ADB Power Transmission Line Project TA 7370-TAJ

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Regional Power Rehabilitation Tajikistan 220 kV Geran – Rumi 220 kV Kayrakum – Asht New Substation Geran

Submitted to

Asian Development Bank

February 2010 by Magnus A. Staudte Dr. Malika Babadjanova

Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary ______1 I.1 Project Description and Scope of IEE ______1 I.2 Project Locations ______1 I.3 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan______2 I.4 Scale of the project______2 I.5 Description of the Environment ______3 I.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures ______3 I.7 EMMP Implementation Organization ______4 I.8 EMMP Reporting______6 I.9 Public Consultation Process ______7 I.10 Grievance Redress Mechanism ______7 I.11 Summary and Conclusions ______7 II. Introduction ______8 II.1 Overview______8 II.2 Background ______9 II.3 Scope of the IEE Study and Personnel ______10 II.4 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan ______11 General ______11 Country Policies and Administrative Framework______11 Legal framework for EA, environmental licensing and permitting ______13 Local Environmental Statutes______15 Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies 2009 ______16 II.5 Structure of Report ______18 III. Description of the Project ______18 III.1 Type of Project______18 III.2 Categorization of the Project ______18 III.3 Need for the Project______19 III.4 Location and Scale of Project ______20 Transmission lines ______20 Construction Process Transmission Lines ______24 Substation Geran______24 III.5 Alternatives ______25 III.6 Proposed Schedule for Implementation______25 IV. Description of the Environment ______26 IV.1 Project Area ______26 General Characteristics of Project Area ______26 Affected Administrative Units ______26 IV.2 Physical Resources______28 Topography, Geology, and Soils ______28 Climate and Hydrology______30 Ambient Air Quality and Noise ______35 IV.3 Ecological Resources ______35

i Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination

Vegetation______35 Fauna North and South Route______37 Wildlife Sanctuaries ______39 Wetlands in the Project Area ______39 IV.4 Social and Cultural Resources ______40 Population, Communities and Employment North Route______40 Population, Communities and Employment South Route______42 Cultural Heritage ______44 V. Screening Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures______45 V.1 Project Location______45 Impact Assessment and Mitigation______45 General Approach to Mitigation ______46 Cultural Heritage, Religious Sites, Social Infrastructure ______46 Cut and fill ______46 V.2 Potential Environmental Impacts ______47 Encroachment, Landscape and Physical Disfiguration______47 Trees, Ecology and Protected Areas ______50 Hydrology, Sedimentation, Soil Erosion ______51 Air Pollution from earthworks and transport ______51 Noise, Vibration and Blasting______51 Air pollution, noise and electric and magnetic fields from operations ______52 Sanitation, Solid Waste Disposal, Communicable Diseases______52 Disease Vectors ______53 Pollution from oily run-off, fuel spills and dangerous goods ______53 VI. Institutional Requirements & Environmental Management Plan ______53 VI.1 Institutional Responsibilities______53 VI.2 EMMP Implementation ______54 VI.3 EMMP Implementation Organization and Costs______55 Implementation Organization ______55 Implementation Organization and Costs______57 VI.4 EMMP Costs ______59 VI.5 EMMP Reporting ______61 VII. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure ______63 VII.1 Approach to Public Consultation______63 VII.2 Public Consultation Process ______63 VII.3 Results of Public Consultation ______66 VII.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism ______66 VIII. Conclusions ______68 VIII.1 Findings and Recommendations ______68 VIII.2 Summary and Conclusions______68 Attachment 1: Proposed Handling and Disposal of PCB from Transformers ______70 Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan ______72

ii Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination

Tables and Figures

Table 1: Summary of kind of impacts and mitigation goals ______3 Table 2: Summary of institutional organization and responsibilities on EMMP implementation______5 Table 3: Total EMMP Costs ______6 Table 4: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, North Route ______32 Table 5: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, South Route ______33 Table 6: Population______40 Table 7: Education ______41 Table 8: Poverty and sources of income ______41 Table 9: Public Services ______41 Table 10: Industry and Agricultur______42 Table 11: Population______42 Table 12: Education ______43 Table 13: Poverty and sources of income ______43 Table 14: Public Services ______44 Table 15: Industry and Agricultur______44 Table 16: ICNIRP exposure limits for general public exposure to electric and magnetic fields______52 Table 17: Summary of institutional organization and responsibilities on EMMP implementation______56 Table 18: General Environmental Training Program for Barki Tojik Staff ______58 Table 19: Estimated Training Expenses ($US equivalent) ______58 Table 20: EMMP External Assistance and Supervision Costs ______59 Table 21: Additional Costs for Monitoring and Development of SOPs ______60 Table 22: Total EMMP Costs ______60 Table 23: Consultations with Stakeholders ______64

Figure 1: Location of planned 220 kV Transmission Lines and Substations in Tajikistan ______2 Figure 2: Location of planned 220 kV Transmission Lines and Substations in Tajikistan ______9 Figure 3: Applicable tower types for planned routes ______21 Figure 4: Micro location of 220 kV Kayrakkum – Asht transmission line, North Tajikistan ______22 Figure 5: Micro location of 220 kV Geran - Rumi transmission line including new Geran Substation, South Tajikistan ____ 23 Figure 6: Planned location of Geran substation annex______24 Figure 7: Tajikistan, Geographical Overview______27 Figure 8: Soil Types in the Project Area______28 Figure 9: Desertification in Tajikistan ______29 Figure 10: Seismic Zones in Tajikistan ______30 Figure 11: Climate Zones of Tajikistan______31 Figure 12: Precipitation in Tajikistan______31 Figure 13: Groundwater levels North Route______34 Figure 14: Groundwater levels South Route ______35 Figure 15: Reserved Forest in Tajikistan ______36 Figure 16: Distribution of rare animals (Red List Tajikistan) ______37 Figure 17: Fish resources in Tajikistan ______39 Figure 18: Pictures of line route North______48 Figure 19: Pictures of line route South ______49 Figure 20: Planned Location of new substation near Aghdash with view to the South ______50 Figure 21: Grievance Redress Process ______67

Name Date Prepared by Magnus A. Staudte Jan-March 2010 Dr. Malika Babadjanova Jan-March 2010

iii Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB Asian Development Bank AP Affected Population/Person BT Barki Tojik CEP Committee for Environmental Protection EA Executive Agency EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMMP Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan ES Environmental Specialist ESM Environmental Supervisor and Monitor Expert GDP Gross Domestic Product GOST Gosudartsvennye Standarty (Russian Technical Standards) GoT Government of Tajikistan IEE Initial Environmental Examination LARC Land Acquisition and Resettlement Committee LARP Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan NGO Non Governmental Organization PC Public Consultation PIU Project Implementation Unit PMU Project Management Unit RoW Right of Way SEE State Ecological Expertise SOP Standard Operation Procedure SR Sensitive Receiver TD Temporary Drainage EC Erosion Control TL Transmission Line TOR Terms of Reference

Somoni (TJS), Unit of Tajikistan currency. $US approx. 4.36 Somoni

iv Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

I. Executive Summary

I.1 Project Description and Scope of IEE 1. The Project intends to rehabilitate existing and construct new transmission assets in order to strengthen Tajikistan's interconnection with Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan; install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA); and improve quality electricity supply on regional and national level. Additionally, the project will consider opportunities for non-physical investments and address the issues of governance and operational efficiency improvements. 2. The TA will prepare the project that will enhance electricity interconnections with Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan through: (i) replacement of equipment in 500kV and 220kV substations that are important for regional power transmission; and (ii) expand 220kV network to improve reliability of connections with Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. 3. Kayrakkum – Asht TL, North: The Kayrakkum – Asht Transmission Line will cover land on approx. 70.4 km distance on a 50 m wide corridor for the transmission lines according to the related regulations for transmission lines of the Republic of Tajikistan. Approximately 255 conventional and angle lattice towers are required along the route with average distance of 288 m. 4. Geran – Rumi TL, South: The Geran – Rumi Transmission Line will cover land on approx. 69.2 km distance on a 50 m wide corridor for the transmission lines according to the related regulations for transmission lines of the Republic of Tajikistan. Approximately 240 conventional and angle lattice towers are required along the route with average distance of 288 m. 5. Geran Substation: In Geran, the additional construction of a substation is required to receive the 220 kV line. The area is adjacent to the existing Substation, on the opposite site of the road. The recent land use is extensive agriculture. An area of 10 ha in a square shape would be required 6. This IEE study has included field reconnaissance on the entire distance of both planned routes in the South and in the North and the potential area for the substation, which have taken place on January 16 and February 3, 2010 to the South and February 5, 2010 to the North. 7. The Study Area included the transmission line corridor within the RoW (25m either side of the line) and all the areas either side of the line including all villages, agricultural land use including irrigation facilities (canals), water supply, habitable structures, schools, health facilities, hospitals, religious places, sites of heritage and/or archaeological importance, and infrastructures such as railway lines, roads, as well as state of the environment including all national and international protected areas in an investigation corridor of 500 m – 2,000 m either side, depending on the range of probable impact through construction and operation. 8. The categorization has been carried out by ADB staff at a mission in October 2009. The project has been categorized as Category B, minor impacts able to mitigate are expected. The categorization of the projects has considered already an optimized routing over cultivated land and desert. The line will not traverse any buildings or settlements and distances are considered to be at least 50 m to any settlement. No nationally and internationally protected or otherwise environmentally sensitive areas are within the line routings and substation location, distances are considered to be at least 1 km from such areas An EIA is not necessary to be performed since as a result of the IEE no significant adverse environmental impacts have been discovered.

I.2 Project Locations 9. The Project location is multiple in that it covers the North, South and West of Tajikistan. The Executing Agency and Implementing Agency is Barki Tojik (BT), a vertically integrated state utility company which is subordinate to the Ministry of Energy and industry. 10. The following Figure presents the project locations in the Republic of Tajikistan.

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Asht Kayrakkum Substation Substation Kayrakkum – Asht 220 kV Transmission line

Regar Substation Baipazan Substation

Rumi Substation Geran Substation

Geran – Rumi 220 kV Transmission line

Figure 1: Location of planned 220 kV Transmission Lines and Substations in Tajikistan

I.3 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan 11. The policy/legislative framework as well as the environmental assessment guidelines of Tajikistan that apply to the proposed project has been considered in this IEE. The Study also identifies relevant newest Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies that will apply. The project will be required to comply with all relevant national and international environmental and social policies / guidelines.

I.4 Scale of the project 12. The Project consists of two parts. The Kayrakkum – Asht 220 kV single circuit transmission line in the North along the Kayrakkum Reservoir with approx. 70 km crosses the two districts Gafurov B. and Asht. The Geran – Rumi 220 kV single circuit transmission line in the South of Tajikistan with approx. 69 km is passing through three districts, namely Kumsangir, Dzhilikul and Kubadiyon. The Geran substation annex with a required area of approx. 10 ha is located in Kumsangir district. 13. Roughly estimated on the basis of 70 km for the north route and 69 km for the south route and an average distance of the towers of 200 m, approx, 350 towers are required for the north route and 345 towers for the south route. Depending on the type of tower and subsoil condition, the tower footings have variable dimensions. However a minimum of 100 - 150 m2 working area is required for the excavation of normal foundations and upwards of 250 - 300 m2 for the larger angle and line crossing towers. An overall maximum area of approx. 70,000 m2 for each, the north route and the south route respectively is required for the tower foundations. The depth of excavation for the normal foundation varies between 3 and 4 m. The excavation for tower footing is carried out either manually or by mechanical excavator as per site requirements. In rocky areas, some controlled blasting can also be involved. 14. 220 kV Geran substation: The area for construction of the 220 kV Geran substation will be placed on the opposite street side of the existing substation with direct access to the required farmland. The required area is ca. 10 ha on an agriculture field on governmentally owned land, which recently is used extensively for seasonal crop. The substation consists of Transformers, Switchboard, relay protection panels, telemechanical equipment, distribution devices, office building, WC, storage room etc. Environmental Safety Equipment of the substation consist of emergency oil drain from transformers envisions special dripping pans with pallet pipelines under transformers. The substation will have a reserved tank of oil with pipelines, or may be hermetically sealed with no oil reservoir, linking the tank to air-drying device. Fire emergency and technical water supply of the “Geran” 220 kV substation annex will be provided from a sub-artesian well drilled within the territory of the substation. Water will be pumped to the industrial water tank mounted at a

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height of 5-6 meters and will then flow to the distribution pipelines. The sub-artesian well-pump will turn on automatically when the level of water in the tank is lowered.

I.5 Description of the Environment 15. The Environment within the area of the two TLs and substation has been investigated on basis of site visits along the overall planned and optimized routing, on secondary information and data and considering numbers of meetings with responsible staffs of related central and regional governmental environmental organization. The following areas which might be of environmental concerns have been described: General Characteristics of the Project Area Affected Administrative Units Topography, Geology, Seismology, and Soils Climate and Hydrology (Water resources, Ground Water) Ambient Air Quality and Noise Vegetation (including reserved forests, endangered floral species) Fauna (including endangered species and migratory birds) Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Bioreserves, Wetlands and other nationally and internationally protected areas Social and cultural resources

I.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures 16. The new lines have been routed in cooperation of technical, environmental and social experts together with the specialists of Barki Tojik in order to avoid any environmental and social impacts or technical implications. Thus the planned corridors are not traversing any village or settlement and distances to any settlement has been kept at a minimum of 50 m, either side, thus along both routes settlements more far away than required by the national law that defines 25 m either side as the corridor. 17. The existing lines do not run through any sensitive or protected area and do not have any adverse environmental impact as found during a comprehensive site visit along both 70 km and 69 km lines in the north and the south respectively. 18. However, some reversible impacts, mainly through the construction phase have been identified and appropriate mitigation measures have been developed in a comprehensive Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). In the following table the kind and area of expected impact and the goals of mitigation measures are summarized. Further details are Attachement 2. Table 1: Summary of kind of impacts and mitigation goals To ensure the proper implementation of any requirements from CEP and according to B1. Hydrology and laws on hydro-meteorological activities, mineral waters and Water Code, especially Drainage Aspects referring groundwater conditions in places of low groundwater tables and taking spillage and contamination into account (see also water quality) To ensure that the contractor and workers understand and have the capacity to ensure B2. Orientation for that environmental requirements and implementation of mitigation measures are Contractor, and Workers addressed and carried out appropriately. To prevent adverse water quality impacts due to negligence of environmental best B3. Water quality practice. Ensure unavoidable impacts are managed effectively. Ensure adverse impacts on water quality caused by construction activities are minimized. To minimize effectively and avoid complaints due to airborne particulate matters B4. Air quality released to the atmosphere. B5. Noise / Ground Vibration To minimize noise level increase and ground vibrations during construction operations

Prevent adverse water quality impacts due to negligence of anticipated impact and ensure unavoidable impacts are managed effectively. B6. Soil Erosion / Surface

Run-off To minimize soil erosion due to the construction activities of towers, stringing of conductors and creation of access tracks for project vehicles B7. Exploitation, Handling, To minimize contamination of the surroundings Transportation and Storage of Construction (Due to implementation of works, concrete and crushing plants )

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materials B8.Construction Waste Minimize the impacts from the disposal of construction waste. Disposal B9. Work Camp Operation To ensure that the operation of work camps does not adversely affect the surrounding and Location environment and residents in the area. B10. Loss of trees and vegetation cover of the To avoid several negative impacts due to removing of landmark, sentinel and specimen areas for towers and trees as well as green vegetation and surface cover. temporary workspace B11. Safety Precautions To ensure safety of workers for the Workers Minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during haulage of construction materials, spoil and equipment and machinery, blocking access roads during works; B12. Traffic Condition damage / maintenance problems for roads and bridges used by the haulage trucks, dust nuisance in the vicinities of the transportation ways, especially to schools and hospitals. To ensure minimum impacts from construction labor force. To ensure minimum impacts on public health. To ensure minimum effects of indirect impacts of constructions to the people who are living close to the boundaries of RoW; Dust, Noise, Vibration and rock blasting effects B13.Social Impacts etc. To minimize access problems for local population during construction To solve problems from new land acquisition To mitigate impacts on agriculture land with expected losses on income B14. Institutional Strengthening and To ensure that Barki Tojik officials are trained to understand and to appreciate EMMP Capacity Building

19. When 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 project proposal, thus the revised and adapted EMMP must be an integral part of the construction contracts. 20. During the preparation for the project construction phase the future contractors must be notified and prepared to co-operate with the executing agency, project management, supervising consultants and local population in the mitigation of impacts. Furthermore the contractor must be primed through bidding stages and the contract documentation to implement the EMMP in full and be ready to engage trained environmental management staff to audit the effectiveness and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. The effective implementation of the EMMP will be audited as part of the loan conditions and the executing project implementation organization (Barki Tojik) must be prepared for this. In this regard Barki Tojik must fulfill the requirements mainly, but not limited to, of the law and guidance as per law of the Republic of Tajikistan on the protection of the environment, including all requirements according to the Ecological Expertise of Tajikistan on the environmental aspects of construction projects.

I.7 EMMP Implementation Organization 21. Overall implementation of the EMMP will be in the responsibility of the EA Barki Tojik. Barki Tojik likely will contract a third party for the installation of the new lines and the substation. Other parties to be involved in implementing the EMMP are as follows: 22. Environmental Manager, Environmental Contractors: internal staff of the contractor or sub- contracted by the contractor, responsible for detail designing, adjustment and cost estimation for mitigation measures and if needed during the installation by the contractors, responsible for implementing all measures required to mitigate environmental impacts during construction. 23. Government agencies: such as the responsible CEP and Ministry of Water Resources and Land Reclamation, provincial environmental agencies and bureaus at local level and municipalities (as far as affected by the project). They will be responsible and/or will be involved in monitoring the compliance with environmental regulations and standards according to the EMMP and related to statutory approvals of the project overall and in their areas at their discretion and randomly. 24. Project Management Unit (PMU): The PMU of Barki Tojik is already implemented. The PMU shall assign a full-time Project Director responsible on the implementation of the project. Additional staffing shall include expertise in project management, environmental management and monitoring, socioeconomic and community development. The PMU shall also incorporate all consulting services under the Project, including assistance to the EA and its related District Office and will oversee the development of relevant studies by project consultants. 25. PMU Internal Environmental Manager. The environmental manager shall:

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Work in the PMU of Barki Tojik to ensure all statutory environmental submissions under CEP requirements and other environmentally related legislation are thoroughly implemented; Work in the PMU of Barki Tojik to ensure all environmental requirements and mitigation measures from the environmental assessment of the project are included in the contract prequalification and bidding documents for suppliers and constructors; - Support the development of any additional IEE and IEE requirements needed due to fine tuning - Provide training and project awareness for Barki Tojik PMU and PIU staff and project stakeholders - Communicate with the CEP and people affected by the Project; - Initially supervise and monitor first construction measures of the contractor - Investigate complaints; 26. Thus, the responsibility of fulfilling environmental requirements of GoT and conducting the required level of environmental assessment consistent with ADB guidelines lies with the PMU of the EA. Project consultants assist the PMU in this regard. The IEE and SIA reports, based on ADB’s Environmental Guidelines will be reviewed by the EA. ADB internally reviews and approves the reports. However, the IEE and SIA reports need to receive final approval by the State Ecological Expertise of the Government of Tajikistan. 27. The mitigation measures incorporated into the design will be verified by the PMU before providing technical approvals. The mitigation measures that form part of the Contract Documents will also be verified by PMU before getting the contract signed between the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the Contractor. The following Table 2 summarizes the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the projects. Table 2: Summary of institutional organization and responsibilities on EMMP implementation Project Stage Responsible Responsibilities Organization Pre- PMU (with assistance Fulfill GoT requirements by obtaining Environmental Clearance construction from Project Certificate (CEP, Ecological Expertise) and other necessary approvals. Consultant) Elaboration of IEE and SIA including Resettlement and Compensation Plan etc. Provide copies of the documents upon request from interested parties.

Incorporate mitigation measures into engineering design and technical specification.

Incorporate environmental mitigation and monitoring measures into contract document.

Update the EMMP (mitigation measures, monitoring program, institutional responsibilities, costs, etc.) during the detailed design stage. (i) Oversee the implementation of projects; (ii) maintain appropriate accounts and manage procurement, engagement of consultants, and disbursement in accordance with ADB guidelines; (iii) ensure effective coordination and liaison with ADB and the GoT on project-related activities and reports; (iv) monitor and report on the progress of the projects; and (v) schedule reviews, audits, and evaluations, and provide resulting reports regularly to the Independent Commission.

It would also assist implementing agencies in organizing information campaigns to create awareness among rural communities and the institutions serving them at the local level. Construction PIU With the assistance of project consultants, ensure implementation of environmental management measures at each stage of the construction, prepare bi-annual monitoring reports for submission to PMU, and update the EMMP, as necessary.

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Project Stage Responsible Responsibilities Organization Project Consultant Review the construction site management plan and safety plan to be prepared by the contractor.

Conduct bi-annual monitoring of implementation of mitigation measures by contractor. Contractor Prepare a construction site management plan and safety plan for (e.g. Transmission Line project) prior to any site works. Implement mitigation measures and submit monthly reports to the PMU PMU Review and consolidate bi-annual reports and submit to ADB Committee for Review monitoring reports and conduct periodic inspections, environmental monitoring Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and its regional analytical laboratory Operation Barki Tojik Undertake environmental monitoring consistent with Environmental Monitoring Plan and prepare annual reports Committee for Review monitoring reports and conduct periodic monitoring environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and its regional analytical laboratory 28. In order to assure proper EMMP implementation training and assistance has been considered for the EA and the contractor. The following table summarizes training and assistance measures and estimated costs. Table 3: Total EMMP Costs Item Unit No Units Unit Cost Cost Training Environmental Awareness Workshop 1 1,000 1,000 Public Consultation Workshop 1 1,000 1,000 EMMP Requirements Workshop 2 1,000 2,000 EMMP Implementation Workshop 2 1,000 2,000 Sub Total 6,000 ESM (TA Contract) Lump Sum Contract 2 months 28,500 57,000 Local Environmental Fees 6 months 2,000 12,000 Specialist Local Environmental Development of Standard Operation Procedures 2 months 2,500 5,000 Consultant for Contractor (SOPs) Contamination Measurement Sampling and Analysis– mainly water analysis approx. 50 100 5,000 (Contingency) Noise Measurement Noise Measuring (Background and construction approx. 30 30 900 (Contingency) noise measurement)

Grand Total 85,900

I.8 EMMP Reporting 29. A structured program of Reporting will be required by the Environmental Supervisor and Monitor to support the quality and proper implementation of the EMMP. Compliance report The compliance report shall be elaborated by the ESM of ADB in order to confirm the revision and the final compliance of the detailed EMMP integrated into the detailed design of the contractor. The compliance report refers as well on the revision of all requested additional documents and detail planning requested in the EMMP Inspection reports

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Location and activity specific reports prepared after each site inspection and audit. These shall be compiled in cooperation with the ESM by the inspecting officer of Barki Tojik. Site inspections shall identify areas of contractor’s non-compliance with the EMMP and provide guiding remarks on actions to be taken. The significance of the non-compliance shall also be noted. Copies of these reports shall be sent to the Supervising Department of Barki Tojik who shall forward them to the supervising engineer and the Contractor for their action. Audits shall be carried out and reported against prepared checklists. The Inspection Report shall be reviewed and finally approved by the ESM. Bi-annual Progress Reports The ESM shall prepare bi-annual progress reports on the ongoing EMMP implementation. These will include a summary review of the construction activities relating to the EMMP, a review of the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures, indications of contractor performance and recommendations for modifications / review of the EMMP. If necessary, supplemental reports with greater detail than the routine reports shall also be prepared. These should be prepared and forwarded to Barki Tojik, ADB, CEP and other stakeholders as required.

