Initial Environmental Examination

SASEC Second Bangladesh–India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project (RRP BAN 44192)

August 2015

BAN: SASEC Second Bangladesh–India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project

Prepared by Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited (PGCB) for the Asian Development Bank. This is a revised version of the draft originally posted in May 2015 available on http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/162107/44192-016-iee-01.pdf

CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of as of 17 August 2015)

Currency unit – BDT (Tk.) Tk.1.00 = $0.0128 $1.00 = Tk. 77.77

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB Asian Development Bank AEZ Agro-ecological Zone AIS Air Insulated Switchgear AP Angle Point ASA Association for Social Advancement BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BEZ Bio-ecological Zone BMD Bangladesh Meteorological Department BPDB Bangladesh Power Development Board BRAC Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee BWDB Bangladesh Water Development Board CEGIS Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services CITES Convention on International Trade in endangered species DAE Department of Agricultural Extension DC Deputy Commissioner/ Double Circuit DEM Digital Elevation Model DEPC Department of Environmental Pollution Control DG Director General DIA Direct Impact Area DOE Department of Environment DOF Department of Fisheries DOL Department of Livestock DPP Development of Project Proforma EC Electrical Conductivity ECA Environment Conservation Act EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EQS Environment Quality Standards FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FCBO Fisheries Community Base Organization FD Forest Department FGD Focused Group Discussion FIDC Forest Industries Development Corporation FWIP Future-with-Project FWOP Future-without-Project FS Feasibility Study FY Fiscal Year GIA General Impact Area GIS Geographic Information Services GIS Gas Insulated Switchgear GO Government Organization GOB Government of Bangladesh HES Health Environment and Safety HHs Households HTW Hand Tube well HYV High Yielding Variety HVDC High Voltage Direct Current IDB Islamic Development Bank IEC Important Environmental Component IEE Initial Environmental Examination IESC Important Environmental and Social Component IUCN International Union for Conservation for Nature JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency KII Key Informant Interview LILO Line In Line Out LGED Local Government Engineering Department MDG Millennium Development Goal MoEF Ministry of Environment and Forest MoU Memorandum of Understanding NCA Net Cultivated Area NCS National Conservation Strategy NEMAP National Environment Management Action Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organization NOC No Objection Certificate NWRD National Water Resource Database OCR Ordinary Capital Resources O/H Overhead OMS Operation Management System PAPs Project Affected People (s) PCM People’s Consultation Meeting PCP Project Concept Paper PGCB Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Ltd PPE Personal Protection Equipment PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PWD Public Works Department RP Resettlement Plan RCC Reinforced Cement Concrete ROW Right of Way

RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal RL Reduced Level RS Remote Sensing SMEs Small and Medium scale Enterprises SPM Suspended Particulate Matter SPS Safeguard Policy Statement SRDI Soil Resources Development Institute SS Sub station SSs Sub stations STW Shallow Tube Well ToC Table of Content ToR Terms of Reference TL Transmission Line TLs Transmission Lines TSP Triple Super Phosphate U/G Under ground UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development UNDP United Nations Development Plan WARPO Water Resources Planning Organization WHO World Health Organization WB World Bank WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

m - meter mm - mili meter mt. - metric ton kg. - kilogram Km - kilometer Ha - hectare MVA - megavolt-ampere kV - kilovolt (1,000volts) MW - megawatt Lakh - 100,000 This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s website.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. vi

Table of contents

Table of contents ...... i List of Tables ...... iii List of Figures ...... iv List of Maps ...... iv List of Photographs ...... iv Executive Summary ...... v 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Overview of the Investment Programme ...... 3 1.2 Environmental Requirements ...... 3 1.3 Structures of the Report ...... 3 2. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ...... 5 2.1 National Environmental Requirements ...... 5 2.1.1 Environmental Authority ...... 5 2.1.2 Securing Environmental Clearance ...... 5 2.1.3 Relevant International Environmental Agreements ...... 8 2.2 Environmental Requirements of ADB...... 9 3. Baseline, Potential Impacts and Environmental Management Plan ...... 13 3.1 Project Description ...... 13 3.1.1 Objectives and Benefits ...... 13 3.1.2 Project components and activities ...... 13 3.1.3 Implementation Activities ...... 15 Pre-construction phase...... 16 Construction phase ...... 16 Post-construction phase...... 18 3.2 Availability of construction equipment and work schedule ...... 18 3.3 Analysis of Alternatives ...... 18 3.4 Description of the Existing Environment ...... 22 3.4.1 Natural Hazards ...... 22 3.4.2 Meteorology ...... 27 3.4.3 Surface Water Quality ...... 27 3.4.4 Ground Water Quality ...... 28 3.4.5 Air Quality ...... 28 3.4.6 Noise Quality ...... 29

3.4.7 Agriculture Resources ...... 30 3.4.8 Terrestrial Flora ...... 30 3.4.9 Terrestrial Fauna ...... 31 3.4.10 Socio-economic Profile ...... 31 3.5 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 33 3.5.1 Pre-construction and Design Phase ...... 33 3.5.2 Construction Phase ...... 33 3.5.3 Operation Phase ...... 36 3.6 Public and Stakeholder Consultations ...... 36 3.7 Grievance Redress Mechanism ...... 37 3.8 Environmental Management Plan ...... 38 3.8.1 Mitigation ...... 38 3.8.2 Monitoring ...... 44 3.8.3 Implementation Arrangement ...... 46 3.8.4 EMP and Monitoring Budget ...... 46 3.9 Conclusion and Recommendations ...... 47 Appendix 1 Environment Conservation Rules 1997 ...... 50 Appendix 2 Environment Conservation Rules 1997 ...... 56 Appendix 3 Name of Participants ...... 62 Appendix 4 Layout Plans ...... 64

List of Tables

Table 1: Tentative Financial Plan (US $ million) ...... 3 Table 2: Comparison of Environmental Requirements of ADB and GOB ...... 10 Table 3: Project Components and activities ...... 13 Table 4: Comparisons of Alternative Routes ...... 19 Table 5: Administrative units crossed by TL ...... 22 Table 6: Water level at Padma River in different return periods ...... 22 Table 7: Surface Water Quality Analysis Report ...... 27 Table 8: Ground Water Quality Analysis Report ...... 28 Table 9: Base information of Ambient Air Quality ...... 29 Table 10: Bangladesh Standards for Ambient Air Quality ...... 29 Table 11: Noise Monitoring Report ...... 29 Table 12: Standard for Ambient Noise ...... 29 Table 13: Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for proposed project ...... 39 Table 14: Environmental Monitoring Plan for the Proposed Project ...... 45 Table 15: Budget for the EMP and Monitoring Plan ...... 46 Table 16: Name of Participants ...... 62

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List of Figures

Figure 1: DOE Application Process for Securing ECC ...... 7 Figure 2: Grievance Redress Committee ...... 38

List of Maps

Map 1: Base Map of the Project ...... 2 Map 2: Proposed Bheramara - Ishwardi 230 kV T/L ...... 14 Map 3: Proposed New AP of TL ...... 21 Map 4: Flood vulnerability map of Bangladesh ...... 24 Map 5: Seismic zone of Bangladesh ...... 26

List of Photographs

Photo 1: Proposed place in Bheramara sub-station ...... 14 Photo 2: Proposed place in Ishwardi sub-station ...... 15 Photo 3: RL : 16.054 m PWD (Ishwardi SS) ...... 25 Photo 4: RL: 17.462 m PWD (Bheramara SS) ...... 25 Photo 5: RL : 13.649 m PWD (agricultural land- Char Mokarampur) ...... 25 Photo 6: Lichu (Litchi chinensis) an orchard vegetation ...... 31 Photo 7: Housing condition in study area ...... 33 Photo 8: Consultation with local and secondary stakeholders ...... 37

Executive Summary

Introduction:

1. Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has taken decision that, additional 500 MW power will be imported from India through back to back High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system which is to be installed at the same premises of existing HVDC station at Bheramara, Kushtia. To evacuate the additional power from said HVDC system, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited (PGCB) intends to construct Power Transmission Line from Bheramara 400 KV sub-station Kushtia, to Ishwardi 230 KV Sub-station, Pabna district under North-West and South-West regions of Bangladesh. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and GOB will provide financial assistance for the project. The total estimated cost of the project is about US$ 183 million with financial contribution of US$ 120 million from ADB. The Executive Agency is PGCB.

Project Description: 2. A double circuit 230 kV Power Transmission Line will be constructed from Bheramara HVDC Station 230 kV Switchyard (second block) to Ishwardi 230/132 kV Substation by quad ACSR conductor for power evacuation. The TL meets Ishwardi SS into two spare bays at the south-east corner of 230 kV switch yard. Length of TL will be 12.00 km with 3 river crossing towers. Except paddy field and some litchi gardens, no major settlement will be obtained in ROW. Tower number of tower will be ± 40 no’s. 3. The Bheramara sub-station is situated at char Mokarampur mauza in Mokarampur union, under Bheramara upazila in Kushtia district The first Bheramara HVDC Back to Back Sub- station was commissioned by PGCB in 2013 and has already been connected to 400kv HVDC from Bahrampur, West Bengal by 400 kV transmission line. 4. The Ishwardi sub-station has switchgear, circuit breaker, transformer and protection systems etc. This sub-station is also fully functional. So there is no need to construct any major infrastructure for proposed Bheramara to Ishwardi230 kV transmission line. There may install some pillars, towers and other instruments. PGCB has enough land to construct other instruments for proposed transmission line within Ishwardi sub-station.

5. The PGCB will need an environmental clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for implementing the transmission line and other ancillary works. With this, PGCB intends to conduct Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) as well as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study. IEE is normally carried out at the early stage of project planning and is used to identify and estimate the potential environmental impacts from the project activities. IEE normally done within a short time duration based on preliminary information .IEE is required to be submitted for obtaining location clearance. in the first stage of project planning IEE plays a very vital role. The general objective of an IEE is to examine all environmental parameters that are likely to be affected by the identified project activities.

Objectives: 6. The main objectives of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) study included:

 Identifying the current environmental and social baseline of the area;  Identifying important environmental and social components which may be impacted from the project;  Assessing the potential environmental impacts, including any residual impact of the proposed project;  Identifying mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impact;  Preparation of initial Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and;  Preparing an Environmental Monitoring Plan. Environmental Requirements for the project:

7. According to ADB Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS 2009), the proposed project is classified as category ‘B’. It needs only IEE. Following the SPS 2009, the IEE was prepared as the unified environmental assessment and planning process like data collection, consultation with local and institutional stakeholders, grievance redress procedure and safeguard documentation to meet ADB safeguard requirements. 8. According to the EIA guidelines of the Department of Environment (DOE), an environmental safeguard of the GOB, as provided under the power sectors are dictated by the Environment Conservation Act of 1995 and the Environment Conservation Rule 1997, which requires an IEE and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in obtaining the site clearance as well as environmental clearance from the DOE, Government of Bangladesh. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures:

9. Environmental impacts of for the proposed project are mostly associated during construction and the costs of mitigation measures are included in the engineering, procurement, and construction contract(s) while the costs during the operation phase are borne by the EA. The mitigation measures are included in the EMP with cost estimates. Table 13 presents the EMP while Table 14 gives the monitoring plan for the proposed project.

Information Disclosure, Public and Stakeholders Consultations:

10. Public Consultation is mandatory for the IEE study of any development project as per ADB SPS 2009. Public consultation is a part of the IEE process aimed at involving the project stakeholders into the project development and implementation process. During the consultation process, the proposed “transmission lines” and “sub-stations” project interventions and expected results as well as impacts of the project were shared during the sessions. In the consultation process, the stakeholders were involved in reforming/developing the project interventions considering the local needs and aspirations in line with the problems and solutions suggested by them. The proposed interventions, findings of the IEE and the EMP were shared with the project stakeholders for obtaining their perceptions, views and feedbacks on the probable changes likely to happen within the project area.

11. The IEE will be updated to include the results of formal consultations for all components to meet the requirements of ADB’s SPS 2009 and Public Communication Policy 2011. The updated IEE will be posted on the websites of PGCB and ADB.

Implementation Arrangement and Grievance Redress Mechanism:

12. PGCB will assign a Superintending Engineer as a Project Director (PD) at the head office for overall execution of the project. The PD will carry out the following major specific tasks relating to implementation; i. Liaison with district administration; ii. Play role in planning, management, monitoring and implementation of TL and sub-station; iii. Ensure availability of budget for all activities; iv. Hand over land to the contractor with construction schedule in compliance with the resettlement activity (if applicable); v. Form necessary committees for implementation, and monitor the effectiveness of entitlement packages and payment modalities. vi. Conduct environmental management and monitoring. 13. Management and general supervision of project implementation will be done by the Project Management Unit (PMU) headed by the PD from PGCB. The overall implementation of the EMP will be carried out under the supervision of the PD, PMU. An environmental staff (or a firm that will be retained during implementation), who will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the EMP is properly implemented, will be recruited for the project prior to award of the civil works contract. Aside from this, he/she will coordinate and interact with Project Director, PMU on compliance to ADB requirements, relevant government agencies and local authorities on environmental issues and clearances, update and finalize the IEE, and will prepare environmental monitoring reports for submission to ADB at least twice a year during construction and annually during operation phase. 14. A grievance redress committee (GRC) at the union level (the lowest administrative units in Bangladesh) will be set up to addressed local grievance by PGCB as soon as the project commences and will ensure equal representation of women in the members of GRC. GRC will convene twice a month and will keep a record of the grievances, classify, prioritize, and provide the solution (s) within 30 days from the date of the complaint. The record will include the contact details of the complainant, date the complaint was received and the nature of the complaint, agreement on corrective actions and the date it was enforced, and the final outcome. All complaint related documentation such as minutes of the meeting and decisions will be summarized and become part of the semi-annual monitoring report submitted to ADB.

