DRAFT REPORT Public Disclosure Authorized Initial Environmental Examination of Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project

Submitted to Public Disclosure Authorized Indo- Nepal Cross Border Transmission Line Project Nepal Electricity Authority Darbar Marg, Kathmandu

Prepared and Submitted by Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Studies Department Nepal Electricity Authority Jamal, Kathmandu Public Disclosure Authorized

OCTOBER 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMl\lARY NEPALI...... I-VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ENGLISH ...... I-VI

1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INSTITUTION PREPARING THE REPORT ...... 1 1.1 The Proponent...... 1 1.2 Survey License ...... 1 1.3 Rationality for Conducting lEE ...... 1

2. GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT...... 2 2.1 Background ...... 2 2.2 Objectives of lEE ...... 2 2.3 Project Description ...... 3 2.4 Project Area Delineation ...... 9

3. DATA REQUIREMENT AND STUDY METHODOLOGY ...... 11 3.1 Desk Study and Literature Review ...... 11 3.2 Data Requirement, Collection Methods and Analysis ...... 11 3.2. I Physical Environment ...... II 3.2.2 Biological Environment ...... 11 3.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ...... 11 3.3 Impact Identification and Prediction ...... 13 3.3.1 Significance of the Impact ...... 13 3.3.2 Magnitude of Impacts ...... 13 3.3.3 Extent of Impact ...... 14 3.3.4 Duration of Impact ...... 14 3.4 Public Involvement ...... 14 3.5 Time, Cost and Specialist ...... 15

4. REVIEW OF PLAN! POLICIES, ACTS, RULES, GUIDELINES AND CONVENTIONS...... 16 4.1 General ...... 16 4.2 Plan, Policies and Strategies ...... 16 4.3 Acts ...... 18 4.4 Rules/ Regulations ...... 20 4.5 Guidelines ...... 21 4.6 Convention ...... 22

5. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...... 24 5.1 Physical Environment ...... : ...... 24 5.1.1 Topography ...... 24 5.1.2 Land Use Pattern ...... 24 5.1.3 Climate...... 25 5.1.4 Air and Noise Quality ...... 26 5.1.5 Water Quality ...... 26 5.1.6 Geology, Stability and Soil Erosion ...... 27 5.1.7 Crossings of Other Utilities ...... 27

5.2 Biological Environment ...... 28 5.2. I Vegetation/Forest Resources ...... 28 5.2.2 Wildlife ...... 29

5.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ...... 29 5.3.1 Socioeconomic Condition of the Project Area ...... 29 5.3.2 Socioeconomic Features ofthe Affected Families ...... 37 6. ENVIRONMENTAL 1l\eIPACTS ...... 44 6.1 Beneficial Impacts ...... , ...... , ..... 44 6.2 Adverse Impacts ...... , ..... 49 6.2.1 Physical ...... 49 6.2.2 Biological ...... 53 6.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural ...... 55

7. ALTER:'IIATIVE ANALYSIS ...... 62 7.1 General ...... 62 7.2 Routes Alternative ...... 62 7.3 Design Alternative ...... 63 7.4 Construction tvlethod Alternative ...... 64 7.5 Construction tvtaterials ...... , ...... 65 7.6 Construction Schedule ...... 65 7.7 Operation Procedure ...... 66 7.8 No Action Alternative ...... 66

8. MITIGATION A:'IID ENHANCEME:'IIT MEASURES ...... 68 8.1 Enhancement Measures ...... ,68 8.2 Mitigation Measu'res ...... , ...... , ...... , ...... 68 8.3 Enhancement and tvtitigation Cost ...... , ...... 74 8.4 Institutional Arrangement ...... , ...... 75

9. MONITORING ...... 77 9.1 General ...... 77 9.2 Types of Monitoring ...... 77 9.3 Monitoring Parameters, Schedule and Agencies to be Consulted ...... 78 9.4 Manpower ...... 78 9.5 Monitoring Cost ...... ,.78

10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 84 10.1 Conclusion ...... 84 10.2 Recommendations...... 85

References List of abbreviations and acronyms MPA Aquatic Animal Protection Act AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome B.S. Bikram Sambat CBS Central Bureau of Statistics CBOs Community Based Organizations CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna CFC Compensation Fixation Committee CFT Cubic feet DDC District Development Committee DoED Department of Electricity Development EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPR Environment Protection Rule GoN Government of Nepal Ha Hectare INPS Integrated Nepal Power System lEE Initial Environmental Examination IUCN The World Conservation Union Km Kilometer Kwh Kilowatt hour LP Gas Liquid Petroleum Gas m3 Cubic meter MOWR Ministry of Water Resources MoEST Ministry of Environment Science and Technology MoE Ministry of Energy MoEN Ministry of Environment MW Mega Watt NGOs Non Governmental Organizations NEA Nepal ElectriCity Authority NWP National Water Plan PAF project Affected Families TOR Terms of Reference STD Sexually Transmitted Disease USAID United States Agency for International Development VDC Village Development Committee List Tables

Table ;\'0. Table Head Page ;\'0.

Table 2.1: Project Features 6 Table 2.2: Project Area and Location of Project Structures 10 Table 5.1: Land use Pattern of the Project Districts 24 Table 5.2: Component wise Land use Pattern of the Proposed TL Alignment 24 Table 5.3: Climatological Records of the Dhanusa District 25 Table 5.4: Climatological Records of the Mahottari District 26 Table 5.5: River, Road and Other Structures Crossings 27 Table 5.6: Community Forest in Project Area 28 Table 5.7: Demographic Characteristics of the Project Area 30 Table 5.8: Settlements close to Proposed TL Alignment 31 Table 5.9: Literacy Status ofthe Project Affected VDCs 33 Table 5.10: Distribution of Cultivated Land and A verage Landholding Size 35 Table 5.11: Literacy Status 38 Table 5.12: Major Occupation of Households 39 Table 5.13: Households by Size of Landholding 40 Table 5.14: Food Sufficiency Status 40 Table 5.15: Cropped Area and Agriculture Production 41 Table 5.16: Livestock Distribution 41 Table 5.17: Average Annual Income ofPAFs 41 Table 5.18: Average Annual Expenditure ofPAFs 42 Table 5.19: Energy Requirement and Supply for Lighting Purpose 42 Table 5.20: Energy Requirement and Supply for Cooking Purpose 43 Table 5.21: Expectation of Local People from the Project 43 Table 6.1: Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures Matrix 45 Table 6.2: Land use Affected by the Project 46 Table 6.3: Total No. of Plant Trees to be cut down during Project Implementation 50 Table 6.4: Magnetic and Electric Field Strength Estimates and Recommended Maximum Exposure Levels 60 Table 7.1: Route Alternative Analysis 62 Table 8.1: Cost of Enhancement and Mitigation Measures 74 Table 9.1: Monitoring Parameters, Indicators, Method, Schedule, Location and Agencies to be Consulted 79 Table 9.2: Cost for Environmental Monitoring Program 82

List ofFigure Figure 2.1: Location Map Figure 2.2: Route Alignment and Affected VDCs List of Annexes: Annex-I: Approved Terms of Reference Annex -2: Survey License Annex -3: Transmission Line Route Alignment Map Annex -4: Household Questionnaire Annex - 5: Public Notice Annex -6: Muchulkas Annex -7: VDC Recommendation Letters Annex -8: List of the Plant species found in Project Area Annex -9: Avi-Fauna of the Project Area Annex -10: Caste Wise Population of the Project Area Annex -II: Population Distribution by Religion in Project Area Annex -12: Language Wise Population of Project Area Annex -13: Distribution of Educational Institution in Project Area Annex-14: Literacy Status of the Project Area Annex -IS: Households Having Agricultural Land, Livestock and iPoultry of VDCs Annex -16: Name of Affected Households and Land Parcels

Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is the proponent of this project. NEA is a semi­ government organization established in 2042 B.S (1985) and is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The proponent intends to implement Dhalkebar - Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts of Nepal. The Initial Environmental Examination (lEE) of the proposed project was carried out as per the Environmental Protection Rules, 1997. The then Ministry of Water Resources has granted survey license for the proposed project. The survey license was issued on 2066/01/16 and was valid up to 2067/1/15.

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposed project is located in Dhanusha and Mahottari district of Janakpur zone. The transmission line alignment starts from Substation tole (Bijuli tole) of the Dhalkebar VDC wardA located just out side of the existing substation and passes mainly through the cultivated land of Dhanusha and Mahottari district and finally terminates at Indo-Nepal border (the inter connection point) located at ward-6 of Bathnaha VDC . The transmission line covers 5 VDCs namely: Dhalkebar, Begadabar, Laksminibas, Bateshwar & Bhuchakrapur of Dhanusha district and 15 VDCs of Mahottari district such as Bhangaha, Singyahi, Dharampur, Dhamaura, Banauta, Sahasaula, Sarpallo, Sonaul, Manara, Ekdara, Halkhori, Sisawakataiya, Sadha, Ramgopalpur and Bathnaha.

The total length of the alignment is 39 kilometers. The proposed transmission line will be double circuit comprising of duplex overhead conductor. The vertical double circuit configuration tower will have an average height of 45 m and the standard tower base dimensions will be 15 m x 15 m from centre to centre of each tower leg foundation/ footing. The design span between tower structures is approximately 400 m. The right of way of the proposed transmission line is 23 meters on each side from the centerline as per the Electricity Regulation, 2050 (1993).

The project component also include construction of a new 400/220/132 kV substation close to existing substation at Dhalkebar. The estimated cost of the

Environmental and Social Studies Department NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kVT/LProject Initial Environmental Examination Report project (excluding environmental cost) is 1553.32 million NRs.

The project area does not lie in the national park, wildlife reserve, buffer Zone, conservation Area, wetlands, historically and archaeologically important sites and or environmentally sensitive/fragile areas. The project construction will take 18 months. The estimated number of unskilled, semi skilled and skilled manpower is 200, 150 and 50 respectively.

3. DATA REQUIREMENT AND STUDY METHODOLOGY

In physical environment data on climate, geology and land use are required whereas in biological environment vegetation and wildlife are the key information required for the study. Likewise in socioeconomic and cultural environment data on population, ethnicity, religion and religious sites, infrastructure etc are required for the study.

The methodology applied for lEE study includes desk study, field study and impact identification through impact assessment matrix. The desk study includes the review of Route Alignment Survey report of the project, data of Central Bureau of Statistics, district profile of concerned districts etc. Household survey, observation by the expert and focused group discussion were the main method utilized for lEE study. Public notice was published in Gorkhapatra' a national daily news paper on 2066/6/23 and "Muchulka" was collected. The recommendation letter of concerned VDCs were collected and concerned were incorporated in the report.

4. REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES, ACTS, RULES, GUIDELINES AND CONVENTIONS

The proponent will be solely responsible for fulfilling provisions of all relevant policies, acts, rules, guidelines and conventions while implementing the project. Environment Protection Act 1997, Environment Protection Rules 1997, Electricity Act 1992, Local Self Governance Act 1999 and other relevant policies, acts, rules, guideline and conventions were reviewed during the preparation of lEE report.

Environmental and Social Studies Department II NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

5.1 Physical Environment

The project area has sUbtropical type of climate. The minimum and maximum temperature of Dhanusha and Mahottari district is 9.oC and 34.2°C and 9.50C and 34.8oC respectively. The maximum and minimum elevations of the proposed transmission line alignment are 180.40 m and 61. 11 m respectively.

The total landfalls within 39 km transmission line for 46 meter RoW is 179.4 ha. The land use pattern in RoW is cultivated land 90% and other land (Barren land, river/road crossing, and garden) 10 %. The main geology of the area belongs to indogangetic plain of Nepal Himalayas. It consists mainly alluvial deposits consisting of silty soil with gravels and pebbles.

5.2 Biological Environment

The transmission line alignment does not pass through the forest area. Altogether 28 tree species were recorded in the project area. Mango garden ( Mangifera indica), Masala (Eucalyptus canaldulensis), Nim( Azadiracta indica), Litchi( Nephetium litchI), Sisau (Dalbergia sissoo) and bamboo grooves (Dendrocalmus sp.) are the major plant species found along the alignment. Sal (Shorea robusta) and Simal (Bombax ceiba) are the species protected under Forest Act. Jackal (Canis aureus), house mouse (Mus musculus homourus) and rats( Rattus rattus) are the mammal species reported from the project area. Altogether 24 species of birds are found in project area. Common bird species are Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), House Swift (Apus affinis), House Crow (Corous splendens), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).

5.3 Socio- economic and Cultural Environment

The total population of the project area is 144,861 including male 74,939 (51.73%) and female 69,922(48.27%) which is 11.83% of the total popUlation of the project districts. The total number of household is 24,763 with an average household size of 5.85. Substation tole, Jamunibash, Ramauli tole Bakhari, Kavilasa are the settlement found within 100 from the transmission line alignment. Altogether 42 castes/ethnic groups are found in the project area. Out of this 14 castes are

Environmental and Social Studies Department III NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report classified in indigenous group by the GoN. Koiri, Yadava, Muslim, Dhanuk and Dalit are the dominant castes of the project area. The average literacy rate (6 years and above) of the project area is 31.60 %. Agriculture is major occupation followed by foreign employment, labor, service, small scale industries, business etc. The nearest airport to the site is Janakpur from where the nearest distance of the alignment is more than 25km. Buddha and Yeti airlines have regular flight to Janapur and in average 4-5 flights occur daily from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The location of airport is in east -west direction. The aircraft flying route is east - south.

The average family size of the PAFs is 7.75 which is higher than the average family size (5.85) of the project VDCs. The literacy rate of the PAF is 56.08%. About 27.4% households are small farmers whereas medium and large farmers are 14.5 and 1.1 % respectively. The average land holding of the PAFs 0.99 ha. The average annual income of the PAFs is NRs. 117,582 whereas the average annual expenditure is NRs. 103,126.

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Employment to 400 people, increase in economic opportunity, enhancement of technical skill, increase in power exchange facilities and rural electrification are the positive impacts of the project.

Changes in land use pattern, water pollution, waste disposal and land degradation are the adverse impacts identified on physical environment during construction phase. The operation phase impact consist impact associated with PCBs.

The biological environment impacts during construction and operation phase includes loss of 728 private trees, 500 bamboo grooves and avian hazards respectively. The construction phase socioeconomic and cultural environment impacts include acquisition of cultivated land, house, loss of standing crop, likely changes in law and order situation, health and sanitation, occupational safety, livelihood, peoples safety and impacts on gender and vulnerable group and relocation of Shiva temple of Banuata. The project will affect 198 families which consist 196 for substation and tower pads and 2 for house acquisition in RoW. Besides this 1209 families will be affected due to land use restriction imposed

Environmental and Social Studies Department IV NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report in 46mRoW. In average the affected households loose 2.95% of their total land with maximum 15.45% and minimum 1.17%. The operation phase impacts include land use restrictions, loss of agricultural production, land fragmentation and farming hindrance, withdrawal of economic opportunity, occupational safety and livelihood.

7.0 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS

Two different transmission line alignment routes were studied based on different criteria such as line length, project cost, and distance from the ·nearest road/trail, relocation of houses and impact on urbanization. Based on these aspects, route 2 is selected as it causes minimum impact to land and resettlement. No -action alternative would comprise of power and energy deficit in the country. This would result in significant losses to the production sector like industry, commerce apart from inconvenience to the customers in terms of blackouts and voltage drop. Likewise design alternatives, construction technology, method & schedule alternatives were also studied based on the environmental ground.

8.0 ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The enhancement measures proposed during construction phase include priority to the local employment and rural electrification program.

Wherever possible, low value land/ barren land are proposed for temporary facilities. Water quality protection measures, proper disposal of waste and storage of construction material in pre occupied land are the mitigation measures proposed in physical environment. The transformer oil will be filtered and mostly reused. The residue oil will be incinerated or disposed properly.

The mitigation programs proposed in biological environment includes compensation for the loss of private trees and provision of markers such as colored balls in wires to improve line visibility for birds.

Mitigation measures proposed in socioeconomic and cultural environment during construction phase include compensation for the loss of private land and houses, appropriate rent for leased land, compensation for the damage of crop and occupational safety measures including provision of first aid kits, awareness program, livelihood support program and construction of temple.

Environmental and Social Studies Department v NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Phase split will be done in 5 locations where the alignment passes within 100 m from the settlement.

The operation phase mitigation programs include reasonable compensation for the land use restriction, occupational safety measures, RoW management, awareness program and continuation of livelihood restoration program. The total estimated mitigation cost is NRs. 63.04 million NRs.

Nepal Electricity Authority will have prime responsibility for the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. The mitigation program will be implemented in coordination with district level line agencies to the extent possible. Dhalkebar-Bhittamod Environment Management Unit (DBEMU) will be established for construction phase day to day environmental management of the project. The unit will be responsible for the implementation of some mitigation measures, social support program, environmental monitoring and coordination of work with VDCs, DOCs and other district level line agencies. The unit will be site based and work under Environmental and Social Studies Department of NEA. The total estimated environmental management cost for the proposed project is 67.90 million NRs. which is 4.38 % the total project cost

9.0 MONITORING Baseline, impact & compliance monitoring will be conducted in different phases of the project. Environmental monitoring will be conducted for physical, biological, socioeconomic and cultural aspects. Land use pattern, changes in settlement, public health, infrastructure and compliance of the tender clauses are the major areas of monitoring. The schedule of monitoring will be daily, quarterly, half yearly and yearly depending on the parameters and type of monitoring. NEA will have prime responsibility for the implementation of environmental monitoring. Besides NEA, line agencies will also have responsibility for environmental monitoring of the proposed project. The estimated monitoring cost is 4.85 million NRs.

10.0 CONCLUSION

The findings of lEE study shows that adverse impacts on physical, biological as well as socioeconomic and cultural environments due to implementation of the project are minimum. The study shows that lEE is sufficient for this project and EIA is not required.

Environmental and Social Studies Department VI NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL/INSTITUTION PREPARING THE REPORT

1.1 Proponent

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is the proponent of this project. NEA is a semi­ government organization established in 2042 B.S (1985) and is responsible in generating, transmitting and distributing adequate, reliable and affordable power by planning, constructing, operating and maintaining all generation, transmission and distribution facilities in Nepal's power system, both interconnected and isolated. Environmental and Social Studies Department (ESSD) of NEA executes all activities related to the environmental aspects of the projects undertaken by NEA. Being the concern department, ESSD has prepared Initial Environmental Examination (lEE) Report of this Project. The lEE report of this project is prepared as per approved Terms of Reference (Annex-I) following Schedule 5 of the Environment Protection Rules (EPR). The address of the Proponent is as follows: Nepal Electricity Authority Environmental and Social Studies Department Jamal, Kathmandu Phone: 4-251845 Fax: 4-225248 Email: [email protected]

1.2 Survey License

The project proponent has obtained survey license from the then Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) to carry out the feasibility study including IEE of the proposed project (Annex-2). The survey license was issued on 2066/01/16 and was valid up to 2067/1/15.

1.3 Rationality for Conducting lEE

Schedule -1 of the Environment Protection Rules (EPR) 1997 lists proposals requiring an lEE. As per the EPR, 1997 and the recent amendment, an lEE is .required for 132 kV or above voltage transmission line. Since Dhalkebar­ Bhittamod Transmission Line Project is of 400 kV capacity, it needs an lEE for execution. The project area does not lie in the national park, wildlife reserve, buffer Zone, conservation Area, wetlands, historically and archaeologically important sites

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/ L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

and or environmentally areas. 2. General Introduction of the Project

2.1 Background Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) has installed capacity of 614 MW including 557 MW hydropower and the rest is thermal energy. The severe imbalance in demand and supply of electricity in the country has led to unprecedented load shedding since the last 2 to 3 years and is expected to continue this situation in coming years. The country is currently facing severe load shedding daily. Realizing the importance of energy and current problem the then Ministry of Water Resources has formulated National Electricity Crisis Management Plan which was endorsed by cabinet decision of Government of NepaL This plan includes short term, mid term and long term program and activities and responsibilities have been allocated accordingly. The proposed Dhalkebar- Bhiitamod 400 kV Project is under long term program of the plan. Out of 35 points agenda of the plan the proposed project is on 29th numbers.

The annual peak electricity demand is increasing with an average of 10% annually. Having no new projects in the pipeline, the country is moving towards a terrible power crisis for the next 5 to 6 years. As the generation has remained steady and the available generation not been able to meet the growing demand of electricity has resulted in severe loss to the productive sectors like industries and commerce and inconveniences to the consumers as well.

To overcome this energy crisis in the shortest possible time, the only possible way is to increase volume of power purchase from India. But, due to the lack of interconnection link facilities between Nepal and India, it is not possible to import required amount of power from India. To enhance the power exchange capacity between Nepal and India, NEA has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IL & FS of India to establish a separate company in Nepal to develop· 4 interconnection links and Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV line up to Indo-Nepal border in the Nepalese side is one of the 4 power exchange links.

2.2 Objectives of the lEE Study

The general objective of the study is to prepare an lEE report in order to implement the proposed Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV line Project in an environmentally sound manner.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

The objectives of this study are:

• to establish the physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural baseline conditions of the project area; • to identify beneficial and adverse environmental impacts of the project; • to analyze the critical impacts; • to suggest mitigation measures for the adverse impacts; • to prepare environmental monitoring plan; and • to provide information to the decision makers regarding further action and about the environmental implications due to the development of the proposed project.

2.3 Project Description

2.3.1 Project Location The proposed project is located in Dhanusha and Mahottari district of Janakpur zone of the Central Development Region (Figure 2.1). The project is located in Terai area of Nepal.

2.3.2 Project Accessibility The transmission line route is accessible through the district and feeder roads. The Mahendra Highway, Dhulikhel- Sindhuli- Bhittamod highway and Bardibash­ Jaleshwor road are the main road access to the project area. The nearest airport to the site is Janakpur. 2.3.3 Transmission Line Route The proposed transmission line alignment starts from Substation tole (Bijuli tole) of the Dhalkebar VDC wardA located just out side of the existing substation and passes mainly through the cultivated land of Dhanusha and Mahottari district and finally terminates at Indo-Nepal border (the inter connection point) located at ward­ 6 of Bathnaha VDC (Figure 2.2). The environmental feature of the proposed transmission line alignment is given in Table 2.1. The transmission line covers 5 VDCs namely: Dhalkebar, Begadabar, Laksminibas, Bateshwar & Bhuchakrapur of Dhanusha district and 15 VDCs of Mahottari district such as Bhangaha, Singyahi, Dharampur, Dhamaura, Banauta, Sahasaula, Sarpallo, Sonaul, Manara, Ekdara, Halkhori, Sisawakataiya, Sadha, Ramgopalpur and Bathnaha. While selecting the transmission line alignment, due consideration was given to avoid the settlement areas, inbuilt structures, religious places, schools and other community infrastructures all along its route from Dhalkebar to Indo-Nepal border as far as

Environmental and Social Studies Department 3

NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report possible. The detail route alignment map is given in Annex-3.

Environmental and Social Studies Department 4

NEA 11 I! k\l

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Legend !---':~=j Project Affected Districts National Boundary Regional Bmmtlary District Boundary Tronslnissiun line Rout~ t\!lgnmcnt

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Fig. 2.2 : Route Alignment and Affected VOCs of Dhalkebar • Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line

Affected VDCs: Dhaousa: 1. Dlmlkebill 2. :d, 3. 4. Buclhlkrapur 5, 8atesvt'(Jr

MahottMi: (\. Bh;ttlgahil 1. It 9. Dhamatlra :Vbh6tt,31i "" 10. Ramgopalpur 11. Banallta 12. Sailasaula '13. Sanaul 14. Sapalk) 15. Silildha (0 '16. Manara 11. Ekdara 18. Sisawakataiya 19, Halkhori 20. Balhanaha

(\J Legend District Boundary \fDC Boundary J\ TtilllSlllissioll Line Alignment o 4 8 16 f<:ilorneters LL_L..L...l_L1...__L...l 6

Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

2.3.4 Project Features The proposed 400 kV transmission line will be double circuit comprising of duplex overhead conductor. The vertical double circuit configuration tower will have an average height of 45 m and the standard tower base dimensions will be 15 m x 15 m from centre to centre of each tower leg foundation/ footing. The design span between tower structures is approximately 400 m. The length of transmission line is 39 km.

The right of way of the proposed transmission line is 23 meters on each side from the centerline of the overhead transmission line as per the Electricity Regulation, 2050 (1993). The transmission line design features are given in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 Project Features , I Features ...... L.:P.~~.~!ip!J~~..._... General •••• , ....,..• ~,"'m. .. « ...... "" .. " •• ""."""....,, .....'""'m ".~"M ...... """'._""..• Dhalkebar Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line

Number ofVDCs . "" ...." ... ,.• ",,_... ,,,.. m',,,,,, "" ..... , ...... ,"", ....~ I nitial point

Terminal point

N\l.111JJ~! (j(l!lili()rr()iltl c.r()??i.ng. Number of major river crossings 3

Number of11 kV line crossings 3

.. Q~~ig..lf~a.:!!lr~.:s......

Number oftowers

... V.f!ltj1.g~... l(!y.~l ...... Number ofcircuits Double circuit

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Features ...... Lp~!'l(::!!P!i.t:lll. To.\Yt!ttypt! I SteeIJatti.~e strt1.c:.~ure Conductor I Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced 250 mm2 ! i "Moose" ,•••• l.,M••••••• " ...• 'M'••• _ .,,,.~ ••• Earth wire , ...... • m ...... ",.." ••_ ...... lQE~i~a.J.f.i.!?~~Q!2~!1:<1..:~yi!:c::.{QEQY{L2:r..~H~_§!~c::L~.i~~ Insulator ...... JJ~?!~c::~?:i!1:.2Eg!?:~_:s!YE.~ ..._.. ... F()l!.nq

Distribution..•.•_ ...... lines_.e···· , Communication lines ,,~ .... ,.,.,,.... _..." ....,...... '" .... , ._.,...... -."",.... " ..

Substation .. _,M. "",,"'m"""'''',mm

.... F:r:()fe.c:£r;gsc.Jf':JBsJ ...... 1.. :l:?.:J::?.:.~)f'.. ~[!.!.l.J'.r..ll!r.! ...... •..•...... •.••..•...... •...•...... •••...... •.....•.•...... •...... •...... •...•......

Substation In order to tap power to or from the cross border transmission link, construction of a new 400/220/132 kV sUbstation at Dhalkebar ward -4 near existing substation is proposed. This substation will become an important hub substation within Central Nepal for the exchange of power between Nepal and India. The substation having transformation facilities with 400 kV to 220/132kV. The proposed substation will have the following important features: a. 400/220 kV Transformation capacity: 2000 MVA b. 220/132 kV Transformation capacity: 400 MVA c. Bus bar arrangement: Double d. Indoor/ Outdoor: Outdoor e. Area required for substation: 30000 m2

2. 3.5 Construction Planning The implementation of proposed project comprises the construction of a new 400/220/132 kV substation, tower foundation and erection of towers, stringing of

Environmental and Social Studies Department 8

NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report conductor, of the 39 km 400 kV transmission line.

Tower Foundation The construction of tower foundation will be undertaken by manual labor assisted by the mechanical plant wherever possible. The Mechanical plant will be limited to small demountable steel skid framed concrete mixers, air compressors, air drills/chisels and tamping/compaction tools.

Excavation and the concreting of the tower foundations will be carried out as per the design requirements and after necessary curing, the foundations will be backfilled with suitable material.

Erection of Galvanized Steel Towers Galvanized steel lattice towers manufactured in the factory will be transported to the individual tower locations and are erected manually by employing pulleys, wenches, etc. into the tower foundations.

Insu lator Fittings, Conductor and Ground Wire Stringing Conductors, ground wires, insulators and necessary accessories will be transported manually to the tower locations. The fitting of insulators on the tower and stringing of conductors and ground wire will be carried out manually as per the design requirements.

Transportation Primary site access for the project construction will be gained from the Mahendra Highway, Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bhittamod highway and Bardibash-Jaleshwor highway. No permanent access roads will be constructed to tower sites from existing road. Existing access roads and tracks will be used for construction and maintenance where available. The construction material up to the nearest road head will be carried out through vehicle and latter it will be transported manually up to the individual tower location.

