26 MW SHAGHARTHANG HYDROPOWER PROJECT

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

REVISED

May 2012 IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction:

Initial Environmental Examination Report of 26 MW Shagharthang Hydropower Project presents the environmental assessment of the construction and the operation phases of the project. It is to ensure that the potential adverse environmental impacts are appropriately addressed in line with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 as well as meeting the requirements of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997. The Project is covered by Schedule B of Energy Sector as per “Policy and Procedures for Filing, Review and Approval of Environmental Assessment” issued by Pak - EPA in August 2000 and Category “B” Under ADB's SPS 2009 which requires preparation of an IEE Report for submission to EPA Gilgit Baltistan for their approval.

Project Description:

The proposed 26 MW Shagarthang Hydropower Project is located on right bank of Kachura Lungma (stream), District Skardu which is about 50 km from the Skardu city. The Kachura lungma is a left tributary of the Indus River with its confluence located about 40 km northwest of Skardu. The project facilities will consist of a weir intake, a connecting channel, a de-silting basin, a daily storage pond, a spill channel, a headrace tunnel, a powerhouse, a tailrace channel, a surge tank, a penstock, transmission line and a grid station. To facilitate construction activities, partial widening and surface improvement of an existing road is also part of the project.

Environmental Baseline:

The project area falls in the Skardu district which lies in the southeast of Gilgit-Baltistan. The field surveys conducted in September 2011 collected primary and secondary data in respect of physical, biological and socio-economic environment. Meetings were held with officials of departments of revenue, agriculture, health, education, fishery and forest. Public consultations were held with locals including project affectees. The population of the 4 villages within the influence of the project is at present 5,592. The majority of the household size has electrical connection which however, is limited to lighting only. The water supply and sanitation conditions need improvement.

Environmental Impacts and Mitigation:

The project impacts have been discussed with reference to design, construction and operation related impacts and positive impacts. The design related impacts relate to loss of land and assets due to access road widening. Construction related impacts in particular relate to disposal of excavated material for which disposal sites has been identified. The construction related impacts will be manageable if the mitigation measures are implemented thoroughly.

A total of 42.475 acres of Govt. and private land will have to be acquired for the project implementation. This land area consist of 13.669 acres of land needing permanent acquisition for access road, 9.694 acres for project structures and 0.22 acres for grid station including18.31 acres of land requiring temporary acquisition for construction camps, dumping sites and during stringing

ES - 1 IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project operation of 66kV transmission line. No residential house will be affected by the project.

Other than land, a total of 1150 fruit and shade/wood trees, and 62 structures of different types including 5 shops made up of stone masonry with mud roofing measuring 102.91 square meter, boundary wall 740.71 cubic meter and agriculture/livestock sheds measuring 160.50 square meter will also be affected by the construction of project components.

66 kV Transmission Line:

A total of 97 towers will be constructed for 30 km transmission lines that will traverse from Shagharthang to Sondus in Skardu town. Tower foundation would require 0.582 acres of private land affecting 30 households with a total population of 350 affected persons. In addition, 11.77 acres of land would be acquired temporarily during stringing operation. An estimated 43 trees will be affected within 10m COI of the 66kV transmission line. Out of these, 40 trees are timber and fuel wood trees and only 3 are fruit trees.

The project as a whole will affect 110 households with a total population of 1,196 affected persons (APs). All affected households (AHs) are Muslim and ethnically Balti and Shin. There are neither tribal nor minority people amongst the AHs. These households will be affected due to widening of road, lying of transmission towers and construction of a new grid station.

The operation related impacts relate to mitigation measures in terms of environmental flow requirements to safeguard aquatic ecology and fisheries. The positive impacts enumerate the savings in annual green house gas emissions.

Public Consultation

A public consultation program and census survey held earlier in April, May & June, 2008 was followed up in Sep, 2011, when the consultant team assessed the correctness of the inventory of affected assets subject to final verification by the Revenue Department. The staff of land revenue department together with PMU and consultant staff have finalized the inventory of affected assets and actual demarcation on the respective sites.

Institutional Requirements:

Environmental impacts associated with construction and operation of the project need to be mitigated for which institutional arrangements have been proposed by establishing a project management unit (PMU) headed by a full time Project Director to ensure compliance with ADB policies and procedures. For addressing complaints and grievances of project affectees, a grievance redress committee (GRC) has been proposed.

Environmental Management Plan:

The environmental management plan (EMP) has been drawn up to address environmental concerns, recommend mitigation measures and assign responsibility to implement and monitor them. The environmental management plan should be used as a basis for environmental compliance programme and be included in the contract document.

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I. INTRODUCTION

For updating the IEE report already conducted in the year 2008 for 26MW Shagharthang Hydropower Project, Water and Power Department Gilgit Baltistan made arrangements in the year 2011 for consultancy services with Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Lahore. In order to consider project financing, an Asian Development Bank Mission visited the project area during August 2011. Before detailed design is undertaken by EPC Contractor Environmental Assessment (IEE Report) and Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) Reports are to be completed. It is mandatory that no objection certificate of the IEE Report is obtained from EPA GB before proceeding with the construction of the project.

This Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) presents the environmental assessment of the proposed Shagharthang Hydropower Plant with reference to its design, construction and operation phases. This IEE has been carried out to ensure that the potential adverse environmental impacts are appropriately addressed in line with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 as well as to meet the requirements of the Government of Pakistan for environmental assessment.

The environmental assessment report is submitted to ADB by the Government of Gilgit Baltistan on behalf of Water and Power Department (GB-WPD). This report is to be submitted for review and approval by the Gilgit Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) as required by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

A. Environmental Regulatory Compliance

Section 12(1) of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 requires that “No proponent of a project1 shall commence construction or operation unless he has filed with the Federal Agency2 an initial environmental examination or, where the project is likely to cause an adverse environmental effect, an environmental impact assessment, and has obtained from the Federal Agency approval in respect thereof."

The National Environmental Quality Standards are applicable to any process, emission or effluent from the project. However, no such emissions or effluents are envisaged from Shagharthang Hydropower Project.

1 Defined as "any activity, plan, scheme, proposal or undertaking involving any change in the environment and includes-(a) construction or use of buildings or other works; (b) construction or use of roads or other transport systems; (c) construction or operation of factories or other installations; (d) mineral prospecting, mining, quarrying, stone-crushing, drilling and the like; (e) change of land use or water use; and (f) alteration, expansion, repair, decommissioning or abandonment of existing buildings or other work roads or other transport systems, factories or other installations. 2 The Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan has delegated the power of the Federal Agency for EIA and IEE reviews for projects falling in different provinces to the environmental protection agencies of the respective provinces. Federal Agency in this case is the Gilgit Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency.

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Pak - EPA in August 2000 issued “Policy and Procedures for Filing, Review and Approval of Environmental Assessment”, which includes Schedules A, B and C defining development projects in terms of requirements for EIA and IEE. Schedule A defines projects which require an EIA. It deals with list of major projects which have the potential to affect a large number of people. The impact of such projects may be irreversible and could lead to significant changes in land use and in the social, physical and biological environment. The Section of Schedule A relating to Energy Sector states that hydropower generation above 50 MW will require environmental impact assessment report. Schedule B defines projects which require an IEE. It deals with projects where the range of environmental issues is comparatively narrow and issues can be understood and managed through less extensive analysis. The Section of Schedule B states that hydropower electric generation below 50 MW will require IEE Report. Schedule C combines everything not in Schedule A and B. Thus Shagharthang Hydroelectric Project is covered by Schedule B which requires preparation of an IEE Report for submission to EPA GB for their approval.

B. Environmental Category of Shagharthang HPP

ADB uses a classification system to reflect the significance of a project‟s potential environmental impacts. A project‟s category is determined by the category of its most environmentally sensitive component including direct, indirect, cumulative, and induced impacts in the project‟s area of influence. Each proposed project is scrutinised as to its type, location, scale, and sensitivity and the magnitude of its potential environmental impacts. Projects are assigned one of the four categories (A, B, C, or FI) for environmental assessment. The category is assigned based on the project's potential for environmental impact as follows:

Category A: A proposed project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are reversible, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. An environmental impact assessment is required.

Category B: A proposed project is classified as category B if its potential adverse environmental impacts are less adverse than those of category of A projects. These impacts are site specific, few if any of them are reversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can designed more readily than for category A projects. An initial environmental examination is required.

Category C: A proposed Project is classified as category C if it is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. No environmental assessment is required although environmental implications need to be reviewed.

Category FI: A proposed project is classified as category of FI if it involves investment of ADB

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funds to or through a F1.

Under ADB's SPS 2009, the proposed project is a Category “B” project. Therefore an

IEE has been prepared „‟with its narrower scope, has been conducted for the project with its

limited impacts that are few in number, generally site-specific, largely reversible, and readily addressed through mitigation measures.‟‟

C. Objectives and Scope of IEE

The objectives of the IEE are to:

i) Assess the existing environmental conditions of the areas where the project is located including the identification of environmentally sensitive areas;

ii) Assess the proposed activities, identify and evaluate the potential impacts and determine their significance;

iii) Propose appropriate mitigation measures that can be incorporated into the proposed activities to minimize any adverse impacts, ensure that residual impacts are acceptable and propose appropriate monitoring requirements.

This lEE is based on detailed socio-environmental field surveys, secondary sources of

information and public consultations undertaken specifically for the project.

D. Report Structure

Following (i) introduction, this Report contains eight more sections including (ii) project

description; (iii) environmental baseline; (iv) environmental impacts and mitigation; (v)

stakeholders consultation; (vi) institutional requirements and environmental management plan; (vii) environmental related costs; (viii) findings and recommendations; and (ix) conclusions.

The inventory of affected households is given in Appendix – I, Stakeholder consultations

Appendix-III, meeting with line departments Appendix- IV and environmental management plan is placed as Appendix – V. Photographic documentation of the project area is provided at the end of the

report.

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II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Data as in October 2011 obtained from Water and Power Department, Gilgit Baltistan,

there are 37,301 electricity consumers in Skardu district. Of these 30,351 (81.8%) are domestic,

6,347 (17.1%) are commercial, whereas 603 (1.1%) are industrial. The total power demand in 2011 is 55.3 MW. However; the total installed capacity of hydel and thermal power plants is 16.40

MW. Thus there is a shortfall of 38.9 MW. Despite the addition of another 8 MW from under

construction power projects and other projects planned in the short-term, a serious shortfall will

exist, hampering development in the Skardu area. Unless new sources of power are added, the

situation is likely to aggravate with time as the demand is projected to increase to 85 MW by

2015. The proposed 26 MW plant will be an important project to bridging the widening gap between demand and supply.

B. LOCATION

The Shagharthang Hydropower Project is located on Kachura Lungma (nullah) which is a left bank tributary of Indus river (Figures 1, 2). It is located about 30 Km North West of Skardu

town having potential for generation of cheap hydel power. The project area is accessible from

Gilgit-Skardu road running along Kachura nullah. A jeepable road off-take from Skardu road and

goes along Kachura nullah upto Shagharthang village. The weir intake is proposed downstream

of Shagharthang village. The powerhouse is further 10.5 Km downstream.

Shagharthang HPP

Figure 1: Project Location in the Map of Pakistan

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C. PROJECT LAYOUT ALTERNATIVES

The project layout alternatives can be considered on left bank or right bank of Kachura nullah to develop available power potential in the steep stretch downstream of Shagharthang

village. Figure 2 depicts these alternatives.

Figure 2: Project Alternate Layouts A brief comparison of the salient features of these alternatives is given in Table - 1

below.

Table 1: Comparison of Project Layout Alternatives

Layout Alternatives I II III* IV

Weir Crest Elevation (m, amsl) 3220 2980 3225 2485

Tail Water Level (m, amsl.) 2980 2640 2546 2255

Gross Head (m) 240 340 679 230

Open Open Type of Main Water Conveyance System Tunnel Tunnel Channel Channel

Length of Water Conveyance System (km) 3.9 5 5.76 2.3

Mean Annual Energy (GWh) 63.57 91.14 175.9 65.10

*Finally Selected

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Four project layout alternatives in terms of locations of sites for headrace tunnel, weir

and powerhouse were investigated. The selected weir site is located at higher elevation giving additional head and consequently more power/energy output than the weir site which has been

dropped, the later also having to cross some streams. The other alignments due to unfavourable

geological conditions etc are also not feasible. The surface powerhouse instead of cavern type with pressure shaft has been selected.

The project layout Alternative – III shown in Figure 2 has been selected. The highlight

of this layout alternative involved the largest gross head. The maximum annual energy generation and a smooth construction sequence subject to the minimal environmental disruption inspite of

the longest water conveyance system.

D. PROJECT COMPONENTS

The selected layout Alternative III given in Figure 3, comprises of a diversion weir,

connecting channel, sedimentation basin, power channel, daily storage pond for peaking,

headrace tunnel, surge tank, penstock and powerhouse. Salient features of Selected Alternative are listed below.

Figure 3: Project Layout Plan Shagharthang Hydropower Project

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Table 2: Project Components

Sr. # Item Units Quantity i. Design Discharge m3/s 4.6 ii Residual flow m3/s 0.276 iii. Gross Head M 679.0 iv. Net Head M 667.80 v. Installed Capacity MW 26.0 vi. Mean Annual Energy GWh 175.9 vii. Plant Factor % 76.2 viii. Weir Crest Elevation m. - a.m.s.l. 3225 ix. Weir Coordinates: 35° - 24 - 54″ N , 75° - 24 - 34″ E x. Weir Length M 50 xi. Headrace Tunnel M 5,760 xii. Tail Water Level m. - a.m.s.l. 2546 xiii. Connecting Channel M 80 xiv.. Sand Trap M 54 x 3.1 x 3.9 deep xv. Power Channel Length M 250 xvi. Daily Storage Pond m3 35,000 xvii. Surge Tank Height M 25 xviii. Penstock Diameter M 1.4 xvix. Penstock Length M 1350 xxi.. Turbines Nos. 3 xxii. Type of Turbines - Pelton wheel, horizontal axis xxiii. Capacity of Each Turbine MW 8.67 xxiv. Powerhouse Type Surface - xxv.. Powerhouse Size m2 50m x 30m xxvi. Powerhouse Coordinates 35° - 24 - 14″ N, 75° - 23 - 55″ E xxvii. Length of Transmission Line* Km 30

Weir: The weir intake is proposed to be constructed just downstream of wooden bridge on Kachura lungma near Staqchan village. A 1,000 year return period flood of 327 m3/sec is planned to pass over a 3m high and 45m wide concrete overflow weir with crest level of 3,225m amsl and maximum surcharge of 2.42m. For energy dissipation 17m long stilling basin has been proposed.

Headrace Tunnel: Tunnel has horseshoe shape having 3.4 m width, 3.4 m height and length of 5,760 m from inlet. It has design capacity of 4.60 m3/s and act as low pressure tunnel. It

will be concrete lined with slope of 1:1000.

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Daily Storage Pond: To produce 26MW of electricity during winter months, the daily flows need to be stored during off-peak hours and used for power generation during peak hours. Before start of headrace tunnel, a daily pond has been proposed with a gross capacity of 35,000 m3. This storage would provide additional flows of 2.43 m3/sec during peak hours, therefore designed capacity of 26MW can be produced during winter months. The daily storage pond would be 150m long, 40m wide and with a water depth of 6.0m. The whole structure would be concrete with proper wall and floor thickness. It is observed that storage of pond 35,000 m3 can be utilized for four hours taking 2.43 m3/sec of water in addition to the perennial flow during winter.

Residual Flow: A residual flow of 0.276 m3/sec has been allowed as 10% of average of lean months from November to April. Minimum of 10% of lean month‟s average flow is 0.276 m3/sec, which is minimum environmental flow for bare survival of biota in vulnerable reach and also taking stock of riparian users‟ minimum requirements during this period (Montana Method). Flows of water available for power generation from Nov to April every year is already less than design flow of 4.6 m3/sec. So the release of environmental flow downstream of weir site will not in any way compromise on water availability for power generation thus having least impact on power generation while ensuring the downstream ecological and riparian users requirements.

Sand Trap: The sand trap is designed for the removal of sediment particles up to 0.20 mm size. For this purpose 54 meter long, 3.1 m wide and 3.9 m deep two chambers section will be appropriate for 4.6 m3/s discharge capacity. The bed slope of the proposed chamber has been fixed at 2.5%. The maximum depth of chamber at the end becomes 5.30 meters. For the flushing of particles deposited in the chamber 20% additional discharge is needed for continuous flushing.

Penstock: A penstock is a steel pipe to convey the water from surge bay to powerhouse. To convey a design discharge of 4.6 m3/s, penstock pipe has been proposed. The flow in the pipe is pressure flow.

Tailrace: The flow from powerhouse will be disposed off through a tailrace channel into the Kachura nullah. The proposed length of tailrace is 35 m. It has a rectangular section of 3.0 m wide and 2.0 m high. The bed slope of channel will be 1:500 and the velocity of flow is 1.80 m/s. The depth of water level will be kept at 1.6 m for full discharge. The tailrace will join the nullah at an elevation 2546 m amsl. The flood level for 1000-year return period is estimated 2,544 m amsl in the Kachura Lungma.

Grid Station and Transmission Line: It is estimated that population will expand towards western side of Skardu city as the stretch of land from Radio Pakistan Building Complex to Cadet College offers good opportunities for establishment of human settlements and new commercial centres. Therefore a 66 kV grid station is proposed. It is pointed out that the approach road to Grid Station at Sundus has since been completed; it takes off from main Skardu road near Police Line to Elementary College at Sundus.

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This proposed station can be linked to be existing 66 kV grid station thereby developing a stable and flexible distribution network in the area.

The 66 kV power transmission line is proposed to transfer the electrical power of Shagharthang Hydropower Project over a distance of 30 Km to 66 kV grid station at Sondus Skardu.

