Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project
Initial Environmental Examination
Document Stage: Final Project Number: 49038-001
November 2017
Construction of Bridge at Thalair – Kotli
Prepared by Communication & Works Department (C&W) – AJ&K for the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Initial Environmental Examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section of the ADB website.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgements as to the legal or other status of any territory or area
Table of Content 2 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Table of Content
1 Introduction ...... 19 1.1 Overview ...... 19 1.2 Environmental Category of the Project ...... 19 1.3 Methodology of IEE Study ...... 20 1.4 Structure of Report ...... 21 2 Policy and Legal Framework ...... 23 2.1 General ...... 23 2.2 National Policy and Legal Framework ...... 23 2.3 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Protection Act 2000 ...... 23 2.4 Regulations for Environmental Assessment, Pakistan EPA ...... 24 2.5 Regulatory Clearances, AJ&K EPA ...... 24 2.6 Guidelines for Environmental Assessment, Pakistan EPA ...... 24 2.7 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) 2000 ...... 24 2.8 AJK Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance, 2013 ...... 25 2.9 ADB Policies ...... 27 2.9.1 ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), 2009 ...... 27 2.9.2 ADB’s Public Communication Policy 2011 ...... 28 2.9.3 ADB’s Accountability Mechanism Policy 2012 ...... 28 2.10 Interaction with Other Agencies ...... 28 2.10.1 Provincial EPAs ...... 28 2.10.2 Provincial Departments of Forests and Wildlife ...... 28 2.10.3 Provincial Governments ...... 29 2.11 Other Environment Related Legislations ...... 29 2.12 Comparison of International and Local Environmental Legislations ...... 31 2.13 Implications of national policies and regulations on proposed project ..... 32 2.14 Implications of ADB policies on proposed project ...... 33 3 Description of the Project ...... 40 3.1 Type of Project ...... 40 3.2 Objective of Sub-Project ...... 40 3.3 Justification and need for sub-project ...... 40 3.4 Proposed Bridge Design...... 46 3.5 Construction Materials ...... 46 3.6 Implementation Arrangement ...... 47 3.6.1 Implementation Management and Execution ...... 47
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3.6.2 Project Construction Schedule ...... 47 3.7 Construction Camps and Work Force ...... 47 3.8 Machinery Requirement ...... 47 4 Description of Environment ...... 56 4.1 General ...... 56 4.2 Physical Resources ...... 56 4.2.1 Area of Influence ...... 56 4.2.2 Geology ...... 56 4.2.3 Topography ...... 58 4.2.4 Soils ...... 58 4.2.5 Climate and Meteorology ...... 58 4.2.6 Seismology ...... 60 4.2.7 Air Quality ...... 61 4.2.8 Noise ...... 62 4.2.9 River Habitats ...... 62 4.2.10 Land Use Type and Vegetation ...... 65 4.2.11 Land Ownership ...... 65 4.2.12 Water Quality ...... 67 4.2.13 Hydrology ...... 68 4.2.14 Geomorphology of Catchment ...... 70 4.3 Ecology Baseline ...... 71 4.3.1 Ecological Study area ...... 71 4.3.2 Scope ...... 71 4.3.3 Methodology ...... 73 4.3.4 Fish Diversity of Poonch river ...... 83 4.3.5 Macro-Invertebrate Diversity of Poonch river ...... 88 4.3.6 Terrestrial Ecological Resources ...... 92 4.3.7 Bird Fauna of Poonch river area ...... 95 4.3.8 Mammalian Fauna of Poonch river area ...... 105 4.3.9 Vegetation around Project Area ...... 109 4.3.10 Species of Special Concern around Project Area ...... 111 4.3.11 Poonch River Mahaseer National Park ...... 113 4.3.12 Mining in Poonch Basin ...... 114 4.4 Socioeconomic Baseline ...... 115 4.4.1 Socioeconomic Study Area ...... 115 4.4.2 Ethnicity and Religion ...... 116 4.4.3 Law Enforcement ...... 116
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4.4.4 Physical Infrastructure ...... 117 4.4.5 Social Infrastructure ...... 118 4.4.6 Economy and Income Levels ...... 118 5 Analysis of Alternatives ...... 121 5.1 Overview ...... 121 5.2 Alternatives Considered ...... 121 5.2.1 Option 1: ‘No Project’ Alternative ...... 121 5.2.2 Option 2: Bridge Development Scenario ...... 121 5.2.3 Option 3: Reconstruction of 400 meters of damaged road section (highly vulnerable to landslides across the year) ...... 122 5.2.4 Recommendation ...... 123 5.3 Bridge Design Options ...... 123 5.3.1 Design Option 1 ...... 123 5.3.2 Design Option 2 ...... 124 5.3.3 Recommendation ...... 125 6 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures...... 126 6.1 Project Location Impact Assessment and Mitigation ...... 126 6.2 General Approach to Mitigation ...... 126 6.3 Environmental Considerations during Design/Pre-Construction Phase .. 127 6.3.1 Lack of environmental capacity...... 127 6.3.2 Lack of integration of IEE/EMP requirements into Construction bid documents...... 128 6.3.3 Impacts due to Project Siting ...... 128 6.3.4 Identification of Locations for Labor Camps and ancillary facilities ...... 129 6.3.5 Identification of Locations for Asphalt and Batching Plants ...... 129 Impacts ...... 129 6.3.6 Material Haul Routes ...... 129 6.3.7 Cultural Heritage, Religious Sites, Social Infrastructure ...... 130 6.4 Potential Environmental Impacts during Construction Phase ...... 130 6.4.1 Fish Fauna ...... 132 6.4.2 Water Quality ...... 133 6.4.3 Solid Waste ...... 134 6.4.4 Soil Removal and Excavation ...... 134 6.4.5 Impact on other Fauna & Vegetation ...... 135 6.4.6 Air Quality ...... 136 6.4.7 Noise ...... 139 6.4.8 Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management ...... 140 6.4.9 Water Resources ...... 141
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6.4.10 Impact of Construction Activity on Living Environment ...... 142 6.4.11 Community Safety ...... 142 6.4.12 Health and Safety of Workers ...... 143 6.4.13 Natural and Man made Hazards ...... 144 6.4.14 Socioeconomic Benefits ...... 145 6.4.15 Traffic disturbance ...... 145 6.4.16 Burden on Local Resources ...... 145 6.4.17 Topography and Seismicity ...... 146 6.4.18 Historical/Archaeological Sites ...... 146 6.4.19 Inadequate Camp Site Good Housekeeping ...... 146 6.5 Impacts Associated with Project Operation ...... 147 6.5.1 Lack of Environmental Safeguards ...... 147 6.5.2 Air Quality & Noise ...... 148 6.5.3 Increased risk of accidents ...... 148 6.5.4 Socioeconomic Benefits ...... 149 6.6 Cumulative Impacts ...... 149 6.7 Indirect and Induced Impacts ...... 150 7 Environmental Management Plan & Institutional Requirements ...... 151 7.1 Introduction ...... 151 7.2 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ...... 151 7.3 Objectives of EMP ...... 151 7.4 Environmental Management/Monitoring and Reporting ...... 152 7.5 Institutional Arrangements ...... 152 7.5.1 Role of Project Director ...... 152 7.5.2 Role of PMC ...... 153 7.5.3 Role of Project Contractor ...... 153 7.5.4 Role of W&SD Staff ...... 153 7.6 Monitoring Parameters ...... 153 7.7 Environmental Training ...... 154 7.7.1 Capacity Building and Training ...... 154 7.8 Site Specific EMPs (SSEMPs) ...... 154 7.9 Environmental Management Costs ...... 177 8 Public Consultation and Information Disclosure ...... 180 8.1 Introduction ...... 180 8.2 Objective of Consultations ...... 180 8.3 Identification of Main Stakeholders ...... 181 8.4 Approach for Public Consultation ...... 181
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8.5 Meetings with Stakeholders ...... 182 8.6 Stakeholders Comments & Concerns ...... 183 9 Grievance Redress Mechanism ...... 184 9.1 General ...... 184 9.2 Redress Committee, Focal Points, Complaints Reporting, Recording and Monitoring ...... 184 10 Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 187 11 References ...... 188 ANNEXURES
Annexure-A Rapid Environmental Assessment Checklist
Annexure-B NEQS Guidelines
Annexure-C Photographs of Public Consultations
Annexure-D List of Participants of Public Consultations
Annexure-E Photographs of Project Area
Annexure-F Archaeological ‘Chance-Find’ Procedure
Annexure-G Ambient Air Quality and Noise Monitoring Results
Annexure-H Photographs of Ambient Air Quality and Noise Monitoring
Annexure-I Occupational Health and Safety Plan
Annexure-J Emergency Response Plan
Annexure-K Methodology for Air Quality and Noise Monitoring
Annexure-L ToRs of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecologist
List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Key Map ...... 22
Figure 2.1: EIA Review and Approval Process of Pakistan EPAs ...... 36
Figure 3.1: Proposed Bridge site next to Tatta Pani – Kotli road ...... 42
Figure 3.2: Highly Unstable Hill Face next to Poonch River ...... 43
Figure 3.3: Post-Project development Traffic Flow Pattern ...... 44
ANNEXURES 7 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 3.4: Proposed Bridge site with Poonch river flowing underneath ...... 45
Figure 3.5: Project Area Map ...... 49
Figure 3.6: Photographs of Project Area ...... 50
Figure 3.7: Proposed Thalair Bridge Design ...... 51
Figure 4.1: Rainfall Profile across the year for Kotli ...... 59
Figure 4.2: Temperature Profile across the year for Kotli ...... 60
Figure 4.3: Wind Speed Profile across the year for Kotli ...... 61
Figure 4.4: Ambient Air Quality and Noise Monitoring Results ...... 63
Figure 4.5: Seismic Zones of Pakistan ...... 66
Figure 4.6: Monthly Flows and Runoff of Poonch river ...... 69
Figure 4.7: Mean Annual Flows of Poonch river...... 69
Figure 4.8: Selected Sampling Stations along the Poonch river ...... 72
Figure 4.9: Sampling design at each sampling site ...... 75
Figure 4.10: Photographs of Fish Species ...... 88
Figure 4.11: Dominance of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch river ...... 90
Figure 4.12: Simpson diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River ...... 91
Figure 4.13: Shanon Weiver diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River ...... 91
Figure 4.14: Evenness of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River ...... 92
Figure 4.15: Photographs of Herpeto Fauna of Poonch river area ...... 94
Figure 4.16: Encounter Rate and % abundance of Orders of Birds ...... 100
Figure 4.17: Encounter Rate of different Families of Birds ...... 101
Figure 4.18: % Relative Abundance of different Families of Birds ...... 101
Figure 4.19: Photographs of different bird species in Project Area ...... 104
Figure 4.20: Photographs of different Mammals in Project Area ...... 108
Figure 5.1: Bridge Design Option 1 ...... 124
Figure 5.2: Bridge Design Option 2 ...... 124
List of Figures 8 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 9.1: Grievance Redress Mechanism ...... 186
List of Tables
Table 2.1: Environmental Guidelines and Legislations ...... 29
Table 2.2: ADB Policy Principles ...... 34
Table 2.3: Comparison of International and local Air Quality Standards ...... 37
Table 2.4: Comparison of International and Local Noise Standards ...... 39
Table 3.1: Timelines for development of Bridge at Thalair - Kotli ...... 48
Table 3.2: Construction Equipment Noise Ranges dB(A) ...... 48
Table 3.3: Preliminary Bill of Quantities Estimates ...... 52
Table 4.1: Summary of Stream Characteristics along ‘Tatta Pani to Kotli’ stretch of Poonch river ...... 64
Table 4.2: River Water Quality ...... 67
Table 4.3: Fish Fauna recorded from Poonch river ...... 84
Table 4.4: Species of Special Concern Found in Poonch River, AJK ...... 86
Table 4.5: Fish Diversity in Project Area – Upstream & Downstream of Bridge Site ...... 86
Table 4.6: Species of Special Concern Found in Project Area ...... 87
Table 4.7: Number of Benthic Macro-invertebrate fauna of Poonch River ...... 89
Table 4.8: List of recorded amphibians and reptiles along Project Site ...... 92
Table 4.9: Bird Species Found in and Around the Project Area ...... 96
Table 4.10: Abundance, Relative Abundance, % Relative Abundance and Encounter Rate of different Species ...... 102
Table 4.11: List of Mammals observed and/ or collected from the Study area 107
Table 4.12: Plant species recorded in the Study Area ...... 110
Table 4.13: Species of Special Concern Found in the Project Area ...... 112
Table 6.1: Summary of Possible Impacts during Construction Phase ...... 130
List of Tables 9 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Table 6.2: Control measures for Fugitive Dust emissions ...... 137
Table 7.1: Environmental Management Plan ...... 156
Table 7.2: Pre-Construction Environmental Monitoring Plan for Baseline Development ...... 174
Table 7.3: Construction Phase Monitoring Requirements ...... 174
Table 7.4: Annual Cost Estimates for ‘Pre-Construction Phase’ Environmental Monitoring ...... 177
Table 7.5: Annual Cost Estimates for ‘Construction Phase’ Environmental Monitoring ...... 177
Table 7.6: Estimated Costs for EMP Implementation ...... 177
Table 7.7: Capacity Development and Training Programme for Project Contractor(s) ...... 179
List of Tables 10 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
As of 4th November 2017 Currency Unit – Pak Rupees (Pak Rs.) Pak Rs 1.00 = $ 0.009 US$1.00 = Pak Rs. 105
CONVERSIONS
1 meter = 3.28 feet 1 hectare = 2.47 acre
Acronyms
ADB Asian Development Bank FERRP Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project C&W Communication and Works AJK Azad Jammu & Kashmir SPS Safeguard Policy Statement EARF Environment Assessment Review Framework EPA Environmental Protection Agency EIA Environment Impact Assessment IEE Initial Environmental Examination EMP Environmental Management Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organization NCS National Conservation Strategy WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority NEP National Environmental Policy USEPA United States Env Protection Agency CBD Convention on Biological Diversity PEPA Pakistan Environmental Protection Act GRM Grievance Redressal Mechanism PEPC Pakistan Environmental Protection Council EA Executing Agency NSDW National Standards for Drinking Water IA Implementing Agency GoP Government of Pakistan WHO World Health Organization LAA Land Acquisition Act (of 1984) LARP Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Leq Equivalent sound pressure level HWF Himalayan Wildlife Foundation
Acronyms 11 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
NEQS National Environmental Quality Standards BoQ Bill of Quantities O&M Operation & Maintenance PC Public consultation AJK EPA Azad Jammu & Kashmir Environmental Protection Agency PD Project Diretor PEPAct Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997 LoC Line of Control PM Particulate Matter IFC International Finance Corporation TSP Total Suspended Particles RP Resettlement Plan REA Rapid Environmental Assessment
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project Overview
1. The proposed project consists of development of a bridge at Thalair in the outskirts of Kotli city in Kotli district of AJK. This bridge shall be 134 meters long and 9 meters wide and shall pass over the Poonch river, which is an officially declared National Park and is also a Critical Habitat1. The proposed project shall be completed in 18 months with an expected completion date of May 2019.
2. This proposed bridge is to be constructed as a result of the floods in September 2014 under the TA 8912 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project (FERRP). The map of the project area for the proposed sub-project is provided as Figure ES-1.
Project Need
3. At present, different communities from neighboring towns and villages such as Tatta Pani and Rayan Shareef face considerable difficulty in reaching Kotli town due to the frequent landsliding on a 400 meters stretch of road which lies at the base of an unstable hill overlooking this road.
4. The proposed bridge sub-project will be developed in order to bypass this ‘landslide affected’ road and thus enable the residents of the neighboring areas a safe, reliable and convenient passage to Kotli city.
5. This sub-project will play a key role in facilitating the movement of neighboring communities, particularly students and patients, while also facilitiating small local businesses in the movement of their goods for trade and commerce.
Study Methodology
6. All existing literature and information on projects of similar nature, particularly those located along the Poonch river was collected, reviewed and analyzed.
7. Primary data was also collected in order to verify the baseline developed for the project area in earlier studies. A reputed ecologist well known for his familiarity through many studies in the project area2 was engaged to conduct an extensive assessment of the aquatic and terrestrial ecology in the project area, keeping in view the ecological sensitivity of the Poonch river.
1 As stated in ADB SPS 2009, a Critical Habitat includes areas with high biodiversity value, including habitat required for the survival of critically endangered or endangered species, areas having special significance for endemic or restricted-range species; sites that are critical for the survival of migratory species; areas supporting globally significant concentrations or numbers of individuals of congregatory species; areas with unique assemblages of species or that are associated with key evolutionary processes or provide key ecosystem services; and areas having biodiversity of significant social, economic, or cultural importance to local communities.
2 Dr Rafique
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8. Also, ambient air quality and noise monitoring for a period of twenty-four hours was conducted in the project area. In addition, extensive field visits to the project area were undertaken and stakeholders within the project area were identified and consulted.
9. Apart from particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and TSP), all other pollutants are within acceptable NEQS limits. Although the site is located in a generally unpolluted environment at a considerable distance from any settlements, however the constant movement of vehicles on the unmetalled road leads to high dust emissions, which leads to the exceedance of the particular matter concentrations from the permissible standards. The sand extraction plant installed in close proximity to the project site also contributes adversely to the air quality.
10. Once the bridge has been constructed and this unmetalled road is not in use anymore, the particulate matter concentrations are expected to significantly reduce and reach permissible limits. The ambient noise levels are generally within permissible NEQS limits for both day and night times with the major noise sources in the project area being the intermittent movement of traffic and the operation of the sand extraction plant during the day.
11. The significance of impacts from the proposed project were then assessed and for those impacts requiring mitigation, suitable measures were proposed to reduce impacts to within acceptable limits as per local and international applicable regulations. A detailed environmental management and monitoring plan was developed to ensure compliance to the proposed measures during the project development.
Public Consultation Process
12. The proposed bridge site is located in a valley with no settlements or any other sensitive receptors in close proximity to the site. Thus, the most relevant stakeholders were identified to be the different communities in the surrounding areas using the road on a daily basis and facing the risk of a potential landslide each day. Also, students, patients and local business owners using this route for their daily movement of goods were consulted.
13. Furthermore, relevant line agencies from the GoAJK were also consulted such as the C&W department, AJK Fisheries & Wildlife department and the AJK Forestry department. Also, from the NGO sector, the focal staff present in Kotli from the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) was also consulted. All respondents were supportive of the project and emphasized the need for early commencement of the project in order to complete it at the earliest and enable the users of this route to avoid the hazardous stretch of road at the base of the unstable hill.
14. The operators of the sand extraction plant were also consulted in order to gain clarity regarding the scope of their operations and to assess whether they possessed any permits or clearance to be conducting their operations. Their responses were found to be quite unsatisfactory and they could not furnish any permits for their operations.
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It is hoped that through this study, the need to stop such illegal operations by the relevant GoAJK line departments will also be highlighted.
Analysis of Alternatives
15. The ‘No Project’ alternative was considered and it is not a viable option since it will result in the local communities continuing to face logistical difficulties and will force them to travel on a segment of road, which is highly unstable and is at constant risk of being swept away at any time of the year due to landslides.
16. In addition, considering the highly unstable nature of the hill overlooking the river course, there is high probability of a major land slide taking place at any moment, causing the entire river to become blocked and resulting in a catastrophe as far as the delicate aquatic habitat of the river is concerned.
17. Thus, adoption of this option will be synonymous to not taking any preventive measures and instead waiting for a catastrophe to take place. Vehicular movement, especially heavy vehicles along this route can aggravate slides due to vibration if nothing is done.
18. The risk of spillage into the Poonch river will remain high if vehicles continue to move on this track and can adversely affect the sensitive protected area if no alternate route is provided for the vehicles.
19. It is important to mention that the other possible alternative of treatment of the unstable hill slope coupled with repair of the road has already been explored and was not found to be viable since the project
Potential Major Impacts
20. Considering the sensitive ecology of the Poonch river, the key environmental aspects with potential of a significant impact have been assessed to be as follows:
• Impact on Fish Fauna
• Impact on Water Quality
• Solid & Liquid Waste Disposal
• Soil removal & Extraction
21. The proposed sub-project shall be developed with specific consideration for the sensitive ecology of the Poonch river with the central pier of the bridge to be completed during the winter months when the water flow is minimal and the fish fauna are downstream of the project site in deeper pools of water where the habitat is more favorable. During the summer months when the fish fauna of the river migrate upstream to breed, all construction works related to the riverbed would have been completed and thus no adverse impact on fish fauna of the river shall take place.
Acronyms 15 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
22. Also, necessary construction best practices and additional preventive measures such as use of sheet piles shall be implemented during the works in the river bed of the river to ensure no contact with the water body of the river takes place.
23. Detailed and extensive measures have been proposed to ensure the river water quality is not adversely impacted and solid waste and liquid effluent is disposed off in line with international best practices. Monitoring of key parameters such as river water quality on a frequent basis has also been recommended.
24. Detailed mitigation and monitoring measures have been proposed in this study for all key environmental aspects to ensure no long-term significant impacts take place.
Institutional Arrangements
25. During the construction phase, the overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the EMP rests with the Project Director (PD). The PD through assistance from the Supervision Consultant’s Environmental staff and the Environment team of C&W, will supervise the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures and monitor the implementation progress in the field. Monthly environmental monitoring data/reports will be incorporated in the project implementation progress reports to be shared with ADB and such monthly reports will be consolidated into bi-annual monitoring reports and submitted to ADB for review and clearance. Upon clearance, all such reports will be uploaded on the C&W and ADB websites.
Conclusion & Recommendations
26. An action plan with clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders has been provided in the report. The C&W department, Contractors and the Construction Supervision Consultant are the major stakeholders responsible for the action plan. The action plan must be implemented prior to commencement of construction work.
27. A program of environmental monitoring will assure mitigation conducted during construction and operation phases to ensure that all measures in the EMP are implemented and to determine whether the environment is protected as intended. This will include observations on and off-site, document checks, and interviews with workers and beneficiaries, and any requirements for remedial action will be reported. The engaging of external environmental monitoring consultants for ensuring efficient and effective implementation of the mitigation measures is also under consideration.
28. Therefore, the proposed bridge sub-project is likely to cause a limited number of significant adverse impacts, only during the construction phase, which shall be mitigated through necessary measures. The potential adverse impacts that are associated with design, construction, and operation can be mitigated to standard levels without difficulty through proper engineering design and the incorporation or application of recommended mitigation measures and procedures. Based on the findings of this IEE study, the classification of the Project as Category ‘B’ is confirmed. It is concluded that the proposed project should proceed, with appropriate
Acronyms 16 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
mitigation measures and monitoring programs identified in the IEE. As per national regulations, since the proposed sub-project is located in an officially declared national park, an EIA study has been prepared to fulfill the national regulatory requirements of the AJK-EPA.
29. As a result of this IEE study, it has been determined that any adverse or harmful impacts shall be effectively mitigated through implementation of necessary measures and through regular monitoring. The project falls under the Category ‘B’ of ADB's Guidelines and thus an IEE has been prepared for the proposed sub-project.
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Acronyms 18 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview 30. This document is the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report for a proposed bridge that is to be constructed at Thalair in the outskirts of Kotli town in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and shall pass over the Poonch river. The Poonch river was notified as a national park by the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries department in 2010 and is a critical habitat3. This proposed bridge is to be constructed as a result of the floods in September 2014 under the TA 8912 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project (FERRP). The key map of the proposed sub-project is provided as Figure 1.1 below.
31. Since September 2014, heavy monsoon rains and raised water levels in major rivers across Pakistan have claimed the lives of hundreds of people. In AJ&K, the 2014 floods affected 769 people and 120 villages. Also, 1,785 houses were completely destroyed while 3,712 houses were partially damaged across the AJ&K.4
32. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the efforts of the Government of Pakistan (GoP) for rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the sectors of transport (primarily roads and bridges) under the AJ&K Communication & Works (C&W) Department component. The assistance will be provided through the Flood Reconstruction and Resilience Project. ADB support will be provided for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges.
33. This Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report presents the screening of potential environmental impacts of the proposed bridge project and contains the mitigation measures in order to eliminate or reduce the negative impacts to an acceptable level, describes the institutional requirements and provides an environmental management plan.
1.2 Environmental Category of the Project 34. According to ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009, a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist was prepared for this proposed bridge sub-project (Annexure-A). The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency’s “Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Environmental Reports (2000)” were also consulted. Although the project scope is quite limited, however since the proposed bridge passes over the Poonch river, which is a notified national park, so keeping in view
3 As stated in ADB SPS 2009, a Critical Habitat includes areas with high biodiversity value, including habitat required for the survival of critically endangered or endangered species, areas having special significance for endemic or restricted-range species; sites that are critical for the survival of migratory species; areas supporting globally significant concentrations or numbers of individuals of congregatory species; areas with unique assemblages of species or that are associated with key evolutionary processes or provide key ecosystem services; and areas having biodiversity of significant social, economic, or cultural importance to local communities. 4 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
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this sensitivity, this sub-project has been classified as Category ‘B’ and an IEE has been prepared.
1.3 Methodology of IEE Study The following methodology was employed for this IEE study:
35. Existing secondary data such as baseline information on water resources, flora, fauna and other relevant project area information was reviewed from earlier studies conducted on the Pooch river such as the ESIA study for the Gulpur Hydropower Project (conducted by Hagler Bailly Pakistan in October 2014) which was developed approximately 20 km downstream from the proposed bridge location. In addition, available information from other relevant bridge sub-projects of similar nature was collected, reviewed and analyzed.
36. Field visits were undertaken consisting of preliminary scoping through survey and assessment activities to establish the potential impacts and categorization of activities and the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) was completed. The key receptors and stakeholders (if any) within the project area were identified.
37. Primary data collection such as collection of ecological data on acquatic and terrestrial ecology of the project area, ambient noise levels and ambient air quality within the project area was conducted in order to develop a reliable baseline.
38. Public consultations (PC) were carried out with all key stakeholders in the project area. The project site is located in the suburbs of Kotli city with no immediate sensitive receptors such as community settlements, hospitals, schools or businesses in the project area. Thus, the focus of the consultations was on the residents in closest proximity to the project area such as daily commuters using the Tatta Pani – Kotli road, such as local communities, students, local businessmen etc. Also, the relevant public sector institutions and local government bodies such as Fisheries & Wildlife department, GoAJK and C&W department, GoAJK along with the local NGO Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) were consulted in line with ADB’s “Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) – June 2009”/ Environmental Assessment Guidelines. Under ADB requirements, the environmental assessment process must also include meaningful public consultations during the completion of the study. In this IEE, the Public Consultation process included verbal disclosure regarding the project development as a vehicle for discussion.
39. The significance of impacts from the proposed sub-project were then assessed and for those impacts requiring mitigation, suitable measures were proposed to reduce impacts to within acceptable limits as per local and international applicable regulations.
40. A detailed environmental management and monitoring plan was developed to ensure compliance to the proposed measures during the sub-project development.
Introduction 20 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
1.4 Structure of Report 41. This report reviews information on existing environmental attributes of the project area. Geological, hydrological and ecological features, air quality, noise, water quality, soils, social and economic aspects and cultural resources are included. The report predicts the probable impacts on the environment due to the proposed bridge sub-project.
42. This IEE also proposes various environmental management measures. Details of all background environmental quality, environmental impact/pollutant generating activities, pollution sources, pollution control equipment, predicted environmental quality and related aspects have been provided in this report. References are presented as footnotes throughout the text.
43. The IEE report contains eleven chapters as follows:
▪ Introduction
▪ Policy and Legal Framework
▪ Description of the Project
▪ Description of Environment
▪ Analysis of Alternatives
▪ Assessment of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
▪ Institutional Requirements & Environmental Management Plan
▪ Public Consultations
▪ Grievance Redressal Mechanism
▪ Findings, Recommendations and Conclusions
▪ References
Acronyms 21 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 1.1: Key Map
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2 Policy and Legal Framework
2.1 General 44. This section provides an overview of the policy framework and national legislation that applies to the proposed bridge sub-project located in AJK. This sub-project is expected to comply with all regulations and guidelines including applicable laws in AJK, international conventions and ADB Guidelines and to obtain all the regulatory clearances required.
2.2 National Policy and Legal Framework 45. The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (NCS) that was approved by the federal cabinet in March 1992 is the principal policy document on environmental issues in the country (EUAD/IUCN, 1992). The NCS outlines the country's primary approach towards encouraging sustainable development, conserving natural resources, and improving efficiency in the use and management of resources. The NCS has 68 specific programs in 14 core areas in which policy intervention is considered crucial for the preservation of Pakistan's natural and physical environment. The core areas that are relevant in the context of the proposed sub- projects are pollution prevention and abatement and increasing energy efficiency while conserving biodiversity.
46. Prior to the adoption of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 was the governing law for environmental conservation in the country. Under PEPA 1997, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) and Pak EPA were primarily responsible for administering PEPA 1997. Post the adoption of the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2011, the subject of environment was devolved and the provinces have been empowered for environmental protection and conservation. Subsequently, the AJ&K government amended PEPA 1997 as Azad Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Protection Act 2000, and AJ&K EPA is responsible for ensuring the implementation fo the provisions of the Act in AJ&K’s territorial jurisdiction. AJ&K EPA is also required to ensure compliance with the NEQS and establish monitoring and evaluation systems.
2.3 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Protection Act 2000 47. The AJK Environmental Protection Act, 2000 is the principal legislative tool used for regulating environmental protection in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Act is applicable to a broad range of issues and extends to air, water, industrial liquid effluent, and noise pollution, handling of hazardous wastes and biodiversity protection. The responsibility to implement the provisions of the 2000 Act lies with the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Protection Agency (the “Agency‟ or “AJK- EPA‟).
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2.4 Regulations for Environmental Assessment, Pakistan EPA 48. Under Section 12 (and subsequent amendment) of the PEPA (1997), a project falling under any category specified in Schedule I of the IEE/EIA Regulations (SRO 339 (I0/2000), requires the proponent of the project to file an IEE with the concerned provincial EPA. Projects falling under any category specified in Schedule II require the proponent to file an EIA with the provincial agency, which is responsible for its review and accordance of approval or request any additional information deemed necessary.
2.5 Regulatory Clearances, AJ&K EPA 49. In accordance with provincial regulatory requirements, an IEE/EIA satisfying the requirements of the AJ&K Environmental Protection Act (2000) is to be submitted to AJK-EPA environmental protection agency (AJK-EPA) for review and approval, and subsequent issuance of NOC before the commencement of construction.
2.6 Guidelines for Environmental Assessment, Pakistan EPA 50. The Pak-EPA has published a set of environmental guidelines for conducting environmental assessments and the environmental management of different types of development projects. The guidelines that are relevant to the proposed bridge sub- project are listed below:
▪ Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Environmental Reports, Pakistan, EPA 1997;
▪ Guidelines for Public Consultations; Pakistan EPA May 1997;
2.7 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) 2000 51. The National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), 2000, specify the following standards:
▪ Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (32 parameters) in municipal and liquid industrial effluents discharged to inland waters, sewage treatment facilities, and the sea (three separate sets of numbers);
▪ Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (16 parameters) in gaseous emissions from industrial sources;
▪ Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (two parameters) in gaseous emissions from vehicle exhaust and noise emission from vehicles;
▪ Maximum allowable noise levels from vehicles;
52. These standards apply to the gaseous emissions and liquid effluents discharged by construction machinery.
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2.8 AJK Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance, 2013 53. The AJK Wildlife (Protection, Preservation and Management) Ordinance 2013 was promulgated by the President of AJK in 2010 with an aim to consolidate the laws relating to protection, preservation, conservation and management of wildlife in AJK. It also endeavours to promote social, economic, cultural and ecological well-being of local communities in conformity with the concerns of the international communities. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of government organizations and departments primarily the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department that has the basic responsibility to ensure enforcement of the Act.
54. The Ordinance also provides for the declaration of various categories of protected areas: wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife refuge, national parks, game reserves, biosphere reserves, biodiversity reserve, national natural heritage site (Section 36–52). It prohibits the dealing with any wildlife animal, dead or alive, for domestic or commercial use without a Certificate of Lawful Possession (Sections 24). Permits and trade license are necessary for the import, export and trade of wild animals of an endemic or exotic species (Section 22). The Ordinance also contains three Schedules listing the following: game animals, which shall only be hunted under the terms of a game shooting or game capture license; animals, trophies or meat, for the possession, transfer, or export for which a Certificate of Lawful Possession is required; and, protected animals, which shall not be hunted, captured or killed.
55. The Ordinance recognizes that it is necessary to fulfil the obligations envisaged under the biodiversity related Multilateral Environmental Agreements ratified by the Government of Pakistan. The provisions in this Ordinance related to National Park are outlined in Section 44 of Chapter VI (Protected Areas) and are outlined below:
National Park:
▪ With a view to the protection and preservation of landscape, flora, fauna, geological features of special significance and biological diversity in the natural state, the government may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare any area to be a National Park and may demarcate it in such a manner as may be prescribed.
▪ A National Park shall be accessible to public for recreation; education and research purposes subject to such restrictions as the government may impose.
▪ The provision for access roads to and construction of rest houses, hostels and other, buildings in the national park along with amenities for public may be made, as not to impair the object of the establishment of the National Park.
▪ Any facility provided under Sub-Sections (2) and (3) shall be in conformity with the recommendations of the Environmental Impact Assessment or Initial Environmental Examination under AJ&K Environment Protection Act, 2001 and amendments made thereunder.
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▪ The following acts shall be prohibited in a National Park:
i. Hunting, shooting, trapping, killing or capturing of any wild animal;
ii. Carrying of arms, pet animals, livestock, firing any gun or doing any other act which may disturb any wild animal or doing any act which interferes with the serenity and tranquility of the park and breeding places of wild animals;
iii. Logging, felling, tapping, burning or in any way damaging or destroying, taking collecting or removing any plant or tree;
iv. Grazing of livestock;
v. Fishing;
vi. Clearing or breaking up any land for cultivation; mining or quarrying any stones for any other purpose;
vii. Polluting or poisoning water flowing in and through the National Park;
viii. Littering and dumping of waste;
ix. Writing, in scripting, carving, disfiguring, defacing, painting, chalking, advertising;
x. Use of vehicular transport except on recognized roads;
xi. Blowing of pressure horns within one kilometer radius of park boundary.
xii. Playing music, radios or making noise.
▪ The Department may, however for the research purpose or betterment of the Park or for providing incentives or concessions to the communities for participatory management, authorize doing of one or more acts mentioned in Sub-Section (5) on an explicit written request made to the head of the Department justifying the need for such an action or certifying that it does not impair the objectives of established park, in a specific manner.
▪ Whoever contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Section or abets in the commission or furtherance of any such act shall be punishable with imprisonment, which shall not be less than six months and may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees and may extend to rupees thirty thousand.
▪ In case the offense is proved to be followed by award of punishment by the court, all animals, tools, implements, carriages, including mechanically propelled vehicles, pack, animal, arms, ammunitions and other equipment and conveyances used in the commission or furtherance of an offence shall stand confiscated in
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favor of the government, in addition to the punishment awarded under this Section.
▪ If a woman is charged for any of the offenses under this Ordinance, the court may, after the reasons to be recorded in writing, dispense with her physical presence before the court while permitting her to appear by an agent duly authorized in writing under the signature or thumb-impression of any such accused woman, attested by a respectable person of the area concerned.
56. The Poonch river and its tributaries were declared a national park in a letter from the AJK Secretariat Forest/AKLASC/Fisheries (ref no: SF/AV 11358-7/2010 dated 15 December 2010). Despite the fact that the Poonch river Mahaseer National Park is a designated protected area, extensive sand and gravel mining and illegal fishing continues at several locations in the river, due to shortcomings in protection and management. The AJK Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is working on closing these gaps, and the long-term framework will consist of sustainable management of resources with community participation where livelihoods are involved, as allowed under Sub Section (6).
2.9 ADB Policies
2.9.1 ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), 2009 57. The Asian Development Bank’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 requires that environmental considerations be incorporated into ADB’s funded project to ensure that the project will have minimal environmental impacts and be environmentally sound. Occupational health & safety of the local population should also be addressed as well as the project workers as stated in SPS. A Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to receive application and facilitate resolution of affected peoples’ concerns, complaints, and grievances about the project’s environmental performance is also established and provided in Chapter 9.
58. All loans and investments are subject to categorization to determine environmental assessment requirements. Categorization is to be undertaken using Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) checklists, consisting of questions relating to (i) the sensitivity and vulnerability of environmental resources in project area, and (ii) the potential for the project to cause significant adverse environmental impacts. Projects are classified into one of the following environmental categories:
Category A: A proposed project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required.
Category B: A proposed project is classified as category B if its potential adverse environmental impacts are less adverse than those of category A projects. These impacts are site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases
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mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects. An initial environmental examination (IEE) is required.
Category C: A proposed project is classified as category C if it is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. No environmental assessment is required although environmental implications need to be reviewed.
Category FI: A proposed project is classified as category FI if it involves investment of ADB funds to or through a financial intermediary (FI).
59. As a result of the completion of the REA checklist, the proposed bridge sub-project has been classified as Category ‘B’ and thus a detailed and comprehensive IEE study has been prepared including the EMP.
2.9.2 ADB’s Public Communication Policy 2011 60. The PCP aims to enhance stakeholders’ trust in and ability to engage with ADB, and thereby increase the development impact of ADB operations. The policy promotes transparency, accountability, and participatory development. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents ADB produces or requires to be produced.
2.9.3 ADB’s Accountability Mechanism Policy 2012 61. The objectives of the Accountability Mechanism is providing an independent and effective forum for people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects to voice their concerns and seek solutions to their problems, and to request compliance review of the alleged non-compliance by ADB with its operational policies and procedures that may have caused, or is likely to cause, them direct and material harm. The Accountability Mechanism is a “last resort” mechanism.
2.10 Interaction with Other Agencies 62. The C&W department, GoAJK is responsible for ensuring that the project complies with the laws and regulations controlling the environmental concerns of the proposed bridge sub-project construction and operation and that all pre-construction requisites, such as permits and clearances are met. This section describes the nature of the relationship between the C&W department and concerned departments.