2. 3.6 Spoil Dumping Site Since the construction of transmission line towers requires clearing and excavation of fairly small areas at tower locations, construction work will not require spoil dumping sites. The spoil will be filled up and compacted in the tower base area. Similarly, spoil generated from the substation construction will be used to the switchyard location where borrowed earth materials have to be filled and compacted for the site grading.

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2. 3.7 Construction The materials required for civil construction works related to the transmission line and substation will be: a. Steel reinforcement b. Cement c. Coarse aggregate d. Fine aggregates (sand) Steel reinforcing bars and cement can be acquired from local manufacturers or can also be imported. Coarse aggregates will be produced at site from excavated materials or purchased from the nearby market. Likewise, fine aggregates will be collected from major quarries along riverbanks, the excavated foundation material can be used as a backfill material required for the foundation construction.

2.3.8 Employment Local people those are affected by the project implementation will be encouraged for employment. As far as possible, local semi skilled and unskilled labor will be used for construction activities and transportation of materials. Altogether about 400 people will be deployed during the construction of the project, which includes 200 unskilled, 150 semi skilled and 50 skilled manpower.

2. 3.9 Project Implementation The estimated completion period of the project is 24 months. Implementation will consist of a 6 month pre-construction phase and 18 month construction and commissioning phase. The construction work of transmission line will primarily be carried out during the dry season when ground conditions are essentially dry and river flows low to allow easy movement of materials and construction of towers. Construction activities during the monsoon season will primarily be restricted to. stringing of conductors, although this activity may also be restricted by the weather. However, the construction work of the substation will be conducted throughout the year.

2.4 Project Area Delineation For the lEE of the proposed project, the project area is defined as the area for the construction of a 400 kV transmission line alignment and 400/220/132 kV Substation as well as the area that will be impacted due to the construction and operation of the project. This area includes 20 VDCs among which 5 lies in Dhanusha district and 15 in Mahottari district. The project area does not lie in the national park, the wildlife reserve, the buffer zone, conservation area and environmentally sensitive & fragile areas. The study area is divided into two parts on the basis of the proximity and magnitude of impacts. The details of core and surrounding areas are given in Table 2.2.

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2. 4.1 Core Project Area The "Core Project Area" consists of the 46 m Right-of-Way (RoW), encompassing 23 m on each side of the alignment measured from its center line. The concerned wards through which transmission line is aligned and area occupied by the substation are also considered as the core area. This area is also defined as the direct impact zone.

2.4.2 Surrounding Area The term "Surrounding Area" indicates a greater area, which will directly or indirectly get influenced by the construction and operation of the project. This area includes all alignment encompassing VDCs of two districts excluding areas mentioned under core project area. This area is also terms as the "indirect impact zone". The term "project" indicates the Dhalkebar- Bhittamod transmission line and substation and "Area" refers to the core project area and the surrounding area. The term "project area" is also referred to as the study area for the lEE. Table: 2. 2 Project Area and Location of Project Structures

S.No. I Name of Affected Core Project Area( I Project Structure and I ! District and VDCs (Wards) . Facilities District- Dhanusha 1 I Dhalkebar 4 Substation !2 ! Begadawar 2&3 .3 Bateshwar 1,6 & 9

4 - Laksminibas 2 I 5 Bhuchakrapur 3 District -Mahottari 1 I 6 Bhangaha 1&9 I 7 I Singyahi 3,4,7 & 9 Transmission line

8 I Dharampur -4 I 9 Dhamaura 6&7 ! i 10 ! Banauta 9 I 11 i Ramgopalpur 1

12 ! Sahasaula 5,8 13 I Sarpallo 1,2,3 and 9 14 Sonaul 1,2,3 15 I Manara 1&3 I 16 Sadha 1 ! 17 Ekdara 3,8 & 9 18 _Halkhori 6,7,8 ! 19 Sisawakataiya 2,9 & 7 20 Bathnaha 1&6

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Name of Affected Core Project Area( Project Structure and

! IDwtrictand VDC._____"---(W_a_rd_S_)~______'__F-a_c_il_i_tt_.es

Source: Field Survey 2009 Note: The remaining wards of affected VDCs are categorized under surrounding area or indirect impact zone

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- ..---..--~.------'------..-­

3. DATA REQUIREMENT AND STUDY METHODOLOGY

3.1 Desk Study and Literature Review

The relevant literature of the project area, survey report, maps and other required information were collected and reviewed. The following documents, which were considered to be relevant for the lEE, were reviewed. • 1:25,000 scale topographical maps prepared by the Department of Survey, GoN; • District Profiles published by the District Development Committee (DDC) of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts, 2065; • Population Census 2001: National Report, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), June 2002; and • Route Alignment Survey Report (Plan and Profile) of Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line prepared by Project Development Department, NEA 2008.

3.2 Data Requirement, Collection Methods and Analysis

3.2.1 Physical Environment

3.2.1.1 Data Requirement and Collection Methods Information on climate (temperature & rainfall) was obtained from review of data published by Department of Hydrology and Metrology. Topo map of 1:2500 scale was reviewed to collect information about land use and other features along the alignment. The information of land use, stability, physiographic condition of the area was supplemented by the field survey conducted by the experts.

3.2.1.2 Data Analysis

The collected data was analyzed and presented by the concerned expert in the prescribed format as per the requirement of the study.

3.2.2 Biological Environment

3.2.2.1 Data Requirement and Collection Methods

District level forest data was collected by reviewing of booklets published by District Forest Office of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts. The data about the vegetation type and species were collected by making walkover survey along the alignment.

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The diameter at breast height of each tree with more than 10 cm circumference was measured by using measuring tape. Similarly, their height was estimated simply by observation.

The information on birds and mammals were collected by using checklist (AnnexA) and field observation. Photographs of major species of birds and mammals were shown to local people in group to verify their presence in the area. Some species were observed during the field visit. The available information of birds and mammals were verified with published literature such as Indian Hill Birds (Salim Ali 1997) and Mammals of Nepal (Shrestha 1997).

3.2.2.2 Data Analysis

The vegetation found in RoWand Substation area was identified in the field with the help of available literature (Shrestha 1989). The data from tree measurements were quantitatively analyzed for basal area and to calculate the wood volume. Basal Area is the trunk cross-sectional area. The basal area of each of trees was calculated on the basis of diameter at breast height. These parameters were calculated by using following formulae:

Basal area (BA) = 1t (dbh/2)2

Wood volume of standing tree = 1/2 x BAx Height

3.2.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment

3.2.3.1 Data Requirement and Collection Methods

Socioeconomic and cultural data, such as population of affected VDCs, households size, male- female ratio, infrastructures, ethnicity, language and religion data were derived from Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) 2001. District Profile of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts were referred for the socioeconomic data such as popUlation, infrastructure etc.

Appropriate questionnaire (AnnexA) was developed in Nepali language and administered in the households affected by the project. The questionnaire was pre tested before administration to the local community at site. The project will affect 198 households due to land and house acquisition. Out of the total affected households 179 households were surveyed to collect socioeconomic information.

Group meeting was conducted at Bateshwor Bazar, Ramauli tole, Jhingansthan and Madhava settlements of Bateshwor, Buchakrapur, Sarpallo and Bathnaha

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VDCs to discuss various issues likely to arise due to implementation of the project, existing environmental condition of the areas and views/ concerns of former representatives of VDC, intellectuals and local people. The size of group ranges from 5-7 people. Local employment, rural electrification and compensation for the private assets were the major concerns raised in-group meetings. The issues raised by the local people were incorporated in relevant section of the report.

3.2.3.2 Data Analysis

The collected data were analyzed in excel and out put tables were produced as required. The households were categorized as marginal (below 1.02 ha land holding), small (1.02 to 2.38 hal, medium (2.38 - 5.1 hal and large (above 5.1 hal. Farmers as per the standard criteria (National Planning Commission, Survey of Employment, Income distribution and Consumption Pattern 1976-1977).

3.3 Impact Identification and Prediction

Matrix method was used to assess impact of the project on physical, biological and socio- economic & cultural environment. The significance of both identified and predicted impacts was evaluated. Based on the evaluation each significant impact was further categorized as high, medium and low in terms of magnitude, short term, medium term and long term in terms of duration and local, site specific and regional in terms of extent. The magnitude, extent and duration were categorized as per National EIA Guideline 1993.

3.3.1 Significance of Impacts

I. Significant: If the impact is considerable and changes the baseline condition it is considered significant impact.

II. Insignificant: If the change is so minor that baseline condition is not affected considerably it is called insignificant.

3.3.2 Magnitude of Impacts

I. Low Impact (L): If the value of the resources could be used with no or minimum inconvenience to the public.

II. Medium/Moderate Impact (M): If the value of the resources could be used with inconvenience to the public.

III. High Impact (Hl: If the value of the resources reduced far below publicly

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3.3.3 Extent of Impacts

I. Site Specific (S): If the impact is limited to the project area then it is a site specific one.

II. Local (L): If the impact of the work extends to the watershed then it is termed as locaL

III. Regional (R): If the impact of the work extends beyond the watershed then it is termed as regionaL

IV. National (N): If the resources are affected at national scale, it is known as a national impact.

3.3.4 Duration of Impacts

I. Short Term (ST): If the impacts last for 3 years after project initiation it is classified as short term. The construction phase impacts are mostly categorized under this category.

II. Medium Term (MT): An impact that continues for more than 3 years but less than 20 years is considered as medium-term. The construction phase impacts which carry over 1-2 years of operation phase falls under this category.

III. Long Term (LT): An impact that lasts beyond 20 years is considered to be long term. The operation phase impacts are mostly categorized under this category.

3.4 Public Involvement

Notice with regards to Initial Environmental Examination Study was published in 'Gorkhapatra a national daily news paper on 2066/6/23. As per clause 7 (2) of the amendment version of Environment Protection Rule 15 days time was given to local people for providing written concerns/issues regarding the proposed project (Annex -5). The copy of notice was displayed at the VDC office, local schools, villages, health post and other public places. The Muchulka of the notice display was prepared and presented in Annex-6. Local people mainly raise the issue of compensation of land and other assets at market rate and employment opportunity to local people in project works (Annex- 6). The concerns of local people/institutions were incorporated in relevant section of lEE report. The recommendation letter of concerned VDCs were collected and presented in

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Annex-7.

Besides this household survey, group meeting, visit by the experts and interaction with local people were also the part of public involvement. The district and local level organizations such as District Development Committees, Village Development Committees, health posts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other related organizations were consulted during the study.

3.5 Time, Cost and Specialist

The lEE study including field work was completed in 6 months. The study cost is 1.5 million NRs. The following manpower was deployed for this study. • Project Coordinator- Deva Sharma Paudel • Team Leader- Rabindra Chaudhary • Geologist- Jayandra Man Tamrakar • Environmental Expert/ Ecologist- Raju Gewyali • Rajan Dhungel- Electrical Engineer • Civil Engineer- Ritu Duwal • Socio-economist- Achut Dawadi • Sr. Sociologist- Rajan Rishi Kandel • Sociologist- Bhakti Timsina • Public Relation Officer- Raja Ram Thapaliya

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4. REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES, ACTS, RULES, GUIDELINES AND CONVENTIONS

4.1 General

Environmental management is relatively a new subject in NepaL This chapter focuses on brief description of the policy, legal and administrative framework within which Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project will be implemented. The proponent will comply the legal requirement of Government of Nepal (GoN) and will be responsible for fulfilling provisions of all relevant acts while implementing the project. The current policies of GoN stress the importance of environmentally sound economic development and growth of the private sector through economic liberalization. Some of these policies, acts, rules, guidelines and conventions relevant to the proposed project are described below. The proponent will obey and follow if any other laws besides those already mentioned in the document are attracted due to various activities that will be undertaken as the part of the project.

4.2 Plan, Policies and Strategies

4.2.1 Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2006

Article 35(5) of the Interim Constitution mentioned about environmental awareness to general public, minimization/avoidance of the impact of physical development works on environment and rare species with due emphasis of conservation. This article also deals with the biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and equal distribution of benefits. Article 13 (3) stated that discrimination shall not be conducted based on color, origin, caste and language. Article 13 (4) mentioned that equal wages shall be given to female for same kind of work.

4.2.2 Tenth Plan (2002- 2007)

The Tenth Plan includes five-year period of 2002 to 2007. The plan focus on infrastructure development, rational use of natural resources and use of biodiversity with due emphasis on environmental conservation and pollution control. Similarly priority has been given to increase the environmental awareness, health, education by using environmental, safety and rehabilitation measures.

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4.2.3 Three Years Interim Plan

The interim plan was developed by National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal for three fiscal (064/065 to 066/067) years. The interim plan emphasize the need of Unified Environment Policy, applications of environmental standards, preparation of environmental impact reports and implementation of cleaner production and energy efficiency program. The plan also emphasizes the need for the implementation of environmental monitoring and environmental auditing program.

4.2.4 Hydropower Development Policy, 2001

The Hydropower Development Policy 2001 emphasizes the need of implementation of mitigation measures in project affected area. The policy states that Resettlement and Rehabilitation works shall be conducted as per approved criteria of the GoN. The policy clearly states that hydropower development shall be emphasized with due consideration of environmental conservation and as an alternate of bio and thermal energy. Section 6.3 deals with the provision for investment in generation, transmission and distribution where as section 6.1.2.3 (a) deals with different kind of license required at different level of project development. The policy also recommends riparian release of 10% of the average minimum monthly flow or as recommended by the study.

4.2.5 National Water Plan 2002· 2007

The National Water Plan 2002-2007 (NWP) was prepared to implement the Water Sector Strategy of Nepal. The Plan targets an increase in Nepal's hydropower generation from 600 MW in 2007 to 4,000 MW by 2027. The NWP emphasizes the need for Strategic Environmental Assessment. Section 7 of the NWP highlights the Environment Management Plan (EMP) as a strategic document for the implementation, monitoring and auditing of environmental protection programs.

4.2.6 National Biodiversity Strategy 2002

The National Biodiversity Strategy 2002 is a commitment of the Government and the people of Nepal to protect and sensibly use the biologically diverse resources of the country, protecting ecological processes and systems, equitably sharing benefits in a sustainable basis and honoring obligations under the convention on Biological Diversity.

4.2.7 Water Resources Strategy 2002 The GoN, through the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS),

Environmental and Social Studies Department 19 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report formulated its first comprehensive Water Resources Strategy (WRS) in 2002. To contribute to the national goal of improving the living conditions of the Nepali people in a sustainable manner, the WRS has formulated short-term (five year), medium-term (15 year) and long-term (25 year) strategies for the water resources sector.

4.3 Acts 4.3.1 Environment Protection Act, 1997

Nepal has enacted a comprehensive and umbrella- type environmental act, the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1997 which is enforced through appropriate regulatory measures. The EPA provides a legal basis for the concerned authorities for regulating an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or/and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Section 3 of the act requires the proponent to conduct an IEE and EIA in relation to the prescribed proposals. The act uses the word "proposal" instead of "projects" which makes the scope of the act much broader in relation to environmental studies. Implementation of any proposal without the approval of the relevant agency is prohibited by the act.

4.3.2 Electricity Act, 1992

The electricity act 1992 has been enacted to manage the survey, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and to standardize and safeguard electricity services. Article 3 - No license is required to survey, generate, transmit or distribute electricity from the projects of capacity ranging from 100 kW to 1000 kW. However, information should be provided to the designated authority about such a project.

According to Section 4 subsection -1 of the act, Any person or corporate body who wishes to conduct survey, generation, transmission or distribution of electricity over 1 MW shall be required to submit an application to the prescribed officer along with economic, technical, and environmental study report. Section 24 of this act states that" While carrying out electricity generation, transmission or distribution, it shall be carried out in such a manner that no substantial adverse effect be made on environment by the way of soil erosion, flood, landslide air pollution etc".

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Pursuant to the act, the proponent requested the then Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), through the Department of Electricity Development, to issue a survey license for the proposed Project. The survey license was issued on 2066/1/16 B.S and is valid until 2067/1/15. 4.3.3 Water Resources Act, 1992 The Water Resources Act, 1992 has been enacted to make arrangement for the rational utilization, conservation, management and development of water resources in Nepal.

According to section 8, subsection 1 of the act, a person or corporate body who desires to conduct surveyor to utilize water resources shall be required to submit an application to the prescribed officer or authority along with the economic, technical and environmental study report and with other prescribed particulars. This act is relevant to project that to get construction license above mentioned document must be submitted to DoED. Section 16 of the act mention that GoN will facilitate for land and house acquisition for development projects under prevailing rules.

4.3.4 Land Acquisition Act, 1977

It is the main legislation to guide the land acquisition process in the country. Government can acquire land at any place in any quantity by giving the compensation pursuant to the act for the land required for any public purpose or for the operation of any development project initiated by government institution (sections 3 and 4).

The compensation paid under this act will be given in cash. To decide about the amount of compensation the act has made provision for the constitution of Compensation Fixation Committee (CFC). This act is silent about the payment of compensation at market rate, which pose difficulty for the payment of compensation at present value.

4.3.5 Forest Act, 1993

Section 49 of the act prohibits reclaiming lands, setting fires, grazing, removing or damaging forest products, felling trees or plants, wildlife hunting and extracting boulders, sand and soil from the national forest without the prior approvaL Section 68 (1) of the Act empowers the government to permit the use of any part of government managed forest, community forest; leasehold forest etc, if there is no alternative except to use the forest area for the implementation of a plan or a project of national priority without significantly affecting the environment.

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4.3.6 Soil and Water Conservation Act, 1982/1992

The article 2 (B) of the act defines the soil and water conservation. According to article -3 GoN can acquire area/land by giving written notice for the purpose of water conservation. But for such acquisition, compensation shall be paid, in case of private land, in consultation with local authorities (VDC/Municipality). Article 10 of the act elaborates the activities that are considered illegal in the area which are suspected for natural disaster.

4.3.7 Local Self Governance Act, 1999

Local self Governance Act, 1999 empowers the local authorities and makes t~em more responsible towards local development. Article - 6 of VDC deals with the environment conservation and management while design the project/program. Article - 8 deals with penalty if any body/person/institution is found polluting the environment. The act empowers municipality to control and manage different type of pollution, forest resources and other natural resources.

4.3.8 Labor Act 2049

This act is enforced by GoN in 2049/2/2. This act classified people below 15 years as child and "Nabalik" for the age group of above 14 years and below 18 years. The act has also made provision of labor court and Department of Labor. The act clearly mentioned that appointment letter should be issued for all the employees which include their working hours, working time, wages and other benefits. The act allows for the time bond contract for the manpower required for development work. The act specifies that working hours for the Nabalik and women must be within the period of 6 AM to 6PM which clearly restrict to deploy women in night works. The act also stated that equal opportunity shall be given to women as man. Similarly working period of other employees must not exceed 8 hours a day and 48 hours in week. If some people work beyond that period over time allowances must be paid which is 150 % of the normal per hour wages and such over time must not exceed 4 hours in each day. According to this act wages rate of the employees shall not be less than rate fixed by the concerned offices of GoN. 4.3.9 Land Reform Act, 2021 (19641 The Land Reform Act, 1964 is considered as a revolutionary step towards changing the existing system of land tenure by establishing rights of tenants and providing ownership rights to actual Tiller. To date it has been amended five times. Article sets ceiling on land ownership according to geographical zones. Article 25 (ll of this act deals with tenancy rights that also exists.

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Regulations

4.4.1 Environment Protection Rule, 1997

The EPR provides a legal basis for the concerned authorities in regulating the Initial Environmental Examination (lEE) or/and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It is apparent from this provision that any private or government agency who wishes to implement any of the proposals defined in the regulations must prepare either an lEE or EIA, as the case may be. Article 7(2) of the EPR made provision of publishing notice during the preparation of lEE report to collect the concerns of stakeholders such as DOC, VDC, school, health post, hospital etc. As per the rule notice was displayed in project area and Muchulka was prepared. According to Section 10 of EPR recommendation letter of affected VDC is mandatory prior to submission of the lEE report. The proponent has collected recommendation letters of all affected VDCs which are annexed in the report.

4.4.2 Electricity Regulations, 1992

Section (Chha) of Article 12 and section (Chha) of Article 13 of Electricity Regulation 1992 are important from environmental viewpoint. The Initial Environmental Examination report should address the environmental issues, measures required to mitigate the significant adverse impacts. This regulation has also made provision for the formation of Compensation Fixation Committee for compensation of the land required for the project.

4.4.3 Water Resources Regulation, 1993

It is mandatory under Rule 17 (e) of the regulation that any person or corporate body, who desires to obtain a license for utilization of water resources must state in his application that appropriate measures will be taken to lessen the adverse effects due to the project on the overall environment. Measures are to be taken for the conservation of aquatic life and water environment and for mitigating social and economic effects of the project in the concerned area.

4.4.4 Local Self Governance Regulation, 2000

Local Self-Governance Regulation empowers the local bodies to coordinate and implement development programs and for rationale utilization of local natural resources. Article -7 (69) empowers the VDCs for monitoring and supervision of development work implemented in the VDC. The Article - 4 of DOC has provision of

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4.5 Guidelines

4.5.1 National Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 1993

According to the guidelines, lEE is mandatory for hydroelectric projects with generating capacities up to 5 MW. This guideline is frequently used and quite helpful right from making terms of reference to preparing impact assessment matrix and assigning values on impacts ranking. The other important feature of the guideline is description on community participation. Clause 49 deals with the methods to involve the public. 4.5.2 EIA Guideline for Agriculture Sector 2003

The EIA Guideline for Agriculture Sector 2003 was developed to minimize impacts on the agriculture sector due to increase in agricultural products and production and the activities of projects implemented by other organizations. Schedule 2 of the Guideline discusses the screening process for environmental studies, Schedule 4 relates to EIA scoping and Schedule 5 describes the requirements for the EIA ToR. The construction of the transmission line will involve the acquisition of cultivated land for tower sites and may involve the leasing of cultivated land for temporary construction sites, thus standing crops may be affected and therefore the provisions of this Guideline are relevant to the project.

4.5.3 DoED/USAID Hydropower Manuals

The DoED, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Resources Group Ltd., prepared seven manuals relating to hydropower environmental studies and monitoring in Nepal. These manuals include:

• Manual for preparing Scoping Document for EIA of Hydropower Projects; • Manual for preparing Terms of Reference for EIA of Hydropower Projects with notes on EIA report preparation; • Manual for preparing Environmental Management Plan for Hydropower Projects; • Manual for Public Involvement in the EIA Process of Hydropower Projects; and

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• Manual for Pr~diction, Ranking and Determination of Significant Impacts in EIA of Hydropower Projects. The manuals are helpful in preparing EIA scoping documents, Terms of Reference, EIA/IEE reports and environmental management and monitoring plans, and were reviewed during the preparation of this lEE. 4.5.4 National Health Care and Waste Management Guidelines National Health Care and Waste Management Guidelines 2002 has been developed by National Health Research Council (NHRC) in assistance of World Bank .The guideline aims to develop sound health care waste management system in health care institutions. The guideline is helpfull to sensitize the government, health care institutions, policy maker, planners and environmentalist of Nepal. The Guideline provides a minimum standard for safe and efficient waste management for health care institution in Nepal. The guidelines mainly focus on protection of public health and safety, safer working environment, minimization of waste generation and environmental impacts of waste treatment/disposal.

4. 6 Convention

4.6.1 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora

Nepal is a party to the CITES that aims to control the trade of certain wildlife species to prevent further endangering of their survival. CITES classifies species according to the following criteria: I - species threatened with extinction, II ­ species which could become endangered, III - species that are protected (CITES 1983. As Nepal is party to the Conventions related to species conservation attention should be given to evaluate the impacts of the project activities on meeting their obligations. 4.6.2 ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 1989 (No.169)

Nepal ratified ILO Convention No. 169 on September 14, 2007. In 2007 the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly. The declaration reaffirms the importance of the principles and approaches provided for under Convention No. 169 and its adoption therefore provide afresh impetus for promoting the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 169. ILO Convention No.169 highlights the need to recognize indigenous and tribal people's specific knowledge, skills and technologies as the basis for their traditional economies and self- determined development process. Article -1 of the convention provide definition of the tribal and indigenous people.

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---~--~.------­ Article -6 deals the consultation of the peoples concerned through appropriate procedure and in particular through their representative institutions, whenever consideration is being given to legislative or administrative measures which may affect them directly.

In Article 15 the rights of the peoples concerned to the natural resources pertaining to their lands shall be specifically safeguarded. These rights include the right of these people to participate in the use, management and conservation of these resources. The use of the term lands includes the concept of territories, which covers the total environment of the areas which the peoples concerned occupy or otherwise use. The peoples concerned shall wherever possible participate in the benefits of such activities and shall receive fair compensation for any damages which they may sustain as a result of such activities. Article 16 (2) clearly mention that where the relocation of these peoples is considered necessary as an exceptional measures such relocation shall take place only with their free and inform consent. Where their consent cannot be obtained, such relocation shall take place only following appropriate procedures established by national laws and regulations, including public inquiries where appropriate, which provide the opportunity for effective representation of the peoples concerned. Article 16 (3) mention that whenever possible these peoples shall have the right to return their traditional land as soon as the grounds for relocation cease to exist. Article 16(5) elaborated the persons thus relocated shall be fully compensated for any reSUlting loss or injury.

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5. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

5.1 Physical Environment

5.1.1 Topography The proposed transmission line alignment throughout its 39 km passes through the Dhanusha and Mahottari district which are the extension of the Gangetic plains. The maximum and minimum elevations of the proposed transmission line alignment are 180.40 m and 61.11 m respectively. 5.1.2 Land Use Pattern Forest (44.09%) is the major land uses of Dhanusha district followed by Agriculture land (20.94%). In Mahottari district out of the total 98,745 ha land the contribution of agriculture, forest and grazing land are 70.2%, 24.77% and 1. 11 % respectively (Table 5.1). Cultivated land, mango garden, planted vegetation, settlement, grazing land, river & ford and roads are the main land use patterns of the core project area.

Table - 5.1: Land Use Pattern of the Project Districts

Dhanusha I Mahottari S.No. Land Uses District % i District % i 1 Agriculture 44871 20.94 69323 70.2

2 Grazing 34128 15.93 1093 1.11 I i 3 Forest 94478 44.09 24457 24.77 i 4 Others 40801 19.04 3872 3.92

i Total 214,278 100.00 98,745 i 100 Source: Nepal Dlstnct Proflle, 2006

The total landfalls within 39 km transmission line for 46 meter RoW is 179.4 ha. The land use pattern in RoW are cultivated land 161.46 ha and others 17.94 ha. The others include mango garden, barren land, road! river crossings etc. The detail ofland use pattern is given in Table 5.2. Table-5.2:Component-wise Land Use Pattern i I s. No. I Component Land Uses ( Ha) Total Land

I Cultivated Land I Other Types of Land I I i 1 Substation 2.4 I 0.6 3 ! 2 Right of Way 161.46 17.94 179.4 (RoW) I Total 163.86 I 18.54 182.4

Environmental and Social Studies Department 27 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

.~.-.-.-..--~..---­-­---­ Source: Field Survey 2009 5.1.3 Climate The project area has subtropical type of climate and is hot for six months with rainy season lasting for 3 months and rest is winter dry season. The minimum and maximum temperature of Dhanusha district for the year 2006 recorded at Janakpur airport is 9.oC and 34.20 C respectively (Table 5.3). Likewise the minimum and maximum temperature of Mahottari district for the year 2006 recorded at Jaleshwor is 9.50 C and 34.80 C respectively (Table 5.4). The annual rain fall of Dhanusha and Mahottari district for the year 2006 is 1292.1 mm and 1082.5 mm respectively (DHM 2006).