Access Road to Weir Site: The access road to the project site is identified as a katcha / jeepable track. About 23 km long road off-takes from the Skardu-Rawalpindi road near the Kachura village, requires up-gradation of katcha track as it is a single lane, winding, tortuous and rough angular gravel-boulder track resulting in a bumpy and bouncy ride. The road starts from Lower Kachura village, passes near the Shangrila Resort and then running along the Kachura Lungma, snakes through Upper Kachura, Soq Village and then leads to weir site. The first 10-km of the road, from Kachura to Soq village, is relatively in good condition. It has a width of 5 m. The remaining 11 km of the road, from Soq to Staqchan is dilapidated; the surface is rocky without any compaction and the width at places is less than 3 m. The road beyond Soq village becomes inaccessible during winter months due to snowfall. The present width of the existing road and its surface conditions are not suitable to transport material and supplies for the construction of the proposed project.

To avoid the potential socioeconomic impact associated with the widening of the road going through the human settlements from Kachura to Soq Village, GBWPD intends to construct truck-passing areas (39 crossing points) at every 200-m between Kachura and Soq as well as from starting point upto SCO exchange requiring total land area of 13.669 acres. The requirement for land by providing these crossing points as well as widening of road from Powerhouse site to Weir site is 13.669 acres. Out of this 2.073 acre are cultivated private land which will be acquired and compensated at market rate fixed by LAC. Rest 11.596 acres are government uncultivated land.

Figure 4: Access Road

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Beyond Soq village, the road passes mainly through state land. In this section, the width of the road will be uniformly increased to 6.7m and the surface will be improved to ensure that the gradient is negotiable by heavy vehicles.

Manpower: About 300 people will be employed for the implementation of the project where as 96 persons will get permanent employment for its operation and maintenance.

Construction Schedule: The construction period of the project is 4 years starting from 2012. Appendix - 4 (Environmental Management Plan) enumerates environmental assessment and resettlement activities and corresponding agencies responsible for their completion.

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III. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE

A. BASELINE SURVEY METHODOLOGY

The field work for determination of socio-economic setting and environmental baseline

of the project area was undertaken from 9th to 20th September 2011. The survey team consisted

of PES and PMU professional staff including Project Director, senior environmentalist, sociologist,

ecologist, fishery expert and engineers. The work consisted of project area socio-environmental

survey through participatory rural appraisal/focused group discussions with locals and owners of

land, primary/ secondary data collection, visits/ discussions with line department officials. The

baseline data collected regarding existing socio-economic and environment conditions of the

project area is discussed in the following sections whereas the photographic documentation of the

field survey is given in Appendix-III at the end of the report.

B. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The project area falls in the Skardu district which lies in the southeast of GB. The

physical environment is characterized by the high mountains and narrow valleys. The only

exception is the valley of the Indus River near Skardu city. The Indus valley has an elevation of

about 2,200 m whereas the mountains surrounding the valleys are typically more than 4,000 m in

elevation.

The climate of the Skardu District is characterized by winter precipitation and pleasant

summers. The summer season in low lying valleys is hot but at high altitude is very pleasant.

Similarly, winter season at high altitude is extremely cold as compared to the valleys. During

winter the northern winds blow constantly bringing the temperature down considerably. The

minimum temperature recorded in Skardu city is -29 °C.

At Skardu the mean maximum temperature is 31.6°C in July, the hottest month and 8.7

°C in January, the coldest month. The mean minimum temperatures are 24°C in July and -2.8°C

in January respectively. Skardu city and other areas in extreme northwest of Pakistan receive

only 223 mm precipitation of which 75% occurs in winter and spring.

Climatic data in the form of average monthly precipitation, maximum daily precipitation

and average, maximum and minimum temperatures at Skardu station is available and is given in

Table 3.

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Table 3: Climatic Data of Skardu (1962-1998)

Temperature °C Average Average Average Month Monthly Monthly Monthly Rainfall Monthly Monthly Maximum Minimum (mm) Maximum Minimum January 8.7 -17.9 2.9 -2.8 30.58 February 11.4 -11.1 5.7 -5.0 25.58 March 17.8 -2.5 12.0 1.5 39.99 April 22.0 4.3 18.5 6.5 29.64 May 29.1 7.1 22.9 9.6 29.76 June 31.8 10.9 28.4 13.4 9.08 July 35.8 13.8 31.6 16.6 11.79 August 35.9 13.4 31.1 16.2 12.65 September 31.2 9.9 27.2 12.0 9.50 October 23.2 2.1 20.2 4.7 9.22 November 17.5 -3.8 13.0 -1.7 5.80 December 10.4 -11.1 6.3 -5.4 15.53

Source: Pakistan Met. Department

Rivers and Streams: The glaciers and the snow bound peaks bring out streams and rivers in the beautiful valleys finally merge in the mighty Indus. Plenty of springs and streams flow

throughout the district providing clean water for drinking and irrigation. GB is drained by the mighty Indus which rises in Tibet. Other two river Shingo on Shyok passing to Kargil area join the

Indus in GB. Kachura lake and Satpara lake are the most important beautiful lakes owing to the

varied scenery due to the mountain around them.

Kachura Lumgma has a total catchment of 632 Km2 at the proposed weir site. The

mean annual flow in the stream at the site is 14.18 m3/s. November to April are the low flow

months when the flow is less than 4.6 m3/s. The minimum flow of 2.1 m3/s is recorded in March. With the onset of summer the flow in the stream increases and a peak flow of 47.6 m3/s is

recorded in July. The flow record in terms of average values of Kachura nullah for the period 1966

to 1997 is given in Table 4.

Table 4: Record of Flow in Kachura Nullah (1966 – 1997) 3 Sr. # Month Average Flow (m /s) 1 January 2.52 2 February 2.21 3 March 2.09 4 April 2.70 5 May 8.50 6 June 28.46 7 July 47.56 8 August 42.59 9 September 19.41 10 October 7.10 11 November 4.01 12 December 3.01 Annual Average 14.18

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Water Quality: The population of Kachura valley uses Kachura lungma water for drinking purposes. In order to determine suitability of water for drinking purposes, three water samples were collected in September 2011 and tested in AKRSP Laboratory, Skardu for turbidity, pH, conductivity, TDS, total hardness and nitrates. The results are given in Table – 5 indicating all parameters were within the limits of WHO guidelines.

Table 5: Results of Laboratory Analysis of Water Samples from Kachura Nullah

Total Source of Sample Residual Total Turbidity Conductivity Dissolved Nitrate Sample & Code pH Chlorine Hardness (NTU) (μS/cm) Solids (ppm) Collection Date ( # ) (Cl2) (ppm) (mg/I) Down Stream Weir Site 01 < 5NTU 7.6 00 60.8 32.7 50 00 (17-09-2011) Power House 02 < 5NTU 7.4 00 63.0 33.6 50 00 Site (12-09-2011) Weir Site 03 < 5NTU 7.4 00 50.6 34.7 50 00 (17-09-2011)

Geology: The area comprises high mountains of igneous plutonic origin. Rock type seems to be granodiorite and diorite. Some granites are also seen Slopes have talus and scree deposits of mainly angular boulders and gravels. Along the nullah bed some alluvial material is also deposited mainly below the power house site. The weir site and the power house site are located in the overburden consisting of mainly angular and some rounded boulders and gravels with some fines. The area may be divided into high rocky mountains, terraces, alluvial fans and flood plains. Some moraine deposits and loess is seen mainly along the transmission line.

Siesmicity: Peak ground acceleration (PGA) ranges between 0.24g - 0.32g. During detail design phase EPC contractor will carry out investigation for PGA (g) and other geological parameters.

Soils: There is almost no soil cover on the high rocky mountains. The terraces are generally infested with gravels and boulders and interbeded and intermixed with some fine material mainly sand and clay. Some moraine deposits and some sandy patches are also seen. The alluvial soils are mainly clayey and silty shallow to moderately deep over gravels. They are rich in organic matter and are fertile.

Land Resources: The total land area of GB is 72,495 Km2. The 23-km section of the Kachura Lungma that will be potentially affected by the proposed project can be divided into two sections. The 10-km section from Kachura village upstream to the Soq village is populated. Wherever possible farmlands have been developed by levelling land and cutting terraces. The result is that no natural habitats exist along the road. The last 13 km of the road is relatively pristine. Here the terrain is rugged, with exposed rocks and very thin top soil. Most of this hilly terrain is devoid of large trees.

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C. AIR ENVIRONMENT

The air quality of the Project area is generally fresh and free of any pollutants. This is so because there is no major source of air pollution like industrial activity, or vehicular traffic. The

vegetal cover in the overall area is thin. This may result in a rise in suspended particulate matter

(SPM) during high winds or major traffic movement which is of temporary nature.

During blasting, transportation of construction material and heavy equipment, dust

levels are expected to rise in the project area. The large particles of the dust will deposit in the

adjoining areas and smaller particles will remain suspended in the air causing air pollution in the surrounding areas. Although the problem will be temporary and localised still special measures

should be taken to reduce this impact.

D. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Pakistan can be divided into four phytogeographical regions based on similarity of floral

diversity. Gilgit Baltistan (GB) falls in the Sino-Japanese region. The concentration of high

mountains in GB provides the ecological backdrop for the floral and faunal species adapted to rugged, high mountains. The most conspicuous feature in GB is the concentration of species

diversity, i.e. the existence, along a vertical projection, of a number of compressed latitudinal life

zones, which, in the tropics in particular, may encompass the full array of climatic conditions from the equatorial humid lowland to the ice-dominated arctic3. Three of the world's great mountain

ranges, the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush, meet at the confluence of the Gilgit and

Indus rivers. Monsoon rains are blocked by the high Himalayan Mountains. As a result most of the valleys of GB receive little rainfall and may be characterized as a cold desert.

Flora: Gilgit Baltistan has world's rarest plants and animals but these are now endangered from habitat loss and overuse. A number of plant species of great economic and conservation values are found in the area, including wild cumin, thyme, pine nuts, kuth, karru and

several other species of medicinal values. A high growth rate of human population has put

increasing pressure on the regional natural resource base. As a result, processes such as deforestation, firewood collection, overgrazing, over-hunting, use of pesticides and insecticides,

have become major threats to the remaining biodiversity in Gilgit Baltistan. The continuing loss of

forest habitat, with its associated fauna and flora, will have serious implications for the GB's other natural ecosystems. List of existing flora in the project area is given below;

3 The key information source of this section is: Ahjad Virk, Kashif Sheikh, and Abdul hamid Marwat, Biodiversity: Background Paper for Northern Area Strategu for Sustainable Development. IUCN Pakistan, 2003.

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List of Existing Flora in the Project Area

1. Abies pindrow 2. Acacia modesta 3. Allium cepa 4. Allium sativum 5. Artemisia scoporia 6. Artemisia scoporia 7. Barberis lyceum 8. Betula utilis 9. Betula utilis 10. Brassica Botrytis 11. Brassica capitata 12. Hibiscus esculentus 13. Ipomea Batatus 14. Juglans regia 15. Juglans regia 16. Juniperus communis 17. Juniperus macropoda 18. Morus alba 19. Morus alba 20. Morus nigra 21. Morus regia Linn 22. Neruim indicum 23. Olea furrugenea 24. Picea smithiana 25. Pinus wallichiana 26. Pisum sativum 27. Pisum sativum 28. Plantanus Orientals 29. Populus ciliate 30. Populus nigra 31. Prumus anygdalus 32. Prunus amygdalus 33. Prunus amygdalus 34. Prunus argdalus 35. Prunus arminiaca 36. Pyrus bokhariensis

Skardu has very limited forest resources. The protected forests cover about 9,288 hectares of area that is about 14% of the total protected forest in the GB and only 3% of the total forest. There are no protected forests in the Kachura valley4.

4 Information provided by the Forest Department of Gilgit-Baltistan

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Fauna: A number of globally significant species of mammals are found in the area including some of the endangered species like the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Marco Polo Sheep, Ladakh urial, flare-horned markhor, musk deer, and woolly flying squirrel. The status

of these fauna species according to the IUCN Red list and that of Government of Pakistan is

given below;

List of Existing Fauna in the Project Area Sr.No. Species Name IUCN Red List/Govt. of Pakistan 1. Astor markhor - 2. Black bear Endangered Species IUCN Red List 3. Brown bear Endangered Species IUCN Red List 4. Chukor - 5. Eagle - 6. Falcon Endangered Species Government of Pakistan 7. Golden eagle Endangered Species Government of Pakistan 8. Himalayan snowcock Endangered Species Government of Pakistan 9. H.Ibex Endangered Species Government of Pakistan 10. Lynx - 11. Marco Polo sheep Endangered Species IUCN Red List 12. Markhor Endangered Species IUCN Red List 13. Musk Dear Endangered Species Government of Pakistan 14. Otter - 15. Pigeon - 16. Red fox - 17. Snow leopard Endangered Species IUCN Red List 18. Urial - 19. Wolf Endangered Species IUCN Red List 20. Woolly flying squirrel Endangered Species IUCN Red List

About 230 species of birds, 20 species of freshwater fish, 54 mammals, 23 reptiles and

6 amphibians are reported from GB. In comparison, the corresponding figures for the whole of Pakistan are 668, 198, 174, 177, and 22, respectively. No significant faunal species are found in the first 10-km of the Kachura valley, the area that has been brought under cultivation or habitation. Beyond Soq village, the terrain is less disturbed except for the area around Staqchan and Shagharthang. In this area the locals have reported presence of some large mammals, particularly the Flarehorned markhor or Astore markhor (Capra falconen) on the hill tops, the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in the valley during winters, and Indian wolf (Canis lupus).

Protected Areas: No protected areas are found in the nearby vicinity of the project

- 16 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project area. However, Deosai Plains and Central Karakuram National Park (CKNP) constitute the key major environmental sensitivities located in the region which do not fall within the vicinity of the project area. The Deosai Plains are 32 km south of Skardu. This plateau is the habitat of the greatly threatened Himalayan Brown Bear and many other wild animals. At an average elevation of 3,500 metres. Deosai is now a National Park and protected area for wildlife.

Located at about 65 km from the project site, Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) was officially notified as National Park in 1993. The CKNP is Pakistan‟s largest Protected Area, covering over 10,000 km2. It encompasses the world‟s largest glacier outside of the Polar Regions.

Aquatic Ecology: Despite having rich freshwater resources, the fish diversity in the GB is considered to be low. This is attributed to high turbidity, low water temperature, high water speed, low benthic productivity, and the occurrence of long, narrow river gorges.

During field visits in September 2011 studies were undertaken for aquatic ecology and fisheries in the Kachura nullah. Water macro invertebrates are usually cryptolithic, mostly living in niches or under side of stone or clumps of algae and mosses in slow moving side water to shelter from the water current. Some are firmly attached to the stones; these must be scrapped (e.g. case building larvae and pupae) to obtain a specimen. To take stock of this situation each stone (which was to be observed) was lifted from the circumscribed area and was rapidly washed into fine mesh size hand net. The attached and fixed fauna was then scrapped of the stone and the pebbles into the fine mesh hand net. Then these specimens were washed into a bottle, fixed in 5% formalin to be estimated later for taxonomic identification.

In Kachura nullah macro invertebrates included crustaceans, molluscs and gastropods, oligochaetes. In this stream the larval insects dominate the macro invertebrate community. The vast majority of these fresh water dwelling macro-invertebrates live in the riffles area which is their most likely habitat providing continuous and plentiful supply of food in the form of plant and animal matter. The macro-invertebrate fauna collected from powerhouse site near Soq village included mayfly nymphs and stonefly nymphs, water mites, caddisfly, chironomus larve and long toed water beetles. These macro invertebrates constitute the major portion of Salmo trutta fano feed. The mayfly is found near the fresh water stream from Kachura nullah in May to June and as eggs or nymphs. Nymphs essentially are plant feeders, serving to convert plants to suitable animal food. Stonefly are more active at night and have the tendency to keep crawling to higher points, often crowding around tops of stones or other structures. Their emergence is from stone, usually in swift water. Nymphs live on both plant and animal matter. They are relished as food by trout.

Fishery: To estimate and enumerate fish population dynamics of Kachura Lungma different types of fish samples of varied sizes were collected and preserved in plastic bottles with

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formalin. Mosphometric characters like length, weight, no. of scales on dorsal lateral line, number of fins, their rays and spines were recorded at site. The fishing methods included; rod and line fishing, set net with # 55 mm thread net, cast net # 55 mm, # 33mm and hand sieve net # 25 mm. Rod and line fishing with baits was tried in riffles. Local fishermen were engaged to apply cast nets. Drag nets were applied in side slow moving riffles. Hand sieve nets were used at all locations.

Studies conducted earlier than the present field visit, suggest that 17 species of native fish and three species of exotic fish occur in the region. Four of the native species are believed to be endemic to Gilgit Baltistan, while several others have restricted ranges and are confined to one or two localities. The three exotic species of fish are the brown trout, North American rainbow trout and the Chinese carp. The brown trout that was introduced in Gilgit Baltistan in the early 20th century is now well established and is found in most of the rivers and lakes of Gilgit and Ghizar Districts. The North American rainbow trout and Chinese carp, have been introduced for aquaculture, and are found only in water bodies in which they are stocked. Their natural breeding is reportedly very restricted.

During present fish studies mainly specimens of Salmon trutta fanio (brown trout) were captured along with one specimen of rainbow trout. As far as other three local snow carps are concerned, they were all captured at confluence point near Indus river and Shangrilla Resort. The fishing catches effort – capture ratio show that brow trout mainly inhabits powerhouse site to its confluence at Indus.

E. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

Northern areas of Pakistan lying in the extreme north of the country are officially designated as Gilgit Baltistan (GB) province. This province borders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, Afghanistan to the North, China to the northeast, the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Indian occupy state of Jammu and Kashmir to the south and southeast. Administratively, GB is divided into 7 districts namely Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza- Nagar, Ghanche and Skardu. Gilgit town is the political and administrative headquarter of GB. Other important urban centres include Skardu and Chillas. The Shagharthang project area lies in Skardu district.