2.10.1 Provincial EPAs 63. The C&W department will be responsible for providing the complete environmental documentation required by the AJK-EPA and remain committed to the approved project design. No deviation is permitted during project implementation without prior and explicit permission of the AJK-EPA.
2.10.2 Provincial Departments of Forests and Wildlife 64. No uprooting or clearing of trees is expected for the proposed sub-project. However, any removed trees or vegetation under private ownership will be compensated as per
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provision that in case of disruption to vegetation or trees, the project contractor will be responsible for acquiring a 'No-Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the concerned forest department. The application for an NOC will need to be endorsed by the C&W department.
2.10.3 Provincial Governments 65. The C&W department and its contractors must ensure that the project meets the criteria of provincial/district governments as related to the establishment of construction camps and plants, and the safe disposal of wastewater, solid waste, and toxic materials. The C&W department will coordinate and monitor all environment related issues.
2.11 Other Environment Related Legislations 66. The Table 2.1 provides a summary of all legislations, guidelines, conventions and corporate requirements.
Table 2.1: Environmental Guidelines and Legislations
Legislation/Guideline Description NEP is the primary policy of Government of Pakistan addressing environmental issues. The broad Goal of NEP is, “to protect, conserve and restore Pakistan’s environment in order to improve the National Environmental quality of life of the citizens through sustainable development”. The Policy (2005) (NEP) NEP identifies a set of sectoral and cross-sectoral guidelines to achieve its goal of sustainable development. It also suggests various policy instruments to overcome the environmental problems throughout the country. Forests of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are managed according to the guidelines provided by Jammu and Kashmir Forest Regulations of Jammu and Kashmir 1930 (including amendments), generally known as Forest Law Manual. This regulation lays down the rules and regulations for both Forest Regulation, 1930 demarcated and un-demarcated forests, collection of drift and stranded wood as well as penalties and procedures for not abiding by these regulations. The Fisheries Act 1897 regulates fishing in the waters of Pakistan. Pakistan waters shall include the sea within a distance of one marine league off the seacoast. The provisions issued in this Act include: Fisheries Act, 1897 the prohibition to use explosives; the prohibition to use toxic and poisonous agents in fishing activities; the dimension and kind of nets used; the offences and relative penalties. Fishing in the Poonch River including use of gill nets, dynamites and poisons is regulated by this Act. The pertinent clauses of the Act are those that deal with health, safety and welfare of the workers, disposal of solid waste and effluent, and damage to private and public property. It also deals The Factories Act, 1934 with the regulations for handling and disposing of toxic and hazardous materials. As the construction activity has also been classified as an “industry‟, the regulations will be applicable to the Contractors.
The Explosives Act, 1884 It provides regulations for handling, transportation and use of explosives. The contractors have to abide by the regulation in case
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Legislation/Guideline Description of any quarrying, blasting and for other purposes. It should be mentioned that no explosives are expected to be used for the development of this sub-project. The Act deals with the matters relating to the protection, preservation and conservation of archaeological/ historical sites and The Antiquities Act monuments. It prohibits construction (or any other damaging) activity within 200 meters of such sites unless prior permission is obtained (1986) from the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums. No archaeological/ historical site is present at the site of the Project footprint or within 200 meters of the Project site.
Pakistan Penal Code It authorizes fines, imprisonment or both for voluntary corruption or fouling of public springs or reservoirs so as to make them less fit for (1860) ordinary use. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES Before the approval of NEP, the National Conservation Strategy (NCS) was considered as the Government’s primary policy document on national environmental issues. At the moment, this National Conservation strategy just exists as a national conservation program. The NCS Strategy identifies 14 core areas including conservation of biodiversity, pollution prevention and abatement, soil and water conservation and preservation of cultural heritage and recommends immediate attention to these core areas.
Biodiversity Action Plan The plan recognizes IEE/EIA as an effective tool for identifying and assessing the effects of a proposed operation on biodiversity. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS The Convention requires countries to take action to avoid endangering migratory species. The term "migratory species" refers The Convention on to the species of wild animals, a significant proportion of whose Conservation of members cyclically and predictably cross one or more national Migratory Species of jurisdictional boundaries. The parties are also required to promote or Wild Animals (1981.21) cooperate with other countries in matters of research on migratory species. There are endangered species of acquatic life in the Poonch river. Convention on The convention requires Pakistan to impose strict regulation International Trade in (including penalization, confiscation of the specimen) regarding trade Endangered Species of of all species threatened with extinction or that may become so, in order not to endanger their survival further. Wild Fauna and Flora (1975) International Union for Lists wildlife species experiencing various levels of threats Conservation of Nature internationally. Some of the species indicated in the IUCN red list are and Natural Resources also present in the wetlands of Pakistan. Red List (2000) ▪ Convention on Biological Diversity, known informally as the Biodiversity Convention covers ecosystems, species, and genetic Convention on resources and the field of biotechnology. The Convention was Biological Diversity opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 5 (CBD), Rio De Janiero, June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993. 1993 ▪ The Convention has three main goals: ▪ Conservation of biological diversity; ▪ Sustainable use of its components; and
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Legislation/Guideline Description ▪ Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. ▪ The objective of the convention is to conserve biological diversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and encourage equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Such equitable sharing includes appropriate access to genetic resources, as well as appropriate transfer of technology, taking into account existing rights over such resources and such technology. In other words, its objective is to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. ▪ The Poonch river is rich in abundance and diversity of fish and thus it is important to minimize the negative impact of the proposed sub-project on these aquatic biological resources. ▪ Popularly known as the Ramsar Convention, provides the Convention on Wetlands framework for national action and international cooperation for the of International conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The convention covers all aspects of wetland conservation and wise Importance especially as use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely Waterfowl Habitat, important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well- Ramsar, 1971 being of human communities. ▪ There is no declared Ramsar site in the vicinity of the sub-project. Convention Concerning ▪ The primary mission of the World Heritage Convention (WHC) is the Protection of the to identify and conserve the world's cultural and natural heritage, World Cultural and by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity and to ensure their protection through Natural Heritage a closer co-operation among nations. (WHC), Paris, 1972 ▪ There is no such site in the vicinity of the sub-project.
2.12 Comparison of International and Local Environmental Legislations 67. The ADB SPS requires application of pollution prevention and control technologies and practices consistent with international good practice, as reflected in internationally recognized standards. The SPS states that when host country regulations differ from these standards, the EA will achieve whichever is more stringent.
68. A comparison of applicable local and international guidelines for ambient air quality has been provided in Table 2.3 below. In the case of most pollutants, the NEQS standards for ambient air quality are more stringent in comparison to USEPA and WHO/IFC standards. The applicable and most stringent parameters for each respective pollutant are highlighted in green.
69. Similar to the standards for air quality, the comparison of noise standards provided in Table 2.4 clearly shows that NEQS standards for noise are more stringent in comparison to the WHO/IFC standards. The only exception is the daytime noise level standard for Industrial areas where the World Bank/IFC standard is more stringent (70 dB(A)) in comparison to NEQS (75 dB(A)) and so for this particular parameter, the WHO/IFC standard will be used. Apart from this one exception, the NEQS standards have been used for the sub-projects.
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70. As far as regulations regarding other environmental parameters are concerned such as acceptable effluent disposal parameters, the local regulations i.e. NEQS take precedence over any other international regulations such as WHO/IFC since these specific IFC standards only cover a limited number of parameters relating to effluent disposal etc and the NEQS are generally more stringent.
2.13 Implications of national policies and regulations on proposed project 71. The AJK Environmental Protection Act 2000 (AJK Act 2000) provides for two types of environmental assessments: IEEs and EIAs. EIAs are carried out for projects that have a potentially “significant‟ environmental impact, and IEEs are conducted for relatively smaller projects with a relatively less significant impact.
72. The term “EIA‟ has been defined in PEPA 1997 as “an environmental study comprising collecting data, prediction of qualitative and quantitative impacts, comparison of alternatives, evaluation of preventive, mitigatory and compensatory measures, formulation of environmental management and training plans and monitoring arrangements, and framing of recommendations and such other components as be prescribed”.
73. Section 11 of the AJK Act 2000 requires that: “No proponent of a project shall commence construction or operation unless he has filed with the Agency (AJK Environmental Protection Agency), an initial environmental examination or where the project is likely to cause an adverse environmental examination or, here the project is likely to cause an adverse environmental effect, an environmental impact assessment, and has obtained from the Agency approval in respect thereof.”
74. The IEE-EIA Regulations 2000 provide the necessary details on the preparation, submission, and review of initial environmental examinations and environmental impact assessments. The IEE and EIA Regulations categorize projects for IEE and EIA. Schedules I and II, attached to the Regulations list the projects that require an IEE and EIA respectively.
75. The EIA approval process as per environmental legislation applicable in Pakistan is summarized in Figure 2.1 below and is broadly as follows:
▪ A fee, depending on the cost of the project and the type of the report, is submitted along with the document;
▪ The submittal is also accompanied by an application in the format prescribed in Schedule IV of the Regulations;
▪ The EPA conducts a preliminary scrutiny and replies within 10 days of the submittal of a report, a) confirming completeness, or b) asking for additional information, if needed, or c) returning the report requiring additional studies, if necessary;
▪ Section 12(3) of AJK Act 2000 states that every review of an environmental impact
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assessment shall be carried out with public participation.
▪ AJK Act 2000 also requires the Agency to communicate its decision within a period of four months from the date the EIA has been files for review [Section 12(4)];
▪ The EPA is required to make every effort to complete the IEE and EIA review process within 45 and 90 days, respectively, of the issue of confirmation of completeness;
▪ The AJK-EPA after review may approve the EIA or require the EIA to be resubmitted after modifications as prescribed by the Agency or refuse the project as being contrary to the environmental objectives;
▪ Before commencing construction of the project, the proponent is required to submit an undertaking accepting the conditions;
▪ Before commencing operation of the project, the proponent is required to obtain from the EPA a written confirmation of compliance with the approval conditions and requirements of the EIA;
▪ An EMP for operations is to be submitted with a request for obtaining confirmation of compliance;
▪ The EPAs are required to issue confirmation of compliance within 15 days of the receipt of request and complete documentation; and
▪ The EIA approval is valid for three years from the date of accord.
2.14 Implications of ADB policies on proposed project 76. The objectives of ADB’s safeguards are to:
▪ avoid adverse impacts of projects on the environment and affected people, where possible;
▪ minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the environment and affected people when avoidance is not possible; and
▪ help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems.
77. ADB’s SPS sets out the policy objectives, scope and triggers, and principles for three key safeguard areas:
▪ environmental safeguards,
▪ involuntary resettlement safeguards, and
▪ Indigenous Peoples safeguards.
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78. The objective of the environmental safeguards is to ensure the environmental soundness and sustainability of projects and to support the integration of environmental considerations into the project decision-making process. ADB’s policy principles are summarized in Table 2.2 below.
Table 2.2: ADB Policy Principles
Policy principle Summary
1 Screening and Screening process initiated early to determine the categorization appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment.
2 Environmental Conduct an environmental assessment to identify assessment potential impacts and risks in the context of the project’s area of influence.
3 Alternatives Examine alternatives to the project’s location, design, technology, and components and their potential environmental and social impacts, including no project alternative.
4 Impact minigation Avoid, and where avoidance is not possible, minimize, mitigate, and/or offset adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts. Prepare an environmental management plan (EMP).
5 Public consultations Carry out meaningful consultation with affected people and facilitate their informed participation. Involve stakeholders early in the project preparation process and ensure that their views and concerns are made known to and understood by decision makers and taken into account. Continue consultations with stakeholders throughout project implementation. Establish a grievance redress mechanism.
6 Disclosure of Disclose a draft environmental assessment in a environmental timely manner, in an accessible place and in a form assessment and language(s) understandable to stakeholders. Disclose the final environmental assessment to stakeholders.
7 Environmental Implement the EMP and monitor its effectiveness. management plan Document monitoring results, and disclose monitoring reports.
8 Biodiversity Do not implement project activities in areas of critical
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habitats, unless the following requirements are met:
(i) There are no measurable adverse impacts, or likelihood of such, on the critical habitat, which could impair its high biodiversity value or the ability to function.
(ii) The project is not anticipated to lead to a reduction in the population of any recognized endangered or critically endangered species5 or a loss in area of the habitat concerned such that the persistence of a viable and representative host ecosystem be compromised.
9 Pollution prevention Apply pollution prevention and control technologies and practices consistent with international good practices. Adopt cleaner production processes and good energy efficiency practices. Avoid pollution, or, when avoidance is not possible, minimize or control the intensity or load of pollutant emissions and discharges. Avoid the use of hazardous materials subject to international bans or phaseouts.
10 Occupational health and Provide workers with safe and healthy working safety conditions and prevent accidents, injuries, and disease. Establish preventive and emergency Community safety. preparedness and response measures to avoid, and where avoidance is not possible, to minimize, adverse impacts and risks to the health and safety of local communities
11 Physical cultural Conserve physical cultural resources and avoid resources destroying or damaging them. Provide for the use of “chance find” procedures.
5 As defined by the Word Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species or as defined in any national legislation.
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Figure 2.1: EIA Review and Approval Process of Pakistan EPAs
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Table 2.3: Comparison of International and local Air Quality Standards USEPA WHO/IFC Pak. NEQS Pollutants Avg. Time Standard Avg. Time Standard Avg. Time Standard
3 hrs 0.5 ppm 24 hr 20 ug/m3 Annual Mean 80 ug/m3 SO2 1 hr 75 ppb 10 min 500 ug/m3 24 hrs 120 ug/m3
8 hrs 9 ppm (11 mg/m3) 8 hrs 5 mg/m3 CO - - 35 ppm 1 hr 10 mg/m3 1 hr (43 mg/m3)
Annual 100 ug/m3 40 ug/m3 1 yr 40 ug/m3 Annual Mean Mean (53 ppb) NO 2 80 ug/m3 1 hr 200 ug/m3 24 hrs 1 hr 100 ppb
8 hrs 100 ug/m3 130 ug/m3 0.07ppm O 8 hrs 1 hr 3 (148 ug/m3)
Annual Mean 360 ug/m3 TSP - - - - 24 hrs 500 ug/m3
3 3 3 PM10 24 hrs 150 ug/m 1 yr 20 ug/m Annual Mean 120 ug/m
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24 hr 50 ug/m3 24 hrs 150 ug/m3
Annual 15 ug/m3 Annual Average 15 ug/m3 1 yr 10 ug/m3 Mean PM 35 ug/m3 2.5 24 hrs 35 ug/m3 24 hr 25 ug/m3 24 hrs 15 ug/m3 1 hr
*: The standards highlighted in green for each respective pollutant are the most stringent based on a comparison between local and international regulations and thus shall be applicable for the proposed project.
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Table 2.4: Comparison of International and Local Noise Standards
Limit in dB(A) Leq
Category of Area/Zone NEQS WHO/IFC
Day Time Night Time Day Time Night Time
Residential area (A) 55 45 55 45
Commercial area (B) 65 55 70 70
Industrial area (C) 75 65 70 70
Silence zone (D) 50 45 55 45
*: The standards highlighted in green for each respective Area/Zone are the most stringent based on a comparison between local and international regulations and thus shall be applicable for the proposed project.
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3 Description of the Project
3.1 Type of Project 79. The Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project (FERRP) will construct a bridge (over the Poonch river) located next to the Tatta Pani – Kotli road at Thalair in the outskirts of Kotli town in AJK province of Pakistan. The proposed bridge shall have the following basic dimensions:
Length: 134 meters Width: 9 meters
80. The project area map for this proposed sub-project is provided as Figures 3.4 and 3.5 below. The environmental assessment that has been carried out follow ADB SPS 2009 and GoP’s environmental assessment regulations and guidelines.
3.2 Objective of Sub-Project 81. The objective of this sub-project is to improve the connectivity and logistical efficiency, safety and convenience of neighboring towns and villages such as Tatta pani and Rayan Shareef to Kotli city through the development of a bridge that bypasses a 400 meter stretch of ‘land slide affected’ road which passes at the base of an unstable hill.
3.3 Justification and need for sub-project 82. As can be seen in Figures 3.1,3.2 and 3.4 below, approximately 400 meters of the stretch of Tatta Pani – Kotli road running next to the Poonch river is highly unstable since it lies at the foot of a hill face, which is structurally weak with high occurrences of land sliding. Despite multiple repairs, this road segment is considered highly risky and is being used by the communities from the neighboring towns and villages to reach Kotli city due to lack of safer and more convenient options.
83. The expected traffic flow pattern once the proposed bridge sub-project has been developed is provided as Figure 3.3 below. The development of the project will ensure the landslide affected stretch of road is avoided with the commuters using the new bridge to travel from Tattapani and neighboring villages and towns to reach Kotli city. Similarly, the residents of Kotli city and other major towns and cities will be easily able to reach Tatta pani using this new bridge.
84. Keeping in view the constant risk of land sliding, the only viable option to avoid this road section is to construct the proposed bridge to provide a safe passageway for the local communities.
85. It is important to mention that other possible options such as stabilization of the landslide followed by re-construction of the damaged road lying at the base of this unstable hill face was considered in detail. However, it was assessed to not be a viable option since the hill face is considerably unstable and thus stabilizing it without conducting blasting does not seem possible at present. Considering the proximity of
Description of the Project 40 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
the hill to the Poonch river, any blasting will result in rocks and debris directly falling into the river and possibly blocking it and causing an ecological catastrophe.
86. In the future, possible long-term interventions such as implemention of bio- engineering measures might be implemented in order to stabilize this hill slope and prevent a major landslide into the river.
Description of the Project 41 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 3.1: Proposed Bridge site next to Tatta Pani – Kotli road
Description of the Project 42 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 3.2: Highly Unstable Hill Face next to Poonch River
Description of the Project 43 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 3.3: Post-Project development Traffic Flow Pattern
Description of the Project 44 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Figure 3.4: Proposed Bridge site with Poonch river flowing underneath
Description of the Project 45 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
3.4 Proposed Bridge Design 87. In the low water season, the water flows at a width of 55 meters from the left bank, so the design is proposed with the center pier at a length of 66 meters from both abutments as shown in Figure 3.6 below. In the low water season to come, the width of flowing water shall reduce further, thereby no interference shall be caused to the aquatic life.
88. The center pier shall be designed as a hollow section with water cut nosing to avoid pressure on the pier. The Super structure shall be designed as Balanced Cantilever Box section with Gantry construction so that no supports are needed from the ground. In this type of bridge design, the construction of super structure starts from the centre pier. The Pier head segment along with a part of the first segment is constructed with the help of support farm work. Then, the overhead gantries are launched on constructed super structure and the subsequent segments are constructed balanced on both sides of pier using segmental stressing of the casted segments. This sequence of casting & stressing is repeated till the box is seated on abutments. In order to maintain the geometry of the bridge, pre-camber data is calculated & monitored during the execution of super structure to account for creep & deflection of cantilevers.
89. Water level observed in mid of September is 562.08 meters and if extensive efforts are made, the sub-structure can be constructed till the end of January 2018, which is well within the low water season. Also, the piers and the abutments can also be completed before the high flow of the river.
90. The approximate cost of construction will be around Rs.2.2 million per RM.
91. It shall be ensured that only one pier of this proposed bridge shall intrude into the river bed of the Poonch river by installing piers with a sufficiently long span of approximately 66 meters. In addition, it shall be ensured that throughout the entire construction activity, no contact is made of any foreign objects, machinery or personnel with the river flow/water body. This shall be achieved by conducting the construction activity in the winter months due to low flows in the river at this time of the year and a part of the riverbed remaining dry.
3.5 Construction Materials 92. The project contractor will accurately estimate the exact volumes of each of the raw materials to be used for the proposed project. However, it shall be ensured that the nearest location for sourcing of all these materials is selected. The preliminary list of Bill of Quantities (BOQs) is provided as Table 3.3 below.
Description of the Project 46 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
3.6 Implementation Arrangement
3.6.1 Implementation Management and Execution 93. Physical implementation of construction of the proposed bridge will be undertaken through a Contractor selected by the AJ&K C&W department. The Contractor shall conduct the construction activity on the basis of the detailed designs provided to him.
94. The Contractor will take broad responsibility for all elements of the construction and procurement and shall be responsible for ensuring compliance of the activities being conducted with the applicable environmental and social safeguards.
3.6.2 Project Construction Schedule 95. The project construction phase is expected to be completed in a period of 18 months with an estimated commencement date of December 2018 with project completion expected by May 2019. ADB shall finance all project development expenses incurred till December 2018 with any remaining project expenditure to be financed by the GoAJK. The project completion schedule is provided as Table 3.1 below.
3.7 Construction Camps and Work Force 96. The construction activity for this sub-project will span over approximately eighteen months. There shall be a number of contracts for a variety of works. The selected Contractor shall have the option to select suitable site(s) located near the project site to establish his labor camps. If private land is selected, the contractor shall enter into contract with the private owner. At present, no construction camp(s) locations have been identified and shall be mutually agreed upon once the project Contractor(s) have been selected.
97. The work bases shall be setup by the contractor in consultation with the engineering teams. Essential for the work bases is easy approach, availability of a suitable place for temporary storage of material and availability of water for construction in the vicinity. Presence of shade from trees close to the work bases can add to the comfort of the labor while taking rest during the hot season.
3.8 Machinery Requirement 98. For storing materials, stocking equipment and parking machinery and vehicles, the Contractor shall require open and accessible sites close to the labor camps. The Contractor, at his own expense, but keeping in view his contractual obligations to honor the NEQS regarding level of pollution, and with respect to the project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP), shall make the arrangements.
99. The expected machinery to be employed for the construction activity along with the respective noise ratings is provided in Table 3.2 below.
Description of the Project 47 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Table 3.1: Timelines for development of Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Month Key Activities
▪ Prepare BD based on estimated BOQs ▪ Procurement and Design of the Sub-Project Oct’17 &Nov’17 ▪ Submission of IEE report to AJK EPA for NoC (by 1st week of Nov’17) ▪ Submission of IEE report to ADB for review and approval (by 31st Oct’17) 30th Nov’17 Contract Award Deadline Dec’17 & Jan’18 Sub-Structure Work & Piling Work
February’18 Foundation Works for Central pier and Casting of Central pier
March’18 to Construction of Central Pier & Pier Head Segment, Installation Of June’18 Gantries and Segmental Construction for Super Structure
July’18 to May’19 Assembly of remaining bridge and completion of project
Table 3.2: Construction Equipment Noise Ranges dB(A)
Equipment Peak Noise Typical Peak Typical Construction Phase Range at Sound Level ‘Quieted Earthworks Bridge 15.2 m in a Work Equipment’ construction Cyclea Sound Levelb Batching plant 82-86 84 81 Y Concrete mixers 76-86 85 82 Y Excavators 74-92 85 82 Y Tractors and 77-94 88 85 Y Y trolleys Water bowsers 85-93 88 85 Y Y Graders 72-92 85 82 Y Bulldozers 65-95 80 75 Y Y Paver 87-89 88 80 Y Pumps 68-72 76 75 Y Y Diesel generators 72-82 78 75 Y Y Vibrators 68-82 76 75 Y Y Drilling machines 82-98 90 87 Y Y Compressors 74-84 81 71 Y Y Dumpers 77-96 88 83 Y Y Road rollers 73-77 75 72 Y Y Sources: Bolt, Beranek, and Newman, Noise from Construction Equipment and Operations, Building Equipment, and Home Appliances. USEPA, 1971; http://www.waterrights.ca.gov/EIRD/text/Ch11-Noise.pdf; http://www.lacsd.org/LWRP%202020%20Facilities%20Plan%20DEIR/4_6_Noise.pdf; http://newyorkbiz.com/DSEIS/CH18Construction.pdf
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Figure 3.5: Project Area Map
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Figure 3.6: Photographs of Project Area
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Figure 3.7: Proposed Thalair Bridge Design
Description of the Project 51 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Table 3.3: Preliminary Bill of Quantities Estimates
S/No. Description Unit Quantity Earth Works 1 Excavate or Cutting up to required grade, CM 6,532 camberand side slopes including dressing top and sides and disposal of excavated material within a lift of 5' (1.5m) and lead upto 100; (30m) 2 Excavate or Cutting in hard rock by hammering and CM 528 chiselling including storing and stacking the excavated material within a lift of 5 ft. 3 Making earthen embankment from Roadway CM 3,679.5 Excavation including cost of excavation, placing in layers not exceeding 9" (230mm) in depth including dressing top and sides of the bank. 4 Making grooves in existing bitumen carpet/ TST of RM 1,650 any descriptrion including removal and disposal 5 Lead for Carriage 1st km CM 35.45 6 Lead for Carriage 2nd km CM 35.45 7 Lead for Carriage 3rd km CM 35.45 8 'Making earthen embankment with earth taken from CM 8,454 approved borrow pits including cost of excavation, placing in layers not exceeding 9" (230mm) in depth including dressing top and sides of the bank with all lead and lifts Sub-base Base Course and Surfacing 1 Providing and laying Ganular sub base of any CM 360.9 thickness to required grade and camber including watering, compacting with road roller and with all lead and lift (compacted thickness to be measured) (including roylity of quarry) 2 Providing and laying stone soling 6" thick with CM 222.8 locally available approved stone to required grade and camber including packing with spawls, chips, watering, compacting with road roller and with all lead and lift. (including royalty of Quarry). 3 Providing and laying stone balast 1.5" to 2.5" CM 577.5 (37.5mm~62.5mm) as per NHA specification (Class- B) hand broken stacked at site including blending with the stone dust or any other ganular materialapproved by the Engineer-Incharge. Consolidating by mechanical interlocking through rolling to required grade, depth and camber to achieve 100% modified AASHTO dry density including placing, mixing, spreading, watering and compacting with all lead and lift. Local approved material. (8" thick). 4 Providing and applying prime coat of liquid asphalt SM 2940 (cut back) at 22 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. (1.07 kg. per sq. m.) including cleaning and brooming of road surface 5 Providing and laying hot mix bituminous concrete in SM 2888.5 road pavement laid with mechanical paver and mixed in central mixing plant in required thickness and density,rolled hot with different types of rollers complete as per specifications and job-mix formula and design in single layers. 2-1/2"(62.5mm) thick of Lime stone aggregate
S/No. 52 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
6 Providing and laying hot mix bituminous concrete in SM 998 road pavement laid with mechanical paver and mixed in central mixing plant in required thickness and density,rolled hot with different types of rollers complete as per specifications and job-mix formula and design in single layers. 2 in.(50mm) thick of Lime stone aggregate Retaining and Breast Walls 1 Excavate or cutting up to a required grade, camber CM 2948.04 and side slopes including dressing top and sides and disposal of excavated material within a lift of 5' (1.5m) and lead upto 100; (30m). 2 Providing and layingm plum concrete 1:3:6 using CM 1002.6 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4" (19mm) & downgauge from approved source of PND AJK with 30% boulders including levelling, compacting and curing. 3 Providing and laying Cement Concrete using CM 322.98 Lawrencepur sand and approved crushed aggregate 3/4"(19mm) & down guage from approved sources of PND AJK in foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (1:3:6) 4 Providing and laying of PVC pipe 4" dia (Medium M 786.5 class) for weepholes, complete in all respects. 5 Providing and laying Cement Concrete using CM 879.6 Lawrencepur sand and approved crushed aggregate 3/4"(19mm) & down guage from approved sources of PND AJKin foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (Ratio 1:1.5:3) 6 Providing fabricating and laying M.S.Reinforcement Ton 102.034 bars Grade 60 with and including the cost of straightning, cutting, bending, binding wire, cement concrete 1:2:4 precast or M.S. chairs and placing in position on cement concrete precast or M.S. chairs, tying with binding wire etc. in all kind of RCC roads, paths and runways 7 Filter Material for Weep Holes CM 9.44 8 Providing and laying stone pitching and/or filling dry CM 229 hand packed as fiiling behind Retaiining Walls and/or in pitching 9 Filling watering and ramming earth under floors for CM 2230 every 50 ft. (15m) additional lead or part there of (maximum upto 1000 ft. 300M) for earth work gravel, shingle, rock. Structures (Bridge) 1 Structural Excavation in any material below water CM 840 level 2 Granular Back Fill CM 2660 3 Cast-in place concrete piles, dia 1000mm (Boring CM 840 Only) in Boulders & Rock Strata 4 Cast-in place concrete piles, dia 1000mm, concrete CM 660 Class A3 (Underground) 5 Reinforcement as per AASHTO-M31, Grade-60 Ton 330 6 Cutting of Extra Piles No. 28 7 Concrete Class A1 (on Ground) CM 1100 8 Concrete Class A3 (Elevated) CM 800 9 Concrete Class D1 (Prestressed Box Girder with CM 1400
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Gantry Construction) 10 Lean Concrete CM 72 11 Reinforcement as per AASHTO-M31, Grade-60 Ton 770 12 Prestressing Wire Strand, 1/2" dia. Complete in all Ton 52 respects 13 ELASTOMERIC BEARING PADS (ACCORDING Ccm 176400 TO SIZE AND THICKNESS) -USA/EU MAKE 14 Expansion Joint with two Extruded Alloy Section for RM 14.6 50mm 15 PVC Pipe 6" (150 mm) dia for utilities M 142 16 GI Drain Pipe (100mm) dia Each 44 17 Bitumen Coating to Concrete Surfaces SM 685 Shoulder and Drains 1 Excavate or Cutting up to required grade, CM 537.75 camberand side slopes including dressing top and sides and disposal of excavated material within a lift of 5' (1.5m) and lead upto 100; (30m), Gravelly Soil 2 Providing and layingm plum concrete 1:3:6 using CM 104.693 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4" (19mm) & downgauge from approved source of PND AJK with 30% boulders including levelling, compacting and curing. 3 Providing and laying Cement Concrete using CM 23.79 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4"(19mm) & down guage from approved sources of PND AJK in foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (Ratio1:3:6 4 Preparation of Subgrade over top of compacted SM 820 embankment to at least 95% modified AASHTO maximum upto the levels dry density with required dressing including cutting to required grade, camber and side slopes and disposal of surplus material CBR greater than 10% 5 Providing and laying cement concrete using CM 112.5 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4" (19mm)& down gauge from approved source of PND AJK in foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (Ratio 1:2:4). (PCC Drain) 6 Providing and laying Ganular sub base of any CM 78 thickness to required grade and camber including watering, compacting with road roller and with all lead and lift (compacted thickness to be measured) (including roylity of quarry) 7 Providing and laying 6" (150mm) thick 1:2:4 cement SM 787.5 concrete in roads, paths, creteways using Lawrencepur sand and 3/4" (19mm) and down gauge crushed stone in panels from approved sources of PND AJK laid to required gradient and camber over any sub-grade including cost of necessary formwork and its removal, compacting with vibrators (immersion or screed or both) roughening the surface after laying concrete with brush and curing. (PCC Shoulders) Structures (Culverts) 1 Excavate or Cutting up to required grade, CM 260.239 camberand side slopes including dressing top and sides and disposal of excavated material within a lift of 5' (1.5m) and lead upto 100; (30m) 2 Granular Back Fill CM 58.5
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3 Providing and laying Cement Concrete using CM 85.75 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4"(19mm) & down guage from approved sources of PND AJK in foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (Ratio1:1.5:3) 4 Providing and laying Cement Concrete using CM 12.609 Lawrencepur sandand crushed aggregate 3/4"(19mm) & down guage from approved sources of PND AJK in foundation including leveling, compacting and curing (Ratio1:3:6) 5 Providing fabricating and laying M.S.Reinforcement CM 9.95 bars Grade 60 with and including the cost of straightning, cutting, bending, binding wire, cement concrete 1:2:4 precast or M.S. chairs and placing in position on cement concrete precast or M.S. chairs, tying with binding wire etc. in all kind of RCC roads, paths and runways 6 Providing and layingm plum concrete 1:3:6 using CM 41.76 Lawrencepur sand and crushed aggregate 3/4" (19mm) & downgauge from approved source of PND AJK with 30% boulders including levelling, compacting and curing. Ancillary Works 1 Providing and fixing road sign boards such as caution etc. as Each 18 approved by the Engineer with reflective paints, having superficial area of 1.125 Sq.M including cost of post etc. 2 P/F of cat eyes (10cm x 10cm) double side No. 700 reflectors, improted (Australian made). Complete in all respect. 3 Pavement marking reflective TP paint of 20 cm M 3360 width
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4 Description of Environment
4.1 General 100. The proposed sub-project is located in Kotli district of AJ&K, which is a self- governing administrative division of Pakistan and lies west of the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir. The AJ&K territory borders Pakistan’s Punjab province to the south and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the west.
101. AJ&K is comprised of ten districts and has a total area of 13,297 square kilometers with an estimated population of 4.6 million people.6
102. The description of various features of the project area environment including the physical, ecological, cultural and socio-economic environmental aspects are presented in the following sub-sections. The baseline information that has been presented has been used for the assessment of impacts due to the proposed sub- project and for comparison in the future to monitor and evaluate any potential impacts during the construction and operation phases of the proposed project.
4.2 Physical Resources
4.2.1 Area of Influence 103. The potential impacts on the surrounding environment as a result of the proposed bridge development consist of ecological impacts, air and water quality impacts, noise generation, land transformation etc. A study area of 5 km around the project site has been delineated to assess the baseline conditions. However, considering the movement of aquatic species upstream and downstream of the Poonch river depending on the respective seasons, aquatic life has been examined at the project specific site and also along the river at different locations to assess its breeding and migration patterns.
4.2.2 Geology 104. The study area is a part of land formations developed at the foothills of Himalayan ranges through tectonic events subsequent to those that caused the formation of the Himalayas. The Project area contains middle Siwalik formations developed from the sedimentary deposits contributed by a number of drainage channels from the uprising Himalayan Mountain Ranges. The rock formations include extremely folded beds, having almost vertical dips, of various types of sandstones, clay–stones and siltstones. As compared to Himalayan ranges, the mountains of the project area have low to medium surface relief. The Poonch river and nullahs generally pass through deep and narrow gorges having almost vertical slopes.
105. Occasionally, relatively wide valleys are also encountered which are being used for settlements and agricultural activities. A typical example of such settlements
6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azad_Kashmir#Geography_and_climate
Description of Environment 56 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
in the project area is Kotli town. Similarly, some open and relatively flat areas are also present on the raised terraces of the mountains. Invariably, these areas are also used for settlement and agricultural activities.
The major geological formations in the project area are as follows:
Pliestocene and Recent Deposits Overburden
106. The overburden present in the area is river alluvial material and overburden on the terraces. River alluvial material is present on the river bed and along the slopes of the river valley. The thickness of alluvial material in the river bed is between 3.0 m to 5.0 m. This material consists of sandy gravels, cobbles and some boulders, which are rounded to sub–rounded, few sub–angular, semi spherical, some platy and oblonged. These generally are of igneous and metamorphic origin, but some sedimentary (sandstone and limestone) origin are also present. The overburden on the terraces and especially along the alignment of power tunnel and around the proposed portal consists of weathered clay and siltstone with pieces of sandstone.
Scree, Talus and Vegetation
107. Overburden on the slopes of the river valley is of detritus and detached blocks and boulders of sandstone, at places mixed with weathered and eroded siltstone and claystones. The material is mostly composed of different sizes of broken pieces of rocks due to weathering effect on parent rock. The vegetation consists of self–grown plants and grass, thorny bushes and small trees planted by Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Watershed Management Section and AJK Forest Department.
Classification of Rocks
108. This part of the Nagri Stage of Siwaliks has three main units of rocks i.e. (i) Sandstones of various strength and cementation (ii) Claystones and (iii) Siltstones.
Sandstone
109. Sandstones of this part of Nagri (middle Siwaliks) are classified into three categories:
▪ Sandstone–1: This type of sandstone is always present in the form of ribs and lenses in the main beds of Sandstone–2. ▪ Sandstone–2: Moderately strong to strong, dirty greenish grey to light brownish grey, medium to coarse grained, moderately to well cemented and cross bedded. ▪ Sandstone–3: Moderately weak to moderate strong, light brownish grey to grey, fine grained, at places silty, slightly to moderately weathered, highly weathered at places, thinly bedded, closely jointed and fractured generally present in thick beds of clay and siltstone.
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Claystone/Siltstone
110. Alternate beds of Claystone/Siltstone of various shades vary in thickness from place to place. Siltstone is moderately weak to moderate strong, various shades of brown and brownish grey, moderate thick to thinly bedded, partly laminated, moderately weathered at exposed surfaces, moderately to closely joint and moderate fractured.
4.2.3 Topography 111. The relief in the catchment area of Poonch river varies from 200 m to 4,500 m. The proposed location of project site has an elevation of 550 m ±50 m.
4.2.4 Soils 112. The texture of the primary soils varies from moderately fine to moderately coarse depending upon the rock type from which these have developed. However, the secondary soils are mostly moderately coarse textured. The soils of the raised terraces in floodplains are generally devoid of the stony material. The soils of lower terraces generally contain varied quantities of pebbles, cobbles and boulders.
4.2.5 Climate and Meteorology 113. Kotli is the representative station for which meteorological parameters like temperature, precipitation, humidity and evaporation are available.
114. Generally, the Project area falls in sub–humid and sub–tropical zone. It has moderate summer and cold winter. The climate is influenced by monsoon in the months of July and August. Consequently, the weather is pleasant in the months of March to May and August to October.
115. Winter Season: Though the duration of winter season depends on altitude, it generally lasts from November to February in the proposed project area. It is characterized by heavy frost in the lower areas and some snowfall at higher elevation. Rain and snow during winter season come from north–western air currents, and snowfall starts at higher elevations towards the end of November or early in December.
116. Spring Season: Though there is no characterized spring season in the area, but the weather is pleasant in the months of March to April. This is the period of intense phonological activity at the higher elevations and can be termed as spring.
117. Summer Season: This is characterized by dry spells in April to June followed by frequent showers in the moist or wet zone. At this time of the year, the lower valleys are hot. Hot winds from Punjab and sunny weather in arid and semi–arid parts cause intense summers.