I.9 Public Consultation Process 30. The public consultation (PC) process with various stakeholders was carried out on site reconnaissance visits in a period from January 15 to March 3, 2010 in line with ADB guidelines, introducing the projects details and discussing on potential social and environmental impact of the project. Under ADB requirements the environmental assessment process must include meaningful public consultation during the completion of the IEE. In this IEE and social impact assessment the PC process involved public and other stakeholders from the earliest stage of the project, including stakeholder meetings at focal locations in the southern and northern districts along the planned routes to know the opinion of municipalities and related specialists). During the meetings the project has been introduced, the IEE process explained and potential impacts discussed as well as recommendations, comments and concerns/complaints have been collected. Interviews were conducted with local families and communities along the entire transmission line. The overall process and results are described below. 31. The consultations identified that there are already some existing environmental and social problems and people were in expectation of their immediate addressing. The community supports the expansion and upgrading of the power line. They welcomed the project ideas and expressed their hope that it will be carried in accordance with the requirements of the national and international legislation in the social and environmental sphere and highly contribute to the provision of energy efficiency and realization of Regional Development Program. 32. On the basis of the consultations and the site visit along the entire alignment of the existing line so far, it appears that the project will have no insurmountable environmental impacts, but potential social impacts are obviously appearing through the recent planning, requiring additional land acquisition and temporary land use. Stakeholders expressed their hope, that involuntarily resettlement or land requisition problems can be avoided by changing the place of transmission lines where it is possible. They also want to make sure that compensation and assistance amounts are assessed justly. It was decided to continue public consultations and discussions in the future in certain stages of the project implementation.

I.10 Grievance Redress Mechanism 33. Special care need to be taken to prevent grievances, especially during construction. If the EMP will be implemented properly, adapted to the final construction planning and if mitigation measure will be observed and claimed by the EA and CEP, grievances can be avoided mainly. Proper communication and participation before and during the construction of the TLs can discover possible potentials of disturbance and thus EMP and construction plan can be adjusted accordingly. 34. A scheme for grievance redress mechanism has been developed which fits into the overall project implementation management, considering Environmental and Social matters. Complaints and grievances due to planning, construction and operation will be addressed to the district and community administration level, but central government and the EA (Barki Tojik at local and central level) are involved in the problem solving process if needed.

I.11 Summary and Conclusions 35. The construction of the two Single Circuit 220 kV Transmission lines in the North and South of Tajikistan and the 220 kV substation is a feasible and sustainable option from the power transmission, engineering, environmental, and socioeconomic points of view. Implementation of the EMMP is required and

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the environmental impacts associated mainly with the construction of the project need to be properly mitigated. Existing institutional arrangements are available, but to a certain extent need to be strengthened. Due to experiences in implementation of environmental critical projects in Tajikistan, it is highly recommended to provide additional accompanying environmental expertise as well as it is believed that Barki Tojik as well requires additional human capacities in the field of work of environmental management, impact mitigation and monitoring to complete the designs and incorporate the recommendations effectively and efficiently in the contract documents, linked to payment milestones. The proposed mitigation and management plans are practicable but require additional resources.

II. Introduction

II.1 Overview 36. In Tajikistan, 98% of electricity is generated by hydropower plants (HPP), which makes Tajikistan highly dependable on hydrology and, thus is exposed to natural risk. In winter 2007 and 2008 due to poor hydrology, the Tajik hydropower system faced major shortfalls in winter generation. In addition, Uzbekistan was unable to transfer all the power provided by Turkmenistan due to technical problems and constraints in its transmission grid. Tajikistan's inability to pay for the import of gas and fuel oil for its thermal plants and heating further complicated the situation, leading to humanitarian problems due to lack of heating. Reliable and diversified intercountry transmission network will enable Tajikistan to make barter arrangements or sell summer surplus electricity and receive or buy in winter and, thus reduce the deficit. 37. Regional cooperation and stable power supply among Central Asian countries is essential to support economic growth of the region. Reliable transmission network in Tajikistan is an important prerequisite for the enhancement regional trade with Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic and development of a future regional competitive electricity market. Transmission system reliability is closely linked to the quality and adequacy of maintenance. Many components of the Tajikistan transmission system have been used beyond their economic life and are technically obsolete, and resources for maintenance and development of the power system have been limited. Tariffs set at below cost recovery level and poor collections results in the inability of power utility Barki Tojik (BT) to maintain the network on international level. Since even maintenance needs are not met, there is no provision for asset replacement and system expansion. 38. The Project intends to rehabilitate existing and construct new transmission assets in order to strengthen Tajikistan's interconnection with Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan; install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA); and improve quality electricity supply on regional and national level. Additionally, the project will consider opportunities for non-physical investments and address the issues of governance and operational efficiency improvements. 39. The TA will prepare the project that will enhance electricity interconnections with Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan through: (i) replacement of equipment in 500kV and 220kV substations that are important for regional power transmission; and (ii) expand 220kV network to improve reliability of connections with Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. 40. The TA will look as well into the opportunities for nonphysical investments into the power sector which will be an integral part of the Investment Project. The areas to be explored by the TA are but not limited to: (i) financial and human resource assistance in implementation of restructuring plan elaborated by previous TAs; (ii) assistance in establishment of independent electricity tariff regulator; and (iii) assistance in legal reform to empower utilities to act on sound commercial basis and improve collections. 41. The physical investment components of the Project as per the original Terms of Reference were: (i) Rehabilitation of Regar 500 kV Substation and installation of circuit breakers with relay protection and replacement of disconnector switches (ii) Rehabilitation of Baypaza 220 kV Substation and installation of circuit breakers with relay protection (iii) Installation of telecommunication systems at Regar 500 kv and Baipaza 220kv substations and installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) at at the Chief Dispatch Control Center. (iv) Construction of 220 kV Geran-Rumi transmission line and reconstruction of 220 kV Geran Substation, with potential rehabilitation of Geran and Rumi 220 kV substations; (v) Construction of 220 kV Kairakum-Asht transmission line, with potential rehabilitation of Kairakum and Asht 220 kV substations;

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42. The Project location is multiple in that it covers the North, South and West of Tajikistan. The Executing Agency and Implementing Agency is Barki Tojik (BT), a vertically integrated state utility company which is subordinate to the Ministry of Energy and industry. The following Figure presents the project locations in the Republic of Tajikistan.

Asht Kayrakkum Substation Substation Kayrakkum – Asht 220 kV Transmission line

Regar Substation Baipazan Substation

Rumi Substation Geran Substation

Geran – Rumi 220 kV Transmission line

Figure 2: Location of planned 220 kV Transmission Lines and Substations in Tajikistan

II.2 Background 43. A few years ago the Government committed to restructure electricity sector and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing the power sector. A respective government working group has been created and a number of TAs have been initiated to support the sector restructuring. However, these efforts have failed to advance the sector restructuring and bring sufficient improvements to substantially upgrade the governance/management and performance of the sector. The vertically integrated BT has a number of problems requiring attention such as: (i) no development strategy or plan; (ii) inconsistent organizational structure with its scale of operations; (iii) lack of control over its financial and business operations; and (iv) weakly defined accounting procedures and systems. In 2007 for example, only approximately 50% of generated electricity was paid. According to the information from BT, accumulation of bad debts continues. As of 7 August 2009, major debtors of BT were the Ministry of Melioration and Agriculture (US$ 25.5 million), aluminum smelter TALCO (US$ 24 million), and residential customers (US$ 21.4 million). 44. The Project Preparatory Technical Assistance (PPTA) evaluation to address the Regional Power Rehabilitation for Tajikistan was identified in the Country Operations Business Plan for Tajikistan (2007) and is included in both the draft Country Partnership Strategy and the Regional Cooperation Strategy. 45. The objective of the technical assistance (TA) is to prepare an Investment Project that will improve the reliability and the operation of the Central Asian power transmission system and enhance inter-country power trading. Therefore the Project intends to rehabilitate substations and construct new transmission assets at locations where the most benefit and system stability will be expected in order to strengthen Tajikistan’s interconnection with Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan. New Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems shall be installed in substations and in the new National Control Centre (NCC). The quality and consistency of electricity supply in general will be improved at both regional and national levels. 46. This PPTA targets a country where demand for nationally-produced resources is falling, but where on a regional scale the potential for export of electricity produced by hydropower to its neighboring countries is vast. In the same sense however this dependency on hydropower to service indigenous demand throughout the year (98% dependency) in Tajikistan leads to a deficit of the supply /demand balance in winter due to poor hydrology and freezing rivers diminishing water flow rates to generation turbines.

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47. The resulting improved reliability and diversification of the national and inter-country transmission networks will enable improved commercialization of imports and exports of electricity, thus reducing the Winter deficit and improving export revenues to BT in the other three seasons. 48. Two additional new transmission lines from Kayrakkum to Asht in the North of the country with 70.4 km and from Geran to Rumi with 69.2 km will secure higher stability of the national grid and the regional connections. The line routes for the project have been chosen out of a couple of alternative routings. The selection has been done on the basis of joint site visits of the technical experts of the TA-team and local staff of Barki Tojik, the TA national social and resettlement specialist and international and national environmental specialist. Maps and updated Google Earth aerial pictures have been used additionally to fine tune the line routing, considering and harmonizing technical, social and environmental aspects. This process resulted in optimized routings of both transmission lines as the final solution which will be considered further on. Slight deviations on the layout planning may occur but considering the requirements on social and environmental safeguard through taking the environmental management and monitoring plan into account.

II.3 Scope of the IEE Study and Personnel 49. Kayrakkum – Asht TL, North: The Kayrakkum – Asht Transmission Line will cover land on approx. 70.4 km distance on a 50 m wide corridor for the transmission lines according to the related regulations for transmission lines of the Republic of Tajikistan. Approximately 255 conventional and angle lattice towers are required along the route with average distance of 288 m. 50. Geran – Rumi TL, South: The Geran – Rumi Transmission Line will cover land on approx. 69.2 km distance on a 50 m wide corridor for the transmission lines according to the related regulations for transmission lines of the Republic of Tajikistan. Approximately 240 conventional and angle lattice towers are required along the route with average distance of 288 m. 51. Geran Substation: In Geran, the additional construction of a substation is required to receive the 220 kV line. The area is adjacent to the existing Substation, on the opposite site of the road. The recent land use is extensive agriculture. An area of 10 ha in a square shape would be required 52. This IEE study has included field reconnaissance on the entire distance of both planned routes in the South and in the North and the potential area for the substation, which have taken place on January 16 and February 3, 2010 to the South and February 5, 2010 to the North. 53. The Study Area included the transmission line corridor within the RoW (25m either side of the line) and all the areas either side of the line including all villages, agricultural land use including irrigation facilities (canals), water supply, habitable structures, schools, health facilities, hospitals, religious places, sites of heritage and/or archaeological importance, and infrastructures such as railway lines, roads, as well as state of the environment including all national and international protected areas in an investigation corridor of 500 m – 2,000 m either side, depending on the range of probable impact through construction and operation. 54. The works are generally envisaged to involve construction of the foundation pads and towers to support the transmission line and installation and commissioning of the line as well as all necessary access roads and additional space (material and soil storage, work camps) required during construction and remaining structures for operation and maintenance. Rehabilitation works for substations are without exception planned to find place on the existing area of the substations. 55. The field studies were undertaken by the core international and national specialist team with experience in social and environmental assessment for power projects worldwide and in Tajikistan. Two international and two local specialists for social and environment conducted preliminary scoping, survey and assessment activities. Additionally the local experts were responsible to organize and carry out collection of information and coordinated and carried out stakeholder consultations in the main cities of the districts in which the projects are planned and villages along the route. The international social and environmental consultants additionally to their expert input provided input and guidance to the technical team with regards to essential details during the TL routing process for consideration of environmental and social aspects as well as assessments of design, construction, and operational impacts, noise, air quality and waste disposal. The environmental team also benefited from technical support and given important information to be considered on the assessment of potential impacts, provided by the local energy experts, experts from Barki Tojik. A more detailed layout or technical feasibility report was not available at the time of the elaboration of this report. 56. The study process began with scoping and field reconnaissance during which a Rapid Environmental Assessment was carried out to identify the potential impacts and verify the already carried out categorization of the projects through ADB. Due to the routing of the lines through agriculture land and partly desert without any impact on existing protected areas, both projects still can be considered as Category B Projects as per ADB categorization. The potential environmental impacts and concerns requiring further study in the

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environmental assessment were then identified. The methodology of the IEE study was then elaborated in order to address all interests. Subsequently both primary and secondary baseline environmental data was collected related to the planned construction works and the intensity and likely location of impacts were identified with relation to the sensitive receivers; based on the work expected to be carried out. The significance of impacts from the power transmission line construction work was then assessed and, for those impacts requiring mitigation, measures were proposed to reduce impacts to acceptable limits. 57. Public consultation (PC) was carried out throughout the mission in January and February 2010 in line with ADB guidelines1. Under ADB requirements the environmental assessment process must also include meaningful public consultation during the completion of the draft IEE. In this IEE the PC process included stakeholder consultation at focal locations and along the planned route in the districts impacted by the TL- route and in Dushanbe where the majority of project related stakeholders, mainly from the central administration and NGOs could be involved in the overall process. The project’s extent and crucial locations has been introduced, the IEE process explained and potential impacts discussed as well as recommendations, comments and concerns/complaints have been collected. Interviews have been conducted with people along the entire transmission line. The overall process and results are described in Section VI.

II.4 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan

General 58. This Chapter presents an overview of the policy/legislative framework as well as the environmental assessment guidelines of Tajikistan that apply to the proposed project. The chapter also identifies relevant Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies that will apply. The project will be required to comply with all relevant national and international environmental and social policies / guidelines.

Country Policies and Administrative Framework 59. Environmental legislation in Tajikistan includes laws on air quality, mineral resources, land management, forests, animals and factories, health and safety, waste and chemicals management. The Tajikistan “Framework” Environment Law was adopted in 1993 and amended in 1996. The Water Code was adopted in 2000, the Land Code in 1992 and the Land Administration in 2001. Tajikistan is party to a number of international environmental treaties including: Convention on Biological Diversity, 1997 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1998 The Ramsar Convention (joined 2000) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (joined 2001) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (ratified 2007) 60. Environmental Impact Assessment is subject to the “Law on Nature Protection” and the “Law on Ecological Expertise”. An environmental licensing system exists in relation to handling hazardous waste and mineral extraction. An environmental permitting system regulates the use of natural resources, especially the hunting or harvesting certain species. However, as in so many places around the world, implementation of the regulations and policing are problematic. 61. In Tajikistan, the organizations with most responsibility for environmental monitoring and management currently are the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (CEP), the Sanitary Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health, the Inspectorate for Industrial Safety and the Mining Inspectorate. Public control is carried out by public organizations or trade unions and can be exercised with respect to any governmental body, enterprise, entity or individual. The environmental laws have articles related to the protection of soils and the rational use of land. The most important environmental laws are summarized in the following table.

1 Environmental Assessment Guidelines (ADB May 2003), ADB. 2009. Safeguard Policy Statement, Manila, ADB. 2010. Operational Manual OM F1/OP.

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62. Selected Environmental Legislation in Tajikistan: Air quality • Law on Air Protection • Law on Hydro-meteorological activity Mineral resources • Law on Mineral Waters • Water Code Land management • Land Code • Law on Land Administration • Law on Land Valuation Forests • Forestry Code Animals and factories • Law on Protection and Use of Animals • Law on Protection and Use of Factories • Law on Factories Quarantine Health and safety • Law on Securing Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety of the Population • Law on Veterinary Medicine • Law on Salt Iodization • Law on Quality and Safety of Food • Law on Industrial Safety of Hazardous Installations • Law on Radiation Safety Waste and chemicals management • Law on Production and Consumption Waste • Law on Production and Safe Handling of Pesticides and Agrochemicals 63. These laws along with the Regulations approved by the GoT create a favorable legal framework for environmental protection in the country as well as for the use and protection of its natural resources. The most relevant of these laws, codes and regulations are highlighted in the following sections. 64. Framework environment law. The “framework environment law” / Law on Nature Protection was adopted in 1993 and amended in 1996. The Law stipulates that Tajikistan's environmental policy should give priority to environmental actions based on scientifically proven principles to combine economic and other activities that may have an impact on the environment, with nature preservation and the sustainable use of resources. The Law defines the applicable legal principles, the protected objects, the competencies and roles of the Government, the Committee for Environmental Protection under Government of Tajikistan, the local authorities, public organizations and individuals. 65. The Law also stipulates measures to secure public and individual rights to a safe and healthy environment and requires a combined system of ecological expertise and environmental impact assessment of any activity that could have a negative impact on the environment. The Law also defines environmental emergencies and ecological disasters and prescribes the order of actions in such situations, defines the obligations of officials and enterprises to prevent and eliminate the consequences, as well as the liabilities of persons or organizations that caused damage to the environment or otherwise violated the Law. The Law establishes several types of controls over compliance with environmental legislation: State control, ministerial control, enterprise control and public control. State control is affected by, the Sanitary Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health, the Inspectorate for Industrial Safety and the Mining Inspectorate. Public control is carried out by public organizations or trade unions and can be exercised with respect to any governmental body, enterprise, entity or individual.

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66. Water Code. The Water Code (2000) stipulates the policies on water management, permitting, dispute resolution, usage planning and cadastre. It promotes rational use and protection of water resources and defines the types of water use rights, authority and roles of regional and local governments for water allocations among various users, collection of fees, water use planning, water use rights and dispute resolution. The Code delegates Water User Associations to operate and maintain on-farm irrigation and drainage infrastructure. 67. Land Code. The current Land Code (1992) defines the types of land use rights, the authority and the role of regional and local governments for land allocation, collection of land taxes, land use planning, land use right mortgaging and settlement of land disputes. It defines the rights of land users and lease-holders, and also defines the use of a special land fund for the purpose of land privatization and farm restructuring. The law does not provide for purchase or sale of land. The Land Code regulates land relations and it is directed at the rational “use and protection of land and fertility of the soil… .” The land may be used in a “rational manner” only and the Code allows local authorities to decide what constitutes “rational” land use. It includes mechanisms that make it possible to take the land-use permit away from farmers, including in situations where their activities cause land degradation. This decision is taken by the raion (district level) administration. Articles 38, 39, 43 and 45 regulate land acquisition for specific activities / projects such as a transmission line. 68. Land Administration Law (2001). The Law obliges the authorities to map and monitor the quality of land, including soil contamination, erosion and water logging. • development of draft environmental legislation for submission to the Parliament (Milli Mejlis); • implementation of environmental policy; • enforcement of standards and requirements for environmental protection; • suspension or termination of activities not meeting set standards; • advising on environmental issues; and • expert review and approval of environmental documentation including Environmental Impact Assessment.

Legal framework for EA, environmental licensing and permitting 69. Basic EA Laws. There are two laws in the country that stipulate all aspects of the EA: (a) Law on Nature Protection; and (b) Law on Ecological Expertise. The Chapter V, Articles 33-37 of the Law on Nature Protection (1993), introduces the concept of state ecological review (literally, state ecological “expertise” – SEE) that seeks to examine the compliance of proposed activities and projects with the requirements of environmental legislation and standards and ecological security of the society. The mentioned laws stipulate the mandatory cross-sectoral nature of SEE, which shall be scientifically justified, comprehensive, and objective and which shall lead to conclusions in accordance with the law. SEE precedes decision-making about activities that may have a negative impact on the environment. Financing of programs and projects is allowed only after a positive SEE finding, or conclusion, has been issued. The following activities and projects subject to state ecological review: a) draft state programs, pre-planning, pre-project, and design documentation for economic development; b) regional and sectoral development programs; c) spatial and urban planning, development, and design; d) environmental programs and projects; e) construction and reconstruction of various types of facilities irrespective of their ownership; f) draft environmental quality standards and other normative, technology, and methodological documentation that regulates economic activities; g) existing enterprises and economic entities. The laws stipulate that all types of economic and other activities shall be implemented in accordance with existing environmental standards and norms and shall have sufficient environmental protection and mitigation measures to prevent and avoid pollution and enhance environmental quality. The EA studies analyzing the short- and long-term environmental, genetic, economic, and demographic impacts and consequences shall be evaluated prior to making decisions on the siting, construction, or reconstruction of facilities, irrespective of their ownership. If these requirements are violated, construction will be terminated until necessary improvements are made, as prescribed by the CEP and/or other duly authorized control bodies, such as sanitary, geological, and public safety agencies. 70. Environmental Impact Assessment. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a component of the State Ecological Expertise, as set out in the 2002 amendments to the Environmental Protection Law and in the Law on the State Ecological Expertise (2003). The EIA is the responsibility of the project proponent. The State Ecological Expertise for all investment projects is the responsibility of the Committee for Environmental Protection under Government of Tajikistan (CEP) and its regional offices. Furthermore, according to the 2003 Law on the State Ecological Expertise, all civil works, including rehabilitation, should be assessed for their environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures reviewed and monitored by the CEP.