Conclusion: 15. The proposed power transmission line will not supply electricity directly to the people all along the route. But the people living along the proposed transmission line expressed keen interest for implementing the Transmission line and sub-station in their area. Their main interest is that the overall development in the power sector would contribute to the national development from which they along with others will be benefitted. Local people along the transmission line alignments will be benefited as the project will generate some employment opportunities for them during the pre-construction and construction phases. 16. High resolution Remotely Sensed (RS) images have been used in deciding the route of the transmission line avoiding settlements and ecologically sensitive and protected areas. This has been reconfirmed by the IEE team members who walked along the entire length of the alignment to ground truth the signatures of the satellite images. Observations of the team

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members suggest that the route finally selected passes mostly through agricultural crop fields and not through settlement or ecologically sensitive and protected areas. 17. Some minor negative impact of the project will be felt during the pre-construction and construction phases which may involve removal of vegetation and cutting of trees for carrying construction materials to the sites, erection of towers and construction of the transmission line. These problems could be overcome by paying compensation and bringing back these lands to almost their original form before handing them over to the owners after the construction is over. Crop production lost due to these activities during the pre-construction and construction phases will have to be compensated as well. 18. The project is not likely to have any significant negative impact; therefore no major mitigation measures will be required. The minor impact of noise and increase in traffic are within the existing level experienced by the local people. The towers will be erected and the line installed under expert supervision. The contractor will be under specific orders for providing Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and abide HES guidelines to the workers engaged for the job. 19. The morphological analysis of the Ganges River is very much essential for the river crossing of the proposed transmission line. So, the river crossing site has been identified for crossing of the proposed 230 kV line. There are two existing transmission lines plying on the both sides of the Hardging Railway Bridge which is located 2.5 km down of the proposed river crossing point. River bank erosion, accretion of char land and historical development of the study reach will need to investigate further. 20. No land acquisition will be required for the proposed sub-station. Because the proposed sub-station is located within the PGCB’s owned sub-station area. Crop compensation for tower footing sites as well as for DIA area of ROW during stringing period will be paid by contractors which would be supervised by PMU. The environmental monitoring plan, if properly implemented during the pre-construction, construction and post-construction and operation phases will ensure taking corrective measures. 21. For implementing of the Environmental Management Plan i.e. compensation, mitigation, contingency and enhancement measures, total amount of TK. 145 lakh is estimated during this IEE study. Including the monitoring cost, the total budget of the EMP will be $329,000 (Tk 235 lakh) approximately.

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1. Introduction

22. GOB has taken decision that, additional 500 MW power will be imported from India through back to back HVDC system which is to be installed at the same premises of existing HVDC station at Bheramara, Kushtia. To evacuate the additional power from said HVDC system, PGCB intends to construct around 12 km Power Transmission Line from Bheramara 400 KV sub-station Kushtia, to Ishwardi 230 KV Sub-station, Pabna district belonging to North- West and South-West regions of Bangladesh. 23. ADB and GOB will provide financial assistance for the project. The PGCB will need an environmental clearance from the DOE, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for implementing the transmission line and other ancillary works. With this, PGCB intends to conduct IEE as well as EIA study as notional requirement. According to ADB Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS 2009), the proposed project is classified as category ‘B’. and It needs only IEE. 24. The main objectives of the IEE study included:  Identifying the current environmental and social baseline of the area;  Identifying important environmental and social components which may be impacted from the project;  Assessing the potential environmental impacts, including any residual impact of the proposed project;  Identifying mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impact;  Preparation of initial EMP and;  Preparing an Environmental Monitoring Plan.

25. The location of the project is shown in Map 1. The proposed 230 kV transmission line will be constructed from Bheramara to Ishwardi under Kushtia and Pabna district. A double circuit 230 kV Power Transmission Line constructed from extended part (second block) of Bheramara HVDC Station 230 kV Switchyard to Ishwardi 230/132 kV Substation by quad ACSR conductor for power evacuation. The TL meets Ishwardi SS into two spare bays at the south-east corner of 230 kV switch yard. Length of TL will be ± 12.00 km with 3 river crossing towers. Except paddy field and some litchi gardens, no major settlement will be obtained within ROW. The total number of towers will be ± 40. A map is attached below. 26. The Bheramara sub-station is situated at char Mokarampur mauza in Mokarampur union, Bheramara upazila under the Kushtia district. PGCB will set up a 500MW back-to-back High-Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) sub-station (second block) at Bheramara in Kushtia for improving electricity supply from India. The first Bheramara HVDC Back to Back Station was commissioned by PGCB in 2013 and has already been connected to 400kv HVDC from Bahrampur, West Bengal by 400 kV transmission line which has 29 km far from Indo- Bangla border. The Ishwardi sub-station has switchgear, circuit breaker, transformer and protection systems etc. This sub-station is also fully functional. So there is no need to construct any major infrastructure for proposed Bheramara to Ishwardi 230 kV transmission line. PGCB has enough land to construct other infrastructures for proposed transmission line within Ishwardi sub-stations.

Ishwardi

Bheramara

Map 1: Base Map of the Project

1.1 Overview of the Investment Programme

27. The investment for the project is estimated to be US$183.20 million. The Government has requested a loan equivalent to US$35.0 million from ADB’s Ordinary Capital Resources and US$85.0 million from ADB’s Special Funds to finance the Project and will provide funds equivalent to US$63.2 million (Table 1). A project loan financing modality is considered.

Table 1: Tentative Financial Plan (US $ million)

Source Amount (US $ million) Share of Total (%) Asian Development Bank 120.0 65.6 Government of Bangladesh 63.2 34.4 Total 183.2 100.0

Source: ADB estimate based on development project proposal approved by Government, and discussions with PGCB and GOB

1.2 Environmental Requirements

28. According to ADB Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS 2009), the proposed project is classified as category ‘B’. It needs only Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Following the SPS 2009, the IEE was prepared as the unified environmental assessment and planning process like data collection, consultation with local and institutional stakeholders, grievance redress procedure and safeguard documentation to meet ADB safeguard requirements. 29. According to the EIA guidelines of the DoE, an environmental safeguard of the Government of Bangladesh (GOB), as provided under the power sectors are dictated by the Environment Conservation Act of 1995 and the Environment Conservation Rules 1997, which require an IEE and an EIA in obtaining the site clearance as well as environmental clearances respectively from the DOE, Government of Bangladesh.

1.3 Structures of the Report

30. Section 1 provides the background of the project as well as investment program of the proposed project. Section 2 presents the policy, legal and administrative framework applicable for the project. Section 3 defines baseline, potential impacts and the environmental management and monitoring plan. The report is rounded up with conclusion and recommendations.

2. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework

2.1 National Environmental Requirements

31. This section presents the regulatory agency, process, regulations and international environmental agreements relevant to the Investment Program.

2.1.1 Environmental Authority 32. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) is the agency of the GOB in planning, promotion, coordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programs. MOEF oversees all national environmental matters and is responsible for activities such as prevention and control of pollution, forestation and regeneration of degraded areas and protection of the environment, and in the framework of legislations. MOEF also conducts surveys, impact assessment, control of pollution, research, and collection and dissemination of environmental information and creation of environmental awareness among all sectors in Bangladesh. 33. Under the MOEF, the DOE was established as the primary government authority mandated to regulate and enforce environmental management regulations to ensure sustainable development and to conserve and manage the environment of Bangladesh. The DOE implements the duties of the MOEF on the ground through the consistent application of environmental rules and regulations, and provide guidance, training and promotional campaign on improving the awareness of environmental issues.

2.1.2 Securing Environmental Clearance 34. Section12 of ECA 1995 provides that no industrial unit or project can be established or undertaken without obtaining an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from the Director General, DOE. In accordance with the ECR 1997, DOE has classified development interventions based on their potential adverse environmental impacts for the purpose of issuing the ECC. The categories are: (i) green, (ii) orange A, (iii) orange B, and (iv) red. 35. The application for ECC from the DOE has two steps: (i) site clearance certificate is obtained at the initial stage and (ii) the ECC at the advanced stage. ECC is required for all the categories (i.e., green, orange A, orange B, and red). A site clearance and ECC are required for industries /projects in the categories: orange A, orange B, and red. Appendix 1 gives the complete list of industries according to category. 36. The issuance of ECC by the DOE for Green projects is within 15 days upon receipt of application while for the site clearance of Orange A projects, the issuance will be within 30 days upon receipt of application, then for Orange B and Red categories, it will be 60 days. The ECC of Green projects is valid for three years. Once the site clearance is obtained for Orange A, Orange B, and Red projects, the ECC can be applied. DOE will issue or disapprove the ECC for Orange A projects within 15 days and within 30 days for Orange B projects while for Red category, it will be within 60 working days. The ECC is valid for one

year depending on the compliance of the conditions and must be renewed 30 days prior to the expiry date. 37. No environmental study is required for Green industries or projects since they are considered to be relatively pollution free. However, a no objection certificate (NOC), normally taken from the local authorities, is required for submission to the DOE including a general information about the project/industry, and a description of the raw materials and finished products. 38. To obtain the site clearance, projects or industries with in the Orange A category are required to submit general information, NOC, feasibility report, description of raw materials and finished products, process flow diagram, layout plan, and effluent disposal system. For Orange B category, the application for site clearance and ECC includes the feasibility report, IEE, EMP for existing industry, a NOC, pollution minimization plan, and an outline of relocation plan. The Red category industries/projects are those which may cause significant adverse environmental impacts and therefore, and require an EIA. Power projects fall within the Red category. The documents required for site clearance are feasibility report, IEE and EMP for existing industry, no objection certificate ( NOC), a pollution minimization plan including emergency plan for mitigation of adverse environmental impacts. After the issuance of the site clearance, the proponent can apply for the ECC. Figure 1 presents the process of application for ECC to the DOE including the documents required. 39. It is presumed that, during detail design and implementation period the Bangladeshi system including standards would be applied to this project and references are to be duly specified to confirm to the World Bank/ Asian Development Bank EHS guidelines. If the World Bank/ ADB EHS guideline standards are more stringent in that case, those have to be applied instead of the Bangladeshi standards for the transmission system.

Process of obtaining EIA

GREEN ORANGE A ORANGE B RED

The application should The application should The application should The application should enclose: enclose: enclose: enclose: i. General information; i. General information; i. Feasibility Study i. Feasibility Study ii. Description of raw ii. Description of raw Report (for proposed Report (for proposed materials & finished materials & finished industry/project); industry/project); products products ii. Initial Environmental ii. Initial Environmental iii. An NOC iii. An NOC Examination (IEE) (for Examination (IEE) (for iv. Process flow diagram, proposed proposed layout plan, effluent industry/project); industry/project); Or disposal system etc. iii. Environmental Environmental Impact Management Plan Assessment (EIA) (on (EMP) Report (for the basis of the ToR) existing iii. Environmental industry/project; Management Plan (EMP) iv. An NOC Report (for existing v. Pollution industry/project; iv. An NOC vi. Outline or relocation v. Pollution plan; plan; etc. vi. Outline or relocation plan; etc.

Obtaining Obtaining Site Obtaining Site Obtaining Site Environmental Clearance Clearance Clearance Clearance

Applying for Such a clearance will Applying for Applying for be subject to renewal Environmental Clearance Environmental Environmental after each three-year Clearance Clearance period

Obtaining Environmental Obtaining Obtaining Clearance Environmental Environmental Clearance Clearance

Such a clearance will Such a clearance will Such a clearance will be subject to renewal be subject to renewal be subject to renewal after each one-year after each one-year after each one-year period period period

Figure 1: DOE Application Process for Securing ECC

40. Other relevant national regulations are as follows: (i) Environment Court Act 2000 (amended in 2002) is under the Judiciary and MOEF to ensure the completion of environment related legal proceedings effectively; (ii) Vehicle Act 1927, the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1983, and Bengal Motor Vehicle Rules 1940 are under the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority which regulates vehicular emissions and noise including road safety; (iii) Factories Act 1965 and Bangladesh Labour 2006 are under the Ministry of Labour which provides for the occupational rights and safety of factory workers and the

provision of comfortable work environment and reasonable working conditions; (iv) The Forest Act 1927 (amended in 1982 and 1989) is under the MOEF to protect forest resources; (v) Energy Policy 1996 is under the MPEMR which underscores the environmental protection by requiring an EIA for any new energy development project; (vi) Telegraph Act 1885 is under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication which provides that the GOB can build towers on public land without giving any land compensation; (vii) Electricity Act 1910 is the law relating to the supply and use of electrical energy, and which allows any person to secure a license to supply energy and to put down or place electrical supply lines for the transmission of energy. Sect 19 (1) of the Act provides that the licensee, in the exercise of any of the powers conferred by or under this Act, will cause as little damage, detriment and inconvenience as may be, and will make full compensation for any damage, detriment or inconvenience caused by him or by any one employed by him.

41. Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 present the relevant environmental regulations and environmental quality standards in Bangladesh, respectively.

2.1.3 Relevant International Environmental Agreements

42. The following is a list of applicable international environmental agreements that can provide guidance during the implementation of the proposed project:

 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Paris1972) – this convention was accepted in Bangladesh on 3 August 1983 and ratified on 3 November 1983. This Convention defines and provides for the conservation of the world’s heritage by listing the natural and cultural sites whose value should be preserved. Existing list can be referred to, if available, to avoid impacts in areas with cultural and natural heritage 7value.

 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Water fowl Habitat (Ramsar1971) – ratified on 20 April 1992, which provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources. Bangladesh has two Ramsar sites, the Tangauar Haor (Northeast of Bangladesh) and parts of Sundarban Reserved Forest (Southwest of Bangladesh).This project avoided these two identified Ramsar sites.

 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington 1973) – also known as CITES was signed on 20 November 1981. This Convention provides a framework for addressing the over harvesting and exploitation patterns that threaten species of flora and fauna. Under the Convention, the governments agree to restrict or regulate trade in species that are threatened by unsustainable patterns. This project is not within the habitat areas which are likely to have endangered species of wildlife and flora. The project sites are located in the built-up areas of two districts named Kushtia and Pabna. Nonetheless, the EA will ensure that the project will not cause any harvesting and exploitation of wild flora and fauna during construction and operation.

 Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) – entered into force on 29 December 1993 and ratified on 20 March 1994. This provides for a framework for biodiversity and

requires signatories to develop a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This project will refer to the applicable or relevant National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to ensure that any replacement of cleared vegetation (if any) resulting from the project will be consistent with the objectives and priorities of the Action Plan.

 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn 1979) – this sets the framework for agreements between countries important to the migration of threatened species. Proposed project is not with in the areas known or likely to be habitat of migratory species of wild animals.

 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) a global treaty in May 2001 which was made effective in May 2004 to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for a long time and become widely distributed geographically and accumulate in human and wildlife tissue. GOB signed the Stockholm Convention on POPS on 23 May 2001 and was ratified on 27 March 2007. The treaty requires the Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPS in the environment. The POPS of major concern to power sector projects is the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) used before as a transformer oil. PCB is not manufactured in Bangladesh and its international production generally was ended in 1980. This project will ensure that management of POPS, if any, will be managed consistent with the Stockholm Convention.