118. Rainy Season: It starts with the advent of monsoons either towards the end of June or early in July and lasts till middle or sometimes up to the end of September.
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The bulk of rainfall is received during this period in the wet zone. After the rainy season, the sky becomes clear and there is very little rain, if any, during October to November.
Rainfall and Humidity
119. The average annual precipitation in the area is 1,237 mm. However, there is a great seasonal variation. The maximum rainfall occurs during the months of July and August when the average precipitation is 266 mm and 271 mm, respectively. Minimum rainfall is experienced in November with the average of 24 mm.
120. Mangla Reservoir is the nearest station where the evaporation data was available. Climatic conditions of this reservoir are similar to that of Kotli and as such this data has been utilized for Kotli. Mean monthly maximum and minimum evaporation at Mangla Reservoir is 229 mm and 46 mm respectively. The rainfall profile for Kotli across the year is provided in Figure 4.1 below.
Figure 4.1: Rainfall Profile across the year for Kotli7
Temperature
121. Temperature in different parts of the tract varies according to the elevation. Temperature begins to rise rapidly from the end of March, till June, which is the hottest month. The temperature remains high during July to September in the arid zone, because it lies beyond the reach of the monsoons. With the onset of southwest monsoon by the end of June, the temperature begins to decrease gradually; however, the drop is rapid only after October. January is the coolest month of the
7 https://www.worldweatheronline.com/kotli-weather-averages/azad-kashmir/pk.aspx
Description of Environment 59 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
year in the region. The temperature profile for Kotli across the year is provided in Figure 4.2 below.
Figure 4.2: Temperature Profile across the year for Kotli8
Wind
122. Winds disperse air pollutants and are an important aspect in any environmental impact assessment study. Movement of air pollutants is dependent on the wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity. The wind speed data across the year in Kotli city is provided in Figure 4.3 below.
4.2.6 Seismology 123. The proposed sub-project is located in the high-risk seismic zone 3 with PGA values of 0.24-0.32g. Major earthquakes were experienced in year 2005 and 2015 with considerable number of casualties and damage to infrastructure. The seismic zone map of Pakistan is shown in Figure 4.5 below.
8 https://www.worldweatheronline.com/kotli-weather-averages/azad-kashmir/pk.aspx
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Figure 4.3: Wind Speed Profile across the year for Kotli9
4.2.7 Air Quality 124. Air quality in most of the project area appears good based on observation during the study period. Emissions should be controlled at source under the EMP. There will be a few items of powered mechanical equipment to be used in the construction of the proposed project, which may give rise to complaints of dust and other emissions; however these should be minor and easily dissipated. There are no other industrial pollution sources in the vicinity of the proposed sub-project.
125. Apart from particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and TSP), all other pollutants are within acceptable NEQS limits based on the 24 hourly monitoring conducted in the project area with the detailed results provided as Annexure G with the results summarized in Figure 4.4 below.
126. Although the site is located in a generally unpolluted environment at a considerable distance from any settlements, however the constant movement of vehicles on the unmetalled road leads to high dust emissions, which leads to the exceedance of the particular matter concentrations from the permissible standards. The sand extraction plant installed in close proximity to the project site also contributes adversely to the air quality.
127. Once the bridge has been constructed and this unmetalled road is not in use anymore, the particulate matter concentrations are expected to significantly reduce and reach permissible limits.
9 https://www.worldweatheronline.com/kotli-weather-averages/azad-kashmir/pk.aspx
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128. There should be no source of atmospheric pollution from the sub-projects. During the operational phase, the only emissions will be from the vehicles traveling on the road. However, all such emissions will be very well dissipated in the open terrain and there will be no cumulative effect from the sub-project.
129. The other major source of air pollution is dust arising from construction and other ground or soil disturbance, during dry weather, and from movement of vehicles on poorly surfaced or damaged access roads.
4.2.8 Noise 130. Noise from vehicles and other powered mechanical equipment along the respective project corridors was observed to be intermittent but there are no significant disturbances to the typical setting.
131. The ambient noise levels are generally within permissible NEQS limits for both day and night times with the major noise sources in the project area being the intermittent movement of traffic and the operation of the sand extraction plant during the day.
132. The detailed results of the 24 hourly monitoring conducted in the project area are provided as Annexure G with the results summarized in Figure 4.4 below.
133. Based on noise data collected in the respective sub-project areas, average noise levels between 43 to 45 dB(A) were recorded which are well within the applicable NEQS and WHO guidelines for noise.
4.2.9 River Habitats 134. The ecological assessment of this area relies on the earlier extensive assessment conducted as part of the ESIA in the recent past for the Gulpur Hydropower project. Considering the scale of that project, the 100 km of the Poonch river was spread into different segments of 20 to 30 km each and for each of these segments, the respective ecology was examined. Considering the limited scope of works of the proposed bridge sub-project, the assessment of the ‘Tatta Pani to Kotli’ stretch of the Poonch river is felt to be more than sufficient.
135. The summary of stream characteristics along this stretch of the Poonch river is provided in Table 4.1 below.
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Figure 4.4: Ambient Air Quality and Noise Monitoring Results
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Table 4.1: Summary of Stream Characteristics along ‘Tatta Pani to Kotli’ stretch of Poonch river
Length Slope Habitat Type (%) Land Use Type and Vegetation (%) (km) (%) Segment Avg Pools/ Rapids Riffles Total Agric. Scrub Pine Reside River Total Glides Forest Forest nt. & Nullah
Area (m2) 263,327 580,038 756,082 1,599, 50,168, 28,793, 39,708, 4,062, 1,840, 124,57 447 945 039 137 668 705 3,494
TattaPani 17 0.66 16% 36% 47% 100% 40% 23% 32% 3% 1% 100% - Kotli
Pools and Glides
136. Water surface slope is usually close to zero in this case. The types of pools found in the Poonch River are mainly:
▪ Straight scour pools, formed by mid–channel scour, generally with a broad scour hole and symmetrical cross section, and
▪ Lateral scour pools, formed by flow impinging against one stream bank or partial obstruction (logs, root wad, or bedrock), generally asymmetrical cross section, and includes corner pools.
137. Glides are generally uniform depth and flow with no surface turbulence. Gradient is low, with a 0 to 1% slope. Glides may have some small scour areas, but are distinguished from pools by their overall homogeneity and lack of structure, and are generally deeper than riffles with few major flow obstructions and low habitat complexity.
Riffles
138. Flow in riffles is fast, turbulent, and shallow over submerged or partially submerged gravel and cobble substrata. Cross sections are generally broad and relatively uniform. Gradient is low, with usually a 0.5% to 2.0% slope. As can be observed in the Table 4.1 above, almost half of the length of this segment consists of Riffles.
Rapids
139. Flow in rapds is swift and turbulent including chutes and some hydraulic jumps swirling around boulders. Exposed substrata composed of individual boulders, boulder clusters, and partial bars. Gradient is moderate, with usually a 2.0% to 4.0% slope.
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4.2.10 Land Use Type and Vegetation 140. Based on the study methodology and subsequent findings of the Gulpur study, an area of 3 km from the river bank on both sides of the Poonch river was selected to show broad variations in vegetation along the river course.
141. As shown in Table 4.1 above, agriculture accounts for about 40% of the land use with forests being the second main use of land with a predominance of Pine forests (32%) followed by Scrub forests (23%).
142. Residential area accounts for only 3% of the land use with houses generally being compact and located within agricultural areas.
143. Along this stretch from Tatta Pani to Kotli, river and nullahs account for only 1% of the land use along this stretch of the river.
4.2.11 Land Ownership 144. The land on the hills generally belongs to the Forest Department. The land on the high benches within hilly areas, however proprietary, is used for cultivation and settlements. The river and nullah (stream) beds along with the adjacent slopes are owned by the government.
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Figure 4.5: Seismic Zones of Pakistan
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4.2.12 Water Quality 145. The water quality of the river is appropriate for irrigation and other non– consumptive purposes. The river water is not suitable for drinking and cooking as it is contaminated by the wastewater effluent from towns, villages and settlements established along the river as well as located in the river drainage area. This particularly implies for the Kotli town.
146. As part of the ESIA for the Gulpur hydropower project, sampling and analysis of the water quality parameters in the Poonch river was undertaken to assess its suitability for aquatic environment. Grab samples were taken by the ESIA study team at one location upstream of Kotli town and at one location downstream of Kotli town. The Table 4.2 provides the results of the laboratory analysis. Samples were taken by their team in the low flow dry season when there was no rain in order to ensure the pollutant concentrations would be highest.
147. The analysis shows that all the toxic metals are below the limits set in the National Standards for Drinking Water (NSDW). Levels of all other parameters do not indicate any concern for aquatic environment. The water quality is characteristic of a river fed by snow melt, rainfall, and springs in a mountain environment with little or no industrial activity and low population density in the catchment. An increase in level of nitrates downstream of Kotli is indicative of nutrients added by flow of sewage from Kotli town into the river. The dissolved oxygen in the river is reported to be above 7.5 mg/l in summer, and above 8.5 mg/l in winter, which indicates well-oxygenated waters for supporting aquatic life10.
Table 4.2: River Water Quality
Parameters Unit LOR11 NSDW12 WHO Upstream of Downstream of Kotli Town Kotli Town
Silver ug/l 1 - - ND ND
Aluminium ug/l 1 <200 200 103 84
Arsenic ug/l 1 ≤50 10 ND ND
Boron ug/l 1 300 300 6 10
Barium ug/l 1 700 700 46 41
Cadmium ug/l 1 10 3 ND ND
Chromium ug/l 1 ≤50 50 ND ND
10 Kramer, D.L. 1987. Dissolved oxygen and fish behavior. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 18(2):81-92. 11 Level of Reporting 12 S,R.O. 1062 (I)/2010, National Environmental Quality Standards for drinking water
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Copper ug/l 1 2000 2000 7 5
Iron mg/l 0.001 ≤1.5 1.5 0.394 0.425
Mercury ug/l 1 ≤1 1 ND ND
Manganese ug/l 1 ≤500 500 57 62
Nickel ug/l 1 ≤20 20 17 18
Lead ug/l 1 ≤50 1 ND ND
Antimony ug/l 1 <20 20 ND ND
Selenium ug/l 1 ≤10 10 ND ND
Zinc ug/l 1 5000 3000 1 8
BOD mg/l 5 - - ND ND
COD mg/l 4 - - ND 4.99
Nitrate mg/l 0.001 - - 1.710 4.05
Phosphate mg/l 0.001 - - ND ND
TDS mg/l 10 <1000 <1000 104.0 108.0
TSS mg/l 4 - 150 4.0 4 pH - 0.1 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 7.82 8.12
Temp. °C 1 - - 9.7 10.3
Groundwater
148. The Project area in Kotli district is devoid of any large aquifer. This is because of the stony formation of the area and steep slopes of the mountains. However, limited quantity of groundwater is available in Kotli Valley that is exploited for supply of potable water to the town. The consumptive requirement of the communities at other places is generally met from the spring water. It has been observed that the settlements are located where spring water is available in addition to the availability of level ground for housing and cultivation.
4.2.13 Hydrology 149. A stream gauging station on Poonch river is being maintained at Rehman Bridge near Kotli by WAPDA since 1960. Measurements include stream flows and suspended sediment concentrations. Rehman Bridge Gauging station is located just downstream of Bann Nullah about 5 km southeast of Kotli town.
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150. Stream flow record of Poonch River at Rehman Bridge for the period 1960 to 2011 available in the form of mean daily flows was used to present inflow time series. The mean monthly flows and runoff in Poonch river are provided as Figure 4.6 whereas the mean annual flows are shown as Figure 4.7 below.
Figure 4.6: Monthly Flows and Runoff of Poonch river13
Figure 4.7: Mean Annual Flows of Poonch river14
13 ESIA for Gulpur Hydropower Project, 2014 14 ESIA for Gulpur Hydropower Project, 2014
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Poonch river
151. The main surface water resource of the project area is the Poonch river, which flows along Kotli– Mirpur road and enters into Mangla reservoir. Poonch river is a main tributary of Jhelum river and initiates from the Indian side of Kashmir, draining into the south side of Pir Panjal Range. Like other rivers of Pakistan and AJK, Poonch river exhibits seasonal variations in the discharges.
152. The Poonch river and most of its tributaries originate from mountains ranging in elevation from 3,000 m to 4,500 m above mean sea level. Consequently, the mountains remain covered with snow cap for part of the year that contributes to the river discharges. However, the major contribution in the annual flows comes from the monsoon rains that are spread from July to September. The configuration of the drainage area combined with the cloud bursts during monsoon results in instantaneous flood peaks in the Poonch river in a short period after the rains.
4.2.14 Geomorphology of Catchment 153. Geomorphology provides an appropriate basis of classification for describing the physical habitat of riparian and aquatic ecosystems, since the geomorphological processes that shape river channel determine the material from which the channel is formed, the shape of the channel, and the stability of its bed and banks. The channel geomorphology in turn determines the substrate conditions for the riverine fauna and flora and the hydraulic conditions at any given flow discharge. Structural changes to the river channel (damage to the riparian zone, sediment inputs from catchment erosion or reservoir induced changes in the flow regime) can cause long-term irreversible effects for biota.15
154. The geology of the upper catchment is a mix of volcanic rocks, whose layers can be several thousand meters thick, as well as sedimentary rocks and occasional limestones. Lacustrine clays and shales occur near Pir Panjal. This is a region of geologically rapid uplift, and the steep, deeply incised rivers are characterized by very high sediment transport potentials. Landslides on the slopes of the very steep valleys are common and represent a significant source of sediment introduction to the channels.
155. The valleys of the upper catchment are dominated by forests and characterized by a very steep, fast channel within a narrow, confined valley. From the Line of Control (LOC) to the town of Kotli, the river gradient remains very steep (6.9- 8.3 m/km), but the gradient begins to decrease below Kotli and the river eventually flows in to the Mangla Lake (Reservoir) in the Mirpur district of AJK.
15 Kochel, R.C. 1988. Geomorphic Impact of Large Floods: review and new perspectives on magnitude and frequency. In Baker, V.R., Kochel, R.C. and Patton, P.C. (eds) Flood Geomorphology. Wiley- Interscience, New York, 169-87.
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4.3 Ecology Baseline 156. This section provides a summary of the terrestrial and aquatic ecological resources in the Ecological study area focusing on fish fauna, macro–invertebrates, floral diversity and habitats, mammals, reptiles and birds.
157. This baseline information is based on the field and research work done in the project area as well as in and around the Poonch river from 2009 to 2017 by the author and the team of experts engaged for this study. The secondary data available in different research papers and reports was also used, wherever necessary.
4.3.1 Ecological Study area 158. The term “Ecological Study area‟ is used to jointly refer to both the Aquatic and Terrestrial study areas. The river banks and areas within 500 m on either side of the river have been included in the Aquatic study area and sampling for vegetation, mammals, herpetofauna and birds has been conducted in these riparian habitats. The sampling locations are shown in Figure 4.8 below.
159. The report is based on the data collected in different seasons of the years, mainly the spring, summer and autumn seasons when the activity of the fauna is high and the plants are in flowering stage.
4.3.2 Scope 160. The specific tasks covered under this ecological baseline study included:
▪ A review of the available literature on the biodiversity of the Ecological Study area. ▪ Field surveys including: • Qualitative and quantitative assessment of flora, mammals, reptiles, birds and invertebrates. • Identification of key species, their population and their conservation status in the country and worldwide. • Reports of wildlife sightings in the Ecological Study Area by the resident communities. ▪ Analysis of ecological interaction of selected species with the environment. ▪ Analysis was also carried out to further develop the basis for evaluating the potential impacts of Project related activities on the biodiversity, specifically seeking any potential critical habitat and ecosystem services in the Ecological study area.
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Figure 4.8: Selected Sampling Stations along the Poonch river
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4.3.3 Methodology (i) Sampling of Fish Fauna
Selection of Sampling Stations
161. A general survey of the Poonch river was conducted to identify sampling sites. The sampling sites were selected keeping in mind the major activity areas of Mahasher and Kashmir catfish especially the breeding areas. Special concentration was paid on the sites where various nullahs meet the river Poonch. These were mainly the confluences of the Poonch river with Mangla reservoir and confluences of the Golpur Nullah, Ban Nullah, Rangar Nullah, Nail Nulla, Hajeera Nullah and Mehandri Nullah with the Poonch river. The entrance of the Poonch River into AJK was also selected one of the sites to cover the whole stretch of the river. Tattapani area was also selected as one of the sites due its specific nature as the fish concentrates in this area during the extreme winter due to hot water springs.
Fish Sampling Strategy
162. Recognized techniques for fish surveys include bank-side counts, trapping, cast netting, seine netting, gill netting and electro-fishing. Bank–side counts are preferred on the banks of clear shallow streams and would not be suitable given the large span of the river and turbidity of the water in the Poonch river. Trapping is suitable for specific species using specific baits. Gill netting and seine netting is mainly done in lakes, slow moving rivers or side pools along the river side. Electro– fishing was used in suitable shallow side stream and tributaries of the river. Keeping in mind the constraints regarding different sampling strategies, cast netting technique and electrofishing was mainly used during the summer season and gill nets were used in pools during the winter season when flows are gentle.
▪ Cast netting
163. The fish fauna in running waters was collected using cast with mesh sizes 2 x 2 cm, having a circumference of 4m. The cast net had the lead weight so that it could not float with the fast-flowing water. The net was not immediately dragged after cast but was delayed so that maximum fish could be trapped in the pockets. One cast of net was made at about 10 meters apart from the first one. In this way, 10 casts of net were made along a length of 100 m, starting from downstream to upstream to minimize the impact of adjacent netting. The cast nets which were entangled in the rocks or were not cast in a proper way were not counted but the alternate net was cast at a distance of 10m upstream as the net once cast, disturb the area and fish moves from that spot.
▪ Gill netting
164. Gill nets were used in pools and in the slow moving stretches of the river. The gill net consisted of net attached between the head rope and the foot rope. Three gill nets of different mesh sizes were used during the survey. One gill net was 30 m x 5
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m with the mesh size of 3.5 cm and the other was 30m x 5m with a mesh size of 3 cm and 2 cm.
▪ Electro-fishing
165. Electrofishing was used to sample fish populations to determine abundance, density and species composition when required. Electrofishing was conducted only in the tributaries in shallow wade able waters. Generally, 200m2 stretch was covered for electrofishing, approximately 3m to 5m wide and 40m to 70m long. The equipment used for electrofishing was the Smith Root LR-24. Fish stunned were collected using scoop nets. Electrofishing was not conducted in the December 2015 survey as capture rates when tested in the tributaries were observed to be very low.
Specimen Handling
166. The specimen collected from each sampling point were collected in a bucket and were photographed and identified in the field. Number of specimens of each species was counted and then released. The voucher specimens were preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution in the field. Large specimens were given an incision in the belly to ensure proper preservation. All the specimen data and the relevant auxiliary information were recorded in the data sheet specially designed for these studies.
Physico-Chemical data
167. Physico-chemical factors were recorded from each sampling station along with the fish data. These factors included the water temperature, dissolved oxygen, altitude, coordinates, pH, water speed and river bed. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, altitude, coordinates and pH were recorded by using scientific gadgets, the water speed was calculated by using floaters and the river bed was noted by visual observations.
(ii) Sampling of Macro-Invertebrates
Sampling Strategy
168. A representative 100 m reach was selected at each sampling station with each sampling site being comprised of equally distant five transects spread over 100 meters from lower point at downstream to upstream. The sampling site was divided into five points as shown in Figure 4.9 below.
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Figure 4.9: Sampling design at each sampling site
E
D
C
Reach 100 m 100 Reach
River flow River
Sampling would be be would Sampling up by moving done river the stream of B
20 meters
A
169. Different types of habitat (particularly cobbled and boulder substrates) were sampled. Sampling was begun at the downstream end of the reach to upstream. The sample was collected by two persons (first person hold D-frame dip net facing second person that help to disturb substrate by kicks). A total of 20 kicks were taken over the length of the stretch from all possible substrates. Four kicks were made at each transect. A total area of 3.1 m2 was disturbed. The samples were then combined to obtain a single homogeneous sample. After every 2 kicks and more often if necessary, the collected material was washed by running clean water through the net for two to three times. Then, it was transferred to a white enameled tray and thoroughly checked for all wooden debris.
170. Then sample was transferred to preservation bottle having sufficient 5-10% formalin solution. External label was written with sampling locality, date of collection and collector name on external upper side of lid and lower bottom of sample container. An interior label written in pencil on waterproof paper was inserted as a backup. At last sampling bottle was placed inside an air tight ½ barrel hard plastic drum to avoid inhalation of formalin fumes and safe transportation during field operations.
171. In the laboratory of Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Insect repository, first of all each sample was put into a sieve of 500 mesh size and rinsed with running water (to remove traces of Formalin). Macro invertebrates were sorted form samples, identified and transferred to 75-80% Ethanol (alcohol) along with interior
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pencil written field label. The remaining sample was separately preserved for future reference.
172. Macroinvertebrates were counted by taking sample as whole. Sub-sampling procedure was adapted for counting of zooplanktons. First sample were diluted to 200ml. Then, a sub-sample of 6ml was drawn from 200ml sample with the help of 2mm wide mouth pipette. Sub-sample was poured into watch glass and further diluted to count organisms under Stereo zoom microscope. The total number of individuals of each taxa in a sub-sample was amplified by unitary mathematics to get total number of individuals of each taxa in the 200ml sample.
173. Macroinvertebrate were identified up to genus level (except Chironomidae, Tabanidae, Tipulidae, Simulidae, Psephinidae, Elmidae, Gomphidae and water mites were identified up to family level) at Insect Repository, Zoological Sciences Division, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad. Organisms were magnified with the help of Kyowa Stereo zoom Microscope by using identification keys given in (Edmondson, 1959; Ali 1967, Ali 1970, Ali, 1971; Khatoon & Ali, 1975 abc, 1976 ab, 1977 ab; Bouchard 2004).
Data Analysis
174. The benthic macroinvertebrate data were presented in the form of number of individuals and relative abundance (data with in parenthesis) along with feeding habit and pollution tolerance values. Feeding habit and pollution tolerance values were taken from Hilsenhoff, 1988; Barbour et al., 1999; Bode et al., 1996, 2002; Hauer & Lamberti, 1996). There are several numerical indices in use, which quantitatively describe the different level of diversity and evenness in sample collected from different localities of an area (Simpson, 1949, Hammer et al., 2001, Magurran, 2004). These commonly used diversity indices are given below with their formulae.
s • Shannon Diversity Index = H = – ∑ i (pi) (loge pi)
• Shannon index of Evenness = H / loge (S)
• Simpson Index of Dominance = D = ∑ ni (ni – 1) / N (N – 1)
• Simpson Diversity Index = 1– D = 1 – ∑ ni (ni – 1) / N (N – 1)
175. The description of symbol used in above formulae are given below
• N = the total number of individuals in the sample (N - not italic - is used for Hill's numbers) • S = the number of species in the sample. • ni = the number of individuals of species i in the sample, Σ ni = N. • pi = the proportion of individuals of species i in the sample, pi = ni/N. • loge = ln = natural log
Diversity indices were analyzed by using PAST software and displayed on clustered column chart.
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(iii) Sampling of Reptiles and Amphibians
Sampling Strategy
176. The activities of amphibians and reptiles are highly seasonal and are influenced by the variation of weather even on a daily basis due to their ectothermic and cryptic nature. It is more fruitful to survey them during their active periods. Amphibians are usually most active just after dusk during their breeding seasons while many diurnal reptiles such as skinks or other lizards are active in mid-morning. However, many other nocturnal reptiles such as certain snakes and geckos would only be active at night.
177. Most amphibians and reptiles go into hibernation during winter. They would be under-estimated if surveys were carried out during this time. As such, it would be essential to survey herpetofauna at appropriate timings in order to collect a representative baseline for assessment. Indeed, many reptiles such as snakes and lizards are timid, secretive, fast-moving and cryptically colored which render survey on reptiles difficult and therefore reptiles tend to be under-represented in ecological surveys in general. More intensive surveys with appropriate survey methodologies would rectify such limitation.
178. There are standard methods for the studies of Amphibians and Reptiles (Foster and Gent, 1996; Heyer et al., 1994; Hayek and Martin, 1997). All these techniques have been summarized in the EIAO Guidance Note, 2004. A brief summary is given here.
Active Searching
179. An effective way to survey amphibians and reptiles is by active searching, particularly during the daytime. This method is equally applicable for both nocturnal and diurnal species. The study area was actively searched for potential breeding areas of amphibians (e.g. marsh, small water pools, water channels) and suitable microhabitats for both amphibians and reptiles (e.g. stones, pond bunds, crevices, leaf litter/debris, rotten log). These places were deliberately uncovered to search for the eggs and tadpoles of amphibians in aquatic habitats or to reveal the presence of the amphibians and reptiles hiding under these covers. Active searching was carried out in the whole sites with focus on suitable microhabitats.
180. Searching for the nocturnal species of amphibians and reptiles was carried out in exposed areas of their potential habitats on the ground, along the path or the pond/stream bank. Night survey in rocky terrain around the lakes was difficult as there was always likelihood of venomous snakes, as the author did face; so, long shoes, hand lamps and powerful torches were used for this purpose.
Trapping
181. ‘Pit –fall’ trapping is one of the efficient methods of collecting amphibians and reptiles. Pitfalls however require regular monitoring, which is not possible in short-
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term surveys. It is also not recommended in the rocky terrain and steep slopes. The most suitable place for such traps is the sandy habitat, which yield great success in trapping the animals. The use of drift fences, along which traps are placed, will guide the animals to fall into the traps for better results. Some leaf litter is placed in the set trap to provide cover and moisture for any amphibians and reptiles, trapped inside. The traps are checked regularly within a reasonable time period, at least once per day, to avoid stress and death of trapped animals. In the present studies, the author was unable to place pitfall traps due to the presence of rocky terrain and hard soil.
182. For the “Active Searching” and “Pit-fall Trapping” requisite activities that include Observations, Identification, Collection and Preservation, were made as per plan of the studies.
Signs
183. Presence of signs like impression of body, tail or footprints, faecal pellets, tracks, dens or egg laying excavations, were also some of the suitable methods to find out the existence, range and rough population of amphibian and reptilian fauna.
Hand picking
184. Hand picking (through bare hands or with the help of long forceps or snake clutch), which has been adopted for the present studies, has always been the most efficient way of collecting different species of amphibians and reptiles. However, for larger species like monitor lizard and rock-agama, noose traps or other appropriate techniques were used. For handling snakes, especially poisonous ones, snake clutches/ sticks were used. In addition to Hand picking, “Scoop nets” for shallow water and “cast nets” in large water bodies were used for aquatic reptiles and amphibians. For frogs and toads, auditory detection of mating calls at the breeding sites is considered as an efficient method to find out the species, particularly the more vocal species and therefore a large number of toads were spotted with this method.
Data Records
185. The species collected or observed during the survey were photographed with a digital camera and necessary field data were recorded. The coordinates and elevations were recorded with the help of GPS. The voucher specimens collected were subsequently transported to the PMNH laboratory for future reference.
Preservation of samples
186. The amphibians and reptile species were killed instantly by injecting absolute ethanol in their head. Samples of tissue of all the specimens collected from the study areas were preserved in 95% ethanol for further detailed DNA studies in future. The amphibian or reptile specimens were arranged in a tray or ice-cream container in a position, which showed those features important for identification, e.g. mouth wedged open, one hind leg extended and fingers and toes spread.
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187. Preservative such as 10 % formalin solution or 50-70 % alcohol or methylated spirits solution in water was added to just cover the specimens, and the container was then covered and left until the specimens were set. In case of larger specimens, the author made a slit in the belly and injected preservative to preserve the internal organs. This step was omitted in case of frogs as they have thin and permeable skins, but in case of reptiles, the preservative was injected into their bodies as their skin is impermeable and does not allow any solution to get into. For this purpose regular syringes were used.
188. After that, the specimen was stored in the same preservative in a watertight jar. A waterproof label was added to the jar, giving details of place, date and collector’s name. A label was tied to the specimen written with permanent Indian ink or simple carbon pencil. The same details were stored with tadpole specimens, which do not need to be set, just dropped into preservative.
Identification of species
189. The specimens were identified with the help of most recent keys available in literature (Khan, 2003, 2006).
(iv) Sampling of Birds
Sampling Strategy
190. The survey methodologies for birds mainly included point counts and line transect. Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to record the starting and finishing points of each effort. Species observed to be present were noted in a pocket notebook with lead pencils. A binocular (10 x 50 mm Nikon) was used to observe birds while they were photographed with Olympus digital camera, where possible. Three field guides viz. “Birds of the Indian subcontinent” by Richard Grimmit (2001), “The Book of Indian Birds” by Salim Ali (2002) and “A field guide to the Birds of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives” by Krys Kazmierczak (2006) were used in the field. However, the nomenclature used in this report is adopted from Roberts (1991, 1992).
Line Transect Method
191. The line transects (500 m by 50 m) were placed at each sampling location to record all birds observed. Transects were started early in the morning and in late afternoon and evenings to cover all possible habitats. The birds were identified using the most recent local and international bird identification tools available (Grimmett 2008) .
192. The line transect method was usually used where it was possible to move through the habitat or on the edges of the area. At the beginning of the transect count the starting point was marked with a GPS. As transect proceeded observed species were recorded. The finishing point was also marked at the end of observation.
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Point Count Method
193. In the areas where a moving transect was not possible, point counts were conducted. Such habitats included sandy, muddy or aquatic areas and also where linear movement was. The location was noted with a GPS at the beginning of the point count survey. Normally point count survey was conducted for thirty minutes in which time the species and their numbers were recorded. Usually the radius of the point counts was 100 meters.
(v) Sampling of Large Mammals
Point Counts
194. The technique was used to estimate relative abundance between species, but is only reliable for estimating the absolute density of individual species when repeated many times in many locations or when combined with other methods. A suitable spot was used for this purpose like water drinking point, forging habitat or sometimes bait was used for luring the carnivore species.
Spotlight transects
195. This method was used for establishing the presence and absence of nocturnal species, which are spread out over a large area. It can give some insight as to the relative abundance.
Scat Analysis
196. Scat and hair samples were collected for identification of species as generally large mammals are not easy to see in the field.
Line Transects
197. Line transects (500 m by 20 m) were placed at each sampling location to record all animals or their signs and footprints. All the animals sighted, or their signs (foot marks, droppings, dens) were recorded. GPS coordinates of the location and habitat type were documented. All the incidental sightings of mammals were recorded. Moreover, relevant literature and local peoples were consulted to get anecdotal information about mammalian species of the area.
Secondary data
198. Whenever necessary the records of specimens were verified from the already published literature or distribution maps of different species.
(vi) Sampling of Small Mammals
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Sampling strategy
199. Several standard methods for the study of small mammals are being used the world over (Wilson et.al, 1996, Sutherland, 1996, HMSO,1996). Based on this information, the following method for the study of small mammals has been adopted.
Trapping Technique
a- Bait used: A mixture of different food grains mixed with fragrant seeds was used as bait in Sherman Traps for the attraction of the small mammals. Wheat and rice were used as food grains while peanut butter, coriander, oats and onion were used for fragrance. For Snap Traps mixture of peanut butter and oats was used as bait. b- Traps and trapping procedure: Sherman traps and Snap traps were used for the present studies to collect the live specimens. Fifty traps were set at a specific area of in a grid of 10X10m. The snap traps were set in line transect of 100m setting each trap 2m apart. The traps were checked on the next day. The trapped animals were carefully transferred one after the other into an already weighed transparent polythene bag. Utmost care was done to avoid direct handling and harassing of the specimens. The sex, weight, breeding status, habitat and other necessary data of the specimen were noted. The voucher specimens collected were subsequently preserved in 10% formaldehyde.
Indirect Methods
200. Indirect methods like burrows, footprints, droppings, road kills were also adopted for the study of small mammals.
Sighting
201. Some of the species were directly sighted in the field and whenever possible photographs were also taken
Secondary data
202. Whenever necessary the records of specimens were verified from the already published literature or distribution maps of different species.
(vii) Sampling of Bats
Mist Netting
203. Mist nets placed at the corridors of the species can catch most of the bats, providing a good measure of the absolute density of bats. Where more than one species is present, this method can be used to determine relative abundance.
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(viii) Sampling of Otter
There are many methods for otter surveys and the popular ones used in surveys are as below: Survey of Dens/ Caves/ Crevices
204. The river banks along the deep and long pools were surveyed to see the holts (Dens) of the otters. This technique clearly has value in rivers where otters can make dens along the river bank.
Tracks
205. As otter footprints are very distinct, they are used as evidence of otters during surveys, which use signs to indicate only presence or absence, rather than the abundance, of otters.
Spraints (droppings of otter)
206. The most frequently used technique for detecting the presence of otters, and in some cases estimating their abundance or relative abundance is to search for spraints. Otters frequently deposit spraint (Droppings of the otter) under or near bridges, where footprints are also frequently found. By virtue of its wide use, it has become the ‘standard method’ and was recognized as such in a major review of surveying methods carried out by Reuther et al. (2000). The sites suitable for surveying are mainly selected for ease of access and are usually adjacent to, or centered on, bridges.
Complete searches of long lengths
207. Long lengths of river banks (1-2 km) were surveyed to determine habitat use by otters. In this method, abundance of spraint was used as an indicator of otter activity or habitat.
Interviews with the local people
208. Local people specially the fishermen and boatmen, sand miners were interviewed for presence of the otter in the areas.
(ix) Survey of Vegetation
Riparian vegetation
209. Riparian vegetation on the flood plains and bank side vegetation was sampled via a rapid assessment stratified approach, using three quadrats at each sampling site of 10 × 10 m to measure presence, cover and abundance of vegetation species.
Satellite imagery
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210. For terrestrial habitat characterization, satellite imagery, vegetation cover/land use maps, as well as results from the scoping study were compiled to draw terrestrial habitat maps of the Study Area. The focus was to map out all the vegetation zones particularly the vegetation zones that are river dependent, such as floodplain and marginal vegetation zones. The forest types, grazing areas, agricultural fields and other zones and other relevant defining landscape feature were included.
4.3.4 Fish Diversity of Poonch river 211. River Poonch is rich in fish diversity as 40 fish species have been recorded from a stretch of about 100 km. The diversity is even more in the area where the river Poonch makes its confluence with Mangla Reservoir. This diversity is quite high for a river of this size as compared to other rivers of AJK, the Neelum and Jhelum, which are bigger and longer rivers and have 12 to 32 fish species respectively. The reason is the topography and water temperature of the river Poonch. The Poonch flows gently in a vast and flat valley which provides numerous breeding grounds for the reproduction of fish. Comparatively high temperature of Poonch in the Himalayan rivers and gravely, rocky and the sandy river bed of the river Poonch not only helps for high river productivity but also enhance the breeding capacity of aquatic organisms and their subsequent survival.
212. Forty fish species (Table 4.3 below) have been recorded from the river. Maximum number of fish fauna belongs to the family Cyprinidae which is comprised of 19 species. Other 21 species are divided among 9 families in such a way that five families are represented only by 1 species, one by 4 species, one by two species and three by 3 species. Among the fish fauna of Poonch valley, 3 species are endemic in Pakistan, one is Critically Endangered, one is Endangered, three are Vulnerable, and one is Near Threatened. Quite a good number of species are commercially important. The species Tor putitora, Sperata seenghala and Clupisoma garua are considered among the esteemed fishes and have very high commercial value. The fishes Labeo dyocheilus, Schizothorax plagiostomus, Cyprinus carpio, and Mastacembelus armatus are also quality food fishes. In the lower reaches of the rivers, the species Cirrhinus reba, and Ompok bimaculatus are common and locally used as food.
213. The species Barilius pakistanicus, Labeo dyocheilus, Tor putitora, Crossocheilus latius, Cyprinus carpio, Acanthocobitis botia, Schistura punjabensis, and Botia rostrata are found throughout the stretch of the river Poonch. The species Schizothorax plagiostomus and Glyptothorax pectinopterus are mainly found in the upper reaches of the river while all the other species are found in the lower to middle reaches. The snow trout Schizothorax plagiostomus starts downstream migration from the Indian held Kashmir and is distributed in the lower reaches of the river during the winter season. It constitutes the major component of the fish fauna of the Poonch River during winter season and is caught for local consumption.