Table -5 .3: Cl'Imato1og:i caI Records 0 rDhanusha D'lstnct YEAR: 2006- JANAKPUR AIRPORT I , S.No. I Air Tem )erature °C I Relative humidity % Precipitation Month i Max. Min. I 8:45 17:45 mm 1 IJan I 22.2 9.0 I 88.0 60.3 0.0 2 Feb I 28.3 15.0 ! 80.8 51.5 0.0 3 Mar 32.1 15.2 63.5 34.7 33.4 4 Apr 34.2 20.2 54.9 38.3 37.4

5 May 33.6 24.6 65.8 51.1 116.6 6 Jun 34.2 26.3 8l.0 61.8 290.9 I 7 Jul 33.0 26.9 79.6 63.8 262.8 , ! 8 Aug 33.9 26.9 74.1 62.8 I 59.1 I I 9 Sep 31.7 25.1 83.9 69.2 491.9 I 10 Oct 32.1 22.6 78.0 58.3 0.0 11 ,Nov 28.1 16.0 78.3 50.8 0.0 12 Dec 24.8 11.0 85.9 49.5 0.0 Yearly 1292.1

Source: DHM, 2006

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Table -5.4: Climatological Records of Mahottari District

YEAR:2006-JALESHWOR

S.No. Air Tem ~erature °C Relative humidity % Precipitation Month Max. Min. 8:45 17:45 mm 1 Jan 22.0 9.5 90.1 82.6 0.0

2 Feb 29.1 14.7 89.6 84.8 i 0.0 3 Mar 32.6 15.9 71.5 74.0 0.0 4 Apr 34.3 20.8 i 62.0 53.6 72.0 I I 5 May 34.5 24.1 74.6 67.2 166.0 i 6 Jun 34.8 25.6 78.3 71.9 I 186.0 7 !Jul 33.2 26.7 83.2 76.9 181.0 8 Aug 35.0 26.0 78.0 74.3 59.0 9 Sep 33.3 25.2 78.9 74.0 406.5 10 Oct 32.8 25.1 77.8 77.3 0.0 11 Nov 26.9 15.2 69.9 59.7 0.0 12 Dec 23.9 10.7 85.5 66.4 12.0 Yearly 1082.5

i

Source: DHM, 2006

5.1.4 Air and Noise Quality Mostly the transmission line alignment passes through scattered rural settling and far from the highway, where movement of vehicle is minimum hence area is free from the noise pollution. The air quality of the project area is fairly good. The occasional movement of vehicle in earthen road and some of the brick kilns that are in operation nearby the route alignment are the sources of air pollution in this area. Firewood and cow dung cake (Guitha) are the major sources of energy for cooking. The use of these materials is another source of indoor as well as out door air pollution in the project area.

5.1.5 Water Quality The water quality of the river crosses by the transmission line seems polluted due to soil erosion from near by cultivated land, bank erosion and disposal of dead bodies of animal in river channel. Since river channels are wide and dry season flow is limited only 15-20 % of the total river width the man made disturbances such as extraction of sand, temporary roads and cultivation in the bank also

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

causes river 5.1.6 Geology, Stability and Soil Erosion The main geology of the area belongs to indogangetic plain of Nepal Himalayas. It consists mainly alluvial deposits consisting of silty soil with gravels and pebbles. The area is stable due to flat topography. Soil erosion is not found along the alignment except bank erosion of the major rivers.

5.1.7 Crossings of Other Utilities

The proposed transmission line alignment crosses rivers/rivulets 39 times, a railway line (not in operation with broken tracks) at one place, irrigation canal at three places and bridge at one place( Table 5.5}. The proposed route also crosses East West Highway (Mahendra Rajmarg) at Jamunibash of ward 3 of Begadabar VDC and Bardibash-Mahottari highway at Thalahi of Shasaula VDC. Sukhajor River, Rato River, Jangaha River and Ankusi River are the major river crossings of the transmission line.

Table- 5.5 River, Road and other structures crossings

-..,-----..,-._-_._------...,------,.------, S.N. Alignment Road ~_River Crossings I Rivulets Other Stretch Crossing River Name I No. of Crossing Crossings

! ~ i lCrossings I I. I I Substation ­ AP 1 -­ ! Sukhajor I 1 -­ -­ 2. ! I I AP 1 AP IA I E-W I -­ -­ 2 I ' Highway ­ 1 I i 3. : AP 1 A - AP 2 ! 1 -­ -­ -­ -­ 4. I ! AP 2 - AP 3 12 -­ -­ 2 Orchard ­ 2 5. I AP 3 - AP 4 17 -­ -­ 4 Canal ­ 1 6. i AP 4 - AP 4A 1 -­ -­ 12 I Canal- 1 I 7·I AP4A-AP4B -­ -­ I-­ I Railway line- I -­ I i i . 1 Canal- 1 8. i AP 4B - AP 5 16 Rata 1 Orchard ­ 3 9. lAP 5 - AP6 1 Canal-I, I I i~ I I i ITemEle - 1 I I 10. AP6 MY i 1 Janl!aha 1 -­ -­ II. AP7-AP8 ~J 1 . Janl!ahg 3 1 Bridge-I 12. AP 8 - AP 9 1 -­ -­ 5 Orchard 2 Total 142 ·7 132 14 I

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Source: Field Suroey 2009

5.2 Biological Environment

5.2.1 Vegetation/ Forest Resources 5.2.1.1 Vegetation Type in RoW The transmission line alignment does not pass through the forest area. Altogether 28 tree species were recorded in the project area (Annex-8) Mango garden ( Mangifera indica ), Masala (Eucalyptus canaldulensis), Nim( Azadiracta indica), Litchi( Nephetium litChI), Sisau (Dalbergia sissoo) and bamboo grooves (Dendrocalmus sp.) are the major plant species found along the alignment. A few trees of Sal (Shorea robusta) and Simal (Bombax ceiba), were also observed in an around the Begadabar VDC. Bel (Aegle marmelos) and Kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis) are the plant species found in settlement areas.

5.2.1.2 Community Forest

Eleven community forests which consist 6 from Dhanusha and 5 from Mahottari district are found in project area. These community forests do not fall in 46m RoW. The detail of community forest found in project area is given in Table 5.6. Table: 5.6 Community Forests in Project Area

S.N. Name of the Community Forest VDC & Wards Area (hal Household

! Dhanusha -District

1 ! Komalpuri Dhalkebar-9 1375 167 2 Pokhari Damar Dhalkebar2,3, i 173 • 395 4 &5 I I 3 Kharsange Danda Begadawar 3 52.64 i 201 &4 • 4 Paschim Kharsange Danda Begadawar 6 • 85.04 176 &7 i 15 Lalgadh Begadawar 8 1000 465 I &9 • 6 Dhaneshwor Mahila Begadawar 9 60.54 140 ! Mahottari-District i 7 Bhangaha Bhangaha-3 23 125 '8 Ratokhola -A Bhangaha-3 7 8 9 Ratokhola -B Bhangaha-3 4 39 10 Sautiniya Phokher Ramgopalpur- I 14 1000 7 ! i 11 Rajkhor Pokher Sarpallo-9 i 2.5 200

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Source: District Forest Office Dhanusha and Mahottari 2063

5.2.1.3 Ethnobotany The local people utilize plant resources for different purposes including timber, firewood, and food. The major timber yielding plants of the project area are Sisso, Sal, Simal and Masala. Almost all the trees are used as firewood depending upon their availability. Citrus species (Nibuwa, Bhogate etc.) Mango and Katahar (Artocarpus spp.) are the common fruit plants in the project area. 5.2.1.4 Rare, Endangered, Protected and Threatened Species of Flora Sal (Shorea robusta), and Simal (Bombax ceiba) are the species protected under Forest Act. According to section 70 (Ka) of this act felling, transportation and export of these species for commercial purpose is banned. Simal is classified under threatened category of IUCN.

5.2.2 Wildlife

5.2.2.1 Mammals

Jackal (Canis aureus), house mouse (Mus musculus homourus) and rats( Rattus rattus) are the mammal species reported from the project area. 5.2.2.2 Birds Mango garden, agricultural fields, villages, river and stream provide variety of habitat for different species of birds. Altogether 24 species of birds are found in project area (Annex-9). Common bird species are Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), House Swift (Apus affinis), House Crow (Corvus spIe ndens), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Out of the reported bird species Rose Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula kramen) is listed in the Appendix 1 of CITES, Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) are listed in Appendix III of CITES. Bird flying path is not observed in the project area.

5.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment

5.3.1 Socioeconomic Condition of the Project Area

5.3.1.1 Demography The proposed transmission line project covers 5 VDCs of Dhanusha district and 15 VDC of Mahottari district. The total popUlation of the project area is 144,861 including 74,939 (51.73%) male and 69,922(48.27%) female whioh is 11.83% of the total population of the project districts. The total number of household is 24,763 with an average household size of 5.85 (Table 5.7). The average popUlation density

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

785.01 (persons (CBS 2001). The the project affected VDCs (10 years and above) is 99,974 with 53,402 male (53.42%), and 48,274 female (48.28%). According to the National Census 2001, economically active population of the Project VDCs is 64,327 (64.27%) with male 42,062 (42.07%) and female 22,267 (22.27%).

Table: 5.7 Demographic Characteristics of the Project Area

, S.No·1 VDCs Population Total Number of Average I I Area ! Households Household i fsq.km} I Size i 1101 VDC and 1 Total I Male I Female I l Mun i i I Dhanusha District 6,71,364 I 3,49,422 3,21,942 1,190 117,417 5.72 I 1 Dhalkebar 9912 5132 4780 15.16 i 1772 5,59 2 Begadawar 10638 5513 5125 34.4 1965 5.41 3 Bateshwar 5756 3019 2737 8,16 i 1025 5.61 r~ I i i 4 Laksminibas 3151 1634 1517 7.04 504 6.25 i 5 Bhuchakrapur 4555 2323 2232 7.28 812 i 5,61 i i I VDC Total 34012 17621 16391 72.04 6,078 5.60 ! I Mahottari District 553,481 287,905 265,576 1002 94,229 5.87 76 VDCs 8& 1 Mun. J I 1 Bhangaha 11745 i 5,992 5,753 24.45 2,222 5.29 I 2 Singyahi 7760 4,045 3,715 i 11.19 1,368 5.67 3 Dhamaura 12164 6,268 5,896 17,62 2,111 5,76 I 4 Dharampur 4830 2,348 2,482 5,64 879 5.49

5 i Banauta 6013 3,160 J 2,853 8.72 1,029 5.84 I 6 Ramgopalpur I 9705 4,898 4,807 12.2 1,585 6.12 i 7 Sahasaula 6669 3,503 3,166 8.93 1,090 6.12 i

8 Sarpallo 8669 I 4,504 4,165 8.43 1,415 6,13 9 Sonau! 3678 1,866 1,812 6,61 603 6.10 I I 10 Manara 5740 i 2,869 2,871 6,03 1,018 5,64 i 11 I Sadha 4335 j 2,285 2,050 I 6.44 651 6.66

12 I Ekdara 8341 4,454 3,887 1 6.63 1,276 6,54 I i 13 I Halkhori 5867 I 3,093 2,774 5,78 920 6,38

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/ L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

3,386 5.45 1,107 6.50 3,914 6.98 1,411 5.77

: VDC Total ! 110,r::,8:.:4:..:9'-1--':..'-!=.::...-+---=-==.=_r--=-:..=-=----+_~""==.::'____+--=57,318 53,531 141.1 18,685 . VDC GrandT144,861 74,939 69,922 24,763 5"!i5.85

Total .....l-__ I I ___ ~" ---' '-S.::-Ol.l-fi-ce~: CBS 2001

5.3. 1.2 Settlement Pattern Dense settlement is found in the area. The housing facilities are of typical terai type which include a house and a cow shed. Houses are mostly thatched roofed together with slate. A few RCC building are also found in each settlement. The transmission line does not pass through settlement area. The major settlements near the transmission line and their proximity to route is given in Table 5.8. Table- 5.8: Settlements and other Public Places Close to Proposed Transmission Line Alignment

Name of AP and Settlements Temple VDCs Substation within

Location ! 100m I Within 100 I' Above 100

I meter . meter !

Dhalkebar Substation I Dhalkebar: Ii

I i Substation tole I baza::.:::.ar::::.L'.:..;N=a:.Ly::::a,:::to::.:l_+-I_____-I

IBegadawar IAp-l to AP-I Jamunibash ! Kusumbisauna, I

I ! 1 A, Tallo begadawar Bateshwar Ap-1A to - Katani tole, Ap-2 Koriani tole and Dhanusha . Bateshwar

i market

Laksminibas I Ap-2 to Ap- . i Chittrapur I 1--: • 3 L Pato tole ;---1 IBhuchakrapur • Ap-2 to Ap- I Ramauli • l3 Ltole I I Bhangaha I Ap-3 to AP_ji - ' Miyabasti, Tharu I ,4 tole Bhangaha Mahottari i ' rSingyahi I AP-4 to AP-j' Bakhari, I Singayahi ! 4A Kavilasa i I

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

I , I i Dharampur AP-4A to . Dharampur, I AP-4B Dhamali tole I Dhamaura AP-4B to Rauja, AP-5 Adhyanpur, Shiva Dhamaura Temple Banauta . AP-S to AP­ - ISaranchiya 6 r--RamgOPalPur . AP-6 to AP­ - Dolathi i I i i 17 I i i Sahasaula I AP-6 to AP­ - Thalahi, Goithi, I 17 Tikuliya market , Sarpallo AP-6 to AP­ - Jhingasthan 7

Sonaul i Sonaul I;P-7 to AP- 1 i i I I Manara ' AP-7toAP­ i Manara market 8 J i Sadha AP-7 to AP­ - Sadha I i 8 I Ekdara i AP-8 to Bela, Ekdara

i AP9

Halkhori I AP-8 to i - \ Bhanhiya AP9 J

I Sisawakataiya AP-8 to i Sahasram AP9 Bathnaha AP-8 to - Madhawa, AP9 Bathanaha Source: Field Survey 2009 Note: School, bazaar and other public places are not found within 100m

5.3.1.3 Caste/Ethnicity The project area is a heterogeneous mixture of different origins, cultures, language and ethnicity of the people. Altogether 42 castes/ethnic groups are found in the project area (Annex- 1O}. Koiri (12.00%), Yadava (10.84%), Muslim (12.07%), Dhanuk (7.84 %} and Dalit (19.74%) are the dominant castes in the affected VDCs. Other castes found in this area are Brahmin hill and terai (7.56%) TeB (4.73%), Tamang (2.19%), Tharu (2.09%), Kurmi (1.42%), Hazam/Thakur (1.47%) and

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/ L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report others (12.53%). The other category includes Baniya ,Haluwai ,Barae ,Gharti/ Bhujel, Kewat , Kayastha , Rajput , Kanu , Kumhar and Mali etc ( CBS 2001). Out of the 42 castes/ethnic group found in project area 13 castes are classified in indigenous group by the GoN. Yadav, Mahato, Bhumihar, Kurrni, Kushubaha, Dhanuk, Nuniya, Haluwai, Kewat, Kayastha, Kumhar and Hajam/Thakur are classified under this group. 5.3.1.4 Religion Hinduism (85.23%) is the dominant religion in the project area (CBS 2001). Buddhism (2.42%), Islam (11.97%), Kirant (0.008%), Jain (0.001%), Christianity (0.078%), Sikh (0.014%) and Bahai (0.004%) are the other religionspracticed by the people of the affected VDCs (Annex- 11).

5.3.1.5 Language Maithali is widely (82.87%) spoken language in the project area (CBS 2001). Apart from this, other languages spoken by the people include: Nepali (7.24%), Urdu (2.78%), Magar (1.32%), Tamang (1.82%), Hindi (0.68%), Newari (0.34%), Bajjika (0.90%) and others (1.89%). The others include Tharu, Bhojpuri, Marwadi, Majhi, Sherpa etc (Annex- 12).

5.3.1. 6 Education There area 54 primary, 11 lower secondary, 11 secondary schools, one higher secondary school and 4 boarding schools in the project area (Annex-13). The infrastructure and facilities such as furniture, toilet, play ground, etc are not adequate in some of these schools. The students generally go to Janakpur, Jaleshwor and Kathmandu for higher education. In Sisawakataiya VDC of Mahottari district one Muslim school locally called Madrsa is also present. The Janta Primary School of Singyahi is within 150 distance from RoWand the Panchkanya Primary School of Dhalkebar is within 300m distance whereas the Lachamu High School of Bathnaha VDC is about 500 m distance from the AP-9. The other schools are not found within 1 km range of the transmission line.

5.3.1.7 Literacy Status

The average literacy rate (6 years and above) of the project area is 31.60 % which is lower than the district average literacy rate (41.36%). and far behind the national literacy rate of 53.74%. The literacy rate of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts are 48.37% and 34.36% respectively. Begadawar VDC of Dhanusha district has the highest literacy rate among the affected VDCs (56.60%) and Sahasaula VDC of the same district has the lowest literacy rate. The detail of literacy status in the project affected VDCs are presented in the Table 5.9 and Annex-14. Although the overall

Environmental and Social Studies Department 36 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report literacy rate is not good in the project area the educational level of Madhava village of Bathnaha VDC is highly appreciable. There are five doctorate (PhD) and 75 master degree holder in a single Madhava village.

Table- 5.9: Literacy status of the Project Affected VDCs I I I SN. i Name ofVDCs ' Districts Literacy Rate I 1 Dhalkebar Dhanusha 44.3.0% 2 Laxminiwas Dhanusha 42% 3 Begadawar Dhanusha 56.60% 4 Bateswor Dhanusha 37.20% 5 Bhuchakrapur Dhanusha 42.70% I 6 Bhangha Mohottari 22.90% 7 Singyahi Mohottari i 22.30% I I 8 Dhamoura Mohottari 23.80% ' 9 Banouta Mohottari 25.70% 10 I Sahasaula Mohottari 15.40% 11 I Sarpallo Mohottari 20.20% I ! 12 Sanoul Mohottari 27.50% I 13 Manara Mohottari 36.40% I 14 Ekdera Mohottari 27.30% i 15 Halkhori Mohottari 23.20% I 16 Siswakatiya I Mohottari 27.60% I I 17 Sadha Mohottari 40.20% 18 I Dharmapur Mohottari 32% 19 I Ramgopalpur Mohottari 20.90% I 20 Bathnaha Mohottari 35%

I Total 623.20% I Average 31.60% I Source: DlStnct Profile, 2065

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5.3.1.8 Public Health & Sanitation Open defecation along rivers or in open fields is a common practice in the villages. 5-10 houses in each settlement of the project area have toilet facilities. However in Dhalkebar VDC about 70% houses have toilet facilities. Hand pipe, is the major source of drinking water followed by well and tube well. Tap water facility is also available in Dhalkebar settlement (Bijuli tole).

Health post and sub-health posts are providing health care services in project area. The hospital service is available at the district headquarter at Janakpur and Jaleshwor of Dhanusha and Mahottari district respectively. Health post is found at Dhalkebar VDC whereas in other VDCs of the project area sub health posts are found. The health post/ sub-health posts are mostly located more than 2 km distance from the transmission line alignment. Medical shops are found in Dhalkebar, Begadabar, Tikuliya and Manara settlements. Traditional healing practices such as Dhami, Jhankri is common in the project area. Diarrhea, skin disease, acute respiratory infection, ear infection, , chronic bronchitis, gastritis, diabetes and abdominal pain are the common diseases reported from the project area.

Cow dung cake (60%) and firewood are the major source for cooking and most of the households use traditional cooking stoves. However, improved stoves, LP gas and kerosene are also being used by some households. The in -house sanitation facilities in most of the houses are not good.

5.3.1.9 Migration The in-migration from nearby districts and VDCs in project area is very low. The out- migration specially the young generation migrate to neighboring country and abroad seeking for employment opportunities is quite high. Malaysia, Qatar, Dubai are the main destination in abroad to most of the migrant. Migration to the cities such as Janakpur, Jaleshwor and Kathmandu for the business, employment, study and medical services is also common in the area.

5.3.1.10 occupation Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the project area. Business, service, labor, small scale industries are the other occupation of the local people. Foreign employment, mainly in India, gulf countries and Malaysia are also common in the project area. However, ninety percent employment is reported from Madhava village and majority of them are in teaching profession.

5.3.1.11 Agriculture and Livestock Paddy and wheat are the major food crops grown in the project area. The cash

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Enuironmental Examination Report crops grown in the project area are sugarcane, seeds. The production of paddy, wheat, sugarcane, maize, millet, pulses, oilseed and vegetables are 2.45, 2.3, 35, 1.1, 1.2, 1.15, and 11 mtfha respectively (District Agriculture Profile 2061 f 062)

Irrigation canal, deep tube well, shallow tube well, ponds and private wells are the major irrigation facilities in project area. The average land holding size of the people of project area is 0.7283 ha. The average land holding per household of Project VDCs for Dhanusha and Mahottari districts are 0.92224 ha and 0.6651 ha respectively. The land holding size of the people of Ekdara VDC is higher among all affected VDCs. The detail of distribution of cultivated land in project affected VDCs and average land holding size is presented in Table 5.10.

Table- 5.10: Distribution of Cultivated Land and Average Land Holding Size in Project Area

I S.No. I Name ofVDCs ! Cultivated Land ( hal Average Land · Holding Size (ha) I i 1 Dhalkebar 1577.6 0.8903 i 12 Begadawar 1340.6 0.6822 I ! 3 Bateshwar 758.6 0.7401 4 Laksminibas 617.9 1.226 5 Bhuchakrapur 1311.6 1.6153 VDC Total 5606.3 .0.9224 1 Bhangaha 1892 0.8515 2 Singyahi 1093 0.799 3 Dharampur 564 0.6416 i 4 Dhamaura 1222 0.5789 ! 5 Banauta 739 0.7182 !6 Ramgopalpur 1979 1.2486 7 Sahasaula 630 0.578 8 pallo 714 • 0.655 1 9 Sonaul 410 0.6799 10 Manara 948 0.9312 11 Sadha 409 0.6283 I I 12 Ekdara 754 1.6923 13 Halkhori 441 0.4793

14 i Sisawakataiya 323 0.2918 ! 15 I Bathnaha i 310 0.2197

Enuironmental and Social Studies Department 39 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

I • VDC Total I 12428 0.6651 I I Grand Total I 18034.3 0.7283 Source: District Agriculture Development Profile ofDhanush and Mahottari districts 2061/2062

Goats, cows, bulls, buffaloes, sheep, pigs and poultry are the domesticated livestock in this area and are sold at local market for supplementary income. There are 24763 households in the project area out of this 3428 (13.84%) households have agriculture land, 2269 (9.15%) households have livestock only and 113(0.45%) households possess poultry only. The data shows that 10777(43.52%) households have both land and livestock, 165(0.66%) households have land and poultry, 449 (1.81%) households have livestock and poultry and 1918 (7.70%) households possess land, livestock and poultry. About 5644 (22.79%) households have no agriculture land, livestock and poultry (Annex 15).

5.3.1.12 Infrastructure

Transportation Mahendra Highway and Dhulikhel-Sindhuli -Bhittamod Highway and Bardibash­ Jaleshwor Highway are the main road access to the project area. Tikuliya road and Jhingansthan-Sonaul road are the link road providing access to the site. The transmission line alignment is close to the link road. Daily bus services from Janakpur and Jaleshwor to Kathmandu are available throughout year.

Air Route The nearest airport to the site is Janakpur. The nearest distance of the alignment from airport is more than 25km. Buddha and Yeti airlines have regular flight to Janapur and in average 4-5 flights occur daily from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The location of airport is in east -west direction. The aircraft flying route is east - south.

Communication Communication services such as mobile, CDMA and landline phone facilities are available in most of the VDCs of the project area. Modem communication facilities like television, cable-network, e-mail, internet and fax are available in Dhalkebar VDC. Access of some local and national newspapers in Sitapur Bazaar, Saranchiya and Manara Bazar were also observed.

Electricity Laksminiwash, Sarpallo, Sonaul, Sadha and Ekdara VDCs of the project area are fully electrified. The remaining VDCs affected by the project are partially electrified (80%) through the national grid.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Industrial Activity Pashupati veneer industry, plywood factory, Everest wire industry and Annapurna rice mill are found in Dhalkebar VDC. Brick industry is found in Ramgopalpur and Banauta VDCs and Saw mill and rice mill is found in Laxminiwash and Dharampur VDCs respectively. Scented stick industry is found in Bhuchakrapur VDC, Ward-3.

Others The other service facilities available in and around the project area include: sub­ health post, health post, agriculture service centre, veterinary center, postal service, educational institutions, police office, cooperative office and rural development bank etc.

Dhalkebar, Bateshwar, Bijayapur, Sitapur, Saranchiya, Singyahi, Rauja, Tikuliya, Manara, Sarpallo, Chauriya, Bela, station markets are the major local market center in the project area. The nearest market from the alignment is station market which is located about 500 m distance from transmission line. The other market centers are located within 1.5 -3 km range from the transmission line alignment. 5.3.1.13 Religious, Historical and Archaeological Sites Durga Bhagawati Mandir, Ram Janaki Mandir, Shiva Mandir, Bramsthan, Gadhi mai temple and Sidhnath temple are the main temples found in the project area. Dhrubkunda of Dhamaura VDC and Chaudhary Pokhari of Manara VDC are the local tourist places in the area. The Shiva temple of Adhyanpur is within the RoW

5.3.1.14 Gender. Most ofthe women in the project area are engaged in the household works as well as labor in agriculture and other sector. Preparation of cow dung cake, cooking, washing, food processing, household maintenance, hygiene and sanitation activities, bearing, rearing and caring of children and taking care of the sick, elderly and other members of the family are daily activities of the women. The decision making process on economic activities is mostly exercised by the males. Land and property holding is dominated by the males. School enrolment of male child is higher as compared to the female child.

5.3.1.15 Law and Order Law and order situation in project area is comparatively improved after smooth landing of peace process. However unrest is still exist in Mahottari section of project area due to activities of different groups.

5.3.2 Socioeconomic Features of Project Affected Families

5.3.2.1 Demography

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kVT/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

The total population of 179 surveyed households is 1366 which consist male 690 (50.51%) and female 676(49.48%). The dependent population (population below 15 years) is 522(38.21%). Similarly, the population between 16 to 59 years of age is 760(55.63%) whereas 60 years and above is 84(6.14%) only (Table 5.11). The average family size of the surveyed households is 7.75 which is higher than the average family size (5.85) of the project VDCs. Table- 5.11: Demographic Characteristics ofthe Project Affected Families

60yrs and Total I' 16 - 59

i B.No ·1' VDCs i populati.o"-=n'----+-F_e_m_a_le-'-;-_.;...M_al.;....;...e_+----<15 yrs yrs Above I I ... I I • 1 . Laxminiwas. 36 21 15 18 14 4

1 2 i Bhuichakr~r~ 42 22 20 13 24 5

1 I 3 : SiSaWakata:i---75"­ 31 44 2-3--+- 47 5

I 4 ! Bateshwor i 89 I 42 I 47 4-'0---+1--4-3---'-:-­ 6

5 i Bathnaha 107 52 55 43 57 7 6 Begadabar 127 63 64 53! 70 4

I 7 I Sahasaula 84 I 45 39 33 i 50 1

rI· _~8~I~S~a=r=p.ru==o____~___~5~8___~__~3~0__+-~2~8_ _r--18 37 3

I 9 i Sonaul 102 49 53 34 I 63 5

I 10 • Dhrukebar 123 I 68 55 47 I 70 6 I 11 Dhamaura 118 I 63 55 44 I 65 9

! 12 Banauta 58 28 30 i 24 30 4 ~~1~3~B~h~an~l~~a~__+­ ____~7~7___~_~3~6__~_~4~1_41----=26~~---=5~1_~__- __~ 14 Singahi 89 45 44 30 52 7 15 Ekdara 60 26 34 29 26 5 I 16 Man=a~ra=___~___1~2~1~_~r-_5~5~-+_ _'6~6~~I__4~7~_~~6~1-_+--_,1~3~~ i Total: . 1366 676 690! 522 760 84 :!==~-.... -'-pe-r-c-e-n-t-a=g:e=~~=-'----l~!~~~~___ ~ ___-'-_====--+-4-9";;".';""4";;"8-%-+. -5-0.51 % : 38.21% 55.63% 6.14% I

Source: Household Survey, 2009 5.3.2.2 Castel Ethnicity and Religion The ethnic population of the sampled households is almost similar to the ethnic population of the project affected VDCs. Among the Project Affected Families Yadav (17.88%) is the dominant caste group followed by the Brahmin (15.64%) and Muslim (14.53%). Table- 5.12: Caste/Ethnicity of the Affected Families and Indigenous People

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

CasteIEthnicity H/H Percentage Indigenous Percentage people (HH) I Mahato 17 9.50 17 9.50 Bhumihar 13 7.26 13 7.26 Brahmin 28 15.64 - 0.00 Kushbaha 15 8.38 15 8.38 I

• Kurmi 5 2.79 5 2.79 I Magar 3 1.68 3 1.68 Yadav 32 17.88 32 17.88 I Muslim 26 14.53 - 0.00 Others 40 22.35 40 22.35 Total 179 100.00 125 69.83

Note: The others castes include as Dhanuk, ,Nuniya ,Haluwai, Kewat, Kayastha, Kanu, Kumhar, Hajam/Thakur Out of the total surveyed households 69.83% is indigenous population. Altogether 14 castes group are classified under this category. 88.9% of sampled households are followers of Hindu religion followed by 10.1 % Islam, and 1.17% Christianity.

