it to control the pollution. He welcomed the project. 19 Thiru Natesan He informed that basically he is a farmer and he is No reply is required from Mairan, residing 10 km away from the unit. He suggested that industry Thiruchangode a separate land is to be earmarked for locating industries far away from the residential area and he also stated that he could not cultivate turmeric and the long usage of treated effluent for irrigation will affect the ground water. 20 Thiru N. C. He informed that the grievance of the farmer are to be No reply is required from Thangavel, taken into account and during the power cut periods industry Jamin Elampalli the diesel generators utilized for lifting treated effluent purpose are not being used and the treated effluent is discharged into the River and this may be avoided.. The treated effluent shall be completely recycled to their process itself and the river water may be supplied to the farmers for irrigation. 21 Thiru S. He informed that the treated effluent is used for No reply is required from Muthusamy, irrigation for past 40 years. He denied the allegations industry Aayakaatur by previous speakers that the bore well water as well as the well water is contaminated in nearby villages. The government is supplying good quality of water from the Ayakatur bore well. The Pollution Control

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Board should ensure that no dust and lime should be let out. He welcomes the project. 22 Tmt. Baby, She informed that she belongs to self help women’s No reply is required from Thottipalayam group (Manikuyil Magalir Sangam). She thanked the industry company for arranging training through Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam with regard to plantation activities and her family is totally dependent on the tree farming activities and her husband a tempo driver also gets benefitted by transporting tree saplings. She welcomed the project. 23 Tmt. Kokila, She expressed her support for the project. No reply is required from Kuyilankadu industry

24 Tmt. Magamma, She informed that she belongs to self help women’s No reply is required from Anna Nagar group. She thanked the company for arranging training industry through Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam with regard to plantation activities and her family is totally dependent on the tree farming activities and a tempo was purchased by our self help group members for transporting tree saplings. She welcomed the project. 25 Tmt. Sabariswari, She is engaged in tree farming activities for the past 8 No reply is required from Aindhupanai years and her children are studying in SPB schools. industry She welcomes the project. 26 Tmt. K. She is engaged in tree farming activities and she No reply is required from Gandhimathi, welcomes the project industry Pallam . 27 Tmt. P. Chandra, She expressed her support for the project. No reply is required from Thottipalayam industry

28 Father. He expressed his support for the project stating that it No reply is required from Ignanatius, SPB may create employment opportunities and industry colony church development of industry will develop a country. Though the expansion project may cause some positive and negative aspects development is essential and welcomed the project. 29 Ganesha He expressed his support for the expansion activity. No reply is required from Sivachariyar, industry Priest, Thottipalayam

30 Thiru. Arasu, He is living for the past 20 years in this area and his No reply is required from Anna Nagar children were studying in SPB schools and gets industry benefitted. He welcomes the project. 31 Thiru. Balan, He informed that the ground water gets polluted due to Chairman of SPB already Odapalli the discharge of effluent. Odor nuisance and dust replied for the same emission from bagasse section causing air pollution. This polluted water cannot be utilized for cultivation purpose. Even though the unit has provided ESP the air pollution prevails. The water is not potable. No trees were planted near the unit’s compound wall. 32 Thiru. He informed that the Pallipalayam would be No reply is required from Ponnarasu, remembered for bad odor. He challenged the company industry Kabilar Malai staffs to drink water from the area identified by him. He requested not to exempt the industry from the G.O.

He has requested not to grant permission for the expansion activity. 33 Thiru. P. K. He expressed thanks to SPB for giving free land for No reply is required from Anbalagan, constructing Government High School industry Papampalayam Pappampalayam and Constructed hospital for public

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and he also requested the industry to implement the following: 1. The drinking water should reach all the villages 2. Further the treated effluent was insufficient for irrigation since some of the areas were not received water from the industry for irrigation in Pappampalayam. 3. He also requested the industry to change the location of coal yard to some other place inside the industry 4. An agreement to be made with the lift irrigation society members 5. The effluent carrying channels are to be lined He welcomed the project 34 Thiru. Gandhi He informed that before 30 years there was pollution No reply is required from Mariappan, caused by the industry but at present 90% was industry Odapalli rectified other 10% is to be rectified immediately. He also thanked the industry for providing drinking water, schools and health centers. He asked the company to control dust emission. He welcomed the project. 35 Thiru Rajendran, He informed that the agricultural lands in surrounding No reply is required from Pappampalayam areas were benefitted. The industry has adopted industry around 5 villages and providing health care facilities to the villages. The residents of SPB colony are getting water for drinking purpose only for half an hour in the morning and evening whereas the villages are getting more drinking water. He welcomed the project. 36 Thiru K. He suggested that the company should control the No reply is required from Narayanan, dust emission noise odor etc. He also requested the industry Palakad company to adopt latest technologies to prevent pollution. He welcomed the project. 37 Thiru. R. He informed that the company should control the dust No reply is required from Chelladurai, and to make arrangements for drinking water and a full industry Aayakattur time medical facility is to be provided also employment opportunities must be provided to the affected farmer families. 38 Thiru He informed that the proposed project is against the No reply is required from Mathiyazhagan, Hon’ble Supreme Court and 5 km G.O., issued by the industry Makkal Urimai Tamilnadu Government/ Kalagam He requested the government not to grant permission. 39 Thiru Ramesh, He informed that the unit is being discharging their No reply is required from Paramathi Velur untreated effluent for irrigation; if the industry industry discharges the treated effluent we could accept it. He also stated that the industry shall adhere to the norms of Hon’ble Supreme Court and High Court as well as TNPCB norms. If the industry deviates from such norms then we will agitate against the industry. 40 Thiru Adhavan, He informed that the water is being discharged into the No reply is required from Tamilar river and the same shall be controlled. He expressed industry Vazhvurimai his support for the project. Party

41 Tmt. She stated that the details furnished in the Draft REIA Detailed Ecological Survey Dhanalakshmi, report is not sufficient such as the details of Bio covering these aspect was Tamil Nadu diversity relating to animals, agricultural products and under taken for the study and Environment water consumption by Eucalyptus hybrid trees were included in the EIA Report. Protection missing. She informed about the odor nuisance Society caused by the industries. She requested the government not to grant permission.

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42 Thiru. Ganesan, The drinking water supplied by the industry is The District Collector has Odapalli contaminated and this can be proved by showing the intervened and stated that water drinking water bottle. quality will be tested and appropriate action will be taken 43 Thiru. He informed that there are breakdown in the drinking No reply is required from Krishnamurthy, water lines and the same should be repaired industry Odapalli immediately. He welcomed the project.

44 Thiru. He refuted the allegations of the previous speakers No reply is required from Sivanandhan, with regard to the cattle and drinking water is badly industry Pappampalayam affected and he also pointed out that no cattle were affected till date and he welcomed the project. 45 Thiru. R. He complimented the TNPCB for a smokeless Bogi No reply is required from Sathyanarayan, festival and he expressed that technology is improving industry Aalampalayam day by day and by adopting these latest technology, employment opportunities and economic development will occur. He welcomes the Project. 46 Thiru. He informed that his bore well is located nearer to the No reply is required from Mohanasundaram effluent carrying canal and he is drinking his bore well industry President, water itself and not affected. Even though the pollution Odapalli load is controlled he requested to control the pollution Panchayat to full extent and welcomes the project.