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Table 4.3: Fish Fauna recorded from Poonch river
Common Nos. Scientific Name Family English Name Name 1. Chela cachius Cyprinidae Bidda Silver hatchet chela
2. Salmostoma bacaila Cyprinidae Chal Large razorbelly minnow
3. Aspidoparia morar Cyprinidae Chilwa Aspidoparia
4. Barilius pakistanicus Cyprinidae Chal Pakistani baril
5. Barilius vagra Cyprinidae Chal Vagra baril
6. Esomus danricus Cyprinidae Soomara Flying barb
7. Cirrhinus reba Cyprinidae Sunni Reba carp
8. Cyprinion watsoni Cyprinidae Sabzal Cyprinion
9. Labeo dyocheilus Cyprinidae Torki Pakistani Labeo
10. Osteobrama cotio Cyprinidae Palero Cotio
11. Puntius chola Cyprinidae Popra Swamp Barb
12. Puntius sarana Cyprinidae Popra Olive Barb
13. Puntius sophore Cyprinidae Popra Spotfin Swamp Barb
14. Puntius ticto Cyprinidae Popra Two spot Barb
15. Tor putitora Cyprinidae Mahaseer Mahaseer
16. Crossocheilus latius Cyprinidae Chilwa Gangetic latia
17. Garra gotyla Cyprinidae Pathar Sucker head Chat
18. Schizothorax plagiostomus Cyprinidae Malli Snow carp (=richardsonii)
19. Cyprinus carpio Cyprinidae Carp Common carp
20. Acanthocobitis botia Noemacheilidae Kangi Mottled Loach
21. Schistura nalbanti Noemacheilidae Loach Hillstream loach
22. Schistura punjabensis Noemacheilidae Loach Punjab loach
23. Botia lohachata Cobitidae Loach Botia loach
24. Botia rostrata Cobitidae Loach Rostrata loach
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25. Botia birdi Cobitidae Loach Birdi loach
26. Aorichthys seenghala Bagridae Seenghari Giant river cat fish
27. Clupisoma garua Schilbeidae Jhalli Garua bachcha
28. Ompok bimaculatus Siluridae Palu Butter catfish
29. Ompok pabda Siluridae Palu Butter catfish
30. Glyptothorax punjabensis Sisoridae Sangi Punjabi cat fish
31. Glyptothorax naziri Sisoridae Sangi Naziri catfish
32. Glyptothorax kashmirensis Sisoridae Sangi Kashmir catfish
33. Glyptothorax pectinopterus Sisoridae Sangi River cat
34. Glyptothorax stocki Sisoridae Sangi Flat head catfish
35. Channa gachua Channidae Daula Snake head
36. Chanda nama Chandidae Shesha Elongate glass-perchlet
37. Parambasis baculis Chandidae Shesha Himalayan glassy perchlet
38. Parambasis ranga Chandidae Shesha Indian glassy fish
39. Glossogobius giuris Gobiidae Guloo Tank goby
40. Mastacembelus armatus Mastacembelidae Groje Tire—track spiny eel
214. Out of 40 species found in Poonch River, 14 species viz., Barilius pakistanicus, Schistura punjabensis, Schistura nalbanti, Tor putitora, Schizothorax plagiostomus (richardsonii), Botia rostrata, Cyprinus carpio, Ompok bimaculatus and Glyptothorax kashmirensis, are species of special importance (Table 4.4). The species, Barilius pakistanicus, Schistura nalbanti and Schistura punjabensis are endemic in Pakistan. Six species, Tor putitora (Endangered), Glyptothorax kashmirensis (Critically Endangered), Schizothorax plagiostomus (richardsonii) (vulnerable), Cyprinus carpio (vulnerable), Botia rostrata (vulnerable), Ompok bimaculatus (vulnerable) and Ompok bimaculatus (Near Threatened) have special IUCN status. Out of species bearing IUCN status, Tor putitora, Schizothorax plagiostomus (richardsonii, Cyprinus carpio, and Ompok bimaculatus are also commercially important. The other commercially important species are Sperata seenghala, Clupisoma garua, and Mastacembelus armatus.
215. Out of the 40 species found in the Poonch river, only 16 are represented in, up and downstream area of the project (Table 4.5). Out of these 16 species, only 5 species are species of special concern (Table 4.6) consisting of two endemic species (Barilius pakistanicus, Schistura nalbanti), one Endangered (Tor putitora), One
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Critically Endangered (Glyptothorax kashmirensis), and one Vulnerable species (Schizothorax plagiostomus (richardsonii)).
216. The photographs of the different fish species are provided as Figure 4.10 below.
Table 4.4: Species of Special Concern Found in Poonch River, AJK
Distributional IUCN Nos. Scientific Name status Status 1.
Barilius Endemic - pakistanicus 2. Schistura Endemic - nalbanti 3. Schistura Endemic - punjabensis 4.
Tor putitora - Endangered 5.
Glyptothorax - Critically kashmirensis Endangered 6. Schizothorax - Vulnerable plagiostomus (richardsonii) 7. Cyprinus carpio - Vulnerable 8.
Botia rostrata - Vulnerable 9.
Ompok - Near bimaculatus threatened
Table 4.5: Fish Diversity in Project Area – Upstream & Downstream of Bridge Site
Nos. Scientific Name Family English Name Common Name 1. Barilius pakistanicus Cyprinidae Chal Pakistani baril
2. Labeo dyocheilus Cyprinidae Torki Pakistani Labeo
3. Tor putitora Cyprinidae Mahaseer Mahaseer
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4. Crossocheilus latius Cyprinidae Chilwa Gangetic latia
5. Garra gotyla Cyprinidae Pathar Chat Sucker head
6. Schizothorax plagiostomus Cyprinidae Malli Snow carp (=richardsonii)
7. Acanthocobitis botia Noemacheilidae Kangi Mottled Loach
8. Schistura nalbanti Noemacheilidae Loach Hillstream loach
9. Botia lohachata Cobitidae Loach Botia loach
10. Botia birdi Cobitidae Loach Birdi loach
11. Glyptothorax punjabensis Sisoridae Sangi Punjabi cat fish
12. Glyptothorax naziri Sisoridae Sangi Naziri catfish
13. Glyptothorax kashmirensis Sisoridae Sangi Kashmir catfish
14. Glyptothorax pectinopterus Sisoridae Sangi River cat
15. Glyptothorax stocki Sisoridae Sangi Flat head catfish
16. Mastacembelus armatus Mastacembelidae Groje Tire—track spiny eel
Table 4.6: Species of Special Concern Found in Project Area
No. Scientific Name Distributional status IUCN Status
1. Barilius Endemic - pakistanicus 2. Schistura Endemic - nalbanti 3. Tor putitora - Endangered
4. Glyptothorax - Critically kashmirensis Endangered 5. Schizothorax - Vulnerable plagiostomus (richardsonii)
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Figure 4.10: Photographs of Fish Species16
4.3.5 Macro-Invertebrate Diversity of Poonch river 217. Benthic macro invertebrates are an important part of the food chain, especially for fish. Many invertebrates feed on algae and bacteria, which are on the lower end of the food chain. Some shred and eat leaves and other organic matter that enters the water. Because of their abundance and position as “middlemen” in the aquatic food chain, benthos plays a critical role in the natural flow of energy and nutrients (Williams & Feltmate, 1992). Ali, 1971 reported five orders of benthic invertebrates including Oligocheats, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Chironomidae and Tabanidae from Poonch River. But it provided very limited information about assemblage benthic macro invertebrates and organisms were identified upto order level. The surveys carried out during various years provide baseline information on benthic macro-invertebrates assemblage of Poonch River.
16 ESIA for Gulpur Hydropower Project, 2014.
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Macro-Invertebrate Fauna
218. The data of Table 4.7 shows the overall picture of macro-invertebrates families collected from four sampling stations. Nineteen families of macro- invertebrates were identified on the basis of benthic macro-invertebrate individuals collected during the whole study period.
Table 4.7: Number of Benthic Macro-invertebrate fauna of Poonch River
S. No. Taxa (Family) Genus Total no. of Feeding Habit Tolerance Individuals Value 1 Perlidae Neoperla sp. 95 (0.97) Predator 2 2 Baetidae Baetis sp. (two tailed) 875 (8.9) Collector gatherer 5 3 Baetis sp. (three tailed) 3051 (31.1) Collector gatherer 5 4 Pseudocloeon sp. 218 (2.2) Collector gatherer 5 5 Caenidae Caenis sp. 249 (2.5) Collector gatherer 6 6 Heptageniidae Heptagenia sp. 374 (3.8) Scraper 3 7 Rithrogena sp. 7 (0.07) Scraper 3 8 Leptophebiidae Choroterpes sp. 282 (2.8) Collector gatherer 3 9 Ephemerellidae Ephemerella sp. 52 (0.53) Collector gatherer 1 10 Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche sp. 1173 (12.0) Collector filterer 4 11 Philopotamiidae Chimarra sp. 325 (3.3) Collector filterer 3 12 Chironimidae - 820 (8.3) Unknown 8 13 Tabanidae - 17 (0.17) Collector gatherer & Predator 6 14 Tipulidae - 15 (0.15) Unknown 3 15 Antocha sp. 100 (1.0) Collector gatherer 3 16 Simulidae - 1465 (14.9) Collector filterer 6 17 Atherixidae Atherix sp. 7 (0.07) Predator 6 18 Psephenidae - 24 (0.24) Scraper 4 19 Elmidae - 426 (4.3) Scraper 4 20 Aphelocheiridae Aphelocheirus sp. 8 (0.08) Predator 0 or 1 21 Corydalidae Corydalus sp. 9 (0.09) Predator 4 22 Gomphidae - 4 (0.04) Predator 1 23 Water mites - 200 (2.0) Predator 6 Total no. of Individuals 9796
Results and Discussions on the Macro-invertebrates
219. The macro-invertebrate fauna of the Poonch river is shown in the Table 5. This fauna is in conformity with the earlier few reports from the river. Ali 1971, reported five orders of benthic invertebrates including Oligocheats, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Chironomidae and Tabanidae from Poonch River which was very less from current study. The most abundant organism in the present study belonged to Beatis sp. (three tailed) with 3051 individuals followed by family Simulidae (Diptera) 1465 individuals and Hydropsyche sp. (Hydropsychidae) 1173 individuals. A very small number of specimens were identified from family Rithrogena sp., Atherix sp., Corydalus sp. and Gomphidae (Odonata).
220. Genus Aphelocheirus sp. has been recorded for the first time from Pakistan. Species of the genus Aphelocheirus Westwood are remarkable water bugs, morphologically and ecologically. They are highly adapted to a benthic life in clean streams and rivers by specialized nutrition, locomotion, and respiration. Because of
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the destruction of the tropical rain forests, many species became rare. Therefore, until now, knowledge of the distribution of the Aphelocheirus species has been poor; and findings of Aphelocheirus are always "special events" for water bug researchers (Zettel, 1999).
221. The pollution tolerance values analysis indicated that only four highly intolerant taxa (with mean richness 2.5 taxa which was 16.6% of the total taxa collected and mean abundance 39.7 individuals which was 2.9% of the total individuals count) including Neoplera sp., Ephemerella sp., Aphelocheirus sp. and Gomphidae (Odonata) were recoded from Poonch. Chironomidae was the most tolerant taxa (with mean richness of 0.75 taxa which was 5.2% of total taxa collected and mean abundance was 205 individuals which were 10.8% of the total individuals count). While, remaining twenty taxa were moderately tolerant to pollution.
222. The diversity indices of macro-invertebrates were calculated for four sites. Minimum dominance and maximum evenness scores resulted good Simpson and Shannon diversity index score respectively which indicate that benthic macro invertebrates assemblage is highly equitable in distribution at particular ecosystem and support number of species in given time and space. According to above study, sampling station S3 was highly even with least dominance score therefore it yield highest Simpson and Shannon diversity index score which indicate benthic macroinvertebrates assemblage was highly equitable in distribution and could support number of species in given space and time. Similarly at sampling station S2 benthic macroinvertebrates assemblage dominance score was higher due to Simulidae 53.9% of total count but it resulted in lower evenness, Simpson and Shannon score.
Figure 4.11: Dominance of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch river
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Figure 4.12: Simpson diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River
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Figure 4.13: Shanon Weiver diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River
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Figure 4.14: Evenness of benthic macroinvertebrates at Poonch River
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4.3.6 Terrestrial Ecological Resources 223. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) harbours a high reptilian diversity due to its unique topography (Baig 1998). The Poonch River Basin, where the Study Area is located, has a distinct altitudinal range and relatively high precipitation leading to high diversity of herpeto-fauna overlapping with the fauna of the northern regions and Potwar Plateau. A total of 35 amphibian and reptiles have been reported from downstream and upstream areas of the project site (Table 4.8).
Table 4.8: List of recorded amphibians and reptiles along Project Site
SCIENTIFIC COMMON FAMILY IUCN ENDEMISM CITES NO. NAME NAME STATUS LISTING INDUS BUFONIDAE LEAST - - Duttaphrynus. 1. VALLEY CONCERN STOMATICUS TOAD (LC) DUTTAPHRYNUS HAZARA BUFONIDAE LC - - 2. MELANOSTICTUS TOAD seudepidalea SWAT GREEN BUFONIDAE LC - - 3. PSEUDORADDEI TOAD KASHMIR DICROGLOSSIDAE NOT ENDEMIC - Allopaa 4. TORRENT EVALUATED barmoachensis FROG (NE) EUPHLYCTIS SKITTERING Dicroglossidae LC - - 5. CYANOPHLYCTIS FROG Fejevarya Alpine cricket Dicroglossidae LC - - 6. limnocharis frog
Sphaerotheca Indian Dicroglossidae LC - - 7.
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breviceps Burrowing Frog
MICROHYLA MICROHYLIDAE LC - - 8. ANT FROG ORNATE) Uperodon systoma Marbled MICROHYLIDAE LC - - 9. Baloon Frog
Laudakia agrorensis AGRORE AGAMIDAE LC - - 10. (Stoliczka, 1872) VALLEY AGAMA Calotes versicolor Asian Garden AGAMIDAE NOT - - 11. Lizard EVALUATED
HEMIDACTYLUS HOUSE GEKKONIDAE NOT - - 12. FLAVIVIRIDIS GECKO EVALUATED SPOTTED GEKKONIDAE NOT - - HEMIDACTYLUS 13. HOUSE EVALUATED BROOKII GECKO Cyrtopodian ROHTAS GEKKONIDAE NOT ENDEMIC - 14. rohtasfortai GECKO EVALUATED LACERTIDAE LC - - RUGOSE 15. Ophisops jerdonii SPECTACLED LACERTA Eutropis dissimilis STRIPED SCINCIDAE NOT - - 16. GRASS EVALUATED Ablepharus AsianSKINK S nake- SCINCIDAE NOT - - 17. pannonicus eyed Skink EVALUATED
VARANUS BENGAL VARANIDAE LC - I 18. BENGALENSIS MONITOR INDIAN PYTHONIDAE NEAR - II PYTHON 19. ROCK THREATENED MOLURUS PYTHON BUFF- COLUBRIDAE NOT - - AMPHIESMA 20. STRIPED EVALUATED STOLATUM KEELBACK Lycodon aulicus Common COLUBRIDAE NOT - - 21. Wolfsnake EVALUATED
Oligodon arnensis Russet Kukri COLUBRIDAE NOT - - 22. Snake EVALUATED
Platyceps Jan's Cliff COLUBRIDAE NOT - - 23. rhodorachis Racer EVALUATED
Ptyas mucosus Dhaman or Rat COLUBRIDAE NOT - II 24. Snake EVALUATED
Sibynophis Cantor's Black- COLUBRIDAE NOT - - sagittarius headed EVALUATED 25. Snake
Spalerosophis Black-headed COLUBRIDAE NOT - - 26. atriceps Royal EVALUATED Snake Xenochrophis Checkered COLUBRIDAE NOT - III 27. piscator Keelback EVALUATED
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Bungarus caeruleus Common krait ELAPIDAE NOT - - 28. EVALUATED BROWN ELAPIDAE DATA - II 29. NAJA OXIANA COBRA DEFICIENT Typhlops Kashmir TYPHLOPIDAE NOT ENDEMIC - 30. madgemintonai Slender EVALUATED Typhlops ahsanuli Ahsanul;s TYPHLOPIDAE NOT ENDEMIC - 31. Worm snake EVALUATED Typhlops diardi Kashmir Blind TYPHLOPIDAE NOT ENDEMIC - 32. platyventris snake EVALUATED
Gloydius Himalayan VIPERIDAE NOT - - 33. himalayanus Pitviper EVALUATED Daboia russelii Russell's Chain VIPERIDAE NOT III 34. Viper EVALUATED Echis carinatus Sochurek's VIPERIDAE NOT - - 35. sochureki Saw-scaled EVALUATED Viper
Figure 4.15: Photographs of Herpeto Fauna of Poonch river area
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4.3.7 Bird Fauna of Poonch river area General Overview
224. Comprising about 13% of the world avian diversity, Indian subcontinent has around 1300 species of birds (Grimmett et al., 1998). The assessment and estimation of bird communities has been considered as important tool in biodiversity conservation efforts (Shafiq et al., 1997). In understanding biodiversity, altitudinal gradients for the bird distribution give exceedingly useful clues (McCain, 2009). Bird distributions are particularly important as because they are commonly used as indicators of ecological conditions (Schrag et al., 2009). Birds are considered as important health indicators of the ecological conditions and productivity of an ecosystem (Li and Mundkur, 2007). While addressing the environmental problems of an area, birds can be used as very appropriate bio-indicators suggesting the status of biodiversity in general (Bhatt and Joshi, 2011).
225. Birds occupy almost all habitat types and diversity of birds often serves as a good indication of overall diversity of a given area (Furness and Greenwood, 1993). Birds are also known to be respond to any kind of changes to their ambient conditions hence can be used as bio indicator (Padoa–Schioppa et al., 2006). Biodiversity estimation applying short span studies are becoming ever popular and in this regard preparation of checklists of birds on a wider scale has been given much
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importance (Roy et al., 2011). Birds are playing a major role as pollinators, consumers, dispersers of plant seeds and predators of insects. Each species has its own unique ecological niche. Birds not only help in pollination, but also help to biologically control the pest populations. These birds help to maintain the various carnivorous and omnivorous populations of the world and are reared worldwide for not only this purpose but for products such as downs feathers too (Simeone et al., 2002).
226. Of the total Pakistan’s bird species, 30% visit the country for a significant period of the year as long distance migrants, 43% are either Palearctic species visiting Pakistan only for breeding and 28% are regular winter visitors, which breed mainly in trans-Himalayan northern regions (Roberts, 1992).The information about avian distribution across different habitats and Himalayan elevation zones across the region is scarce, fragmented and preliminary (Ali & Ripley, 1998). The study area is unexplored in terms of avifauna that’s why the data one species diversity and distribution range is quite insufficient.
Bird Species found in and around Project Area
227. A total of 61 species belonging to 32 families have been recorded during multiple studies conducted in the area (Table 4.9). The area is a transitional zone between plains and foothills of Himalayas. It provides the diverse habitat to the bird species such as winter migrant from higher altitude and summer migrant from lower altitudes. Analysis revealed that the transitional zone of habitat have higher bird diversity and species richness. Analysis of data on residential status revealed that out of 61 bird species, 76% were year round resident, remaining were summer breeders, winter visitors and passage migrant. The Abundance, Relative Abundance, % Relative Abundance and Encounter rate of different species are given below.
Table 4.9: Bird Species Found in and Around the Project Area
No. Order Family Common Scientific Name IUCN Resident Name Status Status 1. Passeriformes Laniidae Bay backed Lanius vittatus LC SB shrike 2. Passeriformes Laniidae Rufous- Lanius schach LC YRR backed or long tailed shrike 3. Passeriformes Corvidae Tree pie Dendrocitta LC YRR vagabunda 4. Passeriformes Corvidae House crow Corvus splendens LC YRR
5. Passeriformes Corvidae Large billed Corvus LC YRR crow macrorhynchos 6. Passeriformes Corvidae Common Corvus corax LC YRR raven 7. Passeriformes Corvidae Black headed Garrulus LC YRR jay lanceolatus
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8. Passeriformes Dicruridae Black drongo Dicrurus LC YRR macrocercus 9. Passeriformes Sturnidae Indian myna Acridotheres tristis LC YRR
10. Passeriformes Pycnonotidae White Pycnonotus LC YRR cheeked leucogenys bulbul 11. Passeriformes Pycnonotidae Red vented Pycnonotus cafer LC YRR bulbul 12. Passeriformes Pycnonotidae Asian Black Hypsipetes LC YRR Bulbul leucocephalus 13. Passeriformes Motacillidae White Motacilla alba LC WV wagtail 14. Passeriformes Motacillidae White Motacilla LC YRR browed madaraspatensis wagtail 15. Passeriformes Motacillidae Paddy field Anthus rufulus LC YRR pipit 16. Passeriformes Motacillidae Tree pipit Anthus trivialis LC SB
17. Passeriformes Nectaribiidae Purple sun Cinnyris asiaticus LC YRR bird 18. Passeriformes Muscicapidae Pied bush Saxicola caprata LC YRR chat 19. Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Saxicola torquata LC PM bush chat 20. Passeriformes Muscicapidae Indian robin Luscinia brunnea LC YRR
21. Passeriformes Muscicapidae Oriental Copsychus saularis LC YRR magpie robin 22. Passeriformes Muscicapidae Blue caped Phoenicurus LC SB redstart caeruleocephala 23. Passeriformes Muscicapidae White-tailed Saxicola leucurus LC YRR Stonechat 24. Passeriformes Timaliidae Jungle Turdoides striatus LC YRR babbler 25. Passeriformes Timaliidae Common Turdoides caudatus LC YRR babbler 26. Passeriformes Timaliidae Striated Garrulax striatus LC YRR laughing thrush 27. Passeriformes Sylviidae Lesser Sylvia curruca LC WV whitethroat 28. Passeriformes Alaudidae Indian bush Mirafra LC YRR lark erythroptera 29. Passeriformes Passeridae House Passer domesticus LC YRR sparrow 30. Passeriformes Cisticolidae Striated Prinia crinigera LC YRR prinia 31. Passeriformes Cisticolidae Grey brested Prinia hodgsonii LC YRR prinia 32. Passeriformes Cisticolidae Rufous- Prinia buchanani LC YRR fronted prinia
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33. Passeriformes Cisticolidae Graceful Prinia gracilis LC YRR prinia 34. Passeriformes Sylviidae Blunt winged Acrocephalus LC SB warbler concinens 35. Passeriformes Sylviidae Oriental Zosterops LC YRR white eye palpebrosus 36. Passeriformes Turdidae Blue Myophonus LC SB whistling caeruleus thrush 37. Passeriformes Monarchidae Asian Terpsiphone LC SB paradise paradisi flycatcher 38. Passeriformes Sturnidae Brahminy Sturnia pagodarum LC YRR Starling 39. Passeriformes Estrildidae Scaly- Lonchura LC YRR breasted punctulata munia 40. Passeriformes Paridae Great tit Parus major LC YRR
41. Galiformes Phasianidae Black Melanoperdix niger V YRR partridge 42. Columbiformes Columbidae Oriental Streptopelia LC YRR turtle dove orientalis 43. Coraciiformes Alcedinidae White Halcyon LC YRR throated smyrnensis kingfisher 44. Coraciiformes Coraciidae Indian roller Coracias LC YRR benghalensis 45. Coraciiformes Upupidae Common Upupa epops LC SB hoopoe 46. Coraciiformes Meropidae Green bee Merops orientalis LC YRR eater 47. Falconiformes Accipitridae White Gyps bengalensis CE YRR rumped vulture 48. Falconiformes Accipitridae Himalayan Gyps himalayensis NT YRR griffon 49. Falconiformes Accipitridae Egyptian Neophron EN W vulture percnopterus 50. Falconiformes Accipitridae Shikra or Accipiter badius LC YRR Indian sparrow hawk 51. Falconiformes Accipitridae Eurasian Accipiter nisus LC SB sparrow hawk 52. Falconiformes Accipitridae Tawny eagle Aquila rapax LC YRR
53. Falconiformes Accipitridae Black kite Milvus migrans LC YRR
54. Falconiformes Falconidae Common Falco tinnunculus LC YRR kestrel 55. Apodiformes Apodidae House swift Apus affinis LC YRR
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56. Piciformes Picidae Scaly billed Picus squamatus LC YRR woodpecker 57. Piciformes Picidae Brown Dendrocopos LC YRR fronted auriceps woodpecker 58. Cuculiformes Cuculidae Pied cuckoo Clamator jacobinus LC SB
59. Cuculiformes Cuculidae Asian koel Eudynamys LC SB scolopaceus 60. Psittaciformes Psittacidae Rose ringed Psittacula krameri LC SB parakeet 61. Strigiformes Strigidae Spotted owlet Athene brama LC YRR
Key: LC= Least Concern; NT= Near Threatened; YRR+= Year Round Resident; WV= Winter Visitor; SB=Summer Breeding; PM= Passage Migrant
228. Birds were recorded more or less everywhere in the study area. The order Passeriformes was the most dominant order with highest value of relative abundance. The passerine birds dominated the diversity with 40 species as compared to non-passerines, which were 21 in number.
229. Passeriformes have highest relative abundance (pi) and encounter rate (ER) (pi= 74.8134: ER= 53.4667/km) followed by Falconiformes (pi= 7.8358: ER= 5.6/km) and Coraciiformes (pi= 6.1567: ER= 4.400/km) respectively. The families with no. of bird species observed are Accipitridae comprised maximum number of species followed by Muscicapidae, Corvidae. The family Corvidae has highest relative abundance and encounter rate (pi=15.02: ER=10.73/km) followed by Muscicapidae (pi=12.22: ER=8.73/km) and Accipitridae (pi=7.74: ER=5.53/km).
230. The critically endangered species, the white rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) were also recorded from the study area. The species of vultures are highly threatened different factors. The major cause of mortality is diclofenac contamination of livestock carcasses (Green et al., 2006). The other causes such as habitat destruction, food shortage, human persecution, poisoning and pesticide use may have caused a gradual decline in vulture populations (Birdlife International, 2010). The abundance of Egyptian Vulture, Black kite (Milvus migrans) and crow species was higher near the waste and garbage stored land. The habitat overlapping of Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Common raven (Corvus corax) and House crow (Corvus splendens) was also observed in the study area with equally distribution status of both species. The house crow proliferates in human settlements and disturbed habitats and is especially suited to coastal settlements.
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Figure 4.16: Encounter Rate and % abundance of Orders of Birds
231. The species diversity in selected sites of study area were also studied. Irrespective of altitudinal variation House sparrow was dominant species in urban areas. Similarly the Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), Red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and White cheeked bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) were also recorded across the study area. The two species of woodpecker, \Scaly bellied woodpecker (Picus squamatus), Grey capped pygmy woodpecker (dendrocopos canicapillus) and Jungle babbler (Turdoides striatus) dominated the forest area with dominant trees species of chir pine. Green Bee eater (Merops orientalis), Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus), Rose ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), Brahminy starling (Sturnus pagodarum) and Scaly breasted munia (Lonchura punctulata) were dominated the agricultural lands.
232. A single sighting of Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) was also recorded while surveying the study area. The transitional habitat between cultivated land and thick forest of chir pine dominated the diversity of passerines birds such as the species of Common stone chat, Pied bush chat, Indian robin, Flycatcher and Warbler. The species of wagtail were also recorded near the water resources. Rollers inhabit scattered trees, scrublands, cultivated fields and urban parks or gardens.
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Figure 4.17: Encounter Rate of different Families of Birds
Figure 4.18: % Relative Abundance of different Families of Birds
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233. In term of the abundance of recorded species, the undisturbed area dominated the diversity of avian fauna. An undisturbed site has a diversity of vegetation and has created diverse habitats which provide breeding ground and roosting places for various birds species. Thus, in the present study the high number of bird species could be attributed to the protected, thick and varied vegetation structure in the study area when compared with other study sites. The threats in the forms of urbanization and livelihood dependence on natural resources were also recorded along the edges of protected area result in shrinkage the habitat of avian fauna and other wildlife.
234. The rivers and stream provide suitable habitat for grassland species as well as stream dwellers and migratory water birds. These areas are open to human access and interference. The overall threats include water pollution by sewage drainage, industrial waste, eutrophication caused by sewage effluent and agricultural seepage carrying fertilizers and stone crushing.
235. Studies have revealed that intensive biomass extraction (mainly through grazing and fuel wood collection) is leading to changes in vegetation structure and composition of the forest, are leading to changes in bird species composition (Shahabuddin and Kumar 2005). Birds are among the best monitors of environmental changes and have been used to evaluate the environment throughout the history as bio monitors. Ornitho faunal diversity is an essential component of our planet but unfortunately this precious diversity is now being lost at an extremely rapid rate. Sustainable management of these ecological habitats is the greatest challenge that is currently faced by biodiversity conservationist (Patil, 2013).
Table 4.10: Abundance, Relative Abundance, % Relative Abundance and Encounter Rate of different Species Nos. Common Name Scientific Name Abunda Encounter Relative % Relative nce Rate Abundance Abundance
1. Bay backed shrike Lanius vittatus 11 0.7333 0.0103 1.0261 2. Long tailed shrike Lanius schach 15 1.0000 0.0140 1.3993 3. Tree pie Dendrocitta vagabunda 17 1.1333 0.0159 1.5858 4. House crow Corvus splendens 61 4.0667 0.0569 5.6903 5. Large billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos 44 2.9333 0.0410 4.1045 6. Common raven Corvus corax 31 2.0667 0.0289 2.8918 7. Black headed jay Garrulus lanceolatus 8 0.5333 0.0075 0.7463 8. Black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 34 2.2667 0.0317 3.1716 9. Indian myna Acridotheres tristis 22 1.4667 0.0205 2.0522 10. White cheeked Pycnonotus leucogenys 32 2.1333 0.0299 2.9851 bulbul 11. Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 24 1.6000 0.0224 2.2388 12. Asian Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 4 0.2667 0.0037 0.3731 13. White wagtail Motacilla alba 9 0.6000 0.0084 0.8396 14. White browed Motacilla 6 0.4000 0.0056 0.5597 wagtail madaraspatensis 15. Paddy field pipit Anthus rufulus 7 0.4667 0.0065 0.6530 16. Tree pipit Anthus trivialis 4 0.2667 0.0037 0.3731 17. Purple sun bird Cinnyris asiaticus 5 0.3333 0.0047 0.4664 18. Pied bush chat Saxicola caprata 28 1.8667 0.0261 2.6119 19. Common bush chat Saxicola torquata 21 1.4000 0.0196 1.9590
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20. Indian robin Luscinia brunnea 37 2.4667 0.0345 3.4515 21. Oriental magpie Copsychus saularis 14 0.9333 0.0131 1.3060 robin 22. Blue caped redstart Phoenicurus 22 1.4667 0.0205 2.0522 caeruleocephala 23. White-tailed Saxicola leucurus 9 0.6000 0.0084 0.8396 Stonechat 24. Jungle babbler Turdoides striatus 39 2.6000 0.0364 3.6381 25. Common babbler Turdoides caudatus 16 1.0667 0.0149 1.4925 26. Striated laughing Garrulax striatus 27 1.8000 0.0252 2.5187 thrush 27. Lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca 19 1.2667 0.0177 1.7724 28. Indian bush lark Mirafra erythroptera 6 0.4000 0.0056 0.5597 29. House sparrow Passer domesticus 51 3.4000 0.0476 4.7575 30. Striated prinia Prinia crinigera 28 1.8667 0.0261 2.6119 31. Grey brested prinia Prinia hodgsonii 23 1.5333 0.0215 2.1455 32. Rufous- fronted Prinia buchanani 14 0.9333 0.0131 1.3060 prinia 33. Graceful prinia Prinia gracilis 12 0.8000 0.0112 1.1194 34. Blunt winged Acrocephalus concinens 8 0.5333 0.0075 0.7463 warbler 35. Oriental white eye Zosterops palpebrosus 3 0.2000 0.0028 0.2799 36. Blue whistling Myophonus caeruleus 11 0.7333 0.0103 1.0261 thrush 37. Asian paradise Terpsiphone paradisi 1 0.0667 0.0009 0.0933 flycatcher 38. Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum 18 1.2000 0.0168 1.6791 39. Scaly-breasted Lonchura punctulata 36 2.4000 0.0336 3.3582 munia 40. Great tit Parus major 25 1.6667 0.0233 2.3321 41. Black partridge Melanoperdix niger 11 0.7333 0.0103 1.0261 42. Oriental turtle dove Streptopelia orientalis 27 1.8000 0.0252 2.5187 43. White throated Halcyon smyrnensis 6 0.4000 0.0056 0.5597 kingfisher 44. Indian roller Coracias benghalensis 9 0.6000 0.0084 0.8396 45. Common hoopoe Upupa epops 4 0.2667 0.0037 0.3731 46. Green bee eater Merops orientalis 47 3.1333 0.0438 4.3843 47. White rumped Gyps bengalensis 6 0.4000 0.0056 0.5597 vulture 48. Himalayan griffon Gyps himalayensis 3 0.2000 0.0028 0.2799 49. Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus 39 2.6000 0.0364 3.6381 50. Shikra Accipiter badius 2 0.1333 0.0019 0.1866 51. Eurasian sparrow Accipiter nisus 1 0.0667 0.0009 0.0933 hawk 52. Tawny eagle Aquila rapax 14 0.9333 0.0131 1.3060 53. Black kite Milvus migrans 18 1.2000 0.0168 1.6791 54. Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 0.0667 0.0009 0.0933 55. House swift Apus affinis 44 2.9333 0.0410 4.1045 56. Scaly billed Picus squamatus 7 0.4667 0.0065 0.6530 woodpecker 57. Brown fronted Dendrocopos auriceps 2 0.1333 0.0019 0.1866 woodpecker 58. Pied cuckoo Clamator jacobinus 2 0.1333 0.0019 0.1866 59. Asian koel Eudynamys scolopaceus 6 0.4000 0.0056 0.5597 60. Rose ringed Psittacula krameri 13 0.8667 0.0121 1.2127 parakeet 61. Spotted owlet Athene brama 8 0.5333 0.0075 0.7463
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Figure 4.19: Photographs of different bird species in Project Area
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4.3.8 Mammalian Fauna of Poonch river area General Overview
236. The project area has good biodiversity with meager forests around. There is abundant aquatic vegetation mixed with agriculture fields on the sides of both sides of the Poonch river having perennial and deciduous scrub forest on the hillsides providing enough shelter and food to the terrestrial fauna. The natural vegetation of the region is Dry Subtropical Broad-leaved Forest dominated by species such as Pinus roxburghii, Acacia modesta, Dodonea viscosa, Cenchrus ciliaris, Heteropogon contortus and Cymbopogon species. Forest in the immediate surroundings of the project area is Dry Subtropical Scrub type. These forests occur in lower reaches of Mirpur and Kotli districts and also extend up to Muzaffarabad along the river Jhelum. Common species are Pinus roxburghii, Olea ferruginea, Acacia modesta, Dalbergia sissoo, Pistacia integerrima, Adhatoda vasica, Dodonea viscosa, Maytenus royleanus and Carissa spinarum.
237. The habitat is generally of Subtropical Thorn Forest type; but as thickly populated, the forest around the project area is over-exploited by livestock grazing, firewood cutting and encroachment etc. which results in the depletion of suitable habitat for wildlife, coupled with the indiscriminate killing of the animals. Most of the local people in vicinities of project area keep fighting and hunting dogs and hunt animals mainly predator species like foxes, rabbits and jackals just for fun.
238. Average temperature range of the project area fluctuates round the year. During February to April; maximum 20–26°C and minimum 6–12°C; during May to August, it ranges between maximum 35–40°C and minimum 22–26°C and during September to November is between maximum 26–32°C and minimum 14–18°C, while during December to January ranges between maximum 12–16°C and minimum 7–12°C, while precipitation rate also fluctuates round the year and average is 1,000 mm per annum.
239. There are several scattered reports on the study of mammals of Pakistan (Ahmad and Ghalib, 1979; Akhtar, 1958-60; Anthony, 1950; Baig et al, 1986; Banerji, 1955; Beg, et al., 1975, 1986; Frantz, 1973; Fulk et al., 1981; Mehmood et al., 1986; Mian, 1986; Mirza, 1969; Parrack, 1966; Roberts, 1972, 1973; Siddiqui, 1970; Thomas, 1920a,b,1923; Wagle, 1927; Walton, 1973 and Wroughton, 1911,1920) but the most comprehensive and consolidate work is that of Roberts (1997). Roberts (1997) compiled all the information available on the mammalian fauna of Pakistan.
Results of Mammal Surveys
240. Twelve species of small mammals have been recorded in the immidiated vicinity of the Mangla reservoir. The small mammals species were found very rare in the areas regularly inundated during the filling of the dam. The population of small mammal species, however, was good in the areas which are not inundated. The
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species were common in the agricultural areas, in the forest and on the hillocks surrounding the reservoir area.
Discussion on the Mammalian Species around the Project Area
241. Twenty-one species of mammals are likely to be found in the study area (Table 4.11). The species Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, and Suncus murinus are the dominant rodent and insectivore species, Pipistrellus kuhlii and Scotophilus heathii are common chiroperan species represents the rare but widely distributed carnivore species in the study area. The species Herpestes edwardsi and Herpestes javanicus are included in the CITES APPENDIX III as a request from India. These species have a trade pressure for their skins exported to different countries. These skins are used for manufacturing the purses and the decoration pieces. None of the other species of small mammals have any conservation status and are also common in the area. The species of fruit bats, viz., Rousettus leschenaultii (Fulvous Fruit Bat) is quite common in the area found hanging on the fig trees.
242. The area forms a transitional and overlapping zone between the fauna of plain areas in the south and that of the Himalayas in the North. This phenomenon is reflected from the distribution of many species in the project area. The small mammal species Rattus pyctoris (Turkistan Rat) is distributed in the Himalayas and the project area forms the southernmost distribution limit of this species. The area provides the first record of this species at this lower altitude of 700 m and the previous lowest altitude recoded for this species is 2300m. The species Suncus murinus (House shrew), on the contrary, is distributed in the plain areas and the project area forms the North most limit for distribution of this species in AJK. Similarly the species Mus booduga (Little Indian field mouse) is distributed in the plain areas and the project area forms the North most limit for distribution of this species in AJK.
243. The bat Pipistrellus tenuis ( Least pipistrelle) is found in the plain areas and generally avoids hilly areas but was observed in the project area indicating its north most limit in Himalayan region. The Indian Fox, Vulpes bengalensis, is distributed in Southern parts of the country and has the last northward distribution limit in the project area. Smooth coated otter, Lutrogale perspicillata, is found in plain areas but has been reported in the project area forming its north most distribution limit. Two species of Mongoose, Herpestes edwardsii and H. javanicus are also found in plain areas and were recorded in the project area forming its north most distribution limit. The Jungle cat also has the north most distribution limit in the area.
244. Two large mammal species of the Study Area that are included in the IUCN Red List are the Common Leopard, Panthera pardus and the Common Otter, Lutra lutra. The Common Leopard, Panthera pardus is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. The Common Otter Lutra lutra is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. It was not seen in the Study Area during but the signs of Otter were observed at various places, up and downstream of the project area.
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245. Otters are the only water mammals associated with the Poonch River. Keeping in view the habitat available, the species likely to be found in the Ecological Study Area is the Common Otter Lutra lutra. The Otter lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamps. This species is considered to be Near Threatened (IUCN Red List 2013) due to an ongoing population decline over the years. The aquatic habitats of otters are extremely vulnerable to man–made changes. Canalization of rivers, removal of bank side vegetation, dam construction, draining of wetlands, aquaculture activities and associated man–made impacts on aquatic systems are all unfavorable to otter populations.
