Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (Esia)
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*OFFICIAL USE ONLY The Committee for Roads under Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) BUKHARA ROAD NETWORK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PHASE I (Reconstruction of the Highway A380 «Guzar-Bukhara-Nukus-Beineu» on a 78-km section from Sta 150+000 to Sta 228+000) Tashkent June 2020 IKS Consulting *OFFICIAL USE ONLY Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project - Phase I Environmental and Social Impact Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) through the Road Committee (RC) under the Ministry of Transport, intends to undertake the first phase of Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project (BRNIP-I) involving reconstruction and improvement of the 78- kilometer (km) long segment of the international road A380, from km 150 to km 228 in Bukhara region. GoU seeks financial assistance from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for this project. In order to address the adverse environmental and social impacts of this project and in compliance with the national regulatory as well as AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), RC has conducted the present environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) of Phase I of BRNIP (the proposed project). Project Background The total length of the transport network in the Bukhara region is about 4,012 km. Two international roads, A380 and M37, are crossing Bukhara region. The total length of the international roads is 486 km, including A380 – 333 km and M37– 153 km. International roads A380, and M37 are the key arterial highways that pass through the territory of the Bukhara region. The A380 highway with a total length of 1,204 km connects four regions of the country and is the main route between north-west and south-east of Uzbekistan, an important international corridor between Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and beyond the Russian Federation. It enters the international corridors of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program 2 and 6, Asian Highway 63, Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) and European highways E40 and E60. According to the state program, GoU plans to build and reconstruct 1,228 km of roads in 2018-2020, as well as bridges, overpasses and road interchanges on them. The improvement of road network in Bukhara has been included in the Uzbek national highway program. The proposed project of upgrading the road A380 from km 150 to km 228 is a key element of the GoU plans. Project Overview The key elements of the BRNIP-I are listed below. a. Civil works involving rehabilitation and modernization of road A380, for a total length of 78 km, from km 150 to km 228, involving concrete cement pavement and several bridges; b. Consulting Services for Construction Supervision and Technical Audit/Review of the road A 380; c. Project preparation for Phase II, involving: i) Conceptual Design and Preparation of Tender documents using innovative contracting methodology OPBRC/DBMOT for 78 km of the southern section of M37 and ii) Detailed Design and Preparation of Tender Documents for about 80 km of the north section of M37 using traditional input type of contracting; d. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building involving: i) Institutional Strengthening (including support to environmental and social (E&S) aspects), ii) Project Implementation Unit (PIU) – establishment and its professional staff engagement for five years, iii) Review and Update of Current Design and Works Standards and Specification; ii *OFFICIAL USE ONLY Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project - Phase I Environmental and Social Impact Assessment e. Equipment Purchase related to quality and quantity measurements for innovative contracting methodologies. The proposed Project includes the reconstruction of a 78 km section of the A380 highway, consisting of the following three sections/lots: i) LOT 1 - between 150 and 188 km; ii) LOT 2- between 188 and 208 km; and iii) LOT 3- between 208 and 228 km. The project scope includes laying of cement concrete pavement mostly on the existing road axis; construction of 30 culverts, six bridges, five interchanges; and fixing of road devices. Objectives of ESIA The present ESIA aims to address the potentially adverse impacts of the project and its activities on the physical and biological environment as well as on socio-economic aspects – in order to make the project environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable. The present study has been carried out in response to the requirements defined by the national regulations as well as AIIB ESP. Baseline Conditions The project area is located in the Bukhara region, which is a large agro-industrial region of Uzbekistan, located in the south-west of Uzbekistan. It is bordered by Turkmenistan, Khorezm, Navoi and Kashkadarya regions and the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan. The territory of the region consists of a desert plain with distinct hills. The total area of the territory is about 39,400 square kilometers. The region consists of 11 administrative districts, 11 towns, two urban townships and 107 kishlaks (villages). The administrative capital is the city of Bukhara. The old city of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous as a ‘living museum’ and a center for international tourism. There are numerous historical and architectural monuments in and around the city and adjacent districts. The project area falls in three districts of the Bukhara region namely Karaulbazar, Kagan, and Bukhara as well as Bukhara and Kagan cities. The population of Bukhara, Kagan and Karaulbazar districts was 165,200, 77,500 and 18,200, respectively, as of 2019. The share of rural residents is more in Bukhara (77%) and Kagan (93%) districts in comparison with Karaulbazar district (43%). Bukhara city and Bukhara district constitute most of populated areas of the project area. A large number of cultural heritage sites and buildings exist in Bukhara district however none of these sites or buildings are located along the A380 road segment proposed to be upgraded as part of the proposed project. The road segment proposed to be upgraded passes through plain area. The key features along the project road include populated areas of Bukhara, Kagan and Karaulbazar districts, Jeyran Eco-center, desert area, and cultivated fields. A few industrial organizations are also situated in the project area. The project road crosses four canals, including Amu-Bukhara canal, Kuyumazar canal, Chor-Bakr canal, and Shokhrud canal. In addition, the road crosses a number of drainage water collector channels. Jeyran Eco-center is located on both sides of the A380 road segment covered under the project. Established in 1977, Jeyran Eco-center is located in the southwest of the Kyzylkum desert, around 42 km from Bukhara and 12 km from the Karaulbazar city. This is a republican scientific-production center and a nursery for the breeding of rare species of animals. According to existing legislation, the Eco-center is a protected area of national importance with a strict regime for the protection of natural objects and complexes. It is intended for breeding rare species of animals, and preserving and studying typical ecological systems. The territory of the Jeyran Eco-center covers 16,522 hectares. It iii *OFFICIAL USE ONLY Bukhara Road Network Improvement Project - Phase I Environmental and Social Impact Assessment consists of two sections: A) The first plot, with an area of 5,145 ha, is intended for animal breeding and research. This site belongs to the strict security zone. The territory is protected by a fence which is more than 2 m high. B) The second section of 11,377 hectares (planned to be increased to 26,008 hectares) is intended to transfer an excessive number of animals from the first section to the second and their adaptation to restore and maintain the structure of desert biosensors as well as the establishment of a protection regime and the cessation of the illegal use of biological resources and the development of ecotourism. The key wildlife species in the Eco-center include Jeyran (Gazella subgutturosa), Kulan (Equus hemionus kulan), Przewalski's horse (Eguus fernsprzewalskii), and Bukhara mountain sheep (Ovis orientalis bocharensis). Potential Impacts and Mitigation The proposed project will generate socioeconomic benefits due to the improved condition of the road A380. The primary economic benefits of the investment program are cost savings from vehicle operation, reduction in travel time, and lower transaction costs related to transportation. This will lead to sustainable development of the economic growth, integrity and national security, as well as improvement of living standards and livelihoods of local population. The project will also generate employment opportunities particularly during its construction phase. The potentially negative impacts of the proposed project associated with its siting include acquisition of about 5.6 hectare (ha) of land belonging to three business entities and a forestry area, potential disturbance to wild species that exist in the Jayran Eco-center, and felling of about 2,934 trees. The potential impacts of the project’s construction phase include soil erosion caused by excavation and vehicular traffic on unpaved areas; soil and water contamination caused by release of waste effluents from construction sites, accidental leakage of fuels and chemicals, and waste effluents from camps and offices; noise and air emissions generated by construction machinery and vehicles; blockage of canals and drainage