47 Thiru. He informed that we should complement the industry No reply is required from Nallasivam, for going for expansion project even though during the industry Pappampalayam poor market condition. He informed that his father took efforts to implement the lift irrigation using treated wastewater. He refused the allegation about the treated wastewater discharged into the river as he finds that the quantity of treated effluent is insufficient for irrigation purpose. He requested the industry to supply more drinking water and up gradation of existing health care facilities. He welcomes the project.

7.2 RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY AND RISK MITIGATION MEASURES

7.2.1. Introduction

According to the specific items 65 and 66 of the Terms of Reference (ToR) issued for the project, preliminary hazard identification and risk assessment was undertaken to quantify the possible fire and occupational health risks associated with the operation of the project at the designated location. The good engineering practices suggested by the Central Pollution Control Board for risk assessment in industries (CPCB document Probes/133/2009- 10) and CPR-18E risk assessment procedures' guidelines which are widely accepted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) India, have been adopted while assessing the residual risks associated with the operations of the project with specific reference to fire hazards, chemical exposure hazards, occupational hazards and natural hazards.

As part of the risk assessment, a preliminary review on the hazardous materials and chemicals proposed to be handled at the site were reviewed and the storage capacities and design features of such hazardous materials were also reviewed while assessing the residual risks.

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Occupational health hazards such as exposure to dust emissions, thermal stress and work-zone levels were also studied. Qualitative analysis of risks associated with natural hazards such as earth quakes, floods and cyclones were also undertaken.

Based on the findings of the risk assessment study, a preliminary risk management plan has been developed as per the applicable rules and guidelines; wherever possible, good engineering and management practices are suggested to minimise any intolerable risks.

7.2.2. Risk Assessment Methodology

Hazard identification and risk assessment involves a series of steps as follows:

Step 1: Identification of the Hazard

Hazard Identification is a critical step in Risk Analysis. Many aids are available, including experience, engineering codes, checklists, detailed process knowledge, equipment failure experience, hazard index techniques, What-if Analysis, Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Studies, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA). In this phase all potential incidents are identified and tabulated. Site visit and study of operations and documents like drawings, process write-up etc are used for hazard identification.

Step 2: Assessment of the Risk

Consequence Estimation is the methodology used to determine the potential for damage or injury from specific incidents. A single incident (e.g. rupture of a pressurized flammable liquid tank) can have many distinct incident outcomes, (e.g. Thermal radiation due to Pool fire). Likelihood assessment is the methodology used to estimate the frequency or probability of occurrence of an incident. Estimates may be obtained from historical incident data on failure frequencies or from failure sequence models, such as fault trees and event trees. In this study the historical data developed by software models and those collected by CPR18E – Committee for Prevention of Disasters, Netherlands (Edition: PGS 3, 2005) are used. Risks arising from the hazards are evaluated for its tolerability to personnel, the facility and the environment. The acceptability of the estimated risk must then be judged based upon criteria appropriate to the particular situation.

Step 3: Elimination or Reduction of the Risk

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This involves identifying opportunities to reduce the likelihood and/or consequence of an accident Where deemed to be necessary. Risk Assessment combines the consequences and likelihood of all incident outcomes from all selected incidents to provide a measure of risk. The risk of all selected incidents are individually estimated and summed to give an overall measure of risk. Risk-reduction measures include those to prevent incidents (i.e. reduce the likelihood of occurrence) to control incidents (i.e. limit the extent and duration of a hazardous event) and to mitigate the effects (i.e. reduce the consequences). Preventive measures, such as using inherently safer designs and ensuring asset integrity, should be used wherever practicable. In many cases, the measures to control and mitigate hazards and risks are simple and obvious and involve modifications to conform to standard practice. The general hierarchy of risk reducing measures is:

¾ Prevention (by distance or design)

¾ Detection (e.g. fire and gas, Leak detection)

¾ Control (e.g. emergency shutdown and controlled depressurization)

¾ Mitigation (e.g. fire fighting and passive fire protection)

¾ Emergency response (in case safety barriers fail)

The current study is limited to evaluation of risk associated with the Flammable inventory in the furnace oil tank farm area.

7.2.3. Fire Risk Assessment of Fuel oil Storage Facilities

Unlike other process industries, the proposed project does not handle any major flammable materials except small quantities of furnace oil for the operation of the boiler start up conditions. The project will be handling significant quantities of coal which is a combustible material. Apart from the above, small quantities of combustible materials such as lube oils and latex and synthetic thickeners will be used in the Mill, which will be received in sealed drums and will be stored at dedicated locations in the stores as per the National Building Codes.

Based on the preliminary analysis, the major fire hazards envisaged are from storage and handling of furnace oil at the Mill site. A preliminary risk assessment study was undertaken to establish the possible heat radiation effects due to accidental fires at the diesel and furnace oil storage tanks.

A 200 kl furnace oil storage tank is installed to store the existing quantity of 6,920 kla and after MDP-II about 9,170 kla of furnace will be used and it will be

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stored in the existing tank with dedicated dyke as per the factories rules and acts and National Building Safety Codes. Dykes will be designed to hold at least 110% quantity of the storage tank to retain any accidental spills and full-bore rupture of the tanks.

Furnace oil falls under Class 3b and Class 3c combustible material as per NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency, USA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, USA). Hence, these fuels will undergo only pool fire scenario in the presence of any ignition source. Since the quantity of diesel proposed to be stored will be very small the associated risks with storage of diesel will be insignificant. Hence no further risk assessment study of diesel storage is considered under this study.

In order to assess the heat radiation from the pool fire scenario of accidental spills from furnace oil (full bore rupture of the storage tank), consequence modeling was undertaken using SAFETI software, which is recommended by Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. For the purpose of the consequence modeling, it has been assumed that due to mechanical failure of the tank, entire inventory of the furnace will be retained in the dyke. In the presence of external fire such as electrical fire or vehicular exhaust sparks etc, the contents in the dyke will catch fire and release thermal energy.

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Figure 7.4 Overview of Risk Assessment Methodology

7.2.3.1. Consequence Assessment

Accidental release of flammable liquids can result in severe consequences. Delayed ignition of flammable liquid results in pool Fire. Furnace Oil having very less vapour pressure i.e. less tendency to evaporate. Considering this Flash fire and Explosion are not envisaged in case of release of furnace oil.

The effect of fire on a human being is in the form of burns. There are three categories of burn such as first degree, second degree and third degree burns. The consequences caused by exposure to heat radiation are a function of:

¾ The radiation energy onto the human body [kW/m2];

¾ The exposure duration [sec];

¾ The protection of the skin tissue (clothed or naked body).

¾ The lethality of a pool fire is assumed to be 100% for the people who are caught in the flame. Outside the flame area, the lethality depends on the heat radiation distances.