Table 4.11: List of Mammals observed and/ or collected from the Study area
Sr. Scientific Name Order/ English Names IUCN Status CITES No. Family Listing
1. Mus booduga Rodentia/ Muridae Little Indian field Least Concern (LC) - mouse 2. Rattus rattus Rodentia/ Muridae Common Rat LC -
3. Rattus pyctoris Rodentia/ Muridae Turkestan Rat LC -
4. Funambulus Rodentia/Petromidae Palm Squirrel LC - pennantii
5. Hystrix indica Rodentia/ Hystricidae Indian crested LC - porcupine
6. Lepus nigricollis Lagomorpha/ Leporidae Indian Hare LC -
7. Herpestes edwardsii Carnivora/ Herpestidae Common India LC - Mongoose
8. Herpestes javanicus Carnivora/ Herpestidae Mongoose LC -
9. Hemiechinus collaris Insectivora/ Erinaceidae Long-eared hedgehog LC -
10. Suncus murinus Insectivora/Soricidae Common Shrew LC -
11. Vulpes bengalensis Carnivora/ Canidae Bengal Fox LC -
12. Canis aureus Carnivora/Canidae Asiatic Jackal LC -
13. Felis chaus Jungle cat Jungle cat LC -
14. Lutra lutra Carnivora/ Mustelidae Otter Near Threatened I
15. Panthera pardus Carnivora/Felidae Common Leopard Vulnerable -
16. Macaca mullata Primates/ Rhesus Monkey - II
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Sr. Scientific Name Order/ English Names IUCN Status CITES No. Family Listing
Cercopithecidae
17. Muntiacus muntjak Cetartiodactyla/ Barking Deer LC - Cervidae
18. Rousettus Chiroptera/Pteropidae Fulvous Fruit Bat LC - leschenaultii
19. Scotophilus heathii Chiroptera/ Common Yellow- LC - Vespertilionidae bellied Bat
20. Pipistrellus kuhlii Chiroptera/ Kuhl’s Pipistrelle LC - Vespertilionidae
21. Pipistrellus tenuis Chiroptera/ Least pipistrelle LC - Vespertilionidae
Figure 4.20: Photographs of different Mammals in Project Area
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4.3.9 Vegetation around Project Area General Overview
246. Kashmir has very extensive topographic variations leading to diversity of flora and fauna. The flora ranges from the thorn bush type of the arid plains to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. The common trees found in the Kashmir are Taxus wallichiana, Cornus macrophylla, Diospyros lotus, Vibernum cylindricum, Acer oblongum, Rhus succedanea etc. The common shrubs found in the area include Juniperus squamata, Sageretia theezans, Dodonaea viscosa, Solanum verbascifolium, Lonicera quinquelocularis, and Lyonia ovalifolia. The perennial herbs found in the area include Geranium nepalense, Boenninghausenia albiflora, Oxalis acetosella, and Androsace umbellata (Ali & Qaiser, 1986). At higher altitudes Birch Betula utilis, Barbers Berberis lycium and a large number of herbal plants are found. Mountainous region in the area are covered with dense Deodar Cedrus deodara, Fir Abies pindrow, and Pine Pinus wallichiana. At lower altitudes Walnut Juglans regia, and Willow Salix sp. are the common trees found in the area (Prithivi, 1978).
247. The Study Area is mostly composed of hilly areas and riparian areas along the Poonch River. The vegetation of the area is characterized by the presence of subtropical broad-leaved forest (Shaheen et al., 2011a) and mainly consist of Chirpine forest type (Malik & Malik, 2004). Common vegetation species of the area include Pinus roxburghii, Dalbergia sissoo, Ziziphus mauritiana, Dodonaea viscosa and Carissa opaca. The vegetation in the riparian areas is mainly dominated by Dalbergia sissoo, Parthenium hysterophorus, Xanthium strumarium and Ricinus communis. Other common species include Acacia modesta, Olea sp. and Lantana camara.
248. Modified habitats may include areas managed for agriculture, forest plantations, reclaimed coastal zones, and reclaimed wetlands.” The Study Area lies in a modified habitat since almost 35 % of the area is used for agriculture. In addition, grazing and fuel wood collection by local communities is common at several locations. A total of 32 plant species were observed in the Study Area. The vegetation at high altitude is mainly dominated by Pinus roxburghii. The vegetation at the lower altitude is scrub forest dominated by Dalbergia sissoo, Ziziphus mauritiana, Dodonaea viscosa and Carissa opaca. The vegetation of the riparian areas is mainly dominated by Dalbergia sissoo, Parthenium hysterophorus, Xanthium strumarium and Ricinus communis.
249. Most of the observed plant species were common and found in more than one habitat. No threatened or endemic plant species were observed in the Study area during the surveys or from the literature available.
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Table 4.12: Plant species recorded in the Study Area
No. Scientific Names Common Life Form Abundance Medicinal Names Plants
1. Acacia modesta Phulai Tree Common
2. Achyranthes aspera Prickly Chaff Herb Infrequent Flower
3. Berberis sp. Barberry Shrub Very Common √
4. Broussonetia Paper Mulberry Tree Common papyrifera
5. Carissa opaca Garanda Shrub Common
6. Cassia fistula Golden Shower Tree Infrequent
7. Chenopodium album Goosefoot Herb Common
8. Conyza canadensis Horseweed Herb Common
9. Dalbergia sissoo Sheesham Tree Very Common
10. . Dodonaea viscosa Sanatha Shrub Very Common √
11. Euphorbia hirta Garden Spurge Herb Commo
12. Ficus carica Fig Tree Infrequent √
13. Imperata cylindrica Cogon Grass Herb Common
14. Ipomea carnea Pink Morning Shrub Infrequent Glory
15. Juglans regia Walnut Tree Infrequent √
16. Lantana camara Wild Sage Shrub Very Common
17. . Malvastrum False Mallow Herb Common coromandelianum
18. Melia azedarach Bead Tree Tree Infrequent
19. Mentha longifolia Wild Mint Herb Infrequent
20. Monotheca buxifolia Gurgura Tree Infrequent
21. Morus nigra Black Tree Common Mulberry
22. Nerium oleander Oleander Shrub Common √
23. Olea ferruginea Indian Olive Tree Common
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24. Parthenium White top Herb Very Common hysterophorus Weed
25. Pinus roxburghii Chir Pine Tree Very Common
26. Populus mexicana Popolar Tree Common
27. Ricinus communis Castor Oil Shrub Common Plant
28. Saccharum sp Grass Common
29. Solanum nigrum Black Herb Common √ Nightshade
30. Solanum surrattense Yellow-Berried Herb Infrequen Nightshade
31. Traxicum sp. Herb Infrequent √
32. Xanthium strumarium Rough Shrub Very Common Cocklebur
33. Ziziphus mauritiana Ber Tree Infrequent
4.3.10 Species of Special Concern around Project Area General Overview
250. Three fish species (Barilius pakistanicus, Schistura nalbanti, Schistura punjabensis), one species of frog (Kashmir Torrent Frog), one species of geko (Rohtas gecko), three species of snakes (Kashmir Slender, Ahsanul’s Worm snake, Kashmir Blind snake) are endemic in the area of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Two species of fish (Schizothorax plagiostomus (richardsonii), Botia rostrata), one species of birds (Black partridge), and one species of mammals (Common Leopard) are internally declared Vulnerable as per IUCN Standards. One species of fish (Tor putitora) and one species of vulture (Egyptian vulture) are Endangered Species according to IUCN Criteria. One species of fish (Ompok bimaculatus), one species of snake (Indian Rock Python), one species of birds (Himalayan griffon) and one species of mammals (Otter) are declared as Near Threatened Species. One species of Fish (Glyptothorax kashmirensis) and one species of birds (White rumped vulture) are Critically Endangered Species in Pakistan and Kashmir and also found in the area where the project is going to be initiated.
251. One species of Reptiles (Varanus bengalensis) is included in CITES Appendix I, three species of snakes (Indian Rock Python, Dhaman or Rat Snake, Brown cobra) and one species of mammals (Rhesus Monkey) are included in the CITES Appendix II while two species of snakes (Checkered Keelback, Russell's Chain Viper) are included in CITES APPENDIX III. All this fauna of special importance is reflected in Table 4.13 below.
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Table 4.13: Species of Special Concern Found in the Project Area
Animal Group Sr. No Species Common Endemism IUCN Status CITES Name Listing
Fish 1. Barilius Endemic - - pakistanicus
2. Schistura Endemic - - nalbanti
3. Schistura Endemic - - punjabensis
4. Tor putitora - Endangered -
5. Glyptothorax - Critically - kashmirensis Endangered
6. Schizothorax - Vulnerable - plagiostomus (richardsonii)
7. Cyprinus carpio - Vulnerable -
8. Botia rostrata - Vulnerable -
9. Ompok - Near - bimaculatus Threatened
Macro------Invertebrates
Amphibians and 10. Allopaa Kashmir Endemic - - Reptiles barmoachensis Torrent Frog
11. Cyrtopodian Endemic - - Rohtas gecko rohtasfortai
12. Varanus - - I Bengal monitor bengalensis
13. Indian Rock - Near II Python molurus Python Threatened
14. Ptyas mucosus Dhaman or Rat II Snake
15. Naja oxiana Brown cobra II
16. Xenochrophis Checkered III piscator Keelback
17. Daboia russelii Russell's Chain III Viper
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18. Typhlops Kashmir Endemic madgemintonai Slender
19. Typhlops ahsanuli Ahsanul;s Endemic Worm snake
20. Typhlops Kashmir Blind Endemic diardiplatyventris snake
Birds 21. Melanoperdix Black partridge - Vulnerable - niger
22. Gyps bengalensis White rumped - Critically - vulture Endangered
23. Gyps Himalayan - Near - himalayensis griffon Threatened
24. Neophron Egyptian - Endangered - percnopterus vulture
Mammals 25. Lutra lutra Otter - Near - Threatened
26. Panthera pardus Common - Vulnerable - Leopard
27. Macaca mullata Rhesus - - II Monkey
Vegetation ------
4.3.11 Poonch River Mahaseer National Park 252. The entire stretch of the Poonch river along with its tributaries has been declared as Mahaseer National Park in a notification issued by the President of AJK in December 2010. Poonch river is unique in having warm water in its lower and middle reaches and cold water in its upper reaches. It ends at Mangla reservoir, which is one of the major fish producing water body in the country. Many channels join it in its way giving the fishes a lateral access for breeding and feeding.
253. The Poonch river was declared as a national park due to its high fish diversity and importance of supporting fish of both conservation and economic importance particularly the Endangered fish species (IUCN Red List 2013) Mahaseer Tor putitora that is important both from the conservation and commercial viewpoint. The Tor putitora has undergone a dramatic decline in population in the last few years and the largest stable population of this fish in the country is found in the Poonch river that also provides a breeding ground for it. In addition, the Poonch river provides a breeding ground for the commercially important fish species of the Mangla reservoir.
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254. While the Poonch river was notified as a national park in 2010, a number of activities such as unregulated and illegal sand and gravel mining and fishing are still taking place in and close to the river. The Fisheries and Wildlife Department in collaboration with Himalayan Wildlife Foundation is building up management and protection systems and engaging the communities in protection of the national park.
4.3.12 Mining in Poonch Basin 255. River sediments in the Poonch basin are both a valuable environmental and economic resource. Apart from the provision of habitats for riverine biota, the sediment is mined from the river for use in building, road construction and other related activities.
256. Sands and silts are used directly, and cobbles and boulders are crushed to create aggregate material. As such the sediments of the Poonch river and its tributaries are valued environmental components.
257. The mining techniques used range from crude, labour intensive methods to larger scale mechanical methods. Smaller scale operations involve shovels and spades, but larger mechanized operations are increasingly evident, particularly near urban areas.
Locations and Timing
258. Mining of river sediment in the Poonch basin is limited by access to the rivers. Historically, mining was localized around major settlements, such as near the towns of Tatta Pani, Kotli, Barali, Gulpur and Radjhani, but this is no longer the case. The expansion of the road network and increased political stability and accessibility has led to an increase in construction activities in the region over the last 10-20 years.
259. At the same time, the improved road network has opened up additional access to the river for mining, and thus both the quantities of sediment removed and spatial areas affected by mining have expanded. Of particular concern in this regard is the increase in mining in the Bann Nullah and Rangar Nullah, as both of these tributaries represent important breeding areas for the indigenous fish.
260. Sand mining and gravel extraction are usually undertaken in the winter (September to March), since during this low flow period more of the river bed and banks are exposed. During the high flow summer months, particularly in the monsoon period, the rivers tend to flow bank to bank, and access to exposed sediment is limited.
Ecological impacts associated with mining
261. River mining destroys aquatic habitats at the point of mining activities but also reduces the size and amount of sediment that is distributed downstream, which can smother aquatic habitats in the downstream reaches. Changes to aquatic habitats as a result of mining have knock-on effects on the fish and other biota.
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262. The ecological impacts associated with mining in the Poonch river include:
▪ Complete destruction of in-stream and riparian habitat within the mined reach; ▪ Lateral bank instability leading to erosion of the river banks and lateral bars, as well as any floodplain pockets; ▪ Bed coarsening leading to a loss of gravel habitats, decreased bed mobility and overall poorer in-channel habitat conditions; ▪ Elevated fines in the downstream areas, and smothering of downstream habitats and seeds, eggs, etc.; ▪ Erosion of the bed and banks downstream of the site as the river “replaces” the sediment removed from the mined reach; and ▪ Bed and bank erosion upstream of the mined reach, if the nick point of the lowered bed erodes upslope. Such incision can migrate for kilometers upstream and erode into tributaries. The lowered river bed can also result in the abandonment of secondary channels.
4.4 Socioeconomic Baseline 263. This section presents the socio-economic conditions of the local communities residing in the project area.
4.4.1 Socioeconomic Study Area 264. Kotli district is one of the ten districts of AJK. It has a population of 517,142 and constitutes 14% of the total area of AJK17. There are five administrative sub– divisions of Kotli district known as Tehsils. These are Kotli, Sensa, Dulya Jattan, Charohoi and Fatehpur Thakyala. The socioeconomic study area falls within the Kotli tehsil of Kotli district.
265. Kotli city’s (hereinafter referred as ‘Kotli’) population was estimated based on figures from the District Commission Report of AJK (DCR AJK). The population of Kotli Municipal Corporation (Kotli MC) was 32,047 in 1998 and suburban regions had an estimated population of 24,011 people in 1998.18 The national urban growth rate is 2.9% in Pakistan. The growth rate for Kotli was estimated at twice the national average at 5.8% in view of rapid expansion of the city in the last decade or so likely driven by remittance incomes and the fact that this is the only major urban centre in the district and absorbs most fo the urbanization pressure in the area. This gives the current population of Kotli to be 113,000 persons. The estimated population of the surveyed rural settlements is 49,095.
17 Source: http://www.ajk.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=11. Accessed March 2014. 18 Population Census Organization. District Census Report of AJK. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan, 1998.
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Sex ratio
266. Sex ratio is defined as the number of males per 100 females. The sex ratio of the surveyed population was 115, compared to 101 for AJK as a whole, which indicates the presence of a larger male population as compared to females. This could indicate migration towards the river amongst males or a higher mortality rate amongst females.
Age and Gender Composition
267. The broader base of the age–pyramid indicates a younger population. The median age of the surveyed population was 22 years. The age structure shows a relatively large number of children of ages between 10 and 20 years, accounting for approximately 25% of the population. Population above 60 years was found to be only 5%, which suggests a lower life expectancy in the rural households of the socioeconomic study area.
268. The data collected from the field also shows a higher tendency towards in– migration than out–migration in Kotli. The migrants are mainly from Nakyal, Poonch, Bhimber, Baloch and Indian administered Kashmir.
4.4.2 Ethnicity and Religion 269. About 99% of the population of Kotli is Muslim (which includes a 2% Shia minority). The other 1% population is Christian. Almost 100% of the rural segment of the Socio-economic study area’s population is Muslim.
270. The influence of spiritual leaders is widespread in the Socio-economic study area. People are into saint veneration and often undertake pilgrimage to the graves of their saints. During field survey, a large number of Masjids were spotted in Kotli and the rural settlements.
271. The largest caste in Kotli is the Butt or Kashmiri caste, which form 40% of Kotli‟s population. In rural settlements, trend varies from village to village. Inter–caste marriages and other social exchanges amongst the castes are common.
272. The main languages spoken in Kotli district are Urdu and Pahari.
4.4.3 Law Enforcement 273. There is one City Police Station in Kotli. The area is generally peaceful. The occurrence of disputes and conflicts is minimal in the area. In the rural areas, the village Panchayat19 and the spiritual leaders hold influence in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace. Most of the rural areas did not report any conflicts but stated that if a conflict were to arise, the Panchayat would be approached to resolve it.
19 Panchayat is a form of self–government, usually found in villages and small towns, which is constituted of a body of villagers (usually elderly people). In case of a village conflict, the Panchayat hears the argument of both parties and takes decision.
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4.4.4 Physical Infrastructure 274. Physical infrastructure comprises of the communication network, housing and water supply system in the project area.
Communication Network
275. Kotli being the hub of all economic, political, religious and district government activities of Kotli district, has relatively well developed infrastructure in comparison to other smaller districts of AJK. In rural settlements, the roads are narrow and usually unpaved.
276. Kotli has one post office called the General Post Office (GPO) and two main telephone exchanges. Internet access is available in the entire socioeconomic area.
Housing
277. The majority of the surveyed rural households live in Pakka (masonry) houses. Katcha (adobe) houses, made of mud, account for 16% of the dwellings, while 84% of the houses are Pakka (masonry), made of bricks and concrete. According to the District Census Report of AJK, there are 91% masonry dwellings and 9% adobe households in Kotli.
Water Supply and Sanitation
278. The main sources of drinking water in Kotli are tap water and tube wells, while in rural settlements most common sources include tap water sourced from mountain springs, tube wells, hand pumps and groundwater wells. About 43% households have access to tap water, 42% use water from mountain springs and 16% rely on groundwater wells. Some households have more than one sources of drinking water.
279. The Municipal Corporation of Kotli has provided waste disposal bins in the city. However, instances of open dumping of solid waste were observed during field survey. Due to lack of proper drainage infrastructure and storm water management system, rainwater was seen to have accumulated on roads.
River and Drinking Water Quality
280. The Poonch river currently serves as the ultimate drain for wastewater and contaminated seepage associated with the household water use in the area. Contamination levels increase during the winter, as the capacity of the river to flush the contaminants reduces in this season. Poonch river water is used for domestic livestock and household purposes in some villages.
Power Supply and Fuel Consumption
281. The three major fuel sources in the study area include electricity, firewood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). All settlements in the study area are connected to the national grid. Almost all of the population in rural settlements uses firewood for
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cooking and water heating purposes. About 53% of this population buys fuel wood from local vendors and markets while the other 47% uses wood from their own land.
4.4.5 Social Infrastructure 282. Social infrastructure comprises of the health and educational service provisions in the study area.
Health
283. There is one District Headquarter (DHQ) hospital in Kotli. Most of the people in rural settlements reported that they visit Kotli for health care. In Kotli, most people rely on the DHQ hospital for treatment and cure. At times private doctors are also consulted.
284. Flu and Diarrhea are the most common health problem among all age groups and gender. Some cases of stomach illnesses were reported for all age groups. Respiratory illnesses including allergies were noted in adult women.
Education
285. The literacy rate refers to the ability of the population aged 10 years and above to read and write a simple message. According to 1998 census, literacy rate in AJK was 60%. The observed literacy rate in surveyed rural population was 85% in males and 61% in females. According to the District Census Report of AJK, the overall literacy rate in Kotli in 1998 was estimated 72.9%. Survey results showed that in Kotli, the literacy rate was 88% for men and 79% for women in Kotli. The literacy rate among women was higher in the city due to better living standards and conveniently located educational institutions.
4.4.6 Economy and Income Levels 286. Economic infrastructure includes the type of occupations, household incomes and other income generating activities in the study area.
Occupation
287. Overseas employment constitutes the largest occupation amongst the surveyed rural population at 29%, most of which were employed in daily wage labours in countries including UK, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai and Saudi Arabia (KSA). In Kotli, businesses and shop owners dominate the market. Women have limited opportunities to work outside their homes, and the share of women in the employed workforce is negligible.
288. Linkages of the people’s livelihoods to the Poonch river were limited to river– based sand and gravel mining and fishing. No other subsistence level use of river– based resources was observed in the study area.
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289. Compared to the urban centres in AJK such as Muzaffarabad, infrastructure and facilities available for tourism in the rural areas in Kotli are relatively limited. The main reason for this is the military conflict environment and proximity to the Line of Control (LoC).
Household Incomes
290. The mean (arithmetic average) monthly household income in rural areas was Rs 24,534 (USD 245) and in urban areas was Rs 32,075 (USD 321). The figures are relatively higher than other parts of Pakistan, especially rural settlements because a large fraction of population from the study area worked overseas.
Sediment Mining
291. Sediment mining is a popular business with a number of households along the Poonch river engaged in this activity. On average, a typical extracted load in a trolley pulled by a tractor is 150 cubic feet (cuft) or 4.3 m3. On an average, each person engaged in this activity extracted an average of 189,600 cuft per year, or 5,370 m3 per year.
292. The total quantity of sediment extracted in the stretch of the river downstream of the LoC to the Mangla reservoir is estimated at 434,400 m3.
293. Average rate of sand sold by vendors in the market is approximately Rs 2,500/100 cuft (Rs 882/ m3, or USD 8.82/ m3) and of gravel is Rs 2,700/100 cuft (Rs 953/m3 or USD 9.53/m3). At this rate, the total financial value of the sediment excavated per year in entire stretch of Poonch river downstream of the LoC to the Mangla Reservoir is estimated at Rs 400 million (USD 4 million).
294. The mining techniques are crude, involving use of labor for sand dredging. The sand mined using shovels and spades and is loaded onto a trolley–cart and donkeys, by means of which it is transported and sold within the locality. Sand miners who own tractor trolleys transport the sand to Kotli, Nakyal, Gulpur, Rajdhani and other big settlements.
Fishing
295. Fish consumption was observed throughout the project area. The most common fish consumed include Pakistan Labeo (70% of total consumption) and Mahaseer (30% of total consumption).
296. Total quantity of fish caught from Poonch river consumed in the stretch of the river downstream of the LoC to the Mangla reservoir is estimated at 25,000 kg per year. Market rate of fish is almost equal in summers and winters and on the average one kg of fish costs Rs 300 in the study Area. At this rate, the total financial value of the fish caught per year in entire stretch of Poonch river downstream of the LoC to the Mangla reservoir is estimated at Rs 7.5 million (USD 75,000).
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297. Following the notification of Poonch river as a national park in 2010, the Fisheries and Wildlife department with support from the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation has moved to establish protection and management systems and there are indications that the fish catch is gradually declining.
Livestock
298. In Kotli, 60% households owned poultry while 40% owned cattle. There are no established livestock markets.
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5 Analysis of Alternatives
5.1 Overview 299. The main purpose of this section is to compare feasible alternatives to the proposed sub-project including the ‘without-project’ situation. The potential environmental impacts of each alternative and feasibility of mitigation of these impacts along with their suitability under local conditions are also compared.
5.2 Alternatives Considered The different alternatives considered for development of the proposed bridge sub- project are presented below.
5.2.1 Option 1: ‘No Project’ Alternative 300. This is not a viable option since it will result in the local communities continuing to face logistical difficulties and will force them to travel on a segment of road, which is highly unstable and is at constant risk of being swept away at any time of the year due to landslides.
301. In addition, considering the highly unstable nature of the hill overlooking the river course, there is a high probability of a major land slide taking place at any moment, causing the entire river to become blocked and resulting in a catastrophe as far as the delicate aquatic habitat of the river is concerned.
302. Thus, adoption of this option will be synonymous to not taking any preventive measures and instead waiting for a catastrophe to take place. Vehicular movement, especially heavy vehicles along this route can aggravate slides due to vibration if nothing is done.
303. The risk of spillage into the Poonch river will remain high if vehicles continue to move on this track and can adversely affect the sensitive protected area if no alternate route is provided for the vehicles.
5.2.2 Option 2: Bridge Development Scenario 304. The proposed bridge shall be constructed by using a pre-assembled bridge deck (Steel fabricated bialy bridge) with a large enough span (ranging up to 70 meters) that only one pile will be placed within the riverbed. Also, it shall be ensured that there is no contact of any foreign element(s) at any stage of the project with the delicate aquatic ecology of the river. The piles shall be constructed at the hill slopes at the two ends of the bridge while the one pile to be constructed in the dry part of the riverbed shall be at a minimum distance of 10 meters from current flows in the river bed to ensure least interference in the water body itself.
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305. Sheet piles will be introduced in the dry bed area along the construction site to protect the bed and water from any possible spillage that may seep into the sand beds during construction.
306. The construction schedule shall be developed to ensure all activity takes place during the winter months to ensure low flows with a large part of the riverbed dry and accessible for installation of the pile without disturbing the river flow/water body of the river.
307. Efficient house keeping measures shall be implemented to ensure that during all stages of the project construction, no impacts of any kind take place on the Poonch river and in particular, no solid or liquid materials enter the river and disturb the aquatic habitat. It should be mentioned that measures such as the placing of nets at both construction sites i.e. at both ends of the bridge will ensure no loose rocks/debris etc. roll into the river and contaminate or block it. Also, working space for construction will be created away from the river on both sides.
308. During the designing of the bridge piles, it shall be ensured that all past data related to the peak flows and respective height of the river during the peak flows is taken into account. This shall ensure that the bridge piles are adequately designed to keep the flow of the river undisturbed, even during times of peak flow. Based on review of secondary data20, the highest height measured of this river was 1740 ft amsl21 during the high flood level in 1992.
309. Additional counter checks as extensive third party monitoring shall be conducted to ensure the commitments made in the EMP document are fulfilled in letter and spirit.
310. Slide will be treated through biological interventions/engineering using aerial sprays as the existing track will be abandoned and possible decking/layering without touching the overburden to reduce sliding risk over time will need to be performed.
5.2.3 Option 3: Reconstruction of 400 meters of damaged road section (highly vulnerable to landslides across the year) 311. The 400-meter section of road is heavily damaged due to repeated landslides throughout the year and lies at the base of a highly unstable hill, which has deep cracks throughout its strata and is structurally quite weak. In order to consider the option of constructing this stretch of road, the following stepwise approach will need to be implemented and specific aspects will need to be considered:
(i) Controlled blasting by placing explosives at different points across the hill to remove all loose rocks and sediment material, which might lead to land slides in the future. (ii) Removal of the rocks and sediment produced due to the blasting. At the time of blasting and subsequently, it will not be possible to ensure no rocks and/or
20 ESIA for Gulpur Hydropower Project, October 2014 21 above mean sea level
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sediment enters the Poonch river despite taking all precautionary measures, simply due to the proximity of the hill to the river course and height of the land slide. (iii) During removal of the rocks and sediment from the site, there is a high possibility of the work force along with equipment such as trucks, trolleys etc. accidentally polluting the river. (iv) Once the construction activity would be completed, there is a high possibility of continuing landslides with the new road being damaged once again due to the structural weaknesses of this particular hill. (v) High human casualty risk exists if workforce is employed to reconstruct this stretch of road.
Due to all the reasons cited above, this option is not viable from an environmental aspect and thus has not been considered further.
5.2.4 Recommendation 312. Based on a detailed consideration of all aspects from a techno-economic and environmental safeguard viewpoint, it has been assessed that Option 2, construction of the bridge at Thaliar – Kotli, next to the Tatta Pani-Kotli road is the most viable option.
5.3 Bridge Design Options
5.3.1 Design Option 1 313. In the low water season, the water flows at a width of 55 meters from the left bank, so the design is proposed with the center pier at a length of 66 meters from both abutments as shown in Figure 5.1 below. In the low water season to come, the width of flowing water shall reduce further, thereby no interference shall be caused to the aquatic life.
314. The center pier shall be designed as a hollow section with water cut nosing to avoid pressure on the pier. The Super structure shall be designed as Balanced Cantilever Box section with Gantry construction so that no supports are needed from the ground. In this type of bridge design, the construction of super structure starts from the centre pier. The Pier head segment along with a part of the first segment is constructed with the help of support farm work. Then the overhead gantries are launched on constructed super structure and the subsequent segments are constructed balanced on both sides of pier using segmental stressing of the casted segments. This sequence of casting & stressing is repeated till the box is seated on abutments. In order to maintain the geometry of the bridge, pre-camber data is calculated & monitored during the execution of super structure to account for creep & deflection of cantilevers.
315. Water level observed in mid of September is 562.08m and if extensive efforts are made, the sub-structure can be constructed till the end of January 2018, which is
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well within the low water season. Also, the piers and the abutments can also be completed before the high flow of the river.
316. The approximate cost of construction will be around Rs.2.2 million per RM.
5.3.2 Design Option 2 317. In this second option, the design has been modified so that the abutments shall not interfere with the flow of Poonch river. The design is proposed with only two abutments and no pier. The 18-meter abutments each are designed so that they do not interfere with the flow of water. The super structure is of box girder unbalanced cantilever bridge with gantry construction and thus no support shall be needed from the ground. There are no piers in this design, so no construction will take place in the riverbed and there will be no obstruction in the flow of the water.
318. The approximate cost of the construction would be around PKR. 2.5 million per RM.
Figure 5.1: Bridge Design Option 1
Figure 5.2: Bridge Design Option 2
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5.3.3 Recommendation 319. The bridge design Option 1 is the more viable of the two options since it will not intrude into the water body of the river and thus will not impact the ecology of the Poonch river from any aspect. Also, this option entails a lower capital cost and a shorter project completion time.
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6 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
320. This chapter presents the potential environmental impacts related to construction phase of the proposed bridge sub-project. Following is a description of the environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures to minimize the negative impacts, if any.
6.1 Project Location Impact Assessment and Mitigation 321. The location and scale of the works are very important in predicting the environmental impacts. This process of impact prediction is the core of the IEE process. It is critical that the recommendations and mitigation measures are carried out according to the conditions on the ground in the affected areas in the spirit of the environmental assessment process.
322. In this section, the potential environmental impacts are reviewed. If impacts are predicted to be significant enough to exceed accepted environmental standards, mitigation is proposed in order to reduce residual impact to acceptable levels and achieve the expected outcomes of the sub-project being implemented. Therefore, it is essential that a proper analysis is carried out during the project planning period. In this regard, the impact prediction plays a vital role as these predictions are used for developing mitigation measures and any alternative options, if appropriate. Once the detailed designs are completed, the impacts and mitigation measures will need to be further reviewed to take account of how the contracts are set up and in the light of any fine tuning of the sub-project.
323. The environmental management plan (Table 7.1) has been compiled based on the available information and shall be reviewed in due course at project inception and through construction in order to receive feed back and provide updated mitigation requirements for any significant unpredicted impacts. The analysis primarily focuses on the key environmental issues likely to arise from the sub-project implementation, to prescribe mitigation measures to be integrated in the project design, to design monitoring and evaluation schedules to be implemented during the sub-project construction and to estimate costs required for implementing the sub- project mitigation measures.
The EMP must be reviewed when the sub-project reaches the inception stage by the project management team and be approved before any construction activity is initiated, to take account of any subsequent changes and fine tuning of the proposals.
6.2 General Approach to Mitigation 324. During the preparation of the construction phase for the sub-project, the future contractors must be notified and prepared to co-operate with the executing agency, supervising consultants and local population in the mitigation of impacts.
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Furthermore, the contractor must be primed through bidding stages and the contract documentation to implement the EMP in full and be ready to engage trained environmental management staff to audit the effectiveness and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. These requirements must be included in contractual clauses.
325. Based on the visits to the sub-project site, it has been observed that no residences and/or schools are close enough to the sub-project to result in any potential impacts in the construction stage from disturbance or significant noise and dust. Water is available from multiple tubewell locations along the project corridor at the sub-project areas to suppress dust at any location in the dry season.
6.3 Environmental Considerations during Design/Pre-Construction Phase
6.3.1 Lack of environmental capacity Impacts
326. During the field surveys, it became clear that the Contractor along with the provincial and district government officials who will be charged with overseeing the construction are unfamiliar with the environmental impacts associated with the sensitivity of the sub-project and EMP implementation. As a result, the likelihood of the mitigative and monitoring measures being implemented is low.
Mitigation Measures
327. During the pre-construction period and once the contractors have been selected, the PIU, working with the PMC will conduct a one day workshop to inform government agencies and contractors on environmental safeguards, the implementation of the project EMPs and credible environmental reporting. The workshop will be based on the presentation of examples and provision of templates for contractors and agency officials/inspectors to use.
328. So far, contractors have an unsatisfactory record for complying with workplace and environmental safety regulations. To address this, the contractors will be required to define an Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety procedure for all work, including work camp operation, management of cement dust, and use of Personal Safety Equipment. These procedures should be developed and approved by the PIU before the contractor begins civil work.
329. Considering the ecological sensitivity associated with this sub-project due to the construction activity being conducted within the boundaries of the Poonch river which is a designated national park, it is imperative that all concerned parties shall possess the required awareness and skills to implement the required mitigation measures through the EMP.
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6.3.2 Lack of integration of IEE/EMP requirements into Construction bid documents Impacts
330. The bidding documents should reflect the requirement to select a qualified and experienced contractor from the perspective of ensuring implementation of required safeguards during project development. Bidding documents have greater emphasis on the methodology on the protection with regards to environmental and social worksite management. The bidder’s environmental, social and safety methodology shows material deviation, reservation or omission towards environmental, social and safety specification.
Mitigation Measures
331. The Safeguards focal point at the PIU shall be assigned the task to check that design and bid documents are responsive to key environmental, social and safety considerations, and that the proposed method of work reflects the boundaries defined in the EMP. The bid documents must include the EMP and its implementation cost must be reflected in the BoQ. This shall be particularly important in order to ensure the ecology of the project area is protected and no long term impacts take place.
6.3.3 Impacts due to Project Siting Impacts
332. The proposed sub-project bridge location cannot be changed since the objective of this project is to bypass the stretch of ‘landslide affected’ road and thus the project location is fixed and must pass over the Poonch river. Also, only one central pier shall intrude into the riverbed. However, necessary mitigation measures have been proposed to mitigate any potential impacts.
Mitigation Measures
333. The construction of the proposed bridge will not involve removal of any trees from the right of way. Instead, the proponent shall plant trees along the road leading to the bridge and shall leave a positive impact on the overall environment of the project area.
334. Land acquisition and resettlement will not be required since the bridge is to be constructed on Government land and there are no communities or settlements in close proximity to the sub-project site.
335. Adoption of mitigation measures identified for different stages of the sub- project will be keenly monitored to further enhance the environmental performance of this sub-project.
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6.3.4 Identification of Locations for Labor Camps and ancillary facilities Impacts
336. The duration of the construction activity for the proposed project is expected to be 18 months and a considerable amount of work force will be engaged. As a result, worker camps will need to be developed and ancillary facilities will need to be provided such as electricity, washrooms for labor with suitable effluent and sewage disposal facilities as well as water for their everyday use for drinking and bathing etc.
Mitigation measures
337. In order to prevent a nuisance, specific locations shall be designated in the proposed project area for development of the labor camps. All necessary facilities and amenities shall be provided in these camps such as electricity, sufficient supply of water, solid and liquid effluent waste disposal facilities etc.
338. The use of proper planning while identifying locations for the labor camps will ensure there is no impact on the ecology of the Poonch river and the traffic is not disrupted by labor camps being set up roadside next to the construction work sites.
6.3.5 Identification of Locations for Asphalt and Batching Plants
Impacts 339. The operation of the asphalt and batching plants near the project site could result in considerable dust emissions alongwith high noise levels and could have a significantly adverse impact on the delicate ecology of the Poonch river and the project area in general.
Mitigation measures
340. The project Contractor shall identify suitable location(s) for the Asphalt and Batching plants for the proposed sub-project and will submit the location detailed on the developed form template to ADB for approval. Only once the formal approval from ADB is issued, only then will the Contractor proceed with installation of these plants.
341. It shall be ensured that any Asphalt and/or Batching plants are located at a minimum distance of 500 meters from the closest sensitive receptors.
6.3.6 Material Haul Routes Impacts
342. Hauling of material has significant impacts on the community, public safety, traffic congestion, air quality and lifespan of the town roadways.
Mitigation Measures
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343. The Construction vehicles hauling materials along different rural and populated roads and particularly in locations where there are roadside residences will be limited and the PIU will establish a route plan to minimize this disruption.
6.3.7 Cultural Heritage, Religious Sites, Social Infrastructure Impacts
344. No temples or religious sites are in close proximity to the works to be conducted for the proposed sub-project to cause a nuisance.
345. The clinics/hospitals are all located in Kotli city and are not located in close promixity to the project site and thus no major significant impact shall be expected from the works. However, consideration should be made not to construct at night to avoid nuisances.
346. There are no schools or communities residing in close proximity to the sub- project. This along with considering the limited scale of the works for the proposed sub-project, no significant impacts are expected from the works, particularly in terms of noise, vibration and dust. However, provision should be made for public consultation to be undertaken at the implementation stage to ensure no nuisances arise.
347. In case any archaeological discovery is made, work shall be immediately stopped and the ‘Chance Find’ procedure as outlined in Annexure F shall be implemented.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required.
6.4 Potential Environmental Impacts during Construction Phase 348. The summary of potential key impacts during the Construction phase are provided in Table 6.1 below.
Table 6.1: Summary of Possible Impacts during Construction Phase
Environmental Potential Issue from S/No. Potential of Impact Mitigation Measures Aspect Environmental Aspect
1 Fish Fauna The delicate fish fauna of Poonch Significant The central pier shall be river needs to be protected from constructed during the any construction activity, which winter months in the dry might lead to any adverse long- riverbed to ensure water term impacts. flow of the river is not disturbed. Also, during the winter months of the year, the fish are
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downstream of the project location and are not at risk. Construction best practices along with additional precautionary measures shall ensure fish fauna is protected.
