For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan Public Disclosure Authorized

Public Disclosure Authorized

Environmental and Social Management Framework Public Disclosure Authorized

OSHC "Barqi Tojik"

May 2019 i

Contents

Abbreviations and Acronyms iii 1. Executive Summary 14 Foreword ...... 14 Background ...... 14 Main Objectives of ESMF ...... 15 Project Summary ...... 16 ESMF Assessment Framework and Methodology ...... 16 Summary of Project Activities that Could Affect E&S Conditions ...... 17 Summary of Key E&S Risks and Measures to Avoid, Reduce or Control Unavoidable Impacts 17 Impacts on Physical conditions ...... 18 Impacts on Biological Conditions ...... 20 Impacts on Community Health & Safety...... 20 Impacts on Worker Health, Safety, and Welfare ...... 21 Impacts on Social and Economic Conditions ...... 22 Environmental and social supervision and monitoring ...... 22 Reporting ...... 22 Integration of the ESMPs into project documents ...... 22 2. Project Context 23 3. Project Summary 24 4. Objectives of ESMF 27 5. Applicable Legal Requirements 27 National Legal and Regulatory Framework ...... 27 Environmental and social impact assessment in Tajikistan ...... 28 Other relevant legislation on environmental and social issues ...... 29 National Administrative Framework ...... 33 International obligations ...... 34 World Bank Environmental and Social Standards ...... 35 Environmental and Social Framework ...... 35 World Bank Group environmental, health, and safety guidelines ...... 36 6. Overview of Baseline conditions 46 District-specific social and economic baseline ...... 49 7. Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Mitigation Measures 63 Summary of Project Activities that Could Affect E&S Conditions ...... 63 E&S Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 63 Potential environmental risks and effects ...... 64 Socio-economic, community and occupational H&S aspects ...... 65 Summary of Key Risks and Mitigation Measures ...... 66 8. Standardized Environmental and Social Management Plan 72 9. E&S Screening, Supervision, Monitoring and Reporting 73

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan ii E&S Screening ...... 73 E&S Monitoring, Supervision and Reporting ...... 73 10. Stakeholder Engagement and Public Consultation 75 Purpose of stakeholder engagement ...... 75 Stakeholder engagement and consultation process for Khatlon electrification project ...... 75 Previous consultations ...... 77 Disclosure and Consultations for the ESMF and associated documentation ...... 77 11. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) 81 Grievance resolution process ...... 82 Grievance processing ...... 85 Grievance logs ...... 86 Monitoring and reporting on grievances ...... 87 Barqi Tajik Contact information ...... 87 Annex 1: Example Grievance Form 88 Annex 2: Example of standardized ESMP 90 Annex 3: Generic Mitigation Measures 85 Annex 4: Example of ESMP Monitoring Plan 68 Annex 5. Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Farkhor District 69 Annex 6.Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Khamadoni District 74 Annex 7. Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Shamsiddin Shohin District 68

Figures

Figure 1. Nonelectrified villages in Khatlon Region ...... 25 Figure 2. Regions of Tajikistan ...... 46 Figure 3. Ecosystems in Tajikistan ...... 47 Figure 4. Soil cover in Tajikistan ...... 47 Figure 5. Natural protected areas ...... 49 Figure 6. Consultation meeting in Farkhor District, 1 May 2019 ...... 78 Figure 7. Consultation meeting in Khamadoni District, 1 May 2019 ...... 79 Figure 8. Consultation meeting in Shamsiddin Shohin District, 2 May 2019 ...... 80 Figure 9 Schematic process of GRM mechanisms ...... 82 Figure 10. Typical grievance resolution process ...... 83

Tables

Table 1. Villages to be electrified under World Bank project ...... 25 Table 4. Other potentially relevant legislation ...... 33 Table 3. Summary of World Bank requirements and key gaps with Tajikistan legal requirements ...... 38 Table 4. Households and population in Farkhor District (1 January 2015) ...... 49 Table 5. Basic demographic indicators for Farkhor District ...... 50 Table 6. Basic demographic indicators for Muminabad District (2012-2014) ...... 55

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan iii Table 7. Demographic changes to 2012-2014 ...... 56 Table 8. Potentially vulnerable groups by category (2011-2014) ...... 61 Table 9. Potential key environmental impacts ...... 64 Table 10. Potential key social and economic risks and impacts ...... 65 Table 11. Summary of key potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures ...... 66 Table 12. Summary of key socioeconomic impacts and mitigation measures ...... 69 Table 13. Overview of stakeholder engagement process ...... 75

Abbreviations and Acronyms

BT Barqi Tojik CEP Committee for Environmental Protection EA Environmental Assessment EE Ecological Expertise EHS Environmental, Health and Safety issues ESF World Bank Environmental and Social Framework ESIA Environmental & Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan ESS World Bank Environmental and Social Standard FCV Fragility, conflict, and violence FI Financial Institution GOT Government of Tajikistan GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism IDA International Development Association / World Bank IP Indigenous Peoples M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NGO Non-Governmental Organization PAP Project Affected Person PMC Project Management Consultants (same as Supervision Consultants) PMU Project Management Unit PIU Project Implementation Unit (same as PMU) PFI Participating Financial Institution RPF Resettlement Policy Framework RAP Resettlement Action Plan RMR Risk Mitigation Regime PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls (in power transformer oil) SEE State Ecological Expertise PSC Project Supervision Consultants TA Technical Assistance VPC Village Project Committee WB World Bank WUA Water User Association

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 14 1. Executive Summary

Foreword

The document provides an Executive Summary of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for connection of remote mountainous villages in Khatlon region of Tajikistan to the centralized electricity distribution network of Barqi Tojik (BT) – the state-owned energy company responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in all regions of Tajikistan except for GBAO. The document presents in a non-technical manner the proposed project and presents major findings of the Environmental and Social (E&S) risk analysis of the proposed connections. The document provides a summary of environmental and socioeconomic conditions and of the how the proposed projects could affect the environment and people. In addition, the Executive Summary describes what actions have to be taken to reduce the effects on the environment or people.

Background

The World Bank is considering providing support to the Tajikistan Rural Electrification Project (TREP), whose purpose is to provide electricity access to selected settlements in Khatlon and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) regions of Tajikistan. The total cost of the World Bank project is US$ 31.7 million. TREP is part of the Risk Mitigation Regime (RMR) that is included in the upcoming World Bank Country Partner Framework for the Republic of Tajikistan for fiscal years 2019-2023.

The overall objective of TREP is to provide electricity access to unconnected target settlements (kishlaks in Tajik) in Khatlon and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) of Tajikistan. Khatlon is known as the region with one of the highest levels of absolute and relative poverty measures that faces fragility risks due to the proximity to unstable parts of Afghanistan, large youth populations, disparities in service delivery outcomes, and legacies of violent conflict.

TREP is comprised of two components:

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 15 Component 2: Provision of electricity access to target settlements in Khatlon region. This component will have the following sub-components. Sub-component 2.1: Connection of target settlements to the centralized distribution network of Barqi Tojik (BT). This sub-component will finance connection to the electricity distribution network of 74 settlements, bordering Afghanistan, in the Khatlon region. The total population of the target settlements is about 31,460 people. The investments will cover the cost of distribution infrastructure, including construction of 35/10/0.4 kiloVolt (kV) distribution lines, installation of additional distribution transformers in existing substations; as well as connections and internal wiring costs for households and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens) to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. For all target settlements, access to energy services will be ensured by connecting the settlements to BT’s centralized network because this is the least economic cost solution considering the proximity of the target settlements to the power distribution network. Most of the settlements are located within 0.5-2 kilometers of the distribution system. Sub-component 2.2: Project implementation support to BT. This sub-component will finance the cost of: (a) PMC to help BT with preparation of bidding documents for works to connect target settlements to its distribution grid; carrying of tenders for procurement of contractors to connect the settlements to the distribution grid of BT; technical supervision of grid-connection activities; and compliance with environmental and social requirement; and (b) monitoring and evaluation costs related to measuring availability of electricity service, efficiency of citizen engagement and addressing gender gaps under the Project. The TREP is being prepared under the World Bank’s new Environment and Social Framework (ESF), which came into effect on October 1, 2018, replacing the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies. Under the ESF, all World Bank clients have agreed to comply with ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESS)1 in investment project lending financed by the Bank.

In Khatlon Province, over 31,460 people in 4,840 households in 74 villages currently are not served by electricity. This subproject of TREP will include so-called “last-mile connections” for households in selected villages. It will finance household low-voltage power transmission connections and basic wiring costs to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. Household consumers whose connection and internal wiring costs are prefunded by the project may be required to repay the full cost over time.

The subproject will be implemented by Barqi Tojik, the state-owned company responsible for power generation, transmission, and distribution in all provinces of Tajikistan except GBAO.

Main Objectives of ESMF

The main objective of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is to ensure that any activities supported by the World Bank and implemented by Barqi Tojik will not create serious adverse

1 The ten ESSs are: ESS 1) Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts; ESS 2) Labor & Working Conditions; ESS 3) Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management; ESS 4) Community Health and Safety; ESS 5) Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement; ESS 6) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources; ESS 7) Indigenous Peoples / Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities; ESS 8) Cultural Heritage; ESS 9 Financial Intermediaries; and ESS 10) Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure. Detailed information on the ESF and ten ESSs can be found at https://www.worldbank.org/en/projects- operations/environmental-and-social-framework. Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 16 impacts on the local environment and local communities and that there is effective application of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework 2018, associated Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Government of Tajikistan’s laws and regulations for adequate mitigation of any residual and/or unavoidable impacts. The ESMF will guide the Environmental and Social Appraisals relevant to the proposed project activities. It describes the procedure how Barqi Tojik will develop site-specific and/or project specific Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) in order to ensure that potentially significant environmental and social impacts are properly managed in accordance with World Bank requirements and Tajikistan law.

Project Summary

At present, the World Bank intends to provide financing for connecting at least 74 of the unserved villages, with total population of 31,460 people, to the national grid, specifically including those villages in Shamsiddin Shohin, Fahror, and Hamadoni Regions, which all border Afghanistan. The subproject may also finance last-mile connection costs for social and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens), but will not finance such costs for commercial and industrial users.

In general, these last-mile connections will include construction of 10kV and 4kV distribution lines from the existing grid to the villages of concern and then to houses in the villages. The work will involve digging holes for single wooden or concrete poles and then placing the poles in the holes and stringing wires between poles and between the last pole and the house. Poles will be 5-7 meters high and all work except stringing wires will be done manually, with little or no mechanized equipment. Barqi Tojik will appoint a contractor to design the connections and a construction contractor to install poles and lines. It is possible that Barqi Tojik will allow households to provide labor for the project in lieu of future payments for the connection; that will be determined at a later date.

Altogether, there will be about 65 kilometers of 10kV line and the same of 4kV line. Planning is not yet sufficiently advanced to know the number of poles, but it is likely they will be an average of about 100 meters apart, so the project will include erection of about 1,300 poles (650 for 10kV and 650 for 4kV). The only land that will be required will be for the poles themselves. Pole locations, except for house connections, will be selected so the line does not pass over or within two meters (horizontal distance) of any houses, schools, or other occupied buildings. No land will be needed for permanent use except of the poles themselves, which will occupy an area somewhat less than one square meter and will not restrict any activities or future land use. The contractor will require some small amounts of land for temporary use for storage and preparation. Work crews would come predominantly from the local communities, with only a few supervisory and technical personnel coming from outside; construction in any community would not last more than a few days or weeks.

ESMF Assessment Framework and Methodology

Several methods and activities were applied in the preparation of this ESMF to meet the World Bank ESSs and Tajik legal requirements, namely:

• Stakeholder consultations and participation;

• Collation of baseline data on the E&S conditions (regional/district scale);

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 17

• Identification and analysis of key major E&S risks associated with the proposed projects;

• Identification of potential E&S mitigation measures which will reduce and control potential major adverse E&S impacts of the proposed projects;

• Preparation of screening procedures to be used while screening the proposed projects;

• Formulation of a standardized environmental and social management and monitoring plan (ESMP).

Summary of Project Activities that Could Affect E&S Conditions

The projects will involve activities, many of which could potentially affect environmental resources and people if they are not carefully designed and implemented. The activities within the last-mile connection projects that could cause the most important effects include:

• Construction of transmission lines corridors and towers. In forested or partially vegetated areas, trees would be cut, so they could not touch the line or fall on the line. The construction works would require clearing an area for vehicles and equipment to use for installing foundations. The tower construction will comprise the following activities: land-clearing, foundation excavation, foundation installation, tower assembly and erection. Land use and potential resettlement aspects could also be triggered and require examination at pre-construction phase.

• Conductoring (placing wires between towers) the entire line. This would involve unrolling conductor wire, raising it to towers and stringing the wires between the towers on either side of the two rail lines.

• Routine maintenance of the vegetation control zone.

• Construction and maintenance of new substations. It may require partial land-clearing and construction of buildings and installation of equipment.

Summary of Key E&S Risks and Measures to Avoid, Reduce or Control Unavoidable Impacts

This subsection provides a summary of ESMF analysis on key environmental and social impacts, relevant WB ESSs and measures to avoid, reduce or control unavoidable impacts (so-called mitigation measures).

More details on project-specific environmental and social risks associated with construction of low- voltage power transmission lines are provide in Section 7 of the ESMF.

In summary, potential environmental impacts could be associated with noise, dust, air and water pollution, solid waste management, biodiversity degradation. Possible social risks and impacts could include misplaced expectations of benefit- sharing from local communities residing outside of the Jamoats through which the transmission passes, depriving individuals of land and other assets in the guise of voluntary donations, health hazards, and labor issues (including relying on child labor for agricultural activities). Such possible impacts are typical for small scale construction works for energy supply activities. They tend to be site specific and temporary by nature, and can be easily mitigated by applying national laws and World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), and by ensuring sufficient

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 18 capacity-building and technical assistance is provided to implementing agencies and community organizations responsible for subproject implementation, effective communication and awareness- raising, and a functional project grievance redress mechanism.

Impacts on Physical conditions

Impacts on views and landscapes. Direct impacts on views of the landscape could occur through obstruction of views or intrusion of new elements into views of receptors. In most cases, conductors will be visible from only a short distance and so are of limited concern. However, poles would extend above the landscape, including the tallest surrounding trees. Taking into consideration the relative height of poles compared to other structures (trees and buildings), and the sensitivity of the human eye, it is unlikely that most viewers would be able to see the towers or conductors at a distance greater than a few kilometers.

Potential visual receptors in the region would include local residents, travelers, visitors, and tourists. The most important impact could be expected to be on tourists and others who come to visit Pamir mountains, especially during summer season. People who live near the transmission line would experience a change in their customary views, and those who live in houses nearer the corridor would be most affected. Although poles/towers could be seen in the distance up to about 1-2 kilometers away, the more significant views would be within about 200 meters, with the line much less noticeable at longer distances.

Impacts on land use. The effects of the projects on the existing land use pattern would be temporary or permanent, direct or indirect. Lands may be acquired for installing small substations or switchyards in the villages. Grazing, pasturing and agricultural lands could be affected, though the activities will be able to continue under poles on pasture lands and crops can be planted and harvested in the entire corridor except on roads and under poles. Thus, the restriction on use will be legal but will not require changes in most uses. However, forests and orchards will be changed permanently, since trees will be cut or pruned (depending on tree characteristics) in the vegetation control zone and not allowed to grow over four meters high in future. Land use will be affected directly and temporarily during the construction phase for construction storage and staging areas near the poles locations and for a construction staging area and offices near the substation(s) and/or switchyards.

The most significant immediate impact will be to fragmented forested areas, in the areas that have to be cleared to the ground at tower/pole sites and new roads, and where vegetation over four meters high will need to be pruned initially and every 6-8 years thereafter. Non-forested land, including small arable land, orchards, grasslands, shrubs, and non-vegetated rocky ground would be affected most by land clearing for towers, new roads.

Mitigation measures: For any areas in the right-of-way that are under cultivation, construction works will be scheduled to avoid activities during growing/harvesting seasons as much as possible. Barqi Tojik will develop a procedure to compensate farmers and owners of property or grazing animals for any damages or losses they may suffer during construction.

Impacts on soils. Project activities with the greatest potential to affect soils include land-clearing, vegetation removal and excavation for tower/pole foundations and the substation(s). Land clearing and vegetation removal may cause erosion and topsoil loss. The risk is much higher on steeper slopes,

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 19 although some extreme slopes may have little or no topsoil to erode. Furthermore, some areas could become more susceptible to landslides and mudslides, and valuable topsoil could be lost and this in turn could affect the success of the program to restore vegetation.

To install the tower/pole foundations, it will be necessary to remove certain amounts of topsoil. If not properly stored and protected, soil and spoil can erode and damage other land where it is deposited, and topsoil can be lost.

Mitigation measures: Removed topsoil and subsoil will need to be properly stored in stockpiles and then taken away or returned back in with following vegetation of the disturbed ground with native plant species. Barqi Tojik and its contractor(s) will develop and implement oil and fuel spill prevention/clean-up measures and soil erosion control plan, with particular attention to areas near natural watercourses and crossings with streams and rivers.

Impacts on air quality. Impact on air quality are expected during the construction phase of the projects. Dust will be generated due to the movement of heavy vehicles, during earthworks. Open piles of topsoil and spoil can also generate dust in windy conditions. Construction machinery will generate exhaust gases that contain air pollutants, including particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.