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The limits for 1% of the exposed people to be killed due to heat radiation, and for second-degree burns are given in the table below (Reference from Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, Centre for Chemical Process Safety, American Institute of Chemical Engineers)

Table 7.2 Damages to Human Life Due to Heat Radiation

Radiation energy for Radiation energy Exposure Radiation energy nd 2 2 degree burns, for first degree Duration (1% lethality, kW/m kW/m2 burns, kW/m2 10 Sec 21.2 16 12.5 30 Sec 9.3 7.0 4.0

Table 7.3 Effects Due To Incident Radiation Intensity

Incident Radiation Type of Damage (kW/m2) 0.25-0.7 Equivalent to Solar Radiation 1.6 No discomfort for long exposure 4.0 Sufficient to cause pain within 20 sec. Blistering of skin (first degree burns are likely) 9.5 Pain threshold reached after 8 sec. second degree burns after 20 sec. 12.5 Minimum energy required for piloted ignition of wood, melting plastic tubing etc. 37.5 Heavy Damage to process equipments

7.2.3.2. Meteorological Data

The consequence of released flammable material is largely dependent on the prevailing weather conditions. For the risk analysis of major scenarios the most important meteorological parameters are wind speed, atmospheric stability, relative humidity, surface roughness and temperature as they directly affect the atmospheric dispersion of the released material. Risk analysis, modelling is based on the following weather categories as derived from metrological data

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Windrose Diagram

Table7.4 Wind Speed and Stability Class

Wind Speed (m/s) Stability Class Description This is typical of during night time with low wind 1.5 F speed. This is typical of day time situation, with 5 D moderate wind fluctuations

Atmospheric Temperature : 33೔C Surface Roughness : 0.3m Average Relative Humidity : 70%

7.2.3.3. Scenarios Considered for the Risk Estimations

The following scenarios have been considered for the consequence- distance calculations, which have been computed for the accidental release and fire scenarios considered.

¾ Leak of furnace oil from tank

¾ Pool fire at furnace oil storage tank

7.2.3.4. Summary of assumptions considered in the modeling

¾ Leak of tank containing solvent is for 10 minutes

¾ 1.5 F and 5D Weather condition is considered

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¾ All furnace oil storage tanks are at 1atm pressure and temperature of 30degC

¾ Bund area considered for furnace oil storage tank is 182.25 m2

¾ Bund height considered for the study 2 m

¾ Population details inside SPB-PC Facility 1259

¾ Population details outside SPB-PC Facility

Village Name Population Odapalli 4879 Pudhupalayam 5704

7.2.3.5. Hazards Identification

As per CPR 18E - Guidelines for Quantitative Risk Assessment, developed by the Committee for the Prevention of Disasters, Netherlands, for each of scenario two leak sizes i.e., hole sizes are considered for analysis,

Leak – Leak size 10 mm Rupture – Catastrophic rupture of storage tanks

The following table (Table 7.4) presents the potential initiating events and credible accident scenarios identified and quantitatively analysed:

Table 7.5 The potential initiating events and credible accident scenarios

Inventory Pressure Temperature S.No. Scenario Description (Kl) (Bar) (°C)

Leak of furnace oil storage tank 1 200 Atmospheric 30 (200 Kl) Rupture of furnace oil storage 2 200 Atmospheric 30 tank (200 Kl)

Frequency Assessment

For this study the failure data is taken from CPR 18E – Guidelines for Quantitative Risk Assessment, developed by the Committee for the Prevention of Disasters, Netherlands.

Internal domino effects are not explicitly covered in QRA. An internal domino needs to be considered only in case of a situation in which the failure of one component clearly leads to the failure of another component. In Such cases contents of the biggest vessel / tank needs to be taken for Instantaneous failure.

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The failure frequencies, as per CPR 18E, are provided below in Table 7.6

Table 7.6 Failure Frequencies (as per CPR 18E)

S. No Scenario Description Frequency (per annum) 1 Leak of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl) 4.16E-06 2 Rupture of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl) 2.08E-06

7.2.3.6. Event Tree

A release can result in several possible outcomes or scenarios (fire, explosions, unignited release etc.). This is because the actual outcome depends on other events that may or may not occur following the initial release. Event tree analysis is used to identify potential outcomes of a release and to quantify the risk associated with each of these outcomes.

Event Tree Analysis

Leak of furnace oil storage tank

Initiating Probability of Probability of Explosion Outcome Event Immediate Delayed Event Outcome Probability Frequency Frequency Ignition Ignition Yes 0.01 1.00E-06 Immediate Pool Fire Explosion 1.00E-04 0.4 2.77E-05 Explosion Yes 0.7 No 0.99 0.6 4.16E-05 Flash Fire/ Late Pool Fire No 0.3 2.97E-05 No Ignition

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Rupture of furnace oil storage tank

Initiating Probability of Probability of Explosion Outcome Event Immediate Delayed Event Outcome Probability Frequency Frequency Ignition Ignition

Yes 0.01 5.00E-08 Immediate Pool Fire Explosion 5.00E-06 0.4 1.39E-06 Explosion Yes 0.7 No 0.99 0.6 2.08E-06 Flash Fire/ Late Pool Fire No 0.3 1.49E-06 No Ignition

7.2.3.7. Consequence Results for Pool Fire

The consequence result for pool fire is given below in Table 7.7

Table 7.7 Consequence Result for Pool Fire

S. No. Scenario Consequence Modeling Results : Pool Fire Description Weather Condition : 1.5F Weather Condition : 5D 4 12.5 37.5 4 12.5 37.5 kW/m² kW/m² kW/m² kW/m² kW/m² kW/m² 1 Leak of furnace oil 60 34 14 67 44 21 storage tank (200 Kl)

2 Rupture of furnace 85 49 21 92 60 31 oil storage tank (200 Kl)

7.2.3.8. Analysis of the results

Maximum damage due to pool fire radiations will be caused by Rupture of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl), at a weather condition of 1.5F. The pool fire radiation of 37.5 kW/m² (corresponding to 100% fatality) will reach up to a distance of 21 m at 1.5F weather condition. The pool fire radiation of 12.5 kW/m2 will reach up to a distance of 49 m at 1.5F weather condition. The equipments within a distance of 49 m will be subjected to major damage or piloted ignition of wood, melting of plastics tubings etc is possible within this distance. The pool fire radiation of 4 kW/m2 will reach up to a distance of 85 m at 1.5F weather condition. First degree burns may be caused for persons who are within 85 m distance.

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Table 7.8 Analysis of the results- Pool fire damage

S.No. Facilities Approximate distance for Pool Fire Damage the facilities (m) from Distance (m) for furnace oil storage tank as 12.5 kW/ m2 per the layout

1 11Kv transformer yard 12 49 2 Proposed PCC plant 40 49 3 WBL tank 9 49 4 Primary mud washer 20 49

In case of pool fire effect in the furnace oil storage tank, heat radiation level of 12.5 KW/m2 will prevail up to a distance of 49m at 1.5F weather condition. From the above pool fire consequence values all the nearby existing and proposed facilities like 11Kv transformer yard, Proposed PCC plant, WBL tank and primary mud washer near to Furnace oil storage tank are falling under 12.5Kw/m2 heat radiation level region.