5.3.2.3 Education The literacy rate of the sampled households is 56.08%with Male (63.67%) and Female (46.27%).There is 11.67% population having secondary level education (Table 5.13). Graduate scholars are only 6.55% among the sampled households. Table- 5.13: Literacy Status (population of 6 years and above)

I Educational Level Male (%) Female (%) Total (%) Illiterate 230 36.33 332 53.72 562 44.92 Primary 106 16.75 95 15.37 201 16.07

Lower Secondary 66 10.43 72 11.65 138 11.03 I I Secondary 96 15.17 50 8.09 146 11.67 Higher Secondary 83 13.11 39 6.31 122 9.75 I i I Graduate and Above 52 8.21 30 4.85 82 6.55 Total: 633 100.00 618 100.00 1,251 100.00 I

Source: Household Survey, 2009

5.3.2.4 Employment Even though the project area is accessible by highways and feeder road,

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report subsistence farming exist in the area. Agriculture (54.7%) is the main occupation of the surveyed household followed by service (22.3%). Foreign employment (10.6%), business/trade (7.3%) and daily wages/labors (3.9%) are the other occupation of the surveyed households (Table 5.14).

Table -5.14: Major Occupation of Households

I Occu~ation HHs ('Yo) ~.. • Agriculture I 98 54.7 I BusinessLTrade 13 7.3 i • Daily Wages/Labor 7 3.9

I Service 40 22.3 I i I Foreign EmQlo'yment I 19 10.6 I Others i 2 1.1 I I I Tota~1~:______~____~1~7~9____ ~__-=10~O~.~O__~ Source: Household Survey, 2009

5.3.2.5 Land Type and Landholding Size The project area is dominated by cultivated land. The most common land tenure system in the project area is Raikar, Ailani, Government land including Guthi. The households were categorized as marginal (below 1.02 ha land holding), small (1.02 to 2.38 hal, medium (2.38 - 5.1 hal and large (above 5.1 hal. The average land holding of the PAFs 0.99 ha. Farmers as per the standard criteria (National Planning Commission, Survey of Employment, Income distribution and Consumption Pattern 1976-1977). Out of the total surveyed households 57 % are marginal farmers. About 27.4% households are small farmers whereas medium and large farmers are 14.5 and 1.1 % respectively. About 80% of households falls under marginal and small farmer's category. This implies that most of the farmers have cultivated land for subsistence farming. Most of the land falls in RoW is owned by Yadav Mahato and Bhumihar. The disadvantaged groups like Mushahar, Chamar, Kalwar, Muslim etc. who reside along the alignment either work as tenants or owned very less land. Details are given in the following table. Table - 5.15: Households by Size of Landholdings

Types of Farmers I HIH I Percentage

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

I Marginal Farmers 102 57 i Small Farmers 49 27.4 I Medium Farmers 26 14.5 i Large Farmers 2 1.1 I Total HIH 179 100 Source: Field Survey, 2009 5.3.2.6 Food Sufficiency About 81% households fall under food insufficiency category because their production is quite low to meet the year round food requirement. Out of the total surveyed household 19% have year round sufficient food from their own production whereas 27% have only for three months (Table 5.16). Table- 5.16: F00d S uffilClency. Status

! Food Sufficiency ( Months) Households Percent

< 3 Months 49 27% 3-5 Months 12 8% 6-8 Months 33 18% 9-12 Months 51 28% > 12 Months 34 19% i . Total 179 100% I Source: Field Survey, 2009 5.3.2.7. Net Cropped Area and Agriculture Production

Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, pulses and maize are main crops grown in project area. The data shows that 48% of farm land is occupied by paddy crop whereas wheat, sugarcane, potato and pulses occupied 19%, 13%, 11%, and 8% respectively. Sugarcane and potatoes are main cash crops grown in the area. Cultivation is rainfed and most of the land has no irrigation facilities.

The per ha production of paddy, wheat, maize and sugarcane is 1.56, 1.31, 3.42 and 2.07 Mt respectively. Potato and pulses productivity are comparatively low which are only 0.66 and 0.54 MT/Ha.

Table - 5.17: Cropped Area and Agriculture Production I I I Prod.I i

Descriptions Areas I Ha. j Percent M.T Percent Productivity I Paddy 140.74 48% 218.89 53% 1.56 i ! Wheat 55.22 19% 72.33 18% 1.31 J

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3.42::.--_-1 0.54 0.66

Source: Field Survey, 2009

5.3.2.8 Livestock Distribution

About 54.7% of total households are engaged in agriculture and most of the farmers apply traditional techniques of farming. Out of the total domesticated animal 36% are cattle, 28% goat, 20% buffalo and 16% poultry (Table 5.18). Table -5.18: Livestock Distribution ! Cpes of Livestock Total Percent ! I Cattle 290 36% Buffalo 163 20% Goat 222 28% Pig 5 1%

EI 20ultry 126 16% I I I Total 806 100% I Source: Field Survey, 2009

5.3.2.9 Income and Expenditure The average annual income of the PAFs is NRs. 117,582. Out of this 29.47% is from remittance, 26.41 % from service and trade, 24.17 % from agriculture and 7.53 % from livestock (Table 5.19). Table - 5.19: Avera e Annual Income ofPAFs Servicel Dan Remittance I Total I I Income 8851 31,050 14,613 28,420 I 34,648 h 7.53 26.41 12.43 129.47 ! 100.00 Source: Field Survey, 2009 The average annual expenditure of the PAFs is NRs. 103,126 (Table 5.20). The major portion of the total expenditure is allocated for food (48.3%) followed by education (13.48 %), cloth (11.42 %), medicine (9.39%) and others (9.97%). The other category includes festivals, Jatra, visits etc.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental &amination Report

Table - 5.20: Average Annual Expenditure of PAFs

Expenditures I Item Expenditure IRs.) f%) Food and Beverages Rice & Cereals 9,218 8.9 Pulses 3,978 3.9 Vegetables 8,380 8.1

i Milk & Milk Products 4,470 4.3 ! Meat and Fish 9,632 9.3

Oil and Ghee 6,726 6.5 I Salt and Spices 7,555 7.3 I Other Goods and Services - Energy 10,606 10.3 Medicine 9,681 9.4 • Education 13,914 13.5 Clothing 11,775 11.4

i Others 7,191 7.0 Total 103,126 100.0

5.3.2.10 Energy Requirement and Supply

About 57.54% of the sampled households use electricity for lighting purpose. Similarly, 22.35% use Kerosene, 16.20% use Diyo for lighting purpose (Table 5.21). Table -5.21: Energy Requirement and Supply for Lighting Purpose

Type No. of Households with Source of Energy I Electricity Diyo I Kerosene Others

No. 103 29 I 40 7

1(%) 57.54 16.20 I 22.35 3.91

Source: Field Survey, 2009 About 88.83 % of the sampled households use firewood . Similarly, 8.94% use LPG

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

and 2.23% households use kerosene for cooking purpose (Table 5.22).

Table- 5.22: Energy Requirement and Supply for Cooking Purpose

I Type No. of Households with Source of Energ] I ! Firewood Biogas I Kerosene LPG I No. 159 - 4 16 I ! (%) 88.83 - I 2.23 8.94 Source: Field Survey, 2009

About 54.72% of the sampled households bring firewood by purchasing from the market. Similarly, 42.14% households bring from private forest and 1.89% households bring firewood from community forest.

5.3.2.11 Source of Drinking Water Tube well, hand pump, well pond and rivers are the main sources of drinking water in the project area. According to the field survey about 70.39% of the households are using hand pump water for drinking purpose while 14.53 % of the households are using the well for drinking water. Similarly, 13.97% house holds use tube well (self) and 1.12% of the sampled households use water from the river and ponds.

5.3.2.12 Expectation from the Project On the basis of the field survey about 43.6% of the households expect employment from the project and 36.9% expressed their desire for rural electrification. Similarly, 11.7%% of the sample households have expressed their desire for local development while 7.8 % prefer for good compensation (Table 5.23). Table - 5.23: Expectation of Local People from the Project

I i Expectation No. of HHs (%1 I i . Elec tricity 66 36.9 i i Employment 78 43.6 i Good Compensation 14 7.8 Lee al Development 21 11.7 Total 179 100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2009

5.3.2.13 Public Concerns

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

The concerns of local people were collected through group meeting and public notification process. The public notice was published in "Gorkhapatra" a national daily news papare as per Environment Protection Rules 1997.The Notice was displayed in affected VDC offices, local school, health post, DOC offices and other public places. The following issues have been raised by the local stakeholders in response to public notice and during the group meeting. Compensation of the affected land and house should be given according to the local market price; Employment opportunity for the local people; Priority should be given in local development; environmental protection and existing rules and regulation should be strictly followed; Implementation of agricultural support program in the affected VDCs; and Rural electrification in affected VDCs.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Environmental impacts of the proposed project have been identified for the transmission line and substation covering the physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environments. The beneficial impacts are given in 6.1 and adverse impacts are mentioned in 6.2. The impact assessment and mitigation measures matrix is given in Table 6.1.

6.1 Beneficial Impacts

6.1.1 Local Employment

One of the major positive impacts of the project during the construction stage is the creation of employment opportunity. Altogether 400 people will be deployed during the construction of the project, which includes 200 unskilled, 150 semi skilled and 50 skilled manpower. Besides this some manpower will also be required for the operation and maintenance of the line. This will also provide short-term employment opportunity to the local people. The availability of employment opportunity will increase the income level of the people and thus improve the living conditions. The availability of employment opportunity in rural area will also minimize the out migration in search ofjob to Indian cities. The magnitude of impact is considered to be moderate, extent is local and duration is long term.

6.1.2 Increase in Local Skills

For the construction of the project, highly skilled technical people will gather in the project sites for the efficient execution of the construction works. Local people who will work with these skilled people will get opportunities to learn from them. With the skill learned during the construction of the project, local people will be able to get employment in similar projects elsewhere in Nepal. Such skills will be obtained, particularly in erection of towers, stringing of line, driving and transportation of equipment. The magnitude of impact is considered to be moderate, extent is local and duration is long term.

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NEA Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Reportt

Table -6.1 Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures Matrix

S.N. Issues Impacts Qualifier Mitigation! Enhancement Measures Agencies to be Consulted 6.1 Beneficial Impacts Magnitude Extent Duration Employment opportunity to 400 M L LT Due priority will be given to the local 1 Local employment people employment 2 Local skill Increase in local skill M L LT Due priority will be given to the local particularly in erection of employment. tower, stringing of line, driving etc. 3 Economic opportunity Increase in economic activity M L ST Project will utilize local material and houses to due to project construction the extent practicable 4 Regional/National Economy Boost in national/ regional H N LT None economy 5 Power exchange Enhance power exchange thus H N LT None reduce current load shedding problem 6 Rural electrification Open the door for expansion of H L LT Implement rural electrification program Distribution and distribution network Consumers Office NEA 6.2 Adverse Impacts

6.2.1 Physical 6.2.1.1 Construction Phase 1 Land use Changes in land use of 10.65 ha L SS LT Reclaim the land use affected by the temporary land. facilities.

2 Water quality Likely increase in pollu tion due L SS ST Water quality protection measures will be to increase in sedimentation applied ,cement washed out etc.

3 Solid waste Nuisance, water and soil L SS ST Proper disposal of waste materials. Cement bag, pollution plastic bag will be sell in near bv market I 4 Stockpiling of construction Production loss, changes in land L SS ST Area required for temporary facilities will be I materials and camp use pattern etc. taken on lease and temporary yards will be fenced properly 6.2.1.2 Operation Phase

Environmental and Social Studies Department NEA 5"1 Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Reportt

1 Use of PCBs Contamination of consumable L 88 LT The transformer oil will be filtered and reused. items, skin races, eye irritation The residue will be incinerated or disposed 6.2.2 Biological 6.2.2.1 Construction Phase 1 Vegetation/forest resources Loss of approximately 728 trees L 88 LT Compensation will be paid to the respective DFO, PAF and 500 bamboo grooves from owner farm land 2 Firewood and timber Increase in pressure on local L 88 8T Common dining facility for group. use of LP gas vegetation due to increase in or kerosene for cooking and use of other demand of firewood and timber construction material rather than wood is proposed. 6.2.2.2 Operation Phase 1 Birds Bird collision M 88 LT Markers such as colored ball will be attached to wires to improve line visibility. ------­ 6.2.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural 6.2.3.1 Construction Phase 1 Land Acquisition of 5.27 ha land for M 88 LT Compensation will be paid on current market District Land tower pads and substation. 1 ha rate. Land required for temporary facilities will Revenue Office land will be taken on lease for be compensated based on production loss. temporary facilities 2 House Acquisition of 2 house M 88 LT Houses will be compensated at replacement cost

3 Temple Relocation of temple in near by L 88 LT New temple will be constructed in near by areas • area with due consultation with local people 4 Crop Likely damage to standing crop L 88 8T Compensation will be paid for crop loss District equivalent to 73 Mt food grain Agriculture Office 5 Health and sanitation Likely impact on workers health L 88 8T Adequate camping, drinking water and toilet due to poor sanitary situation in facilities will be provided 6 Occupational health and safety Likely increase in construction M 88 8T Hard hat, eye glass, belts and caution sign at related accidents work site and other safety devices will be provided

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7 Law and order Likely increase in pressure to L SS ST Maintain coordination with local administration District maintain the law and order . if any problem occurs. Implement awareness Administration 8 Life style Likely changes in life style L SS ST Implement awareness program 9 Peoples safety Likely accidents during line L SS ST Implement awareness program charging process while testing and commissioning 10 Livelihood Impact on livelihood due to L SS ST Implement livelihood restoration program acquisition of land and house 11 Gender and vulnerable group Likely discrimination while L SS ST Project will not discriminate based on color, hiring workers, compensation origin cast etc. Due priority will be given in or other project related benefits employment to vulnerable and poor people. 6.2.3.2 Operation Phase 1 Agriculture production Loss of 18.40 Mt. food grain L SS LT Implementation of livelihood restoration program annually 2 Land Deduction of land value falls in L SS LT Adequate compensation will be provided. RoW especially in market areas 3 Farming hindrance Placement of tower at center of L SS LT Project will acquire the remaining land also in field pose difficulty for the such cases. cultivation which further increase production cost 4 Electric and magnetic field Electromagnetic impact due to L SS LT Building and trees are not permitted within long term exposure RoW.

S Withdrawal of economic Likely impact on local economy L SS MT Awareness program is proposed activities due to withdrawal of economic activities 6 Livelihood Impact on livelihood due to L SS LT Continuation of livelihood support program acquisition of land and house 7 Occupational health and safety Likely increase in accidents L SS LT Proper training to operation staff and all required safety gears will be provided

Note Magnitude Dul'ation Extent PAF= Project affected family L= Low LT= Long term SS= Site specific DFO= District Forest Office M = Medium MT= Medium term L= Local DAO= District Agriculture Office H = High ST= Short term R= Regional

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Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

6.1.3 Increase in Economic Opportunity

The employment opportunity, income from shops, house rental, increase demand for fresh vegetable, meat and other local products and rental/lease of land are the areas of income during construction period. Furthermore local contractor will be deployed for different kinds of works which is considered positive impacts for the local economy. As a result of increased trade and business, significant amount of cash will be channeled in to local economy. The increase in trade and business will enhance the economic status of local people. The magnitude of impact is considered to be moderate, extent is local and duration is short term.

6.1.4 National/Regional Economy As such, the national economy will boost via productivity/opening of new businesses with the help of this electric power supply. Ahead, in future, power can also be transmitted or sold to India via this TL. In that regard, the revenue collection by exporting power someday via this TL will contribute/add to the national economy. The magnitude of impact is considered to be high, extent is national and duration is long term.

6.1.5 Enhance Power Exchange The severe imbalance in demand and supply of electricity in the country has led to unprecedented load shedding since the last 2 to 3 years and is expected to continue this situation in coming years. To overcome this energy crisis in the shortest possible time, the only possible way is to increase volume of power purchase from India. The present power exchange agreement between Nepal and India is 150 MW. But, due to the lack of interconnection link facilities between Nepal and India, it is not possible to import required amount of power from India.

The Construction of this line will enhance the transmission system of Nepal and supply bulk power to Nepal and India as required. Since country is facing load shedding at present and no new projects are in the pipeline, the construction of this line will minimize the current load shedding problem. The magnitude of impact is considered to be high, extent is national and duration is long term.

6.1.6 Rural Electrification

The proposed transmission line will open the door for expansion of distribution

Environmental and Social Studies Department !i1l NEA Dhalkebar-Bhitr.amod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

network through substation to be constructed at Dhalkebar of Dhanusha District. It helps to expand the rural electrification and local people will be benefited from the electricity. The magnitude of impact is considered to be high, extent is national and duration is long term.

6.1.7 Low Potential of Lightening

The availability of high voltage electric power and earth wire will reduce possibilities of lightening in near by areas. The magnitude of impact is considered high, extent is local and of long duration.

6.2 Adverse Impacts

6.2.1 Physical

6.2.1.1 Construction Phase

6.2.1.1.1 Topography and Land Use The transmission line passes through flat plain of Terai hence no impact is expected with respect to topography of the area. Since the T/L passes through flat cultivated land landslides and soil erosion problem is not expected due to this project. Altogether 177.13 ha land falls in 39 km transmission line (Table 6.2). The construction of 100 towers will permanently change the land use pattern of 2.27 ha area. In Row the land use pattern of cultivated land will not be changed since cultivation is allowed. However land use change is expected in 5.38 ha area which consist mostly mango garden and bamboo grooves. The land use will also change in 3 ha area occupied by the substation. Besides this project will also required 1 ha land for temporary facilities. The magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and the duration is long term.

Table -6.2: Land Use Arrec~ed by the Project S.N. Project Structure Land Use Area (hal Tot~ i Agricultural Land Other types of I Land 1 Substation 2.4 0.6 3.0 2 RoW 159.41 17.72 177.13 3 Tower Pads 2.05 0.22 2.27 4 Temporary camps 0.5 0.5 1 i and other facilities I Total 164.36 19.04 183.4

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Source: Field Survey 2009

6.2.1.1.2 Air Quality

Some dust particles is likely to be emitted during the excavation for foundation. Furthermore, the movement of vehicles for the transportation of materials and supervision works will also affect air quality of the project area. Since movement of vehicle and use of equipment is low, the likely impact on air quality is considered insignificant. 6.2.1.1.3 Water Quality

The transmission line crosses Ratu River, Jangaha River and Ankusi River. Some tower pads are also located close to these rivers. While working in these areas the improper disposal of spoil, solid wastes, such as cement slurry, other construction materials and human wastes from the work force may deteriorate the river water quality. Considering the number of people employed and concrete works the magnitude of impact is low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.1.1.4 Noise

Construction of the towers will be labor based and substation construction work will be carried out without using heavy equipments. The work force involved and the machines used for the construction activities in the project area will produce insignificant noise. Therefore, the likely impact on noise quality is considered insignificant.

6.2.1.1.5 Waste Disposal

The improper disposal of solid waste like cement bags, iron bar and other left -over construction materials, kitchen waste and waste generated by the temporary labor camp will cause adverse impact to the environment. The spoil generated due to the excavation of tower pad will also detoriate near by land and water quality of the area. The magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.1.1.6 Spoil Disposal Approximately 150 m 3 spoil will be generated from the excavation of tower pads.

Environmental and Social Studies Department ,Ai1 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Out of this more than 90% of the volume of excavated material will be back filled at the tower base and remaining 10% will be disposed in near by land. Since this volume is negligible the magnitude of impact is not considered to be significant.

6.2.1.1.7 Storage of Construction Material and Camps The project will store construction material in private land at centrally located place. Such land will be taken on lease and fenced properly. The quality of the land may degrade due to storage of different kind of material. Likewise the permanent camp will be located in private house which will be taken on rent so no impact is expected. The temporary camp may disturb private land for short period which will have short term site specific impacts of low magnitude.

6.2.1.2 Operation Phase

6.2.1.2.1 Topography and Land Use

No significant impact on topography is expected during operation and maintenance of T/L. The land use of the area occupied by the tower pad and substation will be permanently changed.

6.2.1.2.2 Air Quality Corona discharges from the transmission lines generate minute quantities of the ozone (03), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (N02). Corona is an inherent phenomenon of HV transmission lines, the effects of which will increase with the voltage level. It is substantial in the Extra High Voltage range (i.e., above 400 kV ). Moreover, the Corona effects will be more pronounced during foul weather conditions, such as rain or fog, in comparison with the fair weather conditions. In general, the effects of Corona also include the production of Ozone gas surrounding the transmission line conductors. However, researches have revealed that the ground level Ozone concentrations due to EHV lines are indistinguishable from the ambient Ozone concentrations. Typically, ground level concentrations for 4000 kV or lower voltage transmission lines during heavy rain have been found significantly less than the most sensitive instruments can measure (which is about one ppb), and thousands of times less than ambient levels. Investigations show that, typically, the overall average ratio of corona loss to ozone production is about 0.52 kWh/g, which results about 100 gm of Ozone per km of

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project initial Environmental Examination Report transmission line during 24 hours. The very small amount of ozone produced is far too low to have any harmful effect on people, animals or plants. NO, N02 production is 1/l0th that of ozone. These very low levels have no environmental significance. 6.2.1.2.3 Water quality

No significant impact on water quality is expected during operation and maintenance of TfL.

6.2.1.2.4 Noise and Vibration

The corona audible noise level (AN) of a transmission line is usually that measured at the edge of the RoW i.e. some 10 meters approximate from the outer conductors. Corona noise levels decrease rapidly with distance from the line and in the presence of trees or buildings. According to available information line voltage of 400 kV, corona AN levels is of little or no significance. Experience has shown that 400 kV double circuit transmission line may produced AN level of up to 53-dB (A). This is about the same noise level as a refrigerator indoors which is not considered significant. Some noise is also expected in the substation area but will be within the permissible limit. The overall magnitude of impact is not considered significant.

6.2.1.2.5 Interference Most of the tower pads are located in the cultivated land. Thus the operation of the proposed project will not cause any interference to road traffic even it crosses it for several times. Likewise the nearest distance from the transmission line alignment to Janakpur airport is more than 25 km and hence no obstruction is expected with regards to flying path. Radio interference can disrupt television and AM (amplitude modulated) radio reception close to a line. Interference can some time be noticed at a distance of 150 meter away. By contrast, FM (frequency modulated) system is affected very little by interference. Interference varies according to the position of the transmission line between transmitter and receiver. In some cases receiving conditions can be improved due to the reflections caused by a transmission line. Since transmission line mostly passes more than 500-meter distance from most of the settlement areas the magnitude of the impact is considered to be insignificant.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

6.2.1.2.6 Use of PCBs Due to its heat absorbing chemical property, PCBs have been extensively used in transformers and other industrial equipments. The transformers of proposed substation will also use PCBs. Once PCBs release in the environment it contaminate food item or any consumable goods. People specially the operation and maintenance staff get directly contaminated. However due to closed system of transformer oil containing PCBs this impact is expected only during major maintenance which will takes once in decades. Skin rashes, eye irritation, heating sensation in respiratory tract and effect on memory and liver are the disease caused if highly contaminated due to PCBs. The magnitude of impact is low, extent is site specific and of long duration. 6.2.2 Biological 6.2.2.1 Construction Phase 6.2.2.1.1 Loss ofTrees The implementation of the proposed project will not affect government, community, religious and other type forest. Altogether 728 private trees planted in farm land and mango garden will be removed due to implementation of this project (Table 6.3). Besides this 500 bamboo grooves will also removed due to construction of project. Table- 6.3 : Total Number of plant trees (>4" DBB) to be cut down during the project implementation

! . S.N. Local Name Scientific Name Total No. Total Vol

1 Masala Eucalyptus citriodora 104 22.99 2 Sisham Dalbergia sisso 254 30.29 3 Dabdabe • Lannea coromanddelica 4 0.48

4 Katahar Artocarpus h~!f~roph:t.Jllus 5 1.52 5 Badhar Artocarpus lakoocha 2 0.05 6 Bakaino Melia azederach 1 0.02 7 Mango Mangifera indica 226 37.71 8 Sanpat Corchorus capsularis 2 0.14 ! 9 Nim Azadirachta indica 7 0.29

10 Simal Bombax ceiba 37 6.16 ! I 11 Korahiya NA 4 0.67 12 Dhab NA 6 2.03

I 13 Jamun Sl/zl/gium cumini 1 0.15

14 Mauwa Engelh~rdia spicata 1 0.14 15 Sal Shorea robusta 30 6.46 16 Masaun Na 3 0.11 • 17 Tilka iNa 15 0.84

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

I 18 Pithwa(BheJarL Na 14 1.93 I 19 Gular Ficus racemosa 4 0.76 I

20 Others 8 0.64 i L Total 728 113.38 Source FIeld Survey 2009

6.2.2.1.2 Increase in Demand for Fuel Wood and Timber The labor force and their dependents may use firewood from local area for cooking their meal and timber for making their sheds in different location. The likely increase in pressure to the forest resources will create adverse impact on local vegetation. The magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.2.1.3 Wildlife The construction activity will spread over approximately 39 km of the alignment. The transportation of construction material, erection of tower and stringing of line require manpower. The movement and activity of labor force may disturb free movement of wild fauna. Since alignment passes through cultivated land and the loss of vegetation is minimum the likely impact due to habitat loss and construction disturbances is considered insignificant.

6.2.2.2 Operation Phase

6.2.2.2.1 Vegetation/Forest Resources No impact is expected due to project operation on local vegetation.

6.2.2.2.2 Avian Hazards The operation of 400 kV transmission line and sub-station may affect birds through the presence of the conductors (wires). The principal problem is the earth wire which being at the highest point and being thin, is harder for birds to detect and avoid. Birds, which do not see the wire or which notice them too late may suffer injury and die from collisions. This type of impact is expected to be high in low visibility condition especially in bad weather and nighttime. Some species like raptors and fruit bats are likely to be affected more due to line collision. It is likely that any high voltage line would result in bird collision but it is very difficult to quantify the risk. Although transmission line route does not pass through any identified bird migration route the possibilities of migration of migratory birds across the alignment could not be avoided. Aviation hazard is the only impact

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report identified on migratory birds due to implementation of the project. However the magnitude of expected impact is moderate, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.2.2.3 Changes in Habitat The project will remove limited number of trees in 39 km alignment. Since these trees are sparse and scattered the selective removal of trees will not have significant impact on wildlife with regards to habitat loss.

