Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Draft Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Pakistan Meteorological Department National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Executive Summary Background Climate change is expected to have an adverse impact on Pakistan, as it ranks 7th on the climate risk index. It continues to be one of the most flood-prone countries in the South Asia Region (SAR); suffering US$18 billion in losses between 2005 and 2014 (US$10.5 billion from the 2010 floods alone), equivalent to around 6% of the federal budget. Hydromet hazards have been coupled with rapid population growth and uncontrolled urbanization, leading to a disproportionate and growing impact on the poor. To build on recent development gains, increase economic productivity, and improve climate resilience, it will be critical to improve the quality and accessibility of weather, water, and climate information services. Climate-resilient development requires stronger institutions and a higher level of observation, forecasting, and service delivery capacity; these could make a significant contribution to safety, security, and economic well-being. The Pakistan Hydro- Meteorological and DRM Services Project (PHDSP) expects to improve hydro- meteorological information and services, strengthen forecasting and early warning systems, and improve dissemination of meteorological and hydrological forecasts, warnings and advisory information to stakeholders and end-users and strengthen the existing disaster risk management (DRM) capacity and services of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Project Description The project has three main components and will be implemented over a period of five years. Component 1: Hydro-Meteorological and Climate Services The objective of this component is to improve the capability and thereby performance of the PMD to understand and make use of meteorological and hydrological information for decision making. This objective will be achieved, in line with international best practices, through investment in strengthening institutional setup and building capacity of human resources at the PMD. The Concept of Operations (CONOPS) is an important tool for PMD which will provide a conceptual overview of the proposed system and sub-systems. Component 2: Disaster Risk Management This project component will support implementation of the priorities identified in the National Disaster Management Plan, NDMP Road-Map 2016-2030 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Under this component, capacity enhancement of NDMA will be prioritized. NDMA will be responsible for implementation of the project and coordination with the key stakeholders, for project initiation and implementation of activities. Key stakeholder will be involved from the initial phase. The main activities of this component will focus on strengthening capacity of NDMA through increased emergency response capacity, construction of DM complex that will house offices, NEOC, NIDM and the NDRF, reviewing the existing DRM system in the country and conducting hazard assessments in priority district. Component 3: Contingency Emergency Response Component This component will support preparedness and rapid response to a natural disaster, emergency, and/or catastrophic event as needed. The provisional zero cost for this component will allow for rapid reallocation of credit proceeds from other components under streamlined procurement and disbursement procedures. Following an adverse natural event that causes a Executive Summary i Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project major natural disaster, the Government of Pakistan may request the Bank to re-allocate project funds to this component to support response and reconstruction. This component could also be used to channel additional funds should they become available as a result of the emergency. Need for the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) In line with the environmental legislation of Pakistan as well as World Bank (WB) Operational Policies, an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the project has been prepared. This ESMF assesses environmental and social impacts related to the physical interventions to expand facilities at PMD offices, build NDMA Headquarters, and install Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across Pakistan. The ESMF outlines an Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan (ESMMP) as well as a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) to address any adverse potential impacts as a result of this Project. The ESMF includes institutional arrangements required to implement environmental and social aspects and presents monitoring requirements for effective implementation of mitigation measures; describes training needs and specific reporting and documentation requirements; and proposes a third-party validation mechanism. The national regulatory laws and World Bank Operational Policies applicable to this project are detailed in this ESMF. Assessment of Environmental and Social Baseline Physical Location and Land Use The project will be implemented in Islamabad Capital Territory, and Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KPK provinces of Pakistan. The project infrastructure development includes the establishment of a Monsoon Monitoring Center (MMC) in Islamabad as well as upgradation of PMD facilities in Lahore by constructing a Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR). 5 Regional Flood Forecasting Centers (RFFC) will also be established, as well as a Disaster Management Complex including construction of NDMA headquarters that will host National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) and NDRF Facility. The exact locations of these facilities as well locations of additional infrastructure development related to the installations of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and SWR will be finalized in the second phase of the project. The MMC and WSR in Islamabad and Lahore will be built within the premises of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) office complexes. Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for these have been prepared by PMD. ESMPs for the other sub-projects will be prepared when locations have been identified. Surface and Ground Water Hydrology Pakistan can be divided into three main units in terms of hydrology, Indus Basin, closed basin of Kharan desert and the Makran coastal basin. Groundwater availability is limited in Pakistan and poses a severe problem for water supply. Worst affected are the most arid regions of Balochistan and the southeast of Pakistan. Natural Hazard Vulnerability National Seismic Monitoring Centre of Pakistan issued the seismic zone map for Pakistan. Parts of KPK Province, Federally Administered Areas, Balochistan and Sindh fall in Zones 3 and 4 which indicate moderate to severe damage to infrastructure and topography from earthquakes.1 1 National Seismic Monitoring Center, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Executive Summary ii Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project The entire country is prone to floods, particularly along the Indus River Basin, with major flooding experienced in 2010 and 2015. Sub-projects may be installed in areas that are prone to flooding. Ecological Environment Pakistan has a rich natural heritage of biodiversity due to diverse physiography, soil types, and climate. Terrestrial biomes of Pakistan range from deserts in the south to the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Karakorum, and Hindu Kush in the north and west. Pakistan can be divided in to eleven ecological zones and nine main agro-ecological zones according to distribution of flora and fauna. More than 6,000 flowering species have been recorded in Flora of Pakistan, of which 465 are thought to be endemic and 50 species are on the verge of extinction.2 There are 174 species of mammals, 668 species of birds, 177 species of reptiles, 22 amphibians, 198 freshwater fish species, 788 marine fist species found in Pakistan. 3 There are six endemic mammal species in Pakistan. Among them two — the little known woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), found in the northern mountain areas, and the Indus dolphin — are endangered. In birds, two species of pheasants, the western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), and the cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii), together with the great Indian bustard (Ardeostis nigriceps) are listed as endangered. Of the 177 species of reptiles recorded in Pakistan, 18 are endemic. The IUCN Red List of threatened species lists 45 species of internationally threatened animals occurring in Pakistan. Of these, 4 are critically endangered, twelve are endangered and twenty nine vulnerable. Out of these 45 species, 18 are mammals, 17 birds 9 reptiles, and one fish.4 Pakistan has a total of 334 Protected Areas which include 28 National Parks, 102 Game Reserves and 99 Wildlife Sanctuaries, with the remaining falling into other categories such as Wildlife Parks and Wildlife Refuges and unclassified. The Land Use Atlas of Pakistan puts the official estimates of forest cover in Pakistan at 5.4%.5 The forests of Pakistan are grouped into five physiognomic classes, conifers (40%), scrub (28%), riverine (7%), mangroves (8%), and plantations (11%).6 Socioeconomic Profile According to 2017 population census reports, the total population of Pakistan is approximately 207 million, with the province of Punjab having the highest population with 110 million, followed by Sindh 48 million,