Gilgit Baltistan consists of many diverse linguistic, ethnic and religious groups living in many isolated valleys intercepted by some of the world‟s highest mountains. The region is primarily characterised by distinct social and political status and its cultural richness. The multi- ethnic communities living together share common cultural, linguistic, historical heritage and are adapted to the harsh and fragile environment over centuries. Basic amenities of daily life like water supply, electricity, dispensaries, schools and roads conditions are poor in the project area.

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Population: According to the 1998 census the total population of the NA, was 875,361. The present population is estimated to be 1.15 million. Of this, 25.0% of the people live in Skardu, the second largest of the six districts of NA, after Gilgit. The project area falls in the Kachura

valley, Skardu sub-division. Total population of Kachura valley in 1998 was 7,982. At the growth

rate of 2.74% per annum, the present population is estimated to be 10,500.

Project Area Population: The population of villages falling within the project site has been obtained. A total of four villages fall within the socio-economic influence of the project. Their

population according to 1998 Census is 3938 living in 418 households. The average no. of persons per household is 9.5. At annual growth rate of 2.74% of District Skardu, the present

(2011) projected population of these villages totals to 5592 with average households is 9.7as

shown in Table - 6:

Table 6: Socio-Economic Indicators of Villages Falling around Project Area

1998 Projected 2011 S. Household Villages Household population Househ # Population Households Size Size olds 1. Kachura 1919 225 8.5 2725 300 9.1

2. Soq 545 60 9.1 774 79 9.8

3. Staqchan 240 28 8.6 341 35 9.7

4. Shagharthang 1234 105 11.8 1752 160 10.9

Total 3938 418 9.5 5592 574 9.7 Source: District Population Census - 1998

Baltis form the over-whelming majority of ethnic groups with a small component of

shins. Yashkuns, Kashmiries Pathans and Punjabies. The majority of population belong to Shia

school of thought with Noor-Bukhshis, Sunnies, Ahle-Hadiths as minority with a few Ismailis. People are staunch followers of religion and the clergy plays an important role and influence over

the population. The sex ratio in the surveyed households show skew towards a preponderance of

males, on average 114 males to 100 females. The women are contributing to different extents in a number of domestic and farm activities.

Education Facilities: The education facilities in the project area are poor. The existing

numbers of educational institutions in the villages of the project area are shown in Table - 7. The data is based on the information collected during the socio-environmental survey in the month of

September 2011. To obtain higher secondary education the students of the project area have to

travel to Skardu and Gilgit.

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Table 7: Education Facilities in the Surveyed Villages of the Project Area

No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of Villages Primary Middle High Private School College Madrasa School School School Boys =1 Boys =1 Kachura 0 0 Girls =1 0 Girls =1 0 Boys =1 Soq 0 0 Boys+Girls =1 Girls =0 0 0 Boys =1 Staqchan 0 0 0 Girls =0 0 0 Boys =2 Boys =2 Shagharthang 0 0 0 Girls =0 Girls =0 0 Source: Primary Data September 2011 The literacy ratio in urban areas is 36.8% as compared to 12.6% in rural areas, which is even poor when compared to the overall literacy ratio of Gilgit Baltistan which is 47.1 % (59.0% male and 35.4% female). The low literately among females is partly due to lack of girls schools in the close vicinity.

There is a gradual trend of abandoning joint family system and adopting extended and nuclear family systems. The elder of a house is responsible to look after all the social matters and other activities of the house including income and expenditure.

Health Services: The availability of health services in terms of hospitals, health clinics, dispensaries and medicines is poor in the surveyed villages. Only one „A‟ class dispensary in Kachura village and one dispensary in Shagharthang village exist without adequate medical facilities. Diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, chest-infections, goitre, abdominal problems and seasonal infections (cold, cough etc.) are common among the villagers. The people have difficulty in obtaining the necessary medicines. Serious illnesses face people to go to Skardu town for treatment and most of them cannot afford this

Agriculture: Mainly one crop is successfully harvested in the area because of low temperatures and snow fall. The production level in the Kachura Valley is reasonably high. People are growing mainly wheat and potato. Maize and sorghum is grown for fodder as well as for grain. Potato is the main cash crop. Other vegetables are also grown for domestic use. Fruit trees are commonly grown on the borders of cultivated fields, however, small patches of fruit trees are also found in the project area. Apple, apricot, pear, mulberry, grapes, almond and walnut are the main fruit trees grown in the area.

Along the road and in the seasonally submerged areas willow and poplar are the most common trees growing. Leaves of both these trees are used for animal feeding and wood is used for burning, house construction and furniture making. Dense growth of willow is found in the submerged areas as well as road side plantation.

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Chemical fertilizers along with farm yard manure are in common use. A few have access to farm machinery and may use pesticides as well.

Sources of Income: Table - 8 shows main source of income of economically active population in the surveyed villages. Agriculture is the dominant sector as it is reflected at 90% in the villages around the project site. However, most of these 90% go for part time labour as and when available. Table 8: Sources of Income in Surveyed Villages No. of Sr.# Occupations % Persons 1. Agriculture, livestock 5033 90 2. Business 56 1 3. Service 112 2 4 Labour 391 7 5. Saw mills/ Flour mills Negligible - Total: 5592 100 Source: Primary data collected in September 2011 Table – 9 below gives the average annual income of the households ranges between 80,000 and 300,000.

Table 9: Average Annual Income per Household in Surveyed Villages

%age of Population Annual Income (Rs) 35 < 84,000 30 84,000 – 180,000 20 180,000 – 240,000 15 > 240,000 Source: Primary data collected in September 2011

Their income is more in kind than in cash. They grow their own wheat, eat and sell apples, apricot, and almond, rear their own animals, use their milk, butter and meat as well as poultry for eggs and meat, grow potatoes to earn cash. The cash is used mainly to buy fertilizers, insecticides, farm machinery, its lubricants and their utilities. About 35% of the population (Table

9) have annual income less than Rs. 84,000 (i.e minimum monthly wages of labour Rs.7000 as fixed by the GOP)

Social Infrastructure: The information on the possession of consumer durables and electronic appliances and other household items show that 16% households have television sets. Out of total, 10% own refrigerators and microwave ovens whereas 74% households do not own any electronic gadgets except radio. Majority of the people have their own houses, although some

90% of the total houses are stone and mud houses with thatched roof and floor. The remaining 10% are made with cement and concrete blocks.

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Electricity: Information collected in respect of availability of social amenities indicates that Staqchan and Shagharthang villages do not have access to electrical connections. However, the remaining villages in the project area have access to electricity but the use is limited to lighting as the GBWPD persuades the consumers for limited use of electricity only to avoid load shedding particularly in winter months. Water supply is available to most households through spring water.

However, the quality of the service is reportedly not satisfactory.

Sanitation: Sanitation services in terms of sewerage system, wastewater treatment, drainage and solid waste management are non-existent in the surveyed villages. Therefore the project area is characterised by inadequate sanitation conditions. However, in surveyed villages of the project area all the households use close space for excretion where the solid part is collected and used as farm yard manure after composting. The liquid part is allowed to flow in deep dug wells.

Archaeological and Cultural Sites: Historical and cultural sites in the form of mosques, shrines, graveyards or of archaeological significance will not be affected as none of such sites exist in the project area.

Chance Find: In case of chance find it will be the responsibility of the project engineer to stop the activities and report to the Archaeological Department for further necessary action.

Role, Position and Status of Women in the Project Area: Women take all responsibilities including taking care of household activities, bringing up of children, agriculture

(sowing, watering, weeding), livestock, poultry and collection of wood for cooking etc. Female population also carries out drying of apricot and mulberry; however, men also participate in levelling of land and sowing of crop. There seems to be a clear-cut boundary of labour among the locals. Now women are taking interest in all the fields specially education and health.

On the other hand life in the villages is entirely male dominated and women face many problems due to restricted mobility, lack of decision-making, poor access to social services, limited productive employment opportunities, early marriages, no family planning practices and no awareness about health and hygiene. Health is one of the biggest problems in their villages. The women often suffer from health problems after childbirth and there are no regular immunizations of the children. Since the women lack awareness about health and hygiene, the children suffer from various health problems due to poor hygienic conditions.

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F. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF AFFECTED PERSONS

In total, the census inventory identified 110 affected households with 1196 affected persons (APs). Out of this, 75 households with a total population of 780 persons would be affected due to widening of access road. These APs belong to Balti and Shin ethnic groups and speak Shina and Balti languages. Majority of the APs are gradually abandoning joint family system and adopting extended and nuclear family systems. Majority of the APs were married. The elder of a house is responsible to look after all the social matters and other activities of the house including income and expenditure.

All heads of households are male. 97% affected households are headed by married men while 3% affected households are headed by unmarried men. The sex ratio of the APs‟ sampled households show skew towards a preponderance of males, on average 114 males to 100 females. These women are contributing at different extents in a number of domestic activities through major and minor involvement in the project area.

It has been estimated that about 20% of the population is literate. Out of which some of the sampled population was reported to have primary, 6% secondary education and 3% higher secondary education. This percentage is only applicable to male population. The illiteracy rate of 81% of the sampled population is considerable higher than the national average. The low literacy among females (4%) is partly due to lack of girls schools in the close vicinity.

Among the APs, farming is the dominant occupation followed by wage labour in-off farm activities. 72% households have more than one source of income other than agriculture. A few affected household (Ahs) are engaged in government services particularly in military service. No woman was found in the service sector.

The average annual income of the households is Rs. 122,500 and ranges between 80,000 and 300,000.

The information on the possession of consumer durables and electronic appliances and other household items show that 12% households have television sets. Out of total 8% owns refrigerators and microwave ovens whereas 80% households do not own any electronic gadgets except radio.

Housing condition is also another indicator for assessing of living standard/household well-being. During field survey it was observed that all APs had their own houses along the project corridor. As far as the housing conditions are concerned, it was assessed during the census survey that of the total houses, 90% are stone and mud made with simple roof mostly thatched and floor while the remaining 10% are made with cement and concrete blocks..

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G. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

The project areas consist of many diverse linguistic, ethnic and religious groups living in many isolated valleys intercepted with some of the world's highest mountains. The major groups

are divided into various ethnic group including Balti, Shin, Yashkun, Kamin and Dom. The multi-

ethnic communities living together share common cultural, linguistic and historical heritage gone through the transformation process on various economic, political, and education fronts. The

transformation process through expansion of state system education, trade, tourism and out

migration working with major cities of Pakistan in formal and informal sectors and abroad had integrated the local inhabitants to the ideas, traditions, cultures and languages of Pakistan . None

of the households are tribal or minority members and all affected land is held in private ownership.

In addition, the project implementers are part of the project affected people. It would thus be difficult to apply to any one of these groups the notion of IP as defined by the SPS 2009 policy

which is based on the idea of discrete groups.

Therefore, standard provisions of the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework are sufficient to ensure an effective compensation process and the requirements of ADB Policy on

Indigenous People as specified in the Indigenous Peoples Development Framework (IPDF)

prepared for this project is not triggered, and therefore neither an IPDP nor special action is required for this project.

H. GENDER IMPACTS

Life in the villages is entirely male dominated and women face many problems due to restricted mobility, lack of decision-making, poor access to social services, limited productive

employment opportunities, early marriages, no family planning practices and no awareness about

health and hygiene. According to the women, health is one of the biggest problems in their villages. The women often suffer from health problems after childbirth and there are no regular

immunizations of the children. Since the women lack awareness about health and hygiene, the

children suffer from various health problems due to poor hygienic conditions.

Access to electricity will have positive impacts on women‟s lives that bear the

responsibility and hardship of main household chorus. With the availability of sufficient and

subsidized electricity and the use of electric appliances relieve women from physically demanding work and reduce their workload. As a result women have more choices to manage their daily

work. Besides lighting, electricity provides the basic tools for small business like entertainment,

access to communication media, and other commercial and productive activities.

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IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

This section of the IEE discusses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed

project and identifies mitigation measures to minimize the impacts in design, construction and

operational phases. The process of impact prediction is the core of the environmental assessment process and it is critical that the recommendations and mitigation measures are carried out during

the construction and operation of the project in accordance with the ADB SPS 2009 Policy as well

as requirements of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

Inventory of affected households due to loss of lands, built-up structures, crops and

trees due to project implementation are provided in Appendix – I.

A. DESIGN RELATED IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

Widening of Access Road: The key design-related environmental impact relates to the widening of access road up to weir site. Eight (8) crossing points have been proposed

between starting point (off taking from Skardu – Rawalpindi Road) up to SCO exchange and

about 31 crossing points at approximately every 200m on the section of the road between Kachura and Soq villages have been identified to allow smooth flow of traffic and to avoid

inconvenience to community.

The section of the road beyond Soq village, passes mainly through state land. In this section, the width of the road will be uniformly increased to 6.7m and the surface will be improved

to ensure that the gradient is negotiable by heavy vehicles.

Water and Power Department has identified and marked all the 39 locations from starting point located at Skardu – Rawalpindi road up to SCO exchange and between Kachura

and Soq villages with the collaboration of land revenue department. These crossing will be used

to facilitate truck-passing during construction activities. At these locations crossing points will be provided by expansion of the road width from its existing width of 5m to a new width of 6.7m in the

straight section of the road, and to 10.1m in a curved portion of the road.

Loss of Land: A total of 42.475 acres of Govt. and private land will have to be acquired for the project implementation. This land area consist of 13.669 acres of land needing permanent

acquisition for access road, 9.694 acres for project structures and 0.22 acres for grid station

including18.31 acres of land requiring temporary acquisition for construction camps, dumping sites and during stringing operation of 66kV transmission line. No residential house will be

affected by the project.

Loss of Economics Assets: Economic assets like trees of various types and sizes,

- 25 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project built up structures such as shops, boundary walls and crops will also be affected due to implementation of the project as mentioned below;

Affected Trees: It is estimated that 1,150 trees (27 fruit trees and 1123 fuel wood trees) will be felled. These trees include (fruit trees, timber trees, fuel wood trees and plantings).

For these trees the respective owners will be compensated. It is to be pointed out that widening of access road would involve major tree cutting of the project component. For these trees the respective owners will be compensated. However, it will be the responsibility of the contractor to avoid maximum tree cutting during widening of access road. Trees, the removal of which is unavoidable for construction shall have compensatory planting and replacement. Only indigenous tree species will be selected for replacement and no alien invasive species will be used. At least seven 7 new trees shall replace each cut tree and maintained alive for three years as part of the contractual agreement.

Affected Built-up Structures: The residential housing areas had already been successfully avoided through adjusting the access road alignment. As a result, no houses will be affected by the project. However, five shops measuring an area of 102.91 m² in Kachura and Soq

Village, located on the sharp road bend will have to be demolished to allow turning of the long vehicles. These shops are built-up of stone and mud. In case of businesses loss, in addition to structure compensation, the affectees will be compensated with business loss allowance equalling the average income of 3 months. The average income is not less than the minimum wages (Rs.7000) declared by Government of Pakistan.

About 746.31 m3 stone-made boundary walls along the road sides will be demolished.

The owners of these walls will be entitled to take the salvage material from these affected structures for their personal use in addition to the compensation.

Five cattle sheds covering an area of 162.51 m2 will also be affected due to widening of access road from Soq to Staqchqn village.

Affected Households: The project as a whole will affect 110 households with a total population of 1,196 affected persons (APs). All affected households (AHs) are Muslim and ethnically Balti and Shin. There are neither tribal nor minority people amongst the AHs. These households will be affected due to widening of road, lying of transmission towers and construction of a new grid station.

Transmission Line: A 66 kV transmission line will be required to be laid from the power house to the Grid Station at Sundus, Skardu town stretched over 97 towers. It passes through barren govt. land and then enters cultivated area mainly crossing over many willow trees.

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The line crosses over the road from tower no. 21 to tower no. 29 over barren land. After traversing cultivated land and few infrastructures it reaches Katchura Nullah crossing at tower no. 34. It then crosses over Indus river at tower no. 36. It is proposed to be stretched along a Katcha road upto tower no. 84. Most of the land in between is barren with a few patches of cultivated area and a few trees here and there. The proposed route shown in Figure 5 requires that 11 towers (No. 84 to 95) will be installed in the bed of river Indus to reach the proposed grid station site. The physical features identified within 10m of COI of 66 kV transmission line are listed in Table 10.

Grid Station: Location of the grid station is proposed in undulating sandy area. The site of grid station is approachable from main Skardu road. The approach road takes off from main

Skardu road to Elementary College Sundus near grid station. It is pointed out that the approach road to Grid Station at Sundus has since been completed now. The land acquisition (0.22 Acres) of tower foundation and grid station would affect 33 AFs. Compensation will be paid to the owners of this land.

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Figure 5: Route of 66kV Transmission Line from Powerhouse to Proposed Grid Station near Sundus

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Table 10: Land Features, Land Use and Infrastructure Falling In 10 m Corridor of 66kV Power Transmission Line

Tower No. Land Features & Land Infrastructure Remarks From to Use Tower -1 Tower-10 Barren government land Nil No environmental and social issues. Tower-10 Tower-11 Private land Project access road crossing Compensation for land and trees required Tower-11 Tower-12 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-12 Tower-13 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-13 Tower-14 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees.

Tower -14 Tower-15 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower -15 Tower-16 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-16 Tower-17 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees Tower-17 Tower-18 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-18 Tower-19 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-19 Tower-20 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-20 Tower-21 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-21 Tower-22 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-22 Tower-23 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-23 Tower-24 Private land Nill Compensation for land trees. Tower-24 Tower-25 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-25 Tower-26 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-26 Tower-27 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-27 Tower-28 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees.