Mitigation measures: The mitigation measures needed to reduce air quality impacts would be minimizing land surface clearing to minimum required for operations, restricting unnecessary traffic around the construction sites, minimizing size of material/spoil storage piles, regular water sprinkling of dirt roads used for vehicles and construction equipment movement and keeping vehicles and equipment well- maintained.

Impacts caused by noise. Noise generated during the construction phase will be temporary and of low magnitude. It could disturb residents and other people who live or work near the construction sites, and also disturb wildlife.

Mitigation measures to reduce noise impact would include restricting working hours for construction shift by avoiding night shifts; providing PPE for workers; installing noise protective shields for noisy construction equipment and permanent control and monitoring of noise levels on-site and within the 100- 200 meters distance from the construction site.

Impacts on surface and groundwater. Direct impacts on groundwater are not likely to occur, or to be minimal, due to the small-scale nature of the project at individual locations. The risk to surface water, however, is more of a concern since the corridors and roads may be passing along or crossing local streams and larger river channels. Localized contaminations of surface water is possible to occur during the construction phase due to spillages of lubricating hydraulic oil and gasoline onto the surface or into the river channel.

Mitigation measures: The use of best management practices to protect surface and shallow groundwater from sedimentation of the nearby natural surface water bodies due to storm water runoff of excavated materials, dewatering activities, and accidental spill events could minimize the adverse impacts on natural waters. Examples of standard erosion control practices would be silt fencing, re-vegetation of bare ground

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 20 as appropriate. Fuel spill prevention practices would include storage of small quantities of fuel at each construction site and availability of clean-up materials to clean-up accidental fuel spills.

Impacts on Biological Conditions

Impacts on flora and fauna. The preferred route selections during planning should focus on passes through land with limited biodiversity value. This includes agricultural land, grassland/grazing land, and sections of severely fragmented forests. The most of this forested land is affected by human activities and most is fragmented. The key project activities that might have adverse impact on wildlife and vegetation would be usage of access roads, construction/reconstruction of tower/pole foundations, erection of new towers/poles and installation of conductor wires. The main impact of the project on animals is likely to be habitat loss due to land-clearing and vegetation cutting. In the construction areas along the power line segments, biodiversity may potentially be altered because certain species of animals, bird and plants may be unable to tolerate the disturbance caused by construction activities and subsequently leave the area, at least temporarily. Migratory pathways can be affected such that seasonal migration patterns can be interrupted or modified, at least during the construction period. Especially, the areas of concern would be the river/streams crossings and adjacent to water bodies zones.

Mitigation measures: In consultation with the appropriate authorities Barqi Tojik will design and conduct surveys of flora and fauna along the corridor at river/stream crossings and in areas close to the natural water bodies to identify protected or sensitive habitat and species. To the extent possible, the construction works will be scheduled outside spring breeding season for birds and aquatic organisms. There will be no nighttime construction activities. Although the forest habitats are threatened, the corridor is sufficiently far into the difficult mountainous terrain so these habitat types are not considered to be in serious danger for the foreseeable future, and the forests are not unique, in that they are widely spread over the regions.

Impacts on protected areas. In areas situated close to the natural protected areas, additional biodiversity surveys may be required in order to establish solid baseline for flora and fauna composition within the project area of influence. Should any critical habitat be present within the project area, Barqi Tojik will be required to develop and implement a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which provides detailed action items and activities for biodiversity conservation and protection of endangered species found within the project area.

Impacts on Community Health & Safety

A number of actions that will carried out by Barqi Tojik, the contractors, and workers may affect community health and safety. The major risks include:

• Poor behavior by workers from outside the region can lead to disruption of local community cohesion, especially smaller communities. This can occur through unaccustomed or violent behavior, including gender-based violence, and/or an increase in communicable diseases.

• Inappropriate actions and responses by security personnel could injure or harm community members.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 21

• Project traffic could interfere with normal public traffic and could cause an increase in accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.

• Traffic accidents and emergencies caused by the project could affect communities.

• Towers will present fall and electrocution hazards to anyone who climbs the poles once the poles are in place and then when the line energized. This is particularly a hazard to young children and teenagers. Coming into contact with energized conductors could electrocute children or others. This could happen if people, especially children, climb towers/poles or if they come into contact with energized conductors that have fallen due to heavy snow, high winds, or tower failure. In addition, tall agricultural machinery being used under the lines could come into contact with the energized line and electrocute the driver/operator.

• During the construction period, community members living in the specified above villages could be temporarily affected by noise and dust from construction equipment and increased traffic, traffic accidents, and other construction related disturbances. Those citizens who own livestock and use lands around the power line for grazing could also be affected by construction works. Local farmers who own or use the agricultural lands for growing crops may also be impacted by the project activities.

Mitigation measures to avoid, reduce and control potentially adverse impacts of construction works on public health & safety are detailed in the standardized ESMP (Section 8) and will be addressed in project’s ESMP, which Barqi Tojik will develop for each individual last-mile connection project.

Impacts on Worker Health, Safety, and Welfare

Construction workers would be exposed to significant health and safety risks, as are all construction workers. Unsafe working conditions could place workers at risk of injury or death. Such conditions could be caused by vehicles and equipment that do not meet safety standards (seat belts, horns, lights, tires, etc.), unprotected access to dangerous locations (unmarked excavations), poor practices and equipment for lifting operations (during tower construction, conductoring, and maintenance), poor electrical safety (untrained workers, inadequate tools, etc.), inadequate safeguards on tools and equipment (unprotected saws, etc.), and other poor practices.

Not giving workers to opportunity to express concerns can lead to worker dissatisfaction and affect productivity, and equally importantly it can lead to missed opportunities to identify unsafe conditions that workers are in the best position to recognize. Substandard accommodations can lead to illness or disease among workers, which in turn can result in increased turnover as well as reduced productivity.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 22 Impacts on Social and Economic Conditions

Effects on power supply and key economic and social sectors. A reliable power transmission system is essential to continued economic development in the Khatlon region, in the districts and in the country as a whole. The projects will strengthen the power transmission capacity and reliability throughout the Khatlon region, and thus contribute to the country’s long term economic development. In addition, the rehabilitation, construction, and conductoring of the transmission line may require some additional local employment. Construction contractors will be encouraged by Barqi Tojik to provide additional temporary employment for local people during the construction period. This will make positive effect on local community and benefit the projects.

Environmental and social supervision and monitoring

Environmental supervision and monitoring during projects implementation will provide information about the project environmental impacts and the effectiveness of applied mitigation measures. Such information enables the subproject beneficiaries and the Bank to evaluate the success of mitigation as part of project supervision, and, allows corrective action to be taken when needed. The ESMF requires that monitoring section of the ESMPs should provide: (a) details, of monitoring measures, including the parameters to be measured, methods to be used, sampling locations, frequency of measurements; and, (b) monitoring and reporting procedures to (i) ensure early detection of conditions that necessitate mitigation measures, and (ii) furnish information on the progress and results of mitigation; and (c) institutional responsibilities.

Reporting

Supervision of the ESMF and ESMPs implementation will be the responsibility of the Barki Tajik, which periodically (on quarterly basis) will prepare short reports on ESMPs implementation to be submitted to the Barki Tajik PMU, which will compile these reports and semi-annually will present short information about the ESMP implementation as part of the Progress Reports to the World Bank.

Integration of the ESMPs into project documents

The ESMPs provisions will form part of the design documents for the project, and, will be included in construction contracts for selected subprojects, both into specifications and bills of quantities. Respectively the Contractors will be required to include the cost of ESMP requirements in their financial bids and required to comply with them while implementing the project activities. The bidding documents for selecting the contractors will include specifications that would ensure effective implementation of environmental, health and safety performance criteria by the winning bidder and in particular: (i) preventing/limiting disturbance of soils and vegetation removal to the minimum; (ii) prevent soil compaction as well as other potential impacts; (iii) ensuring that all ground disturbing activities are conducted consistent with the construction requirements; (iv) developing a traffic management plan that include measures to ensure work zone safety for construction workers and the travelling public; (v) conducting all activities on installing new electrical equipment, implementing civil works, etc., will be done with due care, ensuring labor safety; etc. The contract with winning bidder will include necessary also an obligation to inform the communities representatives and the Barki Tajik PMU of any significant Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) accidents and events among subcontracted project workers.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 23 2. Project Context

TREP is comprised of two components:

Component 1: Provision of electricity access to target settlements in GBAO region. This component will have the following sub-components. Sub-component 1.1: Construction of micro-grids, and connection of consumers to micro-grids and centralized distribution network of Pamir Energy Company (PEC). This sub-component will finance provision of electricity supply to 61 settlements in GBAO region with total population of about 11,666. The investments will cover: (a) construction of electricity generation infrastructure, which will include micro-grids comprised of Solar PV, small hydro, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS); (b) distribution infrastructure, including expansion of 10 and 0.4 kV distribution lines and distribution transformers; and (c) connections and internal wiring for households and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens) to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. Sub-component 1.2: Project implementation support to Pamir Energy, technical assistance for additional geological site investigation works for Sebzor Hydropower Project (HPP), and promotion of energy efficiency (US$1.4 million IDA grant). Component 2: Provision of electricity access to target settlements in Khatlon region. This component will have the following sub-components. Sub-component 2.1: Connection of target settlements to the centralized distribution network of Barqi Tojik (BT). This sub-component will finance connection to the electricity distribution network of 74 settlements, bordering Afghanistan, in the Khatlon region. The total population of the target settlements is about 31,460 people. The investments will cover the cost of distribution infrastructure, including construction of 35/10/0.4 kiloVolt (kV) distribution lines, installation of additional distribution transformers in existing substations; as well as connections and internal wiring costs for households and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens) to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. For all target settlements, access to energy services will be ensured by connecting the settlements to BT’s centralized network because this is the least economic cost solution considering the proximity of the target settlements to the power distribution network. Most of the settlements are located within 0.5-2 kilometers of the distribution system. Sub-component 2.2: Project implementation support to BT. This sub-component will finance the cost of: (a) PMC to help BT with preparation of bidding documents for works to connect target settlements to its distribution grid; carrying of tenders for procurement of contractors to connect the settlements to the distribution grid of BT; technical supervision of grid-connection activities; and compliance with environmental and social requirement; and (b) monitoring and evaluation costs related to measuring availability of electricity service, efficiency of citizen engagement and addressing gender gaps under the Project.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 24 The TREP is being prepared under the World Bank’s new Environment and Social Framework (ESF), which came into effect on October 1, 2018, replacing the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies. Under the ESF, all World Bank clients have agreed to comply with ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in investment project lending financed by the Bank.

3. Project Summary

In Khatlon Province, over 28,000 people in 5,633 households in 136 villages currently are not served by electricity (Figure 1). This subproject will include so-called “last-mile connections” for households in selected villages. It will finance household connections and basic wiring costs to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. Household consumers whose connection and internal wiring costs are prefunded by the project may be required to repay the full cost over time.

At present, the World Bank intends to provide financing for connecting at least 44 of the unserved villages (Table 1), including over 12,000 people in 2,436 households, to the national grid, specifically including those villages in Shamsiddin Shohin, Fahror, and Hamadoni Regions, which all border Afghanistan. The subproject may also finance last-mile connection costs for social and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens), but will not finance such costs for commercial and industrial users. The subproject will be implemented by Barqi Tojik, the state-owned company responsible for power generation and transmission in other provinces of Tajikistan. users. The subproject will be implemented by Barqi Tojik, the state-owned company responsible for power generation and transmission in other provinces of Tajikistan.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 25 Table 1. Villages to be electrified under World Bank project

Figure 1. Nonelectrified villages in Khatlon Region

Number of № Village Population households Shamsiddin Shohin Region 1 Gring 13 80 2 Kavluch 28 227 3 Diyho 20 186 4 Rohi Nav (Chirk) 12 103 5 Kumrog 22 188 6 Shahriston 10 91 7 Kulako Hambel 12 88 8 Urgli 14 97 9 Korgaron 2 15 10 Safedob 25 192 11 Sheli bolo 6 47 12 Bogi Mullo 2 15 13 Sari reg 9 61 14 Hami mahlab 6 68 15 Kalandaron 5 26

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Number of № Village Population households 16 Darelon 6 38 17 Zrang 2 10 18 Irgailuk 11 68 19 Cheptura 1 10 Region total: 19 villages 206 1,610 Farhor Region 1 Zarkor 30 200 2 Pingon 60 480 3 Archa 35 185 4 N.Safarov 38 300 5 Alovuddin 35 210 6 Surkhob 40 320 7 Nowruz 35 210 8 Zoli Zar 10 70 9 Nekmanzar 40 300 10 Istiklol 70 250 Mavzei Urtabuzi 11 150 1200 chamoati Dehot Farhor Region totals 11 villages 543 3,725 Hamadoni Region 1 Tojikiston 242 968 2 Chubek 136 544 3 Margob 180 730 4 Pushkin 136 560 5 Zafarobod 50 217 6 Hayoti Nav 70 305 7 Oryono 140 571 8 Tagi namak 64 266 9 Darai Caloth 104 427 10 Mechnatobod 162 661 11 Navobod 160 666 12 Gulobod 156 637 13 Fayzobod 48 201 14 Furudgoh 40 127 Region totals 14 villages 1,688 6,880 Totals for 44 villages 2437 12215

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Number of № Village Population households Grand totals for all non-electrified 5,633 28,872 villages

except stringing wires will be done manually, with little or no mechanized equipment. Barqi Tojik will appoint a contractor to design the connections and a construction contractor to install poles and lines. It is possible that Barqi Tojik will allow households to provide labor for the project in lieu of future payments for the connection; that will be determined at a later date.

4. Objectives of ESMF

The purpose of this Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is to provide a procedure/guideline for environmental and social appraisal of individual last-mile power connection projects. It describes the procedure how Barqi Tojik will develop site-specific and/or project specific Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) in order to ensure that potentially significant environmental and social impacts are properly managed in accordance with World Bank requirements and Tajikistan law.

5. Applicable Legal Requirements

This chapter describes the national and international legal framework that will apply to the various subprojects.

National Legal and Regulatory Framework

The “framework environment law” or Law on Environment Protection was adopted in 2011 (21 July 2011, № 208). The previous Law on Nature protection was adopted in 1993, amended in 1996, 2002, 2004 and 2007, and replaced by this new law 2011. The new Law stipulates that Tajikistan's environmental policy should give priority to environmental actions based on scientifically proven principles to combine economic and other activities that have an impact on the environment with nature preservation and the sustainable use of resources. The Law defines the applicable legal principles, the protected objects, the

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 28 competencies and roles of the Government, the State Committee for Environment Protection, local authorities, public organizations and individuals. The Law stipulates also measures to secure public and individual rights to a safe and healthy environment and requires a combined system of ecological expertise and environmental impact assessment of any decision on an activity that could have a negative impact on the environment. The Law also defines environmental emergencies and ecological disasters and prescribes the order of actions in such situations, defines the obligations of officials and enterprises to prevent and eliminate the consequences, as well as the liabilities of the persons or organizations that caused damage to the environment or otherwise violated the Law. The Law establishes several types of controls over compliance with environmental legislation: State control, ministerial control, enterprise control and public control. State control is affected by the Committee for Environment Protection, the Sanitary Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health, the Inspectorate for Industrial Safety and the Mining Inspectorate. Public control is carried out by public organizations or trade unions and can be exercised with respect to any governmental body, enterprise, entity or individual.

Environmental and social impact assessment in Tajikistan

Two laws establish requirements for impact assessment: the Law on Environment Protection and the Law on Ecological Expertise. Chapter V, Articles 35-39 of the Law on Environment Protection (2012), introduces the concept of state ecological review (literally, “state ecological expertise” – SEE), the purpose of which is to examine the compliance of proposed activities and projects with the requirements of environmental legislation and standards and with the ecological security of society. These laws emphasize the cross-sectoral nature of SEE, which must be scientifically justified, comprehensive, and objective and which should lead to conclusions in accordance with the law. Financing of programs and projects is allowed only after a positive SEE finding. Among activities and projects subject to state ecological review are construction and reconstruction of various types of facilities irrespective of their ownership. The SEE must conclude that economic and other activities can be implemented in accordance with existing environmental standards and norms and have sufficient environmental protection and mitigation measures to prevent and avoid pollution and enhance environmental quality.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is a component of the State Ecological Expertise, as set out in the 2011 amendments to the Environmental Protection Law and in the Law on the State Ecological Expertise (2012). The EIA is the responsibility of the project proponent and must analyze the short- and long-term environmental, genetic, economic, and demographic impacts and consequences. The State Ecological Expertise for all investment projects is the responsibility of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) and its regional offices, under the Government of Tajikistan. Also, the 2012 Law on the State Ecological Expertise requires all civil works to be assessed for their environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures reviewed and monitored by the CEP.

The legal and regulatory system for EIAs also include:

• Procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment, adopted by the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 509 as of 01.08.2014 (see below)

• Procedure to implement State Ecological Expertise, approved by the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 697 as of December 3, 2012

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• Guidelines on the composition and order of development of content and structure of documentation to be submitted for review as part of SEE

• List of objects and types of activity for which preparation of documentation on Environment Impact Assessment is mandatory, adopted by the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 253 as of June 3, 2013. This extensive list contains 180 types of activities that are grouped according to four environmental impact categories (from (I) "high risk" to (IV) "local impact"). If the facility is not included in the list, then it is not required to pass an EIA or a SEE.