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71. Types of Ecological Expertise. According to the 2003 Law on Ecological Expertise, ecological expertise is intended to prevent negative impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed activity, forecast impacts from activities that are not considered as necessarily damaging to the environment and create databases on the state of the environment and knowledge about human impact on the environment. This Law and the Law on Nature Protection envisage two types of ecological expertise – State ecological expertise and public ecological expertise, which are not given equal importance. While State ecological expertise is a prerequisite for beginning any activity that may have an adverse environmental impact, public ecological expertise becomes binding only after its results have been approved by a State ecological expertise body. The State Ecological Expertise is authorized to invite leading scientists and qualified outside specialists to participate in the review. Approval should be issued within 45 days, unless the project developer agrees to an extension, and remains valid for two years, if the decision is positive. According to the Law on SEE the public ecological expertise of economic activities or other activities implementation of which can negatively impact the environment of population which live in relevant area can be carried out by any public organization and citizen. They have right to sent the proposals to the responsible government bodies concerning environmental issues of implementation planned activities; to receive information on results of conducted state ecological expertise from relevant responsible bodies. The materials reflecting the public expertise delivered to the experts’ commission should be taken into consideration under preparation of conclusion of state ecological expertise and decision making on realization of expertise object. The public ecological expertise is carried out under the state registration of application of public organization. The registration can be done by local executive authorities (during 7 days) in place where the expertise activities are planned. The public organizations which are organising this expertise, should inform the population of initiation of expertise and then on its results. 72. Environmental auditing. Currently there is no requirement or regulation of this type of activity. 73. Screening categories. The laws on Nature Protection and EE stipulate the Government will approve a list of activities for which the full Environmental Impact Assessment is mandatory. Currently there is no EIA categorization system in place and environmental impacts of most construction activities are reviewed on a case by case basis. 74. EA Administrative framework. The Environmental Protection Law states that a SEE should be conducted by the State Committee for Environmental Protection and Forestry, which is designated as a duly authorized state environmental protection body. A small unit in the ministry is entrusted with guiding and managing both EIA and SEE. EIA preparation is the responsibility of the proponents of public- and private- sector projects, who, in addition to complying with various environmental standards, procedures, and norms, shall meet the standards of other sectors and environmental media line agencies, such as sanitary- epidemiological, geological, water, etc. 75. Public participation. Article 10 of the Nature Protection Law proclaims the right of citizens to live in a favorable environment and to be protected from negative environmental impacts. Citizens also have the right to environmental information (Article 12), as well as to participate in developing, adopting, and implementing decisions related to environmental impacts (Article 13). The latter is assured by public discussion of drafts of environmentally important decisions and public ecological reviews. Public representative bodies have an obligation to take into consideration citizens’ comments and suggestions. The Law on the EE also provides the rights to the citizens to conduct a Public Environmental Expertise (art. 21). On 17 July 2001 Tajikistan acceded to the 1998 Aarhus Convention, the provisions of which have priority over domestic law that also stipulates the rights for Public EE. 76. Licenses. Licenses are legal instruments to regulate certain potentially hazardous activities where minimal qualifications and strict adherence to rules are required to ensure that they are carried out efficiently, safely and do not result in potentially very significant and irreparable damage to the environment and human health . In particular, licenses are required for handling hazardous waste; for activities in industrial safety, sources of ionizing radiation, production and handling of pesticides and other agrochemicals. They are issued by the relevant industry regulator (ministry or committee) or an entity to which it has delegated such right. Licensing is also used to ensure the most efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. For example, licenses are required for prospecting, collecting or extracting mineral resources, or for constructing underground facilities not related to mining. 77. Environmental permits. Permits are meant to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. There are two types of permits: (a) permits to use natural resources; and, (b) permits for emissions or discharges. The natural resources use permits allow their holders to take a certain number or amount of a particular natural resource within a defined territory and time period. They are issued both to individuals (e.g. to hunt a particular species of animal or harvest particular factories) and to organizations (e.g. permits to extract ground or surface water for a particular use). By law, permits are needed for any commercial use of any resource. The authority that issues the permit and the legislation (government resolution) that applies depend on the resource. Permits to discharge polluted matter are issued by the relevant inspectorate (e.g.

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previous State Water Inspectorate or State Air Inspectorate – now departments) of the State Committee’s local environmental protection committees to industrial or agricultural enterprises and municipal utilities that release by-products into the environment. The permits allow releasing a certain amount of polluted matter (gases, liquids, solid waste) into the environment. The permits are normally granted for one year and indicate the maximum allowed concentration of the pollutants in the released matter, the maximum volume of the polluted matter and the pollutants allowed. 78. Environmental norms and standards. Norms are set for air and water pollution, noise, vibration, magnetic fields and other physical factors, as well as residual traces of chemicals and biologically harmful microbes in food. The exceeding of their thresholds results in administrative action, including financial sanctions. Several ministries determine environmental quality standards, each in its field of responsibility. For example, admissible levels of noise, vibration, magnetic fields and other physical factors have been set by the Ministry of Health. 79. Implementation and compliance. A number of legal acts establish liability for violations of environmental laws, which can be enforced by several State bodies. In particular, the 1998 Code of Administrative Violations establishes administrative liability for organizations, their officers and individuals for a range of violations, from the careless treatment of land to violation of the rules for water use or water protection or failure to comply with a State ecological expertise. The administrative sanctions for environment related violations can be imposed by the administrative commissions of hukumats, courts, the CEP’s inspectors, the Veterinary Inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Committee for Land Administration, Mapping and Geodezy. The most common administrative sanction is a fine of up to 10 minimal monthly salaries for individuals and up to 15 minimal salaries to officers of organizations. The 1998 Criminal Code covers crimes against ecological safety and the environment, such as violations of ecological safety at work, poaching, and spoiling land, violation of rules for the protection and use of underground resources. The maximum fine is up to 2,000 minimal monthly salaries and the maximum sentence is up to eight years in prison.

Local Environmental Statutes 80. The Program of Economic Development up to 2015. In the section dealing with land and water resource, the Program states that effective resolution of social problems substantially depends on the effective use of soil and water resources, the principal resources of the country. 81. State Environmental Program 1998-2008: The program, approved in 1997, obligates ministries and offices, heads of administrations and mayors of cities to improve environmental conditions and ensure sustainable development of the country during the period of economic transition. It calls for adoption of modern environmental standards for water, air, soil, solid waste, toxic wastes, and noise control, based on maximum permissible amounts. Standards are to be supplemented by discharge permits. The Program is accompanied by broad ecological zoning, dividing the country into ten zones (Syr-Darya, Northern Turkestan, Zeravshan, Gissar, Vaksh, Dangarin, Khulbak-Kulyak-Tchube, Karategin-Baldzhuan-Shurobad, Garm-Muksu-Balandkiik, and Badakshan) 82. The principal directions of the Program are improvement of (i) the environmental status of agricultural lands, (ii) state of water resources, (iii) vegetation including forest resources, (iv) fauna and flora, (v) recreational possibilities, (vi) air quality, (vii) utilization of mineral resources, (viii) public health, and (ix) environmental performance of industry and construction. The Program calls for economic and other analyses of environmental problems and economic mechanisms that are to be used for the purpose of environmental management including: (a) limits on the use of resources, (b) payment for use of natural resources, and (c) pollution charges. Any use of a natural resource – including the assimilative capacity of air, water, and soil – is to be paid for in an amount as determined by the Government. The program calls also for better monitoring, improved environmental impact assessment, and improved financing of environmental activities. There are section dealing with environmental education, information, environmental centers and environmental legislation. State natural sanctuaries and natural reserves for perpetuation of rare and threatened species are to receive special attention. 83. The National Environmental Action Plan devotes rather considerable space to energy supply issues and mentions one of the goals as provision of the development for energy sources, improvement of the effectiveness of the electricity production and use and distribution. 84. Program of Environmental Education and Training 2000-2010 Adopted in 1996, the Program recognizes the importance of professional training and education of the population on issues of conservation of environment and its rational use.

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Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies 2009 85. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has three safeguard policies that seek to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse environmental impacts and social costs to third parties, or vulnerable groups as a result of development projects2.The current generation of safeguard policies was designed when direct project lending was the dominant modality for development assistance. New lending modalities and financing instruments, such as the multitranche financing facility (MFF), have increased the complexity of applying safeguard policies and ensuring compliance. The new modalities and the likelihood of continued innovation, as well as changing client circumstances, suggest a need to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of ADB’s safeguards, which has been reflected in an update of the Safeguard Policy by 2009, announced through the Safeguard Policy Statement 2009. 86. According to the newly revised and published Safeguard Policies in 2009 (SPS 2009) of ADB, ADB’s overarching statement on it’s commitment and policy principles are: ADB affirms that environmental and social sustainability is a cornerstone of economic growth and poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific. ADB’s Strategy 2020 therefore emphasizes assisting Developing Member Countries (DMCs) to pursue environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. In addition, ADB is committed to ensuring the social and environmental sustainability of the projects it supports. In this context, the goal of the SPS is to promote the sustainability of project outcomes by protecting the environment and people from projects’ potential adverse impacts. 87. The objectives of ADB’s safeguards are to: i. avoid adverse impacts of projects on the environment and affected people, where possible; ii. minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the environment and affected people when avoidance is not possible; and iii. help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the capacity to manage environmental and social risks. 88. Since the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement had been approved it supersedes the Involuntary Resettlement Policy (1995), the Policy on Indigenous Peoples (1998), the Environment Policy (2002), and the second sentence of para. 73, and paras. 77–85, and 92 of the Public Communications Policy (2005). Safeguard Requirements 1: Environment. 89. The objectives are to ensure the environmental soundness and sustainability of projects, and to support the integration of environmental considerations into the project decision-making process. 90. The requirements apply to all ADB-financed and/or ADB-administered sovereign and non-sovereign projects, and their components regardless of the source of financing, including investment projects funded by a loan; and/or a grant; and/or other means, such as equity and/or guarantees. Mechanisms such as Public Consultation, Identification of potential impacts, elaboration of adequate mitigation measures and impact monitoring as well as implementation of an appropriate environmental management plan remained mainly unchanged referring to the former Environmental Safeguard Policy. 91. Special attention has been put on the Grievance Redress Mechanism, securing that the borrower/client will establish a mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of affected peoples’ concerns, complaints, and grievances about the project’s environmental performance. The grievance mechanism should be scaled to the risks and adverse impacts of the project. It should address affected people's concerns and complaints promptly, using an understandable and transparent process that is gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to all segments of the affected people at no costs and without retribution. The mechanism should not impede access to the country’s judicial or administrative remedies. The affected people will be appropriately informed about the mechanism. 92. Guidelines provide a rational approach for determining environmental category of the Project, the need for public consultation and disclosure, environmental management planning, and resolving involuntary resettlement, indigenous people and gender issues. Safeguard Requirements 2: Involuntary Resettlement 93. The objectives are to avoid involuntary resettlement wherever possible; to minimize involuntary resettlement by exploring project and design alternatives; to enhance, or at least restore, the livelihoods of all displaced persons1 in real terms relative to pre-project levels; and to improve the standards of living of the displaced poor and other vulnerable groups. The safeguard requirements underscores the requirements for undertaking the social impact assessment and resettlement planning process, preparing social impact

2 ADB. 2009. Safeguard Policy Statement, Manila

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assessment reports and resettlement planning documents, exploring negotiated land acquisition, disclosing information and engaging in consultations, establishing a grievance mechanism, and resettlement monitoring and reporting. 94. The involuntary resettlement requirements apply to full or partial, permanent or temporary physical displacement (relocation, loss of residential land, or loss of shelter) and economic displacement (loss of land, assets, access to assets, income sources, or means of livelihoods) resulting from (i) involuntary acquisition of land, or (ii) involuntary restrictions on land use or on access to legally designated parks and protected areas. Resettlement is considered involuntary when displaced individuals or communities do not have the right to refuse land acquisition that results in displacement. Safeguard Requirements 3: Indigenous Peoples 95. The objective is to design and implement projects in a way that fosters full respect for Indigenous Peoples’ identity, dignity, human rights, livelihood systems, and cultural uniqueness as defined by the Indigenous Peoples themselves so that they (i) receive culturally appropriate social and economic benefits, (ii) do not suffer adverse impacts as a result of projects, and (iii) can participate actively in projects that affect them. 96. For operational purposes, the term Indigenous Peoples is used in a generic sense to refer to a distinct, vulnerable, social and cultural group possessing the following characteristics in varying degrees: i. self-identification as members of a distinct indigenous cultural group and recognition of this identity by others; ii. collective attachment to geographically distinct habitats or ancestral territories in the project area and to the natural resources in these habitats and territories; iii. customary cultural, economic, social, or political institutions that are separate from those of the dominant society and culture; and iv. a distinct language, often different from the official language of the country or region. In considering these characteristics, national legislation, customary law, and any international conventions to which the country is a party will be taken into account. Safeguard Requirements 4: Special Requirements for different Finance Modalities 97. Various lending modalities and financial products are key instruments for ADB to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development in its developing member countries. In addition to standard project loans, ADB provides a variety of investment instruments, including program loans, sector finance, multitranche financing facilities (MFFs), emergency assistance loans, financial intermediaries and corporate finance. Safeguard Requirements 4 outlines the special requirements for different finance modalities that borrowers/clients are requested to meet. 98. Guidelines provide a rational approach for determining environmental category of the Project, the need for public consultation and disclosure, environmental management planning, and resolving involuntary resettlement, indigenous people and gender issues. 99. Activities carried out under the project needs to conform to current laws in Tajikistan and sound social and environmental principles. In general, the project activities will not trigger serious impacts on physical and human environment.

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II.5 Structure of Report 100. This report reviews information on existing environmental attributes of the Study 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 project enhancement and expansion. 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. Following this introduction the report follows ADB guidelines and includes: Description of the Project Description of Environmental and Social Conditions Assessment of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Environmental Monitoring Plan Public Consultation Grievance Redress Mechanism Recommendations and Conclusions

III. Description of the Project

III.1 Type of Project 101. The project solely deals with the electricity distribution and supply security within the program for Regional Power Rehabilitation in Tajikistan. 102. The project comprises of the construction of 2 transmission lines, Kayrakkum – Asht 220 kV Line in the North with 70 km length and Geran – Rumi 220 kV line in the South of Tajikistan. Both projects are located in the northern and southern plains with elevations less than 500 m. 103. Another key component of the Project is the construction of a 220 kV substation in the area of the Geran community, 170 km South of Dushanbe. This substation is planned complimentarily to the existing substation in order to provide an additional space for the 220 kV line, making it easier and technically more practicable to rehabilitate the existing substation in parallel. 104. The intention of the construction of the two lines each is to connect the grid systems fragments for higher electricity supply security, and at the same time to link to the transboundary 500 kV lines established to export electricity to the neighboring Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. 105. Settlements are partly adjacent to the proposed transmission line. During optimization of the routing of the lines in the North and in the South from the environmental and social point of view, it has been considered that settlements are minimum 50 m away from the line to avoid direct impact to people, and no environmental sensitive areas are impacted by avoidance of traversing protected and sensitive areas and considering a sufficient and flexible buffer zone prohibiting to come closer to such areas than 500m to 2 km, depending on the senThe categorization of the projects has considered already an optimized routing over cultivated land and desert. The line will not traverse any buildings or settlements and distances are considered to be at least 50 m to any settlement. No nationally and internationally protected or otherwise environmentally sensitive areas are within the line routings and substation location, distances are considered to be at least 1 km from such areassitivity of areas.

III.2 Categorization of the Project 106. The routing considered already a minimization of necessary access ways and utilization of existing roads and agriculture pathways. However, the construction will come along with general temporary impacts through soil excavations, work camps, noises and vibrations, etc. which all of them are temporay and possible to mitigate to a minimum impact. 107. The categorization has been carried out by ADB staff at a mission in October 2009. The project has been categorized as Category B, minor impacts able to mitigate are expected. An EIA is not necessary to be performed if the result of the IEE will not discover any significant adverse environmental impacts.

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108. The result of the first site visits of the proposed lines in the North and the South of Tajikistan by the international and national environmental and social experts confirms the categorization after additional optimization of the routing to avoid adverse impacts already in the first step. 109. The aspects of the project with potential for significant environmental impacts need to be assessed in detail and environmental assessment has therefore focused on significant impacts from the construction aspects all along the proposed alignment as well as consultation with the public. This report has also surveyed the transmission line corridor and immediate surrounding that may be affected by knock on effects from impacts such as waste disposal.

III.3 Need for the Project 110. In Tajikistan. 98% of electricity is generated by the hydropower plants (HPP), which makes Tajikistan highly dependable on hydrology and, thus is exposed to natural risk. In winter 2007 and 2008 due to poor hydrology, the Tajik hydropower system faced major shortfalls in winter generation. Tajikistan's inability to pay for the import of gas and fuel oil for its thermal plants and heating further complicated the situation, leading to humanitarian problems. Reliable and diversified intercountry and intracountry transmission network will enable Tajikistan to make barter arrangements or sell summer surplus electricity and receive or buy in winter and, thus reduce the deficit. 111. Regional cooperation and stable power supply among Central Asian countries is essential to support economic growth of the region. Reliable transmission network in Tajikistan is an important prerequisite for the enhancement of regional trade with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic, and eventually the development of a future regional competitive electricity market. Transmission system reliability depends on investments and the adequacy of regular maintenance. Many components of the Tajikistan transmission system have been used beyond their economic life and are technically obsolete. Resources for maintenance and development of the power system have been limited. Although, the Government is systematically increasing tariffs for the last few years, they are still below cost recovery level. Weak collection practice results in the inability of power utility BT to maintain the network on international level and in limited provision for asset replacement and system expansion. 112. In June 2009 the Government of Tajikistan approached ADB with a request to assist in financing a number of planned investment projects in the electricity sector. ADB reviewed offered projects and initiated the preliminary preparation of the Project. Parts of the projects, in particular the new constructions, have been screened preliminarily on potential environmental impacts with the result, that an IEE need to carried out for the following components: Construction of 220 kV Kairakum-Asht transmission line (approximately 70 km). This component enables Tajikistan to increase capacity in the Northern part (Asht S/S) of the country resulting in additional export to Kyrgyz Republic during summer months and easy distribution of electricity to the region during winter and summer months. Construction of 220 kV Geran-Rumi transmission line (approximately 69 km) and construction of 220 kV Geran Substation Annex. The project envisages construction of a new transmission line that will close the circle in the southern part of Tajikistan at 220 kV level. Additionally, rehabilitation and expansion of 220 kV Geran substation will loop in 220 kV transmission line from Sangtuda 1 HPP to Afghanistan. This investment component will enhance the reliability of power supply in southern Tajikistan and electricity exports to Afghanistan. The Project supports the implementation of N-1 transmission system design. 113. The Project will enhance electricity interconnections with Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan through: (i) replacement of equipment in 500kV and 220kV substations that are important for regional power transmission; (ii) expand 220kV network to improve reliability of connections with Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz Republic; and (iii) reliable domestic supply. 114. The Project benefits are: Enhances the energy security of the country as it enables the delivery of indigenous electricity to the regions that currently cannot be supplied through the national grid only; Improves the stability of the electricity transmission system as it applies N-1 principle which will enable uninterrupted electricity supply during the breakdown or routine maintenance. Optimizes generation through more efficient use of hydro resources and reduction of blackout and restoration times.

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115. The new line in the North and rehabilitated substations will remove overload problem in Kahibadam 220 kV substation and will increase annual export to Kyrgyz Republic by approximately $1.75 million. In addition, random localized breakdowns of the system is reported by BT as being about three (3) weeks per year due to poor performance of the transmission systems/substations resulting from lack of development and maintenance investment and inadequate load management. Subsequent to the completion of this project, such breakdown will be virtually eliminated. 116. The new lines in the South and rehabilitation/new substation will provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to Afghanistan through the connection of the 220 kV line from Sangtuda 1 HPP (75% owned by the Russian utility RAO/UES). According to the power purchase agreement between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Tajikistan will export to Afghanistan during six (6) months in summer. As in case of the Kayrakkum - Asht line and SIS, the risk of breakdown of the Tajik-Afghan line is about 1.5 weeks due to technical failures and/or commercial resulting in loss of revenues for BT. The project minimizes the likelihood of such interruptions. In case of interruption of supply from Sangtuda 1, the power could still be exported using the Kalkozabad line or through connection with Rumi. 117. With the implementation of these project components the likelihood of such interregional breakdowns will be minimized, which will be in line with the international transmission practice.

III.4 Location and Scale of Project

Transmission lines 118. The Project consists of two parts. The Kayrakkum – Asht 220 kV single circuit transmission line in the North along the Kayrakkum Reservoir with approx. 70 km crosses the two districts Gafurov B. and Asht. The Geran – Rumi 220 kV single circuit transmission line in the South of Tajikistan with approx. 69 km is passing through three districts, namely Kumsangir, Dzhilikul and Kubadiyon. The Geran substation annex with a required area of approx. 10 ha is located in Kumsangir district. 119. The Kayrakkum – Asht line is located approx. 350 km north from Dushanbe stretching from Kayrakkum at 40.2736 N, 69.8117 E to Asht, approx. 65 km (as the crow flies) North East from Kayrakkum at 40.6069 N, 70.4357 E. 120. The Geran - Rumi line, approximately 170 km South of Dushanbe, routes from 37.3402 N, 68.7265 E to the north in order to deviate the Tigrovaya Balka National Reserve where at the railway from Kolkhozabad to Rumi the line crosses the Vaksh river to the West to Rumi at 37.2841 N, 68.2377 E. 121. Roughly estimated on the basis of 70 km for the north route and 69 km for the south route and an average distance of the towers of 200 m, approx, 350 towers are required for the north route and 345 towers for the south route. Depending on the type of tower and subsoil condition, the tower footings have variable dimensions. However a minimum of 100 - 150 m2 working area is required for the excavation of normal foundations and upwards of 250 - 300 m2 for the larger angle and line crossing towers. An overall maximum area of approx. 70,000 m2 for each, the north route and the south route respectively is required for the tower foundations. The depth of excavation for the normal foundation varies between 3 and 4 m. The excavation for tower footing is carried out either manually or by mechanical excavator as per site requirements. In rocky areas, some controlled blasting can also be involved. 122. The footprint of the towers is small, as only one leg towers are used. Angle towers will have a physical footprint of approx 3 x 3 m, including safety buffer the claimed and occupied land of each tower will be not more than 7 x 7 m. For conventional towers the physical footprint would be 2.5 x 2.5 m and for claimed and occupied land it will be 5 x 5 m. The tower height will vary between 30 and 45 meter depending on topography, requirements on distance between two towers and requirements on crossing over of other transmission lines or other infrastructure. The towers generally are designed according to the Technical Standards of the Russian Federation, known as "gosudartsvennye standarty" or GOST. Clearance under the conductors will be handled standardized not below 6 m over cultivated land, 8 m over roads and trails and 9 m over railway tracks. The following Figure 3 shows fir/delta tower types, of which a mix is likely to be applied for the planned lines.

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Figure 3: Applicable tower types for planned routes 123. The following Figure 4 and Figure 5 next page present the micro locations of the overall route of the planned lines.

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Figure 4: Micro location of 220 kV Kayrakkum – Asht transmission line, North Tajikistan

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Figure 5: Micro location of 220 kV Geran - Rumi transmission line including new Geran Substation, South Tajikistan

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Construction Process Transmission Lines 124. After fixing steel reinforcements and finishing the foundations, the necessary excavation ditch is refilled with excavated material and the site is brought to the original ground level. Depending on the type of foundation due to different underground, ranging from pad foundation, anchor foundation and pile foundation, different amounts of remaining soil need to be disposed or distributed over the farm land. 125. The required working area for the erection of the towers is about 200 - 300 m2 for each tower. The towers are assembled on the ground, lifted with the help of derrick poles/crane and fixed with at the foundation. 126. In aligning the high-voltage transmission line the design aims to pass through cultivated fields, thinly populated areas and desert. As such, the accessibility will not be a problem. There are tracks and ways, thus the contractor should not have to drain of the sides and should not have to develop any tracks for transporting the materials. This should results in very little if any damage to the vegetation or disruption of the farmland in the vicinity of the transmission line and substation. The whole length of the proposed transmission line is approachable through a number of major or minor paved or dirt roads and village tracks. Almost all the village tracks are linked to the roads and paths and are thus accessible to vehicles.. In any event care will be taken that the disruption to the vegetation is kept to a minimum. 127. The environmental impacts are likely to be localized near the supporting tower/pole construction at most places and impacts are reviewed in the environmental impact section of the report. The impacts will need to be reviewed and amended if necessary if the locations change and when the detailed designs are available.

Substation Geran 128. 220 kV Geran substation: The area for construction of the 220 kV Geran substation will be placed on the opposite street side of the existing substation with direct access to the required farmland. The required area is ca. 10 ha on an agriculture field on governmentally owned land, which recently is used extensively for seasonal crop (see Figure 6).