6.2.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural

6.2.3.1 Construction Phase 6.2.3.1.1 Land Acquisition The proposed project will acquire 2.27 ha of land for placement of 100 Tower Pads. Out of which 2.05 ha is cultivated land, 0.22 ha land is Mango garden and others. Likewise 3 ha land will be acquired for the construction of substation out of which 2.4 ha is cultivated land and remaining 0.6 ha is occupied by the Mango garden. The total land to be acquired for the tower pad and substation is 5.27 ha from 205 land parcels. The project will affect 198 families which consist 196 for substation and tower pads and 2 for house acquisition in RoW. Besides this 1209 families will be affected due to land use restriction imposed in 46mRoW. Out of the total affected household by land and house acquisition 68.68% are classiofied under indigenous caste group by GoN. Out of the total 20 VDCs falls in Ro'Y private land will be acquired from 16 VDCs. The land acquisition is high from Dhakebar VDC due to substation (Table 6.4). Table- 6.4: VDC Wise Affected Households and Area Affected by the Project

S.No. Name ofIDistricts No. 0' Affected Area (Hal iNo of Tower and VDCs Affected HH lother structures 1 Dhalkebar Dhanusha 12 3 Substation andAPO

2 Laxtniniwas Dhanusha 0 0 0 •

3 Begadawar Dhanusha 15 0.18 9 I 4 Bateswor Dhanusha 9 0.135 6 5 BhuchakrapurDhanusha 18 0.225 10

6 Bhangha Mohottari 11 0.1575 7 7 Singyahi Mohottari 31 0.3375 16 8 Dhamoura Mohottari 8 0.135 6 •

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I 9 Banouta Mohottari a a a 10 Sahasaula Mohottari 12 0.1125 5 11 alIo !Mohottari 8 0.135 6 12 !Sanoul !Mohottari 10 0.135 6 13 Manara Mohottari 18 0.1575 7 14 !Ekdera Mohottari 12 0.135 6 15 !Halkhori Mohottari 0 0 a 16 ISiswakatiya Mohottari 14 0.1125 5 17 Sadha Mohottari 0 0 0 18 Dhannapur Mohottari 9 0.1575 7 19 Ramgopalpur Mohottari 0 a a 20 Bathnha Mohottari 9 0.1125 5 Total 196 5.2275 101

The land ownership survey of the project affected families show that the average land loss is low in comparison to the total land holding size. The survey shows that 45 households belongs to 0-0.165 ha land holding category whereas 22 households belongs to well above 2.646 ha category. In average the affected households loose 2.95% of their total land with maximum 15.45% and minimum 1.17% (Table 6.5). Table-6.S Average land Holding and Area Acquired by the Project ! I Land Holding(Ha) Households Total Land 0/0 of Land loss! Percentage (Hal Household Area (Hal

I 0 - 0.165395 45 7.442775 25 1.15005 15.45 !

! 0.165396 - 0.33079 26 6.450418 15 0.6273 9.72

• 0.33080 - 0.496185 . 14 5.788895 Q 0.470475 8.13 0.496186 - 0.66158 12 6.946596 7 0.4182 6.02 0.66159 -1.32316 27 26.794125 15 0.888675 3.32 1.32317- 2.64632 33 65.496585 18 0.993225 1.52 Above 2.64632 22 58.22 12 0.679575 1.17 Total 179 177.13843 100 5.2275 2.95

The magnitUde of impact is considered to be moderate, extent is site specific and duration is long term. The list of affected household along with acquired area is given in Annex-16.

6.2.3.1.2 Acquisition of House

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Altogether, 2 houses belonging to two families in Dhamoura VDC of Mahottrai district falls in Right-Of-Way. These houses will be acquired by the project. Out of these one house is made off with mud and bricks (Kachhi) and one is RCC building. The magnitude of impact is considered to be moderate, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.3.1.3 Loss of Standing Crop Preferably construction of transmission line is to be carried out during lean season so that standing crops are not damaged or with minimal damage due to construction activities. However it is not completely ignored that construction will not take place during the cropping season. So area of RoW may be disturbed due to movement of contractor machines, labor force and for line pulling. Approximately 161.46 ha cultivated land falls under RoW (46m). However, the construction activities will not affect the whole RoW area. Assuming 10 m area of RoW would be the potential impact zone, only the crops of 35.1 ha cultivated land will be affected. The estimated loss will be 73Mt of worth Rs. 1460000. The magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is short term. 6.2.3.1.4 Health and Sanitation The maximum number of people will be deployed for concreting of tower foundation and some were used in excavation and stringing of line. The excavation and concreting work for particular site will be carried out at 7-10 days interval. Hence maximum number of people for particular area at a time will be 40 for four days. Out of this 30% will be local. The remaining workforce will be confined in the temporary camps. The lack of proper sanitary measures in temporary camps affects the health condition of the workers. Considering the manpower involved at duration of stay the magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.3.1.5 Occupation Hazards and Safety Construction related accidents are common in Nepal, primarily because of unsafe construction practices. The erection of towers and stringing of line in may cause accident. Work related injuries and vehicle accidents are the likely impact expected due to implementation of the proposed project. The magnitUde of impact is moderate, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.3.1.6 Gender and Vulnerable Group

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During project construction daily wages labor will be deployed for excavation, transportation of construction materials and other construction related works. The contractor, especially the subcontractors, may discriminate the women and vulnerable group while hiring the workers. Despite GoN ban on child labor, it remains a potential temptation in an economically poor region such as the proposed project area for children to be exploited to pursue menial jobs. It is assumed that most of the labor force required for the construction of the transmission line will be farmers and land less people from the vicinity of the actual work place moving around the alignment as the construction proceeds. Considering the nature of construction work and manpower deployed the magnitude of impact is considered low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.3.1. 7 Life Style

The interaction among different people and ethnic group may attract the rural people towards more advanced society. Experience with other project indicates that sudden cash flow in project area and cash earning of workers is spend unproductively by some households. The availability of cash and alcohol may divert some workers towards gambling and more alcohol consumption. The concentration of a labour force may encourage prostitution, which could lead to the spread of HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. A particular risk group is long distance Truck drivers who are often responsible for disease transmission. The magnitude of impact is low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.3.1.8 Local Economy

Due to increase in economic activity there might be increase in prices of local consumable goods. Since transmission line is linear facility and construction work is spread over 39 km, the magnitude of impact is considered to be insignificant. 6.2.3.1.9 Law and Order During the construction of the transmission line labor from different places with different religion and faiths will be employed by the contractor and possibilities of conflict of interest exists and law and order situation may be affected. The past experiences reveal that local people in many cases manhandle the employer's and contractor's staffs thereby posing threats to law and order situation. Considering the nature of project the magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and dUration is short term.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

6.2.3.1.10 Peoples Safety Local people moving in and around the construction areas may be accidentally affected due to construction related incidents. Accidents may also happen during the line charging process while testing and commissioning of the transmission line. The magnitude of impact is low, extent is site specific and duration is short term.

6.2.3.1.11 Livelihoods Crop farming, livestock farming and labour migration are the main sources of livelihood of affected households. The acquisition of land and/or houses by the project is likely to have some impact on their livelihood. However, given the minimal amount of land acquisition per household, this impact is expected to be low.

The acquisition of 4.45 ha of cultivated land will result in the permanent loss of annual production from the acquired land, estimated at approximately 18.40 mt of food grains (including winter crops and summer crops). Compared with the total production of the affected households, this loss is very small. The magnitUde of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.3.1.12 Community Infrastructure, Resources and Institutions

Community infrastructure, resources and local institutions (e.g. health and domestic water facilities) are important social resources that will receive greater usage by the construction workforce. However, as the size of each construction crew is unlikely to exceed 25 people and crews will not be located at a single site for greater than one month, the pressure on local infrastructure is likely to be insignificant. 6.2.3.1.13 Religious Site The Shiva temple of Banauta falls in RoW which will have to be relocated. The temple is small size and used by local villager.

6.2.3.2 Operation Phase

6.2.3.2.1 Loss ofAgricultural Production

About 2.05 ha of cultivated land for 100 tower pads and about 2.4 ha Cultivated land for the substation area will be permanently acquired and there will be permanent annual loss of 18.40 M.T of food grains (including winter crops and

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

summer crops). Paddy, wheat, maize, millet, potato, sugarcane pulses are the crops likely to be affected by the land acquisition. Based on the prevailing price, the permanent yield loss per year is estimated to be NRS 367920(Assuming cost for 1 MT of grains is NRS 20, 000, considering two crops are grown in a year) The production loss is spread over 39 Km length of transmission line, which reduces intensity of impact in one place. The magnitude of this impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.3.2.2 Land Use Restrictions

161.46 hectare (hal agricultural land falls within the RoW. A total of 1211 land parcels (including 2parcel occupied by houses) belonging to 1211 families lie under Row. Due to the safety reason, houses and other permanent structures are not allowed to construct within the RoW as per the Electricity Regulation. As the land will not be applicable for construction of house, the value of land especially at, Jamunibash, Ramauli tole and Madhava part of the alignment will be highly affected. In average 1 km at starting point, SOO m at Ramauli tole and 1 km at the end of transmission line falls under this category. It is difficult to quantify the level of impact on the pricing of the land because there are other factors too that would play the significant role. Thus, the overall magnitude of impact is moderate, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.3.2.3 Land Fragmentation and Farming Hindrance

The placement of one tower will occupy 0.023 ha (lSmxlSm) of land. The towers constructed in cultivated area, especially those erected in the middle of land parcels pose hindrance while ploughing the agro- field. The field may be cultivated by using human labor that will increase the cost of agriculture production. This impact is expected in 90% length of transmission line. The placement of tower fragments the land which will reduce the land value, minimize the land uses and increase the cost of cultivation. The overall magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is long term.

6.2.3.2.4 Electricity Hazards and Electromagnetic Impact

Electrocution

Electrocution can occur from contact with live conductors, flashover from a

Environmental and Social Studies Department U NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report conductor to a tower or trees, and conductor breakage. Contact with live conductors or flashover to a person or object near a live line is highly unlikely as a minimum vertical clearance of 7.5 m between the conductors and ground level will be established. The accidental failure of the transmission line involving a conductor breaking is also highly unlikely to cause electrocution. Very sensitive and 100% redundant transmission line protection will be adopted for the line. This protection will detect any fault, including the conductor snapping, and cause the line to be de­ energised within three cycles (i.e. 60 milliseconds), thus largely avoiding the potential for electrocution from a breakage.

Electromagnetic Fields

The high voltage and current carried by the proposed 400 kV transmission line will create electric and magnetic fields that will dissipate rapidly with increasing distance from the source. Transmission line tower heights and corresponding conductor heights above ground level, as well as the RoW width, are selected and designed to limit the electromagnetic radiation levels at ground level and at RoW edges to acceptable levels.

Although specific biological responses to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with current-carrying conductors is still unknown, evidence suggests that health hazards may exist due to EMF. As such, the transmission of electrical energy through the conductors of the proposed line may pose risks and hazards to the surrounding environment and nearby residents. The overall magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is long term. Field strengths of EMFs for the 400 kV line set within a 46 m wide RoW are estimated in Table - 6.6 and compared with international health guidelines (National Health and Medical Research Council, 1989). Field strengths have been estimated for worse case conditions, where the line is at its lowest point (maximum sag) and in hot weather, for a location at the edge of the RoWand directly under the line.

Table - 6.6: Magnetic and Electric Field Strength Estimates and Recommended Maximum Exposure Levels

Estimate/Standard Magnetic Field Electric Field

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

Strength (magnetic Strength (kV/m) nux density. micro Tesla lilT))

. Estimated maximum field strength at the 7.92 2.78 I edge of 46 m RoW (midspan, 400 kV line)

I Estimated maximum field strength at the 11 3.2 centre of RoW (midspan, 400 kV line) I Recommended maximum level for 24 hours/dayl (continuous exposure for the 100 5 general public) Recommended maximum level for 10 hours/day! 500 10 (occupational exposure) .. 1 InternatIOnal Non-Iomzmg Radlatlon CommIttee of the InternatIOnal RadIation ProtectIon Association. The magnetic field strength at the edge of the RoW is a maximum of 7.92 /IT, and 11 /IT at the centre. This is very low compared with the recommended maximum exposure of 100 /IT for 24 hours/day exposure and 500 /IT for 10 hours/day exposure. The electric field strength at the edge of the RoW is a maximum of 2.78 kV/m, and 3.2 kV/m at the centre. This is also low compared with the recommended maximum exposure of 100 kV/m for 24 hours/day exposure and 500 kV/m for 10 hours/day exposure. Accordingly, long-term exposure of local residents living immediately outside the RoW will be well within an acceptably safe level while people working in the RoW will be unaffected. The field survey shows that 5 settlements are found within 100m from the alignment and thepeople leaving in these settlements may have electromagnetic impact due to long term exposure (Table 6.7). Table· 6.7: Settlements and other Public Places close to Transmission Line AI"19nment I Districts I Name ofVDCs Settlements Temple within within 100m 100m Dhanusha Dhalkebar Substation tole Begadawar Jamunibash Bhuchakrapur Ramauli tole Mahottari Singyahi Bakhari, Kavilasa

Dhamaura - Shiva Temple

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Note: School, bazaar and other public places are not found within 1DDm 6.2.3.2.5 Occupation Hazards and Safety During operation phase, the flow of current and the operation of substation make the people, in the immediate vicinity of the line, vulnerable to electrical hazards such as fire and electrical shocks. Furthermore lack of training, operation and maintenance skill and unavailability of the necessary safety equipment may add further risk with safety regards. The public can be affected principally through their own acts, such as children climbing towers, high vehicles attempting to pass beneath the lines, surveyors using metal leveling staffs under the conductors etc. These risks have a low probability of occurrences, but a very high (terminal) significance to the individuals involved. The overall magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is site specific and duration is long term. 6.2.3.2.6 Withdrawal of Economic Opportunity Construction of the project induced economic opportunities, which will benefit the local peoples, economy and the project area as a whole. At the end of project construction these opportunities will be closed. Worker will loose the job and salary. Demand for local agricultural production by construction workers will be minimized. Community and local commodity transactions will be reduced.

The withdrawal or decrease in economic activity during operation and maintenance may affect the life style of the local people. Local people are habitual for more expenses due to the increased earnings of construction phase. They will face difficulty to mange the lifestyle once the economic activities will reduce and earning will drastically decline. However, due to the linear nature of the project, the local labours will be hired at the different locations only for the short duration of time. Thus, the magnitUde of impact is considered to be low because the economic activities are limited and are spread throughout the settlements of the alignment. The extent is site specific and duration is of long term.

6.2.3.2.7 Livelihood The acquisition of 4.45 ha of cultivated land will result in the permanent loss of annual production from the acquired land, estimated at approximately 18.40 mt of food grains (including winter crops and summer crops). The loss of production will reduce income of local people thus affecting livelihood. Considering the total area and production the annual production loss from the acquired land will be very low. The magnitUde of impact is low, extent is local and for long duration.

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7. ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS

7.1 General As such, a number of alternatives were considered during this lEE study of proposed Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line. Several subjective judgments like line length, project cost and relocation/resettlement were taken while choosing the best alternative. Some of the major alternatives considered during this lEE study were:

• Route alternatives; • Design alternative; • Construction alternatives in terms of technology, procedures, schedule and raw materials to be used; • No action alternative; and • Operation procedure

7.2 Route Alternative

Two different transmission line alignment routes were considered for the lEE study and the technically and environmentally sound route is selected based on the line length, angle tower, relocation, proximity to settlement and access. Based on the above criteria route II is best hence selected for the study. Table 7.1 Route Alternative Analysis

I S.No. Components I Route Alternatives I

: I III 1 Line length 42.89 L39

'2 Number of Angle Towers 31 13 i 3 Project cost 1708.25 million NRs 1553.32 million NRs ·4 Construction period 18 18 5 Difficulty in construction Difficult because a lot of ' Easy once approved settlements falls in RoW, from concern ... i possIbIhtles of future mImstry

Distance from nearest road to 2 km to. 500 meter to 5 km ! head trail 7 Material trans ortation lEas

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,

8 River/Khola crossing 3 3 I

9 Tree clearance 1282 trees and 2500 728 trees and 500 I bamboos bamboos 10 Number of affected VDCs 18 20 11 Houses to be relocated 20 2

12 ! Resettlement Peoples to be resettled Not required

13 Cultivated land falls in RoW 177.56 ha 161.46 ha I 14 Commercial Plots 53 ha 11.5 ha 15 Household loosing their total 14 none land 16 Temples in Row is 1 Source: FIeld Survey 2009

7.3 Design Alternatives

In order to choose the better alternative from the design stand point of view as well as the environmental impact for the said transmission line the following aspects are considered.

7.3.1 Tower Structure

Lattice tower is preferred to guyed tower. Although the later type is economical the terrain and conditions of Nepal are not suitable for guyed towers. They require large and level space for ground assembly at tower site and access for mobile crane for erection. Even in plain areas this would be difficult since vehicular traffic is very limited due to numerous streams and ridges for containment of water in cultivated fields. As such, use of guyed towers involve more disturbances to land and thus affect more to standing crops. Hence the guyed type is rule out. The option such as assembling towers at remote level spaces and helicopter carrying and erection would be highly costlier.

7.3.2 Ruling Span

The design of the tower and foundation design are very much dependent on the selection of ruling span. In this project it is considered that an economical number of towers are arrived at by adopting optimum standard ruling span. This way unnecessary land and environmental disturbances is kept at minimum.

By increasing the ruling span, the number of tower will be minimized, but, that leads to heavier and higher tower structures to maintain the necessary ground

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clearances. This will eventually require more land, thus need more land acquisition. On the other hand, a shorter ruling span means increased number of towers which will further lead to increase in the more land acquisition. 7.3.3 Polymer Insulator

Polymer insulators are costlier than the glass/porcelain type hence polymer insulators are not to be used.

7.3.4 Foundation and its Protection

In the rocky area along the route alignment, rock bolt foundation is preferred to normal concrete foundation due to its less excavation, drilling advantage and low environmental impact.

7.4 Construction Method Alternative

7.4.1 Excavation

Excavation will be done manually which provides more opportunity for the local employment, will have less impact on topography, low disturbance to surrounding areasand requires no access road.

Alternatively, this could be done by machines. But because of difficult access, transportation and operation of such machines causes more impact to environment. The use of machines will also increase noise pollution in the areas and may destroy the existing trails. Hence mechanical excavation shall not be adopted.

7.4.2 Concreting

As far as possible, i.e., based upon the transportation possibility, mixer shall be employed since manual mixing is time taking and will be of low quality.

7.4.3 Erection

Erection will be done manually. Helicopter stringing is an alternative. But such method would be highly costlier. Moreover use of helicopter will create noise pollution and may disturb the fauna of the area.

7.4.4 Technology

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Internationally accepted standard technology will be applied for the installation and procurement of the goods and equipment. One of the major factors for it is to ensure the minimal environmental impact on the project area. Further, to expedite the work the possibilities of using helicopter will also be explored. 7.5 Construction Materials

7.5.1 Tower

Self supporting galvanized lattice steel towers will be used. Alternatively, wooden poles could be used. But, strong and durable poles for such line requires tremendous amount of forest to be cut. Such type of poles will have to be imported. This will create environmental problem in the global sense, if not in Nepal. Hence, not proposed to be used in this project.

7.5.2 Conductor Anchoring

Instead of disc insulator units of glass or porcelain, polymer type insulators could be used. However, they are costlier hence not to be used.

7.5.3 Conductor

ACSRjAACSR twin bundle conductor shall be used. Alternatively, Copper could be employed. Copper is very much expensive and not to be used.

7.5.4 Foundation

Mostly, conventional pad and chimney type concrete foundation shall be employed. However, in Terai or in the flat areas in river valleys the ground water level is normally high and the areas are subjected to seasonal floods. In such areas foundations must often be designed for submerged conditions and should always be RCC pad and chimney type. Moreover, Grillage types normally have shorted life span and are sensitive to corrosion.

7.6 Construction Schedule

7.6.1 Rainy Season

Construction of the transmission line in rainy season will cause soil erosion problem, blockage of drain and difficulty to crossing of River and excavation of tower foundation. The construction in rainy season will also delay the project progress due to other disturbances. The indoor works of substation may be carried

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out rainy season.

7.6.2 Dry Season

The construction activity shall be planned in off-season to minimize the un­ necessary damage and disturbances. This will reduce the project impact on physical, biological and socioeconomic resources of the area. The construction of transmission line work will be conducted in dry season and major inland transportation work will be conducted in dry season. The stringing work shall be conducted just after harvest of crop in dry season.

7.7 Operation Procedure

Manual patrolling twice a year shall be conducted and necessary maintainace will be done. For this purpose existing facilities and manpower of NEA will be used. Alternatively, helicopter patrolling of line route could also be used. This will be very costlier and also will create noise pollution thereby disturbing the wildlife of the area.

7.8 No Action Alternative

7.8.1 Without Project

If the proposed project is not implemented then there will be no project induced loss/effects on vegetation, cultivated area and other project induced environmental and socio-economic impacts. No action alternative would result in heavy deficit of power and energy in the country. It will also affect adversely to the power exchange with India and thus causes adverse impact on economy. This would result in significant losses to the production sector like industry, commerce apart from inconvenience to the customers in terms of blackouts and voltage drop. No action alternative shall also pose problems like continuation of power shedding and lacking of interconnection point of higher capacities with India.

7.8.2 With Project The second option seems more suitable. The role of proposed Project is very important in Integrated Power System of Nepal (INPS) and for power exchange. The implementation of proposed project will support the power purchase with India and also provide reliable power to the load centers of Nepal. The construction of the proposed project will also reduce system loss.

This project will also be helpful for the expansion of rural electrification program.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

The likely increase in electricity supply to local people will help to switch energy consumption trend and pressure on local vegetation will be minimum. Socio­ economic conditions of the local people are likely to be increased through employment opportunities and income generation activities. There will also be possibilities of establishment of small-scale industries, different level of Government and Non Government offices etc. Besides positive impacts the implementation of the project will also bring some negative changes. Changes in land use pattern, loss of trees loss of private cultivated land, relocation of house and reduction in agriculture production are the few adverse impacts likely to occur due to implementation of the project.

Taking into consideration of the environmental impacts of alternative such as do nothing and implementation of the project, the project should be implemented.

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8. MmGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES

8.1 Enhancement Measures

8.1.1 Priority to the Local Employment

As much as possible and as per their qualification and skill they possesses, the project will emphasize to hire the local people for the construction work. Due priority will be given to project affected families, disadvantage people and women. Altogether 400 people will be deployed during the construction of the project, which includes 200 unskilled, 150 semi skilled and 50 skilled manpower. The unskilled and semiskilled manpower will be recruited from local. Due priority will be given to indigenous households affected by the project while recruiting the manpower at local level.

8.1.2 Rural Electrification Although this program is not directly related with the project impact but it is strong demand of local people to electrify the affected VDCs. The field survey shows that almost all VDCs affected by the project area partially electrified with remaining few wards. Since NEA is also in electrification business locals are expecting electrification in their area since they are loosing their land and houses. The project will provide necessary fund to concern district offices of Distribution and Consumer Services to expedite the electrification program in the affected VDCs.

8.2 Mitigation Measures The project proponent will implement the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures as a prime responsibility. The adverse and beneficial impacts that are not identified during the study, if later discovered during the construction and operation phases will be mitigated by the proponent at its own cost.

8.2.1 Physical

8.2.1.1 Construction 8.2.1.1.1 Land Use

Land use for temporary facilities will be reclaimed to minimize the land use impacts. The camp sites are proposed mostly in barren land to minimize the

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impact on land use pattern of cultivated land.

8.2.1.1.2 Water Quality

The waste generated from the mixing concrete will be disposed in pits and filled with soil. Such pits will be made in barren land at approximately 500 meter distance from the water bodies. Dykes are proposed around the storage tanks to avoid water pollution. Toilets will be made in temporary camps at the rate of approximately 10 people in each toilet. The project proponent will implement awareness program for the project workers to prevent the water pollution from project related activities. Such awareness program will be conducted in 2 places (one in each district) covering labor camp and other construction area once during initial stage of construction. The program will cover the impacts of water pollution and benefits of conservation, existing acts and rules with regards to water quality and aquatic animal protection etc. Audio visu~l shows, pamphlets distribution and lectures are the modalities of the program. ­

8.2.1.1.3 Waste Disposal

The domestic waste will primarily consist of organic food waste. Because this is easily biodegradable and non-hazardous it will be managed by burying in pits at reasonable distance from water bodies and subsequently covering with soil. Waste generated from construction activities are usually inert material which are non biodegradable e.g. empty cement bags and containers, rejected material, plastic, wooden planks. These waste materials will be stored out and kept separated instead of throwing haphazardly elsewhere. Some of these items (cement bag, plastic drum etc.) can be sold in Janakpur and Jaleshwor markets in order to be re-used or recycled.

8.2.1.1.4 Stockpiling of Construction Material

The area proposed for storage will be taken on lease at the prevailing market price based on the production loss. The temporary yards will be fenced properly.

8.2.1.2 Operation

8.2.1.2.1 Use of Transformer Oil

The transformer oil will be filtered and mostly reused. The residue of oil will be incinerated or disposed properly.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

8.2.2 Biologjcal

8.2.2.1 Construction 8.2.2.1.1 Compensation'for Tree Loss The trees removed from the private land will be compensated as per prevailing rates. Due consultation will be made with the District Forest Office and concern stakeholders while determining the rate. Since alignment passess through private cultivated field used for rice cultivation plantation of non timber forest species will not be practical.

8.2.2.1.2 Supply ofAlternative Fuel The project proponent will provide kerosene to the project workers to minimize the loss of forest. For the construction of temporary camps pole size timber felled by the project will be used.

8.2.2.2 Operation 8.2.2.2.1 Avian Hazards Measures to minimize bird injury and death associated with the transmission line will be considered in line design. Markers such as colored balls will be attached to wires to improve line visibility for birds. Silhouettes of birds of prey will be attached to conductors to frighten birds.

8.2.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural

8.2.3.1 Construction

8.2.3.1.1 Compensation for the Land Acquisition

The private land acquired by the project will be compensated as per the rate fixed by the Compensation Fixation Committee. The committee will be formed under the chairmanship of Chief District Officer of the concerned district and includes chairman of affected VDCs, representative of affected people, representative of Land Revenue Office and Project. Land will be acquired according to Land Acquisition Act 2034. Affected people were asked about the mode of compensation. All the households affected by the land acquisition requested for cash compensation during household survey. As mentioned in impact section the acquisition of land incompare to total land hoding

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

is 2.95% in average. Considering the nature of the project single payment will be made to individual household for the entire compensation money to avoid administrative problem. Land for land compensation is not possible in this project due to the small area of land to be permanently acquired from various affected families. It is impractical and tedious to allocate similar piece of agricultural land in the vicinity of the project area.

About 50.84 % percent of the sampled households of the project affected area expressed that they prefer to have land for land compensation if they have to leave their place or property for the project. About 39.66% said that they want cash compensation, 7.82% house for house and 1.68% for other purpose. More than 41.90% of the project affected households have expressed that they will use the compensation amount for purchasing land. Other 31.28% would invest in the business, 12.29% said that they would construct their houses from the compensation and 14.53% said that they would pay the debt. The project will take care and implement remedial measures if economic condition of any household affected by the project will be worseoff than before due to project activities.

8.2.3.1.2 Compensation for Relocation ofHouses

The project proponent will provide adequate compensation for the houses (structure and land occupied) acquired by the project. The compensation will be paid at replacement cost. Further, the compensation for houses and land will be provided at least 6 months prior to their acquisition. The owners of acquired houses can also use the construction material from their respective dismantled houses. The affected households were asked for relocation and both the household replied that they can't leav the area since their land and other property remains there.

8.2.3.1.3 Compensation for Crop Loss

Construction work will be scheduled at best to avoid cropping season. People of the concerned land will be informed in advance so that these disturbances can be minimized. Compensation is proposed for 35 ha area in RoW considering 10 m impact zone. Such payment will be made for one crop by measuring the actual disturbances. Compensation will also be paid for the loss of fruit trees.

8.2.3.1.4 Health and Sanitation

Toilets will be made in temporary camps at the rate of approximately 10 people in

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report each toilet. Health check-up of workers and documentation of health status will be made periodically. Priority will be given to the local people in project works to minimize the impacts on health and sanitation.

8.2.3.1.5 Occupational Safety Measures

The construction area will be declared as hard hat area and all the necessary precaution and warning sign will be placed at work site. This area will be restricted for the entry of unauthorised people. The project proponent will provide hard hat, eyeglass, safety boot, safety belt, fire fighting accessories, caution signals and other safety equipment as required at particular site and work area. First aid kits will be maintained, for preliminary treatment in emergencies. For serious injuries especial arrangement will be made to send the injured person to nearest hospitals.

Safety training will be implemented and any loss of life or injury will also be compensated as per prevailing rules. The safety training for the project workers will be conducted at 2 places, at each end of construction work. The training program will be of at least 2 days which will include practical classes, use of safety equipments, first aid. Community safety awareness programs about the TjL and potential risks associated with TjL construction will too be implemented (at least two in each district). The project workers involved in construction work in each district will also be trained for health and occupational safety measures.

8.2.3.1.6 Gender and Vulnerable Group

The project will ensure not to discriminate the local people based on their gender, caste, colour and place of origin. Local women will be hired to the extent possible. Similarly, priority to the job opportunity will be provided to the vulnerable group in the project area in order to raise their living standard.