EIA responsibilities. Conducting the EIA study is the responsibility of the project proponent. The Procedure for carrying out the EIA (Government Resolution No. 509 of 2014) establishes general requirements for contents of the EIA documentation. The State Ecological Expertise for all investment projects is the responsibility of the Committee for Environmental Protection under Government of Tajikistan (CEP) and its regional offices. Furthermore, according to the 2012 Law on the State Ecological Expertise, all civil works, including rehabilitation, should be assessed for their environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures reviewed and monitored by the CEP.

Screening categories. The laws on Environment Protection and Ecological Expertise stipulate that the Government is to approve a list of activities for which a complete EIA is mandatory. The current guidelines for EIAs do not provide for any preliminary assessment of the project to decide on the need for an EIA (screening) or define the scope of the EIA’s contents. This is because the list of objects and activities for which EIAs are required is already very detailed.

The Law on Environmental Expertise provides for the rights of citizens to conduct Public Environmental Expertise (art. 7). Tajikistan is also party to the 1998 Aarhus Convention (July 17, 2001) that contains provisions for public EE. The 2014 Procedure (Order) for Conducting an EIA also describes procedures for public participation. Public participation procedures are envisaged for all categories of projects, although in practice they are mainly applied to Category I projects. The Procedure (Order) for conducting the EIA of 2014 changed the focus and timing of public discussions. Compared to the 2006 version of the Procedure for preparing EIAs which provided the opportunity for public inputs during the scoping stage while drafting the technical task, the 2014 version of the Procedure provides space for public discussions only after the preparation of the EIA report.

Other relevant legislation on environmental and social issues

A number of legal acts establish liability for violation of environmental laws, which can be enforced by several State bodies. In particular, the 2010 Code of Administrative Violations establishes administrative liability for organizations, their officers and individuals for a range of violations, including careless treatment of land, violation of rules for water use or water protection or failure to comply with a SEE. Administrative sanctions for environment related violations can be imposed by the administrative commissions of Khoukumats, courts, CEP inspectors, the Veterinary Inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Committee for Land Management and Geodezy. The most common administrative sanction is a fine of up to 10 minimal monthly salaries for individuals and up to 15 minimal salaries to officers of organizations. The 1998 Criminal Code also covers crimes against ecological safety and the environment, such as violations of ecological safety at work, poaching and spoiling land, as well

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 30 as violation of rules for the protection and use of underground resources. The maximum fine is up to 2,000 minimal monthly salaries and the maximum sentence is up to eight years in prison.

The Law on Environmental Information (2011) is underpinned by Article 25 of the Constitution, which states that governmental agencies, social associations, and officials are required to provide each person with the possibility of receiving and becoming acquainted with documents that affect her or his rights and interests, except in cases anticipated by law. The Law defines the legal, organizational, economic, and social bases for providing environmental information and establishes the right of individuals and legal entities to receive complete, reliable, and timely environmental information. Article 4 provides the right of access to environmental information and Article 8 defines the conditions for restricting access to environmental information (none of which should be relevant here).

The Water Code (2000, last amended 2012) establishes policies on water management, permitting, dispute resolution, usage planning and cadaster. It promotes rational use and protection of water resources exercised by all beneficiaries and defines the types of water use rights, authority and roles of regional and local governments for water allocations among various users, collection of fees, water use planning, water use rights and dispute resolution. The Code provides Water User Associations with the mandate to operate and maintain on-farm irrigation and drainage infrastructure.

The Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan establishes exclusive state ownership of land. The Land Code (1996, last amended 2016) establishes the rules that control the assignment and termination of the rights to use (or lease) land. Rights to use land can be primary or secondary. Primary use rights include perpetual use, limited or fixed-term use up to 20 years, life-long inheritable tenure. The only secondary use/right is the right to lease, again up to 20 years. The Land Code establishes seven categories of land uses, including agricultural, urban/populated, industrial and other infrastructure, conservation and other protected land, national forest/wood reserves, water reserves, and state land reserves. Of most concern here are the first three, plus water reserves. Districts (jamoats) and cities have authority to provide land allotments for agricultural land and to withdraw land for nonagricultural uses (Land Code, Article 7). They are also responsible for protecting users’ rights, terminating rights to use land, registering the rights to use land plots, and generally controlling land use and protection. They specifically approve land tenure documents dealing with works of regional importance.

Article 48 of the Land Code outlines the rules for state “confiscation” of land plots for state and public needs. Requirements include assignment of an equivalent land plot (“if desired”), construction of equivalent house and structures, and “full compensation for all other losses, including loss of profits….” These provisions apply only to those who have the legal right to use the land by virtue of possession of a “certificate on the legal right to use the land.” The Regulation concerning compensation of land users’ losses and losses of agricultural production was approved by Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan # 641 (30 December 2011). It establishes the detailed order of reimbursement of land users’ losses. The amount of compensation is determined by an interdepartmental commission established at the district level where the acquisition is to take place (that is, at the Khatlon level). If the land user does not agree with the amount or type of compensation for losses and damages, the land user can apply to the court with a request for additional compensation, or may appeal the decision to terminate the rights.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 31 This law is directly relevant since it will control the termination of rights of current users and issuance of certificates of rights to Barqi Tojik for power poles.

The Law on Land Administration (2008, last amended 2016) obliges the authorities to map and monitor the quality of land, including soil contamination, erosion and water logging.

The Law on Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety of the Population (2003, last amended 2011) introduced the concept of sanitary and epidemiological expertise that establishes the compliance of project documentation and economic activities with the state sanitary and epidemiological norms and rules, as well as strengthened provisions on sanitary-hygienic, anti-epidemic and information measures. These include limits for noise that will apply to the project.

The Law on Subsoil (1994) establishes the legal basis for the study, protection, and use of subsoil. Common minerals such as sand, clay, gravel, and others, may be used in their natural form with little processing and cleaning, to meet local economic needs without other permission. Article 15 provides the owners of land rights to extract common minerals to a depth of five meters, without blasting.

The Law on Pastures (2013) defines the basic principles of pasture use, including protection of pastures and the environment, and attraction of investments for more effective use and protection of pastures. The Law specifies the powers of local administrations to control environmental safety and pasture use in accordance with state regulations and standards. The law prohibits the implementation of a few activities in pastures, such as cutting down trees or bushes, building roads, misuse of grazing land, pollution of the environment with waste, and grazing of livestock beyond the established rate. The law requires users to ensure effective use of pastures, including protection of pastures against degradation and pollution.

The Law on Dekhkan Farms (2016) provides the legislative basis for the establishment and operation of privately owned commercial farms known as dekhkan farms. According to the Law of 2009, dekhkan farms carried out activities without the formation of a legal entity, but the new Law allows dekhkan farms to obtain the status of legal entities. It also clarifies and fixes the rights of members of dekhkan farms as land users. The law improves the management of dekhkan farms and defines the rights and duties of their members. It allows farmers to legally erect field camps on land as temporary buildings, which makes it possible to significantly improve productivity at the agricultural season. The law requires dekhkan farms to take measures to improve soil fertility and improve the ecological status of lands, make timely payments for water and electricity, and provide statistical information to government agencies.

Protection of cultural heritage is grounded in paragraph 44 of the Constitution, which requires all citizens to respect and protect historical and cultural monuments. The Law about Culture (1997) establishes rights concerning cultural activities, including non-material cultural heritage, and requires protection, management, and monitoring of historical and cultural monuments. Material heritage is found in archaeological sites, sites of ancient settlement, tumuli, remnants of ancient settlements, castles, industries, channels, roads, ancient burial places, stone sculptures, graven images, antiquity items, and places of ancient settlements. The Ministry of Culture and its local representative offices are primarily responsible for protecting cultural heritage. The Law of Tajikistan on Regulating Traditions, Celebrations, and Rituals (2007, last amended 2018) limits expenditures and activities related to religious and family observances and festivities.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 32 The Forest Code (2011) regulates forest relations and is aimed at creating conditions for the rational use of forests, including their conservation and protection. The Forest Code requires coordination with the Forestry Agency for construction sites that will affect forests, which are defined as forested areas that cover least 0.5 hectares and are at least 10 meters wide which have environmental, social and economic interest for state. Projects must take measures to protect forests from sewage, waste, emission, etc. The project will not affect an area large enough to be considered a “forest” within the meaning of the law.

The Labor Code prohibits forced labor and adult labor. The Labor Code prohibits discrimination in employment and sets the minimum age at which a child can be employed as well as the conditions under which children can work. The minimum employment age is 15, however, in certain cases of vocational training, mild work may be allowed for 14-year-olds. In addition, there are some labor restrictions on what type of work can be done, and what hours of work are permissible by workers under the age of 18. The Code also establishes rules for minimum wages, leave, overtime, and has provisions for pregnant women and caretakers for children. It also sets the rules for settling disputes between workers and employers.

The Labor Code also sets requirements for occupational health and safety. It stablishes the right of workers to work in places that are protected from exposure to dangerous and harmful factors. Employers are required to tell workers of risks and hazards of their jobs, and requires employers to provide personal protective equipment. Employers are required to provide compulsory social insurance against accidents, disease, or injuries associated with their jobs. The law gives workers the right to refuse to undertake work that violates labor protection requirements. In addition, workers engaged in hazardous working conditions are entitled to free medial and preventative care, additional paid leave and other benefits and compensation. In case of disability or death, employers must provide compensation in multiples of average annual earnings. Employers must train workers in performing their work safety and must provide for collective and personal protection of workers. Accidents must be investigated. Finally, there must be a “labor protection service” if there are more than 50 employees.

Under the Law on Public Associations (2007, last amended 2019), a public association may be formed in one of the following organizational and legal forms: public organization, public movement, or a body of public initiative. Article 4 of this law establishes the right of citizens to found associations for the protection of common interests and the achievement of common goals. It outlines the voluntary nature of associations and defines citizens’ rights to restrain from joining and withdrawing from an organization. This legislation requires NGOs to notify the Ministry of Justice about all funds received from international sources prior to using the funds and to post financial information on their websites.

The 2014 Law on Public Meetings, Demonstrations and Rallies (Article 10) bans persons with a record of administrative offenses (i.e. non-criminal infractions) under Articles 106, 460, 479 and 480 of the Code for Administrative Offences from organizing gatherings. Article 12 of the law establishes that organizers must obtain permission fifteen days prior to organizing a mass gathering.

The Law on Self-Government Bodies in Towns and Villages (1994) and the Law on Local Public Administration provide the legal basis for local government. The former law assigns to Jamoats a broad range of competencies and the mandate to support community efforts to address local socioeconomic needs. The 2009 amendment aims to strengthen local self-governance and accountability by delegating budget authority to Jamoat councils, and introducing a system of direct election for Jamoat councilors.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 33 The 2017 amendment allows Jamoat councils to retain non-tax revenues earned through the provision of administrative services and a percentage of local property taxes. The 2017 amendment suggests a seriousness on the part of national government to enact policies that empower Jamoat councils with authorities and resources needed to support local development and problem-solving.

Other Tajikistan legislation that could apply to project-related activities are listed in Table 2

Table 2. Other potentially relevant legislation Law on Protection of Atmospheric Air (will require permit for emissions) Law on Hydrometeorological Activity (no specific requirements) Law on Land Administration Law on Land Valuation Law on Environmental Audit (may be required by Environmental Protection Committee) Law on Securing Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety of the Population Law on Radiation Safety Law on Production and Consumption of Waste (permit will be required) The Law on Environmental Education The Law on Environmental Monitoring The Law on Specially Protected Natural Areas (none could be affected) Law on Protection of Fauna (will require permission if take fauna) Law on Protection of Flora (will require permission if cut flora) Water Codex (permission for water usage required)

National Administrative Framework

A number of central government organizations have roles and environmental and social responsibilities, including:

• Ministry of Health: responsible for development and implementation of policy, regulations, and norms related to public health

• Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment: responsible for developing and implementing policies relating to employment, labor issues, and migration practices

• Committee of Women and Family Affairs: responsible for gender issues and realization of family-oriented policy

• Architecture and Construction Committee: responsible for technical advice in relation to water supply and sewage systems, including construction and design standards, contract standards and rules, and regulation of project and construction activities

• Agency of Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection: responsible for drinking water quality and other standards

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• State Statistical Committee: responsible for collecting, filing and delivering environmental information and drinking water supply and sanitation data

• Committee for Environment Protection (CEP): executive body responsible for environmental protection, sustainable use of resources, forestry and hydrometeorology responsible for decision-making related to environmental issues such as unsustainable land use, deterioration of soil fertility, excessive use of water for irrigation, flooding problems, and obsolete/banned pesticides. Also responsible for, inter alia: - Defining the main strategies for protection, study, conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources, and mitigation of the effects of climate change - Drafting laws and other regulatory documents, including environmental standards, instructions and methodologies for the use of resources - Issuing individual permits for the use of specific resources and withdrawing these if the user violates their terms - Setting quotas for the hunting and collection of certain species of animals and the importation of ozone-depleting substances - Carrying out ecological assessments of planned activities - Defining the system of specially protected territories and maintaining State cadasters of such territories and of forests, factories, water bodies, and hazardous waste - Regulating the use and protection of waters and the issuance of permits (licenses) for special water usage.

Two levels of local governments also have environmental responsibilities:

• Khoukumat: municipality or local state administration. A chairperson appointed as a local representative of the President in the implementation national policy and administration of State services and regulations heads each khukumat. This includes what are also called Districts in this document (specifically, Roshtqala, Ishkashim, and Rushnan).

• Jamoat: local self-government. A jamoat covers a smaller administrative area than a khoukumat and may include one or more settlements/villages. The Jamoat is responsible for organizing community-based delivery of some basic public services. Jamoats have no budgeting authority and have a very limited independent role. They do have important roles under the Land Code, being responsible for allocating land and also for terminating rights to land and assigning new land.

International obligations

In addition to national legislation and regulations on environmental issues, Tajikistan is also party to several international treaties focused on environmental issues:

• Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, 1996, as updated

• UN Convention to Combat Desertification, 1997

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• UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1997, as updated by Cartagena and Nagoya protocols

• Ramsar Convention (joined 2000)

• Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (joined 2001), as updated by Bukhara Deer Memorandum, 2002

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1998, with related update Kyoto Protocol, accessed on December 29, 2008, and entered into force on March 29, 2009

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (ratified 2007), as updated

• Aarhus Convention (UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters) (joined 2001), as updated by Kiev Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the Convention on Access to Information, on May 21, 2003

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 2016

• UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (joined 1992)

• Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure on September 28, 1998, ratification pending

• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1997)

• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (2016)

In addition, Tajikistan has ratified a number of core labor standards of the International Labour Organization, including the following:

• Forced Labor (C029) and Abolition of Forced Labor (C105)

• Minimum Age (C138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour (C182)

• Discrimination (C111)

• Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize (C087)

• Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining (C098)

• Equal Remuneration (C100)

World Bank Environmental and Social Standards

Environmental and Social Framework

Barqi Tojik is seeking financing for the project from the World Bank, which requires that the project meet the Bank’s environmental and social standards, as well as relevant Tajikistan legislation if it is more stringent. The World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) includes the Environmental and Social Policy for Investment Project Financing, which describes the requirements the Bank must follow for

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 36 projects it supports through Investment Project Financing, and 10 Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), which establish requirements for Borrowers and grantees such as Barqi Tojik to identify, assess, and control environmental and social risks and impacts of Bank-supported projects. Applicable ESSs include:

• ESS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts: identification, control, and monitoring of risks and impacts, including identification of applicable requirements and monitoring outcomes.

• ESS2: Labor and Working Conditions: labor relations, rules of employment, occupational health and safety, workforce protection, worker grievance mechanism, with specific requirements for contractor and subcontractor employees.

• ESS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management: conservation of resources and control/prevention of wastes and pollution.

• ESS4: Community Health and Safety: avoidance and control of risks and impacts on communities from project activities and workers, emergencies, security, and other factors.

• ESS5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement: identification, planning, avoidance/response to the need for physical and/or economic displacement due to project activities, including information disclosure and consultation.

• ESS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources: protection and conservation of biodiversity and habitats, support livelihood of local communities

• ESS8: Cultural Heritage: protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

• ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure: identification and engagement of local and other stakeholders throughout the project life cycle, disclosure of project information, grievance redress mechanism for external stakeholders.

ESS7 (Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities) does not apply since no such communities or people could be affected by the project. Similarly, ESS9 (Financial Intermediaries) does not apply since Bank funding is not being provided to financial institutions for further on-lending.

The Bank classifies proposed projects into one of four risk categories, and has classified this project as being of substantial risk. This classification is due, in part, to the sensitive environments that may be affected, and the need for land acquisition and involuntary resettlement. If the Bank determines that risks are actually higher or lower than substantial, it may change the classification as appropriate.

Table 3 provides a high-level summary of key gaps between the Bank’s requirements and Tajikistan’s requirements. As noted, the more stringent of the requirements will apply.