Figure 6: Planned location of Geran substation annex 129. Substation facilities: The substation will occupy an area of almost 10 hectares within agricultural lands. The area is located directly at the road through Geran. The substation consists of Transformers, Switchboard, relay protection panels, telemechanical equipment, distribution devices, office building, WC, storage room etc.

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130. Environmental and safety equipment: Emergency oil drain from transformers envisions special dripping pans with pallet pipelines under transformers. The substation will have a reserved tank of oil with pipelines, or may be hermetically sealed with no oil reservoir, linking the tank to air-drying device. Fire emergency and technical water supply of the “Geran” 220 kV substation annex will be provided from a sub- artesian well drilled within the territory of the substation. Water will be pumped to the industrial water tank mounted at a height of 5-6 meters and will then flow to the distribution pipelines. The sub-artesian well-pump will turn on automatically when the level of water in the tank is lowered. 131. Substation access: The “Geran” 220 substation will have a direct access from the main road to Kolkhozabad and a possibility to access from a side track east of the location. Construction or modification of any access road is not required. The side track, if chosen as access would need a 50 – 100 m solid concrete or asphalt covering.

III.5 Alternatives 132. Both, the Kayrakkum – Asht line and the Geran – Rumi line with its supplementary substation will contribute to the improvement of the overall performance of the power transmission grid of Tajikistan and transboundary connections, thus leading to secured electricity supply and widening access to power to drive economic opportunities. The beneficiaries of the project will be people, companies, and government in Tajikistan. Power users will benefit in terms of secure power supply and improved power safety and potentially increased productivity. 133. Do nothing scenario: Studies on the state of the energy supply situation in Tajikistan have indicated that, without the power transmission enhancement project, supply will not be as reliable as with the project due to overload problems in Kahibadam 220 kV substation and will increase annual export to Kyrgyz Republic by approximately $1.75 million. In addition, random localized breakdowns of the system, as reported by BT as being about three (3) weeks per year will further exist with consequently economic losses. 134. In absence of the project, the potential for interruptions to power supply will increase and socio- economic development of Tajikistan could be affected in the short to medium term. Moreover, Tajikistan is depending on power export to Afghanistan, which recently frequently is interrupted, causing economic losses. The interrupted delivery could cause contractual conflicts and bilateral tensions, thus the project minimizes the likelihood of such interruptions. 135. Alternative construction methods: The feasibility and constructability of the transmission line towers is well established in Tajikistan. The former introduced Russian technical standards (GOST) and in international cooperation the construction of transmission lines and installation of equipment is well practiced in the international context. The process basically includes the transportation of equipment to site and the assembly of pre-fabricated units in-situ. Thus technical quality and impacts from construction per se are very manageable from the technical and environmental viewpoint. Therefore, alternative construction methods not necessarily need to be considered. 136. Alternative geometry: In a very early stage, the technical, social and environmental team of the PPTA put efforts on the routing of several options of lines in the project area and concluded on optimized routing considering economics, social aspects and environmental protection. Villages and settlements have been completely avoided to be traversed by the line, safety and protection buffers to settlements have been considered to be at least 50 m from the line and routes have minimum distances to nationally and internationally protected areas as well as considering further sensitive areas and environmental aspects related to flora, fauna, water and soil resources. Thus no alternative geometry would be required to be considered.

III.6 Proposed Schedule for Implementation 137. The ADB Mission end of 2009 and January 2010 was advised that the Government of Tajikistan accords the components of the proposed Project as the highest priority and requested the Mission to accelerate the loan processing and implementation. The Mission explained the steps in the Project processing and recommended that BT (Barki Tojik, Executing Agency) should initiate the preparation of the tender documentation for the engagement of the consultants. 138. The Government informed the Mission that the approval of Restructuring of BT is expected at end of the first quarter 2010. The Government and the Mission agreed that the months of February will be used for the preparation of the details for the Restructuring and Capacity Development Program and will be finalized during the Fact Finding Mission. 139. The Government and the Mission agreed that tentative schedule for Fact Finding Mission will be March, 2010. A schedule for construction of the project has not been elaborated till date.

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IV. Description of the Environment

IV.1 Project Area

General Characteristics of Project Area 140. Tajikistan is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with a territory of 143.1 thousand km2. The population of the country, according to World Bank 2008 is 6,836,083 people. Of the total area of 14.3 million hectares (ha) 4.6 million ha is agriculture land with rural population of 4.6 million, this means a very limited land availability of about 0.16 ha/capita of rural population. 141. The South, along the Vaksh River is called the Kurgan Tyube, part of the Khatlon Province. The Kurgan Tyube is characterized by large plains and foothills opening to the southwest toward Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, with altitudes between 500m and 1000m with a climate marked by very hot and dry summers and temperate winters. The project related area includes Kumsangir, Rumi J. and Dzhilikul districts with an area of 3,100 km2 and a population of 325,000 people. 142. The North, related to the project, is mainly constituted by the Ghafurov and Asht Districts in the northern part of Sugd province with an area of 5,400 km2 and a population of approximately 400,000 people. Its district capitals are Ghafurov and Asht. Other major towns are Taboshar (in the north), Chkalovsk (in the south, between Ghafurov and the provincial capital Khujand), and Kayrakum (Qairoqqum), also in the south, which gave its name to the adjacent Kayrakum (Qairoqqum) Reservoir. Altitudes are ranging between 400 m and 800 m. The climate is characterized by hot and dry summers and temperate dry winters. Precipitation is not more than 200mm in average, thus most parts are desert and steppe. 143. This chapter is aimed at the description of the project areas and state of the nature and environment along the routes of the North line Kayrakkum – Asht and the South line Geran – Rumi with its substation at Geran. It has been considered that the routes of the new lines are going as much as economically, environmentally and socially justifiable along roads, in parallel with existing lines and/or through open, non- agricultural used land. However, partly routings through settlement areas and agriculture land are necessary, but without traversing villages or single houses and without need of remarkable amounts of tree cuttings. Partly some orchard plantations are needs to cross. These orchards are all plantations of fruit trees are halftreerose with maximum heights of 3 – 4 m, most orchards are already traversed by existing 110 kV lines and thus usual pruning by the farmers keep the trees at acceptable height. 144. The route of the lines has been cartographically recorded through a comprehensive site visit of the TA team, including technicians from Barki Tojik, the TA technical team and the environmental and social experts along the overall 70 and 69 km routes respectively, due to not available design maps of the planned line at this stage of the project. 145. In parts of the route, land is used for agriculture, mainly pasture, grain and wheat, and few orchards where environmental impact seemed to be low. The planned corridor is not crossing any forest in all over the routes. In the main part of the alignment are no or few residential areas and plenty of space is available in the agriculture land and in the desert areas.

Affected Administrative Units 146. No villages or single settlements are directly affected. The routings have been planned to avoid traversing any building and passing existing single buildings in few cases in a minimum distance of more than 50 m. In some cases during detail design, some deviations are possible to even increase the distance from any building or settlement.

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147. The North line from Kayrakkum to Asht will pass through two districts, namely Gafurov B. and Asht, northern part of the Sugd Province. The South line from Geran to Rumi will pass through the three districts Kumsangir, Rumi J. and Dzhilikul, south western part of the Khatlon Province. The newly planned Geran substation is located in Kumsangir district (see following shaded map Figure 7)

Figure 7: Tajikistan, Geographical Overview

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IV.2 Physical Resources

Topography, Geology, and Soils Topography and Soils North Route 148. In the northern part of the Province Sugd, where the North route is located north of the Kayrakkum Reservoir, generally the topography is rather flat. The route aligns south of foothill lands with slopes which are mostly not very steep. The overall elevation ranges between 400m and 800 m above m.s.l. 149. Soil profiles encountered in the study area are typically sierozem (grey desert soil) and light sierozem, loamy sands, conglomerates and loess with gypsum inclusions, gravels. The humus layer is insignificant and is not present below the root system. The soil quality is low in organic matters and thus mostly of no or limited use for agriculture if irrigated and fertilized. South Route 150. In the south-western part of the Province Khatlon, where the proposed TL corridor is aligned from Geran to the north in parallel to Vakhsh and directed to the west at Ayni village the topography is mostly characterized by plains of the Vaskhsh river valley with gently undulating land and foothills with moderate slopes. It is one of lowest parts of the country. 151. Soil profiles in this study area are typically loess, loamy sands and loamy soils, classically formed through wind deposition over arid or semi arid areas. Soils are brown-gray and light sierozem. The humus layer of the loess amd loamy sands is fairly fertile and agriculture is possible. This accounts especially for the soils in the Vakhsh valley. The humus layer of the brown gray soils is insignificant (the first centimeters) and is not present below the root system. The soil quality is low in organic matters and mostly of no use for intensive agriculture unless irrigated intensively. This counts mainly for the east-west part of the route which is aligned through the western deserted landscape of the Dzhilikul district. For these soils to be included into agricultural use they require irrigation and the use of mineral fertilizers.

Figuree 8: Soil Types in the Project Area

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination 152. Both, the north and the south route are located in the same category of arid and semi-arid climate with desertification processes from which the very unfertile, sandy as well as partly salty soils derive. Both areas thus are characterized by extensive agriculture activities due to limited soil conditions and unfavorable climatic conditions. The following map presents the desertification in Tajikistan and shows the similarity of the northern and southern project related regions.

Figure 9: Desertification in Tajikistan Geology & Seismology North Route 153. The Tajik North segment of Corridor of Investigation (COI) runs through the low mountainous-hilly lands and watershed smoothed surface. The small part of COI is mainly represented by sandstone, conglomerates, gypsum, and clay rocks. Consequently the geological and seismic features within and around the COI are completely suitable for the construction of the TL. 154. From the seismological point of view the North Route is located in an 8 point seismic area according to MSK-64 scale (Figure 10). This normative map of seismic zoning was compiled in 1978 by А.М. Babayev, T.A. Kinyapina, K.M. Mirzoev, R.S. Mikhailova and G.V. Koshlakov under the guidance of S.Kh. Negmatullaev. The map shows three major seismic zones in Tajikistan with 7, 8 and 9 points seismic intensity of MSK-64. In each of these zones earthquake at mentioned level are possible. The northern TL in Tajikistan is located in one of the rather less-dangerous seismic areas where earthquake intensity likely will not exceed 8 points. South Route 155. The COI runs through a low mountainous-hilly land and watershed smoothed surface. Consequently the geological and seismic features within and around the COI are completely suitable for the construction of the TL. It belongs to 7 point zone according to seismology ranging (Figure 10). 156. From the seismological point of view the COI of the TL is located in the 7 point (MSK-64) seismic area, classified as less dangerous seismic area earthquake intensity will not exceed 7 points. It is worth mentioning that besides traditional “carpet” earthquakes (with epicenter less than 70 km depth) the territory of Tajikistan is exposed to the deeper quakes (with epicenter depth of 70-300km) which occur in the Pamirs-Hindukush area.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

Figure 10: Seismic Zones in Tajikistan

Climate and Hydrology Climate 157. Tajikistan has mainly divided by three major climate zones as per Figure 11 below. Both project areas are in the arid and semi arid zones with very low precipitations, hot dry summer climate and moderate and as well relatively dry winter periods. This climatically condition determines the conditions for agricultural land use, which is very limited and dependent on irrigation and fertilization.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

Figure 11: Climate Zones of Tajikistan Source: National Geo-science Database of Tajikistan

158. The Figure 12 below referring precipitation in Tajikistan clearly shows that lowest amounts of rainfall are in the large river valleys, in the plains in the north and south west and in the very east of the country. Therefore, the project areas are in the most disadvantaged areas referring agricultural activities.

Figure 12: Precipitation in Tajikistan

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination North Route 159. The most northern area of Tajiksitan in which the northern TL is located is characterized by dry climate. The precipitation from November to March is not more than 100-200 mm in most of the area (in plains) and can reach 400 and more in more hilly areas. The precipitation consists mainly of rain and wet snow. Due to mild winter climate in the plains, rarely solid snow cover builds up. The biggest average height of snow cover is less than 10 cm and melts down quickly. The period from June to October is the driest. Snowfall occurs mostly between mid of December and to mid of February. Rainfall from March to mid of May 160. The area has a variable climate with moderate cold winters and hot summers. Average annual temperature is about 12° C. The summer months are very hot and dry and summer temperatures are high and can vary from +30° C and reach +45° C and more. Average July temperature exceeds +30° C. The winter months are relatively cold and average January temperatures are about -2.5° C. Sometimes, temperatures can drop to – 29° C in the winter. 161. The annual accumulated duration of sunshine is between 2,800 to 3,000 hours. The features of the climate in the area of the proposed TL in the North are shown in the following table. Table 4: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, North Route

Ambient Temperature (Outdoors) Minimum: -28o C and more Maximum: +45o C and more Daily Average: 30o C and more – July Annual mean: 12o C Relative Humidity: January – 75-80 %, July – 35-40 %, very dry

Average Rainfall: From 100 to 200 mm

Number of days with rain/mist: about 100 days

Maximum solar radiation: From 2,800 to 3,000 hours and more

Maximum soil temperature: More than 32° C

Surface: From 32o C to 36o C and can be more (July)

Elevation (masl) Up to 800 m Wind speed Up to 15 m/sec, can be more

South Route 162. In the South West of Tajikistan where the South Route of the TL is located, the climate is almost similar characterized as in the north, a zone with dry climate. The precipitation from November to March is about 100- 130 mm in most of area (in plains) and can reach 400 and more in more hilly areas. The precipitation consists mainly of rain and wet snow. The latter forms as well as in the north rarely snow covers more than 10 cm and melts very quickly. The period from June to October is the driest. Snowfall occurs mostly between mid of December and to mid of February; rainfall from March to mid of May 163. The South West has a variable climate with moderate cold winters and hot summers. The summer months are very hot and summer temperatures are high and can vary from +35° C and reach +45° C and more. The average July temperature exceeds +30° C. The winter months are relatively cold and average January temperatures are above 0° C, but temperatures can drop to – 20° C in the winter. 164. The annually accumulated duration of sunshine is between 3,000 to 5,000 hours at low elevations and not less than 2,500 hours in the mountains. The features of the climate in area of proposed TL corridor are shown in Table 5.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination Table 5: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, South Route

Ambient Temperature (Outdoors) Minimum: -25o C and more Maximum: +45o C and more Daily Average: 35o C and more – July Annual mean: 16-17 o C Relative Humidity: January – 80 %, July – 40 %, very dry Average Rainfall: From 100 to 350 mm and from 400 to 600 mm Number of days with rain/mist: about 100 days Maximum solar radiation: From 2,800 to 3,000 hours and more Maximum soil temperature: More than 36 o C Surface: From 32o C to 36o C and can be more (July) Elevation (masl) Up to 600 m Wind speed Up to 2.1 m/sec

Water resources North Route 165. The territory through which the TL is routed belongs to the basin of Syr-Darya river. The initial point of the TL starts from Kayrakkum Reservoir sub-station and crosses the narrowest part of Syr-Darya River, approximately 2 km downstream from the dam. The corridor runs through the territory north of the Kayrakkum Reservoir, an area about 300 – 400 m elevated from the Reservoir without any streams and only few irrigation channels - no other regular surface water flows are observed in the overall area from Kayrakkum to Asht. Only one Kairakkum water storage facility is in the COI - Tajikistan's second largest water body is the Kayrakum Reservoir, a 44 km long artificial lake in the heart of the Fergana Valley, not far from the city of Khujand in Sughd Province. 166. The Syr Darya is a river in Central Asia, sometimes known as the Jaxartes or Yaxartes from its Ancient Greek name. The total average area of Syr Darya is about 13,400 km2, which is almost one tenth of the total area of the Republic of Tajikistan. Formed by the confluence of two headstreams in the fertile Fergana Valley, it flows west-northwest for 2,212 km (within Tajikistan its length is 180 km) to empty into the Aral Sea. Its lower course is on the eastern edge of the Kyzylkum desert. It is the longest river in Central Asia but carries less water than does the Amu Darya. It is used extensively for hydroelectric power and irrigation. The river fed from glaciers and snow melting in the spring and summer time, with a prevalence of the latter. The water regime is characterized by a spring-summer flood, which begins in April. The largest discharge is in June. About 75.2% of the Syr Darya run-off originates in the Kyrgyz Republic. About 15.2 % of the flow of the Syr Darya is formed in Uzbekistan, about 6.9 % in Kazakhstan, and about 2.7 % in Tajikistan. Only 1% of the total flow of the Syr Darya River is generated within Tajikistan by the shallow rivers Khodzhabakirgan, Aksu, Isfara, and Isfana, with a total flow of 0.4 km3/year. All of this tributary rivers are coming from the south or are west of the area of the TL. 167. The Syr Darya River is heavily polluted by irrigational wastewaters, and is not suitable for drinking. For the last 30 years water mineralization in the river has increased by 2-3 times (in 1970 0.6 - 0.8 g/l, in 2000 1.4 - 1.6 g/l). Basic pollutants are nitrogen and sulfur components, which concentrations exceed permissible norms 2-7 times. 168. Ground water levels in the Northern area are at depths ranging from 5-100 m. As the TL mostly is running on elevated ground of about 100 – 200 m higher than the Kayrakkum Reservoir and due to the high layers of very permeable soils, the groundwater table can be assume to be deeper than 10 m. The ground water data is derived from the map “Ground waters (Natural Resources of Tajik SSR)”. Authors A.P.Kostyuchenko, T.V.Sulim, A.V.Krasotin, D.A.Sindjukov, G.M.Merkulov, 1982.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination South Route 169. Surface water: Only one natural stream and its surface water regime is in the wider area the southern TL COI. The closest distance between the river banks and the TL is more than 2 km besides the place where the TL is crossing the river at the narrowest point along the bridge close to the villages Ayni and Nuri Vakhsh. The southern part of Vakhsh River is embedded in the Tigrovaya Balka State Nature Reserve. This reserve considers the flooding area of the river. The TL’s nearest approach to this reserve is about 1 km in the north near the village Nuri Vakhsh. The major watercourse is the Vakhsh River. It is one of the largest river in Tajikistan, 584 km long and has a basin area of 31,200 square kilometers within Tajikistan. The average annual discharge of the Vakhsh is 16.9 km3, with an average flow of 536 m3/s. The river, which is fed mostly by melting glaciers, achieves maximum flow during the summer months of July and August. It is a very important source of water. Mineralization of waters in Vakhsh River and thrown off irrigation waters from irrigated lands is less than 1 gram per liter. The TL COI does not impact on the river, its flooding area and the State Nature Reserve. 170. Ground water: Groundwater is observed mostly at the depths of 1 - 10 m. The following maps are showing the different levels of groundwater tables for the North and South Route respectively. In some area the lines are crossing land with very low depths of groundwater where special care on groundwater and groundwater flow need to taken on placement and during construction of foundations of the towers.

Figure 13: Groundwater levels North Route

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Figure 14: Groundwater levels South Route

Ambient Air Quality and Noise 171. Most of the COI is in a relatively barren and hilly agricultural and desert area. Along both, the North Route and the South Route no industry or agro-industry is located. Besides ambient air pollution through rare wood, coal and oil fired household heating and very moderate traffic the ambient air quality is relatively good and partly free of air pollution.

IV.3 Ecological Resources

Vegetation General 172. Tajikistan in general is referred to the northernmost part of the subtropical zone. Because of diversity in relief and exposition and therefore the very different amount of precipitations, the vegetation cover in Tajikistan sharply varies from area to area. Tajikistan falls into 2 major vegetation zones – Front Asian and Central Asian. The areas of both North and South Route COI are located in Front-Asian or Mediterranean vegetation- geographical zone – the Kuramin zone. The Front Asian (Mediterranean) area and specifically in its pediment areas and plains due to wet and moderate cold winter, and hot and dry spring and summer it is characterized by its two-folded nature. During wet cool period ephemeral vegetation dominates, while in summer – vegetation of dry habitats – xerophytes are dominating. In this territory vegetation varies due to topography, distinguished in lower plains, foothills and mountains of various altitudes respectively.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination North and South Route 173. The above described geo-botanical zone is relevant for both the North Route and the South Route. The zones are located at elevations of 300 m - 800 m above sea level and represented by desert and desert- ephemeral vegetation - dominating dwarf semi-shrubs with layers of ephemerid-type plants. The lands here are used as winter-spring pastures. Thus, the major part of the COI is located in very dry and poorly vegetated landscape with low biological diversity due to the shortage of water, limited rainfall, and poor soil, as already depicted at Figure 9: Desertification in Tajikistan, page 29. No rare endangered or protected species of vegetation within the corridor (see fig ) Reserve Forests 174. As shown on the following map, there are no significant forests within or near the COIs of both routes.

Figure 15: Reserved Forest in Tajikistan Vegetation Distribution North Route 175. The corridor itself is characterized as a desert ecosystem. Vegetation consists of semi-bushes & shrubs (Ephedra ferganensis, Licium dasistenum) and grass plants like perennial plants as bluegrasses (meadow grass), sedges and other ephemeral grasses (Artemisia sogdiana, A.korshinskyi, A.cina, Роа bulbosa L., Carex pachystylis , Stipa caucasica, Bromus oxyodon, Salsoa rigida). A few trees like black saksaul (Haloxylon aphyllum) white saksaul (H.persicum) and Tamarix palasii can be observed. 176. The hills along and in the vicinity of the COI are rather bare and irregular. Vegetation Distribution South Route 177. The corridor itself is characterized as a desert ecosystem. Vegetation consists of semi-bushes & shrubs and grass plants like perennial plants as bluegrasses (meadow grass), sedges and other ephemeral grasses (Роа bulbosa L., Carex pachystylis , Astragalus, Vulpia, Trisetum cavanillesii Trin, Leptaleum filifolium (Willd.) DC). 178. The orchards and gardens observed along the way mainly consist of Mulberry (Morus alba), Russian olive (ealagnus angustifolia), Poplar Tree (populus sp.), Plane Tree (platanus orientalis) and willows (salix) along

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination pathways and channels. Moreover, cotton fields, small forest strips (tree rows), segments of native vegetation with dominating alchagi kirgisorum, and in wet areas Cane (Phragmites comnumis) are spread in the area. However, the COI is without exception going through agriculture land, thus no valuable and natural vegetation will be harmed and no tree needs to be cut. 179. The hills along and in the vicinity of the COI are rather bare and irregular Endangered Floral Species 180. No rare or endangered floral species are present in the COIs of both routes.

Fauna North and South Route 181. Due to the fact that the routes in the north and the south are crossing through geographically, climatically and hydrologically similar areas, so is the fauna and wildlife comparable in both areas. Also population density and agriculture activities are comparable in both areas, thus the anthropogenic push back effect and domestic affiliation affect impacted the existence and distribution of wildlife in both areas in the same way. 182. While Tajikistan is home to a wide diversity of animals and birds, generally the biodiversity of the wildlife / fauna in the COIs of both routes due to given reasons above is very low. There are relatively few species and few individuals. No important, rare, endangered, or protected species or habitats of wildlife are found within or in the vicinity of the COIs of both routes (see Figure 16).