8.2.3.1.7 Awareness Program

Awareness programs will be implemented by the proponent. The workers will be instructed to act in a responsible manner during and after the working hours, respecting the rights, property and practice of local people. The awareness program will incorporate the problem associated with social and cultural disintegration and awareness against girls trafficking and sexually transmitted disease (STD) including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The program also include awareness regarding proper use of compensation money, type of job, available in project, importance of project with regards to local and national scenario etc. Due priority will be given to indigenous households affected by the project in such

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report programs.

Organization of lectures, distribution of pamphlets, audiovisuals, posters and mobilization of local NGOs will be .the methods to be adopted for conducting awareness program. 8.2.3.1.8 Law and Order

Due coordination will be made to the local and district level administrative units of GoN. The existing facilities of GoN will be used to maintain the law and order as required. The proposed awareness program will also minimize this impact to some extent.

8.2.3.1.9 Livelihood Restoration Program ,The livelihood restoration program will include training program for agriculture extension, vegetable farming and livestock support. Such program will be implemented for the households affected by land and house acquisition. Due priority will be given to indigenous households affected by the project in such programs.

8.2.3.1.10 Relocation of Temple

The Shiva temple of Banuata will be relocated in near by area in due consultation with the local people. All the cost required for land and temple construction will be provided by the proponent.

8.2.3.2 Operation

8.2.3.2.1 Land Use Restriction The private land falls in RoW will be compensated as per the rate fIxed by Compensation Fixation Committee headed by Chief District Officer. The committee will be formed as per Electricity Regulation 2050. The current practice for the compensation of Row is 10% of the amount of the affected area based on current market rate. However due consideration will be given in high value area. The land within RoW will be utilized as usual by the respective landholders except for tree plantation and construction of permanent structures.

8.2.3.2 .2 Land Fragmentation and Farming Hindrance

Environmental and Social Studies Department ttr NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

The erection of towers/placement at center of farm land will be avoided to the extent possible. The project will provide compensation for this land at a market price. If the remaining land in a parcel is not applicable or difficult for the cultivation the project will compensate the remaining land of the particular land parcel. The ownership of such land will be transferred in the name of project.

8.2.3.2.3 Electromagnetic Field

The Right of Way shall be maintained as per Electricity Regulation. Very sensitive and fully redundant transmission line protection will be adopted for the proposed line. A precautionary approach for reducing the effect of EMF will be adopted by following the guidelines for limits on magnetic field stipulated by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). No houses or other buildings will be permitted within the RoW, with existing houses and other structures relocated outside the RoW. Awareness programs on safety will be conducted for project staff and local residents at key localitions in the project area. Fencing of towers at some locations (e.g. near schools, highway crossings etc), warning signs and metal guard structures on the towers are proposed to dissuade people from climbing or tampering with towers. Phase split will be done in 5 locations where the alignment passes within 100 m from the settlement. Besides this during final survey and design of the alignment it is proposed to rerouting the alignment at least three locations.

8.2.3.2.4 Occupational Health and Safety

Safety equipment required for the operation of the transmission line will be provided. During the maintenance major area will be restricted for entry of unauthorized person to avoid disturbances and risk. Hard hat, eye glass, safety boot, ear plugs, good electric light system, good earthling devices, fire fighting accessories, caution signals, safety belt and other safety equipment as required at particular site and work area will be provided. 46 meter RoW will be strictly maintained to minimize the likely risks of conductor breakage, induced voltages, etc. Appropriate protection system and equipment will be installed at the substation to ensure the automatic isolation of the line in case of abnormal conditions. A safety awareness program will be implemented at the beginning of project operation to inform the local people about the likely risk and safety measures to be applied.The awareness program also include awareness regarding not to getting close to the transmission line especially those person who have pacemaker and other similar devices transplanted in their body. 'As mentioned in

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

baseline the proposed route maintain reasonable distance (800m to 4km) to settlement and public places except at six locations( including temple site) which can not be avoided at this moment. However during final survey and design it is proposed to consider these locations also to the extent possible.

8.2.3.2.5 Awareness Program

Awareness program will be implemented to aware the people about the proper use of money, nature of job, project activity and its role in local economy etc. This program will be implemented once during the first year of project operation at 1 place of project area. Organization of lectures, distribution of pamphlets, audiovisuals, posters and mobilization of local NGOs are the methods proposed for awareness program. The project proponent will give priority in keeping locals for the positions needed during operation phase.

8.2.3.2.6 Livelihood Support Program The livelihood support program will be continued for first year of project operation. This program will minimize the impact due to reduction in agriculture production and livelihood.

8.3 Enhancement and Mitigation Cost The estimated enhancement and mitigation measures cost for the proposed Transmission Line Project is 63.04 Million NRs. and the details of which is presented in Table 8.1. This cost is about 4% of the project cost.

TabIe- 8 . 1 . Cost 0 f En h ancement and M'It1gabon . M easures I S.Bo. Mitigation and Enhancement I Unit I Quantity Rate Cost (BRa.) Measures (BRsI

A Enhancement Measures Construction i Operation Total

Rural Electrification I LS 4000000 1000000 5000000 [ I Sub Total 4000000 1000000 5000000

B Mitigation Measures I i B.1 Biological Environment I

I 1 Compensation cost for private I Nos 728 3000 2184000 I 0 2184000 I I trees I i I 2 Compensation for Bamboo grooves Nos 500 2000 1000000 0 1000000 I I

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 k V T/ L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

! Sub Total 1 3184000 0 3184000 I l i B.2 Socioeconomic and Cultural I I I I I , Environment i l Compensation for Acquired Land Ha I 5.27 6000000 22050000 I 0 22050000 I and I I 1500000 I

Compensation 2 1500000 2000000 0 2000000

i Acquisition and

'OCT I 500000 : i i I I i ! Relocation of temple No 1 500000 500000 0 500000 I I I I I ! Compensation for Crop Damage Mt 73 20000 1460000 0 1460000 I I I I I I Social awareness program Nos 3 I 50000 150000 I I '~50000 I I I i Safety Awareness Program Nos 5 150000 600000 , 150000 I 750000 l I 1 Compensation for Land Use Ha 161.46 11500000 0 I 24219000 24219000 i Restriction I I ILivlihood Support Program I I l l I I Agriculture Extension LS 800000 200000 1000000 I I I I I , I I I Vegetable farming LS i 400000 100000 I 500000 I

Livestock Support I LS 300000 100000 400000 I I I ; I Sub Total 28210000 24819000 53029000 ~ i , • Total I 61213000 J I % I 3% 1836390 i i ou ! I I-·.... I i Total i 63049390

Besides this mitigation cost are also included in total project cost which are tied up with construction activities. Rehabilitation work, payment for lease land waste and spoil disposal, water quality protection measures, camp with adequate facilities, safeguarding of the construction sites and safety equipment's construction of toilets in camps and measures for health and sanitation etc are included in construction cost. The contractor will implement these programs on behalf of NEA. However the overall responsibilities for carrying out these mitigation measures lies with NEA.

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

8.4 Institutional Arrangement

Nepal Electricity Authority will have prime responsibility for the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. Project manager will implement some of the mitigation program such as land acquisition and compensation, relocation of houses and enhancement measures and coordination with line agencies. Besides this the contractor will execute the mitigation measures mentioned above and as specified in Tender documents.

Dhalkebar-Bhittamod Environment Management Unit (DBEMU) will be established for construction phase day to day environmental management of the project. The unit will be responsible for the implementation of some mitigation measures, social support program, environmental monitoring and coordination of work with VDCs, DDCs and other district level line agencies. The unit will be site based and work under Environmental and Social Studies Departmnet of NEA. NEAjProject will provide all the logistic support to the unit to make it fully functional. (Fig-8.1).

Environmental and Social Studies Department 8~

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- - ::.:: • - - """ - -- ;:,; ..;;::- - - "'"

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• Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

-----.--~~--~------~~.------

The professional staff required for environmental management will be deputed from ESSD and environmental monitor and other.support staff will be recruited at local level. The following manpower will be deployed in DBEMU.

»> Project Coordinator »> Team Leader »> Unit Chief »> Environmental Expert/ Ecologist »> Socio-economist »> Sociologist »> Field Technician/Supervisors-2 »> Support staff -2 The mitigation program will be implemented in coordination with the concerned line agencies. The following agencies will be consulted during the implementation of mitigation program: • District Development Committee • Village Development Committee Office • Land Revenue Office • Local NGOs

8.5 Summary of the Cost; Benefit Assessment

The total estimated environmental management cost for the proposed project is 67.90 million NRs, which is 4.38 % the total project cost. This cost is estimated for the implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures, social support program and environmental monitoring during pre -construction, construction and operation phases of the project. The cost breakdown is as shown below and details are given in Table 8.1 above & 9.2 below.

Item Cost NRs Cost for Environmental Mitigation Measures 54313000

Cost for Enhancement Measures 5000000 Cost for other Social Support Program and 1900000 Corporate Social Responsibility Cost for Environmental Monitoring 4852500 Mislaneous 1836390 Total Environmnet Management Cost 67901890 Total Project Cost 1553320000

Environmental and Social Studies Department '1'7 NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

-.-~.-~.------Percentage of total Environmnetal Cost to the 4_38% total Project Cost

9. MONITORING

9.1 General Monitoring is an essential aspect of environmental management. It consists of collection of data to measure environmental changes associated with construction and operation of the project. Ministry of Energy is the responsible organization for the environmental monitoring of water resources projects. Depending on the location or the month of the year certain construction activities may have greater or lesser impacts. NEA will have prime responsibility for implementation of monitoring program. Project Environmental Management Unit, Consultant, Project Manager and Contractor are responsible for monitoring of different components.

9. 2 Types of Monitoring

Based on the study, type and size of the project and monitoring experience of other projects, daily quarterly and yearly monitoring, depending on the parameters, will be conducted throughout construction period. The monitoring program will be also conducted in operation phase of the project.

9.2.1 Baseline Monitoring

Baseline monitoring will be conducted to update the baseline condition of the project area prior to construction of the project. The baseline will cover the major components of physical, biological and socioeconomic and cultural environment.

9.2.2 Impact Monitoring

Impact monitoring is to be carried out to assess actual level of impact. The impact monitoring will be conducted during construction as well as operation phases of the project. The impact monitoring includes: • Monitoring of the impacts of the project on physical, biological socioeconomic and cultural environment of the area;

Environmental and Social Studies Department P~. NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

• Monitoring of the accuracy of the predicted impacts; and • Monitoring of the effectiveness of mitigation measures

9.2.3 Compliance Monitoring

The compliance monitoring will be conducted to monitor the compliance of the proposed mitigation measures and monitoring activities. The compliance monitoring will mainly focus on: • Whether the mitigation and monitoring requirements associated with the contractor shall be duly incorporated in tender document and contract agreements; • Compliance of the tender clause; • Compliance of the mitigation measures; and • Whether the allocation of adequate budget is made for the implementation of the mitigation measures and monitoring works. 9.3 Monitoring Parameters, Schedule and Agencies to be consulted

Land use pattern, settlement, public health, infrastructure and compliance of the tender clauses are the few areas of monitoring (Table 9.1). The schedule of monitoring will be daily, quarterly and yearly depending on the parameters and type of monitoring. 9.4 Manpower

Following manpower will be required for the construction phase monitoring of the . proposed project.

);- Project Coordinator );- Team Leader );- Unit Chief );- Environmental Expertj Ecologist );- Socio-economist );- Sociologist );- Field TechnicianjSupervisors-2 );- Support staff -2

9.5 Monitoring Cost

The estimated monitoring cost is 4.85 million NRs. including manpower, report production, transportation, rent for site office and others for pre construction, 18

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NEA lEE Report ofDhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project En vironmentill Monitoring

Water supply Chemical and bacteriological Sampling and laboratory analysis 6 months Temporary camp and near by parameters such as E. Coli. hotels, settlement etc.

Public health Types of disease and incidence of Meeting and discussion with local Quarterly Project affected VDCs District hospital and disease in the project workers and health posts and district hospitals local health posts local community I Land loss Acquisition of land, lease of land Cross checking the list of Quarterly Tower pad, RoWand leased area Affected VDCs and temporary disturbances in compensation land SOcIoeconomic House Acquisition Relocation of house , Observation of new construction sites, Quarterly Affected area and relocation sites Affected VDC and Cultural compensation, use of construction cross checking the list of Environment material etc compensation etc. Temple Relocation of Shiva Temple in Consultation with local people Quarterly Peoples of near by settlement Banauta VDC near by area

Crop Actual damage to standing crop or Observation and discussion Weekly Tower pad , RoWand leased area Affected VDC loss of cropping season for the particular area

Economy Local employment, rental, sell of Meeting and discussion with local Quarterly Project affected area Affected VDCs consumable goods communities 2.2. Operation Phase

Physical Tower sites Condition of tower pads Site observation Before and after Tower sites £, Ir",inv ",,,,,on Socioeconomic & Local employment Priority for the local employment Cross checking the list of employment Annual Project site VDC Cultural Environment

Economic status Changes in economic condition of Interview and discussion Annual Project affected families VDC local people due to withdrawal of economic opportunity lEE Report ofDhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL PrOject Environmental Monitoring

Table -9.1 Monitoring Parameters, Indicators, Method, Schedule, Location and Agencies to be Consulted

Types Parameters Indicators Method Schedule Location Agencies to be Consulted

1. Baseline Monitoring

land Use Changes in land use pattern Site observation Once prior to RoWand near by areas Physiall construction Environment

Settlement/infrastructure Increase in Discussion with local people, VDCs Once prior to RoWand near by areas settiements/infrastructure and observation construction

Population/migration Structure and migration Discussion with local people, VDCs Once prior to Project affected VDCs and observation construction

Development activities Development activities in the Site observation Once prior to RoWand near by areas/Project DistriCt/local SocioeconomiC project area construction affected VDCs Development Office and cultural environment Public health Types of disease and incidence of Meeting and discussion with local Once prior to Project affected VDCs District hospital and disease in the project area health posts and district hospitals construction local health posts

SOCio-economic/cultural base line Update socia-economic/cultural discussion with local people and Once prior to Project affected areas base line review information construction

2. Impact Monitoring

2.1 Construction Phase

Waste disposal Physiat/ Unpleasant odor and visual Observation Weekly Temporary camps /Construction Environment impact sites Bio/ogial/ loss of trees from private land Number of trees and bamboo Observation and discussion Daily Row Concern land owner Environment groQves removed ~ ~ ~ - - '----~

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3. Compliance Monitoring

--~ location Agencies to be 3.1 Construction Phase Integration of mitigation measures YeS/No, Review/cross-checking of tender and Before the start of Kathmandu Office Project(fL in the design and tender design documents construction work Department document

Integration of the report as a part Yes/No Review During approval Kathmandu Office Project/TL of project administration process Department Allocation of adequate budget for Yes/No Review, enquiry and consultation Pre-construction Kathmandu Office Project(fL the implementation of the phase Department environment mitigation measures and monitoring works

Priority of employment YeS/No Record review, observation and Monthly basis Site Office Project enquiry i First Aid Availability of first Aid Observation and record review Periodic as per Project site Project construction

disability I Occupational safety Adequacy of occupational safety Interview/observation Periodic as per Project site Project measures (helmets, boots, construction warning signs etc.) schedule

3.2 Operation Phase Priority of employment to locals Yes/No Record reView, observation and Periodic Project site Grid Operation enquiry Department

Occupational safety Adequacy of occupational safety Interview/observation As required Project area Grid Operation measures (helmets, boots, Department warni ng signs etc.) Disposal of construction Checking up of the wastes Site observation Once during first Disposal site Grid Operation wastes/spoils produced from construction work year of project Department operation

Losing of life and disability Compensation to losing of life and Interview/observation Periodic Construction area Grid Operation disability Department

-_...... _­ - ...... --...-----... ­

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Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

months construction and 1 year operation phases (Table-9-2). This cost includes baseline monitoring during pre construction phase and compliance and impact monitoring during construction and operation and maintenance phase. Table 9-2 Cost for Environmental Monitoring Program

rS.NO. I Item I Man-month Rate/Month(NRs.j I Amount . I I. I(NRs.) A. Pre-construction Phase

1 I Manpower i ! I Project Coordinator 1 35000 I 35000 I ! i Team Leader 2 30000 I 60000 I i Environmental Expert 1 20000 I 20000 I I Socio-economist 1 25000 I 25000 ! i SUl2l2ort Staff 2 15000 30000 ! i I Sub -total I 170000 I 2 I Out of Pocket I i , Ex. LS 50000 Field Assistant LS 50000 Transl2ortation 0.75 90000 67500 Re ort Production LS 25000 Miscellaneous LS 25000 : I I I Sub -total ! 217500 ! i i Total I 387500 i i B. Construction Phase i 1 i Manpower i ! Project Coordinator 5 I 35000 I 175000 I Team Leader 9 30000 270000 I I Unit Chief ! 18 40000 720000 ! Environmental Expert/ I 3 20000 60000 I I i I Ecologist ! Socio-economist I 6 I 25000 150000 ! Sociologist I 6 I 25000 150000 i SUl2ervisor / Monitors , 36 I 15000 540000-- I ! SU12120rt Staff sIte offIce ! 18 10000 ~---=-18::...0=-c0.QL

Environmental and Social Studies Department If? NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report i I Staff I I Kathmandu office Sub -total J 2470000 J 2 Out of Pocket i I I : Expenses I I i I I I TA/DA i LS i 200000 i i Transportation LS 500000 I i I I Report Production LS i 150000 I I Field Assistant LS 100000 I : Office Rent ( site office) I LS 100000 I Office Accessories and I LS 100000 i I Ioperation cost( site I office) i I Miscellaneous I I LS 200000 Sub-Total 1350000 I ! Total I 3820000 j C. Operation and Maintenance Phase j I I I 1 Manpower I Project Coordinator 2 35000 70000

I Team Leader 4 30000 i 120000

Environmental Expertj 1 20000 I 20000 Ecologist Socio-economist 2 25000 50000 Support Staff 4 15000 60000 Sub-Total 320000 2 ! Out of Pocket

I i Expenses i i I TA/DA LS 100000 I

i Field Assistant I LS 50000 I I I Transportation LS 100000 I Report Production I LS 50000 Miscellaneous LS 25000 Sub-Total I 325000 Total 645000

I Grand Total A+ B+ C 4852500

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NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV TIL Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

10. CONCLUSION

10.1 Conclusion

The Initial Environmental Examination of Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV is conducted based on field survey and review of secondary infonnation. This lEE report is an outcome of the study conducted adhering to the existing acts, rules, regulations and guidelines pertinent to the study. Changes in land use pattern and removal of 728 private trees & 500 bamboo grooves are the main impacts identified in physical and biological environment respectively. The major socioeconomic and cultural environmental impact includes acquisition of 2.27 ha cultivated land, relocation of two houses and Shiva temple, loss of standing crop, occupational safety and land use restrictions in RoW. In physical environment 5 impacts are identified and all are categorize as low in magnitude. In biological environment out of 3 total identified impacts 2 are low and 1 is moderate in magnitude. Similarly in socioeconomic and cultural environment 18 impacts are identified. Out of that 15 are low and 3 are moderate in nature. Mitigation measures has been proposed for all identified/predicted adverse impacts and enhancement measures are developed for maximize the project benefits. The findings of lEE study shows that adverse impacts on physical, biological as well as socioeconomic and cultural environments due to implementation of the project are minimum. The study concludes that implementation of the proposed project is environmentally feasible and no such major impacts are arises which can not be mitigated or minimized. The study shows that lEE is sufficient for this project and EIA is not required.

Environmental and Social Studies Department 'JF NEA Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV T/L Project Initial Environmental Examination Report

REFERENCES

• CBS (2001): Population Census of Nepal, Central Bureau of Statistics, Government of Nepal. • CBS (2062): Statistics ofDhanusha District, District Statistics office, Dhanusha, Janakpur. • DADO (2062): An Overview of Annual Agriculture Development Program and Statistics 2061/2062, District Agriculture Development Office Dhanusha, Janakpur. • DADO (2062): An Overview of Annual Agriculture Development Program and Statistics 2062, District Agriculture Development Office Mahottari, Jaleshwor • DDC (2065): District Profile of Mahottari District, District Development Office Mahottari, Jaleshwor 2065. • DDC (2065): District Profile ofDhanusha, District Development Office Dhanusha, Janakpur 2065. • DEO (2064): A Glance of the Program of the District Education Office and Statistics, District Education Office, Mahottari, Jaleshwor. 2064 • DFO (2062/063): Forest Conservation and Development. District Forest Office Mahottari, Jaleshwor. • DFO (2063): A Glimpse on Community Forest in Dhanusha, District Forest Office Dhanusha, Janakpur. .• GoN (1997): Environment Protection Rule and Amendments • NEA (2006) A Year in Review, Nepal Electricity Authority, Fiscal Year 2005/2006 • NEA (2008) Dhalkebar- Bhittamod Transmission Line Survey Report, vol.1 Final Report, Engineering Services, Project Development Department, March 2008 • NPC (1993) National Environment Impact Assessment Guideline IUCN and NPC 1993 • Shrestha N. (1997) Protected Wildlife Species of Nepal, An Introductory Handbook, IUCN, Nepal.

Environmental and Social Studies Department 'f6 NEA ApPENDIX-l TERMS OF REFERENCE

Terms ofReference for EIA

1.0 Name and Address of the Individual or Institution Preparing the Report

1.1 The Proponent

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is the proponent of this project. NEA is a national level organization established in 2042 B.S and is an undertaking of the Government of Nepal.

The address ofthe Proponent is as follows:

Nepal Electricity Authority Cross Border Transmission Line Project Central Office Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: 4-248851

1.2 Organization Responsible for the Preparation of EIA

As a proponent of this project NEA is responsible for the preparation of EIA Report. Environmental and Social Studies Department (ESSD) of NEA executes all activities related to the environmental aspects of the projects undertaken by NEA. Being the concern department, ESSD is responsible for the preparation of the EIA of the proposed project. The ToR for the EIA study is prepared based on the issues identified during project scoping following Schedule 4 of the EPR 1997.

The address ofNEA-ESSD is asfollows: Environmental and Social Studies Department Adwait Marg, Kathmandu Phone: 4-226730 Fax: 4-225248 Email: [email protected]

1.3 Objectives of the EIA

The main objectives ofthe EIA are to:

• Document baseline conditions of the existing physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment; • Identify physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environmental impacts in terms of the magnitUde, extent and duration that may be expected to occur during construction and operation; • Identify the beneficial and adverse environmental impacts of the project, as well as the economic and environmental acceptability to the community; • Examine and select the optimal alternative from the various relevant options available;

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project ESSD • Incorporate into the development action appropriate mitigation measures for adverse impacts and to propose enhancement measures for beneficial impacts; • Prepare Environmental Management Plan; • Involve public in the decision-making process related to the environment; and • Advise decision makers regarding the implementation ofthe project.

1.4 Objectives of the ToR

The main objectives of TOR are as follows:

• To identify general requirements for environmental baseline data; • To reflect the main issues identified during course of scoping in the form ofToR; • To reflect the issues and areas ofconcerns of local people identified during scoping works; and • To provide guidance for the EIA study.

1.5 Rationality for Conducting the EIA Study As per the Environment Protection Rules (EPR), 1997 and the recent amendment made in EPR, 1997, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of transmission facilities exceeding voltage level of 66 kV is mandatory. However, a 132 kV transmission line having less than 3 km length does not require an EIA study. Since Dhalkebar- Bhittamod Transmission Line Project is of 400 kV capacity, it needs an EIA for execution. This ToR is prepared to fulfill the provisions made in the EPR 1997. The proposed project does not lie in any of the protected areas such as national parks, conservation areas, wildlife sanctuaries, buffer zones or any other environmentally sensitive and fragile areas. Furthermore the proposed alignment does not cross any settlement in its entire length.

2.0 General Introduction of the Proposal/Project

2.1 Introduction

Integrated Nepal Power System (lNPS) has installed capacity of 614 MW including 557 MW hydropower and the rest is thermal energy. The severe imbalance in demand and supply of electricity in the country has led to unprecedented load shedding since the last 2 to 3 years and is expected to continue this situation in coming years. The country is currently facing 14 hours load shedding daily. Realizing the importance of energy and current problem Ministry of Water Resources has formulated National Electricity Crisis Management Plan which was endorsed by cabinet decision of Government of Nepal. In this plan short term, mid term and long term program and activities has been prepared and responsibilities has been allocated accordingly. The proposed Dhalkebar- Bhiitamod 400 kV Project is under long term program of the plan. Out of35 points agenda ofthe plan the proposed project is on 29 th numbers.

The annual peak demand is increasing with an average of 10% annually. Having no new projects in the pipeline, the country is moving towards a terrible power crisis for the next 5 to 6 years. As the generation has remained steady and the available generation not been able to meet the growing demand

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV TransmiSSion Line Project 2 ESSD of electricity has resulted in severe loss to the productive sectors like industries and commerce and inconveniences to the consumers as well.

To overcome this energy crisis in the shortest possible time, the only possible way is to increase volume of power purchase from India. But, due to the lack of interconnection link facilities between Nepal and India, it is not possible to import required amount of power from India. To enhance the power exchange capacity between Nepal and India, the NEA has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IL & FS of India to establish a separate company in Nepal to develop 4 interconnection links and Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV line up to Indo-Nepal border in the Nepalese side is one of the 4 power exchange links.

2.2 Project Location and Accessibility

The proposed project is located in Dhanusha and Mahottari district of Janakpur zone of the Central Development Region. The project is located in Terai area and transmission line route is accessible through the district and feeder roads. The Mahendra Highway, Dhulikhel- Sindhuli- Bhithamod highway and Bardibash- Jaleshwor road are the main road access to the project area. The nearest airport to the site is Janakpur.

2.3 Transmission Line Route

The proposed transmission line alignment starts from Substation tole (Bijuli tole) of the Dhalkebar VDC ward-4 located just out side of the existing substation and passes mainly through the cultivated land of Dhanusha and Mahottari district and finally terminates at Indo-Nepal border (the inter connection point) located at ward-6 of Bathnaha VDC. The environmental feature of the proposed transmission line alignment is given in Table 2.1. The transmission line covers 5 VDCs namely: Dhalkebar, Begadabar, Laksminibas, Bateshwar & Bhuchakrapur of Dhanusha district and 15 VDCs of Mahottari district such as Bhangaha, Singyahi, Dharampur, Dhamaura, Banauta, Sahasaula, SarpalIo, Sonaul, Manara, Ekdara, Halkhori, Sisawakataiya, Sadha, Ramgopalpur and Bathnaha. While selecting the transmission line alignment, due consideration was given to avoid the settlement areas, inbuilt structures, religious places, schools and other community infrastructures all along its route from Dhalkebar to Indo-Nepal border as far as possible.

Table 2.1 Environmental Features of the Proposed Alignment Chainage (km.) Angle Point IElevation IVDCs--~- IMajor crossings-l,-MajorLand uses i and Route i (m)

1 Alignment ' .-~---L 0+000,000 to 1 APO -AP I ,180 d,O Dhalkebar & , Sukhajor rivulet I' Cultivated land 0+362392 ' F Begadabar I I grooves and others 0+362.392 to IAPI-APIA \7754 ""'d'_bar IEast- West Highway Cultivated land 1+822.989 _ grooves & others

1+822,989 to, APIA-AP2 1165.'_4__ Begadabar & I' Road _ Cultivated land and others 3+634.562 ,Bateshwar I 3+634.562 to AP2- AP3 150,9~ Bateshwar, Bigahi rivulet Cultivated Jand,mango g~ 1 6+646,830 __-,--L_ak~sl11inibas_ & ! I bamboo grooves and others i

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Une Project 3 ESSD Terms ofReference for EIA

I i Bhuchakrapur I 6+646.830 to I AP3 -AP4 129,78 i Bhuchakrapur & I Road, irrigation I Cultivated land and others I I 11+517.178 Bhangaha i canal (Kulo) 111+517.178 to AP4- AP4A 103.54 . Bhangaha & I Rivulet and road I Cultivated land and others i 13+899.0 II Singyahi I \13+899.011 AP4A-AP4B 92.81 Singyahi, Non functional Cultivated land and others . toI4+200.116 Dharampur railway line /14+200.116 to AP4B-AP5 85.85 Singyahi, Road twice and Cultivated land and others 19+ 168.754 Dhamaura & Rato river

I Ramgopalpur -. 19+168,754 to AP5 -AP6 77.25 Dhamaura, II kY line, LT line, Cultivated land, mango garden 25+985,632 Banauta & road, Akusi river , bamboo grooves and others Sahasaula Bardibash· I , laleshwor road & IJangha rivulet I25+985,632 to i AP6-AP7 . 76.53 Sahasaula & I _ Cultivated land I • 27+580,787 JSarpallo I i 27+580,787 AP7-AP8 66.71 I Sonaul, Manara, I II kY line, road, Cultivated land and others t035+54 1.239 i Sadha & Ekdara bridge and rivulet 35+54L239 to AP8·AP9 65,80 Halkhori, L T line and rivulet Cultivated land, mango garden 39+002,817 Sisawakataiya & and others I Bathnaha Source: FIeld Surve.v 2008

2.4 Route Selection Criteria

The transmission line route was selected on the following grounds: • Provide the shortest possible and straight route; • A void heavy angle points and long span; • Minimize the number of structures crossings; • A void built up areas; • A void swampy areas and large ponds; • Minimize adverse impacts on the environment; and • Maintain proximity to existing road for easy access.