World Bank Group environmental, health, and safety guidelines

The World Bank Group has promulgated a number of Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHS Guidelines), with the following being applicable to the project:

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• General EHS Guidelines (April 30, 2007) includes guidelines for environmental controls during facility operation (air and water emissions, hazardous materials management, noise, contaminated land, etc.) and occupational and community health and safety during operation. This guideline also covers the same topics for construction.

• EHS Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (April 20, 2007) cover many of the same topics (environmental controls, occupational and community health and safety) during construction and operation, with a focus on activities involved in constructing and operating electricity transmission and distribution lines.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 38 Table 3. Summary of World Bank requirements and key gaps with Tajikistan legal requirements ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework ESS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Scope of application ESSs apply to Associated Facilities to extent of Associated facilities not covered by Tajikistan law as such, Borrower’s control/influence except to the extent that all activities in Tajikistan are subject to laws Borrower’s E&S Framework May use Borrower’s framework if can meet objectives No provision for alternative requirements except that of ESSs. That is not the case here. World Bank ESSs will international standards take precedence if agreements are apply, together with Tajikistan requirements if they are in place not conflicting or weaker. A. E&S Assessment - Conduct E&S assessment, including stakeholder - ESIA law has much less emphasis on social conditions engagement and impacts, but other laws partly fill gaps, but with less - Retain international expert(s) for high-risk projects specificity concerning community impacts - Apply national framework, ESSs, EHSGs/GIIP - No distinction between international and Tajikistan - Apply mitigation hierarchy experts - Offset significant residual impacts - No reference to EHSGs or GIIP - Differential measures for vulnerable or - No equivalent provision for offsets disadvantaged people - No equivalent provisions for vulnerable and - Consider primary suppliers disadvantaged people - No coverage of primary suppliers B. ESCP ESCP for compliance in a specified time No provision in permits/approvals for delayed compliance C. project monitoring & reporting - Monitor proportionate to nature of project, risks and Monitoring required but less emphasis impacts, and compliance requirements - Reports to World Bank D. Stakeholder engagement and Engage stakeholders through life cycle Generally consistent but no requirement for project-specific information disclosure stakeholder engagement plan ESS2: Labor and Working Conditions A. Scope of application ESS2 applies to workers employed by Barqi Tojik who - Labor Code applies to all workers in Tajikistan, including work on the project and to contracted workers, foreign workers primary supply workers, and community workers - Requirements apply to employer but do not extend to prime contractor B. Working conditions and - Written labor management procedures Generally consistent management of labor relations - Terms and conditions of employment - Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework - Worker’s organizations C. Protecting the work force - Prohibits child labor except in very specific and - Minimum employment age is 14, with other limits regulated community-based circumstances (no one consistent with ILO, but no work that could “cause health under age 18 will be employed on this project) or moral damage” if under 18 - Forbids Forced labor - Forced labor prohibited D. Grievance redress mechanism A separate GRM has to be provided for all direct and No specific requirement for grievance mechanism for (GRM) contracted workers workers E. Occupational Health and Safety Measures relating to occupational health and safety - Generally consistent but less detailed (OHS) will be applied to the project: - No requirements for accommodations - Apply World Bank Group General and sector-specific EHS Guidelines - Requirements to protect workers, train workers, document incidents, emergency preparation, addressing issues - Provide safe working environment - Workers allowed to report safety issues and refuse to work under certain circumstances - Provide appropriate facilities (canteens, toilets, etc.) and ensure accommodations meet needs of workers - All employers to collaborate on applying OSH requirements - Monitor OSH performance F. Contracted workers - Reasonable efforts to verify contractors have labor Safety requirements apply to all employers, including management procedures to meet requirements of contractors, but no obligation for developers to verify ESS2 (except those that apply to community and compliance primary supply workers) - Procedures for managing and monitoring performance - Access to workers’ GRM G. Community workers Requirements for working conditions and OHS applied Labor Code applies to employers and employees, not to community labor volunteers H. Primary supply workers Depending on the level of Barqi Tojik/contractor - Tajikistan law applies if work is done in Tajikistan control/influence, requirements to assess risk of child - No obligation on employers in other countries labor, forced labor, and safety issues and require - No requirements for prime contractor suppliers to address significant risks

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework ESS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Resource Efficiency Scope of application Borrowers must apply feasible resource efficiency and Some requirements pollution prevention measures in accordance with mitigation hierarchy I. Energy use Adopt measures in EHSGs if project is significant energy No specific limits. No significant energy usage. use J. Water use Assess water use and impacts and communities and Permits required for water usage adopt mitigation measures as needed K. Raw material use Use GIIP to reduce significant resource usage Resource usage requires permits Pollution prevention and management General requirements - Avoid, minimize, and control release of pollutants, Specific numeric requirements. Project will generate only apply the more stringent of EHSGs and national law very minor pollution - Historic pollution and non-degradation requirements L. Management of air pollution Requires assessment of potential air emissions and Emissions limits. Project will have only minor emissions. implementation of technically and financially feasible and cost-effective options to minimize emissions M. Management of - Apply mitigation hierarchy to waste management - Detailed requirements for hazardous and other wastes hazardous and nonhazardous - National and international conventions for - Signatory to international conventions wastes hazardous waste management and movement - No requirements to verify haulers/contractors - Verify hazardous waste management contractors are licensed and disposal sites operate to meet standards N. Management of chemicals and - Minimize use of hazardous materials - Regulations on hazardous materials hazardous materials - Avoid use of internationally controlled materials - Signatory to international conventions O. Management of pesticides Requirements for pesticide use Not applicable to this project: no pesticides will be used ESS4: Community Health and Safety Community health and safety P. Community health and safety - Evaluate risks to community health and safety and General requirements to minimize risk, no specific apply mitigation hierarchy and GIIP to reduce risks requirements for services, ecosystem services, emergencies, etc.

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework - Consider third-party safety risks in designing infrastructure and equipment, with regard to high- risk locations - Ensure safety of services provided to communities - Identify traffic/road risks, assess risks if needed, consider safety in fleet decisions, take measures to protect public - Assess and avoid impacts on provisioning and regulating ecosystem services as appropriate - Avoid or minimize potential for disease transmission and communication, considering vulnerable groups - Address risks to community of hazardous materials management - Prepare of and respond to emergencies, consider in EIAs, prepare response plans Q. Security personnel - Assess and address risks of security arrangements No specific requirements - Apply principles of proportionality, GIIP, and law - Verify contracted workers are not implicated in past abuses and are trained - Investigate incidents, report unlawful acts to authorities Annex 1. Safety of Dams - Design and construction of new dams to be No equivalent requirements supervised by experienced professionals - Dam safety measures to be adopted and implemented during design, tendering, construction, operation, and maintenance - Dam does not fall into categories of paragraph 2, thus most of this annex does not apply - Safety measures designed by qualified engineers to be adopted in accordance with GIIP (paragraph 5) - Confirmation of no or negligible risks to communities due to failure of dam (footnote 123)

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework ESS5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Applicability - Assess need during ESIA process - All land in state ownership - Applies to permanent and temporary displacement, - Rights to use land granted with legal certificates listing types of infringements - May be used only as authorized - Limitations on applicability - Legal users may lease land for authorized uses - Applies to land users and owners R. General - Affected people: land owners, users with legal - Only those with legal rights eligible for replacement land claims, and users with no legal claims or compensation - Design project to avoid/minimize displacement - Replacement land preferred option - Provide replacement cost and assistance, disclose - No requirement for assistance standards, offer land-for-land where possible, pay - Detailed requirements for committee memberships and compensation before displacing people where actions possible - Compensation based on established rates for trees or - Engaged with affected communities, including other items lost women - Grievance mechanism - Census, cut-off dates, notices; detailed plan and monitoring required; require audit if significant displacement S. Displacement - Detailed requirements for physical displacement - Replacement with equivalent land and houses preferred - Detailed requirements for economic displacement, over compensation including livelihood restoration - Compensation for lost profits required, but not livelihood restoration T. Collaboration with other Collaborate with other involved agencies, provide Committee membership and responsibilities defined in responsible agencies or support as needed; include arrangements in Plan Land Code subnational jurisdiction U. Technical and Financial World Bank may provide support to resettlement Assistance planning Annex 1: Involuntary resettlement Detailed requirements for resettlement plans, No detailed requirements instruments resettlement frameworks, and process frameworks

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework ESS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources V. General - Consider direct, indirect, & cumulative impacts in Requires protection of biodiversity but less detailed ESS1 EIA requirements - Characterize baseline conditions - Manage risks with mitigation hierarchy and GIIP, including adaptive management - Differentiated habitats, ESS applies to all, provides for offsets - ESS applies to modified habitat with significant biodiversity value - Avoid natural habitats unless no feasible alternative; if affected achieve no net loss of biodiversity Critical habitat - Requirements if a project will affect legally protected and international recognized areas of high biodiversity value - Strict conditions on affecting critical habitats, requires BMP - No introduction of spreading of invasive species - Requirements for projects involving primary production and harvesting W. Primary suppliers Requirements when Borrower purchases natural No equivalent requirements resource commodities ESS7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities Not applicable for the project ESS8: Cultural Heritage Application Covers tangible and intangible (limited) cultural - Law covers non-material (language, customs, ceremonies heritage, whether legally protected or not and whether and celebrations, knowledge and skills, traditional crafts, previously identified or not dancing, music, art, etc.) and material cultural heritage - Some legal limits on weddings, funerals, and other activities

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework X. General - Assess and avoid impacts on cultural heritage General requirements to protect cultural heritage and not - Follow chance find procedure if a find is to disturb sites of interest encountered No specific requirement for chance find procedure - Involve experts and national authorities if needed Y. Stakeholder consultation and - Identify and consult with affected and interested No requirement for consultations except with Ministry of identification of cultural stakeholders Culture representatives heritage - Maintain confidentiality if needed Must provide access - Allow continued access to affected sites Z. Legally protected cultural Comply with regulations and plans, consult with Generally consistent heritage areas sponsors AA. Provisions for specific - Desk-based and expert consultation to identify Less detailed requirements but generally consistent types of cultural heritage archaeological sites and specify protections - Mitigate impacts on built heritage, preserve physical and visual context of structures - Identify and protect treasured natural features - Identify and protect movable cultural heritage BB. Commercial use of Not relevant for this project n/a cultural heritage ESS9: Financial Intermediaries Not applicable for the project ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Requirements - Engage stakeholders throughout project life cycle, Generally consistent but less detailed determine how they wish to be engaged - Provide stakeholders with information, - Maintain documented record of engagements CC. Engagement during - Identify and analyze stakeholders, including - No requirement to analyze stakeholders project preparation disadvantaged or vulnerable - No formal plan required - Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) required, with - Early disclosure required detailed requirements for disclosure, timing of consultations, measures for disadvantaged or vulnerable, etc. - Disclosure of information early to allow consultation on design

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ESS &Topic Major requirements Key requirements/gaps in Tajikistan legal framework - Consultation to allow ongoing two-way communication throughout project life cycle DD. Engagement during Engagement and disclosure of information to continue No specific requirement for continuing engagement project implementation and throughout implementation, following Plan external reporting EE. Grievance mechanism - Establish and implement prompt, effective, culturally appropriate, and discreet grievance mechanism - No limit on legal remedies FF. Organizational capacity Define roles & responsibilities, assign personnel to No specific requirement for assigning roles and and commitment implement stakeholder engagement activities responsibilities Annex 1: Grievance mechanism Options for managing mechanism: ways of submission, log, advertised procedures, appeals process, mediation

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6. Overview of Baseline conditions

Tajikistan is a landlocked country in the mountainous part of Central Asia; in the north and west, Tajikistan borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, in the south it borders with Afghanistan and in the east with China (Figure 2). The perimeter borders of the country extend to 3,000 km. The total area of Tajikistan is 143,100 km2.

Figure 2. Regions of Tajikistan Khatlon Region, one of the four provinces of Tajikistan is the most populous of the four first level administrative regions. It is situated in the southwest of the country, between the Hisor Range in the north and the Panj River in the south and borders on Afghanistan in the southeast and on Uzbekistan in the west. Khatlon cover almost 24,800 km2 of the country’s area and consists of 24 districts – 14 in Western Khatlon and 10 in Eastern Khatlon. The total population of Khatlon region is 3,198,500 residents (as of 2017). The district’s capital is the city of Qurghonteppa (population of 101,600 inhabitants as of 2014).

Climate. The climate of the region is characterized as arid, semi-arid climate with relatively cool winters and very hot summers. Precipitation is quite low with maximum peaks occurring in spring, while summers are very dry. The amount of annual precipitation varies from 400 to 600 mm per year. Average air temperature in July is + 30-320С, the maximum is up to +480С. Average month temperature in January is positive. The frost-free period lasts here about 250-260 days per year.

Topography and geomorphology. The relief is mostly characterized by planes, undulating lands and foothills with moderate slopes and a weak inclination on the southwest side. Overall, the geomorphology of the area is suitable for transmission line construction..

Water resources. There are several river basins in the Khatlon region, the main of them are Vakhsh river basin and Pyanj river basin. Vakhsh river water-collecting area is 39,100 km2. Its length is 690 km, and water discharge can be more than 3,600 m3/sec. The average annual runoff is 22.1 км3. Water resources quality in Khatlon region is regularly and considerably affected by floods, mudslides and slope

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 47 denudation processes (soil erosion). The total volume of water resources used in Khatlon region was 5,513 mln.m3/year (2005), the 4,035 mln. m3/year - for agriculture purposes. Actually there were used 4,052 mln.m3/year on Vakhsh river basin, and 1,461 mln.m3/year – on Pyandj river basin.

Ecosystems. Khatlon region is predominantly presented by the following main ecosystem types, as shown on Figure 3:

Figure 3. Ecosystems in Tajikistan • Agroecosystems, mostly presented by irrigable pastures

• Mid-mountain Xerophytic Light Forest Ecosystems (high grass, shrubs, pistachio)

• Mid Mountain Mesophyllic Forest Ecosystems (broad leaf forests, light forest, mesophyllic shrubs).

Soils and Land use. Total area of Khatlon region is 24.8 thousand km2. Soils are presented mainly by grey-brown serozems (gray soils), typical serozems and salted soils. The soils across Khatlon province have typically poorly developed profiles with thin topsoil layers and mainly presented by mountain light brown soils (alluvial meadow soils), which are typical for river valleys, mountain desert steppe soils, high mountain desert steppe soils and underdeveloped skeletal soils (Figure 4). Where upper profile is developed to about 30-50 cm, it is susceptible to erosion, especially if high deforestation Figure 4. Soil cover in Tajikistan rates are present in particular area.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 48 This is the prime cotton area of Tajikistan, producing a third of its production as highly valued long fiber cotton. Horticultural crops include a large variety of garden vegetables, okra pumpkin, maize, tomato, potato, onions, beans, peas, persimmon, lemon, date, and pomegranate trees, as well as some pear and apple trees in the higher elevations. Livestock is prevalent throughout the area, in the form of ruminants (mostly cows and sheep) and small-scale poultry. There is no real fodder production, animals graze randomly along canals, roads, and meadows and live off crop residues in late fall/winter/early spring. Total area of irrigated lands in Khatlon oblast is 13,582 ha and the cotton area is 9,983 ha.

Land degradation. Due to deforestation, improper irrigation and excessive use of agricultural lands combined with unregulated chemical inputs the region’s land resources are affected by several environmental problems.

• Salinization. One of the biggest problems in Khatlon region is exhaustion and degradation of irrigated lands due to poor water and other management practices in agriculture. In Khatlon, about 50 percent of the area is gravity-fed and the remaining areas are dependent upon lift irrigation systems (pumping water up to 200 m high). These areas depend upon water, which is pumped from weirs off the Kumsangir, Vaksh and Yavansu rivers. Most of the principal irrigation and drainage infrastructure is in danger of collapse. The system now manifests a rapid deterioration in operating efficiency of pumping stations, increased losses in the main canals and low water use efficiency at the field level. The lack of adequate drainage has exacerbated the problem of rising water table and secondary salinization necessitating expensive emergency interventions. According to the 2004 data of the Ministry of agriculture, in Khatlon region in some 3,546 ha of arable land (including 2,358 ha of irrigated land) were abandoned because of increased salinization, water logging and reduced soil fertility.

• Water erosion. Large areas of agricultural lands in the region are affected by soil erosion. Because of strong winds Khatlon region belongs to areas with a high degree of wind erosion (especially in Shaartuz, Kumsangir districts) and, water erosion. Inappropriate irrigation ditches, poor techniques of water distribution, application of too much water resulting in filtration losses and land slips are among the observed outcomes.

Environmental pollution. The region suffers from inadequate industrial and domestic solid waste collection and dumping infrastructure, and contaminated drinking water. The results of water quality analysis (available in public domains) show an alarming level of chemical and bacteriological contaminants (47.3 percent and 54.7 percent, respectively) in samples of water used for drinking and irrigation. The heavy dependence on agriculture in Khatlon, and the subsequent exposure to chemicals involved in farming, has a negative impact on health in the region. In addition, the incidence of disease is significantly higher in areas of irrigated agriculture where water consumption for the local population comes primarily from ditches in the village.