During the summer months when the fish travel upstream, it shall be ensured that the ecology of the river is not disturbed in any way due to the project activity.
2 Water Quality Surface runoff from project site of Significant Construction methods Oil/fuel and waste spills as well as and techniques and improper disposal of debris and mechanism for disposal discharge of sewage from labor of effluent to be designed camp could damage ecology of for proper drainage and Poonch river. control of discharge
3 Solid Waste Disposal of excavated soil, Significant. Proper solid waste construction debris and other waste management programme including domestic waste into the to be designed and Poonch river, which can cause soil implemented to prevent contamination and other health and disposal into Poonch safety issues. river.
4 Soil Removal & Construction and excavation Significant Necessary measures to Excavation activity leading to topsoil removal be taken to replace and erosion in order to lay removed soil as per foundation of bridge piers. EMP.
5 Impact on other There is minimal fauna such as Insignficant Necessary steps to be types of Fauna small and large mammals in the taken to minimize and Vegetation project area due to the proximity of ecological disturbance the site to Kotli city. Thus, no wherever applicable, significant impacts on the fauna are particularly the expected. No vegetation will be prohibition of hunting and allowed to be disturbed in the killing of any animals that project area. might be present in the project area.
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6 Ambient Air Dust emissions from site Dust emissions Regular water sprinkling Quality preparation, excavation, material expected at work on the exposed surfaces handling & other construction site(s). However, minor to reduce dust emissions activities at site. and short-term impacts and proper maintenance expected which will be of all equipment at temporary in nature. regular intervals to minimize impact of exhaust emissions
7 Noise Noise generated from construction Noise levels expected Necessary control activities, operation of construction to vary during activity equipment and machinery, equipment and their based upon the nature techniques to be applied movement. of work being to control noise levels conducted. Higher and limit their nuisance noise levels expected at effects site but no sensitive receptors in project area. Impact expected to be short term in nature.
6.4.1 Fish Fauna Impacts
349. The Poonch river is a nationally declared national park due to its delicate aquatic ecology. In case special care is not taken during the construction activity, particularly during the summer months when the fish fauna move upstream, this ecology could be at risk of being damaged at the project site.
350. The magnitude of this impact is considered manageable and short term based on the following rationale:
▪ The construction work will be completed during the winter season when the fish is not active and will be overwintering in its specific habitats. ▪ Only one pier shall intrude into the riverbed to ensure that no contact is made of any foreign objects, machinery or personnel with the river flow/water body. ▪ The wintering season will not be a migration season for any fish, including long distance migrants like Mahaseer and the Alwan Snow trout. ▪ The construction project site is not a conducive habitat for breeding of IUCN status species like Mahaseer and Kashmir catfish. ▪ Any increase in turbidity level caused by project activity will remain within the permissible limits as the Himalayan rivers are already turbid ones and any increase in turbidity will not harm any fish especially when the project is being undertaken during the winter season when the turbidity is itself at its lowest level. ▪ The area is already highly degraded due to heavy extraction of the sand and
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stones from the river bed.
Mitigation Measures
351. The following measures shall ensure no long-term impacts take place:
▪ The construction activity shall be conducted in the winter months when a large part of the riverbed remains dry. ▪ A pre-assembled bridge deck (Steel fabricated bialy bridge) with a large enough span shall be used. ▪ It shall be ensured that there is no contact of any foreign element(s) at any stage of the project with the delicate aquatic ecology of the river. ▪ The piles shaould be constructed at the hill slopes at the two ends of the bridge while the one pile to be constructed in the dry part of the riverbed shall be at a minimum distance of 30 meters from current flows in the river bed to ensure least interference in the water body itself. ▪ Sheet piles tol be introduced in the dry bed area along the construction site to protect the bed and water from any possible spillage that may seep into the sand beds during construction. ▪ Best construction practices shall be implemented including trainings of all staff on work sites to protect the ecology of the river by not disposing any liquid or solid waste into the river. ▪ No fishing shall be permitted in the Poonch river by the staff at the work sites.
6.4.2 Water Quality Impacts
352. Changes to quality and flows of surface water due to excavation and drilling of the foundations and piles to the abutments and the pier and fuel leakages may find its way into the river.
353. Changes in quality of surface water available for abstractions for public and private water supplies due to piled foundations for other piers and abutments.
354. Changes to hydrodynamic and sediment transport patterns due to reinforced concrete pile caps that would be constructed by excavating around the piles supported by sheet piles, where necessary.
355. Changes to quantities and quality of runoff due to clearing and grubbing the re/aligned sections of the approach roads on both banks of the river.
Mitigation Measures
356. The following measures shall be implemented:
▪ No sewage or labor camp run-off to be allowed to be disposed into the river. ▪ No oily residue or waste e.g. from vehicles, generators etc shall be allowed to be disposed into the river.
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▪ Construction shall be conducted during low flows when water level is at its minimum ▪ Construction will be during winter season when the water turbidity is almost zero. ▪ Construction methods and techniques and mechanism for disposal of effluent to be designed for proper drainage and control of discharge ▪ Fuel and oil storage areas should be located well away from any watercourses, and should have an impermeable base. Refueling should be carried out at the fuel storage areas and not be permitted within or adjacent to watercourses. ▪ Bitumen should be heated by kerosene or gas. Fuel wood should not be used as an alternative. Asphalt should not be applied during rain so as to avoid it being washed into watercourses.
6.4.3 Solid Waste Impacts
357. The disposal of excavated soil, construction debris and other waste including domestic waste into the Poonch river can cause soil contamination and other health and safety issues.
Mitigation Measures
358. A proper solid waste management programme to be designed and implemented to prevent disposal into Poonch river.
359. Unused construction material (sand, crush), empty drums, concrete waste:
▪ Waste to be reused by any other interested parties
▪ Identify potential safe disposal sites close to the sub-project sites and obtain approval for using these sites from PIU or use of sites designated in the Contract
▪ Debris shall not be left where it may be carried by water to downstream flood plains, dams, lagoons etc.
▪ Used oil and lubricants will be recovered and reused or removed from the sub- project site in full compliance with national regulations.
▪ Machinery will be properly maintained to minimize oil leakage during the construction.
6.4.4 Soil Removal and Excavation Impacts
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360. Dust raised from access roads by haulage trucks while transporting laterite, stone aggregate, cement, lime, petroleum products and other chemicals may change the soil structure.
361. Soil contamination will be caused by leakages from the asphalt plant operations, poor handling of petroleum products such as oil and fuel spillage during dispensing.
362. Activities involving site installation, stockpiles preparation, quarrying, construction of detours, access roads and drainage excavation will cause soil destabilisation.
Mitigation Measures
363. The following measures shall be implemented:
▪ Fuel storage area will be lined with an impervious base.
▪ Grease traps will be installed on the site, wherever needed, to prevent flow of oily water into the Poonch river.
▪ Spill cleaning kit (shovels, plastic bags and absorbent materials) will be available near fuel and oil storage areas.
▪ Emergency plan for spill management will be prepared and inducted to the staff for any incidence of spill.
▪ The bottom of any soak pit or septic tank shall be at least 10 m above the groundwater table.
▪ Vegetation loss will be limited to demarcated construction area.
▪ Areas such as muck disposal area, batching plant, labor camp and quarry sites after the closure shall be covered with grass and shrubs.
▪ All waste shall be collected and recycled or sent to an incinerator.
6.4.5 Impact on other Fauna & Vegetation Impacts
364. The vegetation confined to the river edge cliff, along the approach road and also where gravel pits will be established could be effected.
365. Dust raised from gravel access roads by haulage trucks during the transportation of laterite, stone aggregate, cement, lime, petroleum products and other chemicals including emissions from plant machinery and vehicles hamper normal growth of roadside vegetation.
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366. Poor disposal of toxic waste and petroleum products hampers normal growth of vegetation.
367. Loss of vegetation caused by activities related to clearing of sites for installation of works, clearing of the quarry site, preparation of stock pile area, construction of detours and access roads and the demand for fuelwood by labour force.
Mitigation Measures
368. The following measures shall be implemented:
▪ Hunting, trapping and killing of animals will be strictly prohibited.
▪ Burning of wood as fuel for cooking or any other purpose will be strictly prohibited.
▪ Vegetation loss will be limited to demarcated construction area.
▪ Areas such as muck disposal area, batching plant, labor camp and quarry sites after the closure shall be covered with grass and shrubs.
▪ Slope stabilization measures will be adopted
▪ Local species shall be selected for plantation to restore the plant biodiversity of the area in consultation with Forest Department after completion of respective activities.
6.4.6 Air Quality Impacts
369. Potential sources of particulate matter emission during construction activities include earthworks (dirt or debris pushing and grading), exposed surfaces, exposed storage piles, truck dumping, hauling, vehicle movement on unpaved roads, combustion of liquid fuel in equipment and vehicles, land excavation, and concrete mixing and batching.
370. Vehicles carrying construction material are expected to result in increased SPM levels near the haul roads. This can be of potential importance if the vehicles pass through the areas with a high concentration of sensitive receptors such as residences, hospitals and educational institutions.
371. At the construction yard, the dust levels are also expected to increase due to unloading of construction materials. It shall be ensured that most of the excavated material will be used within the project, with minimal cut and fill material to come from outside the site.
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372. The pavement works will also generate gas and odor from the asphalt works and vibration from the compaction. Emissions from powered mechanical equipment will be superimposed on the existing traffic pollution but is expected to disperse rapidly.
373. The quantity of dust that will be generated on a particular day will depend on the magnitude and nature of activity and the atmospheric conditions prevailing on the day. Due to the uncertainty in values of these parameters, it is not possible to
calculate the quantity from a ‘bottom-up’ approach, that is, from adding PM10 emissions from every activity on the construction site separately. Typical and worst- 22 case PM10 emissions from construction sites have been estimated as 0.27 megagram per hectare per month of activity (Mg/ha-month) and 1.04 Mg/ha- month, respectively.
Fugitive Dust Control 374. The source wise fugitive control measures are provided in Table 6.2 below.
Table 6.2: Control measures for Fugitive Dust emissions Source Control Measures
Earth Moving For any earth moving that is to take place in the immediate vicinity from the site boundary, watering must be conducted as required to prevent visible dust emissions
Disturbed Surface Apply dust suppression measures (clear vegetation only from areas where work is to Areas commence, plant or mulch areas that will not receive traffic, construct artificial wind breaks or wind screens) frequently to maintain a stabilized surface.
Areas that cannot be stabilized, such as wind driven dust, must have an application of water at least twice a day
Inactive Disturbed Apply dust suppressants (clear vegetation only from areas where work is to Surface Areas commence, plant or mulch areas that will not receive traffic, construct artificial wind breaks or wind screens) in sufficient quantity and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface
Unpaved Roads Water all roads used for any vehicular traffic at least twice per day during active operations and restrict vehicle speed to 20 kmph.
Open Storage Piles Apply water to at least 80 percent of the surface areas of all open storage piles on a daily basis when there is evidence of wind driven fugitive dust or install an enclosure all along the storage piles
Track-out Control Wash down of construction vehicles (particularly tyres) prior to departure from site.
Mitigation measures
22 Gaffney, G. and Shimp, D. 1997. Improving PM10 Fugitive Dust Emission Inventories. Sacramento, CA. California Air Resource Board.
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375. A wide variety of options exist to control emissions from construction sites. The most effective means of reducing the dust emission is wet suppression. Watering exposed surfaces and soil with adequate frequency to keep soil moist at all times can reduce the total dust emission from the project by as much as 75%.23 This measure alone can bring down the dust level to less than 100 μg/m3.
Water can be sprinkled by handheld sprays or with the help of automatic sprinkler systems as required.
376. The need for large stockpiles shall be minimized by careful planning of the supply of materials from controlled sources. Stockpiles shall be covered with tarpaulins when not in use and at the end of the working day to enclose dust. If large stockpiles (>25m3) of crushed materials are necessary, they should be enclosed with side barriers and also covered when not in use.
377. Construction materials that are susceptible to dust formation will be transported only in securely covered trucks to prevent dust emission during transportation.
378. Aggregate material will be delivered to the batching plant in a damp condition, and water sprays will be applied, if needed, to reduce dust emissions.
379. A minimum distance of 500 meters will be ensured between the batching and asphalt plant(s) and the nearest community.
Vehicular & Equipment Emissions 380. It shall be ensured that the following measures are taken to control emissions from vehicles being used in the construction activity:
▪ Periodically check and conduct maintenance of the construction machinery and haul vehicles.
▪ Regularly change the engine oil and use new engines/machinery/equipment having good efficiency and fuel burning characteristics.
▪ Use of catalytic converters and low Sulphur fuels.
▪ The stack height of generators will be at least 3 meters above the ground.
▪ Training of the technicians and operators of the construction machinery and drivers of the vehicles.
▪ Air quality monitoring at the project site during the construction phase.
23 El Dorado County Air Pollution Control District. 2002. Guide to Air Quality Assessment: Determining Significance of Air Quality Impacts Under the California Environmental Quality Act. First Edition.
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6.4.7 Noise Impacts
381. The proposed construction activity will result in different construction equipment and machinery being used which will generate high noise levels and create disturbance in the vicinity of the project site. Even though no sensitive receptors are present in close proximity to the project site, high noise levels would create a short-term nuisance to the travellers on the existing road.
382. Due to the various construction activities, there will be temporary noise impacts in the immediate vicinity of the project corridor.
383. The construction activities will include the excavation for foundations and grading of the site and the construction of structures and facilities. Powered mechanical equipment such as generators, excavators, bulldozers, piling rigs, stabilizers, drills, stone crushers, graders, vibratory rollers, concrete mixing plants and screening plants can generate significant noise.
Since various modern machines are acoustically designed to generate low noise levels, any high noise levels that might be generated will only be for a short duration during the construction phase.
Mitgation Measures
384. The following mitigation measures will be implemented:
▪ Unnecessary revving of engines will be avoided and equipment will be switched off when not in use; ▪ Internal haul routes will be kept well maintained; ▪ Rubber linings in, for example, chutes and dumpers will be used to reduce impact noise; ▪ Drop heights of materials will be minimised; ▪ Plant and vehicles will be sequentially started up rather than all together; ▪ Use of effective exhaust silence systems or acoustic engine covers as appropriate; ▪ As far as reasonably practicable, sources of significant noise will be enclosed; ▪ Plant will always be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. Care will be taken to site equipment away from noise-sensitive areas. Where possible, loading and unloading will also be carried out away from such areas; ▪ Regular and effective maintenance by trained personnel will be undertaken to keep plant and equipment working to manufacturers specifications; and ▪ Screening e.g. noise barriers and blinds will be used as appropriate.
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385. In addition to the mitigation measures listed above, the following mitigation measures control noise: ▪ Vehicles and mechanical plants used for the purpose of the works shall be fitted with effective exhaust silencers, maintained in good and efficient working order and operated in such a manner as to minimise noise emissions. The construction contractor shall ensure that all plant complies with the relevant statutory requirements; ▪ Machines in intermittent use should be shut down or throttled down to a minimum when not in use; ▪ Compressors should be fitted with properly lined and sealed acoustic covers which should be kept closed whenever in use. Pneumatic percussive tools should be fitted with mufflers or silencers of the type recommended by the manufacturers; ▪ Equipment which breaks concrete, brickwork or masonry by bending or bursting or "nibbling" shall be used in preference to percussive tools. Where possible, avoid the use of impact tools where the construction works is close to occupied premises; ▪ Rotary drills and busters activated by hydraulic, chemical or electrical power shall be used for excavating hard or extrusive material; ▪ Equipment powered by mains electricity shall be used in preference to equipment powered by internal combustion engine or locally generated electricity; ▪ Neither any part of the works nor any maintenance of plant shall be carried out in such a manner as to cause unnecessary noise except in the case of an emergency when the work is absolutely necessary for the saving of life or property or the safety of the works; ▪ Plant shall be maintained in good working order so that extraneous noise from mechanical vibration, creaking and squeaking is kept to a minimum; and ▪ Noise emitting machinery which is required to run continuously shall be housed in a suitable acoustically lined enclosure. ▪ Construction operation times shall be limited to 07:00 to 23:00 daily
6.4.8 Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Impacts
386. In the absence of national or domestic regulations and a waste management system in the project area, waste disposal can potentially become a serious environmental issue, particularly with the local contractors. To avoid any potential issue, the project proponent will have to impose adequate internal controls to ensure no waste is disposed into the Poonch river.
Mitigation measures
387. A waste management plan will be developed prior to the start of construction. This plan will cater to sorting of hazardous and non-hazardous materials prior to disposal, placing of waste bins at the sites along the project sites for waste disposal and an onsite hazardous waste storage facility.
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388. Periodic on-site audits of waste management will be undertaken along with auditing of waste disposal contractors and disposal facilities on regular basis to check that procedures are being followed.
389. Records of all waste generated during the construction period will be maintained. Quantities of waste disposed, recycled or reused will be logged on a Waste Tracking Register.
390. Licensed waste contractors will be engaged to dispose off all non-hazardous waste material that cannot be recycled or reused.
391. Training will be provided to personnel for identification, segregation and management of waste.
6.4.9 Water Resources Impacts
392. Water shall be used during the project construction in the labor camps for the everyday use of the laborers for cooking, drinking and bathing etc. Also, water shall be used at the project site for sprinkling to suppress dust emissions. In addition, water shall also be used during the construction activity itself for mixing of gravel in the batching plant etc.
393. Water is available in sufficient quantities at the proposed site and will be sourced through bowzers that shall be brought to the specific work sites.
394. Even though there is no issue with water availability and the project construction will only be requiring limited quantities of water that will be easily manageable, however it shall be ensured through monitoring that wastage of water is prevented both at the project sites as well as at the labor camps.
Mitigation Measures
395. It must be ensured that water wastage is prevented and only water required for bridge construction is extracted from wells, thus avoiding any scenario of water shortage for the local communities.
396. Any wells with a past history of drying up will not be used.
397. No water from the Poonch river shall be allowed to be extracted for the construction activity.
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6.4.10 Impact of Construction Activity on Living Environment Impacts
398. The communities and Kotli city being at a considerable distance from the respective sub-project site, the living environment will not be impacted by the construction activity.
399. The living environment will also not be significantly impacted by the operation of construction vehicular traffic because construction activity will be performed in day time only and the vehicles operating are relatively small in number. For similar reasons, the macroenvironment will not be exposed to hazards of operation of road traffic including air pollution, noise pollution and accidents.
400. The proposed sub-project does not involve involuntary resettlement nor will it affect the livelihood of villagers.
401. Intrusion on Indigenous People (IPs) and Ethnic Minority (EM): No IPs or EM are found within the sub-project areas.
Mitigation Measures
402. Although residential and commercial establishments will not be impacted, action shall be taken to minimize disturbance as far as possible. This will require:
▪ Consultation with the local communities to inform them of the nature, duration and likely effects of the construction work, and the mitigation measures in place;
▪ Proper planning of work programme so that any particularly noisy or otherwise invasive activities can be scheduled to avoid sensitive times;
▪ Avoiding noise-generating activities at night;
▪ Implementing the measures to reduce dust;
▪ Utilizing modern vehicles and machinery with the requisite adaptations to limit noise and exhaust emissions, and ensuring that these are maintained to manufacturers’ specifications at all times.
6.4.11 Community Safety Impacts
403. The proposed sub-project will involve the use of considerable heavy machinery as well as excavation and erection of civil structures such as piers of the proposed bridge. The risk to community will be significant in certain instances and thus a number of precautionary measures will be necessary to minimize the risk of a possible accident.
Mitigation measures
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404. Buffer strips or other methods of physical separation around the project sites shall be ensured to protect the public from major hazards associated with hazardous materials incidents or failure of the structure being constructed. In addition, nuisance issues related to noise, odors or other emissions would also be avoided as a result.
405. Siting and safety engineering criteria shall be incorporated to prevent failures due to natural risks posed by earthquakes, wind, flooding, landslides and fire. To prevent such issues, project structures shall be designed in accordance with engineering and design criteria mandated by site specific risks, included but not limited to seismic activity, slope stability, wind loading etc.
406. Inventories of hazardous materials shall be reduced through inventory management to greatly reduce or eliminate the potential off-site consequences of a release.
407. Process or storage conditions shall be modified to reduce the potential consequences of an accidental off-site release.
408. Improving of shut down and secondary containment to reduce the amount of material escaping from containment and to reduce the release duration.
409. Reduce the probability that releases will occur through improved site operations and control, and through improvements in maintenance and inspection.
410. Work areas outside the project site, especially where machinery is involved will be roped off and will be constantly monitored to ensure that local residents, particularly children stay away. Also, no machinery will be left unattended, particularly in running condition.
411. Community will be briefed on traffic safety, especially women who are the main care providers to children.
412. Speed limit of 20 km/hr will be maintained by all project related vehicles and nighttime driving of project vehicles will be limited where possible.
6.4.12 Health and Safety of Workers Impacts
413. There is invariably a safety risk when substantial construction such as this is conducted, and precautions will thus be needed to ensure the safety of both workers and citizens.
414. Poorly constructed or maintained work camps can be unhygienic and affect worker health. Stagnant water that may remain in borrow pits and in discarded waste such as plastics, old tires and metal containers can create breeding habitats for mosquitoes and rodents.
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415. Secondly, inadequate precautions during the handling of construction materials such as bagged cement, could lead to serious health problems among workers. Cement dust is very fine and highly corrosive to lung tissue and can lead to permanent damage if breathed in. Since much of the transfer of cement to the batch plant is still done by manual labour pouring the 30kg bags into hoppers, the risk to workers not wearing protective gear is high.
Mitigation Measures
416. The Contractor will be required to take measures such as:
▪ Ensuring that all workers are provided with and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, hand gloves, boots, masks etc);
▪ Follow standard practices of safety checks as prescribed before use of equipment;
▪ The possibility for the transmission of communicable diseases (such as STDs and HIV/AIDS) to the local community is rare because local people will be hired for the project.
▪ Provide on-site Health and Safety Training for all site personnel;
417. Where possible, work camps shall be kept remote from settlements, however all camps shall be provided with septic sanitation facilities and potable water. A solid waste collection program must be established so that no garbage is left on the ground or let enter streams where it can affect downstream water quality, aquatic environments and human health.
418. Local labour will be actively sought out by the contractor, thereby reducing the need for work camps. Local labour can reduce social concerns as these people will return to their villages at night and act in accordance with accepted community norms.
419. The Contractor will be required to prepare and implement an effective Worker Health and Safety Plan that is supported by trained first aid personnel and emergency response facilities. Construction contracts will include standard Worker Health and Safety measures and contractors will be bound to implement these fully. This will include mandatory wearing of dust masks for any cement handling operations or at any area were cement dust is in the air.
420. Monitoring will be required for the solid waste disposal at all camp sites and to ensure that the health and safety plan based on contract specifications is followed. Cement feed hopper areas will be inspected daily to ensure compliance with the requirement of dust masks.
6.4.13 Natural and Man made Hazards Impacts
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421. Natural disasters include windstorms, floods, earthquakes which may be experienced during the construction phase. However, the likelihood of such events is quite low and the effect on the project in the case of an occurrence of such a natural calamity on the health and safety of the workers and affected population can be minimized by adopting appropriate and adequate mitigation measures.
422. Fire accidents and terrorist/sabotage activities are something that cannot be predicted or foreseen but can be prepared for by taking precautionary measures such as training of staff and acquiring extra safety and security measures.
Mitigation measures
No mitigation measures required.
6.4.14 Socioeconomic Benefits Impacts
423. There could be some short-term socio-economic benefits from the construction work if local people gain employment in the workforce. To ensure that these benefits are directed to local people, the Contractors should be required to employ as much of his labor force as possible from the local communities in the vicinity of construction sites. Drawing of majority of workforce from local communities will avoid problems that can occur if workers are imported, including social conflicts and issues of health and sanitation due to labor camps.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required.
6.4.15 Traffic disturbance Impacts
424. Construction work will require traffic to be diverted around areas, or delayed while work is being done.
Mitigation Measures
425. A traffic diversion plan will be developed by the contractor and approved by the Project Management Consultant (PMC). Proper warning signs and flags will need to be displayed at the commencement of any road construction or diversion section so as to alert drivers to the changed road conditions. Old signage should be removed to reduce confusion, as soon as the work is done. This will be the responsibility of the Contractor.
6.4.16 Burden on Local Resources Impacts
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426. A labour force that is not properly supplied with adequate rations or cooking/heating fuel will aggravate demands on local supplies of fuel wood and wildlife. The project labour force can impose a burden on community water supply and sanitation systems.
Mitigation Measures
427. Where possible, local labour will be hired for the sub-project so there will be no additional impact on natural and social resources and services. At all times, workers must be supplied with the required daily rations or a living allowance as per their contract and at the same time, contractors will be required to inform employees in writing about the consequences of illegal hunting, including the loss of a job and possible detention by local authorities. The local labor must also be assured a reliable and uninterrupted supply of water for meeting their daily hygiene needs such as bathing, sanitary needs, washing clothes and utensils etc.
6.4.17 Topography and Seismicity Impacts
428. The main impact generating activities during construction will be excavation to lay the piers of the proposed bridge along with cutting and filling.
429. Visual changes to the landscape will not require mitigation measures, but the project design will consider aesthetic concerns. Tree replanting along the roadsides will be conducted in the ratio of 5 saplings for each tree uprooted.
430. The project corridors are located in Zones 3 and 4 (high risk) and thus the bridge designing has been conducted in consideration of this aspect.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required.
6.4.18 Historical/Archaeological Sites Impacts
431. There are no historical sites within the project area. However, if evidence of any archaeological remains is found during the construction activities, the excavation work will be stopped immediately and necessary next steps taken to identify the archaeological discovery based on the ‘Chance Find’ procedures provided as Annexure F.
Mitigation measures
No measures required.
6.4.19 Inadequate Camp Site Good Housekeeping
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Impacts
432. While the use of local labour should minimise the need for on-site worker accommodation, there will nevertheless be a need for a work camp with office accommodation, catering, ablutions, prayer area, etc.
433. The Contractor will be responsible for the construction, management and operation of the construction work camps to minimize the impact of construction activities on land, and, ensure adequate provision of waste disposal and health and safety of construction workers.
Mitigation Measures
434. The Contractor will carry out the following activities to manage the disposal of construction waste:
▪ Train work force in storage and handling of materials
▪ Fire fighting
▪ Camp sewage will be treated in soakage pit and garbage management will be carried out by provision of EPA compliant means of disposal.
435. Contractor will prepare as part of site specific EMP the following items which will be approved from EA and final approval will be sought from ADB:
▪ Waste management plan
▪ Borrow site management plan
▪ Camp site management plan
6.5 Impacts Associated with Project Operation 436. The majority of impacts at the operation stage are positive and do not require mitigation. These include:
▪ Improved access to Kotli city and markets
▪ Reduced travel times
▪ Lower vehicle operating costs
▪ Reduced dust
437. However, there are some potential impacts and these are discussed in the following sub-sections.
6.5.1 Lack of Environmental Safeguards
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Impacts
438. The proposed sub-project will be completed by following the environmental safeguards of the EMP and the contractor shall ensure all actions taken during the project development are in compliance with the EMP.
439. The contractor will provide mitigation and monitoring completion report, listing all actions taken in compliance with the EMP items and with any other safeguard requirements specified in the contract. Only once this document has been submitted to the PIU will the final payment be released.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required
6.5.2 Air Quality & Noise Impacts
440. Provision of the proposed bridge will allow faster movement and a convenient passage to Kotli city. Since higher engine speeds lead to more efficient combustion and lower emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and also higher speeds give more dispersion and so generate lower ambient levels of noxious gases, the construction of this bridge will lead to lowering of the pollution load on this corridor. The dust problem will be greatly reduced due to reasons stated above.
441. Dust from the unpaved landslide affected stretch of road is a major nuisance each day for travellers on this road. During operation, passing vehicles will generate noise. In open areas, traffic noise will disperse and will create a minor impact.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required
6.5.3 Increased risk of accidents Impacts
442. While the proposed bridge project will make the road safer and convenient, the increase in traffic and the potential for higher speeds may result in more road accidents.
Mitigation Measures
443. Improved traffic signage and road markings will be used to warn motorists of impending changes in road standards and to advise appropriate speeds
444. Properly designed traffic calming measures such as speed humps, speed signs and, possibly traffic signals will be installed.
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445. One of the most effective ways of reducing deaths from road crashes is to reduce the time between the trauma occurring and hospital treatment. Better enforcement of the road rules and more stringent penalties should be sought.
6.5.4 Socioeconomic Benefits Impacts
446. The bridge sub-project will reduce travel time and greatly increase traveller convenience and safety. This will be a positive impact on the socio-economics of the local communities residing in the respective neighboring sub-project areas.
447. The sub-project will create easier access to government services while a flood free road will ensure that there is now unrestricted access to hospitals. Similarly, the roads will also provide better access of students as well as residents of neighboring towns and villages to Kotli city.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures required.
6.6 Cumulative Impacts 448. There is a sand extraction plant which is presently operational since quite many years in close proximity to the proposed project site as shown in the project area maps (Figures 3.1 to 3.4). This plant emits high levels of dust and thus is considered one of the major reasons for the high levels of particulate matter emissions in the project area, which were observed to be exceeding the applicable NEQS limits for particulates. In addition, this plant and its associated operations such as movement of trolleys transporting away the sand that has been extracted also emits high levels of noise which disturb an otherwise quiet and serene environment. It is important to mention that the legal status of operation of this plant is not clear and the plant staff provided no permits/approvals for operation of this plant during the field consultations.
449. Apart from the operation of this plant, the only other potential source for creating cumulative impacts are any road projects that would be constructed concurrently with the construction stage of this sub-project.
450. Considering the location of this project site, which is located in a valley quite far from any settlements, there are no other infrastructure projects to be developed in the project area in the foreseeable future. Thus, the only cumulative impacts that are envisaged due to the proposed bridge development are from operation of the sand extraction plant.
451. The scope of operation of the sand extraction plant is limited in terms of its scale as well as the number of hours of operation each day. However, in order to ensure no significant cumulative impacts take place once the construction of the proposed sub-project commences, air quality and noise monitoring shall be
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conducted along with visual inspection to ensure any short term impacts being created are manageable and are not creating a nuisance for the commuters and visitors of the project area.
452. It is also required that the relevant regulatory agencies in AJK i.e. AJK EPA should assess and ensure that this sand extraction plant has the required approvals and permits for conducting its activities in the riverbed of the Poonch river, which contains a critical habitat.
6.7 Indirect and Induced Impacts 453. The development of the proposed bridge will only divert the existing traffic and will provide the commuters a safe and convenient passage instead of travelling on the ‘land slide affected road’, which is highly risky. Thus, due to this bridge development, no increase in traffic or any unexpected impacts will take place.
454. Thus, keeping in view the nature of this proposed project, negative indirect and induced impacts from this project are not expected.
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7 Environmental Management Plan & Institutional Requirements
7.1 Introduction 455. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is developed to eliminate and/or mitigate the impacts envisaged at the design, construction and operation stages.
456. The detailed EMP provided in this document as Table 7.1 ensures that this bridge sub-project has no detrimental effect on the surrounding environment. The Plan shall act as a guideline for incorporating environmental measures to be carried out by the Contractor engaged for the proposed sub-project. It shall also be used for other parties concerned for mitigating possible impacts associated with this sub- project and will form part of the Contract documents to be considered alongside the specifications. This Plan shall act as the Environmental Monitoring Plan during the construction phase of the sub-project, and will allow for prompt implementation of effective corrective measures.
7.2 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 457. The EMP attached with this report ensures the following:
▪ Delivery of the prescribed environmental outcomes during all phases of this sub- project;
▪ Formulating a system for compliance with applicable legislative requirements and obligations and commitments for these sub-projects;
▪ Ensure that project design process incorporates best practice environmental design and sustainability principles to minimize potential impacts of construction on the environment and community.
▪ Ensure that the construction work procedures minimize potential impacts on the environment and community.
▪ Develop, implement and monitor measures that minimize pollution and optimize resource use.
7.3 Objectives of EMP 458. The EMP provides a delivery mechanism to address potential impacts of the project activities, to enhance project benefits and to outline standardized good practice to be adopted for all sub-project works. The EMP has been prepared with the objectives of:
▪ Defining the roles and responsibilities of the project proponent for the implementation of EMP and identifying areas where these roles and responsibilities can be shared with other parties involved in the execution and
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monitoring of this sub-project;
▪ Outlining mitigation measures required for avoiding or minimizing potential negative impacts assessed by environmental study;
▪ Developing a monitoring mechanism and identifying requisite monitoring parameters to confirm effectiveness of the mitigation measures recommended in the study;
▪ Defining the requirements for communication, documentation, training, monitoring, management and implementation of the mitigation measures.
7.4 Environmental Management/Monitoring and Reporting 459. During the construction phase, the overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the EMP rests with the Project Director (PD). The PD through the Project Management Consultant (PMC), which is already engaged for providing support for other FERRP sub-projects, will supervise the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures and monitor the implementation progress in the field.
460. The specific roles and responsibilities for environmental management and monitoring are provided in Table 7.1 below. The expected costs for implementing any required mitigation measures are provided in Table 7.6 below.
7.5 Institutional Arrangements 461. The environmental management plan will require involvement of the following organizations for its implementation:
▪ The Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which is already established at the C&W AJ&K. This PIU will be the project proponent and owners of the EMP;
▪ Project Contractors as executors of the EMP;
▪ PMC staff (on behalf of PIU) as environmental monitor of the execution of the EMP.
▪ Staff of District Works & Services Department (W&SD) will provide any required support to PMC staff during monitoring of the construction activities.
462. As a minimum, the Contractor for this sub-project and PMC must have qualified environmental staff in order to ensure they have the required capacities for implementation of the EMP and monitoring of the respective mitigation measures.
7.5.1 Role of Project Director 463. The key responsibilities of the PD will be as follows:
▪ If felt necessary at any stage of implementation, liaise closely with the
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environmental agency (AJ&K-EPA) and all concerned Government departments e.g. Forest and Wildlife Department, Department of Archaeology and Museums, NGOs, CBOs etc.
▪ Ensure the EMP is properly implemented;
▪ Responsible for all environmental coordination and reporting;
7.5.2 Role of PMC 464. The PMC will work on behalf of the PIU and through their environmental specialist, will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the EMP. The PMC will also ensure the overall environmental performance during construction operations and will be responsible for ensuring implementation of the EMP by the project Contractors.
465. Provide technical support for compliance and monitoring of EMP;
7.5.3 Role of Project Contractor 466. The project contractors will be responsible for following items:
▪ Implementation of, or adherence to, all provisions of the IEE and EMP;
▪ Preparation of site specific EMPs (SSEMPs) as required, such as for workers’ camp etc.
▪ Contractor’s environmental performance will rest with the person holding the highest management position within the contractor’s organization. Reporting to their management, the contractor’s site managers will be responsible for the effective implementation of the EMP.
▪ The Contractor(s) will be required to have qualified Environmental Specialists in their team to ensure all mitigation measures are implemented during the different development phases of the sub-projects.
7.5.4 Role of W&SD Staff 467. The staff of the respective W&SD will provide any support required by the PMC staff in their routine day-to-day monitoring of the project construction activities.
7.6 Monitoring Parameters 468. A monitoring plan for the construction phase of this sub-project, indicating environmental parameters, frequency and applicable standards is provided as Table 7.2 below.
469. During the procurement/pre-construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on (i) checking the contractor’s bidding documents, particularly to ensure that all necessary environmental requirements have been included; and (ii) checking that
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the contract documents’ references to environmental mitigation measures requirements have been incorporated as part of contractor’s assignment and making sure that any advance works are carried out in good time.
470. During the construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on ensuring that any required environmental mitigation measures are implemented to address possible impacts.
471. In general, the construction impacts will be manageable and no insurmountable impacts are predicted, provided that the EMP is implemented to its full extent as required in the Contract documents. However, experience suggests that some Contractors may not be familiar with this approach or may be reluctant to carry out some measures. For this proposed sub-project, in order that the Contractor is fully aware of the implications of the EMP and to ensure compliance, environmental measures must be costed separately in the tender documentation and listed as BoQ items, and that payment milestones must be linked to environmental performance, vis a vis the carrying out of the EMP.
472. The effective implementation of the EMP will be audited as part of the loan conditions and the executing agency must be prepared for this. In this regard, the PMC will guide the design engineers and Contractors on the environmental aspects.
473. Third party monitoring shall be conducted by engaging a monitor on an intermittent basis with an expected input of 5 days per month. This monitor shall ensure all mitigative measures are being effectively implemented and if any significant impacts are observed on the ambient air quality or noise levels of the project area, required monitoring shall be conducted by engaging a reputed laboratory.
7.7 Environmental Training
7.7.1 Capacity Building and Training 474. Capacity building and training programs are necessary for the project staff in order to control the negative impacts resulting from the project construction and during its operation phase. They will also require trainings on monitoring and inspecting of such a project for environmental impacts and for implementation of mitigation measures.
475. The details of this capacity building and training program are presented in the Table 7.7 below.
7.8 Site Specific EMPs (SSEMPs) 476. Once the Contractor for this sub-project has been engaged, SSEMPs shall be developed prior to the start of the construction activity. This shall ensure that the cut and excavation works for the side piers of the bridge are managed in the most
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effective and efficient manner and any loose debris does not fall into the river and possibly block it.
477. The SSEMPs shall be particularly useful during periods of heavy rainfall since the possibility of any debris entering the river and altering the flow regime shall be highest during these periods of the year.
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Table 7.1: Environmental Management Plan
Project Activities Section Impact Mitigation Measures Recommended Responsibility Timing Execution Monitoring • PIU, working with PMC will conduct BC: during detailed one day workshop to develop designing of the sub- capacities on environmental project
safeguards
• Contractors will be required to define an Occupational and Environmental Procurement/Pre- Health and Safety procedure for all construction work, including work camp operation, Considerations management of cement dust, and use of Personal Safety Equipment. Lack of Environmental These procedures should be 1.1 PMC PIU Capacity developed and approved by the PIU before the contractor begins civil work. • All concerned parties shall possess the required awareness and skills to implement the required mitigation measures through the EMP, particularly considering the importance of the Poonch river being a National Park
• Safeguards focal point at the PIU shall be assigned the task to check that design and bid documents are Lack of Integration of responsive to key environmental, 1.2 IEE/EMP requirements into social and safety considerations, and PMC PIU BC bidding documents that the proposed method of work reflects the boundaries defined in the EMP • The bid documents must include the
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EMP and its implementation cost must be reflected in the BoQ.