Figure 16: Distribution of rare animals (Red List Tajikistan) i). Mammals 183. Due to the degraded vegetation in the COI of the North Route habitats capable of supporting ecologically, economically or socially important populations of wild life / mammals are nonexistent. Consequently very few wild animals are rarely found in the vicinity of the COI. 184. The following animals may rarely stray into the area: Jackals (Asiatic jackal), Eared Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Tolai Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Steppe Cat, and Gazelle (markhoor). Page 37

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination 185. There are no critical habitats for these species within or in the vicinity of the COI. The most common wild mammals in the COI include: Turkestan rat (Rattus Turkestanika), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), colonies of jerboas (Allactaga elater), Mice, Mikrotus afganus, Eilobius talpinus, Meriones erythrourus. ii). Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects And Butterflies 186. Steppe tortoise, long-legged skink, Tajik desert lacerta, steppe agama, cross-striated racer and mountain racer (Eryx tataricus, Testudo horsefieldii) and phoorsa (Echis carinatus) are the common reptiles found within the COI. Sometimes, Lizards such as Varanus griseus are seen and frogs and green toads are the amphibians commonly found in riparian habitats. 187. Due to poor vegetation, with the exception of one variety of butterfly and mantis (Mantidae), not many useful insects are found in the COI. However flies, mosquitoes and soil dwelling arthropods are abundant. 188. No important, rare, endangered, or protected species or habitats of wildlife are found within the COI. iii) Common bird species 189. Egyptian vulture, long-legged buzzard, lesser kestrel, stone curlew, black-bellied sand-grouse, crow, crested lark, little owl and striated scopiform are the most common bird species in this area. Golden eagle and others (Aguila chrysaetus, Coracias garrulous) are frequently seen as well. 190. However no important, rare, endangered, or protected bird species or habitats are found within the COI. Migratory birds 191. There are a number of migratory birds which can be observed mostly approximately 10 km south of the proposed TL and its COI, close to the Kayrakkum Reservoir northern and eastern shorelines and around the delta of the tributary river flowing into the reservoir. There migration routes are mainly east – west and vice versa, which is in parallel to the TL route, 10 km more north of the lake. The migratory birds include black stork (Ciconia nigra) and white stork (Ciconia ciconia), black swift (Apus apus), shrike (Lanius schach), swallow (Hirundo daurica, Hirundo rustica), rose-colo(u)red starling (Pastor roseus), neophron – Neophron perenopterus, saker falcon - Falco cherrug. With exception of the falcons, all other birds are mainly bound to the wetlands and greenlands around the lake rather than to the desert area north of the lake. Thus, no important, rare, endangered, or protected bird species or habitats are found in the COI of the northern route. 192. The Shaker Falcon (falco cherrug), which can be considered as rare and that have his hunting area also in the deserts is found within the COI. This bird is highly adaptable and uses towers and lines as observation posts. Aquatic life 193. Other than the Syr-Darya river there are no perennial water bodies within or near the COI. The Syr-Darya river is about 10 km south of the TL. 194. No important, rare, endangered, or protected fish species or habitats are found within the COI (see Figure 17).

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Figure 17: Fish resources in Tajikistan

Wildlife Sanctuaries 195. There are no wildlife sanctuaries with in or near the COI. Endangered Wildlife Species 196. There are no endangered wildlife species or habitats within or in the vicinity of the COI.

Wetlands in the Project Area 197. There are no Ramsar or other significant wetlands within or in the vicinity of the COI.

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IV.4 Social and Cultural Resources

Population, Communities and Employment North Route 198. The transmission line in the North is running through the administrative regions (Raions) of Gafurov and Asht. Referring to statistics and the LAP elaborated for this project, the population, education, income situation as well as supply of public services and in the regions in which the TL is planned are as follows: Table 6: Population

Gafurov District Asht District

Total population 308,634 133,932

Male 151,167 64,006

Under 15 years 51,743 24,111

15 – 63 tears 74,371 35,293

over 63 years 14,253 4,602

Female 157,467 69,926

under 15 years 53,792 24,922

15 – 58 years 88,365 39,683

over 58 years 15,310 5,321

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Table 7: Education

Gafurov District Asht District

Education level

Higher Education 15,276 4,375

Female 5,820 1,635

Male 9,456 2,720

Secondary Education 11,349 11,601

Female 6,072 2,800

Male 5,277 8,801

School children 73,885 40,088

Girls 39,035 24,587

Boys 34,850 15,501

Table 8: Poverty and sources of income

Gafurov District Asht District

Poor families 20% 41%

Average income for the 216.49 TJS 153.53 TJS district

Source(s) of income

Agriculture 97.95 % 92.7 %

Public service 0.08 % 0.33 %

Other 2.08 % 6.97 %

Table 9: Public Services

Gafurov District Asht District

Number of schools 86 70

Number of hospitals 11 6

Number of health clinics 52 55

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Table 10: Industry and Agricultur

Gafurov District Asht District

Number of industrial 30 9 enterprises

Number of private farms 352 435

Area of irrigated land 22,490 ha 15,052 ha

Area of idle land 3,170 ha 118 ha

Area of pastures 2,177 ha 137,845ha

Area of Orchards 6,500 ha 19,708 ha

Number of pumping stations 34 27

Population, Communities and Employment South Route 199. The transmission line in the South is running through the Districts (Raions) of Kumsangir, Jilikul and Kubadiyon. Referring to statistics and the LAP elaborated for this project, the population, education, income situation as well as supply of public services and in the regions in which the TL is planned are as follows: Table 11: Population

Kumsangir Jilikul District Kubadiyon District District

Total population 105,341 89,509 142,875

Male 51,533 42,750 70,214

Under 15 years 25,775 14,218 55,614

15 – 63 tears 22,910 25,053 38,619

over 63 years 2,848 3,479 3,586

Female 53,808 46,759 72,661

under 15 years 24,793 16,528 27,603

15 – 58 years 26,060 26,802 39,500

over 58 years 2,955 3,429 5,558

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Table 12: Education

Kumsangir Jilikul District Kubadiyon District District

Education level

Higher Education 1480 5,565 764

Female 296 687 267

Male 1184 4,878 497

Secondary Education 1780 3,487 1,255

Female 499 57 691

Male 1281 3,430 564

School children 33,748 23,885 36,872

Girls 16537 12,233 17,796

Boys 17211 11,652 19,076

Table 13: Poverty and sources of income

Kumsangir Jilikul District Kubadiyon District District

Poor families 20% 20 % 20 %

Average income for the 156.0 TJS 156.0 TJS 126.8 TJS district

Source(s) of income

Agriculture 91.2% 91.2% 88.7%

Public service 3.6% 3.6% 4.8%

Other 5.2% 5.2% 6.5%

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Table 14: Public Services

Kumsangir Jilikul District Kubadiyon District District

Number of schools 45 45 59

Number of hospitals 7 6 3

Number of health 36 42 48 clinics

Table 15: Industry and Agricultur

Kumsangir Jilikul District Kubadiyon District District

Number of industrial 6 4 2 enterprises

Number of private 650 820 720 farms

Area of irrigated land 24,113 ha 15,077 ha 13,963 ha

Area of idle land 266 ha 95 ha 117 ha

Area of pastures 40,944 ha 45,156 ha 89,337 ha

Area of Orchards 467 ha 719 ha 1,621 ha

Number of pumping 19 7 66 stations

Cultural Heritage 200. There are no official protected heritage sites or historic or religious or archeologically important sites located in the project area and the COIs of both lines and vicinity respectively. There is no major historic or archaeological feature of special importance as far as known and discovered.

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V. Screening Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

V.1 Project Location

Impact Assessment and Mitigation 201. This project will generally involve power distribution through construction of two new 220 kV lines and one 220 kV substation annex in the South of Tajikistan at the existing Geran substation. The new lines have been routed in cooperation of technical, environmental and social experts together with the specialists of Barki Tojik in order to avoid any environmental and social impacts or technical implications. Thus the planned corridors are not traversing any village or settlement and distances to any settlement has been kept at a minimum of 50 m, either side, thus along both routes settlements more far away than required by the national law that defines 25 m either side as the corridor. 202. The existing lines do not run through any sensitive or protected area and do not have any adverse environmental impact as found during a comprehensive site visit along both 70 km and 69 km lines in the north and the south respectively. 203. The location and scale of the works are very important in predicting the environmental impacts during the construction where the most impacts, but temporarily, can be expected. This process of impact prediction is the core of the IEE process and it is critical that the recommendations and mitigation measures are carried out with reference to the conditions on the ground in the affected areas in the spirit of the environmental assessments process. In this section the potential environmental impacts are reviewed. Where impacts are 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 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. When 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 project proposal. 204. The environmental management and monitoring plan (EMMP) in Section V and the EMMP matrix in Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan shall be integrated parts of the detail design of the line and need to be reviewed by the contractor as well as need to be reviewed in due course at project inception and through construction in order to feed back any significant unpredicted impacts. It is based on the analysis of impacts, primarily - to document key environmental issues likely to arise from the project’s implementation, - to prescribe mitigation measures to be integrated in the project design, - to design monitoring and evaluation schedules to be implemented during project construction and operation, and - to estimate costs required for implementing project mitigation measures. 205. The EMMP plan must be reviewed in the project inception by the project management and approved before any construction activity is initiated, to take account of any subsequent changes and fine tuning of the proposals. 206. It should be noted generally that the work of the construction of the new lines and the substation as planned does not produce a huge amount of dust, machinery emission and noises. Impacts are even less than any house construction within villages. Thus the EMMP will consider measures to reduce impacts as much as really necessary. Temporary work camps have more impacts if planned as a base camp for longer sections. However, the lengths of the planned lines do not require the establishment of work camps. Due to relatively small amounts, workers, mainly from cities in the surrounding are able to go back home in the evening or find accommodations in the nearest villages. Therefore not the worst case assumptions have been undertaken although neither time schedule nor any logistical planning have been prepared so far in this stage of conceptual design.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination General Approach to Mitigation 207. Based on experience on some projects, contractors have put emphasis on the financial compensation for nuisances. This may be acceptable for some social impacts where evacuation or permanent resettlement and land claim is necessary or where houses have been accidentally damaged. However it is not best international practice to accept payment for environmental impacts. An approach whereby the subproject contractor pays money for nuisances rather than control impacts at source will not be acceptable. This practice should not be allowed and financial compensation shall not be allowed as mitigation for environmental impacts or environmental nuisance. 208. During the preparation for the project construction phase the future contractors must be notified and prepared to co-operate with the executing agency, project management, supervising consultants and local population in the mitigation of impacts. Furthermore the contractor must be primed through bidding stages and the contract documentation to implement the EMMP in full and be ready to engage trained environmental management staff to audit the effectiveness and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. The effective implementation of the EMMP will be audited as part of the loan conditions and the executing project implementation organization (Barki Tojik) must be prepared for this. In this regard Barki Tojik must fulfill the requirements mainly, but not limited to, of the law and guidance as per law of the Republic of Tajikistan on the protection of the environment, including all requirements according to the Ecological Expertise of Tajikistan on the environmental aspects of construction projects. 209. Locations, such as residences (stand alone settlements and villages), mosques, schools, hospitals and civil cultural and other heritage sites in the wider area of the planned COI of both routes have been reviewed and routing has been worked out to avoid any close distance to it without any exception. In areas where the distance of a location for tower construction to any settlement is lower than 100 m, temporary impacts during the construction stage from disturbance, noise, dust and some air pollution from diesel and gasoline driven machinery and transportation can be expected. 210. Water is available in the study area although surplus water may not always be available to suppress dust at many locations in the dry season. Therefore as a general approach it is recommended that where works are closer than 100 m of any sensitive receivers (SR), the contractor should install separation walls between the works and the edge of the sensitive receivers if ground works can be expected going along with dust development and distribution. The separation should be easily erectable 2.5 m high tarpaulin sheet and designed to retain dust and provide a temporary visual barrier to the works. Where noise is a major consideration, especially within the vicinity of schools and hospitals, the construction should be avoided at sensitive times. As a fall back option to control noise, the mass of the barriers can be increased using block- board or corrugated metal sheet to supplement the tarpaulins. In addition to the physical effect of mitigating dust and noise the installation of such measures should be discussed with the local population and serve as a vehicle for further public consultation at the implementation stage to assist in public relations.

Cultural Heritage, Religious Sites, Social Infrastructure 211. Special attention has been put to locations of mosques, cultural heritage, other SR sites and other infrastructures; none of them has been found within the COI and within a distance of 1 km. No clinics and hospitals and schools have been found within a distance of 1 km of the COIs of both lines. Thus no impacts are expected neither from construction nor from operation.

Cut and fill 212. It is anticipated that the project work would not involve any significant cutting and filling. Minor excavations (down to 4 m) and piling will be required only at the locations of the towers but not all along the overall power line. To construct the footings of the towers, it is envisaged (depending on the mode of contract) that the surfaces under the towers will need to be scrabbled to remove unstable materials, or to stockpile topsoil. The soil need to be refilled in same order of layers as cut off in all working areas. Where machineries and trucks have been used, soil need to be broken up again after finishing work for future proper agriculture use at each location and paths and ways need to be recovered. 213. In order to reduce impacts through dust and noises close to any settlement sites during construction, temporary hoardings shall be erected around the construction side to build a dust and noise barrier to adjacent houses and shops if they are within 50 m – 100 m of the power transmission line tower construction. For dust Page 46

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination suppression, water spraying would be an alternative. Due to water scarcity in large parts of the area within the routes, water spraying must be well checked about suitability and necessity. Impacts on water supply for villagers and single farms must be avoided. 214. If surplus materials arise from the removal of the existing surfaces, these shall be used at other locations of the project before additional soil rock, gravel or sand extraction is considered. The use of this immediately available material will minimize the need for additional rock based materials extraction in this stretch. If not needed immediately, appropriate storage sites need to be considered to temporarily store the excavated materials for further utilization. These sides and material piles need to be secured against wind and water erosion. 215. No areas along both routes require removal of woodland. 216. Contractual clauses should be included to require each contractor to produce a materials management plan (at least one month before construction commences) to identify all sources of cement and aggregates and to balance cut and fill. The plan should clearly state the methods to be employed prior to and during the extraction of materials and all the mitigation measures to be employed to mitigate nuisances to local residents. Financial compensation shall not be allowed as mitigation for environmental impacts or environmental nuisance. Mitigation measures shall seek to control the impacts at source in the first place. The engineer shall be responsible to update the project cut and fill estimates and create Materials Master Plan to facilitate materials exchange between the different contract areas along the power line and to provide an overall balance for materials and minimize impacts on local resources. Disposal of surplus materials which cannot be used at any other location must be negotiated through local authority approvals prior to the commencement of construction.

V.2 Potential Environmental Impacts

Encroachment, Landscape and Physical Disfiguration 217. Along the planned lines, the landscape is characterized as of agriculture land on unfavorable soils and desert landscape under semi-arid climate conditions; no sensitive landscape will be affected. No significant additional landscape impacts can be expected from construction of the project. The following pictures give an impression of the landscape and land use of the future planned corridor.

Near Substation Kayrakkum, in parallel with existing line Near Substation Kayrakkum, crossing river

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20 km Northeast of Kayrakkum, crossing 110 kV lines to direct Direction to Asht East-North-East through desert to east

Approximately 35 km to Asht (halfway of the line) with view to Thigh-in point substation Asht from North over half-stem north orchards

Figure 18: Pictures of line route North

Entry from Rumi desert and mountainous area (west – east West – East route to Vakhsh River crossing stretch)

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Characteristic landscape west – east route Parallel routing to railway and existing line west – east route to river crossing

Vakhsh River crossing at railway bridge Characteristic landscape (agriculture) on North – South Part of Route

Figure 19: Pictures of line route South 218. Encroachment, taken by its word, will not happen within these planned projects due to the fact that the routing layout already has been adjusted in order to avoid traversing settlements and sensitive environments. The additional report on resettlement is indicating agriculturally used land required for tower and substation construction and determined the amount of required land and appropriate compensation (please see separate Resettlement Plan). 219. The newly planned 220 kV substation in Geran will be constructed on approximately 10 hectares governmental land, privately used for agriculture purposes. Access to the land is provided through the main road at which the plot is located and can sufficiently carry transportation of materials. The plot is big enough to manage construction entirely within this area without impacts on the surrounding. The location of the substation is outside any settlement. The following aerial picture (Figure 20) is giving an impression of the area of the planned substation:

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Figure 20: Planned Location of new substation near Aghdash with view to the South 220. The construction of the substation needs to consider appropriate water supply and waste water pre- treatment system. The waste water collection and pre-treatment system or piping into existing sewer systems need to consider to be separated from fire water collection system. Fire water can contain harmful substances from machineries which can contaminate the sewer water and build problems for waste water treatment. The substation needs to be equipped with a channel and drainage system for leakages from the transformers which as well need to be separated from the general waste water system and shall lead into separate storage tanks for further treatment. Handling of transformers, if containing PCBs during transport and installation requires special attention and well elaborated Standard Operation Procedures following the Stockholm Convention Guidance and appropriate disposal (see Attachment 1: Proposed Handling and Disposal of PCB from Transformers). 221. Large transformers in many countries still contain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), used as a dielectric fluid since it is not flammable. Gases from the PCB through simple evaporation has been found being carcinogen and mutagen. Under incomplete combustion considered as disposal solution, PCBs forms highly toxic products, such as PCDD/PCDF, know as Dioxin and Furan. Due to the stability of PCB and its environmental accumulation, it has not been permitted in new equipment since late 1960's in the United States and since 1970s in Germany. Other countries followed fast and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) has come in force in 2001 to avoid such chemical risks. Tajikistan signed as a party of the Stockholm Convention on March 2002 and is committed on appropriate handling since ratification on February 2007, safety measures and adequate and save disposal. 222. Today, nontoxic, stable silicone-based or fluorinated hydrocarbons are used, where the added expense of a fire-resistant liquid offsets additional building cost for a transformer vault. Natural or synthetic Esters are becoming increasingly common as alternative, to Naphthenic mineral oil too. Esters are non toxic, readily biodegradable, and have higher flash points than mineral oil. It is highly recommended to not allow any PCB containing transformers for this substation. 223. During rehabilitation of the existing substations, the transformers need to be checked carefully referring PCB laden transformer oil and leakages. Remaining lifetime of such transformers operating with PCB laden oil shall be exchanged if economically justified. Exchanged transformers need to be handled and disposed according to the Stockholm Convention Guidance.

Trees, Ecology and Protected Areas 224. Surveys have been made all along the both lines in the North and the South. Only at few places in the North route small orchards need to be traversed. The orchards are growing low growing trees which are not growing higher than 3 – 4 meter. No impact on the orchards or orchards yields are expected but those of Page 50

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination temporary nature, if towers need to be built in the orchards. In such cases even the access road to the tower location will require a cutting of a certain amount of trees for which appropriate compensation must be provided. 225. The remaining corridors of both, the North Route and the South Route is used for low growing crops, grassland or is desert with steppe vegetation. 226. As mentioned in Section 3, in the North are protected areas at the north-eastern lake shore of the Kayrakkum Reservoir. In the South, west of the planned route part from Geran in north direction the Tigrovaya Balka Nature reserve is located. In both cases the protected areas are more than 5 – 10 km away from the route in average. The south route at its far northern part at the location where the line shall cross the Vakhsh River in parallel to the railway, the Nature Reserve will be approximately minimum 2 km in distance to the planned route. Thus the planned transmission lines pass these two reserves in the lowlands in appropriate distance without crossing and without causing any impact on them.

Hydrology, Sedimentation, Soil Erosion 227. Potential impacts on hydrology and soil erosion may arise from: - Oil from machinery (during construction) - Waste water from work camps (during construction) - Fire water from substation (during operation) - Transformer oil (during construction, operation and dismantling) - Soil erosion through less careful construction - Soil and excess material spillage into existing waterways or surface water Appropriate measures during detail design and construction planning are required to develop according to the measures developed in the attached Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP).

Air Pollution from earthworks and transport 228. Field observations indicate that ambient air quality is generally acceptable and that emissions from powered mechanical equipment are rapidly dispersed. Emission from machinery and transportation are not higher than from housing construction in villages due to the fact that an area of only max. 13 x 13 m for soil excavation is needed for each tower, considering tower distances of about 200 m. The remaining emission is deriving from some trucks delivering the material for one tower. Construction of the tower would require a crane which produces additional emission. All equipment and machinery need to be maintained and comply with international emission standards, such as the Euro-Norm for Diesel engines including particulate filter. 229. Earthworks will contribute to increasing dust, and the foundation earthworks will generate dust and the following mitigation measures are required: - Dust suppression shall be undertaken where towers are within 100 m distance to houses and settlements. - Construction materials (sand, gravel, and rocks) and spoil materials will be transported by trucks covered with tarpaulins. - All vehicles (e.g., trucks, equipment, and other vehicles that support construction works) will comply with the national vehicle regulations and international emission standards. - The need for large stockpiles should be minimized by careful planning of the supply of materials from controlled sources. Stockpiles should not be located within 50 m to schools, hospitals or other public amenities such as wells and pumps and should be covered with tarpaulins when not in use and at the end of the working day to enclose dust and to avoid material spillage through heavy rain.

Noise, Vibration and Blasting 230. At this stage the specific equipment for the substation is that they can be located within existing or purchased RoW. The considered plot for the Geran substation is more than 350 m away from settlements. Noise impacts from the operation of equipment thus will not have any impact. 231. It is anticipated that powered mechanical equipment and not more than 10 local workers with hand tools will be used to construct the towers. If no electricity will be available, generator sets will provide the electricity. These sets need to fulfill air pollutants and noise emission standards. They must be encapsulated additionally if placement is necessary closer than 100 m to settlements or single house. No blasting is anticipated. Powered mechanical equipment can generate significant noise and vibration. The cumulative effects from several Page 51

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination machines can be significant. To minimize such impacts, the contractor should be requested by the EA Barki Tojik to provide evidence and certification that equipment to be used for construction closer than 100 m to settlements and single houses is fitted with the necessary air pollution and noise dampening devices to meet national standard requirements or even European or EPA standards.

Air pollution, noise and electric and magnetic fields from operations 232. No settlements, villages, schools, hospitals or other sensitive receivers will be closer to the facilities in the operational phase less than 150 m in average. Noise from local power transmission close to villages is not a major consideration and no additional impacts through the new lines are expected. 233. Possible health impact through electric and magnetic field: Possible health impact of electric and magnetic fields generated by the new 220-kV lines should be assessed through comparison of maximum values with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) exposure guidelines for General Public Exposure. It is expected, based on other projects that these maximum values will be well below the guidelines, and therefore consequently health impacts for houses and people located close to the RoW are likely to be insignificant. If the minimum distance of 25 m from the center line of the lines is fulfilled and even exceeded as planned by double distance of 50 m as a minimum, no impacts through electric and magnetic fields on settlements are expected.

Table 16: ICNIRP exposure limits for general public exposure to electric and magnetic fields3

Frequency Electric Field (V/m) Magnetic Field (µT)

50 Hz 5,000 100

60 Hz 4,150 83

234. Electric fields are directly related to voltage and reduce rapidly with distance from the source of the field. Electric fields can be screened effectively by objects (walls, trees, ground). This means that within homes, electric fields from transmission lines are effectively blocked. 235. Magnetic fields are directly related to current and reduce rapidly with distance from the source of the field. Magnetic fields unlike electric fields are not screened by objects. 236. Referring typical field strength, provided by the New Zealand’s National Radiation Laboratory, part of the Ministry of Health, the magnetic field of a 220 kV transmission line in about 10 m distance is about 0.5 µT and thus up to 4 times lower than from electric appliances used in households such as vacuum cleaner, hair dryer or electric razor. Noises are only heard in very humid climatic conditions e.g. fog. Consequently, the noise source is not permanent and rarely can be heard. 237. There are only few houses within a distance of 50 – 100 m to the line at the South Route. It is being unlike that there will be any human impact or impacts on agriculture, plants and animals by electromagnetic radiation generated by the power line in these cases.