Hence it is recommended to provide concrete blocks of 355 mm thickness or of R.C.C. of 200 mm thickness shall be constructed between 11Kv transformer yard transformers, WBL tank and furnace oil storage tanks.

These walls shall be extended horizontally 600 mm beyond the extremities of the furnace oil tank and vertically 600 mm above the highest point of the tank.

Estimated Heat Radiation Levels due to Furnace oil Accidental Fires is given in Table 7.9 and the pool fire contours for leak and rupture are given in Figures

Table 7.9 Estimated Heat Radiation Levels due to Furnace oil Accidental Fires

Heat Radiation Level (KW/m2) Heat Radiation Distance for Furnace oil storage tank Fire (Pool Fire Scenario) (meters) Leak 200 Kl Rupture 200 Kl

37.5 14 21 25.0 20 30 12.5 34 49 9.5 40 57 4 60 85 1.6 90 126

Pool fire contours

Leak of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl)

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1.5F Weather Condition

5D Weather Condition

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Rupture of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl) 1.5F Weather Condition

5D Weather Condition

Heat Radiation 2 37.5 25 12.5 9.5 4 1.6 Level (KW/m ) Colour

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7.2.3.9. Population Data

It is necessary to know the population exposure in order to estimate the consequences and the risk resulting from an incident. The exposed population is often defined using a population density. Population densities are an important part of a QRA for several reasons. The most notable is that the density is typically used to determine the number of people affected by a given incident with a specific hazard area. Sometimes, population data are available in sketchy forms. In the absence of specific population data default categories can be used.

The population density can be averaged over the whole area that may be affected or the area can be subdivided into any number of segments with a separate population density for each individual segment.

¾ Population details inside SPB-PC Facility 1259

¾ Population details outside SPB-PC Facility

Village Name Population Odapalli 4879 Pudhupalayam 5704

Individual Risk and Societal Risk- The Individual Risk per annum (IRPA) measure expresses the risk exposure to any Individual who is continuously present in a particular area for the whole year. The risk exposure is calculated for all relevant hazards and summed to give the overall risks for area of the installation.

Risk Summary

S.No. Scenarios Individual Risk Societal Risk (Avg. per Year) (Avg. per Year) 1 Leak of furnace oil storage tank 1.33E-06 9.28E-07 (200 Kl) 2 Rupture of furnace oil storage tank 1.13E-06 1.10E-06 (200 Kl)

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Individual Risk and Societal Risk Presentation

Leak of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl)

Societal Risk: 9.28E-07 per avg year

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Rupture of furnace oil storage tank (200 Kl) Individual Risk: 1.13E-06 per avg year

Societal Risk: 6.51E-08 per avg year

7.2.3.10. Risk Acceptance Criteria

The IS 15656 HSE criteria have been proposed for application to average individual risk as follows in Table 7.9

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Table 7.7.10 Risk Criteria Authority and Application Maximum Negligible Risk Tolerable Risk (Per Year) (Per Year) VROM, The Netherlands (New) 1.0E-06 1.0E-08 VROM, The Netherlands (existing) 1.0E-05 1.0E-08 HSE, UK (existing hazardous industry) 1.0E-04 1.0E-06 HSE, UK (New nuclear power station) 1.0E-05 1.0E-06 HSE, UK (Substance transport) 1.0E-04 1.0E-06 HSE, UK (New housing near plants) 3 x 1.0E-06 3 x 1.0E-07 Hong Kong Government (New plants) 1.0E-05 Not used

UK HSE Criteria for existing hazardous industry, highlighted in the above table is used for the study.

Plant workers are working in the Industry on 10 times higher Risk than Social people.

7.2.3.11. Conclusion

It is concluded from the above study that Individual Risk and Societal risk curve (F-N Curve) falls within the tolerable and acceptable region.

In case of pool fire effect in the furnace oil storage tank, heat radiation level of 12.5 KW/m2 will prevail up to a distance of 49m at 1.5F weather

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condition. From the above pool fire consequence values all the nearby existing and proposed facilities like 11Kv transformer yard, Proposed PCC plant, WBL tank and primary mud washer near to Furnace oil storage tank are falling under 12.5Kw/m2 heat radiation level region.

These walls shall be extended horizontally 600 mm beyond the extremities of the furnace oil tank and vertically 600 mm above the highest point of the tank.

7.2.4. Risk Control Measures

Mitigation measures should also aim at minimizing the quantity of release that may get released during major releases, detection of such leaks and minimizing the consequences due to such incidents.

Proposed Facilities to be provided

¾ Extension of the existing plant hydrant network (with augmentation of pumps, if required) for power plant area from terminal point (TP) will be done.

¾ Further, it will consist of fire alarm systems for control room, MCC room and cable alleys.

¾ Portable extinguishers at strategic locations in the plant will be provided.

7.2.5. Risk Control Measures Suggested

¾ As per OISD 129, ensure that regular internal inspection along with ultrasonic thickness survey for storage tanks to be done in intervals of every ten years and external inspection for storage tanks to be done in intervals of every three years.

¾ Provide concrete blocks of 355 mm thickness or of R.C.C. of 200 mm thickness shall be constructed between 11Kv transformer yard transformers, WBL tank and furnace oil storage tanks.

¾ Onsite Emergency Response & Disaster Management Plan should be developed for the facility.

¾ Ensure that bunds provided at the tank farm have proper drainage system.

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¾ Ensure that all the storage tanks are to be earthed separately as per IS 3043-1966.

¾ Ensure that fire extinguisher and its components are inspected at regular intervals.

¾ Ensure that fire alarms are tested at least once in a week.

¾ Ensure that spill Management Kits are available and it should be maintained properly.

¾ To carry out adequacy check of fire water system for the upgraded facility.

7.3 Risks due to Storage and Handling of Coal and Risk Control Measures

Although coal fires are infrequent, there is a possibility of coal fires at the coal stock yards during the summer conditions due to burning of volatile compounds. Coal stock yard fires can be avoided by providing proper stacking design to prevent air movement inside the coal lumps, minimising the duration of coal storage at the site and water sprinkling operations to maintain adequate moisture.

Captive co-generation power plants store, transfer, and use coal; therefore, careful handling is necessary to mitigate fire and explosion risks. Recommended measures to prevent minimise, and control fire hazards at captive co-generation power plants include:

¾ Use of automated combustion and safety controls

¾ Proper maintenance of boiler safety controls

¾ Implementation of startup and shutdown procedures to minimise the risk of suspending hot coal particles (e.g., in the crusher) during startup

¾ Regular cleaning of the facility to prevent accumulation of coal dust (e.g., on floors, ledges, beams, and equipment)

¾ Removal of hot spots from the coal stockpile (caused by spontaneous combustion) and spread until cooled, avoid loading of hot coal into the pulverised fuel system

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¾ Use of automated systems such as temperature gauges or carbon monoxide sensors to survey solid fuel storage areas to detect fires caused by self-ignition and to identify risk points

¾ For planned outages, operators should take every precaution to ensure that all idle bunkers and silos are completely empty and also verify by visual checks. Bunkers and silos should be thoroughly leaned by washing down their interior walls and any interior structural members but not their horizontal surfaces. Idle bunkers and silos that contain coal should be monitored frequently for signs of spontaneous combustion by using CO monitors, infrared scanning, or temperature scanning.