Natural protected areas. The are 4 state nature reserves, 13 state reserves and 3 natural parks located in Tajikistan. The total area of all natural protected areas is 3.1 million hectares. The Tajik National Park ((also known as Pamersky, Pamirsky or Tajik National Park) is the largest in the country - its area is 26,000 km2 or 2.6 mln. ha.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 49 Population and socio-economic conditions. Khatlon region has a population of 2.3 million people, or about one third of the national total. The vast majority of its residents live in rural areas, about 1.9 million people versus about 400 thousand urban settlers. Even if one excludes the capital city Dushanbe, population density is the highest in the country, 92.5 people/km2. The region also has the largest portion of irrigated lands in the country, approximately 45 percent, of which 34 percent are located in the area surrounding the regional administrative capital of Figure 5. Natural protected areas Kurgan Tube, and 11 percent are in the Kulyab zone.

The region’s industry is presented by 165 enterprises. The district’s production ratio is 25.8% of the total industrial production of the republic. The Khatlon region hosts a few large industrial complexes: the Vakhsh Azot Fertilizer factory, the Yavan chemical enterprise, as well as a complex for chemical herbicide entombment.

District-specific social and economic baseline

As shown on Figure 11, the majority of villages proposed for electrification by the World Bank are planned to be supported by the World Bank are situated in the southern and southeastern parts of the Khatlon region in the Farkhror and Muminibod Districts. The text below provides summary descriptions of social and economic conditions for each of these districts.

District Farkhor

Farkhor district is located in the south-eastern part of the Republic of Tajikistan near the border with Afghanistan. he total area of the district is 12,000 km2; the district’s capital (administrative center) is the town of Farkhor. Table 4 below shows the main villages located within the district and the total population and number of households for each town (as of 2015).

Table 4. Households and population in Farkhor District (1 January 2015) № Name of Town and Village Households Population Darkad 1507 14039 20-years of Independence of Tajikistan 1702 14736 Farkhor 1389 12057 Vatan 2500 22515 Gairat 1688 16143 Zafar 1452 13834 Dehqonarik 1475 12648

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№ Name of Town and Village Households Population Gulshan 1527 12418 Galaba 1277 9278 Farkhor town 3277 23903 Total for district 17794 151571

Demography. As of 01.01.2015, the total population of Farkhor was 151,800 persons, with about 49.9% of them being females. Ethnically, almost 98% of them are Tajiks. Table 5 below demonstrates basic demographic indicators for the district.

Table 5. Basic demographic indicators for Farkhor District

Natural Number of Number of Number of Number of Years population born deaths marriages divorces growth

2012 4068 586 2082 71 1,02 % 2013 4233 466 2136 89 1,02% 2014 5055 575 2138 94 1,02%

Agriculture. Farkhor district is one of known agrarian areas across Tajikistan and agriculture plays a considerable role in district’s economy. The transition to the market economy and new economic, social and political conditions has led to the need to change existing collective farms in Farkhor into new forms of ownership and economic. There is the total of 3,967 dehkan farms and production cooperatives in the district. In recent years, following the implementation of the agricultural sector reform, the trend towards the transition from dehkan farms and cooperatives to the smallest households (individual and household) is taking place. In January 1, 2015 more than 150 dekhkan households and cooperatives have been restored, based on 525 individual farms. Local experts argue that small farms or private farms and households are economically efficient and can achieve good financial results. Currently, these households need to be integrated into the branches of dekhkan households.

The total volume of agricultural production 700000 606692.5 624063.8 (thousand tons) for 2012-2014 is shown on the 600000 histogram. 500000 409819.5 Land use. The total land of the district 400000 constitutes 118,311 ha, of which 88.1% 300000 (104,280 ha) are agricultural land. From the 200000 total area of agricultural land the cultivated 100000 lands constitute about 25,000 ha; the district’s 0 total area is 3,170 ha, which constitutes 2,7% of Соли 2012 Соли 2013 Соли 2014 the land of the district. Private farms occupy about 899 hectares or 0,76% of land. Land use by type in Farkhor District is shown in the following figure.

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Lands under Lands under buildings and Private Lands water Roads streets 1% 4% 1% 2% Other nonagricultural Lands 7%

Agricultural Lands 85%

Industry. In 2014 in Farkhor district, industrial production accounted for 85.8 mln TJS, which is more for 29.6% in comparison with the indicators of 2012, and in comparison with the indicators of 2013 is less than 26,4%. The overall decline in the industrial production rate in the district could be as a result of reduced price of cotton in the world market.

The total volume of industrial production in the 140000 district for 2012-2014 (thousands TJS) is shown 120543.5 115218 120000 in the figure: 100000 84826.4 Education. The education sector is one of the 80000 most important social areas in Farkhor district, 60000 and its main goal is to improve the coverage of 40000 students to educational institutions in the 20000 district and to improve the quality of education. 0 Соли 2012 Соли 2013 Соли 2014 Pre-school Education. In Farkhor district, the quantity of pre-school children has exceeded 20,000 persons, and only 1 percent is covered by preschools. Analyzes showed that in the district there is only one infant garden # 1 named Sharaf, visited by 180 children (including 79 girls). The number of inflated workers is 20 people, of which 17 are women. Of the total number of employees, 8 students with tertiary education, and 4 others have higher education.

Schools. According to statistical data in the Farkhor district, the total number of schools is 67, including 14 primary schools, 1 general school, 50 secondary schools and 2 lyceums.

Special professional and higher education. In the year 2013 in total 2041 persons graduated from secondary education, of which 761 were girls. In 2014, the total number of graduates of general secondary schools the 458 entered higher and specialized vocational colleges, including 48 girls.

The target group of medical schools in Farkhor district was established in 2007 in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and adopted the 2012 admissions policy. The

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 52 training is a branch office of Dangara district, where 25 teachers and 4 instructors are studying. Of the 24 men, 20 students have higher education, and 4 students with special secondary education.

Healthcare. Health is a key aspect of the social sector in Farkhor district, its main goal is to provide access to the population with good health care services. By January 1, 2015, 35,720 women are registered in the district.

Statistics on number of births in medical facilities and at home are summarized in the table as below:

Indicator 2012 2013 2014 Total birth 4425 4972 5493 Birth in medical facilities 3737 4200 5121 % 84,4 84,4 93,2 Birth at home 688 772 372 % 15,5 15,6 6,8 Maternity death 22,5 40,2 - The table below demonstrates statistics on infant mortality during 2012-2015 (persons):

Indicator 2012 2013 2014 Infant mortality 0 - 5 years age 114 126 142 Infant mortality up to 1 year age 83 88 107 Employment/Unemployment. Issues associated with employment and unemployment are controlled by the Department of Labor and Employment. Provision of workplaces to the population in Farkhor district is one of the most important issues. Currently, the number of unemployed people is about 33.2% of the able-bodied population. Unemployemnt rates for 2012-2014 are shown in the table below:

Years Indicator 2012 2013 2014 Able-bodied Population (person) 48299 48763 48016 Registered Unemployed (persons) 642 813 1084 Labor migration. Labor migration in the district plays an important role in supplying the population with jobs and enhancing the family budget.

Employed % of Employed Year Labor Migrants Population Population

2013 48299 9909 (201) 20,51%

2014 48763 9212 (191) 18,89%

2015 48016 8250 (204) 17,18%

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 53 Pensions and social protection. Social and pension insurance is implemented in the Farkhor district by the Department of Social Insurance and Pensions. According to the information department, the number of pensioners in January 2015 was 11454, 5% (593 persons) due to the low rate of retirement, they continue their work. Average pensions in the district amounted to 202.00 somoni.

Cultural aspects. The cultural sector is one of the major socio-strategic areas and has a significant role in the formation of spiritual education of the population of the district. The activity of the executive branch of the state executive body is aimed at timely and effective implementation of the cultural and spiritual policy of the state. According to the official data, in 2014, 43 cultural and recreational facilities, 40 historic sites were registered. There are also 86 mosques, including 11 junior mosques, 3 bathrooms and 3 hotels.

Sports and tourism. In Farkhor district, most of young people are engaged in sports and events are organized on a variety of sports, football, national wool, dancing, sambo, volleyball and light athletics. The district has 205 football fields, 58 football baskets, 50 playgrounds, 54 gymnastics, 11 sports gyms, 25 playgrounds, 7 sports and 25 gyms, where 508 children and teenagers are trained. There are 17 rugs in sports facilities on all types of sports. Currently young population is 79,905 persons in the district, of which 40,734 persons are boys and 39,171 are girls.

Drinking water supply. One of the main problems is the low accessibility of the district to high quality drinking water in Farkhor district infrastructure. According to recent data, over 8000 people (8%) have access to good quality drinking water, mainly population of Farkhor and part of the population of the Gafur. Approximately 96% of the population uses drinking water by water pumps, vertical and wells, where water quality does not meet sanitary and hygiene requirements, and the risk of infectious diseases among the population increases.

Housing and utilities services. The sewage system of Farkhor settlements was constructed in the former Soviet Union and was carried out by tube pipes (diameter 300), with a length of 3.5 km. Also, the sewage system has a water pump and water purification facilities. Due to uninterrupted water supply and disinfection of emissions into the sewerage pipes the system of sewage treatment in Farkhor is not fully operational and functional.

One of the major problems in this sector is the lack of cleaning equipment and accessories, especially in the areas of social sciences, the rural and rural communities and enterprises.

Power Supply. Population and entities in Farkhor district are fully equipped with electricity. It should be noted that, due to high rates of natural growth, creation of industrial enterprises, the absence of alternative energy system, the demand for electricity is increasing day by day. The existing electricity utilization capacity of the district is not resistant to electricity shortages (especially in the winter), which is due to an increase in the risk of the deficiencies of the electricity equipment.

Transport and road management. Maintenance of the roads of Farkhor district is in the competence of the State Automobile Reserve of the highway, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan. In 2014, the total budget of the institution has made 896,8 thousand somoni for road maintenance. The number of employees of this enterprise is made up of 68 people, of whom 7 are

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 54 women. In 2014 the average salary of employees was 480 TJS. From the total number of employees of the enterprise, there are 5 students, 5 specialists, and the rest of the secondary education.

At the balance of the current 8-year ex-EIA-3311, 1 bulldozer of WG 75, 2-speed motor GAZ 99 and RZ 135, 3-axle car and 2-tractor T 28. This facility serves 409.8 km of roads, including 56.4 km of international roads, 39 km of republic roads, 314.4 km of local roads. At the balance of the company there are 69 banks with a length of 964 meters. It should be noted that in the existing roads, 60% of them require major repairs, and 40% of them need modern repair. Available currencies are in technical condition and require major repairs.

Communication and Internet. The branch office of "Tojiktelecom" JSC, which is one of the state-funded entities provides communications service to the enterprises, as well as the population on the telephone and Internet connection. In this enterprise 16 people work, 7 of which are women. Of the total number of employees 2 persons have higher education. The communication network of the district is fully integrated into the digital system, with the light strips connected to the regional magnetic field (30 km). The regional and international inter-district dialogue works in the district center

Budget and Financial Supply. The budget of Farkhor district is formed by donations and receives financial assistance from the republican budget annually. However, the local budget’s main source of funding is DDP. In 2014, more than 24.5 million somoni was allocated from the republican budget as financial assistance. Currently, the basic part of the district budget (55.2%) constitutes state subsidies.

The analysis shows that the revenue part of the local budget is growing annually, which is more than 132% in 2014 compared to 2012. Revenue and expenditures of budget of Farkhor district during 2012- 2014 (thousand TJS) are shown in the figure below:

45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 Internal Incomes Subventions Expenditures Settlements 2012 15066.7 11233.5 29943.2 3490.1 2013 18682.7 17872.3 39694.9 2451.8 2014 19884.9 24564.6 44446.5

Although the overall growth of budget deficits still exists, in 2014 there is an increase in the share of unified tax revenues, as well as a decline in the share of other non-taxable revenues. It is worth noting that the tax revenue of individuals is growing annually, with an increase of 58.2% in 2012 compared to 2012 and this growth is primarily linked to the increase in wages. Local budget expenditures are primarily target financing of budgetary sectors, with a significant share of social expenditure of 90.6%, while the remaining 9.4% used for other sectors, mainly for wages.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 55 Local Budget Expenditures (2013-2014) by Culture Agriculture sector are demonstrated in the figure at right. Locak … Law and Sports , 1.4 Protection 2.5 ХМК, District Muminobod 0.8 Authorities Social , 0.9 Protection,Healthcare Demography. Muminabad district occupies 0.7 , 24.6 0.06% of the total territory of Republic of Education, 63.5 Tajikistan. Muminabad district is located in a mountainous area in the south-western part of Tajikistan. The total area of the district is 880.6 km2. Muminabad district borders in the north with Khovaling and Tavildara districts, and from the east with Shuraabad district, and in the south by the city of Kulyab.

The total number of the population of Muminabad district as of January 1, 2015 is 84,300 people, of which men are 41,725, and women are 42,575 people. The average annual population growth rate is 1.73 %. From the economic point of view, Muminabad district is agrarian, where the population mostly lives in rural areas. The population density of the area per 1 square kilometer is 95 people. The composition of nationalities of Muminabad district population is 98.1% - Tajiks and 1.9% - other nationalities. Basic demographic data for the district is show in Table 6.

Table 6. Basic demographic indicators for Muminabad District (2012-2014)

Measurement Total population as of 01.01.2015 Indicator unit 2012 2013 2014 1 Households Unit 10461 10690 10831 2 Population Person 81100 82600 84300 3 Men Person 40348 42125 41725 4 Women Person 40752 40475 42575 5 14-year-old child Person 8317 8472 8647 6 Mid-age population from 15 to 62 years (57 Person 32384 32984 34146 years old for women) 7 Including population of 15 – 18 years age Person 36738 37417 38187 8 Elders 63 and older (58 years old for women) Person 45101 46547 47275 9 Labor migrants (from the sources of local Person 3888 4015 4078 authorities) 10 Able-bodied population Person 2361 2193 2193 11 Unemployed population Person 45101 46547 47275 12 Population engaged in organizations and Person 1102 1122 1233 enterprises 13 Population engaged in the economics Person 5993 3785 3808 14 Population engaged in the entrepreneurship Person 8368 8585 8772

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 56 The distance from the center of the Muminabad district to the capital, Dushanbe city, is 252 km to the center of Khatlon region -200 km to the city of Bokhtar, and 42 km to Kulyab city. Muminabad district consists of 7 jamoats, including the village of Moomin jamoat, the rural jamoats N.Nazarova, Childuhtaron, Dehibaland, Boggai, Sh. Shokhin and Balkhobi. During 2012-2014 the number of resident population increased by 3.9 %, external labor migration (according to jamoat information) decreased by 0.9 %.

Demographic growth of population of Muminabad district (to 01.01.2015):

Table 7. Demographic changes to 2012-2014 Natural Number Number Number Number Natural Total Number population of of of of population number of Years of born growth in divorced talaq2 deaths migrants growth population %age

2012 1738 234 1504 1,7 81,1 1738 234 1504

2013 1781 211 1570 1,8 82,6 1781 211 1570

2014 1748 224 1524 1,7 84,3 1748 224 1524

Agriculture. Agriculture is the primary sector of Muminabad’s economy, which employs more than 85% of the working population. The main areas of agriculture are crop, livestock and horticulture. In Muminabad district, the main producers of agricultural products are collective dekhkan farms (8%), individual farms (30%), population (62%). The share of these farms is huge in the total agricultural production, in particular in the production of potatoes and vegetables, and individual farms in the production of wool, meat, milk, eggs, honey, cereals and fruits. The population of the Muminabad region is engaged in the cultivation of grain crops (wheat, beans and barley), vegetables, potatoes, fruits, animal feed (clover and sainfoin) and animal husbandry. Most of the population of villages receives income through the sale of agricultural and livestock products.

Land use. According to official data, as of January 1, 2015, the total land area of the district is 121,479 hectares, and the number of registered land users is 14,716 people. Of the total land area of 67 thousand 555 hectares - agricultural land, 2 thousand 576 hectares - personal plots (413 hectares irrigated), 1 thousand 189 hectares - personal auxiliary lands (50 hectares irrigated), 18 hectares - reserve fund, 8 thousand 451 hectares forests and groves, 14 thousand 19 hectares - shrubs, 1 thousand 423 hectares - land under water, 715 hectares - lands for roads and cattle ramps, 717 hectares - land for buildings and objects, streets and squares and 24 thousand 834 hectares - other lands. The area of land suitable for use by agricultural enterprises is 102 thousand 377 hectares (of which 4 thousand 687 hectares are irrigated).

2“Talaq” in classical Islamic law refers to the husband's right to dissolve the marriage by simply announcing to his wife that he repudiates her. Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 57 Occupation. The total number of able-bodied people of Muminabad district as of December 31, 2014 has reached 47,275 people. The total number of officially registered unemployed is 943 people, or 2.3% of the labor force. However, according to local experts, the unemployment rate in the region is approximately 30-35%. Most of the unemployed are mainly women, who are housewives.

Employment. Between 2012-2014, in Muminabad district 5,824 new jobs were created together with the relevant structures (including 2,752 new jobs in 2014), during this period 823 people were provided with permanent jobs, which represents 14.1 percent of the jobs created. The reason for this trend is that the jobs created do not cover the working-age population due to low wages. Nearly 55% of the total population is employed within agricultural sector.