• Construction of proposed bridge will not involve removal of any trees from the right of way. Instead, the proponent shall plant trees along the road leading to the bridge and shall leave a positive impact on the overall 1.3 Project Siting environment of the project area. PMC PIU BC • Adoption of mitigation measures identified for different stages of the sub-project will be keenly monitored to further enhance the environmental performance of this sub-project.
• Specific locations shall be designated in the proposed project area for development of the labor camps. All necessary facilities and amenities shall be provided in these camps such as electricity, sufficient supply of water, solid and liquid Locations for Labor Camps effluent waste disposal facilities etc. 1.4 PMC PIU BC and ancillary facilities • The use of proper planning while identifying locations for the labor camps will ensure there is no impact on the ecology of the Poonch river and the traffic is not disrupted by labor camps being set up roadside next to the construction work sites.
• Project Contractor shall identify Locations for Asphalt and Contractor 1.5 suitable location(s) for the Asphalt PIU BC Batching Plants and Batching plants for the proposed & PMC
sub-project and will submit the
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location detailed on the developed form template to ADB for approval. Only once the formal approval from ADB is issued, only then will the Contractor proceed with installation of these plants. • It shall be ensured that the Asphalt and/or Batching plants are located at a minimum distance of 500 meters from the closest sensitive receptors.
• The Construction vehicles hauling materials along urban roads and anywhere where there are roadside BC 1.6 Material Haul routes residences will be limited. PMC PIU
• PIU will establish a route plan to minimize this disruption.
• To stop excavation work immediately if any artifact of historical importance is 1.7 Historical Heritage sites discovered. PMC PIU BC & DC • Implementation of ‘Chance Find’ Procedure provided as Annexure F. • The construction activity shall be conducted in the winter months when a large part of the riverbed remains dry.
Construction Phase • A pre-assembled bridge deck (Steel fabricated bialy bridge) with a large 2.1 Fish Fauna enough span shall be used. Contractor PMC, PIU DC • It shall be ensured that there is no contact of any foreign element(s) at any stage of the project with the delicate aquatic ecology of the river. • The piles shaould be constructed at the
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hill slopes at the two ends of the bridge while the one pile to be constructed in the dry part of the riverbed shall be at a
minimum distance of 10 meters from current flows in the river bed to ensure least interference in the water body itself. • Sheet piles tol be introduced in the dry bed area along the construction site to protect the bed and water from any
possible spillage that may seep into the sand beds during construction. • Best construction practices shall be implemented including trainings of all staff on work sites to protect the ecology of the river by not disposing any liquid or solid Construction Phase waste into the river. (Continued) • No fishing shall be permitted in the Poonch river by the staff at the work sites.
• No sewage or labor camp run-off to be allowed to be disposed into the river. • No oily residue or waste e.g. from vehicles, generators etc shall be allowed
to be disposed into the river. • Construction shall be conducted during low flows when water level is at its minimum 2.2 Water Quality Contractor PMC, PIU DC • Construction will be during winter season
when the water turbidity is almost zero. • Construction methods and techniques and mechanism for disposal of effluent to be designed for proper drainage and
control of discharge
• Fuel and oil storage areas should be located well away from any watercourses,
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and should have an impermeable base. Refueling should be carried out at the fuel storage areas and not be permitted within or adjacent to watercourses. • Bitumen should be heated by kerosene or gas. Fuel wood should not be used as an alternative. Asphalt should not be applied during rain so as to avoid it being washed into watercourses.
Construction Phase • A proper solid waste management (Continued…) programme to be designed and implemented to prevent disposal into Poonch river. • Unused construction material (sand, crush), empty drums, concrete waste: • Waste to be reused by any other interested parties
• Identify potential safe disposal sites close to the sub-project sites and obtain approval for using these sites from PIU or 2.3 Solid Waste use of sites designated in the Contract Contractor PMC, PIU DC
• Debris shall not be left where it may be carried by water to downstream flood plains, dams, lagoons etc. • Used oil and lubricants will be recovered and reused or removed from the sub- project site in full compliance with national regulations. • Machinery will be properly maintained to minimize oil leakage during the construction.
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• Fuel storage area will be lined with an impervious base. • Grease traps will be installed on the site, wherever needed, to prevent flow of oily water into the Poonch river. • Spill cleaning kit (shovels, plastic bags and absorbent materials) will be available near fuel and oil storage areas. • Emergency plan for spill management will be prepared and inducted to the staff for any incidence of spill. Soil Removal and 2.4 • The bottom of any soak pit or septic tank Contractor PMC, PIU DC Excavation shall be at least 10 m above the groundwater table. • Vegetation loss will be limited to demarcated construction area. • Areas such as muck disposal area, batching plant, labor camp and quarry sites after the closure shall be covered with grass and shrubs. • All waste shall be collected and recycled or sent to an incinerator.
• Hunting, trapping and killing of animals will be strictly prohibited. • Burning of wood as fuel for cooking or any other purpose will be strictly prohibited. Impact on other Fauna & 2.5 Contractor PMC, PIU DC Vegetation • Vegetation loss will be limited to demarcated construction area. • Areas such as muck disposal area, batching plant, labor camp and quarry sites after the closure shall be covered with grass and shrubs.
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• Slope stabilization measures will be adopted • Local species shall be selected for plantation to restore the plant biodiversity of the area in consultation with Forest Department after completion of respective activities. • Water can be sprinkled by handheld sprays or with the help of automatic sprinkler systems as required. • The need for large stockpiles shall be minimized by careful planning of the supply of materials from controlled sources. • Stockpiles shall be covered with tarpaulins when not in use and at the end of the working day to enclose dust. If large stockpiles (>25m3) of crushed materials are necessary, they should be enclosed with side barriers and also covered when not in use. 2.6 Air Quality Contractor PMC, PIU DC • Construction materials that are susceptible to dust formation will be transported only in securely covered trucks to prevent dust emission during transportation. • Aggregate material will be delivered to the batching plant in a damp condition, and water sprays will be applied, if needed, to reduce dust emissions. • A minimum distance of 500 meters will be ensured between the batching and asphalt plant(s) and the nearest community. •
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Vehicle & Equipment Emissions • Periodically check and conduct maintenance of the construction machinery and haul vehicles. • Regularly change the engine oil and use new engines/machinery/equipment having good efficiency and fuel burning characteristics. • Use of catalytic converters and low Sulphur fuels. • The stack height of generators will be at least 3 meters above the ground. • Training of the technicians and operators of the construction machinery and drivers of the vehicles. • Air quality monitoring at the project site during the construction phase.
• Unnecessary revving of engines will be avoided and equipment will be switched off when not in use; • Internal haul routes will be kept well maintained; • Rubber linings in, for example, chutes and dumpers will be used to reduce Noise impact noise; 2.7 Contractor PMC, PIU DC • Drop heights of materials will be minimised; • Plant and vehicles will be sequentially started up rather than all together; • Use of effective exhaust silence systems or acoustic engine covers as appropriate; • As far as reasonably practicable, sources of significant noise will be enclosed;
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• Plant will always be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. Care will be taken to site equipment away from noise-sensitive areas. Where possible, loading and unloading will also be carried out away from such areas; • Regular and effective maintenance by trained personnel will be undertaken to keep plant and equipment working to manufacturers specifications; and • Vehicles and mechanical plants used for the purpose of the works shall be fitted with effective exhaust silencers, maintained in good and efficient working order and operated in such a manner as to minimise noise emissions. The construction contractor shall ensure that all plant complies with the relevant statutory requirements; • Machines in intermittent use should be shut down or throttled down to a minimum when not in use; • Equipment which breaks concrete, brickwork or masonry by bending or bursting or "nibbling" shall be used in preference to percussive tools. Where possible, avoid the use of impact tools where the construction works is close to occupied premises; • Rotary drills and busters activated by hydraulic, chemical or electrical power shall be used for excavating hard or extrusive material; • Equipment powered by mains electricity shall be used in preference to equipment powered by internal combustion engine or
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locally generated electricity; • Neither any part of the works nor any maintenance of plant shall be carried out in such a manner as to cause unnecessary noise except in the case of an emergency when the work is absolutely necessary for the saving of life or property or the safety of the works; • Plant shall be maintained in good working order so that extraneous noise from mechanical vibration, creaking and squeaking is kept to a minimum; and • Noise emitting machinery which is required to run continuously shall be housed in a suitable acoustically lined enclosure. • Construction operation times shall be limited to 07:00 to 23:00 daily
• A waste management plan will be developed prior to the start of construction. This plan will cater to sorting of hazardous and non-hazardous materials prior to disposal, placing of waste bins at the sites along the project sites for waste disposal and an onsite Hazardous and Non- hazardous waste storage facility. Hazardous Waste 2.8 Contractor PMC, PIU DC Management • Periodic on-site audits of waste management will be undertaken along with auditing of waste disposal contractors and disposal facilities on regular basis to check that procedures are being followed. • Records of all waste generated during the construction period will be maintained. Quantities of waste disposed, recycled or
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reused will be logged on a Waste Tracking Register. • Licensed waste contractors will be engaged to dispose off all non-hazardous waste material that cannot be recycled or reused. • Training will be provided to personnel for identification, segregation and management of waste. • Water wastage will be prevented. • Only water required for project construction will be extracted from wells. 2.9 Water resources • Any wells with past history of drying up Contractor PMC, PIU DC will not be used. • No water from the Poonch river shall be allowed to be extracted for the construction activity. • Consultation with the local communities to inform them of the nature, duration and likely effects of the construction work, and the mitigation measures in place; • Proper planning of work programme so that any particularly noisy or otherwise invasive activities can be scheduled to avoid sensitive times; Impact on Living 2.10 • Avoiding noise-generating activities at Contractor PMC, PIU DC Environment night; • Implementing the measures to reduce dust; • Utilizing modern vehicles and machinery with the requisite adaptations to limit noise and exhaust emissions, and ensuring that these are maintained to manufacturers’ specifications at all times.
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• Buffer strips or other methods of physical separation around the project sites shall be ensured to protect the public from major hazards associated with hazardous materials incidents or failure of the structure being constructed. In addition, nuisance issues related to noise, odors or other emissions would also be avoided as a result. • Siting and safety engineering criteria shall be incorporated to prevent failures due to natural risks posed by earthquakes, wind, flooding, landslides and fire. To prevent such issues, project structures shall be designed in accordance with engineering and design criteria mandated by site specific risks, included but not limited to 2.11 Community Safety seismic activity, slope stability, wind Contractor PMC, PIU DC loading etc. • Inventories of hazardous materials shall be reduced through inventory management to greatly reduce or eliminate the potential off-site consequences of a release. • Process or storage conditions shall be modified to reduce the potential consequences of an accidental off-site release. • Improving of shut down and secondary containment to reduce the amount of material escaping from containment and to reduce the release duration. • Reduce the probability that releases will occur through improved site operations and control, and through improvements in
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maintenance and inspection. • Work areas outside the project site, especially where machinery is involved will be roped off and will be constantly monitored to ensure that local residents, particularly children stay away. Also, no machinery will be left unattended, particularly in running condition. • Community will be briefed on traffic safety, especially women who are the main care providers to children. • Speed limit of 20 km/hr will be maintained by all project related vehicles and nighttime driving of project vehicles will be limited where possible.
• Ensuring that all workers are provided with and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, hand gloves, boots, masks etc); • Follow standard practices of safety checks as prescribed before use of equipment; • The possibility for the transmission of Health and Safety of communicable diseases (such as STDs 2.12 Workers and HIV/AIDS) to the local community is Contractor PMC, PIU DC rare because local people will be hired for the project. • Provide on-site Health and Safety Training for all site personnel; • Where possible, work camps shall be kept remote from settlements, however all camps shall be provided with septic sanitation facilities and potable water. • A solid waste collection program must be
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established so that no garbage is left on the ground or let enter streams where it can affect downstream water quality, aquatic environments and human health. • Local labour will be actively sought out by the contractor, thereby reducing the need for work camps. Local labour can reduce social concerns as these people will return to their villages at night and act in accordance with accepted community norms. • The Contractor will be required to prepare and implement an effective Worker Health and Safety Plan that is supported by trained first aid personnel and emergency response facilities. • Construction contracts will include standard Worker Health and Safety measures and contractors will be bound to implement these fully. This will include mandatory wearing of dust masks for any cement handling operations or at any area were cement dust is in the air. • Monitoring will be required for the solid waste disposal at all camp sites and to ensure that the health and safety plan based on contract specifications is followed. • Cement feed hopper areas will be inspected daily to ensure compliance with the requirement of dust masks.
• Fuel and oil storage areas shall be Ground and Water located away from any watercourses and 2.5 Contamination (ground and Contractor PMC, PIU DC should have an impermeable base. surface) • Refueling should be carried out at fuel
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storage area and not adjacent to watercourses. • Consultation with local community to inform them of nature, duration and effects of construction work. • Proper planning of work programme to Impact on living ensure high noise activities are scheduled 2.6 Contractor PMC, PIU DC environment to avoid sensitive times • Avoid noise generating activities at night • Implement measures to reduce dust • Utilize modern vehicles and machinery to limit noise and exhaust emissions • PPE to be provided to all workers. • Follow standard practices of safety checks before use of equipment. • Provide on-site health and safety training for all site personnel. • Keep work remote from settlements, wherever possible. Health and Safety of 2.7 • All worker camps shall be provided with Contractor PMC, PIU DC Workers septic sanitation facilities and potable water. • Solid waste collection program must be established to ensure no garbage is left on the ground or allowed to enter streams etc. • Effective worker health and safety plan to be implemented. Disposal of Spoil and Solid • It may be re-used in the soft shoulders or Waste: as fill for other parts of the new road 2.8 • Asphalt layers and base depending on the quality of the material. It Contractor PMC, PIU DC may also be used as back-fill for borrow materials of the existing pits and then over-lain with top soil. road Wherever Asphalt roads are being
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constructed, it can be pulverized, spread on access roads and compacted. • Waste to be reused in the project or by other interested parties • Identify potential safe disposal sites close to the project sites and obtaining approval for using these sites from PIU24 or use of sites designated in the Contract Disposal of Spoil and Solid • Debris shall not be left where it may be Waste: carried by water to downstream flood 2.9 • Unused construction plains, dams, lagoons etc. Contractor PMC, PIU DC material (sand, crush), • Used oil and lubricants will be recovered empty drums, concrete and reused or removed from the site in waste full compliance with national regulations. • Machinery will be properly maintained to minimize oil spill during the construction • Solid waste will be disposed at an approved solid waste facility • Open burning of waste will be prohibited. • All vehicles, generators and other Vehicle and equipment equipment will be properly tuned and 2.10 Contractor PMC, PIU DC exhaust maintained in good working condition to minimize emission of pollutants. • Willful killing, trapping and trade of faunal species will be strictly prohibited. Vegetation and Wildlife • Tree plantation will be undertaken at 2.11 Loss project site to compensate for any Contractor PMC, PIU DC vegetation lost during construction. Tree plantation shall be conducted in the ratio of 5 tree saplings planted for 1 tree
24 Approval will be provided by PIU and not W&SD since this activity is specific to spoil disposal from an environmental standpoint and is not general waste disposal.
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uprooted.25 • Burning of wood/vegetation as fuel is strictly prohibited. • In case any utility infrastructure is observed, a relocation plan of the utilities will be developed. Damage/disturbance to 2.12 • Contractor will need to be aware of Contractor PMC, PIU DC Utilities services location of services to avoid disruptions. • Responsibility for any repair of damaged services will lie with Contractor. • Contractor will develop traffic diversion plan. • Proper warning signs and flags will be 2.13 Traffic Disturbance Contractor PMC, PIU DC displayed at every work site. • Old signage will be removed to reduce confusion once work is complete. • Local labor will be hired as far as possible to reduce burden on local resources. • At all times, workers must be supplied with required daily rations or living 2.14 Burden on local resources allowance. Contractor PMC, PIU DC • Contractors must inform their employees about consequences of illegal hunting. • Labor must be assured an uninterrupted supply of water for their daily needs. • Train work force in storage and handling of materials Inadequate Camp site 2.15 • Fire fighting Contractor PMC, PIU DC housekeeping • Camp sewage will be treated in soakage pit and garbage management will be
25 No trees are expected to be cut during the existing Works and thus no replanting will be required since the RoW is not being changed. In case any replanting is necessary for existing Works, necessary budget will be allocated for this activity.
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carried out by provision of EPA compliant means of disposal. • Contractor will prepare as part of site specific EMP the following items which will be approved from EA and final approval will be sought from ADB: • Waste management plan • Borrow site management plan • Camp site management plan
• Improved traffic signage and road markings will be used to warn motorists of impending changes in road standards and Operation Phase to advise appropriate speeds. • Properly designed traffic calming measures such as speed humps, speed signs and, possibly traffic signals will be 3.1 Increased risk of accidents Contractor PMC, PIU DO installed near settlements. • Traffic police shall be trained to more consistently enforce road rules. • Allocation of an emergency ambulance to reduce travel time to hospital
PMC : Project Management Consultant BC : Before Construction
DC : During Construction
PIU : Project Implementation Unit DO During Operation
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Table 7.2: Pre-Construction Environmental Monitoring Plan for Baseline Development
Parameter to be Objective of Parameters to be Measurements Location Frequency Responsibility measured Monitoring Monitored Water Quality To prevent any Water quality of Poonch river at damage to ecology Water quality parameters Monthly PMC Poonch river construction site of Poonch river Ambient Air Quality Already conducted during IEE study Ambient Noise Already conducted during IEE study
Table 7.3: Construction Phase Monitoring Requirements Parameter to be Objective of Parameters to be Measurements Location Frequency Responsibility measured Monitoring Monitored Water Quality To ensure no Effluent and solid Audit of waste Poonch river Once monthly Contractor’s effluent or waste is waste disposal management practices, Environmental being discharged practices and Poonch visual observations of officer, PMC into the Poonch river water quality Poonch river and its river ecology, water quality testing Wlidlife and To ensure no Cutting of trees or Construction sites Once daily Contractor’s Vegetation adverse impact on destruction of Environmental wildlife or vegetation and/or Visual inspection officer, PMC vegetation is harming of any taking place wildlife Noise To determine the Ambient noise level at A-weighted noise levels – At two random Once every six months Contractor’s Disturbance due to effectiveness of different locations in 24 hours, readings taken locations around the on a typical working day Environmental noise from noise abatement project area at 15 s intervals over 15 project site officer, PMC construction activity measures on min. every hour at 15 m sound pressure from receptors, and then levels averaged
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Parameter to be Objective of Parameters to be Measurements Location Frequency Responsibility measured Monitoring Monitored
Air Quality To determine the CO,NOx & PM10 1-hr and 24-hr At two random Once every six months Contractor’s Dust emissions from effectiveness of (particulate matter concentration levels locations around the on a typical working day Environmental construction vehicles dust control smaller than 10 project site officer, PMC and equipment program on dust at microns) receptor level concentration at receptor level Visible dust Visual observation of size Construction sites Once daily during peak Contractor’s of dust clouds, their construction period Environmental dispersion and the officer, PMC direction of dispersion Water Resources To prevent Volume of ground Construction sites and Contractor’s wastage of water water extracted labor camps Environmental Wastage of water Visual inspection Weekly leading to depletion in during the versus its utilization officer, PMC water resources construction works Landscape scarring To ensure Contractor’s at borrow sites landscape does Environmental - Visual inspection Borrow sites Weekly not lose its officer, PMC aesthetic value Soil erosion To ensure soil Contractor’s erosion does not - Visual inspection Borrow sites Weekly Environmental take place officer, PMC Increase in traffic To minimize risk of Number of accidents Construction sites Contractor’s accidents traffic accidents taking place Visual monitoring along corridor Once Daily Environmental officer, PMC Delays in traffic To ensure traffic Number of traffic Construction sites Contractor’s management movement is congestion events along corridor Visual inspections Once Daily Environmental efficiently officer, PMC managed Safety precautions To prevent Number of near miss Construction sites Contractor’s by Safety workers accidents for events and accidents along corridor Visual inspections Once Daily Environmental workers and taking place officer, PMC general public
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Parameter to be Objective of Parameters to be Measurements Location Frequency Responsibility measured Monitoring Monitored Soil Contamination To prevent Incidents of oil and At construction sites contamination of toxic chemical spills and at vehicle and Contractor’s soil from oil and Visual inspections machinery refuelling & Once a month Environmental toxic chemical maintenance areas officer, PMC spills and leakages Solid Waste & To check the Inspection of solid Effluent disposal availability of and liquid effluent Insufficient waste generation, collection, management segregation, storage, procedures for waste At labor camps and at Contractor’s system and recycling and Once daily. collection, storage, Visual inspections work sites along Environmental implementation disposal will be transportation and project corridor officer, PMC disposal undertaken at labor camps and at all work sites along project corridor
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7.9 Environmental Management Costs 478. The Table 7.4 below provides cost estimates for ‘Pre-Construction phase’ monitoring while Table 7.5 provides cost estimates for ‘Construction phase’ monitoring of key environmental parameters.
479. The costs associated with implementation of the EMP and the necessary mitigation measures are provided as Table 7.6 below. The Table 7.7 below provides the ‘Capacity development and training programme’ for project contractors for the proposed project.
Table 7.4: Annual Cost Estimates for ‘Pre-Construction Phase’ Environmental Monitoring Monitoring Parameters Quantity Amount Details Component PKR Water Quality pH & other key 1 readings @ PKR Once 30,000 testing parameters 30,000 per sample Contingencies 1500 5% of monitoring cost Total (PKR) 31,500
Table 7.5: Annual Cost Estimates for ‘Construction Phase’ Environmental Monitoring Monitoring Parameters Quantity Amount Details Component PKR CO, NOx, 3 (Once every 6 3 readings @ PKR Air Quality 90,000 PM10 months) 30,000 per sample Noise Levels 3 (Once every 6 90,000 3 readings @ PKR dB(A) months) 30,000 per reading Liquid Effluents Effluent produced from labor camp and As per NEQS Monthly 540,000 18 samples @ PKR construction sites 30,000 per sample Contingencies 36,000 5% of monitoring cost Total (PKR) 756,000
Table 7.6: Estimated Costs for EMP Implementation Item Sub-Item Estimated Total Cost (PKR) Staff, audit and monitoring 1 person for 18 months 1,080,000 cost1 (@ 60,000 per month) Breakdown provided in Tables 7.4 Monitoring Activities 787,500 and 7.5. Mitigation Measures As prescribed under EMP and IEE. 2,100,000 (i) Water sprinkling To suppress dust emissions 700,000
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(ii) Wastewater collection & From labor camps and construction 700,000 Treatment sites (based on initial estimates) (iii) Solid waste collection & From labor camps and construction 700,000 disposal sites (based on initial estimates) Contingencies 5% of EMP implementation cost 198,375 Total Estimated Cost (PKR) 4,165,875 1: To cover staff cost and expenses for Third Party Monitor based on intermittent input of 5 days per month
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Table 7.7: Capacity Development and Training Programme for Project Contractor(s)
Provided by Organized by Contents Target Audience Venue Duration
Pre-construction Phase Short seminars and courses on: PMC Office or One day long PMC offering specialized services in Project Director Environmental Management Plan and Contractor staff PIU Office, training environmental management and Environmental Monitoring Plan AJK seminar monitoring
Construction Phase Short seminar on Environmental risks PMC offering specialized services in associated with construction phase. PMC Office or One day long social management and monitoring Development of Environmental Project Director Contractor staff PIU Office, training Performance Indicators AJK seminar Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues
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8 Public Consultation and Information Disclosure
8.1 Introduction 480. Public participation and community consultation has been taken up as an integral part of environmental and social assessment process of the project. The public consultations have been conducted during September 2017 in the entire project area. Consultation was used as a tool to inform and educate stakeholders about the proposed action both before and after the development decisions were made. It assisted in identification of the problems associated with the project as well as the needs of the population likely to be impacted.
481. This participatory process helped in reducing the public resistance to change and enabled the participation of the local people in the decision making process. Initial public consultations have been carried out in the project area with the objectives of minimizing probable adverse impacts of the project and to achieve speedy implementation of the project through bringing in awareness among the key stakeholders on the benefits of the project.
482. Public participation and consultation are the major keys to any success in infrastructure development. The sustainability of any infrastructure development depends on the participatory planning in which public consultation plays a major role.
483. To ensure peoples’ participation in the planning phase of this project and to treat public consultation and participation as a continuous two way process, a number of consultations were arranged.
484. Aiming at promotion of public understanding and discussion on the local needs and concerns of the various stakeholders i.e., affected business persons, government officials, local community members and daily visitors to the project area, consultations were conducted through focus group discussions, individual interviews and formal consultations.
485. The consultation process was meant to ensure that all key stakeholders are informed, consulted and allowed to participate actively in the development process. This shall continue to be done throughout the project, both during preparation, implementation and monitoring of project results and impacts.
486. The environmental assessment process under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, requires the disclosure to the public after the statutory IEE / EIA has been accepted by the relevant EPA, to be in strict adherence to the rules. In this IEE, the consultation process was performed to satisfy the ADB requirements (Social Safeguard Policy 2009).
8.2 Objective of Consultations 487. The basic objective of the consultations was as follows:
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▪ Understand views of affected key stakeholders and generate ideas regarding the expected demands of the affected parties; ▪ Disseminate information to the affected persons about the project in terms of its activities and scope of work; and understand the views and perceptions of the people affected and local communities. ▪ Identify and assess major economic and social information and characteristics of the project area ▪ Examine PAPs’ opinions on health safety issues during the construction period on garbage materials, waste materials and other pollution issues. ▪ Identify levels and extent of community participation in project implementation and monitoring. ▪ Establish an understanding for identification of overall developmental goals and benefits of the project. ▪ Disseminate information to and develop a thorough coordination with different government, non-government and public private sector stakeholder line agencies ensuring their participation and mobilization of support in the process for the successful planning and implementation of the project. ▪ Assess the local people's willingness to get involved with the project; and enumerate the measures to be taken during the implementation of the project.
8.3 Identification of Main Stakeholders 488. The primary stakeholders identified are the general public, students, patients and any small businesses/traders in the sub-project area. All these stakeholders have different types of stakes according to their interests and professions.
8.4 Approach for Public Consultation 489. The approach adopted towards public participation was to disseminate information, soliciting inputs and obtaining consensus on issues and proposing mitigation measures. This approach was put into practice through consultation and public meetings with local communities residing in Kotli town and neighboring areas, meetings with influential people of the area, roadside consultations with pedestrians etc. It is important to mention that gender inclusiveness was kept a priority during the public consultation process and it was ensured that females were also consulted and their comments as well as any concerns raised by them were recorded and addressed.
490. The project related information was shared with all key stakeholders who explained the project scope to the different stakeholders. In addition, during these consultations, detailed maps of the proposed project showing the project location were also used as a visual aid apart from verbally explaining in detail the activities to be conducted during the construction phase of the proposed project. Thus, through these detailed briefings, it was ensured that complete clarity was provided to the stakeholders regarding the possible environment related issues to be faced in the project area.
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491. It is important to emphasize that the public consultation is a continual process that shall be conducted throughout the project development phase with different national and international project stakeholders being consulted and their respective comments and concerns being addressed through dialogue and discussion. These consultations shall continue during the project detailed design phase and shall be completed prior to review of this report for separate approvals from ADB and AJK EPA, with the finalized consultation findings incorporated into the last version of this report.
8.5 Meetings with Stakeholders 492. During discussions with the local communities residing in the sub-project area, it has been revealed that the local people are looking forward to the reconstruction of this sub-project since they have been suffering from the ‘landslide affected’ road network and both their personal lives as well as commerce has been considerably affected.
493. The consultations with the key stakeholders in the sub-project area resulted in the following comments being obtained:
▪ The urgent need to either reconstruct the ‘landslide affected’ road on priority basis was repeatedly mentioned since a considerable number of people travel on them from the surrounding villages on a daily basis. The people living in the neighboring villages have been facing considerable difficulties due to the damaged road infrastructure.
▪ The communities mentioned that the existing sub-project road is badly damaged and during rains, the damaged and uneven road surfaces being extremely slippery and even more hazardous.
▪ Due to the severely damaged sub-project road, the travel time has been greatly increased with the journey of a few minutes taking much longer due to the slow movement of vehicles.
▪ The community members mentioned that they would like the Contractors to be sensitive to the health and safety aspects during construction of the proposed bridge and should sprinkle water to suppress dust emissions. Also, they requested that the Contractors should control the speed of their construction vehicles such as tractor trolleys.
▪ The community residents in the neighboring areas mentioned that it should be ensured that a transparent hiring policy is implemented with preference given to residents of the sub-project area to enable them to benefit from the project work that is to be conducted.
▪ The communities also mentioned that the Contractors should only work during the day time to make it more convenient to travel in the evenings.
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▪ The community members also mentioned that the Contractor staff should not litter and should dispose off any garbage in a proper manner to prevent disease vectors such as flies and mosquitoes etc infesting the communities.
▪ Competent contractors must be engaged for this sub-project to ensure timely completion and high quality raw materials must be used to ensure the long-term sustainability of this project.
▪ The different stakeholders expressed the following positive impacts resulting from the development of the proposed sub-project:
▪ Travel through this bridge to reach Kotli city will make their journey safer and more convenient with students and patients particularly benefitting from reaching Kotli city sooner.
▪ Cost of maintenance of vehicles will be reduced since damage to shocks, brakes etc will be minimized.
▪ The travellers on this damaged landslide affected road will receive much needed respite from the high dust levels emitted from the damaged road surface.
▪ The economic uplift to the villages along the respective project corridor due to increased commerce and employment opportunities as a result of the improved access to the city through this safer bridge route was repeatedly mentioned.
Discussions with Staff and Laborers working on Sand Mining and Crush plant site
▪ The labor present on sand mining site mentioned that the owner of the land is Hafiz Muhammad Nadeem s/o Ali Akbar resident of nearby village Lalot whereas the crush plant belongs to Sardar Zikaria. Sardar Zikaria is paying PKR 170,000 per month rent to the owner.
▪ Mr. Muhammad Ali assistant of Sardar Zikaria stated that different people are extracting sand without any prohibition and different people are working at the plant site.
▪ The owner (Hafiz Muhammad Nadeem s/o Ali Akbar) mentioned that he owns 15-20 kanals of land and he is partner of Mr. Sardar Zikaria. They are extracting sand from their site but not from the Poonch river.
▪ Sand mining worker Mr. Umar stated that the Government is the owner of this land and Mr. Sardar Ghulam Zikaria obtained it on lease and rhey extract the sand and sell it.
8.6 Stakeholders Comments & Concerns 494. The concerns expressed above will be addressed through the proper implementation of the EMP. The list of 79 different persons and 9 public sector officials consulted during the consultation process are provided as Annexure D.
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9 Grievance Redress Mechanism
9.1 General 495. In order to receive and facilitate the resolution of affected peoples’ (AP) concerns, complaints and grievances about the Project’s environmental performance, a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be established for this sub-project. The GRM will address the APs’ concerns and complaints proactively and promptly, using an understandable and transparent process that is gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to all segments of the APs at no costs and without retribution. The mechanism will not impede access to the country’s judicial or administrative remedies.
9.2 Redress Committee, Focal Points, Complaints Reporting, Recording and Monitoring 496. Field level grievances will be addressed through a local Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) to be formally constituted by the EA/IA. GRCs will be instituted under the relevant Project Management Unit (PMU).
497. The GRC will include the Environment Specialist in addition to a specially recruited grievance officer and a local notable.
498. The GRCs will be formally notified and established along the respective project corridors, and will function as open forums for hearing complaints and exploring quick resolutions to resolving conflicts.
499. Each GRC will record its deliberations and inform the concerned parties of a resolution within 2 weeks of its findings and recommendations.
500. Additionally, Environmental Tribunals exist at the provincial level and can be approached for the resolution of conflicts and grievances that cannot be resolved by the GRC. Any Grievance may also be addressed to ADB’s Office of Special Projects Facilitator.
501. A pre-mobilization public consultation meeting will be convened by PMC and attended by GFP, Contractor and other interested parties (e.g. district level representatives, NGOs). The objectives of the meeting will be as follows:
▪ Introduction of key personnel of each stakeholder including roles and responsibilities,
▪ Presentation of project information of immediate concern to the communities by the contractor (timing and location of specific construction activities, design issues, access constraints etc.) This will include a brief summary of the EMP - its purpose and implementation arrangements;
▪ Establishment and clarification of the GRM to be implemented during project
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implementation including proactive public relations activities proposed by the project team and contractor to ensure that communities are continually advised of project progress and associated constraints throughout project implementation;
▪ Elicit and address the immediate concerns of the community based on information provided above.
502. Following the pre-mobilization public consultation meeting, environmental complaints associated with the construction activity will be routinely handled through the GRM as explained and shown in Figure 9.1 below:
▪ Individuals will lodge their environmental complaint/grievance with their respective community’s nominated GFP.
▪ The GFP will bring the individual’s complaint to the attention of the Contractor.
▪ The Contractor will record the complaint in the onsite Environmental Complaints Register (ECR) in the presence of the GFP.
▪ The GFP will discuss the complaint with the Contractor and have it resolved;
▪ If the Contractor does not resolve the complaint within one week, then the GFP will bring the complaint to the attention of the PMC’s Environmental Specialist. The PMC’s Environment Specialist will then be responsible for coordinating with the Contractor in solving the issue.
▪ If the Complaint is not resolved within two weeks, the GFP will present the complaint to the Grievance Redress Committee (GRC).
▪ The GRC will have to resolve the complaint within a period of two weeks and the resolved complaint will have to be communicated back to the community. The Contractor will then record the complaint as resolved and closed in the Environmental Complaints Register.
▪ Should the complaint not be resolved through the GRC, the issue will be adjudicated through local legal processes.
▪ In parallel to the ECR placed with the Contractor, each GFP will maintain a record of the complaints received and will follow up on their rapid resolution.
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Figure 9.1: Grievance Redress Mechanism
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10 Conclusions and Recommendations
503. The development of the proposed bridge sub-project in Kotli district of AJK is of high significance considering the urgent need for improving the logistical connectivity from the neighboring areas to Kotli city. This sub-project is expected to play a key role in facilitating the movement of different communities in the area in reaching Kotli city by facilitiating students, patients and residents of other villages. Trade and commercial activities will also be promoted and so this project shall play a key role in the economic and social uplift of the district and will pave the way for generation of economic opportunities.
504. Primary and secondary data has been collected and used to assess the environmental impacts of the sub-project. This IEE report highlights all potential environmental impacts associated with the project and recommends mitigation measures. Any environmental impacts associated with the project need to be properly mitigated, through the existing institutional arrangements described in this report.
505. The majority of the environmental impacts are associated with the construction phase of the project with the major sensitivity being any potential disturbance and adverse impacts on the Poonch river, high noise levels, deterioration of air quality and temporary disturbance to the existing commuters of the road, to name a few.
506. The implementation of mitigation measures during this period will be the responsibility of the Contractor. Therefore, the required environmental mitigation measures will have to be clearly defined in the bidding and contract documents, and appropriately qualified environmental staff retained by the Consultant to supervise the implementation process. The EMP includes measures to minimize project impacts due to noise and air pollution, waste generation etc.
507. This project has been assigned environmental category ‘B’ in accordance with the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 and Schedule II as per EPA, IEE and EIA Gazette Notification, 2000. Thus, a comprehensive IEE report has been prepared for the proposed project.
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Ali, S.R. 1970. Certain Mayflies of West Pakistan. Pak. J. Sci. 22 (3 & 4): 118-124.
Ali, S.R. 1971. Bottom fauna of streams in spring season in relation to food of fishes. Pak. J. of Sci. 23: 1, 73-77.
Ali, S.R. 1971. Certain Mayflies of Swat and Azad Kashmir. Pak. J. Sci. 23 (5 & 6): 209-214.
Ali, S.R. 1982. Hydro biological studies of the Lakes of Punjab. Project Number: PSF/RES/PGC/ENVR (23), Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad. 16pp & 39 tables.
Ali, S.R. and S.I. Hussain. 1968. Aquatic organisms used as food by freshwater fishes. Agriculture Pakistan.. 19: 4, 725-732.
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Auffenberg, W. and Rehman, H., 1993. Studies on Pakistan Reptiles. Pt.3 Calotes versicolor. Asiatic Herpetological Res., 5: 14-30.
Baig, K.J. 1992. Systematic studies of the Stellio group of Agama (Sauria: Agamidae). Ph.D. Diss., Q. A. Uni., Islamabad.
Baig, K.J. 1996. Herpetofauna of the sub-Himalayan region of Pakistan including Islamabad area. Proc. DAAD 4th Follow-up Seminar, Islamabad: 35-42.
Baig, K.J. 1997. Distribution of Laudakia (Sauria: Agamidae) and its origin. pp 373-381. In: Mufti, S.A., Woods, C.A. & S.A. Hassan (eds.), Biodiversity of Pakistan.
Baig, K.J. 1998. The amphibian fauna of Azad Jammu and Kashmir with new record of Paa liebigii. Proc. Pakistan Academy of Sciences. 35 (2): 117-121.
Baig, K.J. 2001a. Annotated Checklist of amphibians and reptiles of the northern mountain region and Potwar Plateau of Pakistan. Proc. Pakistan Acad. Sci. 38(2): 121-130.
Baig, K.J. 2001b. Threatened Herpetofauna of Pakistan, pp 82-90. In: Bambaradeniya, C.N.B. & Samarasekra, V.N. (eds). An Overview of the Threatened Herpetofauna of South Asia. IUCN, Sri Lanka. 118 pp.