2.2 Environmental Requirements of ADB

43. The environmental requirements specified in SPS 2009 apply to all projects funded by ADB. SPS 2009 covers three key safeguard areas: environment, involuntary resettlement, and indigenous peoples; and aims to avoid adverse project impacts to both the environment and affected people; minimize, mitigate and/or compensate for adverse project impacts, and help Borrowers to strengthen their safeguard systems and to develop their capacity in managing the environmental and social risks. The environment assessment and review procedures require for the analysis of alternatives, meaningful consultation, timely information disclosure, preparation of environmental management plan and monitoring with appropriate budget, setting up of a grievance redress mechanism, biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management, pollution prevention and abatement, inclusion of occupational and community health and safety, and avoiding damage to physical cultural resources. 44. During identification, screening and scoping of projects, ADB uses a categorization system based on the significance of potential environmental impacts and is determined by the category of its most environmentally-sensitive component, including direct, indirect, cumulative, and induced impacts within the project's area of influence. The project categorization system is as follows: Category A – an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required for a project that is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse, or unprecedented, and may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. Category B – an initial environmental examination (IEE) is required for a project that is likely to have adverse environmental impacts that are less adverse than those of Category A which are site-specific, few if any of them irreversible and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than Category A.

Category C – no environmental assessment is required but environmental implications will be reviewed for a project that is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. Category FI – if a project involves investment of ADB funds to or through a financial intermediary.

45. Table 2 presents a comparison of the environmental requirements focusing on the ADB and GOB.

Table 2: Comparison of Environmental Requirements of ADB and GOB Project Stage ADB GOB Screening  Uses sector-specific rapid  ECA 1995 and ECR 1997 and environmental assessment set screening criteria to classify Categorization checklist for screening industries/projects based on  assigns categories based on potential environmental impacts potential impacts: as follows:  A - EIA required Green, Orange A, Orange B (irreversible, diverse or and Red. These screening unprecedented adverse criteria are based on project or environmental impacts) industry type and do not  B - IEE required consider the scale and  C - no environmental location. The category assessment required but a determines the level of review of environmental environmental assessment. implications is required  FI - ESMS required Environmental  Identify potential impacts Industry/project category Assessment on physical, biological, Green - no environmental physical cultural resources, assessment required and socioeconomic aspects Orange A - no IEE or EIA in the context of project's required but must provide area of influence (i.e., process flow, lay-out showing primary project site and effluent treatment plant, etc. facilities, and associated Orange B - IEE required facilities) Red - both IEE and EIA are required Analysis of For projects with potential  Regulations (i.e., ECA 1995 Alternatives significant impacts (i.e., and ECR 1997) do not require Category A) specifically the identification  Examine alternatives to and analysis of alternatives the project's location, design, and technology  Document rationale for selecting the particular project location, design, and technology  Consider "no project" alternative Meaningful  Starts early and continues  Public consultation and Consultation during implementation participation are not mandatory  Undertaken in an based on ECA 1995 and atmosphere free of ECR 1997 intimidation  Gender inclusive and

Project Stage ADB GOB responsive  Tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups  Allows for the incorporation of all relevant views of stakeholders Information ADB will post in its website  No requirement for disclosure Disclosure the following: but DOE posts the Minutes of  Draft EIA report posted on the Meeting on the application ADB website at least 120 for environmental clearance days prior to Board certificate to its website, consideration http://www.doe-  Draft EA/EARF prior to bd.org/minutes.php appraisal  Final or updated EIA/IEE upon receipt  Environmental monitoring report submitted by borrowers upon receipt Grievance  Establish a mechanism to  Grievance redress mechanism Redress receive and facilitate is not mentioned in the Mechanism resolution of grievances or regulations complaints Use of  Refers to Environmental Ambient and emission Environmental Health and Safety standards included in ECA standard Guidelines 2007 1995 and ECR 1997  If national regulations differ,  Occupational health and more stringent will be safety standards included in followed the Factories Act 1965 and  If less stringent levels are Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 appropriate in view of specific project circumstances, provide full and detailed justification Monitoring  Prepare monitoring  ECC is subject to annual and Reporting reports on the progress renewal based on compliance of EMP of the conditions set in the  Retain qualified and ECC. experienced external experts or NGOs to verify monitoring information for Category A projects  Prepare and implement corrective action plan if non- compliance is identified  Requires submission of quarterly, semiannual, and annual reports to ADB for review Source: Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

3. Baseline, Potential Impacts and Environmental Management Plan

3.1 Project Description

3.1.1 Objectives and Benefits 46. The objectives of the project are:  To ensure quality services to the customers.  To improve the distribution system and decrease system loss.  Economic use of electricity with the reduction of National Peak Demand.  Reduction of load shedding.  Ensure quality power supply with reliability

3.1.2 Project components and activities 47. The project is located in the South-West and North-West Region of Bangladesh mainly within Pabna and Kushtia District belonging to Rajshahi and Khulna divisions respectively. The locations of the project are shown in Map 2. There are five unions located alongside the transmission line belonging to two upazilas named Ishwardi and Bheramara. It is also mentioned that nine mauzas and one Paurasava are also crossed by the proposed transmission line. Total around 40 tower footings will be constructed along the proposed line. 48. The Bheramara sub-station is situated at char Mokarampur mauza in Mokarampur union, Bheramara upazila under the Kushtia district. PGCB will set up a 500MW back-to-back HVDC sub-station at Bheramara in Kushtia for importing electricity from India. The first Bheramara HVDC Back to Back Station was commissioned by PGCB in 2013 and has already been connected to 400kv HVDC from Bahrampur to West Bengal by400 kV transmission line. Existing sub-station area is already having other facilities such as electrical specifications for switchgear, circuit breaker, transformer and protection systems etc (table 3). These are now available for proposed Transmission Line. There is available space within Bheramara HVDC sub-station for constructing new bays. Moreover, this proposed project doesn’t require any land acquisition for the sub-station. Photo 1 of Bheramara Sub-station is presented below.

Table 3: Project components and activities

Name of project Length T/L Main activities Construction, testing and commissioning of Bheramara to Ishwardi 230 kV 230 kV Bheramara (Kushtia district) – Transmission Line Around 12 km Ishwardi (Pabna district) Double Circuit (DC) overhead transmission line.

500MW back-to-back High- Construction, testing and commissioning of Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) - the Sub-station sub-station

Source: DPP, PGCB.

Map 2: Proposed Bheramara - Ishwardi 230 kV T/L

Photo 1: Proposed SS site within Bheramara existing sub-station

49. The Ishwardi sub-station has switchgear, circuit breaker, transformer and protection systems etc. This sub-station is also fully functional. So there is no need to construct any major infrastructure for proposed Bheramara to Ishwardi transmission line (230Kv). There may install some pillars, towers and other instruments. PGCB has enough land to construct other instruments for proposed transmission line within Ishwardi sub-station. So there is no need to acquire land or other developmental activities e.g. land filling, land leveling, bounding, roadway for vehicle movement, storage of material etc. in this purpose. Sub- station sites are now being developed and prepared for any kind of construction activities of proposed transmission line. Photo 2 is presented the Bheramara Sub-station below.

Photo 2: Proposed place in Ishwardi sub-station

3.1.3 Implementation Activities 50. The construction activities associated with the proposed project include the transmission towers, stringing of the transmission line, and construction of the substation. The main implementation activities should be conducted by implementing agency. Some activities include the following:

 Land/vegetation clearing along the right-of-way (ROW);  Determine the requirements for temporary access roads/tracks;  Establish the required areas for material storage and work sites;  Determine if constructions camps for workers will be required;  Move the equipment and materials required to the work sites or storage areas;

 Foundation works for substations and transmission towers (around 40 nos.);  Erection of transmission towers and stringing of transmission lines;  Installation of surface drainage and construction of cable trench, covered storage and warehouse /stockroom;  Laying of gravel for the switchyard with associated civil and electrical works and boundary lighting;  Setting up of security/ sentry post;  Construction of transformer blast wall, septic tank, and rain water harvesting unit;  Equipment installation, testing, and commissioning of equipment, and;  Other miscellaneous tasks needed to complete the works.

51. The substations will be equipped with safety measures such as fire-fighting equipment, first aid kits, and property boundary wall/ fence with trained security personnel.

Pre-construction phase 52. Pre-construction activities are summarized below:  Study of distribution systems, feasibility study and load flow study including the preparation of development plan;  Prepare the engineering design (Appendix 4 - lay-out plan for both sub-stations i.e. Bheramara and Ishwardi ) and as-built drawings to update the system as appropriate;  Prepare the required bid documents for the construction of substation as well as its associated works;  Establish the temporary access track;  Establish the areas for material storage and worksites;  Establish the construction camps for workers, as needed.

Construction phase Civil Construction Works 53. Earth works for the foundation: Earth works and excavation are needed for the foundation of the substation and ancillary buildings as well as the transmission towers at required depth. The excavated earth and other spoils are kept temporarily in borrow areas nearby and after the earthworks for the foundation, back filling of the excavated area will be done and finished with sand. Foundation Treatment 54. Geotechnical investigations of the foundation area will be under taken. Results of geotechnical investigations help in designing the appropriate foundation of the structures as well as in determining if treatment of the foundation is required. The appropriate treatment such as bulla piling, precast reinforced concrete cement (RCC) piling or in-situ concrete piling, sand piling, and removal of peat or loose soil will be determined after the geotechnical investigations. RCC works 55. RCC works are needed for the roof, columns, beams, floor, foundation of transformers, circuit breaker and steel structures, and other structures.

Brickworks up to plinth level and superstructure 56. Brick works will be done for the construction of the substation building using First Class bricks and, coarse sand and cement up to the roof level. Sand backfilling 57. Back filling by sand will be done in the excavated areas for the foundation and floor of the building. Plastering and finishing (electric wiring, distemper or plastic paints) 58. Concealing of the electrical wiring with wires of proper size and good quality will be done and bulbs and switchboards will be provided. Plastering of the walls inside and outside of the building and its roof will be undertaken accordingly with curing work carried out for at least three weeks. After this time, plastic paint distemper will be done on the walls and the roof of the building. Wood/Thai aluminum for doors and windows, and glass fittings 59. Wood/Thai aluminum works with glass fittings will be done on the door shutter sand windows of the building. Sanitary works 60. Sanitary works include laying down of sewerage pipelines either with polyvinyl/chloride PVC or RCC, and installation, fitting, and fixing of toilet accessories (British Industry Steel Frame).

Water supply system 61. Existing water supply system, if available, will be used as water supply source for the substation. In places where there is no supply system, tube wells will be installed for the workers and staff at the substation. Boundary fencing with concrete pillars and barbed wires 62. To protect the sub stations from encroachment and unauthorized entry from the public, the area has already been fenced with six feet- high boundary wall. Electric Work 63. Once the substation building is completed, all the equipment (transformer, circuit breaker, isolator, lightening arrester, panel board, batteries and battery charger, etc.) will be installed (outdoor and indoor) according to specifications and standards. Most of the material for the substation will has to be procured abroad. Thus, there will be limited domestic resource utilization for the project. Construction materials such as bricks, sand, cement, rods, etc. will be locally purchased. Testing and commissioning of equipment 64. After the outdoor and indoor installation of all the equipment required, they will be tested according to specifications and standards. Once all the tests have been successfully completed, the substation will be commissioned. Erection of the transmission towers 65. Steel lattice towers are transported to designated locations from the nearest road access point then carried manually to locations where access by vehicle is difficult. After the

foundation strength is complete, the towers are erected manually using pulleys, wrenches, etc. 66. The towers will be constructed to bear the load of the tower, cables, accessories including wind load and earthquake load. In areas of paddy fields, the towers will have proper clearance at the sag (lowest point on line) and in homesteads, the sag will be above the canopy. It is estimated that about 40 transmission towers need to be erected for the proposed project. Installation of fire-fighting system and establishing first aid center 67. As the AIS sub-station is vital installations, fire-fighting equipment of appropriate specification will be procured and installed. First aid boxes are to be kept at the installation including provision of ambulance service.

Post-construction phase 68. Post construction phase will cover final installation of the safety measures in the substation and transmission towers such as fire-fighting equipment system following the appropriate specifications, and the emergency first aid kits installed at strategic locations within the substation. Trained security personnel will be deployed to ensure peace and security within the property perimeter.

3.2 Availability of construction equipment and work schedule

69. Equipment and materials required for the construction of the substation such as poles, conductors, conductor joining material, cable, indoor termination kit, insulator, distribution transformer accessories, transformer protection equipment, hardware materials for transmission system etc. will be procured from abroad. Construction materials such as bricks, sand, cement, rods, etc. will be acquired locally from domestic suppliers. 70. Project implementation is expected to begin with contract award in July 2015 and completion by June 2018.

3.3 Analysis of Alternatives

71. The following criteria were considered for selecting the alignment of the route:

 Open agricultural land.  Distance from connecting road should not be more than 1 km.  Avoid settlement areas as much as possible.  Avoid urban areas as much as possible.  Avoid river crossings if possible.  Avoid water bodies.  Consider the existing power distributing line.  Location of Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS). 72. Three alternative routes (Option-1, Option-2 and Option-3) have been considered for the proposed 12km T/L. The options were selected through consultation with local stakeholders, analyzing maps and satellite images to minimize impacts from previous ROW. From field findings, it is obvious that every transmission route has both limitation and opportunity (see Map 3).

73. The Bheramara to Ishwardi 230 kV transmission line (about 12 km) Right of Way (ROW) will pass over various mauzas under Bheramara and Ishwardi upazila. Table 4 presents the comparative features within General Impact Area (GIA) and Direct Impact Area (DIA)for the-3 proposed options. Option-2 comprises almost 9 semi pucca houses1 and 20 katcha houses 2 where option-1 includes 250 and 76 semi-pucca houses 3 and other option-3 comprises almost 780 pucca and 650 semi-pucca houses. Avoiding 2 pucca houses and some other semi-pucca (3 nos.) and kutcha houses (5 nos.) and from the path of option 2, 3rd nos. angle point (AP) has been shifted from north to south direction and fixed the TL finally (see MAP 4).