Sanitation, Solid Waste Disposal, Communicable Diseases 238. For the construction of transmission lines, the establishment of work camps is not usual and unlikely. A maximum of 10 – 15 workers at a stretch of line with 3 – 5 towers will not have a significant impact through waste water and waste on the agriculture land and desert if pit latrines and controlled waste disposal at the nearest village within the existing waste collection and disposal system will be considered as mitigation measures. In case temporary work camps are required, construction of worker camps shall be located close to settlement areas but not near sensitive water resources. In such case the constructor need to provide a detailed design of each work camp including infrastructure planning (water supply, electricity supply, waste

3 ICNIRP (1998): Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz).

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination management, waste water treatment and disposal). Workers need to be trained how to behave and to handle waste and waste water according environmental management requirements. 239. NGOs advised to take special care of stray animals, such as domestic, semi-wild and wild dogs, cats and other animals getting attracted and adopting fast to such temporary settlements and living on the waste or getting fed by the workers. Transmission of diseases and impact on natural behavior of wild animals are the non-intended consequences. Thus waste management and training of the workers through members of the wild animal protection organizations need to be considered as crucial part of the preparation of the construction.

Disease Vectors 240. Vectors such as mosquitoes will be encountered at any standing water which is allowed to accumulate in the temporary drainage facilities. Since the construction find place in the most arid areas of the country, water accumulation is not likely. Pit latrines must be managed well to avoid development of disease vectors.

Pollution from oily run-off, fuel spills and dangerous goods 241. Control measures for oily residues, lubricants and refueling are prescribed in the EMMP. Within the project detail planning, maintenance yards have to be designed. Dedicated drainages need to be considered that can capture run-off. Oily residues and fuel need to be captured at source and refueling and maintenance must take place in dedicated areas away from surface water resources. Proper training of the machinists must assure that refilling and oil changes are undertaken with utmost care and disposal with any residues from these activities, due to the fact that it has been observed that during construction activities away from villages, the chance has been taken to maintain oil changes of machinery through simply draining the oil into the ground and hide the impact with a soil layer.

VI. Institutional Requirements & Environmental Management Plan

VI.1 Institutional Responsibilities 242. Executive Agency: The Open Join-Stock Holding Company “Barki Tojik” manages issues on operation of power stations and energy networks of the country, generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and heat energy. 243. “Barki Tojik” is the Executing Agency (EA) of the Project. For smooth management of the Project, the Project Management Unit (PMU) has been set up in the agency with project implementation units located in “Barki Tojik”. 244. The capability of “Barki Tojik” to prepare engineering designs and tender documents with environmental components is well developed. 245. To ensure contractors’ compliance with the environmental regulations and standards, Barki Tojik’s PMU with CEP should undertake regular inspections. The regular monitoring of the air and water quality will be conducted by the regional analytical laboratory (CEP). Their findings will be included in the monthly progress reports, with comments on the possible response to any emerging environmental concerns. The inspections will cover all relevant issues, including the use of appropriate materials and possible claims made by the affected people. Continuous supervision of contractor work hours and practices will be required during the construction phase. Cooperation between the contractor and the local residents is essential. The construction surveillance engineer will be responsible for setting up meetings between these parties. 246. Ministry of Water Resources and Land Reclamation: The Ministry has several environmental responsibilities: - Assure, during the design phase, all critical environmental conditions are addressed and mitigation measures are incorporated in the final design. This need to be part of the Terms and Conditions of the contract between the PMU and the contractor. - Enforce environmental guidelines on contractor work camps and open storage areas, during the preconstruction meetings with the contractor. Factors to be considered include water supply, sewerage, and disposal sites for solid wastes. Page 53

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination - Monitor at the discretion of the Ministry, during construction, in meetings between contractor and the local officials, agreements concerning permanent and temporary allocation of land area for road construction, quarries, spoil dumps, contractor’s camps, and other material processing locations. 247. Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP): The CEP under the Government of Tajikistan is the final authority for environmental approval. CEP has the right to carry out spot checks and random monitoring at their discretion in order to check the reliability of the delivered monitoring results of the EA and the contractor. CEP also will have the possibility to check the compliance with the environmental management plan and implementation of mitigation measures during construction mainly.

VI.2 EMMP Implementation 248. The Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) is based on the type, extent and duration of the identified environmental impacts. The EMMP has been prepared by reference to and following the best practices and the ADB Environmental Assessment Guidelines4. 249. It is important that the recommendations and mitigation measures are carried out according to the spirit of the environmental assessment process and in line with the guidelines. In this section, the mitigation measures for the construction of the two new power transmission lines including the new substation annex at the existing Geran substation, to reduce residual impacts to acceptable levels and achieve the expected outcomes of the project are discussed. The EMMP matrix is presented in Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan. The impact prediction (Section IV) has played a vital role in reconfirming typical mitigation measures and in identifying the optimized routing of both lines at this stage of the project. 250. Prior to implementation and construction of the projects, during detail design the EMMP shall be amended and reviewed by the EA Barki Tojik and the constructors and detailed design shall consider all measures as proposed in the EMMP. Such a review shall be based on reconfirmation of the routing of the lines and location of the substation and additional information on alignment, location, scale and expected operating conditions of the project. For example, in this case if there are any additional transmission lines, extensions, deviations or changes of the substation boundaries to be included, the designs must be amended and the performance and evaluation schedules to be implemented during project construction and operation must be updated, as well as costs estimates must be revised. 251. The EMMP plan must be reviewed by the project management, ideally at the EA together with the PMU and its Project Implementation Units (PIU) in close cooperation with the constructor, checked and approved by the ESM of ADB and approved by CEP before any construction activity is initiated. This is also an ADB requirement in order to take account of any subsequent changes and fine tuning of the proposals. It is recommended that before work starts, tender documents shall be worked out in detail and it shall be assured that environmental requirements of the project according to this IEE are included in the tender documents and later contracts, including EMMP, adjusted accordingly if necessary. Past environmental performance of contractors and awareness of environmentally responsible procurement should also be used as indicators for prequalification of contractors. 252. In order to facilitate the implementation of the EMMP, during the preparation for the construction phase the future contractors must be prepared to co-operate with the local population in the mitigation of impacts. Furthermore the contractor must be primed through the contract documentation and ready to implement all the mitigation measures and engage trained environmental management staff to audit the effectiveness and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. The effective implementation of the EMMP will be audited as part of the mid term review of loan conditions by ADB and the executing agency must be prepared for this. 253. The details of EMMP are given in Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan in the form of an easy to read matrix. The impacts have been classified into those relevant to the design/preparation stage, construction stage and operation and maintenance stage. The matrix provides details of the mitigation measures recommended for each of the identified impacts, approximate location of the mitigation sites, rough timing of the implementation of mitigation measures referring to planning and implementation stages, an estimate of the associated costs and the responsibility of the institution. The institutional responsibility has been specified for the purpose of the implementation and the supervision. The matrix is supplemented with a monitoring plan (Attachment 2). The EMMP has been prepared following the best practices and the ADB environmental assessment guidelines.

4 Environmental Assessment Guidelines (as per ADB SPS 2009) Page 54

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination VI.3 EMMP Implementation Organization and Costs

Implementation Organization 254. Overall implementation of the EMMP will be in the responsibility of the EA Barki Tojik. Barki Tojik likely will contract a third party for the installation of the new lines and the substation. Other parties to be involved in implementing the EMMP are as follows: 255. Environmental Manager, Environmental Contractors: internal staff of the contractor or sub-contracted by the contractor, responsible for detail designing, adjustment and cost estimation for mitigation measures and if needed during the installation by the contractors, responsible for implementing all measures required to mitigate environmental impacts during construction. 256. Government agencies: such as the responsible CEP and Ministry of Water Resources and Land Reclamation, provincial environmental agencies and bureaus at local level and municipalities (as far as affected by the project). They will be responsible and/or will be involved in monitoring the compliance with environmental regulations and standards according to the EMMP and related to statutory approvals of the project overall and in their areas at their discretion and randomly. 257. Project Management Unit (PMU): The PMU of Barki Tojik is already implemented. The PMU shall assign a full-time Project Director responsible on the implementation of the project. Additional staffing shall include expertise in project management, environmental management and monitoring, socioeconomic and community development. The PMU shall also incorporate all consulting services under the Project, including assistance to the EA and its related District Office and will oversee the development of relevant studies by project consultants. 258. PMU Internal Environmental Manager. The environmental manager shall: Work in the PMU of Barki Tojik to ensure all statutory environmental submissions under CEP requirements and other environmentally related legislation are thoroughly implemented; Work in the PMU of Barki Tojik to ensure all environmental requirements and mitigation measures from the environmental assessment of the project are included in the contract prequalification and bidding documents for suppliers and constructors; - Support the development of any additional IEE and IEE requirements needed due to fine tuning - Provide training and project awareness for Barki Tojik PMU and PIU staff and project stakeholders - Communicate with the CEP and people affected by the Project; - Initially supervise and monitor first construction measures of the contractor - Investigate complaints; 259. Thus, the responsibility of fulfilling environmental requirements of GoT and conducting the required level of environmental assessment consistent with ADB guidelines lies with the PMU of the EA. Project consultants assist the PMU in this regard. The IEE and SIA reports, based on ADB’s Environmental Guidelines will be reviewed by the EA. ADB internally reviews and approves the reports. However, the IEE and SIA reports need to receive final approval by the State Ecological Expertise of the Government of Tajikistan. 260. The mitigation measures incorporated into the design will be verified by the PMU before providing technical approvals. The mitigation measures that form part of the Contract Documents will also be verified by PMU before getting the contract signed between the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the Contractor. 261. The mitigation measures identified in the IEE need to be incorporated into the project cycle. Environmental controls pertaining to design and location will be incorporated into the detailed design by the project consultant. Mitigation measures during construction stage shall form a part of the Contract Documents and will be implemented by the contractor. 262. Project Implementation Unit (PIU): The Project Implementation Units (one for each line construction, the southern line including substation) will be headed by Engineers and each shall comprise of four sections (i) the Project Accounting Section, (ii) Construction Section, (iii) Environment and Social Development Section and (iv) Operation and Management Section. It may be beneficial for one or more of the PIUs to be located within one District offices. These, with the assistance of project consultants, will be responsible for construction Page 55

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination supervision, local level procurement activities, contracting local contractors and implement the engineering and environmental control. 263. Contractors: The contractors will provide the PMU with monthly reports on the implementation of mitigation measures. The reports prepared by the contractors along with bi-annual monitoring reports to be prepared by project consultants will be consolidated and submitted to PMU for review. 264. The contractor shall provide further details and calculations of installation and operation costs of all required measures as stated in the EMMP. The contractor shall provide - Detailed plans of location, size and access roads of required materials quarry sites - Detailed plans of location, size and access roads of material storage sites - Detailed Plans of location, size, access road and technical and environmental infrastructure of work sites and camps - Detailed Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), including o management and rehabilitation of materials quarry sites (if required) and material storage sites, o disposal/recycling of spoils (old towers’ materials, excavated remaining and unusable soils and debris, etc.), o environmental management, cleanup and rehabilitation of work sites and work camps 265. In Table 17 the roles and responsibilities of the institutions are summarized in conducting environmental assessments and implementing the environmental management plan (i.e., mitigation measures and monitoring plan) of the projects. Table 17: Summary of institutional organization and responsibilities on EMMP implementation Project Stage Responsible Responsibilities Organization Pre- PMU (with Fulfill GoT requirements by obtaining Environmental Clearance construction assistance from Certificate (CEP, Ecological Expertise) and other necessary Project Consultant) approvals.

Elaboration of IEE and SIA including Resettlement and Compensation Plan etc. Provide copies of the documents upon request from interested parties.

Incorporate mitigation measures into engineering design and technical specification.

Incorporate environmental mitigation and monitoring measures into contract document.

Update the EMMP (mitigation measures, monitoring program, institutional responsibilities, costs, etc.) during the detailed design stage. (i) Oversee the implementation of projects; (ii) maintain appropriate accounts and manage procurement, engagement of consultants, and disbursement in accordance with ADB guidelines; (iii) ensure effective coordination and liaison with ADB and the GoT on project-related activities and reports; (iv) monitor and report on the progress of the projects; and (v) schedule reviews, audits, and evaluations, and provide resulting reports regularly to the Independent Commission.

It would also assist implementing agencies in organizing information campaigns to create awareness among rural communities and the institutions serving them at the local level. Page 56

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination Project Stage Responsible Responsibilities Organization Construction PIU With the assistance of project consultants, ensure implementation of environmental management measures at each stage of the construction, prepare bi-annual monitoring reports for submission to PMU, and update the EMMP, as necessary. Project Consultant Review the construction site management plan and safety plan to be prepared by the contractor.

Conduct bi-annual monitoring of implementation of mitigation measures by contractor. Contractor Prepare a construction site management plan and safety plan for (e.g. Transmission Line project) prior to any site works. Implement mitigation measures and submit monthly reports to the PMU PMU Review and consolidate bi-annual reports and submit to ADB Committee for Review monitoring reports and conduct periodic inspections, environmental monitoring Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and its regional analytical laboratory Operation Barki Tojik Undertake environmental monitoring consistent with Environmental Monitoring Plan and prepare annual reports Committee for Review monitoring reports and conduct periodic monitoring environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and its regional analytical laboratory

Implementation Organization and Costs 266. For the implementation of the project, Barki Tojik requires capable in-house capacities such as Environmental and Social Experts, which should be trained appropriated on their obligations during the implementation of the EMMP prior to the commencement of detailed design and construction. 267. Within the responsibility of the Environmental Specialist at Barki Tojik, supported by an external Environmental Supervising and Monitoring Expert (ESM), it shall be intended to facilitate the implementation of the Project EMMP through training, development of further EMMP implementation instructions and support on further Stakeholder Consultations. This will comprise of an on-the-job training and a series of workshops on environmental awareness, EMMP requirements and implementation aspects. Trainer in this program shall be the Environmental Specialist and the ESM Training 268. Two forms of training are required: (i) On the job training of designated staffs of the PMU and PIU of Barki Tojik, responsible on management and execution of technical, environmental and social matters within the project. This will provide the nominated specialists with specific capability to prepare for and undertake design review of the contractor, site inspections, and prepare the necessary post inspection reporting. The training can be held by local environmental consultants and/or NGOs.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination (ii) General Training of Barki Tojik staffs by local environmental consultants and/or NGOs. This will comprise the preparation and implementation of a program of workshops intended to provide key Barki Tojik staffs with an introductory overview of the Environmental Management Process, its aims and objectives and a review of its component elements. An outline program of the general training is shown in Table 18.

Table 18: General Environmental Training Program for Barki Tojik Staff Staff Content Type of Source of No. of Staff Training Training Management All department managers, and Executives Environmental Environmental 1 day Workshop executives for environmental and of PMU and Awareness Specialist and ESM social matters and assistants PIU Regional Public Consultation 1 day workshop Environmental All regional managers and Managers EMMP requirements 1 day workshop Specialist and ESM deputies Site Managers EMMP Environmental Managers of all affected 1 day workshop PIU implementation Specialist and ESM substations Operations EMMP Environmental 1 day workshop Up to 10 staff Managers PIU implementation Specialist and ESM

The estimated costs of the training program for print of training materials, venue, technical facilitations, coffee breaks and lunch and travel costs are shown in Table 19. Table 19: Estimated Training Expenses ($US equivalent) Units No of units Cost per unit Cost Environmental Awareness Workshop 1 1,000 1,000 Public Consultation Workshop EMMP 1 1,000 1,000 Requirements Workshop EMMP 2 1,000 2,000 Implementation Workshop 2 1,000 2,000 Total 6,000

Development of EMMP Implementation Instructions The Environmental Specialist, advised by the ESM will prepare, in consultation with Barki Tojik PIU officials, - the checklists that are to be used by PIU officials in implementing the EMMP, - reporting guidelines for all EMMP related reports.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

VI.4 EMMP Costs 269. The implementation of the EMMP will generate internal personnel and training costs for Barki Tojik, contractor internal personnel costs for implementation, and EMMP implementation and monitoring costs. 270. The above described assistance by the Environmental Specialist of Barki Tojik and the ESM would require the following time and financial expenses, including for training activities Table 20: EMMP External Assistance and Supervision Costs Cost (in USD) Expert Time in MM incl. operation costs

Int’l ESM (20,000 USD/m + travel costs (3 flights at 2,000 USD) + 2 57,050 per diem (30 days at 295 USD), other expenses 2,500 USD)

Local Environmental Expert at Barki Tojik (2,000 USD/m) 6 12,000

Total Personnel 69,050

271. It shall be agreed among Barki Tojik and ADB that the compliance of the contractor’s detail design and construction plans with the EMMP will be supervised by an external environmental supervisor and monitoring expert (ESM). The ESM will be hired by Barki Tojik under the loan contract. The ESM will closely cooperate with the Environmental Specialist of Barki Tojik. 272. The responsibilities of the ESM will be to: - Provide training and project awareness for Barki Tojik PMU and PIU staffs and project stakeholders (see Table 18) - Review the proper integration of all environmental measures and plans into the detailed design and plans as stipulated in the EMMP; - Approve Standard Operation Procedures developed by the contractor for environmental impact avoidance and mitigation measures - Approve the integration of environmental management and monitoring plans as well as related detail designs into the overall detail design to be provided by the contractor prior to the works; - Support and advice the PMU to ensure all environmental requirements and mitigation measures as per IEE and environmental performance criteria are incorporated in the project contracts or variations are recommended and that the EMMP will be effectively implemented; - Develop any additional IEE or update existing IEE needed due to fine tuning of the project - Advise contractors together with Barki Tojik’s environmental specialist to manage and monitor the implementation of the project EMMP - Prepare a final supervision report on the final consideration of environmental aspects taken into account in plans, designs and SOPs of the contractor prior to the commencement of the construction - Evaluation of the final settled organization and environmental management of both, Barki Tojik and the contractor prior to the commencement of the construction.

273. Additional costs: The implementation of the EMMP will generate additional local costs for training, monitoring and monitoring equipment for the implementation of the Project EMMP (see Note 1: Detailed measurements and locations could not be defined due to the project status prior to detail design. For that reason a contingency budget has been determined on the basis of experiences. 274. Table 22Table 21). 275. Since the major part of the supervision and monitoring through the Environmental Specialist and ESM is within the responsibility of Barki Tojik, consisting of review of the integration of the EMMP into the detailed design by the contractor, observation, sporadic inspections, record, reporting and recommendation of corrective measures on the implementation, these costs are included in Barki Tojik’s internal personnel costs for the Environmental Specialist and ESM. Costs for monitoring and equipment on the contractors side has been estimated separately. Costs for monitoring through CEP and CEP regional laboratories are not calculated since

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination this monitoring has been assumed to be part of the law enforcement and permission procedure, thus within the responsibility of CEP. 276. Additional costs for mitigation measures of environmental impacts, such as (i) Exploitation Handling, Transportation and Storage of Construction materials, (ii) Construction Waste Disposal, (iii) Work Camp Operation and Location, (iv) Loss of trees and vegetation cover of the areas for towers and temporary workspace, (v) Safety Precautions for the Workers, etc. couldn’t be estimated at this stage due to the fact that these measures and their cost are depending on the detail design which is not available at this stage of the project. 277. Additional costs will arise as well through Environmental Management and Monitoring tasks to be fulfilled by the contractor. The costs summarized in Table 22 below are estimates of costs of those tasks which are additional to the common construction costs. At this stage of the project, these costs can only be estimated for the development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for mitigation measures, since this task is independent from any details. Standard Operation Procedures considering the Construction phase shall refer to the following environmental impact mitigation measures as described in the EMMP matrix in Attachment 2: B7. Exploitation, Handling, Transportation and Storage of Construction materials B8.Construction Waste Disposal B9. Work Camp Operation and Location B10. Loss of trees and vegetation cover of the areas for towers and temporary workspace B11. Safety Precautions for the Workers 278. The development of such SOPs should be prior to the detail design in order to have instruction on hand to be considered during the detail design. The SOPs shall be reviewed by the ESM and Environmental Specialist before consideration in the detail design. It is estimated that the elaboration of the SOPs would be a total of 2 MM work of two environmental specialists of the contractor or by environmental consultants to be hired by the contractor. The cost estimate is based on the costs of environmental consultants as worst case scenario as follows: Table 21: Additional Costs for Monitoring and Development of SOPs Expert Time in MM Cost (in USD) incl. operation costs Local Monitoring Expert Planning, carrying out and reporting of the 2,000 proposed monitoring (measurements) 1 months Contamination Measurement Sampling and Analysis – mainly water and air 5,000 incl. equipment (Contingency1) pollution analysis (approx. 50 measurements at 100 USD each) Noise Measurement incl. Noise Measuring (approx 30 background and 900 equipment construction noise measurements at (Contingency1) 30 USD each) Local Environmental Development of Standard Operation Procedures 5,000 Consultants for Contractor (SOPs) (2,500 USD/MM) 2 MM Total 12,900 Note 1: Detailed measurements and locations could not be defined due to the project status prior to detail design. For that reason a contingency budget has been determined on the basis of experiences. Table 22: Total EMMP Costs Item Unit No Units Unit Cost Cost Training1 Environmental Awareness Workshop 1 1,000 1,000 Public Consultation Workshop 1 1,000 1,000 EMMP Requirements Workshop 2 1,000 2,000 EMMP Implementation Workshop 2 1,000 2,000 Sub Total 6,000 ESM (TA Contract)2 Lump Sum Contract 2 months 28,500 57,000

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination Local Environmental Fees 6 months 2,000 12,000 Specialist2 Local Environmental Development of Standard Operation Procedures 2 months 2,500 5,000 Consultant for Contractor (SOPs) Contamination Measurement Sampling and Analysis– mainly water analysis approx. 50 100 5,000 (Contingency3) Noise Measurement Noise Measuring (Background and construction approx. 30 30 900 (Contingency3) noise measurement)

Grand Total 85,900

Note 1: as per Table 18 and Table 19 Note 2: as per Table 20 Note 3: Detailed measurements and locations could not be defined due to the project status prior to detail design. For that reason a contingency budget has been determined on the basis of experiences.