New jobs creation between 2012-2014 7000 5824 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 823 1000 0

New jobs created Received new jobs

Employment structure per sector in 2014 (persons)

Industrial sector Social sector Trade 2% 0% 1%

Total 50% Agriculture 47%

Income. In the Muminabad district during 2012-2014 the amount income among population in the form of wages constantly increased. The average salary of employees in the sphere of education and health care is steadily increasing; this trend has a positive effect on the level of quality services in these industries. Despite this, wages remain low in agriculture, industry and construction.

Average salary in Muminabad district per sectors between 2011-2014 is shown in the table below:

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Years 2014/2011 Industry 2011 2012 2013 2014 (in %) Agriculture 296 268 305 335 13,1 Industry 216 270 270 276 28 Building 380 395 460 487 28,2 Finance and loans, banks 650 681 710 799 23 Culture 288 310 384 473 64,2 Health care 356 396 482 680 91 Education 540 550 600 615 13,8 Other structures of the public sector 410 470 570 590 44 Total in the area (by average) 392 418 473 532 35,7

Labour migration. Since 2014, a department of the Labor and Employment Agency of the Muminabad district has been involved in issues of employment and labor, environmental and internal migration of the population in the district. Labor migration plays an important role in providing the population with jobs and is one of the main sources of income for the population of the Muminabad district. According to official statistical reports in 2014, the total number of migrants was 1,401. The district has a high level of labor migration, the degree of qualification of labor migrants of the district, in particular young ones, is not competitive in the labor market. In 2014, at the expense of labor migrants of the district, 1.87 million US dollars and 21.3 million Russian rubles were received through the banks of the district.

Industry. There are 8 industrial enterprises, 90 mills and 4 oil mills in the district, where production is established using local raw materials. Currently, the share of industry in the formation of the total production of products in the area and the revenue part of the district budget is insignificant.

The growth of the nominal volume of industrial production in current prices in 2014 compared with 2012 and 2013 increased by 4.6 times and by 1.4%.

Opportunities. Muminabad is a mountainous area in which there are various natural resources, including: gold placers reserves, reserves of building materials, limestone, on the basis of which it is possible to create enterprises in the future to process gold and building materials. In addition, products produced in the field of plant growing, wine-making and animal husbandry can be used as local raw materials and the basis for the creation of small industrial enterprises for the processing of agricultural products. Efficient use of existing resources and thus the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises will also be able to lay a stable basis for creating new jobs, ensuring the well-being of the population of the district, replenishing the revenue part of the district budget.

Access to Infrastructure facilities/Safe Drinking Water. The water supply system is maintained and regulated by Subsidiary State Water Supply Enterprise (SSWSE) of Muminabad district. The Enterprise was built in 1980 and employs 16 people, 2 of them have higher education, 2 have professional technical education, the rest of workers have secondary education. The SSWSE owns 2 pumps, 5 vertical wells, a

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 59 reservoir for collecting water of 1500 m3 and 16.5 km of water supply lines. It operates on a contractual basis. The drinking water supply of Muminabad district is not able to fully meet the needs of the population. Currently, water pipes are worn out and deteriorated as a result of operation for many years and an increase in the number of subscribers.

Health facilities. Ensuring public health is an important direction in the social sphere of the Muminabad district, and covers the health status of the population, providing access and providing quality medical services to vulnerable groups, including women and children. The population in the district is provided with 1 central hospital (for 187 beds), 1 numbered hospital (Sh. Shokhin rural jamoat (for 25 beds)), 1 regional health center, 20 rural health centers, 25 medical points, 1 emergency department, 6 specialized centers in which 57 doctors with higher education and 392 nurses work. There are 6.5 doctors per 10 thousand people, of the existing work units 77.9% are employed.

Sports and recreation facilities. Muminabad district has 1 youth sports school with 15 coaches teaching 32 groups in 10 types of sports, including athletics, volleyball, table tennis, judo, taekwon-do, hockey, and drafts. Coverage is 283 teenagers, out of which 34 are girls. In addition, there are 8 gyms and 1 sports club, 1 stadium and 62 athletic fields, which are effectively used by athletes. The Department of Youth and Sports of Muminabad district plans to open sports sections for the training of young people in all sports in the villages of the region in the future.

Objects of housing and communal services. The subsidiary state enterprise “Housing and communal services of the Muminabad district” was created in 1975 and is subordinate to the State unitary enterprise “Hochagii Manziliyu communali” of the Republic of Tajikistan. The enterprise employs only 50 people, who are mainly engaged in landscaping, lighting, sanitation and maintenance of the housing stock. The enterprise owes 15 two-storey communal houses, the total area of which is 5100 m2. The company provides services to 180 residents. Utilities and maintenance of the housing stock include the repair of roofs of houses, the repair of doors and windows, the repair and lighting of entrances. There are more than 13,447 people live in the district center or in the territory covered by public utilities.

Communication systems. To improve public access to telecommunications services, the region has a branch of OJSC “Tochiktelekom”, on the basis of which 1 digital station is connected with 2,000 long- distance dialing numbers (the length of long-distance telephone channels is 45 km and the number of fixed telephones is 730). The population of the Muminabad district uses the services of mobile operators Tcell, Megafon, Beeline and Babilon-M. In addition, it is envisaged to connect a fiber-optic line of jamoats with the district and regional centers for a total of 198 thousand TJK in the coming years.

Four television and radio programs of the republic are broadcast in the district (the television coverage of the First Channel is 99.7%, Safina – 81%, Bahoriston – 52%, Jahonnamo - 79% and the coverage of republican programs radio – 37%). A newspaper “Subhi mehnat” is published once a month in an edition of 600 copies.

Gender and Social Divisions (Status of Women and their role in local development). In order to ensure the wide participation of women in public life and government, improve the social status of women and improve the national gene pool, enhance the role of women in strengthening moral principles, peace

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 60 and unity, guided by Articles 64, 69 and 79 of the Constitution (Fundamental Law) of the Republic of Tajikistan of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, dated December 3, 1999, for No. 5, the state program “On measures to improve the status of women in ETS ". Thanks to this program, for 2018 the number of women in the public service is over 23%.

In 2011, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan approved the National Strategy for enhancing the role of women in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2011–2020. (NARC 2020) The main purpose of the Strategy is to create the prerequisites and necessary conditions for the fullest realization of the natural abilities of women in all spheres of social life in order to ensure the sustainable development of society.

A number of development studies, including the UN Women’s Analytical Report and the UNDP’s “Women's Representation in Local Government in Tajikistan” dated by July 2017, recognize the special role of women in the socio-economic development of the country. Women are actively involved in the development and resilience of their families and communities against crisis, political and economic changes, the effects of climate change and natural disasters. In particular, raising the literacy of rural women on the possibility of economic development, local methods of hazard prevention, etc., are recognized as essential assets that can contribute towards the survival of their families in complex social and political contexts.

Nowadays, many men are leaving for labor migration. Thus, remote rural areas are faced with a change in the social context, where women play a more important role in creation and maintenance of their livelihoods, taking care of the family and doing most of the labor-intensive work, including agriculture.

Education. There are 62 educational institutions in the Muminabad district, including 38 schools of secondary education, 13 schools of basic education, 2 gymnasiums and 4 schools of primary education. In addition, on the territory of the district, 1 boarding school for orphans and those left without care is carried out.

Preschool education. The district operates the only pre-school education institution in the village of Muminabad, in which 115 children are enrolled in education and upbringing. In addition, in order to improve the enrollment of children in preschool education, 50 children’s development centers (preparatory groups) were organized in the district, in which 700 children were enrolled in 2014. In order to improve the coverage of children in preschool education institutions until 2020, it is planned to open 2 new groups to cover 100 children. In 2014, more than 1,645 preschool children (3-6 years old) were registered in the district, and due to the lack of pre-school institutions, only 7 percent of them are nurtured.

Secondary education. The total number of students in the 2014-2015 school year was 13394 people, of which 6182 people or 46.1 % of the girl. Medical College of Muminabad district (branch of the medical college of Kulyab). The branch of this college was opened in 1998 as a target group at the central hospital of the Muminabad district, which employs 12 teachers with higher education and a category. The total number of students in the last four years is 88 people, 89.8 percent of which are girls.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 61 Road network. The State Road Operational Administration operates in Muminabad district. This enterprise is subordinate to the Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Tajikistan. The balance of the State Road Operations Department of the Muminabad region contains only 169.2 km of roads, of which 17.7 km have asphalt pavement. The length of the republican roads is 26 km, local roads (on the GDEU balance sheet) - 143.2 kilometers. In recent years, due to the lack of funds on most roads for many years (more than 25 years), current and major repairs have not been carried out, as a result of which the actual condition of roads and bridges in the area is very poor and needs to be built and rebuilt. In most of the settlements and irrigated lands, pipes are not installed along the roads, as a result of which water rises to the level of the road and causes the destruction of the roadway.

More than 15 km of roads of republican significance of the rural jamoat of Dehibaland and the district center, 85 km of local roads, including the roads of the villages of Kulchashma, Gesh, Momandiyen, Margak, Dehlolo and the roads of the rural jamoat of Childukhtaron need major and current repairs. The current state of the roads creates serious problems for traffic safety.

Local business. Small and medium-sized businesses occupy an important place in the economy of the Muminabad district and should become the main sector of the development of the district economy. The development of small business, the privatization of state property, being the primary sign of the transition to a market economy, is aimed at improving the efficiency of enterprises and their assistance in financial stabilization and providing the population with new jobs and expanding the consumer market.

Number of disabled people/socially vulnerable groups. The vulnerable group of the population includes pensioners, disabled people, disabled children and low-income families (TTable 8)

Table 8. Potentially vulnerable groups by category (2011-2014) Years Vulnerable groups 2011 2012 2013 2014 Retired by age 3154 3275 3335 3363 Invalids, including 1978 1952 1959 1818 Congenital disabled 511 446 450 431 Including children under the age of 18 379 401 415 410 Persons left without care 1268 1258 1235 1199 Round orphans 18 17 14 13 Poor families receiving compensation payments for 1992 2064 2318 2166 utilities (electricity)

In Muminabad district in 2012–2014, an increase in the number of pensioners by age was observed. The main reason is non-compliance with the requirements of regulatory acts on the designation of a disability pension. In 2014, 1199 children deprived of their parents and 13 orphans who lost one of the parents were registered in the region. In this direction, it is necessary that the responsible and specialists

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 62 of the sphere pay special attention to the current physiological and mental health of the population. To solve this issue, it is necessary to organize a rest home for the disabled and the construction of a nursing home in the district center in the district. Unfortunately, in the field of social protection, given the limited financial resources, there are problems whose solution requires the support and assistance of humanitarian organizations. During 2014, 12 disabled persons of group 1 (4 disabled persons under the age of 18 years) were provided with means of transportation (disabled persons), 4 pairs of crutches and 20 reeds were provided to people in need. However, the number of wheelchairs, crutches and canes provided is very small. According to official data, more than 200 people need wheelchairs, 50 people need crutches and 140 people need canes. 29 people were provided with crutches, the other 11 people needed wheelchairs. In addition, there are a large number of people with disabilities in need of aids (artificial organs (prostheses) and special glasses, hearing aids).

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 63 7. Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Mitigation Measures

This chapter summarizes the risks and impacts that could occur as a result of the implementation of the last-mile connections individual subprojects, which will for the most part include construction of 10kV and 4kV distribution lines from the existing grid to the villages of concern (non-electrified villages) and then to houses in the villages.

The risks and impacts have been screened at high level and summarized based on consideration of the information presented in baseline characterization. Where required, the management measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate or optimize the impacts have been given.

Overall, this Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) will serve as the appropriate appraisal instrument to identify and provide guidance on mitigating potential E&S risks.

The text below presents the details of project E&S risks analysis as a result of implementation of last- mile connection projects.

Summary of Project Activities that Could Affect E&S Conditions

The projects will involve a variety of activities, many of which could affect environmental resources and people if they are not carefully designed and implemented. The activities that could cause the most important effects include:

• Construction of transmission lines corridors and towers for 10kV and 4kV lines. In forested or partially vegetated areas, trees would be cut, so they could not touch the line or fall on the line. The construction works would require clearing an area for vehicles and equipment to use for installing foundations. The tower construction will comprise the following activities: land-clearing, foundation excavation, foundation installation, tower assembly and erection. Land use and potential resettlement aspects could also be triggered and require examination at pre-construction phase.

• Routine maintenance of the vegetation control zone. Every 6-8 years, trees and other plants will be pruned back as needed to maintain clearance from the line.

E&S Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Results of high level E&S risk and impact analysis and description of mitigation measures to reduce, control, avoid, compensate or otherwise mitigate the adverse E&S effects are provided in the standardized Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

The physical, biological and socio-economic conditions that can be potentially affected by the Project are briefly discussed herein.

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Potential environmental risks and effects

A summary of potential environmental risks associated with the proposed transmission line projects is provided in Table 9 below.

Table 9. Potential key environmental impacts Receptor Issue (Source / Pathway) Potential Environmental Effects/Risks

Air Quality Dust and PM10 during construction Emissions of air pollutants during construction and stage arising from activities such as operation. Increased dust, PM10 during excavations, concrete mixing, construction leading to reduced air quality and transportation of construction indirect effects on surrounding population and materials. ecosystems. Vehicle emissions from construction Increased SOx, NOx, CO emissions during vehicles and equipment. construction leading to reduced air quality and indirect effects on surrounding population and ecosystems. Surface water Diversion of flow in the Potential adverse effect on water quantity, quality resources rivers/disturbance of natural flow and aquatic organisms (spawning, disturbance to regime habitat) Spills of chemicals and hazardous materials during construction activities that reach the streams with surface runoff Sedimentation of streams from Potential risk of impaired surface water quality erosion due to compaction and soil disturbance Soils Excavation and movement of soil Loss or damage to soils due to compaction or increased erosion during to construction. Spills of chemicals and hazardous Accidental fuel and other hazardous materials materials spills could also contribute to soil contamination and degradation. Ecosystems, Site clearance and construction in Habitat loss. Localized damage to biodiversity, flora and fauna; areas of the proposed locations that through harm to, or loss of, flora and/ or fauna. have not yet experienced Potential impact on migratory bird species. Natural development. protected areas Damage to individual plants or Potentially major risk for protected species or communities endemic species with small ranges. Largest risk from construction; more limited area disturbed, and for shorter periods, during maintenance. Death or injury due to collision with Potentially major risks on protected species of wires during spring or autumn raptors, scavengers, or cranes. Entire east-west migration transmission line corridor is crossed by migrants and presents a hazard. Death from electrocution while Potentially moderate risk on protected species of landing or perching on wires raptors, scavengers, or cranes.

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Receptor Issue (Source / Pathway) Potential Environmental Effects/Risks

Geohazards Earthquake, GLOFs, landslides, Potential risks of damaging transmission lines and debris flows, rockfalls towers Noise and Elevated noise levels due to Temporary disturbance from construction and/or vibration construction and/or operation operational activities, impacting upon sensitive activities receptors (nuisance to nearby villagers) and local fauna Increased vibration to sensitive Intermittent disturbance from blasting, impacting receptors as a result of ground upon sensitive receptors (possibly limited to OHS induced vibration from possible considerations). blasting works Residents, visitors and tourists Risk of nuisance/disturbance as a result of construction noise Landscape and Presence of steel towers with wires Risk of disturbance to natural landscape views. Visual Could affect tourists, local residents, travelers/visitors Land use Construction and operational Loss of agricultural land (arable land), pastured or activities on or nearby agricultural orchards if not properly mitigated lands/pastures

Socio-economic, community and occupational H&S aspects

Key social, economic, community and occupational H&S risks and effects, associated with construction and operation of the proposed last-mile power transmission solutions are detailed in Table 10.

Table 10. Potential key social and economic risks and impacts Receptor Issue (Source / Pathway) Potential Socio-economic Effects/Risks Impacted communities and Communications regarding project Inadequate stakeholder engagement businesses and project design, implementation and during the project design, and possibly stakeholders operations during implementation and operations Economic benefits Employment opportunities for A risk of not providing priority of hiring local residents during construction locals during construction by stage construction contractor Key economic sectors Providing electricity and More reliable power supply (positive generating income effect) Partial loss of land our or economic Risk of reduced agricultural output by use of land (pastures, arable lands, local businesses and risk of losing money orchards) Social infrastructure Construction activities Potential risk of damaging existing public/rural/gravel/earth roads Cultural heritage and Construction activities, including Risk of damaging cultural monuments, heritage excavation works, topsoil stripping archaeological artefacts, cemeteries Community near project Traffic flow during construction Community health and safety (accidents areas during construction or by trespassers) at

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Receptor Issue (Source / Pathway) Potential Socio-economic Effects/Risks risk by increased traffic during construction Community functions Risk of disrupting community function as a result of generating noise, dust, presence of outsiders during construction stage Disruption to infrastructure Community health and safety at risk functioning during all phases from infrastructure updating and expansion including potential for loss of water, electricity and access to roads throughout the construction phases Workers influx Risk for Community disruption, increased crime, etc. Diseases, violent behavior Community health and safety at risk (including GBV), accidents, emergencies Physical and economic Risk of permanent loss of land; risk of displacement loss of wood resource; risk of being not compensated for physical or economic displacement; risk of loss of use of land Workers for construction Occupational health and safety Potential for occupational hazards and operation during all phases of projects during all phases

Summary of Key Risks and Mitigation Measures

A summary of key environmental impacts/risks, relevant WB ESSs and generic mitigation measures is provided in Table 11 below.