Map 3: Proposed three alternative lines

Table 4: Comparisons of alternative routes Route Features of impacted area (ROW-Right of Way) Socially

1 Pucca houses; Pucca houses refers to dwellings are made by building materials i.e. brick, cement and rod etc. 2 Katcha houses: Katcha houses refers to dwelling are made by wood, bamboo, straw or tin roof, and plinth is made by mud; 3 Semi Pucca houses: Semi pucca houses refers to dwellings are made by both materials i.e. brick, tin and wooden etc. 19 options GIA-1 (30m left side) DIA (20m middle side) GIA-2 (30m right and side) environmen tally suitable Pucca house 15 nos. - Pucca house 6 nos. Semi-pucca house 6 Semi-pucca house 9 Semi-pucca house 19 nos. nos. nos. Kutcha house 55 nos. Kutcha house 25 nos. Kutcha house 53 nos. Education Institute - - 3nos. Rail line crossing Rail line crossing Rail line crossing 132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission cross cross line cross

230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission

2 cross cross line cross - Pucca Road cross 16 Pucca Road cross 11 Pucca Road cross 13

nos. nos. nos. Suitable Option Kutcha Road cross 9 Kutcha Road cross 9 Kutcha Road cross 7 nos. nos. nos. Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Pond 2 nos. Pond 3 nos. Pond 2nos. Rice Processing mill Rice Processing mill 4 Rice Processing mill 7nos. nos. 6nos. Banana tree 6 nos. Banana tree 20 nos. - Bamboo 20 nos. - Bamboo 35 nos. Trees(Timbers, fruits, Trees (Timbers, fruits, Trees(Timbers, fruits, medicine etc) 763 medicine etc)791 nos. medicine etc) 414 nos. nos. Pucca house 250 nos. Pucca house 180 nos. Pucca house 350 nos. Semi-pucca house 300 Semi-pucca house 250 Semi-pucca house nos. nos. 320nos. Kutcha house 300 Kutcha house 200 nos. Kutcha house 150 nos. nos. Education Institute Education Institute Education Institute 5nos. 4nos. 8nos. Rail line crossing Rail line crossing Rail line crossing Shop 55 nos. Shop 25 nos. Shop 70 nos.

132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission

cross cross line cross 1 - 230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission cross cross line cross

Pucca Road cross 20 Pucca Road cross 14 Pucca Road cross 16 Option

nos. nos. nos. Not suitable Kutcha Road cross 12 Kutcha Road cross 10 Kutcha Road cross 14 nos. nos. nos. Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Rice Processing mill Rice Processing mill 10 Rice Processing mill 15 nos. nos. 22 nos. Banana tree 6 nos. Banana tree 20nos. - Bamboo 250 nos. - Bamboo 300 nos. Trees (Timbers, fruits, Trees(Timbers, fruits, Trees(Timbers, fruits, medicine etc) 2500 medicine etc) 1500 nos. medicine etc) 3500 nos. nos.

Features of impacted area (ROW-Right of Way) Socially GIA-1 (30m left side) DIA (20m middle side) GIA-2 (30m right and Route side) environmen options tally suitable Pucca house 120 nos. Pucca house 50 nos. Pucca house 80 nos. Semi-pucca house 6 Semi-pucca house Semi-pucca house nos. 11nos. 19nos. Kutcha house 90 nos. Kutcha house 120 nos. Kutcha house 53 nos. Education Institute Education Institute - 5nos. 6nos. Rail line crossing Rail line crossing Rail line crossing Lalon shah Bridge - Harding bridge - - Ishwardi EPZ area

132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission line 132Kv transmission

cross cross line cross 3

- 230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission line 230Kv transmission

cross cross line cross

Pucca Road cross 22 Pucca Road cross 16 Pucca Road cross 19 Option

nos. nos. nos. Not suitable Kutcha Road cross 19 Kutcha Road cross 12 Kutcha Road cross 17 nos. nos. nos. Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Padma river Cross Rice Processing mill Rice Processing mill Rice Processing mill 10nos. 4nos. 6nos. Banana tree 6 nos. Banana tree 20nos. - Bamboo 200 nos. Bamboo 150 nos. Bamboo 350nos. Trees (Timbers, fruits, Trees (Timbers, fruits, Trees(Timbers, fruits, medicine etc) 1500 medicine etc) 1000 nos. medicine etc) 1800 nos. nos. Source: Rout survey, February 2015.

Old AP of TL

New AP of TL

Map 3: Proposed New Aangle point for avoiading pucca house 74. On the other hands there is no Educational institution in the option-2 with in DIA, compared to more such institutes under option-1 and option-3. There is no shop in the option-2 and 1. However option-3 includes 150 shops which guarantees livelihood to a lot of people’s

livelihood. Option-2 crosses less pucca and kutcha road than option-1 and 3. All l the option includes trees which need to be cut down. Comparatively, option-2 demand less than the others. All the options have to cross the Padma River. It would rather select the option 2 as option 3 may create some difficulties. The option 3 also has to cross 132Kv and 230Kv transmission line and rail way. In the option-3, the T/L is shorter than the others but it have to cross Lalon Shah road way Bridge, Harding Railway Bridge and proposed Ruppur nuclear power plant site. It also demands underground line that is also costly than other options.

75. Considering the obstacles of alternative routes it is obvious that option-2 is more suitable than other alternatives. It offers less cut down trees, includes no educational institutions within DIA, less livelihood (rice mill, shops etc) losses, road networks etc. This route is designed through crop field, barren land and less dense area. Therefore, it will minimize the effects and the cost as well. 3.4 Description of the Existing Environment Administrative Area 76. A 20m wide area through the ROW has been defined as the directly impacted area (DIA) has been considered for environmental analysis. General socioeconomic profile has been prepared for union-based administrative units (Table 5) over which the power transmission line shall traverse.

Table 5: Administrative units crossed by TL

Sl. No. District (s) Upazila (s) Union (s) Mauza (s) 1 Pabna Ishwardi Sara Sara 2 Paurasava Paurasava 3 Silimpur Char Silimpur 4 Char Mirkamari 5 Pakshi Baghail 6 Bamanagar 7 Kushtia Bheramara Mokarampur Golapnagar 8 Char Golapnagar 9 Mokarampur 10 Char Mokarampur Source: GIS analysis, CEGIS, 2015.

3.4.1 Natural Hazards Flooding 77. The Bheramara – Ishwardi 230 kV transmission line will traverse through flood free area (Map-4). The transmission line will cross the 2.19 kilometer wide Padma River at Bheramara Sadar. The historic records of water level at Padma River are available with the BWDB. Based on the historic records, the probable maximum water level near the crossing was estimated for different return periods. At the crossing point with the Padma River, water level in the 20 year return period is 16.08 m, PWD (above sea level) shown in the table 6.

Table 6: Water level at Padma River in different return periods Return Period (Years) Water Level (m, PWD) 2.33 14.16 5 14.9 10 15.51

20 16.08 50 16.83 100 17.39 Source: BWDB

Proposed Project site

Map 4: Flood vulnerability map of Bangladesh

Climate Change 78. The proposed ROW and sub-station area are located in the north-west region of Bangladesh which is flood free area as well as high elevated area considering coastal area (south-west zone of Bangladesh). In terms of climate change issues, the north-west zone will be continued relatively to be in advantageous condition in future. The land elevation of the Sub-stations sites Bheramara, Ishwardi and agricultural land (Char Mokarampur) are stated in three pictures. The elevation of Bheramara sub-station area is stated as more than 100 years return period.

Photo 3: RL : 16.054 m PWD Photo 4: RL: 17.462 m PWD Photo 5: RL : 13.649 m PWD (Ishwardi SS) (Bheramara SS) (agricultural land- Char Mokarampur)

Tornado 79. There are some evidences of local seasonal storms, popularly known as nor’westers (Kalbaishakhi). Severe nor’westers is generally associated with tornadoes. The frequency of nor’westers usually reaches a maximum in April, whereas it is low in May and minimum in March. Nor’westers and tornadoes are more frequent in the afternoon. Nor’westers may occur in late February due to early withdrawal of winter from the Shillong Plateau of India. There would be an effect of tornados on the towers of the transmission line. However, improved design could protect the towers from accidents. Erosion

80. The Padma is very dynamic River due to river erosion and accretion. Morphological analysis of the Ganges River at the proposed alignment of the transmission line is to be needed on the based on previous studies, using historical maps, time-series satellite images and relevant hydro-morphological data. Advanced remote sensing and GIS tools and techniques should be used for this analysis. The study reach is almost bounded by structures, like Paksey hard point, guide bunds of the Hardging Railway Bridge. Seismicity 81. Bangladesh is divided into three seismic zones: Zone I–Severe (Seismic Factor, 0.08g), Zone II– Moderate (Seismic Factor, 0.05g), and Zone III – Minor (Seismic Factor, 0.04g). Map 5 shows the seismic zones of Bangladesh. The proposed project area lies within Zone III. Thus, the design of towers and substation should with stand ground acceleration equivalent to 0.04g during earthquake.

Map 5: Seismic zone of Bangladesh

3.4.2 Meteorology 82. The study area is located under a typical monsoon climate area within country. It has three main seasons:

 Summer/pre-monsoon - March to May  Rainy season/monsoon - June to October  Winter season - November to February

83. The rainy season is hot and humid having about 80 percent of the annual rainfall. The winter is predominately cool and dry. The summer is hot and dry interrupted by occasional heavy rainfall. 84. The Bheramara - Ishwardi transmission line project lies in the southwestern part of Bangladesh where monsoon comes in the month of July and recedes in late October. The Bangladesh Meteorological Data (BMD) of Ishwardi station shows that the maximum temperature in the months of April is around 350C and the minimum temperature in the month of January is around 80C. The monthly average of relative humidity varies from 64% to 86% in a year. Even in winter season, the humidity is above 50%. The annual average rainfall of this area is 1455 mm/yr of which 79% occurs during monsoon. December to January are coldest months with the lowest temperature at 8 oC and warmest in March to May at 35.5oC.

3.4.3 Surface Water Quality 85. Sample from one surface water collection point (Pond water) west side the HVDC station of Bheramara, Kushtia- (GPS: 24 03” 57 N and 88 59’ 51 E) was collected on 14th February 2014 to analyze Turbidity, DO, pH, BOD, COD, Arsenic, Iron, Fecal Coliform, Chloride and Manganese. The analyses of the parameters have been done in BUET Laboratory, Dhaka and result has been placed in the table 7.

Table 7: Surface Water Quality Analysis Report Parameter for Sl No. Bangladesh Standard Test Result for point -1 Laboratory Analysis 1 pH 6-9 8.39 2 Turbidity - 38.6 3 Arsenic 0.2 mg/L 0.006 4 Iron 2 mg/L 0.5 5 Chloride 600 mg/L 36 6 Manganese 5 mg/L

The analysis result of the surface water listed in the Table 6.10 shows that all the parameters are within the DoE standard limit. There is no Bangladesh standard for surface water of Turbidity and Fecal Coliform.

Table 8: Surface water quality at Ishwardi portion Location Source of GPS pH Temp TDS EC DO Remarks Surface Reading °C (ppm) µs/cm (mg/l) water (Lat-Long) Sara Ghat, Ganges N24º06’16.4’’ 8.1 33 110 230 4.2 Left bank of Pakshi, River E89º01’37.1’’ Ganges river Ishwardi Baghor Mollik Pond N24º05’49.8’’ 8.8 34 150 310 7.7 Cultural fish Para, Pakshi, E89º03’20.3’’ pond Ishwardi Baghoil, Baghoil khal N24º06’9.9’’ 8.0 30 190 390 3.1 Water flows Pakshi, (dotol E89º03’44.3’’ only in Ishwardi bridge) monsoon

Table 9: Surface water quality tested in DPHE Lab. Location Source GPS Turbidit Arsenic Iron Manganese Remarks of Reading y (NTU) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) Surface (Lat-Long) water Baghail, Baghail N 24º06’9.9’’ 29 0.013 2.5 0.29 - Pakshi, khal E 89º03’44.3’’ Ishwardi (dotol bridge) Bangladesh Standard 10 0.05 0.3-1 0.1 - Limit of Quatitation - 0.001 0.09 0.05 - Source: Water Quality Test from DPHE Central Laboratory, June 2015

3.4.4 Ground Water Quality 86. Sample from one ground water point inside the HVDC station of Bheramara, Kushtia (GPS: 24 04’ 56 N and 88 59’ 50 E) was collected on 14th February 2014 to analyze Turbidity, pH, Arsenic, Iron, Chloride and Manganese. The analyses of the parameters have been done in BUET Laboratory, Dhaka and result has been placed in the Table 10.

Table 10: Ground Water Quality Analysis Report Parameter for Test Result for point -1 Sl No. Bangladesh Standard Laboratory Analysis 1 pH 6-9 7.12 2 Turbidity 10 JTU 0.96 3 Arsenic 0.05 mg/L 0.004 4 Iron 0.3-1.0 mg/L 0.04 5 Chloride 150-600mg/L 11 6 Manganese 0.1 mg/L 1.04 Source: Water Quality Test from BUET Laboratory. 24th February 2014

3.4.5 Air Quality 87. One representative sample of air was collected from the south side of Control Room Building at HVDC Station, Bheramara, Kushtia was (GPS: 24 04’ 02 N and 89 00’ 03 th E) on 14 February 2014 to analyze SPM, CO, SOX, NOX and Lead. The analyses of the

parameters have been done in Enviro Consultation Ltd. Laboratory, Dhaka and results have been placed in Table 9 and the standard data for Bangladesh is stated in Table 11.

Table 11: Base information of Ambient Air Quality Sl. Bangladesh Standard (Industrial Parameter for Analysis Result No. and Mixed Area) 1 SPM 200 microgram per cubic meter 405.55 2 SO2 120 microgram per cubic meter 21.57 3 NOx 100 microgram per cubic meter 78.68 4 Lead - 0.13 5 CO 5000 microgram per cubic meter Nil Source: Enviro Consultants Limited, 8th March, 2014.

Table 12: Bangladesh Standards for Ambient Air Quality All values in micrograms per cubic meters Sl. Suspended Sulfur Carbon Oxides No. Area Particulate Matters Dioxide Monoxide Nitrogen (SPM) (SO2) (CO) (NOx) A Industrial and mixed 200 120 5000 100 Commercial and 400 100 5000 100 B mixed C Residential and rural 200 80 2000 80 D Sensitive 100 30 1000 30

3.4.6 Noise Quality 88. Four representative points of noise monitored of the 400 KV Switch Yard line area of HVDC station Bheramara, Kushtia was collected on 11th June 2014 to analyze Noise level. The analyses of the parameter have been done in Enviro Consultation Ltd. Laboratory, Dhaka and results and standard values of Bangladesh have been placed in Table 13 and Table 14 respectively.