¾ Fire fighting systems and fire hydrant systems shall be installed at all hazard prone areas such as coal stock yards, bunkers and silos as per the applicable fire safety standards.

7.4 Electrical Hazards and Safety Measures

Energized equipment and power lines can pose electrical hazards for workers. Recommended measures to prevent, minimize, and control electrical hazards include

¾ Consider installation of hazard warning lights inside electrical equipment enclosures to warn inadvertent energisation

¾ Use of voltage sensors prior to and during personnel's entrance into enclosures containing electrical components

¾ Deactivation and proper grounding of live power equipment and distribution lines according to applicable legislation and guidelines whenever possible before work is performed on, or proximal to them

¾ Provision of specialised electrical safety training to those personnel working with or around exposed components of electric circuits. This training should include, but not be limited to, training in basic electrical theory, proper safe work procedures, hazard awareness and identification, proper use of PPE, proper lockout/tag out procedures, first aid and proper rescue procedures

7.5 Occupational Health and Noise Management Plan

Based on the noise mapping data presented in Chapter 5 of this report, the major noise generating sources are Power boiler and cooling tower. SPB will be procuring the equipment with guaranteed noise levels less than 85 dBA at one (1) m distance from the respective machines/equipment. Noise

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levels outside the facility boundary will be further attenuated due to the proposed green belt all along the plant boundary. In addition to the noise control programme proposed to be adopted by SPB as stated in Chapter 6 of this report, the following occupational noise management plan shall be adopted:

1. Noise abatement measures inside the Mill site shall be undertaken, if noise levels are above 75 dB(A); measurements must be taken and assessed by a competent person. Such measurements should be repeated at appropriate intervals.

2. If noise level is above 75 dB(A) then the following procedures shall be adopted:

¾ Inform employees of the noise levels present and measures taken to reduce exposure

¾ Make ear protection available and provide training in its use

¾ Hearing checks must be made available to employees exposed to noise levels in excess of 85 dB(A) over an 8 hour period

¾ Although ear-plugs and ear-muff will be provided to the persons working in the Mill area, as a part of the good management practices, work rotation scheme will be adopted for the persons working in the high noise generating areas.

3. If noise levels near the machinery exceed 90 dB(A), then the following corrective procedure shall be adopted:

¾ Identify reasons for excess noise and draw up a plan in place to reduce

¾ Identify and clearly designate hearing conservation zones

¾ Ear protection must be worn and its use supervised

¾ Employees must be trained in the hazards of noise and the correct use of hearing protection.

7.6 Occupational Safety Management and Surveillance Programme

The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India has a nodal organization, viz. Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), in dealing with Occupational Safety and Health issues in Industries. The DGFASLI is the technical arm of the Ministry on

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matters connected with Occupational Health in the manufacturing and port sectors.

The Factories Act, 1948, provides for appointment of qualified Medical Practitioners and Certified Surgeons to examine young persons engaged in dangerous manufacturing processes and to ensure medical supervision in case of illness due to the nature of manufacturing processes. The Factories Act, 1948, also provides for notification of certain occupational diseases as listed in the Third Schedule of the Act. As per Section 90 of the Factories Act, 1948, the State Government is vested with the powers to appoint a Competent Person to conduct inquiry into the causes of any accident or notifiable diseases.

The following measures will be implemented in the work places during MEP to enhance occupational health:

¾ Identify and involve personnel in assessing workplace risks

¾ Assess and consider employees' needs when planning and organising work

¾ Provide advice, information and training to employees, as well as mechanisms for employee feedback such as a suggestion scheme

¾ Occupational health surveillance and Occupational health audit

¾ To develop a system of creating up to date data base on mortality, and morbidity due to occupational diseases and use it for performance monitoring of the same

¾ Extending support to the state government for effective enforcement of the health provisions stipulated under section 41F of the Factory Act by equipping them with work environment monitoring technologies.

The occupational health safety system is headed by a competent and qualified safety office that will be supported by a team of safety volunteers from each plant and department within the Mill site. The safety team will take up a detailed task based risk assessment studies and will develop task based safety procedures and work permit systems. The safety team should record the near misses in the Mill and take necessary corrective action to minimise the occupational risks.

The existing hospital facilities should be made available round the clock for attending to emergency arising out of accidents, if any. All working personnel should be medically examined at least once every year and at

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the end of the term of their employment. This is in addition to the pre- employment medical examination.

As a part of the surveillance programme, the following minimum medical examination may be undertaken during the pre-employment phase:

¾ General physical examination and blood pressure, X-Ray of chest & ECG

¾ Sputum examination, Detailed routine blood & urine examination

¾ Audiometry

¾ Spirometry

¾ Eye tests for the workers and drivers

As part of the routine and annual medical examinations on the persons working in the high noise generating areas, stress areas and dust exposure areas, a comprehensive surveillance programme may be adopted. Some of the good management practices are suggested in Tables 7.11 and 7.12.

Table 7.11 Suggested Frequency of Medical Examination under Occupational Health Surveillance Programme

Age (yrs) Periodicity Duration of exposure Periodicity

< 30 yrs Once in five years < 10 yrs Once in five years

31-40 Once in four years 10 to 20 Once in four years

41-50 Once in three years 21-30 Once in three years

> 51 Once a year > 31 Once a year

Table 7.12 Suggested Medical Tests under Occupational Health Surveillance Programme S No. Disorder Tests to be conducted 1 Heart Diseases ECG, Blood for Lipid Profile, Stress Test, 2D-Echo and other required Tests 2 Anemia Hb%, TC,DC, ESR & Stool for Occult Blood, Ova and Cyst 3 Lung Diseases Sputum, X-Ray Chest, Spirometery 4 Diabetes Random Blood sugar, Urine sugar, if positive, BSL- Fasting/PPBS diabetic profile 5 Hypertension Blood pressure reading; If required, renal profile + ECG and stress test. 6 Urine Examination Routine and Microscopic

Medical records - A record-keeping system for holding the results of medical examinations and reports of symptoms is maintained as part of the health surveillance scheme. These are confidential medical records relating

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to individuals. As part of the health surveillance programme, employees should be informed of the confidential results of each assessment and of any implications of the findings, such as the likely effects of their continuing to work .

7.7 Fire Protection and Fire Fighting Systems

The plant has adequate fire fighting facilities. Fire watch is done continuously, by a crew of persons who keep vigil of fire situations. The existing fire fighting arrangements will be suitable augmented during the expansion program of the existing plant

Fire fighting systems shall be designed based on the National Building Codes. Since the project falls under low-hazard category, the fire fighting system shall be designed according to chapter 5 in the National Building Codes and summary of the minimum fire fighting systems’ requirements are presented in Table 7.13. It is proposed to install jockey pump, diesel pump and electrically operated centrifugal pump for fire water net-work arrangements. Ring-main pipeline systems will be provided to cater to the fire hydrant requirements across the Mill site. Fire hose reels, fire buckets and fire extinguishers will be provided as per the National Building Code requirements. The Disaster Management Plan is enclosed as Annexure 28.