Table 11. Summary of key potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures Relevant Mitigation and/or good nn Receptor Risk/Impact World Bank management practices Standards

1. Air Quality Increased dust and PM10 WB ESS 1,3&4 Require contractor to develop Air during construction quality management plan

Minimization of fugitive dust using enclosures, dust collectors, covering of loads, wetting/sprinkling roads and other appropriate measures. Increased gaseous emissions WB ESS 1,3&4 Use of modern, well maintained during construction vehicles; ensuring vehicle emissions are in compliance with Tajik and international emission standards; switching off of machinery when not in use; controls on vehicle movements through populated

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 67

Relevant Mitigation and/or good nn Receptor Risk/Impact World Bank management practices Standards areas through use of approved access routes. 2. Surface water Spills of chemicals and WB ESS 1,3&6 Require contractor to develop a resources hazardous materials during Chemicals storage, refuelling and construction activities that spill response plan could reach the streams with surface runoff To prevent contamination from spills of fuel, oil and chemicals, the liquids have to be stored in designated secure areas. Refueling must be conducted over impervious surfaces. Spill cleanup kits should be available at all areas and in all vehicles. Inspection of construction vehicles to identify and repair leaks or damaged fuel/lubricant lines should be performed on a regular basis. 3. Groundwater Spills of chemicals and WB ESS 1,3&6 Especially for the construction hazardous materials during works on streams’ floodplains: construction and operations ensure fuel, oil and chemicals, the liquids have been stored in designated secure areas. Refueling must be conducted over impervious surfaces. Spill cleanup kits should be available at all areas and in all vehicles. 4. Soils Accelerated rates of soil WB ESS 1,3&6 Require contractor to develop a Soil erosion and local management and erosion control contamination of soil due to plan fuel, oil and chemicals spills. Storage of the removed soil in stockpiles and taking the soil away or return it back in. Planting vegetation on the disturbed ground with native plants, compacting and/or stabilizing disturbed surfaces as soon as practicable. Require contractor to develop a Chemicals storage, refuelling and spill response plan

To prevent contamination from spills of fuel, oil and chemicals, the liquids have to be stored in designated secure areas. Refueling must be conducted over impervious

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Relevant Mitigation and/or good nn Receptor Risk/Impact World Bank management practices Standards surfaces. Spill cleanup kits should be available at all areas and in all vehicles. Inspection of construction vehicles to identify and repair leaks or damaged fuel/lubricant lines should be performed on a regular basis.

5. Ecosystems, Site clearance and WB ESS 6 Avoid development in areas which flora and fauna construction in areas of the currently contain vegetation, in proposed locations that favor of previously developed land; have not yet experienced Remove vegetation only as a last development. resort and protect it where possible during construction; Provide compensatory planting of vegetation for any affected areas. Destruction or modification WB ESS 6 As required, in consultation with of habitat or loss of critical the appropriate authorities Barqi habitat Tojik will design and conduct a survey of flora and fauna within the project area of influence to identify protected or sensitive habitat and species. If critical habitat is present, Barqi Tojik will ensure that Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is developed prior to start of construction stage. BAP will specify measures to prevent or reduce impacts during construction and also during future operation and maintenance.

During construction ensure minimum biodiversity damage due to land clearing; No damage outside boundaries; Limited damage to ground surface and root zone. 6. Land use Loss of agricultural land WB ESS Develop and implement (arable land), pastured or 1&5,10 Resettlement and Compensation orchards if not properly Plan (RACP) based on Resettlement mitigated Policy Framework (RPF) 7. Geohazards: Potential risks of damaging WB ESS 1 Prior to commencement of earthquakes, transmission line and towers construction activities, complete a GLOFs, detailed Geomorphologic hazard landslides, assessment study in order to debris flows, reduce the risk of selecting project rockfalls location in high risk zones.

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Relevant Mitigation and/or good nn Receptor Risk/Impact World Bank management practices Standards

Ensure the design of proposed projects can withstand strong earthquakes. 8. Noise and Temporary disturbance from WB ESS 1&6 Require contractor to develop a vibration construction and/or Noise Management Plan operational activities, impacting upon sensitive Ensure construction noise will be limited to restricted times receptors (nuisance to (daylight); During operations the nearby villagers) and local engine covers of generators, air fauna compressors and other powered mechanical equipment shall be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible.

A summary of key socio-economic, community and H&S risks and effects, relevant World Bank standards and mitigation measures is provided in Table 12Table 12 below.

Table 12. Summary of key socioeconomic impacts and mitigation measures Relevant Mitigation and/or good Receptor Impact/Risk World Bank management practices Standard Impacted communities Inadequate WB ESS 1 Take all required steps in order to and businesses and project stakeholder ensure that all project stakeholders stakeholders engagement are informed, consulted and protected through grievance mechanisms in accordance with WB requirements *Community near project Community health and WB ESS 4 Require contractor to develop a areas safety (accidents Traffic Management Plan during construction or by trespassers) at risk Reduce unnecessary traffic during by increased traffic peak hours and for heavy vehicles during construction select routes with strong infrastructure or pay for upgrading to minimize damages. Community functions: WB ESS 4 Site away from the nearby residential Risk of disrupting WB ESS 3 areas as much as possible, and take community function as all dust reduction measures, a result of generating including watering unpaved roads, noise, dust, presence and only operating during agreed of outsiders during daylight hours construction stage Workers influx: Risk for WB ESS 2 - Worker Code of Conduct Community disruption, that will prescribe certain increased crime, etc.

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Relevant Mitigation and/or good Receptor Impact/Risk World Bank management practices Standard Community health and WB ESS 2 behaviors and require safety at risk: diseases, WB ESS 4 others; violent behavior - Require contractor to (including GBV), enforce the Code, with accidents, emergencies penalties leading up to dismissal. - -Appoint a Supervision Consultant - Contractor to consult with local authorities and community leaders, which will ensure they (that is, project managers) are aware of incidents and can take appropriate action if the issue arises.

Physical and economic WB ESS 5 Compensation for loss of use of land displacement: Risk of to be negotiated with owner/farmer, permanent loss of land; with compensation at a value at least risk of loss of wood fair market value (for permanent resource; risk of being crop loss, not necessarily land, as not compensated for appropriate). physical Development and implementation of a Resettlement and Compensation Plan (RACP) based on Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) Economy Employment WB ESS 2 Ensure local workforce receives opportunities for local priority in hiring for construction residents during construction stage Providing electricity - Sustain constant electricity and generating income generation and supply Partial loss of land our WB ESS 5 Compensation for loss of use of land or economic use of to be negotiated with owner/farmer, land (pastures, arable with compensation at a value at least lands, orchards) fair market value (for permanent crop loss, not necessarily land, as appropriate).

Development and implementation of a Resettlement and Compensation Plan (RACP) based on Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)

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Relevant Mitigation and/or good Receptor Impact/Risk World Bank management practices Standard Social infrastructure Potential risk of WB ESS 4 Require contractor to develop a damaging existing Traffic Management Plan public/rural/gravel/ear th roads Cultural heritage and Risk of damaging WB ESS 8 Require contractor to develop and heritage cultural monuments, follow a chance find procedure archaeological artefacts, cemeteries Workers for construction Occupational hazards WB ESS 1 Adhere to all international labor OHS and operation WB ESS 2 (Occupations Health and Safety) standards, including OHS training, during all phases of the Project Infrastructure to support Increased demand for WB ESS 1&4 Take all required steps in order to construction and water, electricity and and ESS10 ensure that all impacted operations transportation stakeholders are informed, consulted and protected through grievance mechanisms in accordance with WB standards. Consider developing a community development program. In the development include improved services to surrounding communities as appropriate to improve overall service to residents and impacted communities.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 72 8. Standardized Environmental and Social Management Plan

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the individual last-mile power connection projects should identify the principles, approach, procedures and methods that will be used to control and minimize the environmental and social impacts of all construction activities.

Example of a generic ESMP is provided in Annex 2. The example represents a model for development of an ESMP for individual electricity connection projects. It will be applicable for low voltage and high voltage transmission lines. The model divides the project cycle into three phases: construction, operation and decommissioning. For each phase, Barqi Tojik will identify any significant environmental impacts that are anticipated based on the analysis done in the context of preparing an environmental and social assessment. For each impact, mitigation measures are to be identified and listed. The ESMP also provides for the identification of institutional responsibilities for "installation" and operation of mitigation devices and methods.

Description of Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). Annex 3 provides a set of generic mitigation measures, which would be appropriate for many power transmission lines and substations construction projects. In general, the Environmental Social Management Plan (ESMP) should clearly identify feasible and cost-effective measures that may reduce potentially significant adverse environmental impacts to acceptable levels. The plan should include compensatory measures if mitigation measures are not feasible, or sufficient.

Specifically, the ESMP:

• Identifies and summarizes all anticipated significant adverse environmental impacts;

• Describes with technical details each mitigation measure, including the type of impact to which it relates and the conditions under which it is required (e.g., continuously or in the event of contingencies), together with designs, equipment descriptions, and operating procedures, as appropriate;

• Estimates any potential environmental impacts of these measures; and

• Provides linkage with any other mitigation plans (e.g., for involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, or cultural property) required for the project.

Integration of ESMP with projects The borrower's decision to proceed with a project, and the Bank's decision to support it, are predicated in part on the expectation that the ESMP will be executed effectively. Consequently, the Bank expects the plan to be specific in its description of the individual mitigation and monitoring measures and its assignment of institutional responsibilities, and it must be integrated into the project's overall planning, design, budget, and implementation. Such integration is achieved by establishing the ESMP within the project so that the plan will receive funding and supervision along with the other components.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 73 9. E&S Screening, Supervision, Monitoring and Reporting

As noted earlier, the objective of the ESMF is to ensure that any activities supported by the TREP will not create adverse impacts on the local environment and local communities, and that there is effective application of the World Bank’s ESF 2018 and Tajikistan’s Environmental Law and Regulations for adequate mitigation of any residual and/or unavoidable impacts.

E&S Screening

The objectives of the screening process are to:

• Determine the potential adverse environmental and social impacts of the proposed transmission line project;

• Determine the appropriate environmental category as per 2018 WB ESF;

Based on the assigned environmental category, determine the appropriate level of environmental work required (i.e. whether an ESIA is required or not). Screening will further ensure that the proposed project (and maybe associated projects) that may have potential adverse impacts are recommended for more detailed studies either through preparation of Project Reports (PR) or full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).

E&S Monitoring, Supervision and Reporting

To keep track of the requirements and responsibilities for monitoring the implementation of environmental and social mitigation identified in the analysis included in an environmental assessment for Category A or B projects, a monitoring plan may be useful. An example of a format and content of a Monitoring Plan is provided in Annex 4.

When a monitoring plan is developed and put in place in the context of project implementation, the PIU will request reports at appropriate intervals and include the findings in its periodic reporting to the World Bank and make the findings available to Bank staff during supervision missions.

The monitoring of the grid-connection solutions is intended to provide information about key environmental and social impacts and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, which is required to: (i) ensure early detection of conditions that necessitate particular mitigation measures, and (ii) furnish information on the progress and results of mitigation.

Monitoring Environmental, social and H&S monitoring during project implementation provides information about key E&S aspects of the project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Such information enables the borrower and the Bank to evaluate the success of mitigation as part of project supervision, and allows corrective action to be taken when needed. Therefore, the ESMP identifies monitoring objectives and specifies the type of monitoring, with linkages to the impacts assessed in the E&S appraisal report and the mitigation measures described in the ESMP.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 74 Specifically, the monitoring section of the ESMP provides(a) a specific description, and technical details, of monitoring measures, including the parameters to be measured, methods to be used, sampling locations, frequency of measurements, detection limits (where appropriate), and definition of thresholds that will signal the need for corrective actions; and (b) monitoring and reporting procedures to (i) ensure early detection of conditions that necessitate particular mitigation measures, and (ii) furnish information on the progress and results of mitigation.

Construction contractors selected/appointed by Barqi Tojik will be responsible for implementing mitigation measures and actions items as specified in the standardized for power transmission line construction projects ESMP (Annex 2) for their respective activities and ensuring that there is compliance with environmental and social standards (ESSs) regulations throughout the construction period. All contractors will be required to reflect environmental guidelines in their financial bids and contracts for individual subprojects and to use environmentally acceptable technical standards and procedures during construction of works. Payments to contractors will be contingent on the final inspection, with particular attention to the requirement of restoring the site to its original condition upon completion of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, contract clauses shall comply with national regulations on energy efficiency, construction, health protection, and safeguard laws and rules on environmental protection.

As part of E&S monitoring activities, the Supervision Committee (Supervision Consultant and Barqi Tojik) will conduct random inspections of individual project sites to determine the effectiveness of measures taken and the impacts of project-related activities on the surrounding environment. The Supervision Committee are also responsible for processing, addressing and monitoring complaints and other feedback, including that on environmental and social issues.

The Supervision Committee will be responsible for ESMP reporting and will:

• Record and maintain the results of project supervision and monitoring throughout the life of the Project. It will present summary progress reports on ESMF implementation and ESSs of on a semi-annual basis to the World Bank, and as part of this reporting, provide updates on any related grievances/feedback that was received, that has been addressed and that may be pending;

• Prepare semi-annual reports on the progress of implementation of measures proposed by the ESMP for the grid connections;

• Prepare semi-annual reports on the environmental impacts originated during implementation of and analyze the efficiency of mitigation measures applied to minimize negative consequences;

• Prepare outlines and requirements for Contractors’ reports on environmental protection and mitigation measures, and review Contractor’s monitoring plan and reports

• Present the impact of mitigation and environmental and social protection measures for general public via specific publications or/and by annual public seminars.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 75 Capacity Development and Training To support timely and effective implementation of environmental project components and mitigation measures, the ESMP draws on the E&S appraisal of the existence, role, and capability of environmental units on site or at the agency and ministry level. If necessary, the ESMP recommends the establishment or expansion of such units, and the training of staff, to allow implementation of E&S appraisal recommendations. Specifically, the ESMP provides a specific description of institutional arrangements- who is responsible for carrying out the mitigatory and monitoring measures (e.g., for operation, supervision, enforcement, monitoring of implementation, remedial action, financing, reporting, and staff training). To strengthen environmental management capability in the agencies responsible for implementation, most ESMPs could address one or more of the following additional topics: (a) technical assistance programs; (b) procurement of equipment and supplies; and (c) organizational changes.

10. Stakeholder Engagement and Public Consultation

Purpose of stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement is an integral part of project development and implementation, and should begin as early in project development as possible and continue through the project’s full life cycle. The purpose of stakeholder consultation during the international ESIA process is to ensure that the views, interests and concerns of project stakeholders are taken into account in the following decisions:

• Decisions taken during the planning, design and implementation of the project

• ESIA decisions regarding planning of the ESIA scope, assessment of the potential impacts and identification of appropriate management measures

• Decisions by the state environmental agency (CEP) to approve successive steps leading to completion and approval of the local OVOS

• Decisions by development financiers on the funding of the project and corresponding loan conditions.

Stakeholder engagement and consultation process for Khatlon electrification project

An overview of the ESIA stakeholder consultation process for the electrification projects is presented in Table 13.

Table 13. Overview of stakeholder engagement process

Stakeholders Main documents to be Steps Objectives Activities involved produced

SCOPING - Identify regulatory All Stakeholder List of potential authorities and identification and stakeholders other stakeholders Corresponds analysis (desktop who should be with the scoping social scan) involved in the phase of the ESIA process. Planning SEP ESIA stakeholder

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 76

Stakeholders Main documents to be Steps Objectives Activities involved produced - Notify stakeholders consultation and of the ESIA process disclosure and give them the Background information necessary Notification of document for procedural and stakeholders of stakeholders substantive ESIA process and information to the proposed facilitate their project input to the Engagement of - Records of meetings. process. stakeholders - Updated stakeholder - Engage database and issues stakeholders – record. listen to them and record issues raised (concerns, comments and questions).

DISCLOSURE AND Disclose ESIA and RPF Local Meetings with - Records of meetings. CONSULTATIONS communities, stakeholders, as - Specific information- ESIA and RPF and per the procedure sharing documents. stakeholders regulatory described in SEP authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders as required

FEEDBACK - Provide relevant All Notification of - Issue specific RESPONSE stakeholders with stakeholders stakeholders feedback on the results of an update on that have documentation as the ESIA progress with shown an necessary project planning, - Non-technical interest in expected impacts the project summary of the ESIA. and proposed Engagement of - Records of meetings. mitigation. stakeholders - Updated issues

- Acknowledge record. issues raised by stakeholders and - Barqi Tojik - Advertisements tell them how the advertises - Notices for project proponent public hearing distribution by (Barqi Tojik) “Asia Plus” electricity inspectors proposes to Public hearing A record of the address these. within 30 days of hearing(s) and meetings - Engage public notice stakeholders – listen to them and record additional issues raised.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 77 Previous consultations

In February and March 2019, a series of meetings was held with institutional and nongovernmental stakeholders in Dushanbe to present information on the project and determine stakeholders’ levels of interest and also their opinions on the project and the ESIA process. Details are described in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. In addition, an initial round of stakeholder engagement and consultations (by phone and meetings) on last-mile connection projects was carried out in March and April 2019. Following this effort, a draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) was developed that identifies the key stakeholders and describes the stakeholder engagement program that will be implemented for last-mile connection projects.