Table 13: Noise Monitoring Report Point Location Bangladesh Standard Test Time Test Result Tower No.01,TT 1/0 Near HVDC Day Time 60 dBa Day Time 48.5 dBa 1 station, Bheramara, Kushtia Night Time 50 dBa Night Time 45.1 dBa Tower No.74, AP 12/0, Bhaghjote, Day Time 60 dBa Day Time 48.8 dBa 2 Mohishkundi, Doulatpur, Kushtia. Night Time 50 dBa Night Time 41.7 dBa Tower No.78,TT 2/0, Bhangapara, Day Time 60 dBa Day Time 49.2 dBa 3 Pakuria, Mohishkundi, Doulatpur, Night Time 50 dBa Night Time 42.3 dBa Kushtia Middle of the 400 KV Switch Yard Day Time 75 dBa Day Time 53.90 dBa 4 at HVDC station, Bheramara, Night Time 70 dBa Night Time 40.50 dBa Kushtia Source: Enviro Consultants Limited, 15th June, 2014.

Table 14: Standard for Ambient Noise Standard value (dBa) Area Categories Day Night A Silent zone 45 35 B Residential area 50 40 C Mixed area (mainly residential area, and also 60 50 29

simultaneously used for commercial and industrial purpose) D Commercial area 70 60 E Industry area 75 70

3.4.7 Agriculture Resources 89. The agricultural lands which are under the (ROW) of 230 KV power transmission line are being intensively used for agricultural crops. The area is dominated by double cropping pattern. Major cropping pattern within the buffer area of ROW is Fallow-HYV, Aman- HYV, Boro and Fallow- HYV, Aman-Pulses, each of which is about 20% of the NCA. Other major crops are such as jute, banana, tobacco, maze, wheat etc. grown vastly in this area.

3.4.8 Terrestrial Flora 90. There were large patches of forests in this zone; but they have, in most cases, been ruthlessly cut down. However, this zone is still fairly wooded with many valuable indigenous timber species. Foremost amongst these are: the Sal (Shorearobusta), which is also found in the Madhupursal tract, Banyan (Ficusbengalensis), and Aswatha (F religiosa). The fruit- bearing tree species indigenous to this zone are: the Mango (Mangiferaindica), Guava (Psidiumguajava), Sharifa (Anonasquamosa), Tamarind (Tamarindusindica), Jackfruit (Artocarpusheterophyllus), Badam (Terminalia catappa), Date palm (Phoenix sylvestris), and Toddy palm (Borassusflabellifer). Settlement vegetation is the single most important plant community in terms of diversity. The most common plants that are now being selected for homestead plants are the exotic and these are Akashmoni (Acacia moniliformis) and Mahogany (Swieteniamahagoni). The dominant species of settlement vegetation are lychee (Litchi chinensisSonn.), Rain tree (Albiziasaman), Aam (Mangiferaindica), Sirish (Albizialebbeck), Bot (Ficusbenghalensis) etc. Settlement vegetation also plays an important role in providing shelter for various types of wild animals. Besides meeting food, fodder, medicine, fuel and other household requirements, settlement vegetation is the major source of timber, fruit and renewable biomass energy. 91. Orchard vegetation is another type of terrestrial vegetation found along homesteads and cultivated land of the study area. Litchi (Litchi chinensis - Photo 6) is the major vegetation of this type. This area produces a large number of superior varieties of Litchi, mostly grown in Pabna district. These Litchis have wide demand in the national market and are commercially important. Orchard vegetation is also providing shelter and food for local common birds, mammals and reptiles. Local people are planting these type of plantation for their commercial value.

Photo 6: Lichu (Litchi chinensis) an orchard vegetation

3.4.9 Terrestrial Fauna 92. Populations of mammals are low and all the bigger mammals have already disappeared with the disappearance of the forest patches. Small mammals such as Common Mongoose (Herpestesedwardsii), Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestesauropunctatus), Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurushermaphroditus), Oriental Civet (Viverrazibetha), Common House rat (Rattusrattus), Little Indian field mouse (Musbooduga), Indian long tailed tree mouse (Vandeleuriaoleracea), Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciuruspygerythrus), Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), Indian Pipistrelle (Pipistrelluscoromandra), Golden Jackel (Canis aureus) are the common of all.

3.4.10 Socio-economic Profile 93. Population: There are 32,322 households in the study area consisting of 141,590 people4. This includes 71,274 (50.34%) males and 70,316 (49.66%)females. The sex ratio5 of male and female of these mauza is 101, in which 101 are males and 100 are female. Age structure shows that about 31% of total population are children (age ranges up to 14 years), 61% of total population are youth (age ranges from 15 to 59 years) which are regarded as man-power and the rest 8% of total people belong to old category (age ranges above 65 years). There are no schools and hospitals located within DIA area. Employment Opportunity and Occupation 94. About 44% of total population are employed in different sectors mainly in farming sector where 40% are engaged in household works and about 16% of total population are not working (it includes children and physically challenged population). Fishermen are fishing in

4 The formula to calculate a growth rate given a beginning and ending (Estimated Population) population n is: Pop Future =Pop Present (1+r) Where: Pop Future = Future Population, Pop Present = Present Population, r = Growth Rate and n = Number of Years

5Number of males per 100 females in a population, using the formula: Sex Ratio SR = M x 100 / F 31

river and beel area. It is found that almost 56% people (including looking for work, household work and do not work) are dependent on employed category (56%). Standard of living- Drinking water 95. Drinking water is a major indicator of measuring social condition. It shows that on average, 95% people can collect drinking water from tube well, 2% from tap water and rest of the 3% can collect drinking water from other sources such as ponds, river etc. Standard of living- Sanitation Facilities 96. In the study, area about 68% household reported that they have sanitary toilet facilities in which 29% with water-sealed and another 39% with non water-sealed. Other hand 27% household has kancha toilet facility and 4% household have no sanitation facility. Standard of living- Access to electricity 97. Electricity is footmark of modern evolution. It is an important indicator of measuring advancement of an area. In the study area, on average 65% households are under electricity coverage in which Ishwardi Paurashava covers highest percentage, almost 87% and Sara union covers lowest percentage (44%). Thus in terms of electricity coverage, the area is better than national coverage (53%). Standard of living- Housing 98. In the study area, overall housing condition 6 is moderate. On an average only 10% households are pucka and 31% households are semi pucka whereas the highest 58% houses are kutcha (Photo 7) and Jhupri is negligible. The scenario of housing condition is now changing with increasing income of the study area. 99. Cultural resources : 100. There is no physical cultural resources located within the DIA area. .

6BBS distinguishes housing structures into four classes such as-i) Jhupri: House which consist mud walls of 1.5 to 3.0 ft thickness, which carry the roof load. Earthen floor, thatch or CI sheets are used as roofing materials. . There is no monolithic joint between the wall and the roof. ii) Kutcha: Walls: Organic materials like jute stick, catkin grass, straw, and bamboo mats. Split are bamboo framing. In some areas wall are made by earth. Foundation: Earthen plinth with bamboo or timber posts. Roof: Thatch-rice or wheat or maize straw, and catkin grass, with split bamboo framing; iii) Semi-pucka: Walls: Bamboo mats, CI sheet, Timber or bamboo framing. In some areas wall are made by earth, sometimes part or full brick. Foundation: Earthen plinth; Brick perimeter wall with earth infill; Brick and concrete also use. Roof: CI sheet with timber or bamboo framing; and iv) Pucka: House which is made by fully concrete, cement, and iron. 32

Photo 7: Housing condition in study area

3.5 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

101. Overall objective of route selection is to find the best and suitable alignment that will have the least environmental impacts. The impacts of transmission line project are localized within the ROW and sub-station site where clearing of vegetation will occur. While good engineering practice and appropriate survey approach have been applied in selecting the best alignment, residual impacts cannot be entirely avoided due to varying terrain and demography of the area that will be traversed by the transmission line. The impacts of substation are site specific. An EMP including an environmental monitoring plan will ensure that these residual impacts are minimized and controlled. In view of the construction and operational features including quantum of machineries and equipment to be in use, it may be conform that, GHG emissions will not exceed 100,000 tonnes per SPS requirement for GHGs.

3.5.1 Pre-construction and Design Phase Selection of Transmission Line and Survey 102. Route survey through ROW may create some disturbance to localized area. Walk over survey/transect will involve the setting up of temporary access tracks to determine the type and number of trees and plants that may be affected, type of settlements and shops within the ROW, and natural physical features and public utilities that may be traversed by the transmission line. These may cause temporary disturbance and/or inconvenience to local people within the ROW.

Land Acquisition 103. No land acquisition will be needed for the proposed sub-station and transmission line.

3.5.2 Construction Phase 104. There will be clearing of ROW, setting up of temporary access tracks, setting up of materials storage areas along the route and work sites, transport of material and equipment to the site, excavation for substation and tower foundation, cementing/concreting of tower foundation, erection of the towers, and conductor stringing. The PMU-PGCB will ensure that 33

the Contractor's contract will include the obligation to compensate for any temporary damage, loss or inconvenience as a result of the project during the construction phase (Sect. 19 of Electricity Act 1910, 1982 Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Properties, SPS 2009). Preparation of construction management work plan to minimize impacts 105. Integrated construction management plan may help in smooth implementation of earth- moving works, civil and electrical works to avoid any impact of unplanned activities by the Contractor (s). The work plan will include the temporary pedestrian and traffic management, water spray vehicles, materials and waste management, noise and dust control, and community and safety plan.

Recruitment and orientation of workers 106. There will be opportunities for local people to engage in non-agricultural employment during construction. The presence of workers may become small-scale and temporary business opportunity to provide services such as food, temporary lodging, etc. Potential conflict may occur during recruitment when migrant workers are favored over local people. To avoid potential conflict, Contractor(s) will be directed to give priority to local people in hiring. 107. PMU-PGCB will conduct briefing for Contractor(s) on the EMP, records management, and reporting. Orientation of PMU-PGCB to Contractor(s) and workers will provide an understanding of the irresponsibility in implementing the EMP and an agreement on the critical areas to be monitored. Part of the orientation and briefing to Contractor(s) and workers will be on awareness about socially transmitted disease such as HIV/AIDS to prevent potential incidence.

Clearing of vegetation and land within the ROW and substation site 108. Excavation and earth-moving will be done at the tower foundation sites for the transmission lines including the sub-station site. Vegetation clearing will be done at the ROW. Transmission line routes will traverse mainly agricultural land. Construction works will not be scheduled during harvest time to minimize damage to cash crops. Trees (414 nos.) and crops that will be cleared and any temporary damage to affected persons within the ROW will be compensated. Five times of trees should be planted surrounding area for mitigation the cutting of trees by contractors. 109. More than 2000 trees that are medium height with high productivity such as lemon, mango, guava, etc. are preferred. The replanting activities will be monitored by PMU- PGCB, DOF and local authorities. It the trees die then contractor will re-planted the trees accordingly. 110. To minimize impact to wildlife in the project area, schedule of work will avoid the breeding season (March-May) and destruction of nests will be prohibited. In some areas, loss of habitat due to stringing of conductors will naturally regenerate in about 2-3 years. 111. Earth-moving for transmission line will be isolated to tower sites only. Tower foundations involve small-scale excavations and the excavated topsoil will be used for back filling. 112. Only the exact amount of construction materials (i.e., sand, gravel, concrete, etc.) will be brought on-site at the transmission towers so that stockpiling will be avoided and inconvenience to local people minimized. At the substation site, adequate storage for materials needed for construction works will be provided

Potential increase in dust level, noise and vibration 113. Contractor(s) will be required to maintain construction vehicles regularly to minimize the contribution of vehicular emissions as per BRTA rule. Construction vehicles transporting materials that generate dusts will be covered and dust-generating activities particularly in the substation sites will be temporarily enclosed to contain dispersion. Spray of water during construction period in SS site as well as tower sites will minimize dust level in the locality. Despite the fact that, the transmission lines are designed to keep away from residential properties. it would be necessary to monitor and quantify, dust and noise impacts to specify standards which contractor must adhere to. 114. Contractor(s) shall take adequate measures to minimize noise level and nuisance in the vicinity of transmission tower sites and sub-stations by following the traffic management plan and construction schedule.

Land affected by the ROW and tower footings 115. A four-legged steel lattice type transmission towers will be used. The ROW for 230 kV transmission line is 20m from the centre line. Some agricultural land will be lost permanently at the base of the transmission towers. For the proposed line, total 40 towers will be constructed where per footing 20mX20m = 400 sq m @40 towers = 16000 sq m total land = 3.95 acre land will be affected. It may be mentioned here that, all measures will be taken to remain away from the residential buildings located under or in proximity to the proposed transmission line. Further, due care has to be taken during detail design and implementation period that, potential effects of EMF on residents would be of prime importance with reference to EHS guidelines on transmission system. In this connection, it may be highlighted that H&S with respect to working at height and working with electricity including EMF exposure need to be given particular attention with reference to the EHS guidelines H&S and on transmission system.

116. Crops and plants that are less than 3m tall such as sugarcane, corn, rice, etc. will remain along the buffer area of the ROW. Agricultural activities within the ROW will be allowed after construction but with restrictions to height of vegetation.

Erection of towers and stringing of conductors 117. Access of tracks will be created to reach the location of the towers. The access tracks created for bringing in the tower components will remain track sand would just be wide enough to accommodate the machinery needed to erect the tower sand to maintain them. 118. The erection of towers as well as stringing of conductors may interfere with road crossings which may pose safety risks to the public and construction workers. To minimize the risks, adequate danger and clearly visible warning signs will be posted at designated sites while scaffoldings will be placed over road crossing points. Contractor(s) will be required to instruct drivers of construction vehicles to strictly follow road regulations. Security personnel will be assigned to prevent accidents. 119. Site engineers will look for the location of the nearest hospital to make arrangements in case of accidents in the worksites. First aid treatment and a charitable dispensary will be setup within the construction sites and field offices. Workers will be provided with all PPEs i.e. hard hats, safety shoes, and safety belts while designated staff will be provided with communication devices. The Contractor(s) will comply with relevant safety measures required by law and best engineering practices.

3.5.3 Operation Phase

Failure of power transmission line system Accidental failure of transmission line as well as sub-station may expose wildlife and the public to the danger of electrocution hazards. Transmission line system is designed with a protection system that shuts off during power over load or similar emergencies. Regular maintenance program of TL and SS will ensure the safety and integrity of the power transmission system. Regular trimming of vegetation or lopping of trees monitoring and maintenance will ensure the safety and integrity of towers and transmission lines. PGCB will conduct training, information dissemination and campaign to local people on awareness to transmission line safety practices.