VI.5 EMMP Reporting 279. A structured program of Reporting will be required by the Environmental Supervisor and Monitor to support the quality and proper implementation of the EMMP. Compliance report The compliance report shall be elaborated by the ESM of ADB in order to confirm the revision and the final compliance of the detailed EMMP integrated into the detailed design of the contractor. The compliance report refers as well on the revision of all requested additional documents and detail planning requested in the EMMP Inspection reports Location and activity specific reports prepared after each site inspection and audit. These shall be compiled in cooperation with the ESM by the inspecting officer of Barki Tojik. Site inspections shall identify areas of contractor’s non-compliance with the EMMP and provide guiding remarks on actions to be taken. The significance of the non-compliance shall also be noted. Copies of these reports shall be sent to the Supervising Department of Barki Tojik who shall forward them to the supervising engineer and the Contractor for their action. Audits shall be carried out and reported against prepared checklists. The Inspection Report shall be reviewed and finally approved by the ESM. Bi-annual Progress Reports The ESM shall prepare bi-annual progress reports on the ongoing EMMP implementation. These will include a summary review of the construction activities relating to the EMMP, a review of the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures, indications of contractor performance and recommendations for modifications / review of the EMMP. If necessary, supplemental reports with greater detail than the routine reports shall also be prepared. These should be prepared and forwarded to Barki Tojik, ADB, CEP and other stakeholders as required. 280. The monitoring plan (Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan) was designed based on the project cycle. During the pre-construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on (i) conducting baseline monitoring; (ii) checking the contractor’s bidding documents, particularly to ensure that all necessary environmental requirements have been included; and (iii) checking that 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 (protection of specimens and transplantation, design of power transmission etc.) are carried out in good time. Where detailed design is required (e.g. for power transmission lines and avoidance of other resources) the inclusion and checking of designs must be carried out. During the construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on ensuring that environmental mitigation measures are implemented, and some performance indicators will be monitored to record the Project’s environmental performance and to guide any remedial action to address unexpected impacts. Monitoring activities during project operation will focus on recording environmental performance and proposing remedial actions to address unexpected impacts. The potential to use local community groups, contacts for visual monitoring should be explored as part of the activities in setting up an Environmental and Social Unit which should have regular meetings with the NGOs as a matter of good practice and to discuss matters of mutual concern.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination 281. Experiences on the implementation of EMMPs have shown that some contractors may not be familiar with this approach or may be reluctant to carry out some measures. In order to assure that the contractors are fully aware of the implications and mandatory character of the EMMP and to ensure compliance, it is recommended that the cost of environmental measures be treated separately in the tender documentation and that payment milestones are linked to environmental performance, vis a vis the carrying out of the EMMP. 282. The effective implementation of the EMMP will be audited as part of the loan conditions by a contracted international environmental supervisor and monitoring expert (ESM). In this regard Barki Tojik (the EA) must be prepared to guide the design engineers and contractors on the environmental aspects and follow the advice of the EMS who also has auditor function. 283. Hazardous Waste handling within the project: Barki Tojik’s procedures for handling PCB (in transformer oil) need to be assessed and strengthened if needed. The maintenance of transformers needs to be based on the manufacturer’s instructions and on international best practice as developed under the Stockholm Convention by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Performance evaluation procedures are required to put in place by Barki Tojik. Installation and operation staffs need to follow these procedures for each power transformer as part of the new substation. In working areas where PCBs are handled, it is necessary to monitor the levels of chlorinated solvents. In case of emergencies (leakages, overheating, fire), the first step is to attempt to control the spread of the liquid. For leakages, emergency procedures are especially very relevant during transportation. PCBs need to be avoided at any case to drain into ground or sewerage systems! In case of spills emergency measures need to be taken by specialists specially trained and wearing protective clothes. Oil absorptive materials (saw dust, sand, cotton wool, etc. to be spread over the spill) and rubber tube barriers are useful tools and needs to carry with all transportations and need to be in place at all times at substations. All equipment and surfaces exposed to the spill need to be washed with solvent. The best international procedures and guidelines need be followed; one such guideline is UNEP ‘PCB Transformers and Capacitors – From Management to Reclassification and Disposal, May 2002’. This document shall be handed over to Barki Tojik with request on integration into the contractors EMMP. 284. In Tajikistan standards on Dioxin and PCBs could not be discovered, neither clear regulations of handling, disposal and emergency regulations on PCB and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), even though Tajikistan has signed the Stockholm Convention in May 2002, ratified in February 2007, and the National Implementation Plan has been transmitted in November 2007 and an inventory of POPs and PCB has been established. This needs to be compensated in this project by voluntary measures following international guidelines. 285. Institutional capacity: So far, Tajikistan lacks a specialized governmental organization in charge of POPs and PCB management, however, CEP officially is in charge with this topic. 286. Due to this situation it is recommended that CEP and Barki Tojik shall take care on the purchase of new transformer filled with non-toxic substitutes for PCB. Training to staff on oil spills and special care during dismantling, transportation and disposal of equipment using PCBs is strongly recommended for Barki Tojik and governmental and municipality staffs.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination VII. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure

VII.1 Approach to Public Consultation

287. World practice has proven that environmental problems can be solved only under condition of active participation of the public. The principle of participation of the public is reflected in documents of the international ecological right, such as «Declaration of Rio» (a principle 10, 1992) and The Arhus convention (clauses (articles) 6-8, 1998). In latter document the term "public" is defined as «one or several physical or legal persons, their association, the organization or group who operate according to the national legislation or practice». Thus «the interested public» is defined (determined) as the public which is interested in this process, is affected by the project and shall have influence on decision-making on the issues concerning social and environmental aspects. 288. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are original social regulators of public relations, play a role of the intermediary between the state and citizens, incur performance of many functions of social transformations in a society. Being the integral component of a civil society, the NGOs shall render positive influence on political processes in the country, bringing valuable contribution to the decision of acute problems of social sphere. First of all activity of civil ecological initiatives is directed on the decision of problems of protection of the environment of the direct dwelling. Simultaneously, they are spokesmen of interests of the majority of members of a local society. 289. The highest priority in addressing social issues is that the project shall not adversely affect any stakeholder, especially not vulnerable groups. ADB’s Environmental Policy establishes minimum standards in line with international best practice for certain areas: the protection of local peoples, involuntary resettlement and a number of core labor standards and cultural heritage in areas affected by Bank-financed projects. Activities, such as a comprehensive site visit along the transmission line, and individual and group stakeholder consultations in villages along the route and in Dushanbe have been carried out under this project to ensure that the projects meet these standards. 290. The consultations during the mission and site reconnaissance presented perfect opportunities to identify drawbacks of the project, receive feedback of the public’s perception of the projects impacts and contribute to an effective project transparency and paving the path for smooth realization. There have been a couple of instances when stakeholders enhanced the understanding of the project and their interventions have given a positive impact for the establishment of the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan with integration of the public.

VII.2 Public Consultation Process 291. The public consultation (PC) process with various stakeholders was carried out on site reconnaissance visits in a period from January 15 to March 3, 2010 in line with ADB guidelines, introducing the projects details and discussing on potential social and environmental impact of the project. Under ADB requirements the environmental assessment process must include meaningful public consultation during the completion of the IEE. In this IEE and social impact assessment the PC process involved public and other stakeholders from the earliest stage of the project, including stakeholder meetings at focal locations in the southern and northern districts along the planned routes to know the opinion of municipalities and related specialists). During the meetings the project has been introduced, the IEE process explained and potential impacts discussed as well as recommendations, comments and concerns/complaints have been collected. Interviews were conducted with local families and communities along the entire transmission line. The overall process and results are described below.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination Table 23: Consultations with Stakeholders

Date Persons met Topics Discussed Outcome (Name , Position) Friday, 15rd Mr. Ibragim Saidov, Head, Range of activities of the The Committee for Environmental January 2009 Center on Water Committee for Environmental Protection has limited resources to resources protection, Protection, comparison of legal undertake inspections and take part in Committee for requirements in Tajikistan for compliance monitoring. Reliance is placed Environmental Protection environmental assessment, on line agencies, such as the “Barki Tojik” under Government of and those of the ADB. for energy projects and project proponents Tajikistan Principal issues arising from to ensure compliance with environmental Dushanbe the environmental assessment legislation. The line agencies are Mr. Timur Nazarov, Head, of the proposed road responsible for ensuring that International Department, improvement works. environmental assessments are carried Committee for Discussion of options to be out, and for undertaking the monitoring Environmental Protection selected from biodiversity and tasks identified by the environmental Dushanbe environment protection point of assessment process. The Committee is Mr. Jorq Dinkelaker, view. generally comfortable with the Advisor of the Chairman Responsibilities for environmental management requirements of Environment protection, environmental management of of the major IFIs, including the ADB. Committee for quarry areas. The approach taken to environmental Environmental Protection assessment for the project, which involves Dushanbe consultations with the public and providing information to them, is consistent with the Aarhaus Convention which promotes public participation and justice in environmental matters. The options with more distance from the sensitive areas such natural reserve “Tigrovaya Balka” should be re Solving of energy supply problems in country regions is considered a priority and one of the way to ease the pressure of people on environment It is necessary to implement and monitor the EMP developed for this report and follow all recommendations to protect the environment and mitigate possible negative impacts even if they are temporary Tuesday, 19th Mr. Alikhon Latify, Discussion on biodiversity Proposed TL option with more distance January, 2010 National Coordinator of issues and migrating species from water bodies will not much disturb Convention on migrating protection on proposed options the wildlife. species of project TL. Provided information on Red Book Ms. Tatyana Alichanova, Discussion on possible species and migrating birds/ Expert on sustainable mitigation measures Relevant mitigation measures should be Development, NESDA foreseen for the fauna protection association Mr. Bahtiyor Bekmuradov, Deputy Leader of NGO “BARS consulting”

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination Date Persons met Topics Discussed Outcome (Name , Position) Wednesday, Mr. Rustam Muratov, Views on suitable plant The Department of Environmental 20th January Director of the Forest species for replacement Protection at the district level is the local 2010 Institute, Committee for planting following tree removal. agency responsible for the implementation Environmental Protection Information and views on of environmental legislation. Mr. Ubaidullo Akramov, normal and preferred practices The Department of Environmental Head of Department, for materials extraction. Role Protection of the Rayon is authorized to Agency on specially of the Department of control the extraction of materials, protected areas, Environmental Protection at however the permit system is usually Committee for district level in supervision of ignored. Care should be exercised in Environmental Protection environmental management of extracting stone, gravel and sand from the project. river beds. Discussion on boarders of Provided maps natural reserve “Tigrovaya Balka” and their distance from the proposed TL corridor Monday, 8th Ms. Blagoveshenskaya Flora composition and Wild trees, grass plants will not be February 2010 S.T., Expert on protection issues on project removed during the project biodiversity, botanist, proposed TL corridor, including implementation. Deputy Director, NGO suitable tree species for Energy problems solving will promote to “Kuhiston Foundation” replanting, following tree further cutting of trees and use them as removal. fuel, and other household needs

Tuesday, 9th Mr. Rustam Latipov, National legislation on EIA, The development of report on IEE and February Coordinator of Convention ecological expertise proposed EMP should met to existing on EIA, including trans- requirements of national legislation and boundary context, Head of procedures on EIA and ecological the department on water expertise. resources, Ministry of Melioration and water resources February Head of Khatlon Environment protection of The sufficient energy supply will contribute 26th,Friday Department on region and district levels in to the environment conservation because Environment Protection supervision of environmental of solving the fuel problems. It will allow Mr.Safarov R. management of the project. saving trees and bushes which are illegally cutting for household purposes. Necessary mitigation measures should be incorporated into the EMP. No any strong negative impact is expected. Representatives (inspectors) from the Environmental Department of the regional and Asht district will monitor the implementation of developed mitigation measures of EMP by contractors. Committee is ready to conduct other observation and monitoring for proper waste disposal, rehabilitation of damaged sites and regular measuring water quality where it will be needed. March, 3rd, Deputy Head of Sugd Environment protection of Necessary mitigation measures should be Wednesday Department for region and district levels in incorporated into the EMP. No any strong Environmental Protection, supervision of environmental negative impact is expected. Mr. Saidov Khurshed management of the project. Representatives (inspectors) from the Leading specialist on Environmental Department of the regional Inspection Department, and Asht district will monitor the Sugd Division for implementation of developed mitigation Environmental Protection measures of EMP by contractors. Ms. Sadykova S. Committee is ready to conduct other Mr.Abduvaliev A. Head of observation and monitoring for proper Inspection Division , Sugd waste disposal, rehabilitation of damaged Department for sites and regular measuring water quality Environmental Protection where it will be needed.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

VII.3 Results of Public Consultation 292. The consultations identified that there are already some existing environmental and social problems and people were in expectation of their immediate addressing. The community supports the expansion and upgrading of the power line. They welcomed the project ideas and expressed their hope that it will be carried in accordance with the requirements of the national and international legislation in the social and environmental sphere and highly contribute to the provision of energy efficiency and realization of Regional Development Program. 293. On the basis of the consultations and the site visit along the entire alignment of the existing line so far, it appears that the project will have no insurmountable environmental impacts, but potential social impacts are obviously appearing through the recent planning, requiring additional land acquisition and temporary land use. Stakeholders expressed their hope, that involuntarily resettlement or land requisition problems can be avoided by changing the place of transmission lines where it is possible. They also want to make sure that compensation and assistance amounts are assessed justly. It was decided to continue public consultations and discussions in the future in certain stages of the project implementation.

VII.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism 294. Special care need to be taken to prevent grievances, especially during construction. If the EMP will be implemented properly, adapted to the final construction planning and if mitigation measure will be observed and claimed by the EA and CEP, grievances can be avoided mainly. Proper communication and participation before and during the construction of the TLs can discover possible potentials of disturbance and thus EMP and construction plan can be adjusted accordingly. 295. Referring resettlement issues and social matters, the LAP already emphasized measures such as careful land acquisition design and implementation, by ensuring full AF participation and consultation, and by establishing extensive communication and coordination between the community, the PMU and the local governments. This notwithstanding, complaints are sometimes unavoidable and a grievance mechanism is being adopted for the project to allow the APs the opportunity to appeal any disagreeable decision, practice or activity arising from compensation/rehabilitation process. Efforts to make APs fully informed of their rights and of the procedures for addressing complaints will continue during the updating of the RP and at time of compensation. 296. The LAP developed already a scheme for grievance redress mechanism which fits into the overall project implementation management, considering Environmental and Social matters. Complaints and grievances due to planning, construction and operation will be addressed through the following steps and actions (see Figure 21): a. A Hukumat Level Grievance Committee will be established. It includes 3-4 members of the affected community (including AP’s and non-APs), a representative of the Jamoat and a representative of the Hukumat Land Council, to be chaired by the Deputy of the Hukumat or their nominated representative. Grievances must be heard and resolved within 14 days of submission of the complaint b. If the Hukumat Level Grievance Committee is not able to resolve the grievance within the 14 days period, the complaints can be lodged at the BT district Offices where a resolution will be attempted with the involvement of Hukumat and Jamoat officials as the elected representatives of the AF. c. If still unsettled after 7 days a grievance can then be lodged to BT at central level. Again the elected representatives of the AF will have the opportunity to mediate. d. If no solution is reached within 14 days the APs can further submit their case to the appropriate court of law.

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Figure 21: Grievance Redress Process

With Reference to the Environmental Management Plan

Tajikistan Laws on Environmental Protection

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

VIII. Conclusions

VIII.1 Findings and Recommendations 297. This study was carried out at the pre-planning stage of the project. Primary and secondary data were used to assess the environmental impacts. The potential environmental impacts were assessed in a comprehensive manner. The report provides a comprehensive picture of all potential environmental impacts associated with the Project, and recommended suitable mitigation measures. This study recommends that some further follow up studies and especially an accompanying audit of the integration of the EMMP and the implementation of measures and monitoring needs to be undertaken during project processing in order to meet the ADB requirements. 298. There are some further considerations for the planning stages such as obtaining clearance for the project under the Ecological Expertise according to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan. Environmental impacts from the power enhancements will mostly take place during the construction stage. There are also some noise impacts and waste management issues for the operational stage that must be addressed in the detailed design and through environmentally responsible procurement. At the detailed design stage the number of and exact locations for transmission towers may change, subject to detailed surveys. The impacts are likely to be broadly similar at most locations and impacts have been reviewed in the environmental impact section of this IEE report accordingly. 299. There are a number of key actions required in the detailed design phase. Prior to construction Barki Tojik must receive clearance certification from the Tajik Government and Barki Tojik must complete the detailed Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) and incorporate into the detail design and overall project management. These plans should be reviewed and accepted by the Committee for Environmental Protection and contractual agreed by any contractor (if different from Barki Tojik) prior to signing the contract. The information provided in this report can form the basis of any further submission to the related Committee and Ministries as required in future. 300. The alignment and its anticipated impacts is limited to the corridors indicated in this report, but further details are required on the land required and for any other delineation along the route where land is would be required and compensation and resettlement so far is not considered in the Resettlement Report. However, crops and settlements need to be compensated to the concerned parties, if needed. Provisions may be made in the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP), based on the proposed alignments. A social impact assessment and resettlement action plan (LARP) has been completed in tandem with this IEE for the whole project. Within the LARP the following general task have been carried out complementarily to this IEE: - Examined and assessed the overall social profile of the subproject area on the basis of the primary and secondary data sources and preparation of a socio-economic profile of the project districts. - Prepared a social analysis, taking into account socio-economic status of the subproject area of influence, including the nature, extent and determinants of poverty in the subproject area including assessment. In addition, estimation of the likely socioeconomic and poverty reduction impacts of the project should be included. - Held consultations with relevant officials from the government and other relevant officials, including consultation with affected communities to assess responses to the project and ascertain the nature and scope of local participation in project planning and implementation. - Identified, analyzed and, where appropriate, quantified the potential resettlement impacts (minimal) of the proposed Project on the area and the population. 301. Baseline monitoring activities should be carried out during detailed project design stage to establish the baseline of parameters for checking during the construction stage. 302. During the commissioning phase noise monitoring should ensure that statutory requirements have been achieved. Monitoring activities during project operation will focus on periodic recording environmental performance and proposing remedial actions to address any unexpected impacts.

VIII.2 Summary and Conclusions 303. The construction of the two Single Circuit 220 kV Transmission lines in the North and South of Tajikistan and the 220 kV substation is a feasible and sustainable option from the power transmission, engineering, environmental, and socioeconomic points of view. Implementation of the EMMP is required and the environmental impacts associated mainly with the construction of the project need to be properly mitigated. Existing institutional arrangements are available, but to a certain extent need to be strengthened. Due to experiences in implementation of environmental critical projects in Tajikistan, it is highly

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

recommended to provide additional accompanying environmental expertise as well as it is believed that Barki Tojik as well requires additional human capacities in the field of work of environmental management, impact mitigation and monitoring to complete the designs and incorporate the recommendations effectively and efficiently in the contract documents, linked to payment milestones. The proposed mitigation and management plans are practicable but require additional resources. 304. This IEE, including the EMMP, should be used as a basis for an environmental compliance program and be included as an Appendix to the contract. The EMMP shall be reviewed at the detailed design stage. In addition, any subsequent conditions issued by the related licensing and reviewing governmental bodies as part of the environmental clearance should also be included in the environmental compliance program. Therefore, continued monitoring of the implementation of mitigation measures, the implementation of the environmental conditions for work and environmental clearance, and monitoring of the environmental impact related to the operation of the project should be properly carried out and reported at least bi-annually as part of the project performance report.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

Attachment 1: Proposed Handling and Disposal of PCB from Transformers HAZARDOUS PCB's WASTE - HANDLING, TREATMENT & DISPOSAL

The PCBs waste requiring disposal mainly consist of: Waste arising during the manufacturer / use of PCBs - both solids and liquids. Dielectric fluid removed from transformers because of degradation and contamination Dielectric fluid in scrapped transformers Dielectric of scrapped capacitors in manufacture and in redundant equipment PCB contaminated materials e.g. scrap capacitors, windings, absorbent material used in cleaning equipment or spills - Imported Waste.

PCBs Waste from its major uses

(a) Transformers

The adequate disposal of transformers dielectric fluid based on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) should be mandatory in order to escape from environmental consequences. With PCB filled transformers are principally used, where the consequence of fire from ignition of the dielectric due to arcing or from an external source would be serious e.g. in ships, basement of buildings and mines. However, the dense fumes, which are evolved when PCBs are subjected to high temperature makes them unacceptable in some situations. The rejected dielectric and scraped transformer contribute the PCB's waste to the environment.

(b) Capacitors

The capacitors are used to smooth out the large load fluctuations on industrial power supply systems. The lower chlorinated PCBs are used in large capacitors. Even in small electrical gadgets, the small PCB filled capacitors are fitted particularly in fractional horse power motors used in domestic and light industrial electrical equipment. Typically these contain lower chlorinated PCB, mainly absorbed on the windings. The PCB waste in these application arises, when the equipment is scrapped, capacitors replaced and during manufacture of capacitors. In present time, there has been a considerable reduction of PCBs used in the capacitors.

Recommendations for Proper Handling and Disposal of PCBs Waste A. Labeling of Products and Wastes Modern Electric transformers and large capacitors containing PCBs should be identified with labels, informing buyers the need for adequate disposal. The manufacturer should undertake retrospective labeling, wherever possible. The strict maintenance procedure for PCB filled units are required in comparison to units filled with hydrocarbon oils.

B. Storage and Containment The bulk liquid PCB and waste liquid PCB must be adequately sealed and well labeled and stored in heavy duty containers, but not in standard drums. In case of highly chlorinated type of PCBs used in transformers, appropriate labeling should be used by the manufacturers. The PCBs for reclamation from PCB based material should be stored in sealed containers to avoid contamination of external environment

C. Handling Appropriate housekeeping is mandatory, when PCB's are utilized for any product manufacture. The transfer of liquid PCB should have to be appropriately conducted to ensure, that it should not be a residual source of pollution. Where large quantities of PCBs are still used, the bunds, dump tanks should be provided to prevent PCBs passing into the drains, if the dielectric fluid is mishandled. Strict precautions should be taken to ensure that PCBs do not enter into sewerage system or watercourse particularly from old disused transformer dump yard or storage place.

D. Incineration Most of the PCB waste generated is destroyed by controlled incineration in units fitted with wet gas scrubbing systems, capable of achieving sustained temperatures of 1,1000C. The waste disposal by this method is used particularly for following processes: Liquid waste from manufacturing process and from transformers and large capacitors Page 70

Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

Solid waste from manufacturing process usually cast in drums. Miscellaneous solid waste including waste from manufacture of small capacitors, contaminated rags, saw dust, fuller's earth etc. at manufacturing and handling plants.

E. Recovery The PCBs waste principally from transformer applications and also from large capacitors can be recovered by clarification and vacuum distillation process. In large capacitors, the excess fluid is drained off for recovery and incineration.

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Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan EMMP- May 2008 (to be reviewed and detailed by the contractor before commencement of the project). A. DESIGN STAGE Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring 1. Preparation of social impacts (LARP) shall be completed before detail design to be considered during design to assure whether unforeseen additional land is required To ensure that the adverse 2. Acquisition of lands completed to minimize the uncertainty of people. Affected families will impacts due to the property 3. Completed implementation of LARP and establish LARC to provide be compensated by Barki Tojik A1. Social Impacts acquisition and Contractor compensation and assistance to the APs. Barki Tojik (ESM/ES) resettlement are mitigated 4. Barki Tojik together with international and national environmental and according to an LARP social experts selected a route that will not affect any settlement; Land acquisition is required only from agriculturally used land.