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Table 7.13 Minimum Required Fire Protection Systems As Per . 2

2 . 2

Required

: : required Not

R NR 2 Note : 200 m exceeds basement if of area basement in to be installed Required Note 3Note : 4Note : 7Note : 20Note : m 200 exceeds if area basement Required to be provided exceeds area if basement shall be added parenthesis in given value Additional 200 m 15 m. than more with height buildings for Required to be provided of electric pump and one ltrs/minute each 280 capacity pump of one diesel one electric and 180lpm National Building Code

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Chapter 8 – Project Benefits

8 PROJECT BENEFITS

8.1 Improvement in the Infrastructure

This being a mill modernisation project, most of the infrastructure like water intake system, power in take system, roads, drains, hospitals schools, etc are already available in the vicinity of the plant location. However the above infrastructure / amenities / facilities available near the plant will be assessed based on need based survey and will be taken up under CSR scheme for development.

8.2 Improvement in Social Infrastructure

It would be some what difficult to quantify all the benefits of a project of this type and nature to the state and national economy, because there are too many “spin off” of indirect benefits in additions to the direct benefits.

Some of the specific indirect benefits are presented below:

8.2.1 Employment

8.2.2 Contribution to state exchequer

The project is likely to generate additional income to the state by way of sales tax to the tune of about Rs 4 crores per annum and by way of excise duty to the tune of about Rs 18 crores per annum.

8.2.3 Savings in Foreign Exchange

The project is likely to produce additional pulp of about 12300 tpa for its Unit II at Tirunelveli and thus would save foreign exchange to the tune of about Rs 40 Crores per annum.

8.2.4 Non dependence on grid power

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Chapter 8 – Project Benefits

8.2.5 Development of ancillary industries

The implementation of the project will undoubtedly provide stimulation for added growth to a number of other industries some of which are given below

Trucking industry which will load and haul waste paper, raw materials, coal, and other supplies to the mill and also mill outputs. The haulage requirement due to project would be around 0.3 million tones per annum comprising both inputs and outputs.

Establishment of ancillary industries such as core for paper reels, core plugs, machining and welding units, etc.

Indigenous machinery suppliers / manufacturers.

Establishment of indirect industries and shops near the project site such as small scale work shops, hardware shops, small scale restaurants, petty civil and electrical contractors, grocery and provision shops, etc.

Construction industry during erection and construction period of Ancillary Business

8.3 Social Benefits

8.3.1 Drinking Water Facilities (CSR)

Provision of well protected and treated Drinking W ater through a Network of 320 drinking water taps under the Rural Drinking Water Scheme, launched by the Company, in the neighbouring villages

Apart from the above 320 drinking water taps installed by the Company, daily supply of about 2.5 lakh litres of protected & treated Drinking Water through 5 Overhead Tanks constructed by TWAD Board and maintained by Local Panchayats, for distribution to Public, is also being provided

8.3.2 Community Health Centres (CSR)

Provision of Community Health Centres (4 Nos) at the following villages:

¾ Ayakkattur

¾ Odappalli

¾ Pappampalayam

¾ Cauvery R.S

with full time qualified Physician, Paramedical Staff and Free Medical facilities.

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Chapter 8 – Project Benefits

8.3.3 CSR Activities in the Neighbouring Villages

¾ Provision of Rain Water Harvesting Facilities

¾ Laying of Village Roads

¾ Construction of culverts at strategic places

¾ Provision of Street Lights

¾ Renovation of Old Village Temples

¾ Construction of Public Community Toilets

¾ Repair and Maintenance of Burial Ghats

¾ Construction, Deepening & De-silting of Storm Water Drains and Strengthening of Bunds

¾ Implementation of Tree Farming Programme in association with marginal Land Owners.

8.3.4 Educational Activities: (CSR)

¾ An Elementary School, Primary School, High School & a Matriculation Higher Secondary School, for the children of employees and public in the neighbourhood

¾ Company contributes to a Polytechnic at Tiruchirappalli, “Seshasayee Institute of Technology” to serve the education needs of poor and down trodden students

¾ Company provided land free of cost for constructing Government High School at Pappampalayam Village.

By using the treated waste water for irrigation, the following unique and distinctive advantages are derived:

¾ About 2140 acres of dry and barren lands, mostly of sandy loam soil, converted into cultivable wet lands - (Conversion of dry lands into wet & cultivable lands)

¾ Upliftment of Rural Economy - Improvement in the standard of living of the local farmers due to increased agricultural income and substantial enhancement in the value of their land holdings

¾ Development of vast ”Green Belt” in and around our mill

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Chapter 8 – Project Benefits

¾ Use of large volume of Bagasse as raw material for paper making has reduced the use of wood, thereby preserving natural forest resources - improving the green cover and ecological balance

¾ Use of large volume of Bagasse as raw material for paper making has reduced the consumption of input chemicals and alkali load in waste water, thereby further improving the quality of waste water

8.3.5 Cauvery Rural Development Centre

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9 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

9.1 Overview of the Project

SPB, is a public limited company established in 1960 and commenced production in 1962 with 2 Paper Machines. Subsequently additional paper machines were added to increase the production of paper/board. As the paper machines have been operating for years together, they are not able to produce to their full capacities and also consuming higher energy and other inputs. All the older paper machines need to be modernized to increase their life cycle, improvement in productivity and performance.

With the above background, Mill Development Plan II (MDP II) is now proposed at SPB, with the main aim to modernise the mill to debottleneck the production imbalances by introducing new technology, energy efficient and sustainable equipment. MDP II is proposed to enhance the paper production from 120,000 tpa to 165,000 tpa and pulp production from 115000 tpa to 145,000 tpa of bleached wood pulp. In addition to this, it is proposed to Increase Captive Power Plant (CPP) capacity from 40 MW to 55 MW by adding another 15 MW co-generation captive power plant within the mill site.

The proposed expansion project was appraised by the Reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) during the 11th Expert Appraisal Committee meeting held on 26 - 27th August 2013 and the project was accorded Terms of Reference (ToR) vide File no.J- 11011/194/2013-IA-II(1), dated, 15th October 2013

9.2 Environmental Setting of the Site

The mill has total land of 82 acres, with vacant spaces and well covered with greenery and it is estimated that about 4 acres of land is required for MDP II for developing plant facilities.

The proposed facilities will be located in the vacant spaces in the existing mill area and the site is located at the intersection of latitude 11020’52.59” N and longitude 77045’31.41” E and falls in the Survey of India Topography Map number 58 E/11 and 58 E/15. The surroundings of the project site are mostly agricultural land & sugarcane field. The nearest village, Odapalli, is about 0.5 km from the mill and the nearest bus route, viz. the State Highway SH-79A, will be reachable at 1.8 km and the nearest railway junction is Erode which is about 4.5 km. There is no stream crossing the plant site. River Cauvery is about 0.5 km from the plant. This area is not falling into the forest land and there is no eco-sensitive zone. No protected areas/national parks/wildlife sanctuaries/ ecologically sensitive zones exist in 15 km radius.