Encroachment to ROW 120. Encroachment to ROW is potentially dangerous to both people and the power transmission system. To prevent encroachment, land use practices and any other infrastructure that will have negative impact on the power transmission system will be restricted. PGCB will conduct informal briefing sessions, formal training, provide leaflet and signboard to residents on safety of living near the transmission line during their operation and maintenance work regularly.

Clearing of vegetation within the ROW 121. Local communities will not be allowed to plant large trees - higher than 3m within the ROW to keep the integrity within the ROW to ensure the required vertical spacing between the conductors and the vegetation is maintained for safety reasons. A service road for vehicles will be established underneath the transmission line, but will be used only to maintain the towers and the conductors. The service road will be maintained and will remain access of tracks and other heavy loaded vehicles.

3.6 Public and Stakeholder Consultations 122. Public Consultation is mandatory for the IEE study of any development. Public consultation is a part of the IEE process aimed at involving the project stakeholders into the project development and implementation process. During the consultation process (Photo 8), the proposed “transmission line” and “sub-station” project interventions and expected results as well as impacts of the project were shared during the sessions. In the consultation process, the stakeholders were involved in reforming/developing the project interventions considering the local needs and aspirations in line with the problems and solutions suggested by them. The proposed interventions, findings of the IEE and the EMP were shared with the project stakeholders for obtaining their perceptions, views and feedbacks on the probable changes likely to happen within the project area. 123. Primary stakeholders are people who would be directly benefited or impacted by a certain project intervention. In case of the proposed Project, the primary stakeholders include the people living within the Project area particularly those who reside within and in the immediate vicinity of the project area. The primary stakeholders of the Project include the farmers, fishermen, local business community as well as the households to be affected, women groups, and caretakers of community properties. Primary stakeholders identified

and consulted during the present IEE include communities to be benefitted and/or affected by the Project, local leaders, community members and other local representatives. Secondary stakeholders for the Project include local government institutions (LGI), PGCB, and Department of Forest, other government agencies, academia, NGOs and general public at large.

124. People suggested that people who would lose their own land for the project should be compensated with land and properly resettled, if possible. People who would lose their livelihoods such as sharecroppers and leaseholders will have to be compensated with cash. The following suggestion were made by local people from PCMs: - Real land owners and sharecroppers should be identified. - All project affected people (PAPs) should be compensated - Proper compensation rate should be ensured for different crops - No work should be started for implementing the project until proper compensation is paid to the displaced people (if any). - The people who would lose their livelihood should be engage in different occupation with proper training by the responsible agencies. - A neutral monitoring agency should be engaged for monitoring the compensation activities.

Photo 8: Consultation with local and secondary stakeholders

3.7 Grievance Redress Mechanism 125. PGCB will ensure that local people will have the opportunity to express their legitimate grievance or file a complaint about the project by establishing a process to address the issues raised. This can be achieved by careful implementation of the EMP, continuing consultation and communication with stakeholders during implementation by the PMU, PGCB, Contractor(s), and local government authorities. Contact details of the PMU for filing complaints will be posted in the project areas.

126. A GRC at the union level will be set up by PGCB as soon as the project commences and will ensure equal representation of women in the members of GRC. Figure 2 shows the organization of the GRC.

Chair of the GRC PD, PGCB

Secretary of the GRC

Representative of Contractor (s)

Member- Member-Female Member- Local Member- Chairman of the Representative Teacher or Neighbor of the Union of the PAPs Iman* PAPs as witness *Religious leader

* Religious representatives Figure 2: Grievance Redress Committee 127. GRC will convene twice in a month and will keep a record of the grievances, classify, prioritize, and provide the solution(s) within 30 days from the date of the complaint. The record will include the contact details of the complainant, date the complaint was received and the nature of the complaint, agreement on corrective actions and the date it was enforced, and the final outcome. All complaint related documentation such as minutes of the meeting and decisions will be summarized and become part of the semi-annual monitoring report submitted to ADB.

128. The GRC will report to the complainant(s) about the developments regarding their grievances and the decisions of the GRC. If the grievance is not addressed, the complainant can seek legal redress of the grievance in the appropriate courts.

3.8 Environmental Management Plan

3.8.1 Mitigation 129. The environmental impacts and mitigation measures with cost estimates are presented in Table 13. The EMP will be updated before the start of civil works, and as needed to accommodate any change in the condition of the site, performance of Contractor(s), and feedback from local people or other stakeholders.

Table 13: Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for proposed project

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted Pre-construction and Design Phase Route survey Land resources Route Survey High resolution Included in PGCB planning and community through ROW Remotely Sensed project cost and design unit may create (RS) images have and consultant some been used in disturbance to deciding the route of localized area the transmissions line avoiding settlements, structures, and ecologically sensitive areas, consulting with local people Land a. Community no land - Adequate - PD, PGCB aacquisition acquisition compensation for needed crop loss should be paid to the actual land owners/share croppers. Construction Phase Orientation for Contractors and - Workers not - Conduct briefing Included in PMU-PGCB contractor and workers aware of for Contractor on the Project workers environmental the EMP, records costs requirements management, and during reporting construction - Agreement on - Contractors critical areas to not familiar be monitored with EMP and the required implementation mitigation and measures compliance - Create awareness of sexually- transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS Prepare -Community Unplanned -Temporary Included in Contractor(s), construction -Land resources construction pedestrian and traffic Project costs PMU-PGCB management related impact management plan plan to control may happen - Materials impacts of management plan construction - Waste impacts management plan - Air quality and Air quality and - Noise and dust Included in Contractor(s), noise level may control plan, Project costs PMU-PGCB - Water quality deteriorate community and slightly due to safety plan transport of -All vehicles, materials to equipment and the tower/ machinery to be substation used should sites. comply with the relevant ECR norms and other rules. - All vehicles used on site for this purpose should carry currently valid fitness certificates

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted issued by the BRTA. Hiring of project Community Temporary -Use local labour - Contractor(s), staff and employment for manual work PMU-PGCB workers may be and eligible local created for work force for construction of clerical and office power jobs transmission - Contractor(s) to lines. strictly enforce priority for local hiring Temporary labor Land Resources Land should Contractor who - Contractor(s), shed be occupied constructs the labor PMU-PGCB preparation and temporarily for shed shall consult use labor shed with local people where land may be used otherwise. Quality water use Worker should Need temporary Included in Contractor(s), be scoped to HTWs for quality Project costs PMU-PGCB use quality water drinking as well as household chores Community Heath, Ensure sanitation, 20 Contractor(s), sanitation and drinking water and PMU-PGCB PPEs proper medical facilities with paramedic doctor, first aid box and ambulance facilities during construction period. - Mitigation measures for impact on human health and safety should also include providing safety gear and PPEs i.e. gloves, helmets, boots etc. to workers. -Contingency fund should be created in case of emergency or accidents during construction of transmission lines, towers etc. Sub-station and Land resources Might be During the (as covered Contractor(s), tower footing partially construction period, in RP) PMU-PGCB sites impacted along the contractor preparation, ROW, would should carefully dig vegetation and be impacted the hole for land clearing, fully in tower erecting the tower. excavation and locations The excavated earth-moving soils should be works properly stacked

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted and the hole should be refilled with the stacked soil by maintaining the sequence of the profile (i.e. substratum – Subsoil – Topsoil). The loosened topsoil on the surface must be compacted well so that no erosion can take place. Agriculture Might be Adequate - (as covered Contractor(s), Resources partially compensation for in RP) PMU-PGCB impacted along crop loss should be ROW, loss of paid to the actual crop land owners/share production in croppers. tower locations, foundation period, tower erection period and strining period Ecological Cut of Plantation of local 25 Contractor(s), resources terrestrial species in the PMU-PGCB vegetation at selected areas as towers and SS early as possible sites after finishing the construction works. Avoid tree felling if possible, adequate compensation for trees Deterioration Plantation of local 5 Contractor(s), of wildlife species at PMU-PGCB habitat quality substation sites will recover some habitat loss. Avoid killing of animals. Labors should be made aware about local faunal species Use low sound emitting machineries. Avoid excess lighting and use shaded lights at construction site Air quality Air quality and - All vehicles, Contractor(s), may equipment and PMU-PGCB deteriorate machinery to be due to used should transport of comply with the materials to relevant ECR the tower/ norms and other

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted substation rules. sites and - All vehicles used construction on site for this work purpose should carry currently valid fitness certificates issued by the BRTA. - Spray water in construction sites. Noise level During - Noise and dust Contractor(s), construction control plan, PMU-PGCB phase noise community and level will safety plan temporarily be - All vehicles, affected due to equipment and transport of machinery to be materials to used should the tower/ comply with the substation relevant ECR sites, soil norms and other digging; rules. concrete works - All vehicles used at tower/ on site for this substation purpose should sites carry currently valid fitness certificates issued by the BRTA. Water quality During - Strictly avoid 10 Contractor(s), construction, cleaning/washing of PMU-PGCB disposal of any construction construction equipment and debris, fuel/oil construction debris spills will affect in any water body, the overall prepare temporary quality of the pond or tank surface water Erection of Community Interference - Danger and Included in Contractor(s), towers, with road clearly visible Project costs PMU-PGCB stringing of crossing warning signs will transmission be posted at line and designated sites conductoring - Scaffoldings will of transmission be placed over road line crossing points Safety risk for - Maintain 35 Contractor(s), public necessary fence PMU-PGCB or barricade (as appropriate), sufficient lights, signs and danger signals, and take all required precautions for public safety - Assign security personnel to prevent accidents and trespassing - Require Contract

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted or to direct drivers of construction vehicles to strictly follow road regulations Ssafety risk for - First aid box and as mentioned Contractor(s), workers ambulance facilities above PMU-PGCB during construction period. - Mitigation measures for impact on human health and safety should also include providing safety gear and PPEs i.e. gloves, helmets, boots etc. to workers. - Contingency fund should be created in case of emergency or accidents during construction of transmission lines, towers etc. - Preparation of an emergency response plan would be an essential element with due provisions of first aid, emergency causality services, and ambulance facilities. These have to be worked out in details with due deployment of designated manpower, training services and adequate amenities before commencement of implementation. Agricultural Crop could be Adequate 10 Contractor(s), resources damaged compensation for PMU-PGCB during crop loss should be stringing paid to the actual period land owners/ share croppers. Operation Period Hazards due to Community and Electrocution - Automatic Included in the PGCB and/or accidental fauna hazards might protection system O&M costs Contractor (if this failure of occur only if that shuts off during service is transmission someone power over load or outsourced) lines comes too similar emergencies close or in will be installed, contact with -Transmission lines

Project Environmental Description of Mitigation Estimated Responsible activities Components Potential /Enhancement Cost (BDT)* Agency/unit likely to be Impact Measure impacted the are insulated transmission relatively higher line cable height (or covered) to minimize accident to birds and bats. - Regular operation, monitoring and maintenance to ensure safety and integrity of towers and power lines - As part of corporate social responsibility initiatives, training, information dissemination and campaign to local people to enhance awareness on transmission line safety practices. Encroachment Flora and Potential - Periodic Included in the PGCB and/or to ROW community danger to both inspection and O&M costs Contractor (if this community and maintenance of service is power ROW outsourced) transmission - Restrict land use related practices and any structures and other infrastructure flora and fauna that will negatively affect power transmission system. Clearing of Flora, fauna and Unexpected Regular trimming to Included in the PGCB and/or vegetation within community /unplanned maintain adequate O&M costs Contractor (if this the ROW (i.e. structures and distance between service is pruning of flora and fauna the top of tree and outsourced) vegetation higher to the power the conductors than 3m) line *Bangladesh Total 105 Taka

3.8.2 Monitoring Environmental monitoring during construction will be a day-to-day process to ensure that any departure or non-compliance to the EMP are avoided or immediately addressed so that any unforeseen impacts are quickly discovered and remedied. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the power transmission system during operation will help ensure the integrity and safety of the structures and components, thus, minimize safety risks to the public. It is a requirement for the EMP to also consider capacity of the borrower to implement the mitigation and monitoring requirements and incorporate any necessary capacity building activities. The detail of the same has to be worked out during implementation period. Ensuring mitigation and monitoring requirements (including semiannual monitoring report submission) and responsibilities in clear terms might help satisfactory implementation. Further, implementation arrangements should reflect what procedures need to be followed in case of change of scope, unanticipated impact, or monitoring demonstrating a non-compliance resulting in need for corrective action to be taken.

130. Accidents and fatalities should be undertaken with the target to be zero. Further, site- specific mitigation for Padma river crossing will be ensured during implementation period. Table 14 presents a summary of the environmental monitoring plan.

Table 14: Environmental Monitoring Plan for the Proposed Project Responsibility Project Parameter/ (Implementation Location Frequency Stages Indicators and Supervision Pre- Soil sampling Tower sites Once before PMU-PGCB, construction construction Contractor Period Loss in crop Along the alignment Monthly District production Commissioner’s staff, PMU- PGCB, Contractor Un-hygienic Labor sheds in sub- Monthly PMU-PGCB, condition for station sites and Contractor and workers including tower locations Environment water supply and Consultant sanitation Construction Noise, dust and Along the alignment Weekly at Contractor, PMU- Period water quality, and substations alignment PGCB Spraying of Every day at water to substation exposed land sites and before movement of construction vehicles Solid waste Along the Every week Contractor, PMU- management alignment and PGCB substations Danger and Along the alignment Once a month Contractor, PMU- warning signs and substations PGCB for safety of workers and the public Announcement Along the alignment As needed Contractor, PMU- to the public of and substations PGCB works schedule Operation Failure of Along the alignment Every month PGCB Phase transmission towers Trimming of Along the alignment Quarterly PGCB vegetation or ROW

Responsibility Project Parameter/ (Implementation Location Frequency Stages Indicators and Supervision lopping of trees Pilferage of cables Along the alignment Quarterly PGCB

3.8.3 Implementation Arrangement 131. The institutions involved include the Executing and Implementing Agency (PGCB), the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) Office, the Agricultural Marketing Directorate, Agricultural Extension Department (DAE) the Department of Forestry (DoF), the Public Works Department (PWD), donor agencies, etc. The main tasks and responsibilities of the institutions are planning, negotiating, consulting, approving, coordinating, implementing, financing, monitoring and evaluating the implementation work. In the case of crop compensation, representatives of DAE, Representative of DC’s concerned, Executive Agency (EA-PGCB) staff, PWD, Forest officials and representatives from affected communities will carry out joint verification of the inventory of affected persons and assets acquired (crops, structures, trees and others) to finalize the list for implementation purposes, particularly for payments to be made by the DC office. Furthermore, PGCB will make a separate joint verification of affected properties for their relocation prior to project implementation. 132. Responsibilities of Implementing Agencies: PGCB will assign a Superintending Engineer as a PD at the head office for overall execution of the project. He will ensure the land with assistance from district administrations. The PD will carry out the following major specific tasks relating to implementation; i. Liaison with district administration; ii. Play role in planning, management, monitoring and implementation of TL and sub-station; iii. Ensure availability of budget for all activities; iv. Hand over land to the contractor with construction schedule in compliance with the resettlement activity; v. Form necessary committees for implementation, and monitor the effectiveness of entitlement packages and payment modalities; vi. Conduct environmental management and monitoring. 133. Management and general supervision of project implementation will be done by the PMU headed by the PD from PGCB in daily routine basis . The overall implementation of the EMP will be carried out under the supervision of the PD, PMU. An environmental staff (or a firm that will be retained during implementation), who will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the EMP is properly implemented, will be recruited for the project prior to award of the civil works contract. Aside from this, he/she will coordinate and interact with PD, PMU on compliance to ADB requirements, relevant government agencies and local authorities on environmental issues and clearances, update and finalize the IEE, and will prepare environmental monitoring reports for submission to ADB atleast twice a year during construction and annually during operation phase.