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Tower-28 Tower-29 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-29 Tower-30 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-30 Tower-31 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-31 Tower-32 Private land Nil Compensation for land and trees. Tower-32 Tower-33 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-33 Tower-34 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-34 Tower-35 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-35 Tower-36 Indus Crossing Nil No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-36 Tower-37 Private land Nil Compensation for land trees. Tower-37 Tower-38 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-38 Tower-39 Barren land Gov. 11 Kv TL Crossing No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-39 Tower-40 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-40 Tower-41 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-41 Tower-42 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-42 Tower-43 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-43 Tower-44 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-44 Tower-45 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-45 Tower-46 Barren land Gov. Nil No Environmental Property and Social Issues Tower-46 Tower-47 Private Land Nil Compensation for land &trees. Tower-47 Tower-48 Private Land Nil Compensation for land &trees. Tower-48 Tower-49 Private Land Nil Compensation for land& trees. Tower-49 Tower-50 Private Land Nil Compensation for land &trees. Tower-50 Tower-51 Private Land Nil Compensation for land& trees.

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Tower-51 Tower-53 Private Land Small Irrigation Pump Compensation for land& trees. Tower-53 Tower-59 Gov. Land many fuel Nil No Environmental trees. and Social Issues Tower-53 Tower-63 Hilly Area Nil No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-63 Tower-64 Hilly Area Road Crossing No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-64 Tower-65 Hilly Area Nil No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-65 Tower-66 Hilly Area Nil No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-66 Tower-67 Gov. Barren land Track to GB Scout firing No Environmental Range and Social Issues Tower-67 Tower-68 Gov. Barren land Track to GB Scout firing No Environmental Range and Social Issues Tower-68 Tower-69 Gov. Barren land No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-69 Tower-70 Gov. Barren land No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-70 Tower-71 Private land Nill Compensation for land& trees. Tower-71 Tower-72 Private land Nill Compensation for land &trees. Tower-72 Tower-73 Private land Nil Compensation for land &trees. Tower-73 Tower-74 Private land Nill Compensation for land trees. Tower-74 Tower-80 Private land Nill Compensation for land& trees. Tower-81 Tower-82 Private land Nill Compensation for land trees. Tower-82 Tower-83 Private land Nil Compensation for land& trees. Tower-83 Tower-84 Private land Nill Compensation for land trees. Tower-84 Tower-94 Indus River Bed Crossing Nill No Environmental and Social Issues Tower-94 Tower-95 Private land Nill Compensation for land& trees. Tower-95 Tower-96 Private land Nill Compensation for land &trees. Tower-96 Tower-97 Private land 1 Hut, many trees Compensation for land& trees.

- 31 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

B. CONSTRUCTION RELATED IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

Dust Impacts: More than 10 km of the access road passes through built up area and along the farmlands. Traffic on the road is likely to generate dust depending on the size and tread of the tyre, vehicle speed, moisture in the soil, and surface condition. The track is stony and remains moistly so due to water spillage from the channels as well as agricultural field so that dust generation will be less.

Among the variety of options to control dust (SPM) emissions from construction sites the most effective is wet suppression. Spraying water on exposed surfaces and soil at adequate frequency to keep soil, moist at all times can reduce the total dust emissions from the project by as much as 75%5. The following mitigation measures will be implemented during construction to control emission of dust.

i) Water will be sprayed daily on all exposed surfaces sufficient to suppress emissions of dust. The frequency of spraying will be increased as necessary but controlled such that the surface remains just moist at all times, particularly when wind is blowing towards any nearby sensitive receptors.

Dust emission from soil and aggregate storage stockpiles used for road construction will be reduced by appropriate measures. These will include: (a) covering the pile with tarpaulin or thick plastic sheets when not in use and at the

end of the working day; (b) erecting windshields / walls on three sides of the piles such. that the walls project 0.5 m above the top of the pile and (c) keeping the material moist by spraying of water at appropriate intervals to prevent emissions.

ii) The construction vehicles will maintain a speed limit of 20 Km/h or less on all unpaved areas within the construction route. Speed limit signposts will be erected in highly visible positions along the access road and within the route and

maintained for the duration of the construction. Speed bumps will be constructed near all sensitive receptors such as schools where there is a risk that vehicles may exceed the speed limit.

iii) Construction materials will be transported to the route and around the route in trucks securely covered with tarpaulins or equivalent to prevent dust emission during transportation.

Impacts on Water Quality: The construction works are likely to affect the water quality temporarily by increasing the silt content in it. However, the river water is not used for drinking purposes and there are no agricultural uses for almost 10 km downstream of the site. However, no significant impact on the water quality is anticipated during the construction period. 5 El Dorado County Air Pollution Control District 2002. Guide to Air Quality Assessment; Determining Significance of Air Quality Impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act. First Edition.

- 32 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

Disposal of Excavated Material: Project implementation will involve excavation of material as very significant activity. The excavation material will consist of rocks, overburden, broken stones, stone dust, sand and top soil. In case of tunnelling some material will also result from overbreak.

The excavated material, in part, will be used for backfill as well as re-used for construction of project components in terms of mass concrete, reinforced cement concrete, shortcrete, concrete lining, pitching of side slopes and rip-rap. Some excavated material can also find its way for use by locals for land levelling, nullah management and other purposes.

The headrace tunnel will have a horseshoe shape with a 3.4m width, 3.4 m height and length of 5,760m. The excavation of the tunnel will generate the largest material of excavation. The tunnel excavation will start from both ends. The excavated material would be removed and brought out of the open end of the tunnel, loaded on dumpers and would be moved to the designated locations for material dumping. It is proposed that the excavated material from the tunnelling be used as a source of aggregate for concrete making, if it meets the specifications. Mobile stone crushers will be located at the two openings of the tunnel. To the extent possible, the excavated material will be consumed in the construction activity.

The following Table 11 gives details of excavated volume involved in the construction of the project components.

Table 11: Volume of Excavated Material 3 Excavation Volume m 3 Sr. # Project Components Fill Volume m Overburden Rock 1. Weir and connecting channel 12,600 Gravel backfill 2,620 RCC, mass concrete, stone apron etc 11,140 2. Sedimentation basin (sand trap) Excavation 18,000 RCC, lean concrete 1,365 3. Power channel Excavation 6,125 Blinding layer PCC, RCC 920 4. Storage pond Excavation 38,000 Blinding layer PCC 790 RCC 5,234 5. Headrace tunnel Excavation 74,000 Concrete lining 5,910 Floor concrete 8,160 6. Surge tank Excavation 1,200 Shotcrete 128 Concrete lining 170 7. Access road Excavation 2,550 Total 38,000 75,450 20,392

- 33 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

Thus the total excavated material amounts to 113,450 m3 consisting of rock (67%) and overburden (33%). The estimate for backfill is 20,392 m3. The remaining excavated material 83,058 m3 will require disposal on land using methods which ensure environmental protection instead of throwing it into the streams of the project area. It is important that overburden consisting of top soil whenever met during construction activity should be saved for use in spoil disposal areas before such areas can be beneficially put to agriculture use, forestry or development of parks.

The surplus excavated material 83,058 m3 consisting of overburden and rock will require land area approximately 3 acre at sites 1, 2 and 3 for disposal. These sites have been approved by the GB WPD and the supervision consultant. The sites are shown in Figure 6. All sites are government land, presently barren without any significant vegetation.

An option that provides some environmental benefit should be favoured over the one that exerts an adverse impact even if the cost is slightly higher. Land use change is the principal environmental effect due to muck disposal and depends on how the muck is treated after the placement.

Figure 6: Locations of Sites for Disposal of Excavated Material

Mitigation measures to deal with surplus material may consist of the following steps: processing; installation of a gravel and rock crushing plant, sorter and recycling plant at the site of the asphalt plant; reuse the material for road foundation; use for the production of mass concrete

- 34 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project and other building materials; use for backfilling, use for the reconstruction of agricultural terraces; installation of alternate dumping sites of surplus material at places without affecting settlements, agricultural activities, communication lines, river beds or valuable natural habitats.

Noise and Exhaust Pollution during Construction: Traffic on the road can be a source of noise for the communities living along the road. Noise nuisances can be minimized by various measures such as a) preventing as far as possible traffic during night time 21:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs; b) prevention of blowing of horns by the project vehicles except in emergencies; and c) tuning and proper maintenance of construction equipment and vehicles.

Another noise concern is the construction near Staqchan village. Operation of construction vehicles on the weir and the blasting for tunnel can be a nuisance for the community. Noise can be minimized by a) preventing construction work during night time 21:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs within 500 m of the nearest human settlement; b) prevention of blowing of horns by the project vehicles except in emergencies; c) use of powered mechanical equipment that is acoustically insulated to reduce noise impacts; d) tuning and proper maintenance of construction equipment and vehicles; and e) restricting the blasting work to day time only.

Air Pollution: Gaseous emission and dusty atmosphere will result from movement of heavy vehicles for transportation of equipment and construction materials. Similar effects would be caused by drill-blasting for the tunnel, pressure shaft and caverns. The EPC contractor would be required to control noise and exhaust pollution by construction management techniques as per NEQS.

Soil Erosion: Considering the site conditions and the various erosion control methods like vegetation and forestation are the most effective and economical. These methods are recommended as the preferred options for erosion control. The affected areas should be planted with grass cover, tiny bushes and trees. Furthermore, land construction slope should be kept as flat as is reasonably possible. Methods such as slope rounding, terracing or contouring to minimize erosion and to promote plant growth will be adopted.

Loss of Trees: The project in no way affects the reserve forest areas as they occur in the far upper reaches. Trees would be cut which at present exist on the land designated for the access road, tower foundation and construction camps. The cutting of trees will affect the ecological balance of the area and enhance soil erosion and landslide potential. As a mitigation measure, it is recommended that only the smallest possible number of trees should be cut to clear the land for construction. However, it will be the responsibility of the contractor to avoid maximum tree cutting. Trees, the removal of which is unavoidable for construction shall have compensatory planting and replacement. Only indigenous tree species will be selected for replacement and no alien invasive species will be used. At least seven 7 new trees shall replace each cut tree and

- 35 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project maintained alive for three years as part of the contractual agreement.

Water Supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management: To meet the demand of the drinking water supply and sanitation during the construction period, it is recommended that proper water supply system should be provided at the site using water from springs. For proper sanitation facilities, pour flush type latrines with septic tanks are recommended. Also proper arrangements of solid waste management should be made in construction camps. All such facilities are to be provided by the contractors.

Public Health and Safety of Workers: The contractor shall provide on-site safety induction training for his personnel upon starting of construction work.

The contractor shall provide personal protective equipment, including hard hats gloves, safety shoes, and such other equipment as required, and shall take all measures or actions for the protection and safety of contractor personnel.

Non-metallic hard hats shall be worn at all times by all personnel at work site with the exception of those areas where the engineer has indicated it not necessary to do so.

Safety glasses if required shall meet international standards and be available for use and worn in specified worksites areas. As a minimum, safety glasses shall be worn for the following types of work, hammering, chipping, welding, grinding, use of electricity powered or pneumatic equipment, insulation handling, spray painting, working with solvents, and other jobs where the potential of an eye injury exists.

Personnel shall not be permitted to work whilst wearing personal clothing or footwear likely to be hazardous to themselves or others.

Hearing protection, including muffs, plugs or a combination thereof, shall be provided for all personnel operating in areas where the noise level exceeds 90 decibels.

The contractor shall encourage employees to wear substantial work gloves whenever it is practical and is safe to do so.

Community Health, Safety and Security: Public health and safety measures will also be undertaken such as barriers and warning signs at required places. All safety, health, environmental and other safety notices and signs shall be clearly displayed and written in both Urdu and English.

Traffic Disruption and Community Safety: The construction related traffic on the road can disrupt existing traffic and can also create safety hazards for the villagers, particularly children. A traffic management plan will be developed and submitted by the contractor at least one month before commencement of construction work. The main objectives of the plan shall be

- 36 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project to maximize the safety of the workforce and the travelling public. The secondary objective will be to keep traffic flowing as freely as possible.

Site Specific Environmental management Plans (SSEMP): The Contractor will prepare all relevant management plans as part of SSEMP before start of construction. The contractor will submit all plans to ADB prior to start of construction activities for approval. These plans are listed below;

Temporary traffic management plan

Drainage and utilities re-provisioning plan

Materials management plan

Waste management plan

Excavated material disposal plan

Tree compensatory planting plan

Noise and dust control plan.

Blasting management plan

Oil spill management plan

Workers Camp and Storage Areas: Construction activity camp will require a camp site for the construction labour. Some 300 persons may reside in the camp at a given time. The camp site is proposed to be spread over an area of 3.54 acres near powerhouse site as shown in Figure 7.

N

Figure 7: Proposed Locations for Sites of Construction Camps

- 37 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

Socio Cultural Impacts: There is a risk of cultural and social conflict between the camp residents and local, communities. During the construction phase of the project, a mass inflow of outside workers and heavy machinery will disturb the local socio political and socio cultural life. As a result the women folk in particular could be restricted by a more strict application of purdah and sense of insecurity among the locals may increase. The project, during construction phase will have a major effect on the life style of the people. It is anticipated that residential accommodation facilities will be developed and the local people will be exposed to new income generation opportunities. People from other places are expected to visit the project site for participation in the construction activities leading to cultural transformation and learning from each other. However, major portion of workforce will be hired by EPC contractor from locals and therefore the camp site will be relatively small.

The camp can be a source of environmental pollution if the wastes are not managed properly. The following are the key mitigation measures:

i) The camp will be located at least 500 m from any community and at least 100 m from the edge of the water.

ii) A waste management plan will be developed for the camp. It will include measures such as segregation of waste at source; maximizing recycling; and separation of hazardous materials (medical waste, toners, and batteries) from non-hazardous materials.

iii) Septic tanks will be constructed for the disposal of domestic waste water. Septic tanks and soaking pits will be constructed at least 200 m from the edge of any water body.

C. OPERATION RELATED IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

Loss of Water to the River System: The local communities in GB depend on the rivers and streams for various need such as irrigation, drinking, livestock, watermills and small hydropower plants. There are several places on the Kachura Lungma where water is drawn for agricultural purposes. Similarly, three small hydel power projects operated by GB-WPD are located in the Kachura valley. Water is also used for other purposes, like washing, in the villages.

The weir in Staqchan village is designed to divert 4.6 m3/s of water for the power generation. Between November and April the flow in Kachura Lungma is less than 4.6 m3/s. Thus in these months, the entire water of the stream should not be diverted for power generation as there would be no flow in the stream between Staqchan village and the powerhouse site, a distance of about 10 Km. This is not acceptable for the safety of the aquatic life in this stretch of Kachura nullah and requires mitigation measures discussed wherein.

- 38 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

There are no communities living between the stretch of the Kachura Lungma between

Staqchan village and 'the powerhouse, and hence no irrigation water is extracted in this stretch. In the Staqchan village, there are several farmlands just downstream of the proposed location of the weir. Irrigation water for crops is required in the summer months when natural water flow in the stream is relatively high. Adequate water will be available for irrigation in summer even when the project is working at full capacity. During these months, on average 18% of the water in Kachura

Lungma would be diverted for power production, whereas about 82% would flow in Kachura nullah normally.

Environmental Flow (EF): Ecological considerations for the Kachura nullah, downstream of water abstraction require reserved or minimum flow. All definitions of reserved or minimum flow place emphasis on the protection of natural life in the nullah. From the point of view of environmental considerations there are numerous methods and formulas for calculation of reserved flow or minimum flow which are briefly discussed in paras below.

EF Methods Based on Hydrologic or Statistic Values: Within these methods, a first subgroup refers to the average flow rate (MQ) of the river at a given cross section. These methods give values between 5 and 60 % of MQ; the latter one in case of high economic importance of fishery. A second subgroup of methods refers to the minimum mean flow (MNQ) in the river. The values calculated can vary from 33 to 100 % of MNQ. A third subgroup of methods refers to the prefixed values on the Flow Duration Curve (FDC). In this group there are a wide variety of methods: from a reserved flow equal to 20% of Q300 (flow rate exceeding 300 days of duration) to incredibly complex interpolating formulas,

EF Methods based on Physiographic Principles: These methods basically refer to a prefixed specific flow rate expressed as l/s.km2 of catchment area. Values can vary from 1.6 to 9 or more l/s.km2 (in cases of abundance of fish). These methods are easily applicable presuming there is good basic data. However no hydraulic parameters are considered and neither the effect of tributaries nor the length of the diversion reach is taken into account.

EF Formulas based on Velocity and Depth of Water: Also in this group of methods there is a wide range of variation: one says water velocity in case of reserved flow may not fall below a prefixed threshold value of 0.3-0.5 m/s and the minimum depth of water must be greater than a prefixed value of 10 cm. Another suggests 1.2 – 2.4 m/s and 12 - 24 cm water depth and so on. The great advantage of these formulas is that the shape of the profile is included in the calculation and there is no need for hydrological data. Nevertheless diversion length and tributaries are not considered.

- 39 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

EF Methods based on Multi-objective planning taking into consideration

Ecological Parameters: These methods are generally very complex in their application and require considerable expertise in doing so. They require site-specific flow observations and take into account hydrological, hydraulic, ecological, and meteorological data, embracing both ecological and economic parameters. Methods are expensive in data collection and mathematical computing and are suitable only for particular types of rivers. Their transferability is doubtful.

The formula Q = [(0.0651 Qmm+2) /100] Qam where Qmm is monthly mean and Qam is annual mean discharge of the Kachura nullah at the weir site has been developed by CEMAGREF Agricultural and Environmental Research Institute, Antony, France for Minimum

Flow of Ecological Requirements (2006). The Table 12 is prepared for Environmental Flow taking due accounts of domestic water supply requirements. The requirement for domestic water supply for communities living along this stretch of Kachura nullah is only for population of Staqchan village which is about 240 at the rate of 25 gallons/capita/ day. The Table shows that the quantity of water available for power generation from November to April every year would be less than the design flow of 4.6 m3/s.