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9.3 Base Line Environmental Status

The primary baseline data monitored covered three (3) months i.e., from 9th December 2013 and 9th March 2014 for all the designated physicochemical, ecological, biological and socioeconomic components as per the ToR issued for the project. The regional meteorological data indicates that the wind predominantly blow from Northeast direction during January and February. Ambient air quality was measured at eight (8) locations as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines and the concentrations of all the criteria pollutants are well within the standards specified under National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) Standards. The measured noise levels in the study area were found to be below the CPCB prescribed noise levels standards for Industrial Areas Category.

The Total Hardness and the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level in ground water sampling location of Vendipalyam, and Devanampalayam is higher than the drinking water quality standard and there is no heavy metal contamination in the sampling locations and remaining parameters of the groundwater samples were found to comply with drinking water quality standards. There is no possibility of any contamination in the vicinity of the project site by the project activity

For studying soil quality in the region, sampling locations were selected to assess the existing soil conditions in and around the existing plant area representing various land use conditions. The physical, chemical and heavy metal concentrations were analysed. In the study area more specifically sandy loamy soil is present. The pH of the soil extracts varied from 6.86 to 8.19. Based on soil pH, the soils can be classified into moderately alkaline type.

Majority of study area is agricultural land and plantation area. No vegetation area with high diversity and with rare or endangered faunal species was observed. Similarly no breeding grounds and migration routes of birds or animals were observed.

Based on Census 2011 data, the District has a population of 1,726,601, of which 40% is urbanized. The population in the study area is read using the 2011 census. The total households in the study area are 2,18,238 with a total population of 7,78,623. In which 74.29% of the population is falling under Group A. The sex ratio in the study area was 989 females for 1000 Males. The children population was about 73,260 in which 37,539 were males and 35,721 were females. Agriculture is the major livelihood for the villages adjacent to the project site. The major crop grown in this area is Sugarcane having yield of 40-45 Tons of sugarcane per Acre. In the study area about 74.1% of the total populations are literates, which is more than the national literacy rate of 64.8% and state’s literacy rate of 71.84%.

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9.4 Environmental Impacts and Management Plan

9.4.1 Construction Phase

Construction phase include only the levelling of site, construction and erection of plant components. The construction activities will not require any cutting of vegetation, as the site chosen for construction is mainly a barren land. There are no significant flora and fauna species located on site. SPB has developed thick green belt on the project site which will act as buffer zone and will help in mitigating impacts on ecology in vicinity. Construction work will provide work to about 400 people on an average peak day and they will be engaged for the construction period which will benefit the local people. Apart from localized construction impacts at the plant site, no significant adverse impact on soil in the surrounding area is anticipated.

9.4.2 Operation Phase

9.4.2.1 Air Environment

Due to the utilisation of high calorific value imported coal with sulphur content

less than 1%, the specific SO2 emission rate from the proposed facility will be two to three times lower than that of the captive co-generation power plants that are operated on high ash content Indian coal. Individual electrostatic precipitators will be installed in each boiler flue gas line to maintain the levels of particulate matter below 50 mg/Nm3 in the flue gas. Adequate stack height will be provided to disperse the controlled boiler emissions into the atmosphere. The predicted ground level concentrations of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen due to emissions from the proposed captive co-generation power plant stack will be well below the NAAQ Standards. Overall increase in the background pollutant concentrations due to release of vehicular emissions will be insignificant. Hence, no significant impacts due to emissions from vehicles and the mill operations to the nearby villages are envisaged.

9.4.2.2 Noise Environment

Noise abatement and control measures will be considered at the design phase of the facility. Some of the major noise generating equipment will be housed inside the room with an average wall thickness of 230 mm to attenuate noise emissions. The predicted noise levels due to emissions from the proposed project are found to be well within the stipulated standards.

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9.4.2.3 Water Environment

The source of water is from River Cauvery. The mill has obtained the permission for drawing 15 MGD (68,191 m³/day) from Cauvery river and necessary permission from the Public works Department is enclosed.

Effluent generated after MDP II will be treated in a full fledged Effluent Treatment Plant. About 29,300 m3/day of treated waster will be used for greenbelt and green cover development within the mill site, and also supplied to local farmers for irrigation purpose, benefiting the local farmers, who were previously deprived of continuous irrigation and only depending on vagaries of rain fall. The area irrigated with waste water of SPB is in a rain shadow region.

9.4.2.4 Solid Waste Management

Wood dust/Bark dust will be sent to Tirunelveli unit, to be used as bio-fuel in boiler. Fly ash generated from the boilers will be stored in silos and sold to Cement industry and also used for making hollow blocks/ compressed bricks. Onsite wet ash ponds and storage facilities are not envisaged. Sludge from the Primary Clarifier of the ETP will be sold to the board manufacturers. Dewatered secondary sludge from ETP which is nutrient-rich will be used as manure for green cover. Used oil generated from the Mill and captive co- generation power plant will be stored in drums and used as lubricants in chains & conveyors and balance disposed of to TNPCB authorised recyclers.

9.4.2.5 Ecological Aspects

About 35 acres of extensive plantation has been done under green cover development in the existing plant. Green cover has been developed and well maintained along the internal roads and mill area. The mill has made elaborate arrangements in developing green cover inside the mill. Nearly 2,000 m2 of additional thick greenbelt have been proposed for the expansion. The mammalian faunal density near project site is as such very low and no further impact is expected on fauna near project site. No major impacts on avifauna are envisaged during operational stage. No ecologically sensitive site is identified in study area and hence no direct or indirect adverse impacts are expected on ecology due to proposed development.

9.4.2.6 Green Belt Development

In addition to the existing mitigation measures on environment, it is envisaged to provide an additional environmental cover from emissions, by expanding the existing green cover.

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The mill has a total area of 82 acres of land, with vacant spaces and well covered with greenery, and plantation in about 35 acres. Local species with the help of experts and forest department will be planted and maintained. A separate horticulture division is in place to develop nursery and monitor plantation activity in study area. Activities such as distribution of saplings to farmers, arranging awareness drives about agro-forestry, monitoring of lakes’ ecology, will be undertaken on regular basis.

9.4.2.7 Socio- Economics

The major economic benefits, to the region, during the construction phase and operation of project, will be an increased opportunity for direct and indirect employment. Approximately about 200 people on an average peak day will be engaged during constructional phase. During the operational phase, the proposed project will create direct employment to about 40 persons. In addition it would generate indirect employment to about 200 persons in the industries, service organizations and material handling, etc., which will be supported by the operations of the mill. Significant quantity of treated wastewater will be supplied to the local farmers for their irrigation needs. Since the local farming is totally dependent on scanty seasonal rainfall and ground water in the region is scanty, supply of treated wastewater to local farmers will help to enhance the food grain production in the region and further improve their standard of living.

9.5 Project Benefits

¾ The project will generate direct employment of 40 persons and indirect employment to about 200 persons in the industries, service organizations and material handling, etc., which will be supported by the operations of the mill.

In addition during the implementation and construction stage of the project, it will generate job to about 400 persons indirectly for about a year.

¾ The project is likely to generate additional income to the state by way of sales tax to the tune of Rs 4 crores per annum and by way of excise duty to the tune of Rs 18 crores per annum.