3.8.4 EMP and Monitoring Budget 134. For implementing EMP, about BDT 253.75 lakh will be required. The major cost will be required for EMP cost as BDT 165 lakh and monitoring cost is BDT 108.75 lakh. The breakdown of budget for the EMP is given in Table 15.

Table 15: Budget for the EMP and Monitoring Plan Item Qty Rate/Ref. Total Taka

(lakh) Mitigation Plan and contingency 3 years Table 13 105 Enhancement plan 3 years Lump sum 20 Training of Professionals and Workers about 3 years Lump sum 20 accidental cases and safety measures Sub total 145 Monitoring Plan From revenue budget Consultant (for monitoring) 36 person – Tk.150,000 per 54 month month Transport (for monitoring team) 360 days Tk.10,000 per 36 day Reporting and others Lump sum 15 DoE Clearance cost From revenue budget Yearly renewal cost 3 Years 125,000/per 3.75 year Sub Total 108.75 Total Cost 253.75

3.9 Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusion

135. The proposed power transmission line will not supply electricity directly to the people all along the route. But the people living along the proposed transmission line expressed keen interest for implementing the transmission line and sub-stations in their area. Their main interest is that the overall development in the power sector would contribute to the national development from which they along with others will be benefitted. Local people along the transmission line alignments will be benefited as the project will generate some employment opportunities for them during the pre-construction and construction phases. 136. High resolution Remotely Sensing (RS) images have been used in deciding the route of the transmission line avoiding settlements and ecologically sensitive and protected areas. This has been reconfirmed by the IEE team members who walked along the entire length of the alignment to ground truth the signatures of the satellite images. Observations of the team members suggest that the route finally selected passes mostly through agricultural crop fields and not through settlement or ecologically sensitive and protected areas. 137. Some minor negative impact on ecological resources of the project will be felt during the pre-construction and construction phases which may involve removal of vegetation and cutting of trees for carrying construction materials to the sites and erection of towers and construction of the transmission line. These problems could be overcome by paying compensation and bringing back these lands almost to their original form before handing them over to the owners after the construction is over. Crop production lost due to these activities during the pre-construction and construction phases will have to be compensated as well. 138. The project is not likely to have any significant negative impact; therefore no major mitigation measures will be required. The minor impact of noise and increase in traffic are within the existing level experienced by the local people. The tower will be erected and the line installed under expert supervision. The contractor will be under specific orders for providing PPEs to the workers engaged for the job.

139. The morphological analysis of the Ganges River is very much essential for the river crossing of the proposed transmission line. There are two existing transmission lines plying on the both side of the Hardging Railway Bridge. So, another river crossing site will be needed for crossing of the proposed 230 kV line. River bank erosion, accretion of char land and historical development of the study reach will need to be investigated further. 140. No land acquisition will be required for the proposed sub-station because the proposed sub-station is located within the PGCB’s owned sub-station area. The environmental monitoring plan, if properly implemented during the pre-construction, construction and post- construction and operation phases will ensure taking corrective measures.

Recommendation 141. Local people will have employment opportunities during the pre-construction and construction phases and operation phase. So, the contractor should be specifically instructed to employ local laborers as much as possible. 142. Minor negative impacts like clearing of vegetation and cutting of trees at the pre- construction and construction phases should be taken care of by taking proper mitigation measures. Efforts should be made to avoid cutting of trees as much as possible. Some trees might be unavoidable of cutting. In such cases, equal amount of or more trees should be replanted in surrounding areas for conservation of biodiversity. In this case, homesteads gardening will be emphasized with fruit and rapid growing timber trees in surrounding areas. Selection of the season for carrying out the work should be made by adjusting with the cropping season so as to inflict minimum damage to field crops. In both cases, proper compensation for all types of damages must be paid and the land should be brought back to its original form to the maximum extent before they are handed back to the owners. 143. The construction labour camps should be provided with water supply and sanitation facilities. The workers should be apprised of hygienic practices. The transportation of heavy equipment should be done by river craft where wheeling is not feasible. The stores and equipment yards should be properly guarded so that all equipment remains safe. The back to back sub-station should be fully equipped with fire-fighting equipments, first aid and ambulance service provisions. 144. A morphological study and analysis of the proposed river crossing area of the Ganges River is recommended strongly using historical maps, time-series satellite images and relevant hydro-morphological data. Advanced remote sensing and GIS tools and techniques will be used for this analysis. The decade scale river planform may be analyzed followed by century scale analysis in the subsequent sections. Detail study needs to consider relation between upstream and downstream morphology of river at river crossing section. The incidence analysis of the Ganges River in the study reach and riverbed level data may be checked to estimate the design scour level during designing the pier depth in the river. Then project implementer can take decision properly for the river crossing of the proposed transmission line in proper place on the basis of morphological report. 145. For implementing of the EMP i.e. compensation, mitigation, contingency and enhancement measures, total amount of TK. 145 lakh is estimated during this IEE study. Including the monitoring cost, the total budget of the EMP and Environmental Monitoring Plan will be Tk. 253.75 lakh approximately. Finally, on proper examination it is observed that the project has been proposed to be implemented safely and in an environment friendly manner. So it is recommended that the project may be cleared to further steps.

Appendix 1 Environment Conservation Rules 1997

Department of Environment Classification of industrial units or projects based on its location and impact on environment

Schedule 1 - Environment Conservation Rules 1997 [See Rule 7(2)]

(A) GREEN CATEGORY

1. Assembling and manufacturing of TV, Radio, etc. 2. Assembling and manufacturing of clocks and watches. 3. Assembling of telephones. 4. Assembling and manufacturing of toys (plastic made items excluded). 5. Book-binding. 6. Rope and mats (made of cotton, jute and artificial fibers). 7. Photography (movie and x-ray excluded). 8. Production of artificial leather goods. 9. Assembling of motorcycles, bicycles and toy cycles. 10. Assembling of scientific and mathematical instruments (excluding manufacturing). 11. Musical instruments. 12. Sports goods (excluding plastic made items). 13. Tea packaging (excluding processing). 14. Re-packing of milk powder (excluding production). 15. Bamboo and cane goods. 16. Artificial flower (excluding plastic made items). 17. Pen and ball-pen. 18. Gold ornaments (excluding production) (shops only). 19. Candle. 20. Medical and surgical instrument (excluding production). 21. Factory for production of cork items (excluding metallic items). 22. Laundry (excluding washing). Foot Notes:

(a) Units of all kinds of cottage industries other than those listed in this Schedule shall remain outside the purview of Environmental Clearance Certificate (Unit of cottage industry means all industrial units producing goods or services in which by full-time or part-time labour of family members are engaged and the capital investment of which does not exceed Taka 5 (five) hundred thousand). (b) No industrial unit listed in this Schedule shall be located in any residential area. (c) Industrial units shall preferably be located in areas declared as industrial zones or in areas where there is concentration of industries or in vacant areas. (d) Industrial units likely to produce sound, smoke, odor beyond permissible limit shall not be acceptable in commercial areas.

(B) ORANGE-A CATEGORY

1. Dairy Farm, 10 (ten) cattle heads or below in urban areas and 25 cattle heads or below in rural areas. 2. Poultry (up to 250 in urban areas and up to 1000 in rural areas). 3. Grinding/husking of wheat, rice, turmeric, pepper, pulses (up to 20 Horse Power). 4. Weaving and handloom. 5. Production of shoes and leather goods (capital up to 5 hundred thousand Taka). 6. Saw mill/wood sawing. 7. Furniture of wood/iron, aluminum, etc.,(capital up to 5 hundred thousand Taka). 8. Printing Press. 9. Plastic & rubber goods (excluding PVC). 10. Restaurant. 11. Cartoon/box manufacturing/printing packaging. 12. Cinema Hall. 13. Dry-cleaning. 14. Production of artificial leather goods (capital up to 5 hundred thousand Taka). 15. Sports goods. 16. Production of salt (capital up to 10 hundred thousand Taka). 17. Agricultural machinery and equipment. 18. Industrial machinery and equipment. 19. Production of gold ornaments. 20. Pin, U Pin. 21. Frames of spectacles. 22. Comb. 23. Production of utensils and souvenirs of brass and bronze. 24. Factory for production of biscuit and bread (capital up to 5 hundred thousand Taka). 25. Factory for production of chocolate and lozenge. (capital up to 5 hundred thousand Taka). 26. Manufacturing of wooden water vessels.

1. PVC items. 2. Artificial fiber (raw material). 3. Glass factory. 4. Life saving drug (applicable to formulation only). 5. Edible oil. 6. Tar. 7. Jute mill. 8. Hotel, multi-storied commercial & apartment building. 9. Casting. 10. Aluminum products. 11. Glue (excluding animal glue). 12. Bricks/tiles. 13. Lime. 14. Plastic products. 15. Processing and bottling of drinking water and carbonated drinks. 16. Galvanizing. 17. Perfumes, cosmetics. 18. Flour (large). 19. Carbon rod. 20. Stone grinding, cutting, polishing. 21. Processing fish, meat, food.

22. Printing and writing ink. 23. Animal feed. 24. Ice-cream. 25. Clinic and pathological lab. 26. Utensils made of clay and china clay/sanitary wares (ceramics). 27. Processing of prawns & shrimps. 28. Water purification plant. 29. Metal utensils/spoons etc. 30. Sodium silicate. 31. Matches. 32. Starch and glucose. 33. Animal feed. 34. Automatic rice mill. 35. Assembling of motor vehicles. 36. Manufacturing of wooden vessel. 37. Photography (activities related to production of films for movie and x-ray). 38. Tea processing. 39. Production of powder milk/condensed milk/dairy. 40. Re-rolling. 41. Wood treatment. 42. Soap. 43. Repairing of refrigerators. 44. Repairing of metal vessel. 45. Engineering works (up to 10 hundred thousand Taka capital.) 46. Spinning mill. 47. Electric cable. 48. Cold storage. 49. Tire re-treading. 50. Motor vehicles repairing works (up to 10 hundred thousand Taka capital). 51. Cattle farm: above 10 (ten) numbers in urban area, and above 25 (twenty five) numbers in rural area. 52. Poultry: Number of birds above 250 (two hundred fifty) in urban area and above 1000 (one thousand) in rural area. 53. Grinding/husking wheat, rice, turmeric, chilly, pulses – machine above 20Horse Power. 54. Production of shoes and leather goods, above 5 (five) hundred thousand Taka capital. 55. Furniture of wood/iron, aluminum, etc., above 5 (five) hundred thousand Taka capital. 56. Production of artificial leather goods, above 5 (five) hundred thousand Taka capital. 57. Salt production, above 10 (ten) hundred thousand Taka capital. 58. Biscuit and bread factory, above 5 (five) hundred thousand Taka capital. 59. Factory for production of chocolate and lozenge, above 5 (five) hundred thousand Taka capital. 60. Garments and sweater production. 61. Fabric washing. 62. Power loom. 63. Construction, re-construction and extension of road (feeder road, local road). 64. Construction, re-construction and extension of bridge (length below 100 meters). 65. Public toilet. 66. Ship-breaking. 67. G.I. Wire. 68. Assembling batteries. 69. Dairy and food Foot Notes:

(a) No industrial unit included in this list shall be located in any residential area. (b) Industrial units shall preferably be located in areas declared as industrial zones or in areas where there is concentration of industries or in vacant areas. (c) Industrial units likely to produce sound, smoke, odor beyond permissible limit shall not be acceptable in commercial areas.

(D) RED CATEGORY

1. Tannery 2. Formaldehyde 3. Urea fertilizer 4. T.S.P. Fertilizer 5. Chemical dyes, polish, varnish, enamel 6. Power plant 7. All mining projects (coal, limestone, hard rock, natural gas, mineral oil, etc.) 8. Cement 9. Fuel oil refinery 10. Artificial rubber 11. Paper and pulp 12. Sugar 13. Distillery 14. Fabric dying and chemical processing 15. Caustic soda, potash 16. Other alkalis 17. Production of iron and steel 18. Raw materials of medicines and basic drugs 19. Electroplating 20. Photo films, photo papers and photo chemicals 21. Various products made from petroleum and coal 22. Explosives 23. Acids and their salts (organic or inorganic) 24. Nitrogen compounds (Cyanide, Cyanamid, etc.) 25. Production of plastic raw materials (PVC, PP/Iron, Polyesterin etc.) 26. Asbestos 27. Fiberglass 28. Pesticides, fungicides and herbicides 29. Phosphorus and its compounds/derivatives 30. Chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine and their compounds/derivatives 31. Industry (excluding nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide) 32. Waste incinerator 33. Other chemicals 34. Ordnance 35. Nuclear power 36. Wine 37. Non-metallic chemicals not listed elsewhere 38. Non-metals not listed elsewhere 39. Industrial estate 40. Basic industrial chemicals 41. Non-iron basic metals 42. Detergent 43. Land-filling by industrial, household and commercial wastes 44. Sewage treatment plant 45. Life saving drugs 46. Animal glue 47. Rodenticide 48. Refractories 49. Industrial gas (Oxygen, Nitrogen & Carbon-dioxide)

50. Battery 51. Hospital 52. Ship manufacturing 53. Tobacco (processing/cigarette/Biri-making) 54. Metallic boat manufacturing 55. Wooden boat manufacturing 56. Refrigerator/air-conditioner/air-cooler manufacturing 57. Tyre and tube 58. Board mills 59. Carpets 60. Engineering works: capital above 10 (ten) hundred thousand Taka. 61. Repairing of motor vehicles: capital above 10 (ten) hundred thousand Taka 62. Water treatment plant 63. Sewerage pipe line laying/relaying/extension 64. Water, power and gas distribution line laying/relaying/extension 65. Exploration/extraction/distribution of mineral resources 66. Construction/reconstruction/expansion of flood control embankment, polder, dike, etc. 67. Construction/reconstruction/expansion of road (regional, national & international) 68. Construction/reconstruction/expansion of bridge (length 100 meter and above) 69. Murate of Potash (manufacturing)

Foot Notes:

(a) No industrial unit included in this list shall be allowed to be located in any residential area. (b) Industrial units shall preferably be located in areas declared as industrial zones or in areas where there is concentration of industries or in vacant areas. (c) Industrial units likely to produce sound, smoke, odor beyond permissible limit shall not be acceptable in commercial areas. (d) After obtaining location clearance on the basis of Initial Environment Examination (IEE) Report, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report in accordance with the approved terms of reference along with design of ETP and its time schedule shall be submitted within approved time limit.