Table 12: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) Based on CEMAGREF Method

Monthly Mean Water Available Sr. Environmental Drinking Months Flow Qmm for Power # Flow Q Water (1966-97) Generation 1 January 2.62 0.306 0.008 2.306 2 February 2.21 0.303 0.008 1.899 3 March 2.09 0.300 0.008 1.774 4 April 2.70 0.308 0.008 2.384 5 May 8.50 0.362 0.008 8.130 6 June 28.46 0.546 0.008 27.906 7 July 47.56 0.722 0.008 46.830 8 August 42.59 0.672 0.008 41.730 9 September 19.41 0.463 0.008 18.539 10 October 7.10 0.349 0.008 6.743 11 November 4.01 0.321 0.008 3.681 12 December 3.01 0.311 0.008 2.691

EF Montana Method Based: The period November to April is a period of lean flow as given in the Table below. According to this method 10% of lean months average flow which is

0.276 m3/sec has been considered as environmental flow for bare survival of biota in vulnerable

- 40 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project reach and also taking stock of riparian users‟ minimum requirements during this period. Flows of water available for power generation from Nov to April every year is already less than design flow of 4.6 m3/sec. The minimum flow requirement to keep the power plant in operation is 1.53m3/s when only one turbine will be generating 8.7MW power during the lean months from December to

April whereas during November two turbines will generate 17.4MW using 3.06m3/s flow. The following Table -13 is prepared to explain the situation.

Table-13: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) During Lean Months Based on

Montana Method

Mean Flow Environmental Lean No. Of Requirement for Flow Months Turbine in Lean Months Turbine 3 Flow Operation (m /s) % Operation (m3/s) (1966-97)

1 2 3 4 (2-3) 5

November 4.01 2 2x1.53=3.06 0.95 24 December 3.01 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.48 49 January 2.62 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.09 42 February 2.21 1 1x1.53=1.53 0.68 31 March 2.09 1 1x1.53=1.53 0.56 27 April 2.70 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.17 43

Lean Months Total Flow 16.54 - - 5.83 35 Average Flow for Lean Months 2.76 - - 0.97 35

The table shows that the release of environmental flow downstream of weir site will not in any way compromise on water availability for power generation thus having least impact on power generation while ensuring the downstream ecological requirements varying from 24 to 49% as compared to 10%. According to Montana method the environmental releases during lean months are all above 10% of natural flow, varying between 24 to 49%. The average of environmental flow during lean months (0.97m3/s) is 35% of lean months average flow (2.76m3/s) which, therefore, has been adopted for the project. The detail of assessment of environmental flow is given in Appendix – II.

Fishery: In terms of gradient, the 21 Km length of the Kachura Lungma from Staqchan to Kachura can be divided into two sections. Starting from Staqchan village, in first half of the stream has very steep gradient, it loses about 65 m in every kilometer. In the second half the gradient is gentle, about 25 m in a kilometer. This has important implications for the trout and other local fish. In the upstream steep section, the water is very turbulent and therefore it is less likely for fish

- 41 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

fauna to make it a lucrative habitat. According to the fishing survey carried out by fishery expert in

September, 2011 the preferred habitat of trout is the less turbulent waters of the Kachura Lungma from Soq village to Kachura confluence with Indus. According to the flow conditions of the

Lungma major population congregations of trout are found here so all fishing takes place in this

section. The diversion of the stream for power generation is not going to affect the downstream section, from Soq village to Kachura, hence no significant impact on the fishing is anticipated.

D. TRANSMISSION LINE RELATED IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Potential impacts are associated with the design, construction and operation and are

related to community and social as well as to the local physical environment. The mitigation

measures which can be used to minimise these impacts are based on detailed design incorporating appropriate engineering solutions to prevent and / or minimise physical

modifications to the local environment and through contract clauses and construction work

monitoring.

Construction work of transmission line can cause damage to the crops, trees, built-up

properties, during soil investigation at tower foundations, concreting of tower foundations, erection

of towers and stringing of conductors. The damages at each of the above stages are properly assessed and evaluated for compensation and are provided in the Land Acquisition and

Resettlement Plan, prepared for the entire Shagharthang project.This LARP will be updated after

the finalization of the transmission line route by the EPC contractor.

Loss of land During Stringing of Transmission Line: The area of influence, considering 10m COI of a total of 30 Km long route, is 11.77 acres which will be acquired on

temporary basis. It includes 8.74 acres of government land. The remaining land is private land which will be taken on lease for the stringing period.

Affected Trees: A total of 97 trees need to be cut down during erecting of towers. It consists of 95 number of shade/fuel wood tree and a few fruit trees i.e. 3. All these trees belong to private owners who will be compensated according to type / size of the trees based on the rate

fixed by the GBPWD. The cutting of these trees does not pose any threat to ecological balance of

the project area as at least seven (7) new trees shall replace each cut tree and maintained alive for three years. Only indigenous tree species will be selected for replacement and no alien

invasive species will be used.

Infrastructure: Details of the infrastructure falling under the transmission lines at various locations are summarized as follow;

- 42 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

Infrastructure No. of Locations Roads Metalled 6 Katchura Nullah 4 Hill Torrents 5 Irrigation Pump 1 Public Channels 1 Indus River 2 Graveyard 1 11kV Transmission Line 8

No relocation of these services would be needed. However, during construction period steps will be taken to avoid disrupting these services for un-necessary prolonged periods with prior permission of and information to the concerned authorities and the community. Arrangements will be finalised on site prior to disruption of these utilities. This activity is left to be organised at the time of implementation for the reason that the actual position of such services may alter or otherwise change between the time of study and implementation.

Loss of Land Due to Towers Foundation: A total of 97 towers will be erected with 11 towers proposed to be erected in the river bed of Indus. Permanent land required for foundation of 97 towers, based on given dimensions worked out to be 0.582 acres including 0.390 acres of government barren land, 0.90 acres of uncultivated land and 0.102 acres of cultivated land.

D.1 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT FOR TRANSMISSION LINE

Effective mitigation is possible through requiring the contractor to take all necessary precautions to minimize pollution and to ensure that all sites are left in a clean and tidy condition on completion of work. In order to restrict the environmental impacts the contractor is obliged to build bunded enclosures for the storage of chemicals and other organic and in-organic materials. Wastes from the camps fuel and chemical storage areas must be in a fenced off and bunded enclosures to ensure that, in the event of an accident, spillages can be contained. In order to minimise soil pollution, fuel handling / filling areas must have concrete liner with a peripheral collection drain and oil interceptors to control runoff.

Clearing Right-of-Way (R.O.W.): To minimize the environmental impacts, WAPDA normally imposes restrictions on clearing of natural vegetation from Right-of-Way (ROW). This is allowed to an extent that is necessary for the safe construction and operation of the transmission lines. For this, the area required for placement of tower footing has to be completely cleared of vegetation, crops and trees. In the rest of the ROW, selective clearing is done. Trees over 2.4 meters in height, which may obstruct stringing or create hazard/ danger to the transmission lines, have to be removed. WAPDA allows the advantage to the landowner that the cleared materials

- 43 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project such as trees, crops, etc. will be the property of landowner. Other materials such as fossil, coins and or antiquities discovered at site will be deemed as the property of Department of Archaeology and Museums. The chance finds will be protected by the contractor/ project manager and the relevant government department dealing with these, will be contacted and chance finds/ artefacts‟ handed over to them.

Tower Foundations and Erection: The contractor will carry out investigations regarding suitability of site for foundations. This pertains to physiographic and geo-technical investigations of ground including subsoil and groundwater testing. If the subsoil conditions do not allow for any type of foundation specified by the designer, the location of the tower is changed along the centreline in consultation with the Engineer

After tower erection is accomplished for a reasonable reach, stringing activity is started. This involves preparing tower to accesses for tractor movement by clearing a strip of about 10 m wide from all the obstacles: positioning of tensioner, puller and conductor reel; installation of insulators and other hardware, etc. The tensioner and puller are temporarily anchored on both ends of the stringing stretch. At road, and power/ telephone line crossings, rider poles are provided during stringing to avoid any interruption to traffic or shutdown of the power in the existing lines.

General Housekeeping: The contractor shall maintain the site and any ancillary areas used and occupied for performance of the works in a clean, tidy and rubbish-free condition at all times.

Rubbish Removal and Disposal

a) The contractor shall comply with statutory and municipal regulations and requirements for the disposal of rubbish and waste.

b) The contractor shall provide suitable metal containers for the temporary storage of all types‟ wastes.

c) The contractor shall remove rubbish containers from site as soon as they are full. Rubbish containers shall not be allowed to overflow.

d) The contractor shall provide hard standings for and clear access for vehicles to rubbish containers.

f) Toxic and hazardous waste shall be collected separately and be disposed of in accordance with current regulations.

g) No waste shall be burnt on site unless approved by the Engineer.

Avoidance of Surface or Groundwater Pollution: The contractor shall not dispose of waste solvents, petroleum products, toxic chemicals or solutions in open area or

- 44 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project nearby watercourse, and shall not dump or bury garbage on the site. These types of waste shall be taken to any approved disposal facility regularly, and in accordance with requirements of relevant authorities.

Air Pollution: The contractor shall take all necessary measures to limit pollution from dust and any windblown materials during the works, including damping down with water on a regular basis during dry climatic conditions. No waste shall be burnt on site unless approved by the Engineer. The contractor shall also be aware of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 requiring air pollution control measures according to National Environmental Quality Standards

(NEQS).

Noise Control: Consultant‟s teams during field surveys observed that neither traffic noise nor air pollution are likely to be significant problem for the population living near the project. It will be contractor‟s obligation to control and minimize noise during construction. The contractor shall ensure that the work is conducted in a manner so as to comply with all restrictions of the relevant authorities related to noise resources.

Environmental Management for Critical / Non-Critical Habitats: The proposed project components do not traverse any protected area, or game reserves or sanctuaries or any declared or undeclared natural habitat.

Damage to Biological Resources by Construction Equipment: It will be contractor‟s obligation to avoid extra cutting or damage to biological resources beyond 10 m COI of transmission lines. The contractor shall protect and preserve trees, shrubs, orchards etc. and shall replace to approved, or treat as instructed, any plans or areas damaged or removed without approval. The contractor will be responsible to minimize potential impacts of construction equipment on flora or fauna resources.

Acquisition of Land and Other Assets: The environmental and resettlement related costs are discussed in Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Report. This report has been prepared according to the ADB‟s SPS Policy 2009.

Public Health and Safety of Workers: The contractor shall provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like hard top hats, gloves, long shoes, ear muffles, clothing, first aid and medical kit, safety belts and safety glasses etc to all his workers with following precaution measures;.

i. Personnel shall not be permitted to work whilst wearing personal clothing or footwear likely to be hazardous to themselves or others.

- 45 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

ii. Hearing protection, including muffs, plugs or a combination thereof, shall be provided for all personnel operating in areas where the noise level exceeds 90 decibels.

iii. The contractor shall encourage employees to wear substantial work gloves whenever it is practical and is safe to do so.

Public health and safety will also be implemented strictly such as barriers and warning signs in Urdu and English at required places. All safety, health, environmental and other notices and signs shall be clearly displayed and written in both Urdu and English.

Safety considerations: For high voltage lines safety considerations are of two types. One is related with the safety of the system, while others are those that are related to the public. It is for this reason that WAPDA has adopted a 10 m wide corridor as the corridor of influence (COI) for 66KV transmission lines. The aspects to be considered in this regard are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Earthing of the System: Every tower is connected to an earthing system. This is to keep tower footings resistance at a level lower than 10 ohms. For this, two earth

electrodes of copper-clad steel rods are sunk vertically into the ground to a minimum depth of three meter.

Lightning Performance: The tower geometry, clearance and insulation of the system is designed to perform safely within the permitted lightning intensities. In this respect, consideration is given to the tower footing resistance and Isokeraunic level of

the area.

Aspect of Public Safety: As already stated GBWPD has adopted a policy of keeping a 10m wide corridor clear of all obstructions. GBWPD however allows general farm practices within this corridor, but trees planting of that exceed a height of 3 m is not allowed. As such, the existing orchards having fruit trees with a height of not exceeding 3 m are allowed to remain under the lines. Similarly, open wells, including Persian wheels, are allowed to remain under the transmission lines. However, Peter pumps are not permitted under the high voltage conductors.

This is for the reason that piping and cranes used to refurbish such wells could come in contact with the transmission lines.

No residential or other public buildings like room, factory, school, hospital, etc. is permitted within the corridor. However, farm buildings, which are not used for residential purposes are allowed to remain under the lines provided an 8m clearance is maintained. The height of the towers can be increased to accommodate such buildings.

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Permissible Conductor Clearances: The conductor to ground clearance is desirable to be worked out based on over voltage due to switching surge. In this consideration, safe clearance is required to be provided for moving objects under the line. The permissible conductor

clearance (at a maximum temperature of 65.5°C) are as follows:

Sr. No. Locality Meters

1 River Major Canal (HFL) 9.14

2 Road Highway 7.92

3 Building part horizontal 6.10

4 Building part vertical 5.18

5. 66 kV & 132 kV Lines 3.66

6 Earthpart Telegraphic lines 3.35

7 400V & 11 KV/ 33KV lines 2.74

E. POSITIVE IMPACTS

Data as in October 2011 obtained from Water and Power Department, Gilgit Baltistan, there

are 37,301 electricity consumers in Skardu district. Of these 30,351 (81.8%) are domestic, 6,347 (17.1%) are commercial, whereas 603 (1.1%) are industrial. The total power demand in 2011 is 55.3 MW.

However; the total installed capacity of hydel and thermal power plants is 16.40 MW. Thus there is a

shortfall of 38.9 MW. Despite the addition of another 8 MW from under construction power projects and other projects planned in the short-term, a serious shortfall will exist, hampering development in the

Skardu area. Unless new sources of power are added, the situation is likely to aggravate with time as the

demand is projected to increase to 85 MW by 2015. The proposed 26 MW plant will be an important project to bridging the widening gap between demand and supply. In particular Shagharthang village will

benefit in terms of supply of electricity.

The limited expansion of health facilities planned under the project will be a significant development. It is planned that the EPC contractor will establish Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Staqchan

village. The GB WPD will ensure to provide medicines and paramedical staff throughout the construction

phase of the project through the EPC contractor. After completion of the project the same will be handed over to the GB health department for which MOU has already been signed between project director and

director health Baltistan region. This RHC will provide health services to the population in general and

women in particular.

Widening of existing 23km long access road from Kachura to Staqchan village will facilitate

the population of the area in their movement and transportation of their cash crops to the market. This

- 47 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project road will help to improve the socio-economic conditions of the area.

Availability of power would also mean reduction in the consumption of fuel wood and other fossil fuels by villagers for heating and cooking purposes.

The project will provide unskilled jobs during the construction phase and a limited number of jobs during project operations to locals.

Hydropower is a clean and renewable source of energy and its use instead of thermal power reduces the emission of pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide

(SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), and hydrocarbons. The annual reduction in the production of CO2, the main greenhouse gas, as compared to a power of similar capacity operating on oil, gas, or coal is shown in Table below. It is estimated that more than 51,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission will be saved annually by using hydropower rather than fossil fuels7.

Table 14: Reduction in Annual Greenhouse Gas Emission

Fuel Source Oil Gas Coal

Grams CO2 / KWh 297 232 470 Total Saving (tons CO2) 51,666 40,359 81,761

- 48 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

7 Based on annual generation of 174 Gwh per year.

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V. STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATION

The objectives of the stakeholder consultation process were to disseminate information on the project and its expected long-term and short-term impacts among stakeholders, and to gather information on relevant issues so that the feedback received could be used to address these issues at early stages of project design. Another important objective was to determine the extent of the concerns amongst the community and recommend means to address these in the project implementation and suggest appropriate mitigation measures.

A. IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERS

Stakeholders are people, groups, or institutions that may be affected by or can significantly influence, or are important to the achievement of the stated purpose of the proposed project. For this project, primary stakeholders are the communities living in Staqchan, Soq, and Kachura village, in particular those who would be affected by land acquisition. Other stakeholders are the non-governmental organizations working in these villages, and the government departments, particularly the GB-WPD.

B. CONSULTATION PROCESS

Consultations were carried out through focus group discussions, public meetings, community discussions with key stakeholders, and formal meetings with government officials, to ascertain their views and identify their needs and preferences for compensation and rehabilitation measures. During the consultation, the stakeholders were informed about the project and their concerns were recorded. Views on compensation and related issues were also discussed with the persons likely to be affected by land acquisition. Photographs of the scoping sessions / consultations are placed at the end of the report.

The survey teams undertook public consultations for a second time during the month of September 2011. The list of participants is attached as Appendix III. The main concerns of the participants are summarized below.

C. SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION

During the consultation, the concerns and comments by the stakeholder included the following:

i) In Soq village the affecters said that the original land owner is Raja. All the cultivators are sitting there since their parents and grandparents so the compensation of land should be given to them and not to the Raja. This issue was discussed with the Deputy Commissioner. He told that according to law of the land the tenant can get 1/3rd of the compensation. Two third would go to the actual owner

- 50 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

ii) In general, everyone welcomed the project. No one expressed any concerns by the project itself.

iii) The widening of the road was also generally welcomed.

iv) . Some respondents had concerns on the basis of previous experiences.

v) Employment during construction and operation was their major concern. The community expects that new job opportunities will be created by the project directly.

D. MEETINGS WITH OFFICERS OF LINE DEPARTMENTS

The team of consultants‟ visited line departments on September 10, 11 and 18, 2011 to obtain information on various aspects of fisheries, wildlife, agriculture, health and land acquisition. The list of line departments visited is given as Appendix IV.

E. FUTURE CONSULTATION

Public consultations were earlier conducted in the project area during April, May 2008. The same were updated in September 2011. Such an exercise will be continued during and after detail design of the specific intervention and components, particularly in respect of the corridor of influence of the power transmission line. The objective of the future consultation will mainly focus on timing of work, overall schedule, minimizing disturbance to business, and public safety and gender issues. Further consultation will be carried out during project implementation phase. These will be carried out during and after the detailed designs of the specific interventions and components.

F. PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Information Disclosure: In promoting transparency and accountability, PMU will continue to provide relevant information to the stakeholders in a timely manner in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to them. At the same time, PMU will continue the regular consultation process.

PMU will disclose the IEE report and related documents to Environmental Protection Agency of Gilgit Baltistan. IEE report will be disclosed at the ADB‟s website. The local community will be provided with the Summary of IEE report and project information at different stages of the consultation.

The information will be made available in locations that are easily accessible to stakeholders. Depending upon the capacity of a stakeholder and nature of the information to be disseminated, such locations can be local villages, project site office, PMU office, government department or local government setup.

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Overall, the consultation activities and disclosure will be designed so as to maximize community awareness of the project and to create reasonable opportunities for community input and involvement.

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VI. INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The project will be executed through GB-WPD with support from all relevant department and line agencies. GB-WPD will exercise its functions through establishing a Project Management Unit (PMU), at project site headed by a full time Project Director who will be responsible for general project execution. In this regard, a well defined institutional structure will be placed in the PMU and staff will be assigned to specific roles. The PMU will ensure compliance with the ADB policies and procedures.

Within the Project Coordination Office established in GB WPD at Gilgit, an Environment and Social Development Cell (ESDC) will be established, reporting directly to the Project Coordinator, which will be accountable and responsible for implementation of EMP and the LARP. The ESDC will initially consist of two permanent members: an environment specialist and a resettlement specialist, who will be directly hired by GB-WPD to provide technical assistance in implementation of the environment and resettlement plans. The number may be increased depending on the number of projects. Presently the Environmental and Resettlement specialist of management consultant are being utilized. They will be hired by GBWPD upon commencement of work as per requirement. The ESDC will work in close cooperation with the respective PMU on the day-to-day activities - EMP and the LARP implementation. The ESDC will also be responsible for internal monitoring.

The ESDC would ensure that IEE and LARP are prepared and approved prior to awards of contracts for the project. Any subsequent changes to these documents will also be responsibility of the ESDC. The Project Coordination Office will ensure budgets are delivered in time to the competent authority for timely implementation of LARP and EMP.

The main contractor of the project will have a full-time health, safety and environment (HSE) officer to manage the tasks assigned under this IEE.

B. COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES REDRESS

For the purpose of addressing grievances by the community about the implementation of IEE and EMP, a Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) will be established for the project as soon as project implementation commences. However, with careful observance of the provisions of the EMP by all stakeholders involved, grievances can be avoided.

The Committee will be established at the project level with the primary objective of providing a mechanism to mediate conflict. The committee will constitute the Project Director, elected representative, district revenue officer and three representatives of the affected

- 53 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

community.

If necessary, the aggrieved person will first address the complaint to Grievance Redress Committee who will strive for settlement within 10 days of lodging of the complaint. If the complaint cannot be settled, the grievance will be referred to ESDC. Within 30 days the Grievance Redress Committee will discuss the matter and refer the grievance to PMU, and obtain a resolution. If the grievance redress mechanism fails to satisfy the aggrieved person, s/he can approach the Gilgit Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency or court of law.

C. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL

Environmental regulations of the Govt of Pakistan (GoP) require proponents of projects that have reasonably foreseeable qualitative and quantitative impacts to submit environmental assessment report of the project for review and approval. Shagharthang Hydropower Project with a generation capacity of less than 50 MW falls within Schedule B of the GoP Regulations, which require preparation of an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Report.

The Project Director will have the responsibility to ensure that IEE Report is submitted to Environmental Protection Agency Gilgit Baltistan (EPA-GB) to obtain approval prior to commencement of construction work.

D. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

This IEE concludes that the construction impacts will be manageable if the mitigation measures are implemented thoroughly. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared (Appendix - V) by close reference to the best practices and in line with ADB's SPS 2009. EMP is based on the type, extent and duration of the identified environmental impacts, mitigation measures, their timing, location, and implementation/ monitoring responsibility.

PMU should check that contractors have all the necessary valid licenses and permits such as those for use of powered mechanical equipment. The need to confirm that contractors and their suppliers have complied with statutory requirements for licenses will also be checked by PMU.

The effective implementation of the EMP should be audited as part of the loan conditions and the executing agency must be prepared for this. In this regard, the Implementing Agency must be prepared to guide the design engineers and contractors on the environmental aspects.

Prior to implementation, the EMP shall be amended and reviewed by the ESDC after detailed designs are complete and contracting arrangements are known. Such a review shall be based on reconfirmation and any additional information on the assumptions made at the feasibility

- 54 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

stage on location, scale and expected operating conditions of the project. For example, if there is additional land required, the designs may be amended and the environmental significance must be reviewed. Although no major additional impacts would be anticipated based on the information provided to date, the performance and evaluation schedules to be implemented during project construction and operation can be reviewed, updated, and costs estimates can be revised if necessary.

The EMP must be reviewed by the ESDC and approved before any construction activity is initiated, to take account of any subsequent changes and fine tuning. This IEE including the EMP should be used as a basis for an environmental compliance programme and an updated EMP should be included in the revised contract documentation for all components. The updated EMP, any conditions of the environmental clearance from the GB EPA, and any subsequent licenses and approvals from GB EPA should also be included in the environmental requirements for the contractors in the compliance program. Therefore, continued monitoring of the implementation of mitigation measures, and monitoring of the environmental impacts related to the construction of all future works should be properly carried out and reported periodically in monthly progress reports. Compliance with all of the EMP requirements shall also be reported in other periodic project performance reports.

The contractor is to prepare a Site Specific Environmental Management Plan (SSEMP) after contract award. The SSEMP is to be approved by ADB before the start of civil works on the project site.

The impacts from construction and operation of the projects will be manageable and no insurmountable impacts are predicted providing that the updated EMP is included in the contract documents and implemented to its full extent. The details of the current summary EMP (Appendix - V) are in the form of the matrix and may require revision as the project reaches detailed design. The matrix details the mitigation measures recommended for each of the identified impacts, approximate location of the mitigation sites, time span of the implementation of mitigation measures, an analysis of the associated costs and the responsibility of the institution. The institutional responsibility has been specified for the purpose of the implementation and the supervision. The matrix is supplemented with a monitoring plan for the performance indicators. The EMP has been prepared following best practice and the ADB‟s SPS 2009.

E. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The environmental performance of the project will be monitored internally by the

PMU/ESDC, assisted by the Design 'and Supervision Consultant as shown in Table 15. Internal

monitoring will be routinely carried out by ESDC, and the results will be communicated to ADB

- 55 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project through the quarterly project implementation reports. Indicators for the internal' monitoring will be those related to process and immediate outputs and results. This information will be collected directly in the field by ESDC on monthly basis to assess the environmental performance of the project and to adjust the work program, if necessary. The monthly reports will be consolidated quarterly in the standard supervision reports to ADB. Specific monitoring benchmarks will be:

i) Information campaign and consultation with stakeholders;

ii) Contractor(s) compliance with EMP;

iii) Complaints received and addressed by the Grievance Redress Committee;

iv) Environmental effects.

Monitoring activities during implementation will focus on compliance with license conditions, recording implementation of mitigation measures, recording environmental parameters, reviewing contractor environmental performance and proposing remedial actions to address unexpected impacts during construction. Some of these tasks can be assigned to the contractors and managed by the ESDC.

During the pre-construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on (i) checking the contractor's bidding documents, particularly to ensure that all necessary environmental requirements have been included; and (ii) checking that the contract documents' references to environmental mitigation measures requirements have been incorporated as part of contractor's assignment. Where detailed design is required (e.g. for further elaboration of the recycling facilities at the treatment plants and pipelines) the checking of updated designs must be carried out. During the construction period, the monitoring activities will focus on ensuring that environmental mitigation measures are implemented, and some performance indicators will need to be monitored to record the project's environmental achievements and to guide any remedial action to address unexpected impacts.

To facilitate EMP implementation, during preparation for construction the contractors must be prepared to cooperate with local population in the mitigation of impacts. However, experience suggests that contractors may have little impetus or interest in dealing with environmental problems in the absence of performance-linked criteria. Therefore, the required environmental mitigation must be clearly described in a memorandum of understanding and other contract documents at the bidding stage; the completion of mitigation should be linked to payment milestones.

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Table 15: Environmental Monitoring Plan

Implementation Implementation No. Environmental Monitoring Tasks 8 Responsibility Schedule

1 Design Phase

Audit project bidding documents to ensure IEE Prior to issue of bidding 1.1 PMU through .ESDC and EMP is included. documents.

Prior to issue of bidding 1.2 Disclosure of the project to NEPRA PMU through ESDC documents.

Monitor final site selection (alignment) and its Prior to PMU approval of 1.3 PMU through ESDC environmental compliance with EMP detailed designs.

Monitor the performance of environmental Ongoing, prior to and during

1.4 training, briefings and of the environmental PMU through ESDC implementation of works and awareness of project staff operation.

2 Construction Phase

Regular (monthly) monitoring and reporting PMU through ESDC and Continuous throughout 2.1 (quarterly) of Contractor's compliance with GB EPA construction period. statutory environmental requirements

Regular (monthly) monitoring and reporting PMU through ESDC and Continuous throughout 2.2 (quarterly) of contractor's compliance with GB EPA construction period. contractual environmental mitigation measures

Regular (monthly) monitoring and reporting Continuous throughout 2.3 (quarterly) of complaints and responses of PMU through ESDC construction period.

environmental mitigation measures

2.4 Monitor adjustments to the EMP and the PMU through ESDC During all phases of the thorough implementation of detailed EMP project

.Commissioning phase monitoring of as built 2.5 PMU through ESDC At commissioning. equipment and facilities versus environmental

contractual performance criteria

3 Operation and Maintenance Phase

Observations during routine maintenance

inspections of facilities. Inspections will include monitoring implementation of operational As per ESDC inspection 3.1 PMU through ESDC mitigation measures versus environmental schedules criteria specified in EMP for operational impacts.

8. Monitoring of issues related to compensation of landowners for land acquisition and loss of economic assets etc. are addressed in the Land

Acquisition and Resettlement Plan.

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VII. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED COSTS

The environmental related cost consists of staffing, audit, monitoring, mitigation measures, transport and contingencies totalling Rs. 6.050 million as detailed in the table below;

Table 16: Summary of Estimated Environmental Cost

Estimated Total Item Sub Item Costs (Rs.)

Monitoring 2 persons for 1 year (intermittent) 1,200,000 Mitigation measures As prescribed under EMP as IEE 4,000,000 Transport 1 vehicle for 1 year 300,000 Contingency 10% contingency 550,000

Total 6,050,000

The land acquisition and resettlement (LARP) cost consisting of land acquisition, economic assets, vulnerability allowances and contingencies add up to Rs. 10.522 million as given in LARP report.

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VIII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In carrying out this IEE study, secondary data were used to assess the environmental impacts in a comprehensive manner along with public consultations. On - site environmental surveys were carried out in order to complete the environmental assessment and recommendation of suitable mitigation measures.

Several actions are required during the detailed design stage to minimize impacts to acceptable levels and described in the Environmental Management Plan. The negative environmental impacts from the project will mostly take place during the construction stage but there are also some potential negative impacts for the operational stage as well as many significant beneficial impacts. The construction impacts are very predictable and manageable and with appropriate mitigation few residual impacts are likely.

Some key actions are required after the detailed designs are developed. The IEE and

EMP, updated if necessary should be included as contractual requirements, accepted by all contractors prior to signing the contract(s). The contractor will be required to prepare an SSEMP including temporary traffic management, materials management master plan, waste management plan, blasting management plan and oil spill management plan. The SSEMP should be deliverable by the contractors and approved by ADB before construction commences.

At the detailed design stage, a review should be conducted of the monitoring activities proposed in this IEE to establish the parameters to be checked during the construction and operation of the project.

The IEE, including the EMP, should be used as a basis for an environmental compliance programme and be included in the contract documentation. The EMP shall be reviewed at the detailed design stage. In addition, any conditions that are part of the environmental clearance from the GB EPA should also be a basis for the environmental compliance programme. Therefore, continued monitoring of the implementation of mitigation measures, the implementation of the environmental conditions for work and environmental clearance, and monitoring of the environmental impact related to the operation of the treatment plants and pipelines should be properly carried out and reported monthly to track and determine the net environmental benefits that have accrued. These should be summarized by GB-WPD in regular quarterly progress reports to ADB. Bi-annual environmental monitoring reports will also be prepared on ADB prescribed template and for submission to ADB. The negative environmental impacts will mostly take place during the construction. There are no operational impacts to be addressed in the detailed designs. If the project is managed in line with internationally accepted environmental auditing procedures

- 59 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project very significant environmental benefits can be expected to be demonstrated in the operational stage.

The implementation of the environmental mitigation measures during the construction period will be assigned to the contractors. However, experience suggests that contractors may have little impetus or interest to deal with environmental problems in the absence of performance linked criteria. Therefore, the required environmental mitigation must be clearly described in the contract documents at the bidding stage and, the completion of mitigation.

.

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IX. CONCLUSIONS

Environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Shagharthang HPP need to be mitigated under the institutional arrangements described in this report. Monitoring activities will need to focus on compliance with license conditions, recording implementation of mitigation measures, adherence to agreed waste disposal practices, reviewing contractor environmental performance and proposing remedial actions to address unexpected impacts.

Implementation of the EMP is required throughout the design, construction and operation of the project in order to minimize impacts and retain public support for the project.

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APPENDIX - I

LOSS OF LAND AND OTHER ECONOMIC ASSETS DUE TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

APPENDIX - II

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW

Appendix - II

ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW ASSESSMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

Shagharthang Hydropower project aims at generating 26MW of electricity under a design flow of 4.6m3/s using three Pelton Wheel Turbines. The protection of aquatic environment is an important consideration in developing schemes for utilization of water resources. Where schemes involve altering the natural flow regime of a surface water system (river or stream etc), it is important to allow a certain share of water, generally referred to as environmental flows, through the existing course of the water so that biological life in the affected stretch can be maintained. While in principle the concept of environmental flows is accepted uniformly, the methodologies for establishing the levels of environmental flows vary considerably amongst experts, environmental agencies or countries. In Pakistan, there does not exist any specific legislation or ruling or instruction from relevant governments or statutory bodies or regulatory agencies which establish a specific framework or methodology for determining environmental flow. Consequently, in water resource development schemes, where the level of environmental flows has to be established, consultants rely on existing precedents or use their own experience and understanding to propose such flow requirements. In this note, the environmental flow adopted for Shagharthang Hydropower Project is discussed for further clarity and understanding.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES

There are many formulas for the calculation of environmental flow. At present the number of formulas worldwide is 207 [1]. This number is tending to increase day by day. This demonstrates that no good universally valid solution for environmental flow determination exists at the moment and probably will never exist. The various groups of formulas available for Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) are based on the following aspects [2].

i) Methods based on hydrologic or statistic values; ii) Methods based on physiographic principles; iii) Formulas based on velocity and depth of water; and iv) Methods based on multi-objective planning taking into consideration ecological parameters.

Appendix - II

2.1 Methods Based on Hydrologic or Statistical Values

Within these methods, a first subgroup refers to the average flow rate (MQ) of the river at a given cross section. These methods give values between 5 and 60 % of MQ; the latter one in case of high economic importance of fishery.

A second subgroup of methods refers to the minimum mean flow (MNQ) in the river. The values calculated can vary from 33 to 100 % of MNQ.

A third subgroup of methods refers to the prefixed values on the Flow Duration Curve (FDC). In this group there are a wide variety of

methods: from a reserved flow equal to 20% of Q300 (flow rate exceeding 300 days of duration) to complex interpolating formulas.

2.2 Methods Based on Physiographic Principles

These methods basically refer to a prefixed specific flow rate expressed as l/s.km2 of catchment area. Values can vary from 1.6 to 9 or more l/s.km2 (in cases of abundance of fish). These methods are easily applicable presuming there is good basic data. However no hydraulic parameters are considered and neither the effect of tributaries nor the length of the diversion reach is taken into account.

2.3 Formulas Based on Velocity and Depth of Water

Also in this group of methods there is a wide range of variation: one says water velocity in case of reserved flow may not fall below a prefixed threshold value of 0.3-0.5 m/s and the minimum depth of water must be greater than a prefixed value of 10 cm. Another suggests 1.2 – 2.4 m/s and 12 - 24 cm water depth and so on.

The great advantage of these formulas is that the shape of the profile is included in the calculation and there is no need for hydrological data. Nevertheless diversion length and tributaries are not considered.

Appendix - II

2.4 Methods Based on Multi-Objective Planning Taking Into Consideration Ecological Parameters

These methods are generally very complex in their application and require considerable expertise in doing so. They require site-specific flow observations and take into account hydrological, hydraulic, ecological, and meteorological data, embracing both ecological and economic parameters. Methods are expensive in data collection and mathematical computing, and are suitable only for particular types of rivers. Their transferability is doubtful.

3. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFA FORMULAS FOR SHAGHARTHANG HPP

3.1 CEMAGREF FORMULA

According to this formula Q = [(0.0651 Qmm+2) /100] Qam (Ref. CEMAGREF: Agricultural and Environmental Research Institute, Antony, France; Formula developed for Minimum Flow for Ecological Requirements, 2006) where Qmm is mean minimum monthly flow and Qam is annual mean discharge of the Kachura Nullah at the weir site. Using 2.09 m3/s for Qmm and 14.19 m3/s for Qam, the required ecological flow Q is equal to 0.303 m3/s as environmental flow.

The same formula was earlier used by Fitchner Consultants of Germany for 106 MW Golen Gol HPP, Chitral Pakistan. Golen Gol HPP is being developed by WAPDA, the state-owned organization for the development of water resources and hydropower. The EIA for Golen Gol HPP has already been approved by EPA showing no reservations on the environmental flow calculation method.

This formula was later on used by Star Hydropower Ltd. for ADB finance 147MW Patrind Hydropower Project, AJ&K which is under construction stage at present.