2.5 Project Area Delineation

For the EIA of the proposed project, the project area is defined as the area for the construction of a 400 kV transmission line alignment and 400/220/132 kV Substation as well as the area that will be impacted due to the construction and operation of the project. This area includes 20 VDCs among which 5 lies in Dhanusha district and 15 in Mahottari district. The project area does not lie in the national park, the wildlife reserve, the buffer zone, conservation area and environmentally sensitive & fragile areas. The study area is divided into two parts on the basis of the proximity and magnitude of impacts. The details of core project area and surrounding area is given in Table 2.2.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 4 ESSD 2. 5.1 Core Project Area The "Core Project Area" consists of the 46 m Right-of-Way (RoW), encompassing 23 m on each side ofthe alignment measured from its center line. The concerned wards through which transmission line is aligned and area occupied by the substation are also considered as the core area. This area is also defined as the direct impact zone.

2.5.2 Surrounding Area The term "Surrounding Area" indicates a greater area, which will directly or indirectly get influenced by the construction and operation of the project. This area includes all alignment encompassing VDCs of two districts excluding areas mentioned under core project area. This area is also terms as the "indirect impact zone".

The term "project" indicates the Dhalkebar- Bhittamod transmission line and substation and "Area" refers to the core project area and the surrounding area. The term "project area" is also referred to as the study area for the ElA.

Table: 2. 2 Project Area and Location oCProject Structures '-S.-N-o-.---r--N-a-m-e-o-r-A-r-re-c-ted District and , Core Project Area( I Project Structure and Facilities VDCs ' (Wards)

:~I~~-~~_:-=!_~~:~~~I,-~-:_t-~_D_·hanUS_h_a__ .___ 1.-42-&-3--.------.~-·--._+&=-~~~-·-~----~---:-S~u~b_-s_t-a_t~io~n~~_::._::._··~·_...... ,: 2 Begadawar . j-­ 1 34 Bateshwar _--..J-1i-::--2, 6 & 9 jl Laksminibas I. I 5 -ri3huchakrapur 3 .~-. .•_-----­ District -Mahottari 6 Bhangaha 1&9 I 7 Singyahi 3,4,7 & 9 Transmission line -8 Dharampur 4 9 Dhamaura ~ 10 Banauta 9 11 R~.. ·o~t'-J:'~ 1 12 I Sahasaula i 5,8 13 Sarpallo 1,2,3 and 9 14 Sonaul 1,2,3 '):5 Manam I 1 & 3 L. : 16 . Sadha , 1 3,8&9 ~ ~ ~~:n----- 6,7,8 I 19 , Sisawakataiya 2,9& 7 , . 20 IBathnaha 11 & 6 ~ Source: Field Survey 2008 Note: The remaining wards ofafficled VDCs are categorized under surrounding area or indirect impact zone

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 5 ESSD 2.6 Project Features

The construction of a 39 km long, 400 kV double circuit transmission line between Dhalkebar VDC of Dhanusha district to Indo-Nepal Border at Madhava of Bathnaha VDC of Mahottari district and a new 400/220/132 kV substation close to existing substation at Dhalkebar could provide an interconnection link between Nepal and India to enhance power exchange facilities between the two countries. This will increase the volume of power import from India as a short term measure and help to minimize the load shedding to some extent. Similarly it will also help to export excess power to India in future.

The proposed transmission line will be double circuit comprising of duplex overhead conductor. The vertical double circuit configuration tower will have an average height of 45 m and the standard tower base dimensions will be 15 m x 15 m from centre to centre of each tower leg foundation! footing. The design span between tower structures is approximately 400 m.

The right of way (RoW) ofthe proposed transmission line is 23 meters on each side from the centerline of the overhead transmission line as per the Electricity Regulation, 2050 (1993). The transmission line design features are given in Table 2.3. Table 2.3 Project Features ..Ji:~.~.!.~1"_e~ ...... _.__...... __...... _...... _...._._+.P~~c:!!P!!()I1._ ..... _...... __ ._ ..... General

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission line Project 6 ESSD Water surface at maximum flood ...... ,~,- .. , ..,.~.-"" .. -....--..•-.­ Substation

2.7 Substation

In order to tap power to or from the cross border transmission link, construction of a new 400/220/132 kV substation at Dhalkebar ward -4 near existing substation is proposed. This substation will become an important hub substation within Central Nepal for the exchange of power between Nepal and India. The substation having transformation facilities with 400 kV to 22011 32kV, 2000 MVA will be constructed within two years period of the project development.

The proposed substation will have the following important features:

a. 400/220 kV Transformation capacity: 2000 MVA b. 220/132 kV Transformation capacity: 400 MVA c. Bus bar arrangement: Double d. Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor e. Area required for 400/220 kV transformation: 30000 m2 f. Area required for 220/132 kV transformation: 15000 m2

2.8 Construction Planning 2.8.1 Tower Foundation The construction of tower foundation will be undertaken by manual labor assisted by the mechanical plant wherever possible. The Mechanical plant will be limited to small demountable steel skid framed concrete mixers, air compressors, air drills/chisels and tamping/compaction tools.

Excavation and the concreting of the tower foundations will be carried out as per the desi&n requirements and after necessary curing, the foundations will be backfilled with suitable materiaL

Erection ofGalvanized Steel Towers Galvanized steel lattice towers manufactured in the factory will be transported to the individual tower locations and are erected manually by employing pulleys, wenches, etc. into the tower foundations.

Insulator Fittings, Conductor and Ground Wire Stringing Conductors, ground wires, insulators and necessary accessories will be transported manually to the tower locations. The fitting of insulators on the tower and stringing of conductors and ground wire will be carried out manually as per the design requirements.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 7 ESSD Transportation Primary site access for the project construction will be gained from the Mahendra Highway, Dhulikhel­ Sindhuli-Bhittamod highway and Bardibash-laleshwor highway. No permanent access roads will be constructed to tower sites from existing road. Existing access roads and tracks will be used for construction and maintenance where available. The construction material up to the nearest road head will be carried out through vehicles and latter it will be transported manually up to the individual tower location.

2.8.2 Spoil Dumping Site Since the construction of transmission line towers requires clearing and excavation of fairly small areas at tower locations, construction work will not require spoil dumping sites. The spoils will be filled up and compacted in the tower base area. Similarly, spoil generated from the substation construction will be used to the switchyard location where borrowed earth materials have to be filIed and compacted for the site grading.

2.8.3 Construction Materials The materials required for civil construction works related to the transmission line and substation will be: a. Steel reinforcement b. Cement c. Coarse aggregate d. Fine aggregates (sand)

Steel reinforcing bars and cement can be acquired from local manufacturers or can also be imported. Coarse aggregates will be produced at site from excavated materials or purchased from the nearby market. Likewise, fine aggregates will be collected from major quarries along riverbanks, the excavated foundation material can be used as a backfill material required for the foundation construction.

Considering the nature of construction works involved, use of explosives for the implementation of the project is discarded.

2.8.4 Employment Local people those are affected by the project implementation will be encouraged for employment. As far as possible, local semi skilled and unskilled labor will be used for construction activities and transportation of materials. Altogether about 400 people will be deployed during the construction ofthe project, which includes 200 unskilled, 150 semi skilled and 50 skilled manpower.

2.8.5 Project Implementation The estimated completion period of the project is 24 months. Implementation will consist of a 6 month pre-construction phase and 18 month construction and commissioning phase. The construction work of transmission line will primarily be carried out during the dry season when ground conditions are essentially dry and river flows low to allow easy movement of materials and construction oftowers. Construction activities during the monsoon season will primarily be restricted to

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Projed 8 ESSD Terms ofReference for EJA stringing of conductors, although this activity may also be restricted by the weather. However, the construction work ofthe substation will be conducted throughout the year.

3.0 Data Needed for the Preparation of the Report and Procedure of Collecting them

The EIA will be conducted in accordance with the EPR 1997 and as per subsequent amendments. The methodology described in the following sections shall be adopted to complete the EIA and associated tasks.

3.1 Required Data and Information

The following information shall be collected in relation to the physical, biological, socioeconomic and cultural environment of the project area. The data of the Core Project Area or Direct Impact Zone shall be site specific and quantitative. Information on affected VDCs shall also be collected.

3.1.1 Physical Environment • Climate (rainfall and temperature); • Physiographic condition of the project area such as topography, crossings of river, road and other utilities; • Geological condition ofthe project area; • Air, noise and water quality in general ( visual observation); • Land uses and land use pattern; and • Estimated volume of material to be excavated to establish tower foundations.

3.1.2 Biological Environment VegetationiForest • Plant species within the RoW, including the presence and distribution of rare/endangered/protected species; • Status and ownership of forest in RoW; • Current use ofvegetation within the RoW; and • Estimated number oftrees to be lost including wood volume. Mammals and Birds • Mammals and birds in the project area including the presence and distribution of rare/endangered/protected species; • Mammal migration routes; • Bird fly path; • Habitat types within the RoW; and • Loss or alteration of habitat within the RoW.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 9 ESSD Terms ofReference for EIA

3.1.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment Social Features • Demographic features - population distribution, male/female ratio, migration pattern, age distribution; • Caste /ethnicity and religion - caste, tribal/untouchable group, religion, spoken language • Education and skills - schooling, literacy rates, skills and skilled manpower, etc; • Health and sanitation in general which includes information on health posts, hospitals, prevalent diseases in the project area, incidence of waterborne diseases and infectious diseases such as AIDS, STDs; • Gender, women, children, the elderly, poor and ethnic minorities; • Community infrastructures and services - drinking water supply, irrigation, foot trails, transportation, electricity, communication etc; • Local institutions and activities - Government and non-government agencies, cooperatives, banks, CBOs etc; • Existing and planned developments; and • Religion wise population ofthe project area.

Economic Features • Landholding and ownership; • Livelihood and poverty; • Cropping patterns, practices and productions; • Livestock; • Horticultural; • Estimation of loss of standing crop within RoW by crop type, area and value. • Local price information - land, agriculture and other products; • Economy - occupation/employment, agriculture and livestock production, trade and commerce; • Land ownership list of landowners likely to be affected by land acquisition and relocation; • Income and expenditure ofProject Affected Families (PAFs); • Measurement and valuation of houses, cowsheds and other structure to be acquired by the project; • Compensation rates for land, agriculture products, trees, houses and other private infrastructures; and • Estimation of land devaluation from land use restrictions within Ro W - rural and urban.

Cultural Features • Places of Cultural Importance historic, religious or cultural sites in the project area (within and outside Ro W) and the special occasions of celebrationsl gathering, including the relative

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV TransmiSSion Line Project 10 ESSD importance of these sites (local, regional or national); • Attitude of the local people to the development and the project; • Cultural practices of the area; and

3.2 Data Collection Procedures/ Methods

Literature review, field survey (observation, inventory, household survey, focused group discussion and key informant survey) and stakeholders meetings shall be used to collect data and information. The methodologies to be applied for the EIA shall be clear and specific for physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environment.

3.2.1 Desk Study Information on climate (temperature & rainfall) will be obtained from review of data published by Department of Hydrology and Metrology. Topo map of I :2500 scale will be reviewed to collect information about land use and other features along the alignment. The literatures published by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and other institutions will be collected and reviewed for the data on forest and wildlife. Socioeconomic and cultural data, such as popUlation of affected VDCs, households size, male- female ratio, infrastructures, ethnicity, schools, teacher-student ratio, boys-girls ratio, development activities in the project area, festivals & cultural activities shall also be reviewed and initially described from the literatures.

3.2.2 Field Study In physical environment data related to land use, stability, physiographic condition of the area and excavated material for tower pad shall be collected through field study. The data of biological environment shall be mostly of site specific and collected through field survey. In socioeconomic environment socioeconomic features of the project affected families such as demography, ethnicity, education and skills, land holding, income expenditure etc. shall be collected through field survey. The other information to be collected from field study are community infrastructures, loss of standing crops within RoW, local price of land and other commodities, measurement and valuation of houses, cowsheds and other structures to be acquired, compensation rates, land use restrictions and attitude of the local people including others.

In general, the methodologies shall be used for the data collection of physical, biological and socio­ economic and cultural environment.

3.2.2.1 Physical Environment The following methodologies shall be adopted to collect baseline information and to identify and predict impacts on the physical environment of the project area: • Review of survey report, technical report and other pertinent literatures; • Study of 1: 25,000 scale topographical and land use maps; • GIS mapping of the proposed transmission line route alignment; • Checklist surveys; and

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission line Project II ESSD • Field observations by Civil Engineer! Environmental Engineer and Electrical Engineer.

3.2.2.2 Biological Environment The following methodologies shall be used to collect baseline information and to identify and predict impacts on the biological environment of the project area: • Review of relevant literatures including information related to forests and wildlife; • Field observation by Forest Specialist/Botanist and Wildlife Specialist; • Point centered quadrate samplings in vegetation falls within RoW; and • Data sheets, questionnaires, use of checklists and focus group discussions.

3.2.2.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment The following methodologies shall be applied to collect socioeconomic and cultural baseline information and to identify and predict impacts on these features: • Review of relevant literature such as publications of Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), District Development Committee( DDC) and other relevant organizations; • Field observations by Sociologist/Economist. The team will be supported by a database specialist and a surveyor; • Household surveys of affected families; • Key informant surveys- Interactions with the local leaders, government officials, teachers and other knowledgeable persons, FGD; and • Stakeholders meetings.

3.2.3 Impact Matrix An impact matrix shall be developed and used to identify project impacts on the physical, biological and socioeconomic and cultural resources of the area during construction and operation phases. Based on the information and assessment of the studies, project-induced positive and adverse environmental impacts shall be identified. The impacts shall further be classified as short term, medium term and long term in terms of duration; low, high and medium in terms magnitude and; site specific, local and regional in terms of extent. The impacts shall also be categorized as significant and insignificant.

The proponent shall mention detailed methods and techniques used for impacts identification, prediction and evaluation in the ErA report.

3.3 Data Analysis The collected data will be analyzed by the concerned experts. A meeting will be conducted among the group members to discuss the findings and to analyze the result. The collected filed data will be quantitatively analyzed using appropriate tools. Socioeconomic data analysis will be carried out by access computer program as per formats of output tables developed by the concern expert. The impact will be identified by the concern expert based on the baseline condition of the area and project activities. Matrix will be used for identification of significance of impacts. The assessment (magnitude, extent and duration) of impact will be conducted as per National EIA guideline 1993.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 12 ESSD 3.4 Public Hearing

As per the requirements of the EPR and subsequent amendments, at least one public hearing will be conducted in the project area to inform the local communities about the proposed project and to collect their opinions, comments and suggestions. A notice for the public hearing ·shall be published in a national daily newspaper. The notice of the public hearing will be given well in advance to the local people through the concerned VDCs, DDC and other concerned agencies. The likely location for conducting the public hearing program will be finalized in consultation with local people during EIA study.

The public hearing program shall mainly focus on the findings of the EIA, building of the awareness about the project plans and programs, building of mutual consensus on the implementation of the project, identification of key issues and consideration of these issues in the EIA report. Public views, opinions and relevant issues raised in the program shall be recorded.

3.5 Consultation with Concerned Agencies

The following organizations will be consulted during the preparation of the EIA:

Central Level Agencies Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MoEST), Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) and Department of Electricity Development (DoED).

District Level Agencies District Administrative Office, District Development Committees, District Survey Offices, District Land Revenue Offices, District Forest Offices, District Agriculture Offices, District Health Offices and other concerned district level agencies.

Local Level Organizations Village Development Committees, health posts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other related organizations.

3.5 Recommendation Letters Recommendation letters from concerned VDCs shall be collected as per EPR 1997 and subsequent amendments.

4.0 Review of Relevant Policies, Acts, Rules, Guidelines and Conventions

The EIA shall review the following national policies, laws, regulations and guidelines:

Plan, Policies and Strategies

Dhalkebar· Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 13 ESSD Terms ofReference for EIA

• Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2006 • The Tenth Plan, 2002-2007 • Interim Plan 2007 • Hydropower Development Policy, 2001 • Water Resources Strategy, 2002 • National Biodiversity Strategy, 2002 • National Water Plan, 2005

Acts • Environment Protection Act,1997 • Electricity Act, 1992 • Water Resources Act, 1992 • Land Acquisition Act, 1977 • Forest Act, 1993 • Soil and Water Conservation Act, 1992 • Local Self Governance Act, 1999 • Labor Act, 1992

Rules/Regulations • Environment Protection Rules, 1997 • Electricity Regulation, 1992 • Water Resources Regulation, 1993 • Local Self-Governance Regulation, 2000

Guidelines • National Environmental [mpact Assessment Guidelines, 1993 • National Health Care and Waste Management Guidelines, 2002 • EIA Guideline for Agriculture Sector, 1995 • Manuals published by the DoEDI USAIDI IRG (Manuals for preparation of Scoping and ToR, Prediction, Ranking and Determination of Significant Impacts, Environmental Management Plan and Public Involvement in EIA process) 2002. • Manuals and guidelines published by the MoESTI RNGINDNM 2006. Conventions • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for Wild Flora and Fauna 1975. • Convention (No. 169) concerning indigenous and tribal peoples in independent countries.

Dha/kebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 14 ESSD 5.0 Preparation of the Report

5.1 Time

It is estimated that EIA will be completed in seven months. The time schedule with various tasks is given in Table 5.1.

5.2 Estimated Budget The estimated budget for the EIA is NRs. 3.5 million including contingencies and others. 5.3 Necessory Experts

As EIA requires different personnel for specific tasks the following interdisciplinary human resources will be involved in this study.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 15 ESSD • Team Leader/ Environmental Expert • Environmental/Civil Engineer • Electrical Engineer • Forest Expert/Botanist • Wildlife Biologist • Economist • Sociologist • Agriculture Expert • Database Expert • Surveyor • Enumerators, supervisors and field assistants

6.0 Scope Of EIA

Environmental issues of the proposed project shall be considered for the 400/2201132 kV substation, Ro W clearance for the transmission line, construction of tower pads, erection of towers, stringing of conductors, and installation of other equipment for the physical, biological and socioeconomic and cultural environments.

The adverse issues likely to arise due to implementation of the proposed project are given in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 and positive issues are given in Section 6.4.

6.1 Priority Issues The priority issues identified so far are as follows: • Acquisition of land, house, and other property; • Relocation of school and temple; and • Impact due to land use restrictions within the RoW.

6.2 Stakeholder Issues The key issues raised by the stakeholders of the project area have been collected from various stakeholders both in written and verbal forms and are summarized below. The issues raised by the stakeholders during scoping meetings and written issues received from affected VDCs are given in Annex-6 of the Scoping document. The following issues raised by various stakeholders during the scoping process shall be considered in the EIA study:

Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment • Compensation for the acquired land must be provided at the prevailing market rate based on the uses and the quality ofthe land; • Fair compensation should be provided for the loss oftrees including mango garden and bamboo grooves; • Separate valuation should be done for housing plots falling within the RoW;

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 16 ESSD • The current practice of 10% compensation is inadequate. Therefore fair compensation must be provided for the land falling within the RoW; • Compensation should be provided for crops damages and tree loss at the prevailing market rates; • Compensation for the house loss should be given based on the type of house; • Resettlement & rehabilitation program should be implemented for affected families; and • Due consideration shall be made for public safety and appropriate compensation should be provided for the injury and or loss of life during the project construction. Others • Implementation of agriculture program in affected VDCs; • Electricity tariff should be subsidized for industrial work; • There should be proper awareness and adequate provision of public safety; • Likely increase in agriculture enterprises in rural area; • Implementation ofdevelopment program and environmental mitigation measures; • Transmission line should be aligned far from the settlements; • Local people should be pre-informed while determining compensation rates for land; • Lesson learn from past experience since compensation package for earlier acquisitions ofNEA (existing Dhalkebar substation) were not satisfactory; • Coordination with local people during construction; • A void village! settlement; • Implementation of rural electrification program in affected VDCs and rehabilitation of existing distribution system; and • Due priority should be given for the local employment.

The concerns such as lesson learn from past experience and implementation of agriculture and development programs in affected VDCs are not really issues hence not considered for EIA study. The rural electrification and rehabilitation of existing distribution system is being the strong demand of affected people, it will be addressed in the EIA study. The reduction of electricity tariff for industry is discarded because it is beyond the scope ofthe EIA study.

6.3 Issues Considered for EIA The following issues on physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environment are considered for the EIA during construction and operation phases. However the study should not be limited to issues mentioned below and any further issues identified during the course of the EIA shall be covered in detail. 6.3.1 Physical Environment Construction Phase • Changes in land use patterns; • Impact on air, noise and water quality; • Impact due to land degradation, landslides and soil erosion; • Impact due to storage of construction materials, construction camp and labor camps etc; • Impact due to waste disposal; and

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 17 ESSD Terms ofReference for EIA

• Impact due to spoil disposal.

Operation Phase • Interference to road crossings, communication lines, transmission lines, Radios, TVs and other utilities; • Impact due to noise and vibration; • Impact due to use of PCBs; and • Changes in land use patterns along the Ro W

6.3.2 Biological Environment Construction Phase • Loss of vegetation especially mango gardens and other planted trees due to clearance of RoW; • Impact due to increase in demand for firewood and timber; • Impact due to loss of natural habitat; • Impact on birds and mammals due to construction related disturbances; and • Impact due to movement of labor forces and their activities;

Operation Phase • Impact due to electrocution of birds; and • Impact due to changes in habitats.

6.3.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment Construction Phase • Impacts due to acquisition of land and house; • Impacts due to relocation of house, school and temple; • Impacts due to loss of standing crops; • Impacts on livelihood; • Impacts due to occupational health and safety hazards; • Impacts due to conflict of interest and law & order situation; • Impacts on life styles; • Impacts due to increase in pressure on local health and sanitation situation; • Impacts due to increased economic activities; • Impacts on community infrastructure and resources; and • Impacts on gender and vulnerable groups.

Operation Phase • Impacts due to decrease or withdrawal in economic activities; • Impacts due to reduction in agriculture production; • Impacts due to land use restrictions; • Impacts due to land fragmentation; • Farming hindrance due to tower foundations;

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 18 ESSD • Impacts due to occupational, health and safety hazards; • Impacts on livelihood; • Electricity hazards and electromagnetic effects; and • Impacts due to fire hazards.

6.4 Beneficial Issues Construction Phase • Impacts due to increase in employment opportunity for local people; • Impacts due to increase in local skills in the relevant areas; and • Impacts due to increase in economic opportunities such as business, rental ofhouses on the local economy.

Operation Phase • Changes in the local economic activities; • Enhancement of power exchange facilities between Nepal and India resulting decrease in the present load shedding; • Impacts due to low potential of lightning; and • Rural electrification. 7.0 Impact Identification and Prediction

The proponent shall identify and evaluate the impact on the physical, biological and Socioeconomic and cultural environment during the construction and operation of the project. Each impact shall be evaluated as per the. National EIA Guidelines, 1993 or the other standard methods, and shall be documented in the EIA report. The nature of impacts, such as direct or indirect, beneficial or adverse, reversible or irreversible, and their magnitude shall be identified in the EIA. The EIA shall also describe the extent (local, regional and national) and duration (short, medium or long term) of the impacts using appropriate criteria and definitions. The proponent shall also consider the cumulative impacts that might arise due to implementation of the project. A matrix including identified impacts shall be prepared by categorizing impacts in terms of physical, biological, socioeconomic and cultural environment for all the project phases. The identification and assessment of impacts and significance analysis shall be conducted based on the professional judgment, National EIA Guideline 1993 and ranking and determination of significant impacts manual ofDoEDIUSAID/IRG. 8.0 Alternative Analysis

The study shall document no action alternative and other possible alternatives of the project. The alternative alignment will be studied with due consideration of high voltage of transmission line. Likewise attention will be given for the study of two temples likely to be affected and appropriate mitigation measures in terms of compensation or construction of new temple or re- routing of the alignment will be considered.

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission line Project 19 ESSD In general, the following alternatives shall be considered; • Design alternative; • Construction alternatives in terms of technology, procedures, schedule and raw materials to be used; • Route alternatives;

• No action alternative; and

• Operation procedure. 9.0 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures

Mitigation measures for all the identified significant impacts shall be taken into consideration during preparation of the EIA report. The proponent shall propose mitigation measures to prevent or reduce significant adverse impacts to acceptable levels. Measures to enhance beneficial project impacts shall also be presented. The mitigation measures shall be proposed for physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environment for construction and operation phases. The proponent will be responsible for the implementation of environmental mitigation and enhancement program mentioned in EIA report.

The mitigation measures shall be specific and developed by applying a pragmatic approach that is technically and economically feasible, socially acceptable, and preferably, of proven effectiveness. The cost required for each and every mitigation measure and enhancement measures shall be identified in detail and incorporated in EIA report. The Cost of mitigation and enhancement measures shall be categorized in terms of construction and operation phases.

The enhancement and mitigation measures shall be categorized in terms of the physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environment for the construction and operation phases. A matrix of impact and mitigation measures shall also be included in the EIA report.

In general, the following area shall be covered while preparing mitigation and enhancement measures.

a) Protective Measures b) Design Measures c) Compensatory Measures d) Rehabilitation Measures e) Enhancement Measures

The EIA shall propose organizations and agencies to be consulted while implementing mitigation programs.

10.0 Cost Benefit of the Project/Proposal

The cost benefit of the project/proposal shall briefly be described in the EIA report. The study shall also document the possible benefits of the project in terms of environmental conservation in relation to the cost occurred (mitigation cost). The mitigation cost (based on the quantities) of all the activities shall be given, and their ratio to the project cost shall be given in EIA report. Appropriate tool will be used for

Dhalkebar- Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 20 ESSD the cost benefit analysis ofthe project.

11.0 Environmental Monitoring

To monitor the impacts of the proposed project on physical, biological and socio-economic & cultural resources of the area, a monitoring plan shall be formulated for construction and operation phases. The proponent will be responsible for the implementation of environmental monitoring of the proposed project. The monitoring plan shall include the following aspects;

• Baseline, compliance and impact monitoring in terms of the physical, biological, socioeconomic and cultural environment. Baseline and impact monitoring shall include parameters, indicators, methods, schedules and locations, while compliance monitoring shall include parameters, indicators, methods and schedules. Compliance and impact monitoring shall be categorized in terms ofconstruction and operation phases; • Agency responsible for monitoring and agencies to be consulted, if required, during the monitoring activities, and • Organizational set-up, budget and human resources requirements for carrying out the environmental monitoring.

Environmental Auditing

An environmental auditing plan shall be prepared in a matrix format to audit the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and the effect of unforeseen impacts. The auditing shall be carried out after two years of completion of the project as per the EPR 1997. The auditing plans shall include parameters, indicators, locations and methods along with indicative cost and human resource requirement for auditing. It shall also identify agencies to be consulted, if required, during auditing activities. It shall be categorized in terms of physical, biological and socioeconomic & cultural environments. It shall also mention the organizational setup to carry out the auditing activities.