Appendix 2 SI. No. Parameter Unit Standard Environment Conservation Rules 1997 Relevant Environmental Standards from Environmental Conservation Rules 1997 Schedule 2 Standards for Air [See Rule 12] Density in microgram per cusec meter

Suspended Sl. Categories of Sulphur Carbon Oxides of Particulate Matter No. Area dioxide Monoxide Nitrogen (SPM) a. Industrial and 500 120 5000 100 mixed b. Commercial and 400 100 5000 100 mixed c. Residential and 200 80 2000 80 rural d. Sensitive 100 30 1000 30

Notes: (1) At national level, sensitive area includes monuments, health center, hospital, archeological site, educational institution, and government designated areas (if any). (2) Industrial units located in areas not designated as industrial areas shall not discharge pollutants which may contribute to exceeding the standard for air surrounding the areas specified at Sl. nos. c and d above. (3) Suspended Particulate Matter means airborne particles of a diameter of 10 micron or less.

Schedule 3 Standards for Water [See Rule 12]

(A) ) Standards for inland surface water Parameter Total Best Practice based BOD DO Coliform classification pH mg/L mg/L number/10 0 a. Source of drinking water for 6.5-8.5 2 or less 6 or above 50 or less supply only after disinfecting: b. Water usable for 6.5-8.5 3 or less 5 of more 200 or less recreational activity : c. Source of drinking water for 6.5-8.5 6 or less 6 of more 5000 or less supply after conventional treatment : d. Water usable by fisheries: 6.5-8.5 6 or less 5 of more --- e. Water usable by various 6.5-8.5 10 or less 5 of more 5000 or less process and cooling industries : f. Water usable for irrigation: 6.5-8.5 10 or less 5 of more 1000 or less

Notes: In water used for pisiculture, maximum limit of presence of ammonia as Nitrogen is 1.2 mg/l. 1. Electrical conductivity for irrigation water – 2250 µmhoms /cm (at a temperature of 25°C); Sodium less than 26%; boron less than 0.2%. (B) Standards for drinking water

1 Aluminum mg/L 0.2 2 Ammonia (NH3) “ 0.5 3 Arsenic “ 0.05 4 Barium “ 0.01 5 Benzene “ 0.01 6 BOD5 20°C “ 2.0 7 Boron “ 1.0 8 Cadmium “ 0.005 9 Calcium “ 75 10 Chloride “ 150-600* 11 Chlorinated alkanes “ 0.01 Carbontetrachloride 1.1 dichloroethylene “ 0.001 1.2 dichloroethylene “ 0.03 1.2 dichloroethylene “ 0.03 trichloroethylene “ 0.09 12 Chlorinated phenols “ - pentachlorophenol “ 0.03 - 2.4.6 trichlorophenol “ 0.03 13 Chlorine (residual) “ 0.2 14 Chloroform “ 0.09 15 Chromium (hexavalent) “ 0.05 16 Chromium (total) “ 0.05 17 COD “ 4.0 18 Coliform (fecal) n/100 ml 0 19 Coliform (total) n/100 ml 0 20 Color Hazen unit 15 21 Copper mg/L 1 22 Cyanide “ 0.1 23 Detergents “ 0.2 24 DO “ 6 25 Fluoride “ 1 26 Hardness (as CaCO3) “ 200 – 500 27 Iron “ 0.3 – 1.0 28 Kjeldhl Nitrogen (total) “ 1 29 Lead “ 0.05 30 Magnesium “ 30 – 35 31 Manganese “ 0.1 32 Mercury “ 0.001 33 Nickel “ 0.01 34 Nitrate “ 10 35 Nitrite “ <1 36 Odor “ Odorless 37 Oil and grease “ 0.01 38 pH --- 6.5 – 8.5 39 Phenolic compounds mg/L 0.002 40 Phosphate “ 6 41 Phosphorus “ 0 42 Potassium “ 12 43 Radioactive materials (gross Bq/l 0.01 alpha activity) 44 Radioactive materials (gross Bq/l 0.1 beta activity) 45 Selenium mg/L 0.01 46 Silver “ 0.02 47 Sodium “ 200 48 Suspended particulate matters “ 10 49 Sufide “ 0 50 Sulfate “ 400 51 Total dissolved solids “ 1000 52 Temperature “ 20-30 53 Tin “ 2 54 Turbidity JTU 10 55 Zinc mg/L 5

Schedule 4 Standards for Sound [See Rule 12]

Standards determined at dBa unit Sl No Category of areas Day Night a. Silent zone 45 35 b. Residential area 50 40 c. Mixed area 60 50 (mainly residential area, and also simultaneously used for commercial and industrial purposes) d. Commercial area 70 60 e. Industrial area 75 70

Notes : 1. The time from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. is counted as daytime. 2. The time from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. is counted as night time. 3. Area up to a radius of 100 meters around hospitals or educational institutions or special institutions/ establishments identified/to be identified by the Government is designated as Silent Zones where use of horns of vehicles or other audio signals, and loudspeakers are prohibited.

Schedule 5 Standards for Sound originating from Motor Vehicles or Mechanized Vessels [ See Rule 12]

Category of Vehicles Unit Standards Remarks *Motor Vehicles (all types) dBa 85 As measured at a distance of 7.5 meters from exhaust pipe. 100 As measured at a distance of 0.5 meter from exhaust pipe. Mechanized Vessels dBa 85 As measured at a distance of7.5 meters from the vessel which is not in motion, not loaded and is at two thirds of its maximum rotating speed. 100 As measured at a distance of0.5 meter from the vessel which is in the same condition as above. * At the time of taking measurement, the motor vehicle shall not be in motion and its engine conditions shall be as follows:-

(a) Diesel engine – maximum rotating speed. (b) Gasoline engine –at two thirds of its maximum rotating speed and without any load. (c) Motorcycle – If maximum rotating speed is above 5000 rpm; two thirds of the speed, and if maximum rotating speed is less than 5000 rpm, three-fourth of the speed.

Schedule 6 Standards for Emission from Motor Vehicles [ See Rule 12 ] Parameter Unit Standard Limit Black Smoke Hartridge Smoke Unit(HSU) 65 Carbon Monoxide gm/km 24 percent area 04 Hydrocarbon gm/km 02 ppm 180 Oxides of Nitrogen gm/km 02 ppm 600 * As measured at two thirds of maximum rotating speed.

Schedule 10 Standards for Waste From Industrial Units or Projects Waste [See Rule 13] Discharge To Public Sl. Parameters Unit Inland Sewerage Irrigated No. Surfac system Land e Water connected to treatment at 1 Ammonical mg/L 50 75 75 second stage nitrogen (as 2 elementaryAmmonia (as N) free ammonia) mg/L 5 5 15 3 Arsenic (as As) mg/L 0.2 0.05 0.2 4 BOD5 at 20oC mg/L 50 250 100 5 Boron mg/L 2 2 2 6 Cadmium (as Cd) mg/L 0.5 0.05 0.05 7 Chloride mg/L 600 600 600 8 Chromium (as total Cr) mg/L 0.5 1.0 1.0 9 COD mg/L 200 400 400 10 Chromium (as hexavalent mg/L 0.1 1.0 1.0 11 Cr)Copper (as Cu) mg/L 0.5 3.0 3.0 12 Dissolved oxygen (DO) mg/L 4.5-8 4.5-8 4.5-8 13 Electro-conductivity (EC) micromho/cm 1200 1200 1200 14 Total dissolved solids mg/L 2100 2100 2100 15 Flouride (as F) mg/L 2 15 10 16 Sulfide (as S) mg/L 1 2 2 17 Iron (as Fe) mg/L 2 2 2 18 Total kjeldahl nitrogen (as N) mg/L 100 100 100 19 Lead (as Pb) mg/L 0.1 1 0.1 20 Manganese (as Mn) mg/L 5 5 5 21 Mercury (as Hg) mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 22 Nickel (as Ni) mg/L 1.0 2.0 1.0 23 Nitrate (as elementary N) mg/L 10.0 Not yet set 10 24 Oil and grease mg/L 10 20 10 25 Phenolic mg/L 1.0 5 1.0 compounds (as 26 CDissolved6H5OH) phosphorus (as P) mg/L 8 8 15 27 Radioactive substance (to be specified by Bangladesh Atomic Energy 28 pH Commission)---- 6-9 6-9 6-9 29 Selenium (as Se) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 30 Zinc (as Zn) mg/L 5 10 10 31 Temperature oC 40 40 40 (summer) 45 45 45 32 Suspended solids (SS) oCmg/L (winter) 150 500 200 33 Cyanide (as Cn) mg/L 0.1 2.0 0.2

Notes:

(1) These standards shall be applicable to all industries or projects other than those specified under the heading “Standards for sector wise industrial effluent or emission.” (2) Compliance with these standards shall be ensured from the moment an industrial unit starts trial production, and in other cases, from the moment a project starts operation. (3) These standards shall be inviolable even in case of any sample collected instantly at any point of time. These standards may be enforced in a more stringent manner if considered necessary in view of the environmental conditions of a particular situation. (4) Inland Surface Water means drains/ponds/tanks/water bodies/ ditches, canals, rivers, springs and estuaries. (5) Public sewerage system means treatment facilities of the first and second stage and also the combined and complete treatment facilities. (6) Irrigable land means such land area which is sufficiently irrigated by waste water taking into consideration the quantity and quality of such water for cultivation of selected crops on that land. (7) Inland Surface Water Standards shall apply to any discharge to a public sewerage system or to land if the discharge does not meet the requirements of the definitions in notes 5 and 6 above.

Schedule 11 Standards for Gaseous Emission from Industries or Projects [See Rule 13] Standard present in a unit Sl. No. Parameters of mg/Nm3 1. Particulate (a) Power plant with capacity of 200Megawatt or above. 150 (b) Power plant with capacity less than 200Megawatt. 350 2. Chlorine 150 3. Hydrochloric acid vapor and mist 350 4. Total Fluoride F 25 5. Sulfuric acid mist 50 6. Lead particulate 10 7. Mercury particulate 0.2 8. Sulfur dioxide kg/ton acid (a) Sulfuric acid production (DCDA*process) 4 (b) Sulfuric acid production (SCSA*process) 20 (*DCDA: Double Conversion, Double Absorption; SCSA: Single Conversion, Single Absorption.)

Lowest height of stack for dispersion of sulfuric acid (in meter) (a) Coal based power plant (1) 500 Megawatt or above 275 (2) 200 to 500 Megawatt 220 (3) Less than 200 Megawatt 14(Q)0.3 (b) Boiler (1) Steam per hour up to 15 tons 11 (2) Steam per hour more that 15 ton 14(Q)0.3 [Q = Emission of Sulfur dioxide (kg/hour)]. 9. Oxides of Nitrogen (a) Nitric acid production 3 kg/ton acid (b) Gas Fuel based Power Plant (1) 500 Megawatt or above 50ppm (2) 200 to 500 Megawatt 40ppm (3) Below 200 Megawatt 30ppm (c) Metallurgical oven 200ppm 10. Kiln soot and dust mg/Nm3 (a) Blast Furnace 500 (b) Brick Kiln 1000 (c) Coke oven 500 (d) Lime Kiln 250

Appendix 3 Name of Participants

Table 16: Name of Participants SI. Name Age Occupation Village Mobile No. 1 Q.M Shafiqul Islam - Superdent Enginear - - and project director, HVDC 2nd Block Project 2 Mohammad Rezaul - SAE, HVDC 2nd Block - - Hossain Project 3 Md. Shafiqul islam 42 Agriculture Hotatpara 01781126389 4 Md. Boton Ali 34 Agriculture Hotatpara 01762597917 5 Md. Liton Pramanik 30 Agriculture Hotatpara 01760175158 6 Md. Bdur Rashed 35 Agriculture Hotatpara 01742558202 7 Md. Sajedul Pramanik 28 Agriculture Hotatpara - 8 Thando mia 25 Business Hotatpara - 9 Md. Fozlu 47 Fisherman Hotatpara - 10 Md. Shahidur rahman 41 Student Hotatpara - 11 Porimal Ronju 49 Business Hotatpara - 12 Md. Abu Bokkar Sarder 25 Non-Agriculture labour Char Mirkamari - 13 Md. Abu Taher Sarder 38 Non-Agriculture labour Char Mirkamari - 14 Md. Abu Taher 36 Non-Agriculture labour Char Mirkamari - 15 Md. Sahdat Sarder 41 Non-Agriculture labour Char Mirkamari - 16 Md. Sohagh Pramanik 36 Non-Agriculture labour Char Mirkamari 01782203225 17 Md. Fahad hossain 45 Business Char Mirkamari - 18 Md. Abul Hossain Faraji 34 Business Char Mirkamari - 19 Md. Mesbahuddin Talukdar 55 Business Char Mirkamari - 20 Farid Ahamed 52 Fisherman Char Mirkamari - 21 Main uddin 32 Fisherman Char Mirkamari - 22 Md. Khalilur rahman 32 Business Char Mokarimpur - 23 Sardar Abdul Motin 15 Business Char Mokarimpur - 24 SM. Nurul Islam 25 Fisherman Char Mokarimpur - 25 Sree Jibon Halder 47 Fisherman Char Mokarimpur -

Appendix 4 Layout Plans

Layout Plan: Bheramara SS

Layout Plan: Ishwardi SS