The following Table-1 compares the Formula value of 0.303 m3/sec as environmental flow with the estimated monthly flows of Kachura Nullah in the reach from weir site to powerhouse site. The requirement for domestic water supply for communities living along this stretch of Kachura nullah is only for population of Staqchan village which is about 240 at the rate of 25 gallons/capita/ day.

Appendix - II

Table-1: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) in Kachura Nullah Based on CEMAGREF FORMULA

Monthly Environmental Environmental Drinking Sr. Mean Flow Months Flow Q Water # Flow Qmm (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) % (1966-97)

1 January 2.62 0.303 0.008 0.311 12

2 February 2.21 0.303 0.008 0.311 14

3 March 2.09 0.303 0.008 0.311 15

4 April 2.70 0.303 0.008 0.311 12

5 May 8.50 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

6 June 28.46 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

7 July 47.56 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

8 August 42.59 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

9 September 19.41 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

10 October 7.10 0.303 0.008 Overspill Overspill

11 November 4.01 0.303 0.008 0.311 8

12 December 3.01 0.303 0.008 0.311 10

Annual Mean 14.19 - - - -

The Table shows that the quantity of water available for power generation from November to April every year would be less than the design flow of 4.6 m3/s. The effect on aquatic life during these lean months November to April is not considered significant when viewed from the fact that substantial fish culture does not exist in the reach under consideration as the fishing survey conducted in September 2011 showed the preferred habitat of trout being the less turbulent waters of the Kachura Nullah from Soq village to Kachura confluence with Indus. According to the flow conditions of the Nullah, major population congregations of trout are found in this sketch. Therefore, diversion of the stream for power generation in the section immediately downstream of the weir will not affect fish population indicating insignificant impact on the fishing.

Appendix - II

3.2 EF Montana Method

The period November to April is a period of lean flow as given in the Table below. According to this method 10% of lean months average flow which is 0.276 m3/sec has been considered as environmental flow for bare survival of biota in vulnerable reach and also taking stock of riparian users’ minimum requirements during this period. Flows of water available for power generation from Nov to April every year is already less than design flow of 4.6 m3/sec. The minimum flow requirement to keep the power plant in operation is 1.53m3/s when only one turbine will be generating 8.7MW power during the lean months from December to April whereas during November two turbines will generate 17.4MW using 3.06m3/s flow. The following Table -2 is prepared to explain the situation. Table-2: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) in Kachura Nullah During Lean

Months Based on Montana Method

Mean Flow Environmental Lean No. Of Requirement Flow Months Turbine in for Turbine Lean Months 3 Flow Operation Operation (m /s) % (1966-97) (m3/s) 1 2 3 4 (2-3) 5 November 4.01 2 2x1.53=3.06 0.95 24 December 3.01 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.48 49 January 2.62 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.09 42 February 2.21 1 1x1.53=1.53 0.68 31 March 2.09 1 1x1.53=1.53 0.56 27 April 2.70 1 1x1.53=1.53 1.17 43 Lean Months Total Flow 16.54 - - 5.83 35 Average Flow for Lean Months 2.76 - - 0.97 35

The table shows that the release of environmental flow downstream of weir site will not in any way compromise on water availability for power generation thus having least impact on power generation while ensuring the downstream ecological requirements varying from 24 to 49% as compared to 10%.

Appendix - II

4. CONCLUSION

Two methods, namely, CEMAGREF Formula and Montana Method have been used to assess the environmental releases downstream of the weir. According to CEMAGREF Formula environmental flow varies from 8 to 15% of natural flow during lean months from November to April every year. According to Montana method the environmental releases during lean months are all above 10% of natural flow, varying between 24 to 49%. The average of environmental flow during lean months (0.97m3/s) is 35% of lean months average flow (2.76m3/s) which, therefore, has been adopted for the project.

REFERENCES

1. Tharme R.F. Global Prospective on Environmental Flow Assessment Freshwater Institute, University of Cape Town, Rhodes Gift, 7701, South Africa, Proceedings of a Symposium held in Wellington, New Zealand, August 2003.

2. Environmental Integration of Small Hydropower Plants. ESHA – European Small Hydropower Association. Rue d’ Arlon, 63-65, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.

3. CEMAGREF: Agricultural and Environmental Research Institute, Anthony, France.

APPENDIX - III

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS DURING LOCAL CONSULTATIONS

Appendix – III

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS DURING LOCAL CONSULTATIONS

Date: September 12, 2011 Venue: Kachura Village

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

1 Mohammad Khan S/o Mohammad Ali Former Chairman UC, Existing Numberdar 2 Akhund Mohammad Hassan Farmer S/o Akhund Ali Hassan 3 Haji Ali Khan S/o Haji Hassan Farmer 4 Wazir Shamshir S/o Wazir Mohammad Farmer 5 Mohammad Ali S/o Qambar Farmer 6 Ghulam Hussain S/o Haji Ali Farmer 7 Shaikh Hussain S/o Haji Ahmad Farmer 8 Akbar Ali S/o Ghulam Mohammad School Teacher 9 Ali S/o Mohammad Farmer 10 Mohammad Khan Ali Govt. Employee 11 Haji Musa S/o Mohammad Khan Farmer 12 Mirza Hassan S/o Haji Ali Former Member UC, Farmer/ Contractor 13 Qasim S/o Haji Ali School Teacher 14 Syed Mohammad Abbas Musavi S/o Syed School Teacher Akbar Shah 15 Haji Sadiq S/o Qasim President Bismillah Organization 16 Haji Sadiq S/o Haji Ahmad Ali Govt. Employee 17 Mohammad Khan S/o Haji Ahmad Farmer 18 Mohammad Majeed S/o Akbar Ali Teacher 19 Mohammad Nazir S/o Akhund Mohammad Teacher 20 Syed Hussain Kazmi S/o Syed Akbar Shah Teacher 21 Asghar Ali S/o Ahmad Ali Teacher 22 Ali S/o Mohammad Ali Farmer 23 Haji Mehdi S/o Mohammad Farmer 24 Mohammad S/o Isa Farmer 25 Gulzar S/o Haji Fida Hussain Farmer 26 Ahmad S/o Haji Rajab Farmer 27 Mohammad S/o Wazir Ali Farmer 28 Musa S/o Ali Farmer 29 Akbar S/o Hassan Farmer 30 Ali S/o Haji Rasool Farmer

1 Appendix – III

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

31 Havadar Ali Army Employee 32 Nisar S/o Amir Khan Farmer 33 Mohammad Hussain S/o Ali Hassan Farmer 34 Mirza S/o Haji Hussain Farmer 35 Haji Sadiq S/o Haji Hussain School Teacher 36 Master Hassan S/o Ali Farmer 37 Haji Akbar S/o Mohammad Ali Teacher 38 Syed Hussain S/o Ahmad Shah Farmer 39 Ghulam S/o Musa Farmer 40 Wazir Mohammad Hussain S/o Wazir Ali Farmer 41 Hassan S/o Shamshir Teacher 42 Ehsan S/o Haji Ahmad Teacher

Date: September 12, 2011 Venue: Soq Village

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

1 Mohammad Ayub S/o Ahmad Ali Farmer 2 Shakoor Ahmad S/o Ali Fawad Chairman, Local Community 3 Fida Mohammad S/o Mirza Ali Chairman, Local Community 4 Mohammad Sadiq S/o Fazal Ali Teacher 5 Mohammad Ju S/o Mohammad Ali Former Member UC 6 Haji Ali S/o Akhund Mohammad Former Member UC 7 Ali Hassan S/o Ghulam Former Member UC 8 Rustam S/o Mohammad Ali Former Member UC 9 Bashir S/o Haider Member NGO/Farmer 10 Mohammad Hussain S/o Ali Hassan Member NGO/Farmer 11 Sharif S/o Haji Sher Member NGO/Farmer 12 Fazal S/o Hussain Member NGO/Farmer 13 Zakir Hussain S/o Akhund Musa Member NGO/Farmer 14 Suleman S/o Mohammad Member NGO/Farmer 15 Mohammad Hussain S/o Akhund Nazir Member NGO/Farmer 16 Musa S/o Ahmad Member NGO/Farmer 17 Talib Hussain S/o Mehdi Member NGO/Farmer 18 Baqar S/o Sheikh Mohammad Yousaf Member NGO/Farmer 19 Hussain Mohammad S/o Ali Mohammad Member NGO/Farmer 20 Sher Ali S/o Jaffar Member NGO/Farmer 21 Mohammad Ali S/o Ali Member NGO/Farmer 22 Sher Mohammad S/o Ibrahim Member NGO/Farmer

2 Appendix – III

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

23 Imran S/o Qasim Member NGO/Farmer 24 Hassan S/o Darwaish Member NGO/Farmer 25 Ghulam Nabi S/o Ali Mehdi Member NGO/Farmer 26 Farman S/o Rehman Member NGO/Farmer 27 Asghar S/o Ahmad Member NGO/Farmer 28 Esa S/o Ahmad Member NGO/Farmer 29 Ishaq S/o Rehman Member NGO/Farmer

Date: September 17, 2011 Venue: Shagharthang Village

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

1 Haji Mohammad S/o Rasool Farmer 2 Ali Khair S/o Ali Farmer 3 Yousaf S/o Khan Khair Farmer 4 Ishaq S/o Haji Hussain Farmer 5 Shabbir S/o Khan Farmer 6 Ahmad Ibrahim S/o Isa Farmer 7 Akbar S/o Ali Farmer 8 Turab S/o Hassan Farmer 9 Jaffar S/o Khan Ali Fero Farmer 10 Ahmad Hussain S/o Kazim Farmer 11 Ali S/o Mirza Farmer 12 Afzal S/o Mohammad Hussain Govt. Employee 13 Iqbal S/o Haji Mohammad Govt. Employee 14 Sadiq S/o Salam Khan Govt. Employee 15 Ayub S/o Musa Govt. Employee 16 Esa S/o Musa Govt. Employee 17 Ashraf S/o Nazir Govt. Employee 18 Sharif S/o Esa Govt. Employee

Date: September 17, 2011 Venue: Staqchan Village

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

1 Ghulam Hussain S/o Hussain Farmer 2 Haji Rozi Mohammad Govt. Employee S/o Akhund Ghulam Hussain 3 Ibrahim S/o Kazim Farmer 4 Haji Ghulam Hussain S/o Hussain Farmer 5 Akhund Hussain S/o Mohammad Farmer 6 Master Ali Haider S/o Haji Ismail Govt. Employee

3 Appendix – III

Sr. # Main Participants Occupations of Participants

7 Haji Mirza S/o Mohammad Farmer 8 Hussain S/o Haji Musa Farmer 9 Haji Suleman S/o Haji Salam Farmer 10 Ahmad S/o Marri Farmer 11 Haji Hassan S/o Esa Farmer 12 Hussain S/o Ali Ahmad Farmer

Date: April 27, 28, 2008 Venue: Staqchan Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants 1 Engineer Ghulam Mehdi, ● This project if implemented will ensure Executive Engineer Skardu GB-WPD reliable power generation and there 2. Ghulam Haider, SDO, Skardu be will no electrical power load 3. Muhammad Ibrahim S/o Mehdi shedding in the entire Skardu. 4 Ghulam Hassan S/o Banda 5 Haji Rozi Muhammad S/o Ghulam Hussain 6 Ahmad Hussain S/o Muhammad ● Avoid land losses to the extent possible. 7 Muhammad Isa S/o Ahmad Ali 8 Haji Sulaiman S/o Haji Salam 9 M. Ashraf 10 M. Ibahim ● Widening and improvement of the road will be a blessing for population of 11 M. Khad Staqchan village. 12 M. Musa

13 Haji Mirza

14 Ahmad

15 Sulaiman 16 Ali Haider 17 Ali Muhammad 18 Haji Akbar ● Timely and fair compensation should be 19 Azam Khan provided against the affected assets. 20 Ali Mad 21 Akhund Hussain 22 Haji Javid ● Apart from land owners‟ compensation 23 Haji Hassan should also be provided to the tenants. 24 Jaffar Ali

Date: April 30, 2008 Venue: Kachura Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

1 Zakir Hussain S/o Ashghar Ali (AP) ● This is a public interest project. The 2. Fida Ali S/o Muhammad Ali (AP) entire area will be benefited from this 3. Muhammad Nazir S/o Akbar Ali (AP) project. 4 Sheikh Hussain S/o Haji Ahmad (AP) ● Project benefits are more than project 5 Mirza Hassan S/o Haji Ali losses. We have many expectations 6 Muhammad Ali with this project. We hope that this

4 Appendix – III

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

S/o Muhammad Hassan (AP) project will start soon. 7 Syed Abbad S/o Syed Akbar Shah ● The widening of the road will benefit the entire Baltistan in general and Kachura, Soq and Shagharthang in particular. ● Timely compensation should be ensured to the APs. ● Compensation of the lost assets should be given before construction and rate should be market based.

Date: April 27 and May 1, 2008 Venue: Soq Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

1 Haji Skhakoor ● Soq village has lagged behind. The S/oAhmad (Village Head) access road will bring a window of 2. Mohammad S/o Musa opportunity in terms of improved 3. Salman S/o Mohammad communication. 4 Akhun Musa S/o Akhun Hasan ● People will cooperate if they are 5 Akhun Nazir S/o Akhun Mohammad provided jobs. 6 Hawaldar Asghar S/o Ahmad ● Road improvement and widening will (Farmer/Labour) not only benefit the local population but 7 Ismail S/o Danish (Farmer/Labour) it will also boost tourism. 8 Farhan S/o Rehman (Farmer/Labour) ● Land compensation should be provided 9 Zakir Akhon to the deserving people and .timely S/o Moosa (Farmer/Labour) compensation should be ensured. 10 Fida S/o Ismail (Farmer/Labour) ● In addition to the land compensation, affected trees and crops should also be 11 Ahmad Shakoor S/o Mohammad (Farmer/Labour) compensated.

Date: May 2, 2008 Venue: Staqchan Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

1 Mohammad Hassan S/o Akhun Ali ● The area is very backward due to lack 2. Sheikh Ibrahim S/o Mehdi of transport; it is difficult to reach to health facilities. Road will bring positive 3. Haji Akbar S/o Musa benefits to the area. 4 Esa S/o Akhun Ali ● Staqchan village should be given 5 Hussain S/o Suleman priority in project related jobs. 6 Ghulam Hassain S/o Hussain ● Free electricity should be provided to the Staqchan inhabitants. ● All affected persons should get compensation. ● This area people are highly patriotic; not only land we can sacrifice every thing for our country.

5 Appendix – III

Date: April 29 and May 2, 2008 Venue: Kachura Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

1 Mohammad Khan, ● We are grateful to Government of Chairman Union Council, Kachura Pakistan and ADB for initiating this project. ● Census survey has been started from the project which coincided with tree plantation season. The survey should include compensation for new trees being planted. ● In the past compensation for developmental work was delayed, even for many years people did not receive compensation amount. This project should ensure for timely payment of compensation. ● The official rates for compensation are very low as compared to market rates. At least Rs. 600,000 should be paid for 1 kanal. Compensation should be paid based on market rates. 2. Mirza Mohammad, Kachura ● Any development activity is good for the Development Organization people of the area. 3. Haji Muhammad Hussain, Al-Ghazi ● Widening and improvement of the road Foundation is good initiative especially to the people in the upstream of the Kachura nullah. ● New jobs will be created for local people. ● The issue of electricity load shedding will be addressed by completion of he project.

Date: June 27, 2008 Venue: Shot Qumarah Village

Sr. # Main Participants Main Concerns of Participants

1 Haji Raza S/o Haji Hussain ● Electrical pole should be placed 2. Mirza Muhammad on edges of the road. 3. Hasan S/o Yaha ● Market rates should be provided 4 Haji Muhamamd S/o Aghar Ali Sakhawat for compensation. 5 Sakhawar ● Jobs should be provided to the 6 Haji Sadiq Ali local people. ● Project should ensure timely payment of compensation.