1. Hydrological flow (groundwater flow) in areas where it is sensitive and Before the groundwater table is very low To minimize hydrological commencement of Considered locations A2. Hydrological Barki Tojik and drainage impacts construction are as in the design Contractor Impacts 2. Design of adequate measures to avoid disturbance of groundwater (ESM/ES) during constructions. activities/during report flow by foundations designing stage

1. Conduct detailed acoustic assessment for all residential areas, 1. During detailed Ensure cumulative noise schools, hospitals (other sensitive structures) within 50 m of TL, Towers Noise sensitive design stage. No later impacts are acceptable in and RoW. locations identified in Barki Tojik than pre-qualification or A4. Noise barriers construction phase or 2. If noise at sensitive receiver exceeds the permissible limit of 70 dB, the detailed plan as Contractor (ESM/ES) tender negotiations. mitigation measures are noise barriers need to be designed and extra encapsulation of machinery required. Shall be report to CEP 2. Include in the planned shall be planned. approved by CEP. contract. 3. The construction activities should be monitored and controlled.

1. Elaborate Waste management plan and waste management training for construction staff – connection of waste disposal with regional collection and disposal system Ensure adequate disposal Locations approved by 2. Identify appropriate transport and sufficient locations for disposal of 1.During designing options for all waste CEP, Regional offices, transformer oil, locations for unsuitable soils, scrap metal. stage no later than pre- including transformer oil, municipalities and Barki Tojik A5. Waste disposal 3. Include in contracts for unit rates for re-measurement for disposal. qualification or tender Contractor unsuitable soils, scrap Barki Tojik and waste (ESM/ES) 4. Designate disposal sites in the contract and cost unit disposal rates negotiations metal and household disposal local 5. Prepare a PCB spill handling procedure, provide handling and 2. Include in contract. waste from work camps authorities emergency training and equip teams with special clothing, appropriate sealed steel containers and solvents for cleaning if transformer with PCB is planned.

1. Identify locations where drainage or irrigation crossing the RoW may be affected by works (especially through foundation works). During designing stage 2.Include protection works in contract as a payment milestone(s) Locations based on Barki Tojik A6. Temporary drainage Include mitigation in detail no later than pre- 3. In areas where land erosion impacts through rivers and water drainage or irrigation Contractor (ESM/ES), and erosion control design. qualification or tender channels have been identified, a corresponding design and the crossing RoW. report to CEP negotiations. implementation of appropriate drainage systems is required. A regular monitoring during operation is necessary.

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Transmission Line and Substation Construction Tajikistan Initial Environmental Examination

B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE

In General during construction the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Environmental Protection need to be followed Ecological Requirements during Project Design and Implementation are defined as well by the Ecological Expertise after review of detailed design, IEE/EMMP and LARP. It should be confirmed that the project will comply with: - the maximum permitted concentrations of pollutants in the environment; - the maximum permitted discharges and emissions of pollutants into the natural environment; - the maximum permitted noise and vibration levels and other harmful influences as well as health norms and standards of hygiene

1. Locations of each Prepare a thorough plan To ensure the proper construction activity to to be approved by the implementation of any be listed by the ESM/ES one month requirements from CEP engineer. 1. Consideration of weather conditions when particular construction prior to a 1.Barki Tojik and according to laws on 2. Special locations activities are undertaken to minimize spillage of soil and contaminants. commencement of ESM/ES to Contractor hydro-meteorological are identified along the 2. Limitations on excavation depths in use of recharge areas for material construction actively monitors and activities, mineral waters RoW by the contractor exploitation or spoil disposal. supervise report to CEP B1. Hydrology and and Water Code, to minimize 3. Use of landscaping as an integrated component of construction Proper timetable and enforce Drainage Aspects especially referring disturbances. activity as an erosion control measure around towers where needed prepared in the contractor Supervision groundwater conditions in 3. A list of locations of 4. Minimizing the removal of vegetative cover as much as possible and consideration with the on by ESM/ES places of low groundwater irrigation channels / providing for it s restoration where construction sites have been cleared climatic conditions of appropriate tables and taking spillage drains and of such areas. each area, the different measures and contamination into groundwater depths to construction activities account (see also water be compiled by the mentioned here to be quality) contractor guided.

1. Barki Tojik to engage environmental specialist to monitor and progress Induction for all site To ensure that the all environmental statutory and recommended obligations. agents and above contractor and workers 2 Conduct special briefing for managers and / or on-site training for the including all relevant All staff members in all understand and have the contractors and workers on the environmental requirement of the project. Barki Tojik staff and new categories. Monthly capacity to ensure that Barki Tojik B2. Orientation for 3. Record attendance and achievement test. project staff before induction and three Contractor environmental ESM/ES Contractor, and 4. Agreement on critical areas to be considered and necessary mitigation commencement of work. month refresher and the requirements and observe and Workers measures, among all parties who are involved in project activities. At early stages of course as necessary ESM/ES implementation of record to CEP 5. Continuous progress review and refresher sessions to be followed construction for all until contractor mitigation measures are 6. Considering and following Norms of Construction Safety, providing construction employees complies addressed and carried out detailed regulations on construction worker’s health and safety. as far as reasonably appropriately. practicable

To prevent adverse water Compile temporary drainage management plan one month before 1.ESM/ES Contractor quality impacts due to commencement of works. enforces responsible on negligence of Proper installation of temporary drainage (TD) and erosion control (EC) Prior to construction, 50 Relevant locations to contractor monitoring environmental best before works within 50 m of water bodies. m from water bodies. be determined in the 2. Contractor B3. Water quality practice. Ensure 1.Proper construction of TD and EC measures, maintenance and Timing will depend on detailed project design has to check CEP reviews unavoidable impacts are management including training of operators and other workers to avoid the construction water quality results managed effectively. pollution of water bodies by operation of construction machinery and schedule. and report to Ensure adverse impacts on equipment (car and machinery park with drainage system) Barki Tojik Control water quality caused by 2. Storage of lubricants, fuels and other petrochemicals in self-contained and CEP monitoring by

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE construction activities are dedicated enclosures >50 m away from water bodies. 3. ESM/ES CEP minimized. 3. Proper disposal of solid waste from construction activities and work supervises camps. monitoring 4. Cover the construction material and soil stockpiles with a suitable plan and material to reduce material loss and sedimentation and avoid stockpiling activities near to water bodies. 5. Topsoil stripped material shall not be stored where natural drainage will be disrupted. 6. Borrow sites (if required) should not be close to sources of drinking water and villages 7. Following regulations on Industrial and Municipal Waste

CONTROL ALL DUSTY MATERIALS AT SOURCE.

1. All heavy equipment and machinery shall be fitted in full compliance with EU standards due to lack of existing and enforced standards. Gasoline and Diesel driven Machinery shall be checked before in one of the few well equipped vehicle inspection stations before allow utilization. Visible smoke at exhaust pipes shall not be accepted. 2. Fuel-efficient and well-maintained haulage trucks shall be employed to Contractor Contractor minimize exhaust emissions. Trucks shall be checked in vehicle reports should inspection station as well. Trucks with visible smoke at exhaust pipe shall A list of locations to be monitoring maintain To minimize effectively and be excluded from project work included in contract results to CEP acceptable avoid complaints due to 3. Stockpiled soil and sand shall be slightly wetted before loading, All construction sites and other sensitive standard. B4. Air quality airborne particulate particularly in windy conditions. within 100 m of sensitive areas identified by the ESM/ES ESM/ES to matters released to the 4. Vehicles transporting soil, sand and other construction materials shall receivers. ESM/ES along the observes. supervise atmosphere. be covered. Limitation to speed of such vehicles is necessary and need ROW during works monitoring to set and controlled. Transport through densely populated area should need to be elaborated Control plan and be avoided. monitoring by activities. 5. To plan to minimize the dust within the vicinity of orchards and fruit CEP farms. 6. Spraying of bare areas with water. For any spray plan, the required amount of water and the availability of water at the location need to be assessed before to avoid water overuse and resource scarcity in the area for the population 7. Concrete plants (if required) need to be controlled in line with statutory requirements and should not be close to sensitive receptors.

1. All heavy equipment and machinery shall be fitted in full compliance Contractor with the national and local regulations and with effective silencing should apparatus to minimize noise. If need, equipment with excessive noise maintain the Contractor. To minimize noise level development shall be equipped with additional encapsulation of the Maximum allowable During construction acceptable B5. Noise / Ground increase and ground machinery and noise-minimization walls shall be installed. noise levels should be stage, the most standards Vibration Control vibrations during 2. As a rule, the operation of heavy equipment shall be conducted in below 70dB(A)L at the sensitive locations EQ Monitoring by construction operations daylight hours; Hammer-type percussive pile driving operations shall not boundary of the need special attention. ESM/ES to CEP be allowed at night time. construction site supervise 3. Well-maintained haulage trucks shall be used with speed controls. relevant 4. Contractor shall take adequate measures to minimize noise nuisance activities.

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE in the vicinity of construction sites by way of adopting available acoustic methods. 5. Considering and following Sanitary Norms. It provides national ambient noise quality standards for residential, commercial and industrial areas as well as sensitive receptors such as hospitals and schools (day- and night standards)

1. Temporary erosion control plan one month before commencement of works for special sensitive areas, especially in the irrigation areas. 2. Proper installation of TD and EC before works within 50 m of water ways, ponds, canals and wetlands. 3. Meaningful water quality monitoring up and downstream at any tower site within groundwater level and close to river or stream during construction. Rapid reporting and feedback to ESM/ES and CEP 4. Back-fill should be layered as before and compacted properly in accordance with design standards and graded to original contours where 1. Locations possible. considering history of Prevent adverse water 5. Cut areas should be treated against flow acceleration while filled areas flooding problems quality impacts due to should be carefully designed to avoid improper drainage. Barki Tojik/ 2. A list of sensitive negligence of anticipated 6. Stockpiles should not be formed within such distances behind Because some area can ESM/ES areas during impact and ensure excavated or natural slopes that would reduce the stability of the slopes. be subject to seasonal construction to be unavoidable impacts are 7. Stockpiles shall be covered whenever possible, drainages around the heavy rain, construction CEP shall prepared in the detail managed effectively. stockpile shall prevent from spillage and erosion. In the short-term, either plan need to consider review B6. Soil Erosion/ design, considering cut Contractor temporary or permanent drainage works shall protect all areas measures before and construction Surface Run-off and fill, land and ESM/ES To minimize soil erosion susceptible to erosion. during construction (cut plan reclamation, borrows due to the construction 8. Measures shall be taken to prevent accumulation of surface water in and fill, land reclamation accordingly areas etc. activities of towers, form of ponds and scouring of slopes. Newly eroded channels shall be etc.) under consideration and make site

stringing of conductors and backfilled and restored to former contours. of climate conditions. visits 2. Locations of all creation of access tracks 9. Contractor should arrange to adopt suitable measures to minimize soil sporadically culverts, irrigation for project vehicles erosion during the construction period and soil erosion around towers channels, road and along the life-time of the towers through implementation of appropriate highway. drainage systems and soil securing vegetation. A regular monitoring during operation is necessary. Contractor should consult concerned authorities in the area before deciding mitigation measures. 10. Clearing of green surface cover to be minimized during site preparation. 11. If trees cut off or removed, replanting trees to be done before the site is vacated and handed back with appropriate trees (or other vegetation cover as appropriate) to ensure interception of rainwater and the deceleration of surface run-off.

B7. Exploitation, SEE ALSO A4 IN DESIGN STAGE Elaboration of a material 1. List of borrow areas To minimize contamination Barki Tojik / Handling, 1. In order to minimize and/or avoid adverse environmental impacts handling and to be prepared one Contractor of the surroundings ESM/ES Transportation arising from construction material exploitation, handling, transportation transportation plan, month prior to and ESM/ES

and and storage measures to be taken in line with regulations and including detail design construction to agree (Due to implementation of Approved and Storage of requirements of CEP and conditions/recommendations in approval. for material storage, 2.List of routes of format of works, concrete and monitored by Construction 2. Conditions that apply for selecting sites for material exploitation access roads, drainage transport of reporting crushing plants ) CEP materials 3. Conditions that apply to timing and use of roads for material transport and water collection construction material

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE 4. Conditions that apply for maintenance of vehicles used in material system is to be prepared for transport or construction the contract and 5. Conditions that apply for selection of sites for material storage Update monthly agreed one month 6. Conditions that apply for aggregate production prior to construction 7. Conditions that apply for handling hazardous or dangerous materials 3. Report of vehicle such as oil, lubricants and toxic chemicals (PCBs). conditions is available 4. Map of locations of storage is prepared by the contractor. 5. Environmental accident checklist and a list of banned substances are to be included in the contractor’s manual.

Waste management shall include detail Waste management plan to be submitted to CEP and approved one design of waste and month prior to starting works. hazardous waste 1. Estimating the amounts and types of construction waste to be storage and container generated by the project. systems as well as 2. Investigating whether the waste can be reused in the project or by giving routes, amount of 1.Contractor other interested parties. transportation and 3 Identifying potential safe disposal sites close to the project or those destination. 2-10. designated sites in the contract. Hazardous waste ESM/ES 4 Investigating the environmental conditions of the disposal sites and transport needs to be should 1.Dumping recommendation of most suitable and safest sites. accompanied by receipt supervise A list of temporary 5. Piling up of loose material should be done in segregated areas to system (at each point of and take stockpiling areas and Barki Tojik/ Minimize the impacts from arrest washing out of soil. Debris shall not be left where it may be carried transfer of the waste action to B8.Construction Waste more permanent ESM/ES the disposal of construction by water to down stream flood plains, dams, lagoons, rivers, canals, etc. from collection - to complete Disposal dumping areas to be Monitoring by waste. 6. Used oil and lubricants shall be recovered and reused or removed transportation - to other contractor’s prepared at the CEP from the site in full compliance with the national and local regulations. transportation -to relevant contract stage for 7. Oily wastes must not be burned! Disposal location to be agreed with disposal), a receipt and activities agreement local authorities and CEP the checked amount according to 8. Waste transformer insulating oil to be recycled, reconditioned, or must be confirmed by IEE/EMMP reused at appropriate facilities with permissions and under state control the receiver. From time requirement 9. Machinery should be properly maintained to minimize oil spill during of the signature the & environ. the construction. receiver is responsible standards 10. Solid waste/household waste should be collected and transported by of the total amount of the local system or safely transported and disposed at an approved solid hazardous waste. waste facility. Open burning of any material is illegal and contrary to good environmental practice Update of the waste management plan monthly

B9. Work Camp To ensure that the 1. Identify location of work camps in consultation with local authorities. Identify locations before Location Map and Barki Tojik/ Operation and operation of work camps The location shall be subject to approval by CEP within the overall detailed design. Include detailed designs as Contractor ESM/ES Location does not adversely affect ecological expertise, based on location map and detailed design of the detailed design of work described are Approval by

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE the surrounding camps, including technical infrastructure. If possible, camps shall not be camps including prepared by the CEP environment and residents located near settlements or near drinking water supply intakes. technical infrastructure Contractor. in the area. 2. Cutting of trees shall be avoided and removal of vegetation shall be (water supply, waste minimized – in contrary, work camps shall be greened. water treatment, waste 3. Water and sanitary facilities (connected to septic tanks) shall be disposal, energy supply, provided for employees. Worker camp areas need to be rehabilitated etc.) through breaking up the soil, re-plant with vegetation upon vacation of Develop logistics and the sites. operation of the work 4. Solid waste and sewage shall be managed according to the national camps including erection and local regulations, best within the existing official waste collection and and dismantling as well disposal system. The Contractor shall organize and maintain a waste as after-care and separation, collection and transport system. As a rule, solid waste must rehabilitation plan not be dumped, buried or burned at or near the project site, but shall be disposed of to the nearest sanitary landfill or site having complied with the necessary permits of local and central authority. 5. The Contractor shall document that all liquid and solid hazardous and non-hazardous waste are separated, collected and disposed of according to the given requirements and regulations. 6. At the end of the project, all debris and waste shall be removed. 7. All temporary structures, including office buildings, shelters and toilets shall be removed. 8. Exposed areas shall be planted with suitable vegetation. 9. Barki Tojik and Supervising Engineer shall inspect and report that the camps have been vacated and restored to pre-project conditions. 10. Considering and following the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety, 1993 Section III: Responsibilities of State Bodies, Agencies, Companies… on the Provision of Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety General framework provisions on the requirement to provide healthy and safe conditions at workplaces and work camps (and many others) in compliance with the relevant sanitary hygiene, construction regulations and norms

Land holders shall be paid compensation for their standing trees in The site visit didn’t accordance with prevailing market rates (LARP). The land holders will be identify critical points allowed to salvage the wood of the affected trees. They will also be where compensation encouraged to plant suitable new trees outside the 50 meter corridor of and landscaping would each transmission line in lieu of tree removed. be necessary. Anyway, B10. Loss of trees To avoid several negative The contractor’s staff and labor will be strictly directed not to damage any some areas within the A list of locations with and vegetation impacts due to removing of vegetation such as trees or bushes. corridor have developed a map to be compiled Barki Tojik / cover of the landmark, sentinel and Clearing of green surface cover for construction, for borrow of for to valuable landscapes by the contractor Contractor ESM/ES areas for towers specimen trees as well as development, cutting trees and other important vegetation during which should be during detailed design and ESM/ES Approved by and temporary green vegetation and construction should be minimized. protected or re- and ESM/ES to update CEP workspace surface cover. Landscaping and road verges to be re-installed on completion. habilitated after new as necessary Compensatory planting of trees/shrubs/ornamental plants (at a rate of construction. A plan minimum 3:1) to contribute to the aesthetic value of the area and indicating locations of compensate for the lost capability of the area to absorb carbon dioxide in required landscaping line with best international practice and vegetation At completion all debris and waste shall be removed. rehabilitation shall be

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE All temporary structures, including office buildings, shelters and toilets elaborated one month shall be removed. before construction commencement.

Providing adequate warning signs Providing workers with skull guard or hard hat Barki Tojik / Contractor shall instruct his workers in health and safety matters, and Location to be ESM/ES require the workers to use the provided safety equipment. identified by sporadically B11. Safety Precautions To ensure safety of Establish all relevant safety measures as required by law and good Prior to commencement Contractor contractor. inspect and for the Workers workers engineering practices. and during construction and ESM/ES report Following all guidance and obligation referring Norms of Construction Inspected by ESM/ES Observed by Safety, providing detailed regulations on construction worker’s health CEP and safety. Workers need to be informed and trained about sanitation and health care issues and the specific hazards of their work.

Minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and Submit temporary haul and access routes plan one month prior to start of pedestrians during haulage works. Prior to planning and of construction materials, Barki Tojik / Formulate and implementation of a plan of alternate routes for heavy construction special spoil and equipment and The most important supervised by vehicles. inspection of narrow and machinery, blocking locations to be ESM/ES Vicinity of schools and hospitals to be considered. unpaved village streets, access roads during works; identified and listed. Observed and Installation of traffic warning signs, and enforcing traffic regulations inspection of Contractor B12. Traffic Condition damage / maintenance Relevant plans of the complain during transportation of materials and equipment and machinery. endangered buildings. and Engineer problems for roads and Contractor on traffic record by Conditions of roads and bridges to be considered. Inspection and contact bridges used by the arrangements must be district Provision of culverts on water channels and drains. to endangered villager haulage trucks, dust available. authority or Widening/upgrading of access paths/roads properties throughout nuisance in the vicinities of municipality Consider vibration damages to village houses (old clay brick or adobe the construction. the transportation ways, buildings) along narrow and unpaved village streets especially to schools and hospitals.

To ensure minimum Organize meetings with impacts from construction APs explaining and labor force. Potential for spread of vector borne and communicable diseases from discussing impacts and To ensure minimum labour camps shall be avoided (worker awareness orientation and solutions before impacts on public health. appropriate sanitation should be maintained). commencement of Clarification of To ensure minimum effects Claims/complaints of the people on construction nuisance/damages construction conditions and of indirect impacts of close to ROW to be considered and responded to promptly by the Complaints of APs to be Contractor necessary actions at Barki Tojik / constructions to the people Contractor solved as soon as and the all identified locations ESM/ES who are living close to the Contractor should organize temporary means of access and make possible during ESM/ES B13.Social Impacts with expected impacts District boundaries of RoW; Dust, alternative arrangements to avoid local community impacts and to avoid construction and compensation authority, Noise, Vibration and rock such short-term negative impacts. Accompanied measures before municipalities blasting effects etc. LARP need to be finalized within detail design Necessary evacuations by mediator commencement of To minimize access Logistics on land acquisition and temporary land claim need to be to be done when construction problems for local considered to provide temporary substitute. necessary if construction population during Provision of compensation with time line considering minimum on impacts are of significant construction disturbance of affected people duration and close to To solve problems from APs, new land acquisition

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B. CONSTRUCTION Steps Actions Conditions Remarks Agency Monitoring STAGE To mitigate impacts on agriculture land with expected losses on income

Awareness Training for all management To ensure that Barki Tojik Barki Tojik B1. Institutional Capacity building activities to be taken by Environmental Officer of Barki and senior staff in officials are trained to Initiate prior to and Strengthening and Tojik together with international consultant (ESM) and Environmental Barki Tojik at senior Barki Tojik understand and to construction international Capacity Building Specialist. engineer and above appreciate EMMP consultant level in PMU and PIU and related units

C. OPERATIONAL

STAGE 1. Air Quality No Impacts Barki Tojik Barki Tojik

2.Noise No significant Impacts Barki Tojik Barki Tojik

3. Compensatory Maintain survival of trees Employ landscaping contractor to monitor, water, feed and replace dead Barki Tojik Barki Tojik

tree planting planted specimens as necessary

4.Land slides and soil Avoid landslides and loss Barki Tojik Barki Tojik No significant Impacts erosion of productive land

5. Water quality No significant Impacts Barki Tojik Barki Tojik

Monitor impacts from Barki Tojik Barki Tojik 6 Crops and vegetation maintaining tree clearance Track growth of large trees under the conductors under transmission lines

Ensure no encroachments / construction under the Necessary signboards with limits of height clearances to be placed 7. Social safety Impacts transmission line. No properly. Barki Tojik Barki Tojik violation of clearances Identify and prevent any illegal encroachments under the TLs.. spaces.

LARP = Land acquisition and resettlement plan; AP = Affected Persons; CEP = Committee for Environmental Protection; TD = Temporary drainage; EC = Erosion control; ES = Environmental Specialist; ESM =Environmental Supervision and Monitoring Expert or equivalent (including environmental supervision tasks); TL = Transmission line

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FLAGGING 1. During the construction phase the general mobility of the local residents and their livestock in and around the project area could be hindered. 2. Usage of Community’s common resources like potable water, fuel wood etc. by contractor workforce may create conflicts between the community and the Contractor. 3. Community will have to face the noise and dust problems during the construction activities. 4. During the construction activities of tower foundations, erection, and conductor stringing people will loose their annual income due to the loss of crops, trees, etc. 5. The land under the towers during the operation stage may restrict its current use for agriculture purpose. 6. The restriction of plantation of trees above a defined height during the operation stage may also cause the reduction of income of the farmers. 7. Due to the erection of towers and passing of the transmission line, the value of land may depreciate in the long term. 8. As the project route is passing through the rural areas and rural community, women activities in the field may become affected due to the construction activities. 9. The rural women normally use the open field latrines and their privacy may suffer due to the project activities. 10. The induction of outside labor may create social and gender issues. It can cause hindrance to the mobility of local women. Disturbance to the privacy of the local women when workers will work on the erection of towers. 11. Disturbance to the privacy of the local women when workers work on the erection of towers.

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