¾ The project is likely to produce additional pulp of about 12300 tpa which will be sent to its Unit II at Tirunelveli and thus would save foreign exchange to the tune of about Rs. 40 Crores per annum.

¾ The implementation of the project will undoubtedly provide stimulation for added growth to a number of other ancillary industries some of which are Trucking industry which will load and haul waste paper, raw

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materials, coal, and other supplies to the mill and also mill outputs. The haulage requirement due to project would be around 0.3 million tonnes per annum comprising both inputs and outputs.

¾ The unit will be generating additionally 4 MW power from its process generated biomass and will be exporting to its unit at Tirunelveli and thus becoming self reliant in power and will not be dependant on the state grid for the supply of electricity.

9.6 Conclusions

¾ This project will have significant beneficial effects in terms of growth and development of the regional economy.

¾ This project will also generate direct and indirect employment to a considerable number of families, who will render their services for the project.

¾ Growth and development, in harmony with the environment, has always been the approach of SPB and this will be ensured under MDP II.

¾ The proposed project is structured to be in line with the requirements of MoEF/CPCB/ TNPCB.

¾ Full fledged wastewater treatment facilities and high efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) and other pollution abatement measures will result in minimising the adverse impacts on the environment.

¾ Few objections were raised in the public consultation and the District Collector informed that all views and suggestions on the project were recorded and the same will be forwarded to Government/MoEF.

¾ SPB on their part answered for all the clarifications raised by the public and they stated that the Mill Development Plan II will give more direct and indirect employment opportunities to the surrounding community.

Thus, it can be concluded that with the judicious and proper implementation of the pollution control and mitigation measures, the proposed project can proceed without any significant negative impact on the environment.

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Chapter 10-Disclosure of Consultants

10 DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS

10.1 Introduction

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) report has been prepared by carrying out various scientific studies. The studies have been carried out by Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited, Chennai, India, with technical report from SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited

The profiles of the Consultants are given below

10.2 Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Limited – EIA Consultant

Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Ltd (CMSRSL) is a joint venture between the Murugappa group, India and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, Japan. CMSRSL is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. CMSRSL offers safety and environmental consulting services across Indian, Middle East and East Asian countries. CMSRL consists of six consulting domains such as environmental engineering and management, process safety, fire safety, electrical safety, construction safety and logistics risk assessment. CMSRS is a NABET accredited EIA consulting organization for undertaking EIA studies in the following sectors: paper and pulp, thermal power plants, petroleum refineries, petrochemical complex, chemical fertilizers, synthetic organic chemical industries, ports and harbours and area development projects. CMSRSL has offered environmental and safety related consulting services for more than 5000 clients during last decade

10.2.1 Details of Experts/Consultants Engaged for this EIA Study

Details of Experts/Consultants Engaged for this EIA Study

S.No. Name Role in the EIA Study 1 Mr V S Bhaskar EIA Coordinator – Pulp & paper industry and Thermal Power Plants. Functional Area Expert(FAE) - Meteorology, Air Quality Modelling and Prediction Functional Area Expert (FAE) - Water Pollution Prevention, Control & Prediction of Impacts Functional Area Expert (FAE) - Noise / Vibration Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Risk & Hazards Management 2 Mr. D. Ravishankar Associate EIA Coordinator Functional Area Expert (FAE) - Air Pollution Prevention, Monitoring and Control Functional Area Expert FAE –Solid & Hazardous Waste Management 3 Mr. Rajendra Prasad J Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Land Use 4 Dr. Sriman Narayan Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Hydrology, Ground Water & Water Conservation

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Chapter 10-Disclosure of Consultants

S.No. Name Role in the EIA Study 5 Dr. Mangalam Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Socio-Economics Balasubramaniam 7 Mr. Vikrant Kulkarni Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Ecology and Biodiversity 9 Mr. C S Karthick Associate Functional Area Expert (FAE) – Socio- Economics 10 Mr P. Ramesh Associate Functional Area Expert (FAE)

Other Technical Team Members

S.No. Technical Team members 1 Ms. Sathya.S 2 Mr. Harsh Yadav

External Labs/Agencies involved in EIA Study

1 Base line Environmental data - Ambient air Quality, Water, Soil and M/s. CVR Labs Private Limited Noise sampling & analysis. 2. Raw Material analysis – Fuel analysis M/s. Bhagavathi Ana Labs Pvt Ltd, Heavy metal analysis, Grain Size analysis Hyderabad

3 Petrography Studies for coal and soil M/s. CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory Jamshedpur 831 007

4 Sodar Studies Dr.B.Gera Retired Scientist from M/s National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi

10.3 SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited –Technical Consultant

SPB Projects and Consultancy Limited (SPB-PC) specialises in providing a wide range of Consultancy Services in the field of Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Ceramics, Power etc. Pulp and paper sector, however, represents the main thrust areas of specialisation, with extensive experience with pulping processes practically for all grades of pulp qualities and for almost all possible paper/newsprint grades from a wide spectrum of fibrous raw materials including a variety of non-wood fibres. Among the non-wood fibres, SPB-PC’s exposure to bagasse pulping is unique, having been associated in the development of the bagasse based newsprint mill that is in successful operation in Tamil Nadu

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Chapter 10-Disclosure of Consultants

namely Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), a Government of Tamil Nadu enterprise.

10.3.1 Work-Place Facilities

SPB-PC, located at Chennai, India, operates from its modern, fully air- conditioned office (floor area: 25,000 ft2) with three full-fledged conference halls equipped with digital projection facilities for multimedia presentations, latest telecommunication facilities, video conferencing, high speed photocopier machines with reversible automatic document feeders, besides binding facilities. The Company has state-of-the-art computer-aided facilities, fully networked, for engineering, analysis, design and documentation and communication facilities like e-mail and telefax. The Company has a 380 kVA Diesel Generator, as insulation against power outages.

10.3.2 Structure

The SPB-PC Organisation is structured broadly into three distinct groups viz. a Consultancy Services Group, a Project Services Group and an Operations Management Group. The Consultancy Services Group, which forms the core of the Organisation, is manned by engineers, planners, specialists, financial experts, economic analysts and design specialists with extensive experience in the related industries. SPB-PC, being the engineering base of a multi-sector Group of Companies, the Project Services Group and the Operations Management Group are augmented by Consulting Technologists and Specialist manpower seconded from the associate group companies operating in the fields of pulp and paper, sugar, ceramics and refractories.

10.3.3 Manning

The Company is manned by experienced and capable engineering staff covering all disciplines like mechanical, process, environment, electrical, instrumentation and civil. The engineering staff have extensive experience in construction, operation and maintenance in the fields of pulp and paper, newsprint, sugar, ceramics, power etc and most of them have over 10/15 years of experience in the relevant discipline. The Company is also well supported by finance, marketing, accounting and general administrative staff.

10.3.4 Capability

SPB-PC's expertise includes feasibility studies, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR), Evaluation of Technology, Rendering Basic Engineering Services, Detail Engineering and a wide range of Project Management and Operations Services besides Technical Audits, Mill Development Studies and Development of Revival/Rehabilitation Proposals for sick units and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Studies.

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