Environmental Management Plan The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) shall be prepared in detail. The plan shall include activities, impacts, proposed mitigation and enhancement measures, organizations responsible for the implementation of the mitigation measures and monitoring activities, schedule, cost, and mode of coordination with the line agencies, VDCs and the local people. The EMP shall also identify the human resource requirement for the monitoring, mitigation and enhancement works; quantify the man-month and schedule; and develop an action plan for all the proposed measures. The plan shall also include the monitoring procedure/protocol, especially the mechanism for compliance monitoring, by spelling out the responsibilities of each concerned stakeholder. The plan shall be prepared based on the five principles of environment management: what, when, where, how and whom. It shall also cover the plan for environmental protection measures including benefits augmentation measures and adverse impacts mitigation measures based on the above principles. The EMP shall be prepared in matrix form. It shall be developed for the following phases: • Construction Phase; and

Dhalkebar· Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project 21 ESSD • Operation Phase.

The details of agencies to be consulted for the implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures, and the environmental monitoring shall be identified in the ElA study.

12.0 Other Matters

The proponent shall comply with all the requirements as mentioned in the EPR before submitting the ElA report for necessary approval. The ElA report shall adequately cover the aspects included in this ToR and mentioned in Schedule 6 of the EPR1997.

It shall include proof of public hearing and recommendations of the concerned VDCs. It shall include relevant information, references, annexes, maps, photos, tables, charts, graphs, checklist and questionnaires, as applicable. A colour map showing the project layout shall also be included in it. Furthermore, references shall be given in the frame mentioned in item 13 of the Schedule 6 of the EPR. A clear linkage on baseline information, impacts, environmental protection measures, monitoring and auditing plans shall be maintained in the ElA report. The Proponent shall also annex the approved Terms of Reference in the report.

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Annex-8

List of the Plant Species Found in Project Area

S.N. Local Name Scientific Name Protected Status

1 Masala Eucalyptus citriodora 2 Sisham Dalbergia sisso 3 Dabdabe Lannea coromanddelica 4 Katahar Artocarpus heterophyllus 5 Badhar Artocarpus lakoocha 6 Bakaino Melia azederach 7 Mango Mangifera indica 8 Sanpat Corchorus capsularis 9 Nim Azadirachta indica 10 Simal Bombax ceiba Protected 11 Korahiya NA 12 Dhab NA 13 Jamun Syzygium cumini 14 Mauwa Engelhardia spicata 15 Sal Shorea robusta Protected 16 Masaun Na 17 Tilka Na 18 Pithwa (Bhelar) Na 19 Gular Ficus racemosa 20 Litchi Nephetium litchi 21 Bel Aegle marmelos 22 Kadam Anthocephalus chinensis 23 Nimbu Citrus Sp. 24 Bamboo Dendrocalmus strictus 25 Amba Psidium guajava 26 Khajur Phoenix sylvestris 27 Bar Ficus benghalensis 28 Pipal Ficus religiosa Annex-9

Avi- Fauna of the Project Area

S.N. Common Name Scientific Name Protected Status I. Spotted Little Owl Anthene brama 2. Brown hawk owl Ninox scutulata 3. Crow Corvus splenders 4. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 5. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 6. Parakeet Psittacula kameri CITES I 7. Egyptian Vulture Neopgron percnopterus S. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus 9. Eagle Haliaeetus spp 10. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis CITES III II. Sarus Crane Grus antigone 12. Lesser Adjutant Leptotilos javancicus 13. Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 14. Talking Myna Gracula reiigiosa 15. Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus "- 16. Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata 17. Bunting Emberiza spp IS. Cuckoo Cuculus spp 19. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 20. Sarus Grus spp 2I. Starling Stumus spp 22. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 23. House Swift Apus affinis 24. Blue Rock Pigeon Columba liuia CITES III Annex-l0 Caste Wise Population of the Project Area

S.N VDC Total Koiri Yadav Chhetri Tamang Magar Unidentified Brahmin Teli Sudi Muslim Hajam Kurmi Dhanuk Tharu Dalit Others Population Caste Hill Terai Thakur Dhanusha District 1 Dhalkebar 9912 2732 1055 998 637 613 505 501 6 305 167 111 91 63 35 0 1024 942 2 Laksminibas 3151 2254 39 19 123 142 9 0 6 24 73 7 30 14 0 0 176 93 3 Begadawar 10638 2312 74 1064 1782 778 96 1039 55 220 308 70 30 0 77 12 1317 1133 4 Bateshwar 5756 2033 200 171 281 299 7 230 0 364 174 42 31 23 0 .0 1090 863

5 Bhuchakrapur 4555 1262 218 119 204 248 20 286 0 221 193 41 83 21 136 460 508 581 I

VDCTotal 34012 10593 1586 2371 3027 2080 637 2056 67 1134 915 271 265 121 248 472 4115 3612 i Mahottari District 1 Bhangaha 11745 1202 976 88 0 0 68 221 150 706 112 1109 195 11 568 1406 3724 1200 , 2 Singwahi 7760 0 1256 0 0 0 64 25 241 239 64 876 59 308 936 689 2180 1055 3 Dhamaura 12164 429 1223 0 0 0 29 40 469 253 0 5611 155 421 763 0 2202 588 4 Banauta 6013 1053 1436 68 0 0 0 0 434 198 138 146 67 69 427 0 1205 650 . 5 Sahasaula 6669 83 1079 0 0 0 20 0 10 563 210 628 271 141 1560 5 1195 875 6 SarpaUo 8669 1701 435 0 0 0 558 0 8 993 171 710 211 48 156 0 1828 1800 7 Sonaul 3678 172 883 152 0 0 0 0 0 375 0 124 71 0 696 0 826 436 8 Manara 5740 0 278 0 0 0 32 62 . 520 416 78 151 97 0 743 33 1886 1300 9 Ekdara 8341 50 1457 0 6 0 29 157 772 93 295 1815 220 23 1097 6 1580 1000 10 Halkhori 5867 0 2429 0 0 0 20 0 759 367 0 580 114 0 188 0 768 786 Sisawakataiya 397 11 7195 432 759 0 142 0 11 0 983 360 0 2514 55 49 432 0 1060 12 Sadha 4335 0 353 0 0 0 20 0 1049 126 0 354 18 0 654 0 436 1300 13 Dharmapur 4830 0 561 0 0 0 16 44 0 124 239 1740 56 66 27 423 1225 309 14 Ramgopalpur 9705 1075 816 38 0 0 11 43 8 577 9 389 150 549 2170 0 3095 750 15 Bathnaha 8138 7 172 10 0 0 44 509 2320 323 0 467 126 245 687 0 1938 1426 VDCTotal 110849 6204 14113 356 148 0 922 1101 7723 5713 1316 17214 1865 1930 11104 2562 24485 14535 VDCGrand 144861 16797 15699 2727 3175 2080 1559 3157 7790 6847 2231 17485 2130 2051 11352 3034 28600 18147 Total Percentage 11.60 10.84 1.88 2.19 1.44 1.08 2.18 5.38 4.73 1.54 12.07 1.47 #REF! #REF! #REF! 19.74 12.53 Source: CBS 2001 Others : Baniya 0.39%,Haluwai O. 74%,Barae 0.98%,Gharti/ Bhujel 0,24%, Kewat O. 78%, Kayastha 0.39%, Rajput 0.82%, Kanu 0.82%, Kumhar, 0.53% Mali 0.18%

Annex-11

Population Distribution by Religion in Project Area

S.N. VDC Total Hinduism Buddhism Islam Kirant Jain Christianity Sikh Bahai Not stated Dhanusha District

1 Dhalkebar 9912 8932 877 87 0 0 15 0 0 7 2 Laksminibas 3151 2884 258 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 Begadawar 10638 8513 1752 42 0 0 89 13 0 229 4 Bateshwar 5756 5465 275 11 0 1 1 0 0 3 5 Bhuchakrapur 4555 4282 184 26 0 0 0 0 0 57 VDCTotal 34012 30076 3346 173 0 1 105 13 0 298 Mahottari District

1 Bhangaha 11745 10605 1 1073 0 0 1 0 1 64 2 Singwahi 7760 6854 24 873 1 0 0 7 0 1 3 Dhamaura 12164 6531 21 5611 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Banauta 6013 5859 7 142 2 0 2 0 0 1 5 Sahasaula 6669 6037 3 628 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 Sarpallo 8669 7943 15 710 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 Sonaul 3678 3543 6 124 2 0 0 0 0 3 8 Manara 5740 5584 4 151 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 Ekdara 8341 6451 61 1815 5 0 4 0 2 3 10 Halkhori 5867 5280 3 580 0 1 0 0 2 1 11 Sisawakataiya 7195 4679 1 2514 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 Sadha 4335 3976 4 354 0 0 0 0 1 0 13 Dharmapur 4830 3090 0 1740 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Ramgopalpur 9705 9305 9 389 0 0 0 0 0 2 15 Bathnaha 8138 7658 13 467 0 0 0 0 0 0 VDCTotal 110849 93395 172 17171 11 1 8 7 6 78 VDC Grand Total 144861 123471 3518 17344 11 2 113 20 6 376 0/0 85.234 2.429 11.973 0.008 0.001 0.078 0.014 0.004 0.260

Annex-12 Language Wise Population of the Project Area

S.No VDC Total Maithali Nepali Hindi Magar Newari Tamang Urdu Bajjika Majhi Others ! Populatio I 1 Dhanusha District I 1 Dhalkebar 9912 5657 2003 26 572 55 527 19 1053 2 Laksminibas 3151 2575 96 128 240 112

3 Begadawar 10638 3837 3915 11 619 405 1499 216 136 I 4 Bateshwar 5756 4410 881 239 191 35 5 Bhuchakrapur 4555 3614 530 132 13 171 16 79 I I VDCTotal 34012 20093 7425 37 1690 473 2628 35 0 216 1415 I Mahottari District 1 Bhangaha 11745 9275 2078 228 16 11 33 104 2 Singwahi 7760 7031 578 25 0 0 0 23 103 3 Dhamaura 12164 11142 23 929 70 4 Banauta 6013 5991 22 5 Sahasaula 6669 6151 186 53 279 6 Sarpallo 8669 8324 19 326 . 7 Sonaul 3678 3664 14 .. 8 Manara 5740 5601 86 53 9 Ekdara 8341 7733 75 475 58 10 Halkhori 5867 5352 485 30 11 Sisawakataiya 7195 4580 1285 1301 29 12 Sadha 4335 4256 63 16 13 Dharampur 4830 3079 1575 176 14 Ramgopalpur 9705 9680 23 2 15 Bathnaha 8138 8097 41 VDCTotal 110849 99956 3068 954 228 16 11 3992 1301 0 1323 VDC Grand Total 144861 120049 10493 991 1918 489 2639 4027 1301 216 2738 0/0 82.87 7.24 0.68 1.32 0.34 1.82 2.78 0.90 0.15 1.89 ~-.~-.-.-.--.---.. ------­ -­ Source: CBS 2001

Annex-13

Distribution of Educational Institution in Project Area S.No. VDC Total School Primary Lower sec. Sec. Higher Sec. Boarding Madarsa Dhanusha District

1 Dhalkebar 4 2 0 1 0 1 2 Laksminibas 4 3 1 0 0 0 3 Begadawar 10 5 2 1 0 2 4 Bateshwar 3 1 1 1 0 0 5 Bhuchakrapur 3 2 1 0 0 0 VDC Total 24 13 5 3 0 3 Mahottari District

1 Bhangaha 7 6 0 1 0 0 2 Singwahi 3 2 1 0 0 0 3 Dhamaura 8 8 0 0 0 0 4 Banauta 3 2 0 1 0 0 5 Sahasaula 5 5 0 0 0 0 6 Sarpallo 3 2 1 0 0 0 7 Sonaul 1 1 0 0 0 0 8 Manara 3 1 0 1 0 1 9 Ekdara 2 1 0 1 0 0 10 Halkhori 3 2 1 0 0 0 11 Sisawakataiya 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 12 Sadha 4 3 0 1 0 0 13 Dharampur 4 1 2 1 14 Ramgopalpur 5 3 0 1 1 0 15 Bathnaha 5 4 0 1 0 0 VDCTotal 58 41 6 8 1 1 2 VDC Grand Total 82 54 11 11 1 4 2

Annex-14

Literacy Status of the Project Area

S.No. VDC Total Can't Read and Write Can read only Can Read and Write Not Stated Total M F Total M F Total M F Total M F Total M F Dhanusha : .... 1 Dhalkebar 8204 4270 3934 4172 1691 2481 370 222 147 3631 2342 1288 31 14 17 2 Laksminibas 2538 1310 1229 1379 486 893 94 54 40 1065 770 295­ 0 0 0 3 Begadawar 9004 4646 4357 3533 1279 2254 337 171 166 5097 3180 1917 37 16 21 4 Bateshwar 4701 2486 2215 2303 930 1373 502 222 280 1749 2266 483 147 69 79 5 Bhuchakrapur 3734 1938 1794 1935 857 1077 171 93 78 1592 980 612 36 9 27 VDCTotal 28181 13322 1474 13134 251 Mahottari. 1 Bhangaha 9566 4841 4725 7050 3059 3991 316 146 170 2193 1630 563 7 7 0 2 Singwahi 6558 3436 3123 4943 2231 2713 120 77 42 1460 1109 351 35 18 17 3 Dhamaura 9896 5110 4786 7254 3201 4053 286 164 122 2356 1745 612 0 0 0 4 Banauta 5028 2694 2334 3728 1720 2008 6 6 0 1294 968 326 0 0 0 5 Sahasaula 5334 2737 2597 3581 1638 1943 825 442 383 823 584 239 104 73 31 6 Sarpallo 7217 3787 3431 4977 2180 2797 771 503 269 1460 1104 356 9 0 9 7 Sonaul 2977 1494 1482 2049 756 1293 109 65 45 819 674 145 0 0 0 8 Manara 4767 2442 2326 2923 1168 1756 108 69 40 1736 1205 530 0 0 0 9 Ekdara 6796 3611 3185 3724 1588 2136 812 284 528 1854 1421 433 406 318 88 10 Halkhori 4822 2541 2282 3291 1470 1821 387 246 141 1118 811 308 26 14 12 11 Sisawakataiya 5924 3158 2766 3895 1740 2155 396 245 151 1634 1174 460 0 0 0 12 Sadha 3827 2037 1791 2166 934 1232 91 31 59 1538 1049 490 33 23 10 13 Dharmapur 3985 1941 2045 2691 939 1753 17 6 11 1276 996 280 0 0 0 14 Ramgopalpur 7981 4112 3869 5670 2419 3251 595 304 290 1669 1357 312 47 32 15 15 Bathnaha 6756 3546 3209 4077 1784 2294 255 104 151 2366 1634 732 58 25 33 VDC Total 91434 62019 5094 23596 725 VDCGrand 119615 75341 6568 36730 976 Total % 62_99 36.19 0.82 Source: CBS 2001

Annex-IS Households Having Agricultural Land, Livestock and Poultry of VDCs.

S.N Name of VDCs Total Agi.land only Li. stock only Pou.only La.and Li. La and po. Li.and po. La.,Li.,and po. Non of all, 1 Dhalkebar 1772 195 124 3 712 10 21 203 504 2 Laxminiwas 504 61 21 0 328 1 8 50 35 3 Begadawar 1965 213 152 24 767 28 59 334 388 4 Bateswor 1025 137 85 1 559 8 17 54 164 5 Bhuchakrapur 812 69 67 7 362 11 40 113 143 6 Bhangha 2222 245 258 13 769 24 67 272 574 7 singyahi 1378 130 124 19 451 15 70 204 355 8 Dhamoura 2111 209 264 13 839 13 39 160 574 9 Banouta 1029 257 12 4 467 13 2 22 252 10 Sahasaula 1090 164 81 0 546 3 4 40 252 11 Sarpallo 1415 185 147 1 754 5 9 40 274 12 Sanoul 603 37 86 1 389 1 8 18 63 13 Manara 1018 143 145 0 417 1 3 8 301 14 Ekdera 1276 279 68 3 454 5 45 117 305 15 Halkhori 920 293 77 7 338 7 9 42 147 16 Siswakatiya 1107 205 87 5 511 3 9 29 258 17 Sadha 651 91 64 1 341 2 1 8 143 18 Dharmapur 879 90 71 6 258 12 26 137 279 19 Ramgopalpur 1585 197 118 2 938 0 7 19 304 20 Bathnaha 1411 228 218 3 577 3 5 48 329 Total 24763 3428 2,269 113 10,777 165 449 1,918 5/644 Percent 100 13.84323386 9.158825667 0.45633 43.52058 0.6663167 1.813189 7.745426645 22.79207 Source: CBS/2001.

Note: Agi= Agricultural Li = livestock. POu= Poultry La=Land

Annex-i6 Name of Affected Household and Land Parecls

SNO NAME VDe Ward No Plot Number Affected Area(ha) Location Total ha 1 Hastimiya Dhalkebar 4 165 0.25 Ssubstaion 2 Muskan lama Dhalkebar 4 841 0.25 Ssubstaion 3 Malgan sing tamang Dhalkebar 4 842 ~.25 (sUbSlaiOn 4 Lack nath tamangi Dhalkebar 4 831 5 Manbir mogtan Dhalkebar 4 675 6 thakai saha Dhalkebar 4 636 0.25 Ssubstaion 7 Shree maya bishwakarma Dhalkebar 4 673 0.25 Ssubstaion 8 Ramchandra saha Dhalkebar 4 674 0.25 Ssubstaion 9 manbir hamjan Dhalkebar 4 508 0.25 Ssubstaion 10 Parbati devi chaudhari Dhalkebar 4 770 0.25 Ssubstaion 11 Ram ashish saha Dhalkebar 4 341 0.25 Ssubstaion 12 Hali saha Dhalkebar 4 471 0.25 Ssubstaion 3 13 aov Bagadawer 3 43 0.0225 AP1 14 NA Baaadawer 3 442 0.0225 SP1 15 NA Bagadawer 3 283 0.01125 SP2 16 NA Bagadawer 3 248 0.01125 SP2 17 NA Bagadawer 3 26 0.01125 SP3 18 NA Bagadawer 3 73 0.01125 SP3 19 NA Bagadawer 3 73 0.0225 AP1A 20 NA Bagadawer 2 88 0.01125 SP4 21 NA Bagadawer 2 192 0.01125 SP4 22 NA Bagadawer 1 79 0.01125 SP5 23 NA Bagadawer 1 155 0.01125 SP5 24 NA 1 182 0.0075 SP6 25 NA 1 181 0.0075 SP6 26 NA ~ 1 183 0.0075 SP6 27 NA Bagadawer 1 221 0.01125 SP7 28 NA Bagadawer 1 129 0.01125 SP7 0.2025 29 NA Bateshwor 9 312 0.01125 AP2 30 NA Bateshwor 9 41 0.01125 AP2 31 NA Bateshwor 9 345 0.0075 SP8 32 NA Bateshwor 9 373 0.0075 SP8 33 NA Bateshwor 9 330 0.0075 SP8 34 NA Bateshwor 9 332 0.0225 SP9 35 NA Bateshwor 8 6 0.0225 SP10 36 NA Bateshwor 8 28 0.0225 SP11 37 NA Bateshwor 7 29 0.0225 SP12 0.135 38 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 22 0.0075 SP13 39 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 55 0.0075 SP13 40 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 63 0.0075 SP13 41 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 374 0.0075 SP14 42 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 363 0.0075 SP14 43 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 107 0.0075 SP14 44 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 377 0.Q1125 AP3 45 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 383 0.01125 AP3 46 NA Bhuchakkrapur 3 123 0.0225 SP15 47 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 49 0.0225 SP16 48 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 51 0.01125 SP17 49 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 49 0.01125 SP17 50 Nathuni Bhuchakkrapur 1 86 00075 SP18 51 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 127 0.0075 SP18 52 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 228 0.0075 SP18 53 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 76 0.0225 SP19 54 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 153 0.0225 SP20 55 NA Bhuchakkrapur 1 216 0.0225 SP21 0.225 56 NA Bhangha 1 25 0.01125 SP22 57 NA Bhangha 1 26 0.01125 SP22 58 Latu thakur Bhangha 1 174 0.Q1125 SP23 59 Raj dev yadav Bhangha 1 175 0.01125 SP23 60 Ram bhoras saha teli Bhangha 9 210 0.0225 SP24 61 Pradip kumar khadka Bhangha 9 118 0.0225 SP25 62 NA Bhangha 1 96 0.0225 SP26 63 Rakhi devi Bhangha 1 150 0.01125 AP4 64 NA Bhangha 1 149 0.01125 AP4 65 Jeentra kumar saha Bhangha 1 197 0.01125 SP27 66 NA Bhangha 1 210 0.01125 SP27 0.1575 67 Bahadur bara husa!n Shangai 9 220 0.0225 SP28 68 Raj kesor yadav Shangai 9 201 0.01125 SP29 69 NA Shangal 9 361 0.01125 SP29 70 Han prasad upedhaya Shangai 9 168 0.0225 SP30 71 Rudri funot Shangai 8 84 0.0075 SP31 72 Ram prasad singh Shangai 8 263 0.0075 SP31 73 NA Shangai 8 431 0.0075 SP31 74 NA Shangai 8 railway 0.0225 AP4A 75 Renu kuman sudin 7 210 0.0225 AP4B 76 NA ShS~ 6 82 0.01125 SP32 77 NA IShangai 6 289 0.01125 SP32 78 Mashawar yadav Shangai 6 165 0.005625 SP33 79 Mashawar yadav Shangal 6 166 0.005625 SP33 80 NA Shangai 6 248 0.005625 SP33 81 Nathuni yadav Shangai 6 302 0.005625 SP33 82 Naraya bihan teli Shangai 6 188 0.01125 SP34 83 NA Shangai 6 189 0.Q1125 SP34 84 Saira banD khutan Shangai 5 31 0.01125 SP35. 85 Dushani davi thamui Shangai 5 32 0.01125 SP35 86 NA Shangai 5 85 0.01125 SP36 87 Kebal saha kalwar Shangai 5 86 0.01125 SP36 88 NA Shangai 3 303 0.0075 SP37 89 NA Shangai 3 347 0.0075 SP37 90 NA Shangai 3 348 0.0075 SP37 91 NA Shangai 3 439 0.01125 SP38 92 NA Shangai 3 286 0.01125 SP38 93 NA Shangai 1 563 0.01125 SP39 94 Mahendra mandl'll SMngai 1 783 0.01125 SP39 95 NA Shangai 1 40 0.0225 SP40 96 NA Shangai 1 156 0.01125 SP41 97 Parbati dainwin Shangai 1 290 0.01125 SP41 0.36 98 Mahendra prasad chhaudh Dhamura 7 246 0.01125 SP42 99 Ranjana kumari Dhamura 7 245 0.01125 SP42 100 Khalil kawari Dhamura 7 64 0.Q1125 SP43 101 Khalil kawari Dhamura 7 65 0.01125 SP43 102 NA Dhamura 7 6 0.0075 AP5 103 Salim sash Dhamura 7 7 0.0075 AP5 104 malgal mansur Dhamura 7 8 0.0075 AP5 105 NA 0.36 SP44to SP59 0.4275 106 Sita ram raya yadav Sasaula 8 131 0.005625 AP6 107 Gogandra chaudhari Sasaula 8 134 0.005625 AP6 108 bachhan raya Sasaula 8 132 0.005625 AP6 109 Gogandra chaudhari Sasaula 8 73 0.005625 AP6 110 Bindashwor rout yadav Sasaula 9 184 0.11225 SP60 111 Mantoot davi Sasaula 9 867 0.01125 SP61 112 Maherdra sash tali Sasaula 9 868 0.01125 SP61 113 Ram paraschan saha Sasaula 9 89 0.01125 SP62 114 Ram paraschan saha Sasaula 9 90 0.01125 SP62 115 Ram sogarath mahato Sasaula 9 283 0.0075 AP7 116 Barmha dev mahato Sasaula 9 284 0.0075 AP7 117 Muni lal mahato kuan Sasaula 9 285 0.0075 AP7 0.1125 118 NA Sanawal 4 132 0.0225 SP63 119 NA Sanawal 3 81 0.01125 SP64 120 NA Sanawal 3 82 0.01125 SP64 121 NA Sanawal 2 71 0.0075 SP65 122 NA Sanawal 2 72 0.0075 SP65 123 NA Sanawal 2 73 0.0075 SP65 124 NA Sanawal 1 100 0.0225 SP66 125 NA Sanawal 1 145 0.0225 SP67 126 NA Sanawal 9 145 0.01125 SP68 127 NA Sanawal 9 146 0.01125 SP68 0.135 128 Madan khabba Manara 3 37 0.01125 SP69 129 Kamkash devi singh Manara 3 287 0.01125 SP69 130 Ari dey tewari Manara 4 46 0.0075 SP70 131 Ram nibash thakur Manara 4 47 0,0075 SP70 132 NA Manara 4 267 0,0075 SP70 133 NA Manara 5 267 0.0075 SP71 134 Laldau thakur Manara 5 490 0.0075 SP71 135 ramchandra mishra Manara 5 489 0.0075 SP71 136 Kausal kishar singh Manara 5 194 0.01125 SP72 137 NA Manara 5 797 0.01125 SP72 138 Bhikari saha tali Manara 6 232 0.01125 SP73 139 Ashish yadavi Manara 6 233 0.01125 SP73 140 Manai thakur lahar Manara 6 170 0.0075 SP74 141 NA Manara 6 553 0.0075 SP74 142 NA Manara 6 289 0.0075 SP74 143 NA Manara 6 289 0.0075 SP75 144 Chandraswor pandit Manara 6 291 0.0075 SP75 145 NA Manara 6 589 0.0075 SP75 0.1575 146 Rameshwar rout Acaderabala 2 277 0.0225 SP76 147 Chawali mali Acaderabala 9 14 0.0075 SP77 148 NA Acaderabala 9 15 0.0075 SP77 149 kashulaya devi yadav Acaderabala 9 16 0.0075 SP77 150 NA Acaderabala 9 135 0.005625 SP78 151 Shivagi yadav Acaderabala 9 137 0.005625 SP78 152 NA Acaderabala 9 790 0,005625 SP78 153 Bachhani devi Acaderabala 9 140 0.005625 SP78 154 Hari narayan yadav Acaderabala 9 458 0,0225 SP79 155 Shivagee yadav Acaderabala 8 190 0.0225 SP80 156 NA Acaderabala 8 1103 0.01125 SP81 157 NA Acaderabala 8 1271 0,01125 SP81 0.135 158 T ripuri padaya Shawakataiya 1 25 0,005625 AP8 159 NA Shawakataiya 1 172 0.005625 AP8 160 Tripuri padaya Shawakataiya 1 27 0.005625 AP8 161 Ramyad ram raya Shawakataiya 1 158 0,005625 AP8 162 NA Shawakataiya 1 143 0.01125 SP82 163 NA Shawakataiya 1 173 0.01125 SP82 164 NA Shawakataiya 6 300 0.0075 SP83 165 NA Shawakataiya 6 78 0.0075 SP83 166 NA Shawakalaiya 6 190 0.0075 SP83 167 NA Shawakalaiya 3 71 0.01125 SP84 168 Gogandra l!wari Shawakataiya 3 236 0.01125 SP84 169 Kaushwal kishor thakur Shawakataiya 3 275 0.0075 SP85 170 kamani davi liwari Shawakataiya 3 256 0,0075 SP85 171 NA Shawakalaiya 3 318 0,0075 SP85 0.1125 172 NA Bathana 5 56 0.01125 SP86 173 Pramata davi Bathana 5 33 0.01125 SP86 174 Nalamber jha Bathana 4 343 0.01125 SP87 175 Rijan kayar kebat Bathana 4 146 0.01125 SP87 176 Anupi kumari Bathana 7 187 0.01125 SP88 177 NA Bathana 7 25 0.01125 SP88 178 Ram naresh thakur Bathana 9 133 0.0225 SP89 179 NA Bathana 1 18 0.01125 AP9 180 NA Bathana 1 45 0.01125 AP9 0.1125 Total 5.2725

Photographs Proposer! site for new substatIOn at Tole, Dhalkebar VDC AP V\ located in newly planted rnan90 garden. Ti1e land owner fvlr THai !'lanaro resident of l

House to be Reiocated at Bhang,3 i1 a VDC Transmission line passes throuyh mango garden

r.1easun~ment of Land Area at Sisawakataiya voe •