6 APPENDIX – IV

LIST OF LINE DEPARTMENTS VISITED

Appendix – IV

LIST OF LINE DEPARTMENTS VISITED

Date Organization / Reason for visit Place (2011) Person consulted Position Topics discussed September 10 Skardu Fishery Department  Fisheries development in Kachura Ghulam Hussain Lungma Assistant Water Fisheries  Catching of fish in the project area  minimal ecological flow, ecological projects in the area September 10 Skardu Forest Department  Forest types / trees Haji M. Hussain  Location of forests / pastures Conservator of Forest  Sustainable use of forests by community September 10 Skardu Wildlife Department  Wildlife in Project Area Ghulam Mehdi  Wildlife protection measures Game Inspector September 11 Skardu Agriculture Department  Crop calendar, Crop yield Zakir Hussain  Irrigation water, Cropping Pattern Senior Scientific Agriculture Officer September 11 Skardu Health Department  Public health situation including water Dr. Syed Sadiq Shah supply and sanitation conditions in the District Health Officer project area.  Prevalent diseases  Health Department role in disease prevention and control September 11 Skardu Office of the Director Education  Existing schools in the project area Haji Abid Ali  Education facilities District Inspector of School September 17 Skardu Office of the DC  LAA - 1894 Arqam Tariq  Role of District Revenue Officer in land Deputy Commissioner acquisition and payment of compensation  Redress procedures September 18 Skardu NGO, AKRSP Office  Women status and poverty level in the Nazir Ahmed area Regional Programm Manager

1

APPENDIX – V

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM DESIGN STAGE 1. Project Statutory compliance with IEE report submission to GB-EPA. Detailed design Entire project Project Director Secretary GB- disclosure Pak-EPA 1997 commencement WPD 2. Project Compliance with statutory Environmental assessment in line with P-EPA Completion of detailed Entire project Contractor, SC Project Director, boundaries requirements and ADB Guidelines design Contractor, SC change P-EPA 1997 Update IEE and confirm findings and recommendations. Submit revised IEE and EMP to ADB. 3. Land Compensation to LARP Implementation. Implementation Entire project Project Director, Secretary GB- acquisition affectees schedule DRO WPD, Project Director PMU, ADB 4. Road widening Minimize environmental Minimization of truck passing areas Completion of detailed Access road Detailed design Project Director, impacts Land acquisition minimized at each crossing design contractor SC Survey of existing utilities: power, water supply, sewerage and telephone lines, irrigation channels Restoration utilities. 5. Loss of Minimize need to acquire Consultation with land owners. Detailed design stage. Entire project ESDC, DDC Project Director, productive agricultural land for . SC agriculture temporary facilities

6. Waste disposal Sound environmental Design consultants to explore and identify Detail design output. Entire project DDC ESDC, SC management reuse options. Within one month of Design consultant to identify disposal award of contract or locations for excavated materials and earlier requirements in contracts. Disposal at identified sites

- 1 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM CONSTRUCTION STAGE 1. Plans to control Avoid impacts from Construction contractor to prepare following plans Submission to ADB Entire project Contractor ESDC/SC environmental unplanned activities as part of SSEMP: prior to construction and associated Temporary traffic management plan activity impacts Drainage and utilities re-provisioning plan Materials management plan Waste management plan Excavated material disposal plan Tree compensatory planting plan Noise and dust control plan. Blasting management plan Oil spill management plan 2. Loss of trees To avoid adverse Payments linked to tree re-establishment and One month prior to Entire project Contractor ESDC, CSC impacts due to removal of not to tree removal: and during trees. Minimize tree cutting. construction of Two new trees planted to replace each cut tree relevant activities Select only indigenous tree species for replacement; no alien invasive species to be used 3. Soil erosion To minimize excessive Maintain proper slope Construction activities All embankments Contractor ESDC,SC erosion of embankments Compaction of soil material and slopes with and slopes. Tree plantation on the slop protection measures. 4. Environmental Develop capacity to Contractor tender documents to include Before Construction Sites Contractor, ESDC Project Director orientation of implement environmental resources and funds for mitigation measures commencement of contractor and requirements and Contractors tender document to specify staff construction work. workers mitigation measures to supervise and plan for the following; Refreshers at early Drainage and utilities re-provision stages of construction Temporary traffic management, Materials management,

- 2 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM Waste disposal , Noise and dust control, Tree removal and compensatory planting On-site contractor staff training The contractor shall he responsible for implementation of an effective environmental monitoring and reporting system using checklists of all contractual environmental requirements and EMP. 5. Exploitation Minimization and Contracts documents to specify: Construction activities A list of routes of Contractor ESDC, SC handling, avoidance of adverse Fuel and bulk storage above high flood level of transport of transportation and environmental impacts Kachura Lungma and covered with tarpaulin construction storage of due to construction against wind and away from the residential material is to be construction material exploitation, area. prepared for the materials handling, Proper maintenance of transport vehicles contract and transportation and Work areas to be re-vegetated and agreed one month storage landscaped, wherever appropriate, to minimize prior to construction erosion and to avoid creating hazards for activities. people and livestock

6. Explosive To minimize the damage Use required quantity of explosive material for During excavation At tunnel sites Contractor ESDC, SC Material for around specific site. blasting. activities such as Blasting To control the noise level Blasting should be at day time and in bounded tunnel excavation etc To ensure the workers‟ area. safety. Handle the explosive material under manufacturer\s specifications and Explosive Act 1884, of the government. 7. Air quality To minimize particulate Stockpiled soil and sand to be sprinkled with Construction activities. All construction Contractor to ESDC, SC matter released to the water sites comply with atmosphere. Stockpiled soil and sand shall be slightly NEQS

- 3 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM wetted before loading, particularly in windy conditions. Fuel-efficient and well-maintained haulage trucks shall be employed to minimize exhaust emissions. The road near communities shall be sprayed at least twice per day with water to suppress dust. Concrete batching plants, asphalt plant and rock crusher activities to be controlled (e.g. asphalt hot mix plants should not be located within 500m of any sensitive receiver, river- bank or irrigation channel but located at convenient sites nearby but downwind of and at least 500nm from sensitive receptors such as schools and hospitals. 8. Construction Minimize the impacts Preparation of waste management plan One month prior to All construction Contractor ESDC, SC Waste Disposal from construction waste including estimates of amounts and types of construction activities sites disposal. construction waste to be generated by the quarterly. project. Identify opportunities for waste to be reused in the project or by other interested parties. Identifying potentially safe disposal sites close to the project or those designated sites in the contract. Waste shall not be burned as open burning Is contrary to good environmental practice. 9. Water quality Minimization of adverse Storage of lubricants, fuels and other Construction activities Entire project Contractor ESDC,SC impacts on water quality hydrocarbons more than 50m away from water bodies.

- 4 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM Proper disposal of solid waste from construction activities and labor camps. Covering the construction material and spoil stockpiles with a suitable material to reduce material loss and sedimentation. Avoiding stockpiling to water bodies. Excavated material shall not be stored where natural drainage will be disrupted. Borrow sites should not be close to sources of drinking water. 10. Worker camp To ensure that the worker Felled trees and other cleared or pruned Entire project Construction Contractor EDSC,SC facilities does not vegetation should not be burned. construction activities camps adversely affect the LPG to be provided for cooking at worker surrounding environment camps. and residents in the area. Drinking water and sanitary facilities shall be provided for employees. Solid waste and sewage shall be managed according to the waste management plan. The Contractor shall document that all liquid and solid hazardous and non-hazardous waste are separated, collected and disposed of according to the given requirements and regulations. 11. Workers‟ To ensure safety of Placing adequate warning signs. During construction Workers camp Contractor ESDC,SC Safety workers and equipment. Providing workers with PPE . Construction sites Establish all relevant safety measures as required by law and good engineering practices. First aid facilities should be available at construction sites with at least one qualified

- 5 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM first-aider 12. Traffic Minimize disturbance of Implement traffic management plan. Day Time during Existing access Contractor ESDC,SC Condition vehicular traffic & Formulation and implementation of a construction activities road pedestrians during construction related traffic management plan. Construction sites haulage of materials, Assign traffic control personnel. spoil, equipment and Vicinity of residential areas, schools to be machinery. considered for installation of traffic warning signs and speed bumps. No blocking access to the road 13. Restoration of All vacated sites should All construction sites, all debris and waste shall At conclusion of the All temporary Contractor, Project director Temporary be restored to pre-project be removed. project acquired sites land conditions All temporary structures, including office buildings, shelters, waste receptacles and toilets shall be removed. All vacated sites should be restored to pre- project conditions OPERATIONAL STAGE 1. Water quality Maintain the quality and The drinking water quality used by the Starting from the Kachura Lungma Chief engineer Chief engineer quantity of water to be community in the project area shall be construction period GB WPD GB WPD supplied to community. monitored. and continuing for the first three years of the project operation. 2. Fishery To document the fishing Monitor fishery resources. Starting from the Kachura Lungma Director, fishery ESDC activities in the Kachura construction period department, Lungma and continuing for the first three years of the project operation.

- 6 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM TRANMISSION LINE Land Resources Tower Conductors and New i) Temporary land acquisition for tower Fair / negotiated Transmission Line: Quick payment Secretary Grid Station Sites construction compensation for Towers, to affectees at GBWPD, Director crops, trees in 10 m Conductors and start of work. PMU, ESDC, COI Gridstation Job DRO opportunities to affectees ii) Geotech investigation for tower foundation Backfilling -Do- Contractor, ESDC and excavation compaction, and Director PMU leveling to original state to avoid mishaps to people, cattle and stop potential erosion process iii) Land pollution due to fuel, chemicals and Good construction -Do- Contractor, ESDC lubricants during construction management Director PMU

iv) Temporary ROW for transportation of Fair and Prompt -Do- Secretary GB- ESDC equipment/ machinery for stringing operation Compensation WDP, Director PMU, DRO v) Limiting tree height to 4 m and restriction on Compensation for -Do- Contractor ESDC any type of construction in COI for safety. removal of economic Director PMU Orchards (excluding trees with height less trees than 4 m can be grown. Crop cultivation allowed vi) Network of metalled roads, village tracks in Measures to avoid -Do- Contractor ESDC the routes of transmission lines disruptions and Director PMU provide necessary clearances

- 7 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM vii) CFC's and PCB's in environment Avoid use of insulators -Do- Contractor ESDC which result in Director PMU production of CFC's / PCB's Water Resources Tower Foundations and viii) Sourcing of water for construction purposes Groundwater or -Do- Contractor ESDC sites of New Grid Stations surface water as the case maybe. ix) River pollution during piling operations for Unavoidable; river flow -Do- Contractor ESDC tower foundation to effectively mitigate by dilution x) Contamination of rivers by chemicals, Sound Construction -Do- Contractor ESDC lubricants, fuel and other materials during management to avoid excavations in flood plain areas river pollution Infrastructure Transmission Lines Routes xi) Removal of : Fair, adequate, -Do- Secretary GB- ESDC and Grid Stations Sites Infrastructure No. of Locations negotiated WDP, Roads Metalled 6 compensation to Director PMU, Katchura Nullah 4 affectees DRO Hill Torrents 5 Irrigation Pump 1 Public Channels 1 Indus River 2 Graveyard 1 11kV Transmission Line 8

Biological Towers xii) Vegetation clearing at towers locations for Fair, adequate, -Do- Director PMU, ESDC Resources foundation, stacking of construction material negotiated DRO and assembly compensation for crops and trees Stringing of Conductors xiii) Vegetation clearing of ROW for movement of Same as in (xii) -do- Director PMU, ESDC construction equipment DRO

- 8 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM Access Tracks xiv) Damage to existing tracks etc. due to Repair and restore -do- Contractor ESDC transportation of equipment original condition Conductors during operation xv) Removal of trees more than 4 m height for Compensation to -do- Director PMU, ESDC phase system safety owners of private trees DRO xvi) Impact on bird migration Insignificant xvii) EMF Effects Hazard to birds/water -do- fowl. Unavoidable but insignificant. Birds normally keep away due to cracking noise and air ionization around conductors Social and Stringing Operation xviii) Restriction on movement of people, herds of Temporary, short -do- Contractor ESDC Cultural cattle, carts etc. during stringing operation duration. Specified Resources stringing timings xix) Social problems due to outsiders work force Local labour -do- Contractor Director PMU – for construction employment from near ESDC by communities for construction phase Towers xx) Disruption to religious/ cultural sites such as Not a single tower -do- Contractor ESDC graveyards, shrines, archaeology located in or very near such sites Construction of Project xxi) Hazards to human health due to noise, Construction -do- Contractor ESDC Components smoke, fugitive dust management to minimize hazards to locals due to noise, smoke and fugitive dust xxii) Health and Public safety Use of proper -do- Contractor ESDC equipment, proper

- 9 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project Appendix - V

Environmental Mitigation Measures (MM) Timing to Locations to Responsibility to Responsibility to Objectives Concern Recommended Implement MM Implement MM Implement MM Monitor MM operation of equipment xxiii) Disruption of Services Relocation of Services -do- Contractor ESDC Transmission Lines : xxiv) EMF effect on human health Insignificant : -do- Conductors Operation research needed for precise evaluation

- 10 -

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

A- Photographs Showing Meetings with Officers of Line Departments

Information on aquatic life is being collected by the Meeting with DC Skardu in his Office Consultant from Fishery Office Skardu

A view of meeting with Conservator of Forest and Discussion with the Agriculture Research Officer wildlife Officer Skardu

A meeting with DHO Skardu Meeting with Deputy Director Education

- 1 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

B- Photographs Showing Scoping Sessions / Consultations with Locals of the Project Area

Scoping session in Kachura Village Another view of scoping session in Kachura Village

Scoping session in Soq Village Scoping session in Soq Village

Consultation with Locals of Staqchan Village Meeting with Locals in Shagharthang Village

- 2 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

C- Photographs Showing Sites of Various Project Components

A discussion between PMU Staff and Consultant at A view of Power House Site Weir Site

A view of Intake at Weir Site Proposed Grid Station Site

Dumping Site downstream of Weir Dumping site

- 3 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

D- Photographs Showing Survey of Access Road by the Consultants and PMU Staff

Consultation with affectees of C-1 Crossing in Consultation with affectees of C-3 Crossing in

Kachura Village Kachura Village

Cultivated Land and Trees to be Acquired during Consultants Team with PMU Staff during Field widening of Access Road Upstream of Power House Survey of Access Road Site

Relocation of 11 kV Electric Pole during Widening of 2 Nos. of Shops to be demolished during Widening Access Road of Access Road

- 4 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

E- Photographs Showing Fishery Expert Working in the Project Area

Consultation with Local Fishermen in Kachura Fishery Expert along with Fishermen Catching Fish

Village from Kachura Nullah

Fishery Expert watching Nullah flow during A view of net casting in Kachura Nullah Environmental Survey

Fishery Expert catching aquatic Fauna from Kachura A view of Netting Nullah

- 5 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

F- Survey of 66 kV Transmission Line Route in Progress

Cultivated land and trees falling within 10m COI 1 LT+1HT+25kV transformer and a hut within 10m

between T19- T-20 COI between T23-T24

Proposed T-75 to T-76 crossing of Indus River to Indus river crossing between T35-T36 avoid crossing of tower T-84 to T-95

A hut and few trees within 10m COI between Indus river crossing between T84 to T95 T96-T97

- 6 - IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

26MW SHAGHARTHANG HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Table of Contents ACRONYMS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1

A. Environmental Regulatory Compliance 1

B. Environmental Category of Shagharthang HPP 2

C. Objectives and Scope of IEE 3

D. Report Structure 3

II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 4

A. Background and Justification 4

B. Location 4

C. Project Layout Alternatives 5

D. Project Components 6

III. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ...... 11

A. Baseline Survey methodology 11

B. Physical Environment 11

C. Air Environment 14

D. Biological Environment 14

E. Social and Cultural Environment 18

F. Socio-Economic Profile of Affected Persons 23

G. Indigenous People 24

H. Gender Impacts 24

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION ...... 25

A. Design Related Impacts and Mitigation 25

B. Construction Related Impacts and Mitigation 32

C. Operation Related Impacts and Mitigation 38

D. Transmission Line Related Impacts and Mitigation Measures 42

TOC - I IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

D.1 Construction Activity Management For Transmission Line 43

E. Positive Impacts 47

V. STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATION ...... 50

A. Identification of Stakeholders 50

B. Consultation Process 50

C. Summary of Consultation 50

D. Meetings with Officers of Line Departments 51

E. Future Consultation 51

F. Procedure for Public Disclosure 51

VI. INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.... 53

A. Institutional Arrangement 53

B. Complaints and Grievances Redress 53

C. Environmental Review and Approval 54

D. Environmental Management Plan 54

E. Monitoring and Evaluation 55

VII. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED COSTS ...... 58

VIII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 59

IX. CONCLUSIONS ...... 61

TABLES

Table 1: Comparison of Project Layout Alternatives

Table 2: Project Components

Table 3: Climatic Data of Skardu (1962-1998)

Table 4: Record of Flow in Kachura Nullah (1966 – 1997)

Table 5: Results of Laboratory Analysis of Water Samples from Kachura Nullah

Table 6: Socio-Economic Indicators of Villages Falling around Project Area

Table 7: Education Facilities in the Surveyed Villages of the Project Area

Table 8: Sources of Income in Surveyed Villages

Table 9: Average Annual Income per Household in Surveyed Villages

Table 10: Land Features, Land Use and Infrastructure Falling In 10 m Corridor of 66kV Power Transmission Line

Table 11: Volume of Excavated Material

TOC - II IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

Table 12: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) Based on CEMAGREF Method

Table-13: Environmental Flow Requirements (m3/s) During Lean Months Based on Montana Method

Table 14: Reduction in Annual Greenhouse Gas Emission

Table 15: Environmental Monitoring Plan

Table 16: Summary of Estimated Environmental Cost

FIGURES:

Figure 1: Project Location in the Map of Pakistan

Figure 2: Project Alternate Layouts

Figure 3: Project Layout Plan

Figure 4: Access Road

Figure 5: Route of 66kV Transmission Line from Powerhouse to Proposed Grid Station

Figure 6: Locations of Disposal Sites

Figure 7: Locations of Construction Camps

APPENDICES:

Appendix – I Loss of Land and other Economic Assets due to Project Implementation

Appendix – II Assessment of Environmental Flow

Appendix – III Assessment of Environmental Flow

Appendix – IV Assessment of Environmental Flow

Appendix – V Environmental Management Plan

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

TOC - III IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADB : Asian Development bank

AKRSP Agha Khan Rural Support Programme amsl : above mean sea level

AP : Affected Person

BHU : Basic Health Unit

BOD : Biochemical Oxygen Demand

CAS : Compulsory Acquisition Surcharge

CBO : Community Based Organization

CSC : Construction Supervision Contractor

DCO : District Coordination Officer

DDC : Detailed Design Contractor

DFO : Divisional Forest Officer

DO : Dissolved Oxygen

EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP : Environment Management Plan

EPA : Environmental Protection Agency

ESDC : Environment and Social Development Cell

Ft. : Feet

GB : Gilgit Baltistan

GRC : Grievance Redress Committee

GWh : Giga Watt Hour

Ha/ha : Hectare

HH : Household

HPP : Hydropower Project

IEE : Initial Environmental Examination

Km : Kilometer

KPK : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kV : Kilo Volt kW : Kilowatt

LAA : Land Acquisition Act (1894)

i IEE Report for Shagharthang Hydropower Project

LIST OF ACRONYMS

LARP : Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan

NEPRA : National Electrical Power Regulatory Authority

NGO : Non-Government Organization

P&D : Planning and Development Department

PD : Project Director

PES : Pakistan Engineering Services (Private) Ltd.

PMU : Project Management Unit

PPR : Periodic Progress Report

Rs : Rupees

ROW : Right-of-Way

RHC : Rural Health Centre

SC Supervision Consultants

TOR‟s : Terms of Reference

UC : Union Council

WAPDA : Water and Power Development Authority

WHO : World Health Organisation

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