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ANNEXURES
References. 193 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
ANNEXURE A
Rapid Environmental Assessment Checklist
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ROADS AND
Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist HIGHWAYS
Instructions:
• This checklist is to be prepared to support the environmental classification of a project. It is to be attached to the environmental categorization form that is to be prepared and submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department.
• This checklist is to be completed with the assistance of an Environment Specialist in a Regional Department.
• This checklist focuses on environmental issues and concerns. To ensure that social dimensions are adequately considered, refer also to ADB checklists and handbooks on (i) involuntary resettlement, (ii) indigenous peoples planning, (iii) poverty reduction, (iv) participation, and (v) gender and development.
• Answer the questions assuming the "without mitigation" case. The purpose is to identify potential impacts. Use the "remarks" section to discuss any anticipated mitigation measures.
Bridge next to Thailair Bridge over the Poonch River–FERRP – Pakistan Country/Project Title: (Project No: 49038-001)
Sector Division: Bridges - C&W Dept. – AJK, Pakistan
Screening Questions YES NO Remarks A. Project Siting Is the Project area adjacent to or within any of the• Culturalfollowing herita environmentallyge site sensitive areas? √ • Protected Area The proposed bridge is located in the area of Critical Habitat which is a legally protected National Park (Poonch River National Park) as well as the presence of two fish species of √ conservation importance: Putitor Mahseer and Kashmir Catfish Glyptothorax kashmirensis listed as Endangered and Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List respectively. River Poonch has been declared as Mahaseer National Park. • Wetland √
• Mangrove √
• Estuarine √
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Screening Questions YES NO Remarks
• Buffer zone of protected area √ N/A • Special area for protecting biodiversity √ N/A B. Potential Environmental Impacts
Will the Project cause... • Encroachment on historical/cultural areas; There will be no encroachment on any historical sites. disfiguration of landscape by road Any potential short-term impacts will be mitigated in the embankments, cuts, fills, and quarries? √ EMP. In addition, a chance finding measure will be proposed in the EMP.
• Encroachment on precious ecology (e.g. The proposed bridge shall pass over the Poonch river. sensitive or protected areas)? During the construction phase, civil works will be √ conducted in the river bed while ensuring the river water regime is not disturbed through implementation of measures provided in the EMP.
• Alteration of surface water hydrology of Possible soil erosion is anticipated due to construction waterways crossed by roads, resulting in of the bridge. In case, if the construction debris is not increased sediment in streams affected by √ disposed off at appropriate locations, alteration of increased soil erosion at construction site? surface water hydrology is anticipated. These impacts will be mitigated in the EMP.
• Deterioration of surface water quality due During construction, surface water quality deterioration to silt runoff and sanitary wastes from is likely anticipated. Suitable mitigation measures will be worker-based camps and chemicals used required in the EMP to control the silt runoff. in construction? √ Adequate Sanitary facilities and drainage in the workers camps will help to avoid this possibility.
• Increased local air pollution due to rock Air pollution is expected to increase during the crushing, cutting and filling works, and construction phase due to rock crushing, cutting and chemicals from asphalt processing? filling works etc. However, considering the limited project scale, any air pollution is expected to be short √ term and confined. With appropriate mitigation measures proposed in the EMP, use of most modern environment friendly equipment/machinery, air pollution shall be reduced to permissible levels.
• Noise and vibration due to blasting and The PIU FERRP shall not allow any blasting to take other civil works? place during the bridge construction. Noise levels will √ increase temporarily during construction phase, which will be mitigated through implementation of mitigation measures. • dislocation or involuntary resettlement of √ No land acquisition and resettlement is envisaged due people to the proposed interventions. ▪ dislocation and compulsory resettlement of √ No resettlement is involved within RoW of the proposed people living in right-of-way? interventions.
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Screening Questions YES NO Remarks
▪ disproportionate impacts on the poor, women and children, Indigenous Peoples or √ other vulnerable groups?
• Other social concerns relating to √ This will be managed through EMP. inconveniences in living conditions in the project areas that may trigger cases of upper respiratory problems and stress? • Hazardous driving conditions where Such risks will increase temporarily during construction construction interferes with pre-existing √ phase, which will be mitigated through implementation roads? of Health and safety measures, traffic management and other mitigation.
• Poor sanitation and solid waste disposal in All these impacts can be prevented or mitigated through construction camps and work sites, and implementation of mitigation measures to be devised in possible transmission of communicable √ Itthe will EMP be .controlled through posting signage and placing diseases from workers to local traffic safety cones around being constructed area. populations? Mitigation measures will be devised in the EMP.
• Creation of temporary breeding habitats InThe addition,possibility woforkers creation will of temporary be made breeding aware about for mosquito vectors of disease? √ communicablehabitats cannot diseases be ruled .out. However, it shall be prevented through good hygiene and proper housekeeping practices. • Dislocation and compulsory resettlement √ No dislocation or resettlement shall be required. of people living in right-of-way?
• Accident risks associated with increased Accidents risks will increase temporarily during vehicular traffic, leading to accidental spills construction phase which will be mitigated through of toxic materials and loss of life? implementation of Health and safety measures, traffic management and other mitigation measures to be √ proposed in the EMP.
However, during the operation phase, such risks will reduce as the bridge will enable access to a safe and smooth road and enable smooth flow of traffic. • Increased noise and air pollution resulting Contractor traffic will increase overall traffic load during from traffic volume? √ construction phase which will be short term and can be mitigated by implementation of mitigation measures to be devised in the EMP. ▪ increased risk of water pollution from oil, √ Controlled construction activities and proper drainage grease and fuel spills, and other materials systems will reduce this possibility. from vehicles using the road?
▪ social conflicts if workers from other regions √ Locals shall be preferred when hiring labor and thus no or countries are hired? conflicts are foreseen.
▪ large population influx during project √ The proposed bridge construction shall be of limited construction and operation that causes scope and will mostly engage local labor. Any labor increased burden on social infrastructure brought into the project area will be housed in and services (such as water supply and hostels/houses and thus no burden on social sanitation systems)? infrastructure and services is expected.
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ANNEXURE B
NEQS Guidelines
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Selected NEQS for Waste Effluents
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References 200 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
National Environmental Quality Standards for Noise1
Limit in dB(A) Leq S/No. Category of Area/Zone Day Time Night Time
1 Residential area (A) 55 45
2 Commercial area (B) 65 55
3 Industrial area (C) 75 65
4 Silence zone (D) 50 45
1:Effective from 1st July, 2012.
Note: 1. Day time hours: 6 am to 10 pm
2. Night time hours: 10 pm to 6 am
3. Silence zone: Zones that are declared as such by the competent authority. An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts.
4. Mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of the four above mentioned categories by the competent authority.
National Environmental Quality Standards for Motor Vehicle Exhaust and Noise
References 201 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
References 202 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
References 203 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
National Standards for Drinking Water Quality
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ANNEXURE C
Photographs of Public Consultations
References 205 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Photograph 11-1: Consultations with commuters on Photograph 11-2: Consultations with local traders existing road at risk of landsliding
Photograph 11-3: Consultaitons with local traders Photograph 11-4: Consultations with communities from neighboring areas and villages
References 206 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Photograph 11-5: Consultations with commuters on Photograph 11-6: Consultations with local traders existing road at risk of landsliding
Photograph 11-7: Consultations with local traders Photograph 11-8: Consultations with commuters on existing road at risk of landsliding
References 207 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Photograph 11-9: Consultations with local traders Photograph 11-10: Consultations with local traders
Photograph 11-11: Consultations with communities Photograph 11-12: Consultations with communities from neighboring areas and villages from neighboring areas and villages
References 208 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
Photograph 11-13: Consultation with Secretary and Photograph 11-14: Consultation with Director, Deputy Director Disaster Management department Wildlife department
Photograph 11-15: Consultations with communities Photograph 11-16: Consultations with DG EPA - AJK from neighboring areas and villages
Photograph 11-17: Consultations with Conservator Photograph 11-18: Consultation with a local trader – Forest - AJK Mr Mohd Iqbal
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ANNEXURE D
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
References 210 | P a g e Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project AJ&K Component- IEE for Bridge at Thalair - Kotli
List of Personnel Consulted – Bridge at Thalair - Kotli S/No. Participant Name Occupation Village Name Cell No. 1 Mr. Imtiaz Dispenser Kakani 0306-8914305
2 Mr. Muhammad Liaqat Nadra Kakani 0302-5196526
3 Mr. Saad Yaqoob Tiens Company Kakani 0345-062947
4 Mr. Malik Abdul Qayoum Driver Kakani 0304-5474730
5 Mr. Muhammad IMr.an Driver Kakani 0343-5818013
6 Mr. Malik Muhammad Shakoor Leather Merchant Kakani 0306-8888489
7 Mr. Hafeez Malik Contractor Kakani 0306-8088626
8 Mr. Idrees Ahmed Medical Store Kakani 0308-8841401
9 Mr. Muhammad Rafique Shopkeeper Kakani 0308-8916263
10 Mr. Ibrar Hussain Unemployed Kakani 0305-2092606
11 Mr. Israr Ahmed Forest Department Kakani 0301-5032585
12 Mr. Malik Faryal Farmer Kakani 0308-8458341
13 Mr. Muhammad Rafique Imam (Mosque) Kakani 0345-3022906
14 Mr. Abbas Malik Electricity Department Kakani 0306-8985133
15 Mr. Sarfraz Khan Special Branch(Police) Kakani 0307-8620272
16 Mr. Yasir Special Branch(Police) Kakani 0343-5497074
17 Mr. Abdul Saboor Teacher Phagwari 0303-8027853
18 Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Teacher Phagwari 0307-8996124
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19 Mr. Saqib Saleem Teacher Phagwari 0307-8582139
20 Mr. Mian Waheed Unemployed Phagwari 0304-5193642
21 Mr. Muhammad Qadeer Khalifah Darbar Rehann Shareef 0305-8523629
22 Mr. Akhlaq Ahmed Caretaker Darbar Rehann Shareef 0307-8912533
23 Mr. Mian Murtaza Caretaker Darbar Rehann Shareef 0303-8152835
24 Mr. Muhammad Qasim Caretaker Darbar Rehann Shareef 0303-6438242
25 Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Health Technician Rehann Shareef 0343-5691883
26 Mr. IMr.an Khan Teacher Rehann Shareef 0301-5735568
27 Mr. Zia-Ur-Rehman Shopkeeper Main Bazar Kotli 0347-8393109
28 Mr. Mahfooz Hussain Shopkeeper Tatta Pani Kotli 0346-5192938
29 Mr. Muhammad Ayub Awan Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0343-8878768 Kotli
30 Mr. Tariq Farooq Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0346-5169635 Kotli
31 Mr. Sajid Hussain Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0347-1543414 Kotli
32 Mr. Aman Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0343-5936351 Kotli
33 Mr. IMr.an Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0345-5166475 Kotli
34 Mr. Hussain Murtaza Student New Kashmir Colony 0308-8539116 Kotli
35 Mr. Muhammad Shafiq Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0343-8591442 Kotli
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36 Mr. Rashid Mehmood Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0322-9323851 Kotli
37 Mr. Haji Gul Saaid Tea Stall New Kashmir Colony _ Kotli
38 Mr. Fayaz Ahmed Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0300-9131711 Kotli
39 Mr. Muhammad Farooq Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0344-5352790 Kotli
40 Mr. Sabir Hussain _ Main Bazar Kotli 0343-2945744
41 Mr. Choudhary Muhammad _ Main Bazar Kotli 0346-5184453 Farooq
42 Mr. Ateeq Shopkeeper New Kashmir Colony 0302-5078402 Kotli
43 Mr. Touqeer Ahmed _ Darra Sher Khan Kotli 0342-5289864
44 Mr. Murtaza Muzamil _ Darra Sher Khan Kotli 0332-6711999
45 Mr. Malik Muhammad Shoaib Teacher(Mosque) Lalot 0303-8684647
46 Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Nadeem Teacher(Mosque) Lalot 0345-8910118
47 Sultan Hotel Owner Kotli -
48 Faiz Shop keeper Kakani -
49 Tayyab Shop keeper Kakani -
50 Mai bibi Housewife Kakani -
51 Naseem Shop keeper Kakani -
52 Muhammad Shabbir Shop keeper Kakani -
53 Hafiz Abid Farmer Kakani -
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54 Malik M. Khaliq Shop keeper Kakani -
55 Amir Khalil Labor Kakani -
56 Husnain Umemployed Phagwari -
57 Basharat bibi House wife Phagwari -
58 Muhammad Ali Shop keeper Phagwari -
59 Mumtaz Laborer Phagwari -
60 Abdul Maghees Student Rehann Shareef -
61 Ali Anwar Player Rehann Shareef -
62 Muhammad Ramzan Labor Rehann Shareef -
63 Muhammad Azmat Shopkeeper Rehann Shareef -
64 Muhammad Boota Milk Man Rehann Shareef -
65 Ahmad Ali Moble Vendor Rehann Shareef -
66 Noor Muhammad Mobile Vendor Main Bazar Kotli -
67 Muhammad Shafi Shopkeeper Rehann Shareef -
68 Muhammad Naveed Teacher Rehann Shareef -
69 Hakim Ali Patwari Rehann Shareef -
70 Muhammad Ali Police Rehann Shareef -
71 Muhammad Farzand Shopkeeper Rehann Shareef -
72 Taj Din Shopkeeper Main Bazar Kotli -
73 Khalid Iqbal Student Tatta Pani Kotli -
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74 New Kashmir Colony - Qaiser Mustafa Student Kotli
75 Din Muhammad Security man Kakani -
76 Muhammad Ishaq Driver Kakani -
77 Khurseed Ali Driver Kakani -
78 Pervaiz Ashrafl Farmer Phagwari -
79 Waseem Iqbal Driver Phagwari -
Public sector Officials
Malik Mohd Younas DG EPA – AJ&K - 1 Mohd Shafique Abbasi Director EPA AJK - 2 Sehrish Munsif Khan Asst Director AJK - 3 Zia ur rehman Abbasi Asst Tourism Officer - 4 Raees ud din Asst Director - 5 Conservator Forest 6 Khwaja Saeed Department AJK -
Irtiza Qureshi District Forest Officer AJK - 7 Director Wildlife and 8 Naeem Iftikhar Dar Fisheries department AJK -
Secretary/Director General Disaster 9 Zahir ud din Qureshi Management department -
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ANNEXURE E
PHOTOGRAPHS OF PROJECT AREA
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Photograph 11-1: View of poonch river with hills Photograph 11-2: Poonch river with the unstable hill seen in the background causing repeated landslides seen in the background
Photograph 11-3: Poonch river flowing across project Photograph 11-4: Existing RCC bridge seen in the site with a considerable part of the river bed visible background due to low flows in winter months
Photograph 11-5: Poonch river with existing bridges Photograph 11-6: Another view of Poonch river with and sand extraction plant visible along with unstable hill on the left and sand extraction plant on landsliding part of the hill on left of picture the right
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Photograph 11-7: Existing Suspension bridge Photograph 11-8: Damaged road due to repeated (approx. 500 meters downstream from project site) landsliding from unstable face of hill seen with Poonch river flowing underneath
Photograph 11-9: Existing RCC bridge with Poonch Photograph 11-10: A river bed view of the project river flowing underneath site with existing bridges seen in the background and the unstable hill face seen on the left
Photograph 11-11: Sand extraction plant seen with Photograph 11-12: Sand extraction taking place Poonch river flowing in the background. despite Poonch river being a notified National Park
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Photograph 11-13: Sand from the Poonch river bed Photograph 11-14: Sand extraction plant operational being loaded onto tractor trolleys with unstable hill face seen on the right
Photograph 11-15: Poonch river with major part of Photograph 11-16: River bed of Poonch river with river bed visible river bed visible
Photograph 11-17: Starting point of the proposed Photograph 11-18: Another view of Poonch river with bridge with Poonch river flowing and part of river bed major part of river bed visible visible
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Photograph 11-19: Poonch river flowing with Photograph 11-20: Poonch river with the existing unstable hill face on the right suspension bridge seen in the background and proposed site further upstream
Photograph 11-21: Low flows of the Poonch river Photograph 11-22: Poonch river with river bed visible evident with a major part of the river bed seen and sand extraction plant equipment seen on the left
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ANNEXURE F Archaeological ‘Chance Find’ procedure
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Background The purpose of this document is to address the possibility of archaeological deposits becoming exposed during ground altering activities within the project area and to provide protocols to follow in the case of a chance archaeological find to ensure that archaeological sites are documented and protected as required. The Antiquities Act, 1975 ensures the protection of Pakistan’s cultural resources. The Act defines “antiquities” as ancient products of human activity, historical sites, or sites of anthropological or cultural interest, national monuments, etc. The Act is designed to protect these antiquities from destruction, theft, negligence, unlawful excavation, trade, and export. The law prohibits new construction in the proximity of a protected antiquity and empowers the GOP to prohibit excavation in any area that may contain articles of archaeological significance. Under the Act, the subproject proponents are obligated to ensure that no activity is undertaken in the proximity of a protected antiquity, report to the Department of Archaeology, GOP, any archaeological discovery made during the course of the project.
Potential Impacts to Archaeological Sites Developments that involve excavation, movement, or disturbance of soils have the potential to impact archaeological materials, if present. Activities such as road construction, land clearing, and excavation are all examples of activities that may adversely affect archaeological deposits.
Archaeological ‘Chance Find’ Procedure If you believe that you may have encountered any archaeological materials, stop work in the area and follow the procedure below. The following ‘chance-find’ principles will be implemented by the contractor throughout the construction works to account for any undiscovered items identified during construction works: (i) Workers will be trained in the location of heritage zones within the construction area and in the identification of potential items of heritage significance. (ii) Should any potential items be located, the site supervisor will be immediately contacted and work will be temporarily stopped in that area. (iii) If the site supervisor determines that the item is of potential significance, an officer from the department of Archaeology (DoA), Government of AJK will be invited to inspect the site and work will be stopped until DoA has responded to this invitation. (iv) Work will not re-commence in this location until agreement has been reached between DoA and C&W AJK as to any required mitigation measures, which may include excavation and recovery of the item. (v) A precautionary approach will be adopted in the application of these procedures.
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Detailed Procedural Steps
▪ If the Director, department of Archaeology receives any information or otherwise has the knowledge of the discovery or existence of an antiquity of which there is no owner, he shall, after satisfying himself as to the correctness of the information or knowledge, take such steps with the approval of the Government, as he may consider necessary for the custody, preservation and protection of the antiquity. ▪ Whoever discovers, or finds accidentally, any movable antiquity shall inform forth with the Directorate within seven days of its being discovered or found. ▪ If, within seven days of his being informed, the Director decides to take over the antiquity for purposes of custody, preservation and protection, the person discovering or finding it shall hand it over to the Director or a person authorized by him in writing. ▪ Where the Director decides to take over an antiquity, he may pay to the person by whom it is handed over to him such cash reward as may be decided in consultation with the Advisory Committee. ▪ If any person, who discovers or finds any movable antiquity contravenes the provisions of the Act, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five (05) years, or with fine not less than fifteen hundred thousand rupees or with both and the Court convicting such person shall direct that the antiquity in respect of which such contravention has taken place shall stand forfeited to Government. ▪ The Director or any officer authorized by him with police assistance may, after giving reasonable notice, enter into, inspect and examine any premises, place or area which or the sub-soil of which he may have reason to believe to be, or to contain an antiquity and may cause any site, building, object or any antiquity or the remains of any antiquity in such premises, place or area to be photographed, copied or reproduced by any process suitable for the purpose. ▪ The owner or occupier of the premises, place or area shall afford all reasonable opportunity and assistance to the Director. ▪ No photograph, copy of reproduction taken or made shall be sold or offered for sale except by or with the consent of the owner of the object of which the photograph, copy or the reproduction has been taken or made. ▪ Where substantial damage is caused to any property as a result of the inspection, the Director shall pay to the owner thereof reasonable compensation for the damage in consultation with the Advisory Committee. ▪ If the Director after conducting an inquiry, has reasonable grounds to believe that any land contains any antiquity, he may approach the Government to direct the Revenue Department to acquire such land or any part thereof and the Revenue Department shall
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thereupon acquire such land or part under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (I of 1894), as for a public purpose.
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ANNEXURE G AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AND NOISE MONITORING RESULTS
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ANNEXURE H PHOTOGRAPHS OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
AND NOISE MONITORING
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Photograph 11-1: SGS ambient air quality and noise Photograph 11-2: Ambient air quality parameters monitoring equipment being shown on handheld meter
Photograph 11-3: Ambient air quality parameters Photograph 11-4: SGS ambient dust monitoring unit being shown on handheld meter
Photograph 11-5: SGS ambient monitoring Photograph 11-6: SGS ambient monitoring equipment at sampling location equipment at sampling location
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ANNEXURE I
Occupational Health and Safety Plan
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Occupational Health and Safety covers all personnel working under the project and will be in line with the World Bank EHS guidelines on health and safety.
The Occupational Health and Safety program will aim to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthy by: addressing the hazards and risks at the workplace; outlining the procedures and responsibilities for preventing, eliminating and minimizing the effects of those hazards and risks; identifying the emergency management plans for the workplace or workplaces; and, specifying how consultation, training and information are to be provided to employees at various workplaces.
Some of the risks/hazards associated with workplaces are due to working close to or at sites associated with the various project construction activities. Other risks associated with the project construction phase include risk of increase of vector borne and other different diseases.
The following sections will be implemented during the construction phase to address and ensure workers’ health and safety. a. Screening and regular unannounced checking of workers. As per the procedure for hiring workers, all contractors and labor agencies are required to make all prospective workers undergo medical tests to screen for diseases and sicknesses, prior to selection and employment of any worker. The contractor is also responsible for ensuring that no worker who has a criminal record is employed at the project site. It will be ensured that all workers undergo medical tests to screen diseases at source and at sites in consultation with the designated Health Officer.
In addition to this, the Project Management will also undertake sudden, unannounced checks on workers to look for diseases such as HIV, STDs, and hepatitis. If such cases are detected, the contractor will be required to immediately release the worker from the site (as this indicates that proper screening was not conducted). b. Minimizing hazards and risks at the workplace. To ensure safety at all work sites, the following will be carried out: i. Installation of signboards and symbols in risky and hazardous areas, to inform workers to be careful. ii. Construction of barricades around construction sites and deep excavated pits, to cordon off and deter entry of unauthorized personnel and workers into these areas. iii. Providing a safe storage site/area for large equipment such as power tools and chains, to
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prevent misuse and loss. iv. Proper Housekeeping: Ensuring that materials are all stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse. Brick stacks will not be more than 7 feet in height and for concrete blocks they will not be more than 6 feet high. v. Removing all scrap timber, waste material and rubbish from the immediate work area as the work progresses. vi. Where scaffolds are required, ensuring that each scaffold or its components shall be capable of supporting its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it. The platform/scaffold plank shall be at least 15 inches wide and 1.5 inches thick. The rope should be capable of supporting at least 6 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to that rope. Pole scaffolds over 60 feet in height shall be designed by a registered professional engineer and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Where scaffolds are not provided, safety belts/safety nets shall be provided; vii. Ensure that all ramps or walkways are at least 6 feet wide, having slip resistance threads and not inclined more than a slope of 1 vertical and 3 horizontal. viii. Stacking away all excavated earth at least 2 feet from the pit to avoid material such as loose rocks from falling back into the excavated area and injuring those working inside excavated sites. ix. Constructing support systems, such as bracing to adjoining structures that may be endangered by excavation works nearby. x. Only a trained electrician to construct, install and repair all electrical equipment to prevent risks of electrical shocks and electrocution. xi. Install fire extinguishers and/or other fire-fighting equipment at every work site to prepare for any accidental fire hazards. c. Provision of Personal Protective Equipment Risks to the health and safety of workers can be prevented by provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to all workers. This will be included in the construction cost for each Contractor. Depending on the nature of work and the risks involved, contractors must provide without any cost to the workers, the following protective equipment: i. Helmet shall be provided to all workers, or visitors visiting the site, for protection of the
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head against impact or penetration of falling or flying objects. ii. Safety belt shall be provided to workers working at heights (more than 20 ft) such as roofing, painting, and plastering. iii. Safety boots shall be provided to all workers for protection of feet from impact or penetration of falling objects on feet. iv. Ear protecting devices shall be provided to all workers and will be used during the occurrence of extensive noise. v. Eye and face protection equipment shall be provided to all welders to protect against sparks. vi. Respiratory protection devices shall be provided to all workers during occurrence of fumes, dusts, or toxic gas/vapor. vii. Safety nets shall be provided when workplaces are more than 25 feet (7.5 m) above the ground or other surfaces where the use of ladders, scaffolds, catch platforms, temporary floors or safety belts is impractical.
The specific PPE requirements for each type of work are summarized below.
Table M.1 PPE Requirement List
Type of Work PPE
Elevated work Safety helmet, safety belt (height greater than 20 ft), footwear for elevated work. Handling work safety Helmet, leather safety shoes, work gloves.
Welding and cutting work Eye protectors, shield and helmet, protective gloves.
Grinding work Dust respirator, earplugs, eye protectors.
Work involving handling of Dust respirator, gas mask, chemical-proof gloves. Chemical proof clothing, chemical substances air-lined mask, eye protectors. Wood working Hard hat, eye protectors, hearing protection, safety footwear, leather gloves and dust respirator. Blasting Hard hat, eye and hearing protection.
Concrete and masonry work Hard hat, eye protectors, hearing protection, safety footwear, leather gloves and dust respirator. Excavation, heavy Hard hat, safety boots, gloves, hearing protection. equipment, motor graders,
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and bulldozer operation
Quarries Hard hat, eye protectors, hearing protection, safety footwear, leather gloves and dust respirator.
d. Procedures to Deal with Emergencies such as Accidents, Sudden Illness and Death of Workers First aid kits will be made available at all times throughout the entire construction period by the respective contractors. This is very important, because most work sites will be at some distance from the nearest hospital. In addition to the first aid kits, the following measures should be in place: i. Provision of dispensaries by the individual EPC contractor. ii. A vehicle shall be on standby from the Project Office so that emergency transportation can be arranged to take severely injured/sick workers to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention. iii. A designated Health Officer/worker for the Project will be identified as a focal person to attend to all health and safety related issues. This employee’s contact number will be posted at all work sites for speedy delivery of emergency services. The focal person shall be well versed with the medical system and facilities available at the hospital. iv. Communication arrangements, such a provision of radios or mobile communication for all work sites, for efficient handling of emergencies, will be made. e. Record Maintenance and Remedial action The Project Management will maintain a record of all accidents and injuries that occur at the work site. This work will be delegated by the contractor to the site supervisor and regularly reviewed every quarter by project management. Reports prepared by the contractor shall include information on the place, date and time of the incident, name of persons involved, cause of incident, witnesses present and their statements. Based on such reports, the management can jointly identify any unsafe conditions, acts or procedures and recommend for the contractor to undertake certain mitigative actions to change any unsafe or harmful conditions. f. Compensation for Injuries and Death Any casualty or injury resulting from occupational activities should be compensated as per the local labor laws of Pakistan. Where compensation is sought by the injured party, proper procedures for documentation of the case will be followed, including a detailed report on the
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accident, written reports from witnesses, report of the examining doctor and his/her recommendation for treatment. Each individual contractor will be responsible for ensuring compensation for the respective workers. g. Awareness Programs The Project management will undertake awareness programs through posters, talks, and meetings with the contractors to undertake the following activities: i. Dissemination sessions will clarify the rights and responsibilities of the workers regarding interactions with local people (including communicable disease risks, such as HIV/AIDS), work site health and safety, waste management (waste separation, recycling, and composting), and the illegality of poaching. ii. Make workers aware of procedures to be followed in case of emergencies such as informing the focal health person who in turn will arrange the necessary emergency transportation or treatment. h. Nomination of a Health and Safety Focal Person Within each site (especially if different sites are being implemented by different contractors), a Health and Safety Focal Person will be appointed. The Terms of Reference for the focal person will mainly be as follows: i. Function as the focal person/representative for all health and safety matters at the workplace; ii. Responsible for maintaining records of all accidents and all health and safety issues at each site, the number of accidents and its cause, actions taken and remedial measures undertaken in case of safety issues; iii. Be the link between the contractor and all workers and submit grievances of the workers to the contractor and instructions/directives on proper health care and safety from the contractors back to the workers; iv. Ensure that all workers are adequately informed on the requirement to use Personal Protective Equipment and its correct use; v. Also responsible for the first aid kit and making sure that the basic immediate medicines are readily available.
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ANNEXURE J
Emergency Response Plan
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J.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Emergency Response Procedure is to provide measures and guidance for the establishment and implementation of emergency preparedness plans for the proposed bridge sub-project. The aim of the Emergency Response Procedure is to:
(i) Ensure all personnel and visitors to the office/job sites are given the maximum protection from unforeseen events.
(ii) Ensure all personnel are aware of the importance of this procedure to protection of life and property.
J.2 EMERGENCY PREPARATION AND RESPONSE MEASURE SCOPE
The emergency management program is applied to all Project elements and intended for use throughout the Project life cycle. The following are some emergencies that may require coordinated response.
(i) Construction Accident
(ii) Road & Traffic Accident
(iii) Hazardous material spills
(iv) Structure collapse or failure
(v) Trauma or serious illness
(vi) Sabotage
(vii) Fire
(viii) Environmental Pollution
(ix) Loss of person
(x) Community Accident
J.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
The detailed roles and responsibilities of certain key members of the Emergency Response team available to assist in emergency are provided in Table M.1 below.
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Table J.1 Emergency Response Team
Action Group Responsibility
▪ Overall control of personnel and resources. ▪ The Emergency Coordinator will support and advise the Site Emergency Coordinator Safety Supervision as necessary. ▪ Serves as public relations spokes persons, or delegates to some staff member the responsibility for working with news media regarding any disaster or emergency. Also assure proper coordination of news release with appropriate corporate staff or other designated people.
▪ Overall responsibility for activating emergency plan and for terminating emergency actions. Site Safety Supervision ▪ Be alternative of emergency response chairpersons. ▪ Disseminates warnings and information as required to ensure all people in the immediate area have been warned and evacuated (Emergency Commander) either by alarms or by word of mouth. ▪ Supervise the actions of the Emergency Response Team to ensure all persons are safe from the danger. ▪ Notify outside authorities if assistance is required. ▪ Carries the responsibility for coordinating actions including other organizations in accordance with the needs of the situation. ▪ Ensure maximum co-operation and assistance is provided to any outside groups called to respond to an emergency. ▪ Establish and appoint all emergency organization structure and team. ▪ Assures adequate delegation of responsibilities for all key positions of assistants on the Project to assist with any foreseeable emergency. ▪ Ensure resources available to purchase needed emergency response equipment and supplies. ▪ Assures that all persons on the Emergency Response Team aware and fully understand their individual responsibilities for implementing and supporting the emergency plan. ▪ Establish the emergency drill schedule of all identified emergency scenarios, track the status and evaluate the emergency. ▪ The Emergency Commander shall ensure that senior management personnel have been reported of the emergency as soon as practical after the event.
▪ Ensure that the exit route is regularly tested and maintained in good working order. ▪ Maintain station at the security gate or most suitable location to secure the area during any emergency such that only authorized personnel and equipment may enter, prevent access to the site of Security Team unauthorized personnel. ▪ Assist with strong/activation of services during an emergency. ▪ Ensure vehicles and obstructions are moved to give incoming emergency vehicles access to the scene, if ambulance or emergency services are attending the site, ensure clear access and personnel are located to direct any incoming emergency service to the site of emergency.
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▪ Protect the injured from further danger and weather. ▪ Provide treatment to the victim(s) to the best of their ability by first Rescue & Medical Team aid and then transfer to hospital. ▪ Remain familiar with the rescue activities and rescue apparatus. ▪ Assist outside medical services personnel when they arrive General Administration Response to support any requested general facilities for assisting Team Emergency Response Team in their work.
Government Relation ▪ Coordinate with local government on a matter of concerned in the emergency response plan to liaise with local officers in their affair Team for support Emergency Response Team. ▪ Coordinate emergency plan with the government authorities, local community. Environment Team In case of emergency related to the environmental pollution such as the chemical spill, oil spill into the ambient, the environment team will support the technical advice to control and mitigate the pollution until return to the normal situation.
Department Heads ▪ Call up of personnel into the safe location for protective life and property. ▪ Take immediate and appropriate action while Emergency Response Team is being mobilized. ▪ Keep in touch with the Emergency Commander ▪ Control and supervise operators and contractors on the implementation of this procedure, with consultation with Safety Team as necessary. ▪ Provide and maintain emergency equipment of their responsible areas. Other Staff and ▪ All other staff and employees will remain at their workstations or assembly point unless directed otherwise from Emergency Employees Response Team. ▪ Each supervisor will ensure that all members of his work group are accounted for and keep in touch with each of their Department Head.
J.4 PROCEDURE
Emergency situation and injuries to person can occur at any time or place either on Project site or elsewhere. The most two common types of emergencies on site are fire and serious accident.
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Figure J.1 Emergency Procedure for Fire
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Figure J.2 Emergency Procedure for Serious Accident
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J.5 COMMUNICATION WITH AUTHORITIES / PRESS AT SITE
In the event of an accident or incident, only senior staff is permitted to give factual information to the authorities for resource of liability exposure. The press must be avoiding politely, at all costs, with the terse comment that “the matter is under investigation and relevant information when available will be provided by our Head Office” Do not ever give your opinion or story.
First Aid Persons
Upon advice of medical emergency, make immediate assessment to response required and if necessary, advise security to summon ambulance or medical assistance, the qualified first aid attendant should also,
▪ Provide treatment to the victim(s) to the best of his/her ability. ▪ Ensure the safety of victims by ceasing any work activity in the area. ▪ Protect the injured from further danger and weather. ▪ Assist medical services personnel when they arrive.
General Administration Team
Upon advice of medical emergency, maintain contact with first aid personnel and summon ambulance if required.
Security Team
▪ If ambulance or emergency services are attending the site, ensure clear access and personnel are located to direct vehicle closest to the scene. ▪ Prevent access to the site of unauthorized personnel (press, etc.).
Emergency Coordinator
▪ The Emergency Coordinator shall assist emergency personnel at the scene as required through allocation of company resources. ▪ The Emergency Coordinator shall ensure next-of-kin are properly notified as soon as possible and give whatever company support and assistance is necessary to assist them bundle the situation ▪ The Emergency Coordinator shall ensure that senior management personnel are advised of the emergency as soon as practical after the event.
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J.5 INCIDENT AND ACCIDENT REPORT
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ANNEXURE K
Methodology for Air Quality and Noise Monitoring
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2.3 Noise level monitoring The Rion NL series sound level meter for noise measurement was utilized with a range from 35 dB to 135 dB with minimum detection limit of 0.1 dB. The details of the noise monitoring device used is provided below.
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ANNEXURE L
ToRs of Ecologist (Aquatic & Terrestrial)
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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SURVEY OF AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL FAUNAL COMMUNITIES OF UP AND DOWNSTREAM AREAS OF PROPOSED TATTA PANI- KOTLI ROAD BRIDGE NEAR KOTLI, AJK.
BACKGROUND OF THE CONSULTANCY
Project Site
A bridge is proposed to be constructed next to the Tatta Pani- Kotli road upstream of town of Kotli, AJK having a length of 134 meters and width of 9 meters. Approximately 500 meters of the stretch of Tatta Pani–Kotli road running next to the Poonch river is highly unstable since it lies at the foot of a hill face, which is structurally weak with high occurrences of land sliding. Despite multiple repairs, this road segment is considered highly risky and thus is avoided by the local communities unless necessary. Keeping in view the constant risk of land sliding, the only viable option to avoid this road section is to construct the proposed bridge to provide a safe passageway for the local communities.
SCOPE OF WORK Study Area ▪ Studies on aquatic communities, both upstream and downstream of the proposed site ▪ Studies on terrestrial communities of the adjacent areas of the project site Scope of the Study ▪ Physical description of the study area, water quality, habitat classification and characterization along with the study on the following disciplines: A: Aquatic fauna
▪ Report on overall Fish Fauna of the project area ▪ Report on the Benthic Fauna of the river in up and downstream area of the project ▪ Categorization of the fish species of special importance in the project area ▪ Categorization of Benthic Fauna of special importance in the project area ▪ Possible impacts of the project on migration, breeding and feeding behavior of fish ▪ Possible impacts of the project on the Benthic Fauna of the project area
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▪ Mitigation steps to avoid any possible impacts of the project on the fish fauna and the Benthic Fauna B: Terrestrial Fauna (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles)
▪ Report on the Mammals (both Small and Large Mammals), Birds, Reptiles of the project area ▪ Determination of dependency of the Mammals, Birds and Reptiles on the project area ▪ Mitigation steps to avoid any possible impacts of the project on the Terrestrial Fauna Tasks: A: Literature Review and the Past studies of the Consultant:
▪ Review of the available literature to provide an overview of the fish ecology, taxonomy and behavior ▪ Review of the available literature to provide an overview of the ecology, taxonomy and behavior of terrestrial fauna ▪ Utilization of past experience of the Consultant in the study area on various aspects of different animal groups for compilation of final report B- Preparation of Study Methodology ▪ Type of surveys to be conducted ▪ Data to be collected ▪ Rationale and timing of surveys ▪ Sampling procedures ▪ Development of data forms ▪ Type of analysis to be performed inclusive of calculation procedures ▪ Limitations of surveys, if any C- Conducting Field Surveys and Compilation of Data ▪ Sampling and collection of data in the field according to approved methodology ▪ Analysis of data and correlate it with the project activities D- Report Writing The Consultant will present a comprehensive report including:
▪ Introduction of the study area with background knowledge
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▪ Standard study methodology ▪ Results including the species occurrence, distributional patterns, relative abundance, endemism, species of special concern, conservation status of different species, taxonomic checklist of species with local, English and scientific names, identification of possible impacts along with their mitigation measures, photographs of the selected species along with other relevant information ▪ Submission of final report on a standard format with reference, contents, tables, figures, graphs etc. ▪ Keep a continuous liaison with the consulting firm
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