Disclosure and Consultations for the ESMF and associated documentation

This ESMF was prepared to meet requirements of the World Bank and also the requirements of Tajikistan laws on Environmental Protection and Law on Environmental Expertise. Documentation includes this ESMF, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). When this draft ESIA and other documents were disclosed to authorities and the public in April 2019, it was announced in newspapers and on the was also announced on the Barqi Tajik website (www.barqitojik.tj/en/).

Besides the draft disclosure documents (and the final documents in future), project brochures and updates were posted. An easy-to-understand guide to the terminology used in the environmental and social reports or documents will also be posted on the website. In addition, the site will provide details about the Grievance Redress Mechanism (Subsection 11) and contact details of the Community Liaison Officer. Barqi Tojik will update and maintain the website regularly during project implementation, at least quarterly.

The disclosure process associated with the release of project environmental and social documentation, including the SEP, is being implemented as follows:

• Placement of the ESMF, RPF, and SEP in public domain. This took place during the week of 22 May.

• 60-day disclosure period, through 20 July

• Public consultation meetings in project affected communities and with other stakeholders to present and discuss findings of the ESMF and measures proposed in the ESMP. Meetings were held in Farkhor, Khamodoni, and Shamsiddini Shohin districts, as described below.

• Addressing stakeholder feedback received on the entire disclosure package. Feedback was provided during the meetings. None of the comments and questions required changes to the ESMF or other documents.

The SEP will remain in the public domain for the entire period of project development and will be updated as needed as the project progresses through its various phases. This will help to ensure timely identification of new stakeholders and interested parties and their involvement in the process of collaboration with the project. The methods of engagement will also be reviewed periodically to assess

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 78 their effectiveness and relevance to the project’s evolving environment, and will be modified as necessary to ensure continued effectiveness. .

In the week of 24 April, Barqi Tojik advertised and gave notice of meetings in selected jamoats. At the meetings, Barqi Tojik distributed brochures and presented information on the overall project and on the subproject that would be implemented to electrify villages. They noted that more detail information on the project as well as full documentation on environmental and social aspects of the projects are available on the Barqi Tojik website.

Farkhor District The first meeting was held on 1 May in the conference hall of the Khukumat building in the Farkhor District. A total of 33 people, 28 men and five women from nearby communities attended, as shown in Figure 6. Barqi Tojik asked people to sign in and receive brochures that describe the project. Barqi Tojik’s presentation noted that poles will be located so that no households will need to be relocated, but that compensation would be paid when poles were on agricultural or other land or when people suffered any sort of losses.

As described in Annex 5, attendees asked about how they could receive information, when the start date would be employed, and how NGOs would contribute to the project. Barqi Tojik responded to each question, simply acknowledging questions and requests that were not directly part of the project. No attendees expressed any reservations or objections to the projects.

Khamadoni District Another meeting was held the same day, 1 May, in the conference-hall of the District Finance Department of Khamadoni District. A total of 69 people attended, 43 men and 26 women, as shown in Figure 6. Barqi Tojik asked people to sign in and receive brochures that describe the project. Barqi Tojik’s presentation noted that poles will be located so that no households will need to be relocated, but that compensation would be paid when poles were on agricultural or other land or when people suffered any sort of losses.

Figure 6. Consultation meeting in Farkhor District, 1 May 2019

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 79 As described in Annex 6, attendees asked about which villages would be electrified, if the project would replace a transformer in their village, about houses under an existing line, and other topics. Barqi Tojik responded to each question, acknowledging questions and requests that were not directly part of the project and promising to pass on some requests to the project team. No attendees expressed any reservations or objections to the projects.

Figure 7. Consultation meeting in Khamadoni District, 1 May 2019

Shamsiddin Shohin District A third meeting was held on 2 May 2019 in the conference hall of Jamoat Shurobod in Shamsiddin Shohin District. A total of 33 people attended, 32 men and 1 woman, as shown in Figure 6. Barqi Tojik asked people to sign in and receive brochures that describe the project. As in the other meetings, Barqi Tojik’s presentation noted that poles will be located so that no households will need to be relocated, but that compensation would be paid when poles were on agricultural or other land or when people suffered any sort of losses.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 80 As described in Annex 7, attendees asked if their village would be electrified, if some old poles could be replaced, when the project would start, if smaller villages could be replaced by larger ones, and who the contractor would be. which villages would be electrified, if the project would replace a transformer in their village, about houses under an existing line, and other topics. Barqi Tojik responded to each question and comment, acknowledging questions and requests that were not directly part of the project and promising to pass on some requests to the project team. No attendees expressed any reservations or objections to the projects.

Figure 8. Consultation meeting in Shamsiddin Shohin District, 2 May 2019

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 81 11. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

Project-affected-people and any other stakeholder may submit comments or complaints at any time by using the project’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The overall objectives of the GRM are to:

• Provide a transparent process for timely identification and resolution of issues affecting the project and people, including issues related to the resettlement and compensation program.

• Strengthen accountability to beneficiaries, including project affected people.

The GRM will be accessible to all external project stakeholders, including affected people, community members, civil society, media, and other interested parties. External stakeholders can use the GRM to submit complaints, feedback, queries, suggestions, or even compliments related to the overall management and implementation of the project, including the resettlement and compensation program. The GRM is intended to address issues and complaints in an efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner. A separate mechanism will be available to Barqi Tajik and contractor employees, who are internal stakeholders.

Barqi Tojik will be responsible for managing the stakeholder GRM, but many or most grievances are likely to result from actions of the construction contractors and so will need to be resolved by the contractors themselves, with Barqi Tojik oversight. Typical grievances for hydropower and construction projects could include issues related to:

• Land acquisition and compensation

• Construction damages to property, crops, or animals

• Traffic

• Environmental impacts such as erosion

• Nuisances such as dust or noise

• Worker misbehavior

• Reduction in water flows in the river

The GRM will be in place and operational before Barqi Tojik begins construction activities and will function until the completion of all construction activities and beyond, at least until the contractor’s defect liability period ends. Initial compensation for land and property needed for the project will be completed before construction begins. People who reside near the line and others who may be affected will be informed, in meetings and with brochures, of the GRM’s purpose, functions, procedures, timelines and contact persons. Additional measures will be taken to inform those who are determined to be eligible for compensation.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 82 The project GRM will include three successive tiers of extra-judicial grievance review and resolution:

• The first tier will be the Barqi Tojik E&S team, including the Community Liaison Officer. They will deal quickly with issues that can be quickly resolved, and would always involve direct communication with the person(s) who submitted the grievance.

• The second tier will be a Grievance Resolution Committee (GRC1) that includes representatives of Barqi Tojik and of the complainant’s village and Jamoat. The GRC1 will deal with issues that could not be resolved in the first tier.

• The third tier will be a Grievance Redress Commission (GRC2) that included one or more senior Barqi Tojik managers and one or more Jamoat and/or village leaders. GRC2 will resolve issues that could not be resolved by GRC1.

Grievances will be handled as described in the following subsection.

Grievance resolution process

Information about the GRM will be publicized as part of the initial disclosure consultations in the participating Jamoats and villages. Brochures will be distributed during consultations and public meetings, and posters will be displayed in public places such as in government offices, project offices, village notice boards, community centers, etc. Information about the GRM will also be posted online on the Barqi Tojik website (http://www.barqitojik.tj/en/)

The overall process for the GRM will include six steps, as shown on Figure 9 and described below. This builds on the way grievances are typically managed, which is illustrated in Figure 10

Figure 9 Schematic process of GRM mechanisms Source: Agarwal, Sanjay and David Post. 2009. Feedback Matters: Designing Effective Grievance Redress Mechanisms for Bank-Financed Projects – Part I. SDV. World Bank.

Step 1: Uptake. Project stakeholders will be able to provide feedback and report complaints through several channels: in person at offices (village/mahalla, jamaat, project, and Barqi Tojik offices) and at project sites, and by mail, telephone, and email.

• Step 2: Sorting and processing. Complaints and feedback will be compiled by the Community Liaison Officer and recorded in a register. Submissions related to the resettlement and compensation program will be referred to the HSE Department for processing and resolution. The Department will assign one individual to be responsible for dealing with each complaint, including following through within Barqi Tojik and with the complainant to arrive at a resolution, with the goal to resolve complaints within 15 days of receipt.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 83

Figure 10. Typical grievance resolution process

• Step 3: Acknowledgement and follow-up. Within seven (7) days of the date a complaint is submitted, the responsible person will communicate with the complainant and provide information on the likely course of action and the anticipated timeframe for resolution of the complaint. If complaints are not resolved within 15 days, the responsible person will provide an update about the status of the complaint/question to the complainant and again provide an estimate of how long it will take to resolve the issue. In addition, the HSE

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 84 Department will report to the General Director every two weeks on grievances that have remained unresolved for 30 days or more.

• Step 4: Verification, investigation and action. This step involves gathering information about the grievance to determine the facts surrounding the issue and verifying the complaint’s validity, and then developing a proposed resolution, which could include changes of decisions concerning eligibility for compensation, additional compensation or assistance, changes in the program itself, other actions, or no actions. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the process can include site visits, document reviews, a meeting with the complainant (if known and willing to engage), and meetings with others (both those associated with the project and outside) who may have knowledge or can otherwise help resolve the issue. It is expected that many or most grievances would be resolved at this stage. All activities taken during this and the other steps will be fully documented, and any resolution logged in the register.

• Step 5: Monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring refers to the process of tracking grievances and assessing the progress that has been toward resolution. The HSE Department will be responsible for consolidating, monitoring, and reporting on complaints, enquiries and other feedback that have been received, resolved, or pending. This will be accomplished by maintaining the grievance register and records of all steps taken to resolve grievances or otherwise respond to feedback and questions. Typical grievance resolution process is shown on Figure 4.

• Step 6: Providing Feedback. This step involves informing those to submit complaints, feedback, and questions about how issues were resolved, or providing answers to questions. Whenever possible, complainants should be informed of the proposed resolution in person. If the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution, he or she will be informed of further options, which would include pursuing remedies through the World Bank, as described below, or through avenues afforded by the Tajikistan legal system. On a monthly basis, the HSE Department will report to the General Director on grievances resolved since the previous report and on grievances that remain unresolved, with an explanation as to steps to be taken to resolve grievances that have not been resolved within 30 days. Data on grievances and/or original grievance logs will be made available to World Bank missions on request, and summaries of grievances and resolutions will be included in periodic reports to the World Bank. Barqi Tojik will be responsible for carrying grievances through all six steps. Step 4 (Verify, Investigate, and Act) could involve interviews of the aggrieved party, workers, or other stakeholders; review of records; consultation with authorities; and/or other fact-finding activities. If the grievance cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, it will be referred to GRC1, who would retrace Step 4 as needed. The steps following the initial investigation and proposed solution would proceed as follows:

• Determination of proposed resolution or referral to second tier: - If resolution is proposed: referral to E&S manager for review and approval (including refinements). Once approved, responsible person would communicate resolution to complainant and refer to corporate management for implementation.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 85 - If referred to second tier, GRC1 would consider facts determined by initial review and conduct such other fact-finding as needed, including interviews of complainant and others if necessary.

• GRC1 recommends resolution or refers to GRC2: - If resolution is proposed: referral to Barqi Tojik for implementation, including communication to complainant. - If referred to third tier, GRC2 to meet and discuss facts as determined by initial tiers and make determination of proposed resolution.

• GRC2-recommended resolution: referred to Barqi Tojik for communication to complainant and implementation of recommended actions (if any)

• Complainant would be asked to acknowledge acceptance (or rejection) of the resolution.

• Barqi Tojik would then implement actions that are part of the resolution (if any).

If a person who submits a grievance is not satisfied with the resolution at the first or second tiers, he or she may request it be elevated to the next tier. If they are not satisfied with the ultimate resolution, they may pursue legal remedies in court or pursue other avenues as described in section 5.6. Throughout the entire process, Barqi Tojik will maintain detailed records of all deliberations, investigations, findings, and actions, and will maintain a summary log that tracks the overall process.

Grievance processing

Anyone who believes they are eligible for compensation can submit a grievance:

• By completing a written grievance form that will be available (a) in the Jamoat and in the villages crossed by the line, (b) at Barqi Tojik offices and on their website, and (c) from CLOs or other members of the HSE Department. An example of a grievance registration form is provided in Annex 2.

• By contacting the Barqi Tojik Community Liaison Officer or other member of the Barqi Tojik HSE Department team, either by telephone or in person. In addition, grievances may be communicated to contractor supervisors or to Barqi Tojik electrical inspectors, who will be briefed on receiving and reporting complaints. Grievances received verbally will be recorded by the Community Liaison Officer on a grievance registration form and logged into the Grievance Register. A copy of the logged grievance will be given to the complainant, giving them the opportunity to alert Barqi Tojik if the grievance has not been noted down correctly.

Barqi Tojik will explain to local communities the possibilities and ways to raise a grievance during consultation meetings organized in each village when this draft SEP and other draft documents are disclosed and then at quarterly meetings thereafter. The GRM procedures will be disclosed through the Project’s website and will also be described in a brochure or pamphlet made available in Jamoat administration buildings.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 86 The Barqi Tojik Community Liaison Officer team will be responsible for logging and tracking grievances. As noted above, one person will be assigned responsibility for investigating and recommending resolution to each grievance, or to recommend referral to GRC1.

Information to be recorded in the grievance log will include name and contact details of the complainant and a summary of the grievance and how and when it was submitted, acknowledged, responded to and closed out. All grievances will be acknowledged within 7 days and resolved as quickly as possible. If there has been no resolution within 30 days, the person assigned responsibility for the grievance will contact the complainant to explain the reason for the delay. A generic flow chart for registering and processing grievances is shown in Figure 4. The status, number, and trends of grievances will be discussed between the project team and Barqi Tajik senior management during meetings held at least monthly and more frequently as needed.

A grievance will be considered “resolved” or “closed” when a resolution satisfactory to both parties has been reached, and after any required corrective measures have been successfully implemented. When a proposed solution is agreed by the complainant, the time needed to implement it will depend on the nature of the solution. Once the solution is being implemented or is implemented to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complaint will be closed out and acknowledged in writing by both the complainant and Barqi Tojik.

In certain situations, it may not be possible to reach a satisfactory resolution. This could occur if a complaint cannot be substantiated or is proved to be speculative or fraudulent. In such situations, Barqi Tojik’ s efforts to investigate the grievance and to arrive at a conclusion will be well documented and the complainant advised of the situation. It is also possible that a complainant will not be satisfied with the proposed resolution. In such cases, if Barqi Tojik cannot do more, the complainant will be asked to acknowledge refusal of the proposed resolution in writing. Barqi Tojik will then decide whether to implement the resolution without the agreement of the complainant and the complainant will decide whether to pursue legal remedies.

Grievance logs

As noted previously, the HSE Department will maintain a grievance log. This log will include at least the following information:

• Individual reference number

• Name of the person submitting the complaint, question, or other feedback, address and/or contact information (unless the complaint has been submitted anonymously)

• Details of the complaint, feedback, or question/her location and details of his / her complaint.

• Date of the complaint.

• Name of person assigned to deal with the complaint (acknowledge to the complainant, investigate, propose resolutions, etc.)

• Details of proposed resolution, including person(s) who will be responsible for authorizing and implementing any corrective actions that are part of the proposed resolution Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 87

• Date when proposed resolution was communicated to the complainant (unless anonymous)

• Date when the complainant acknowledged, in writing if possible, being informed of the proposed resolution

• Details of whether the complainant was satisfied with the resolution, and whether the complaint can be closed out

• If necessary, details of GRC1 and GRC2 referrals, activities, and decisions

• Date when the resolution is implemented (if any).

Monitoring and reporting on grievances

Details of monitoring and reporting are described above. Day-to-day implementation of the GRM and reporting to the World Bank will be the responsibility of the HSE Department. To ensure management oversight of grievance handling, the Internal Audit Unit will be responsible for monitoring the overall process, including verification that agreed resolutions are actually implemented.

Barqi Tajik Contact information

• Mr Habibov Ubaidullo - Head of PRG Energy Loss Reduction OSHC "Barqi Tojik"; [email protected]

• Mr Nazar Nazarzoda - Head of Project Management Unit for energy sector (PMUES)

• OSHC "Barqi Tojik", [email protected]

Information on the proposed last-mile connection projects and future stakeholder engagement programs will available on the Barqi Tajik website and will be posted on information boards in the villages crossed by the line. Information can also be obtained from Barqi Tajik office in Dushanbe.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 88 Annex 1: Example Grievance Form

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 89 Grievance Form Grievance reference number (to be completed by Barqi Tojik): Contact details Name (s): (may be submitted anonymously) Address: Telephone: Email: How would you prefer to be By mail/post: By phone: By email contacted (check one) ☐ ☐ ☐ Preferred language ☐ Tajik ☐ Russian ☐ English Provide details of your grievance. Please describe the problem, who it happened to, when and where it happened, how many times, etc. Describe in as much detail as possible.

What is your suggested resolution for the grievance, if you have one? Is there something you would like Barqi Tojik or another party/person to do to solve the problem?

How have you submitted this form Website email By hand to the project? ☐ ☐ ☐ In person By telephone Other (specify) ☐ ☐ ☐ Who filled out this form (If not the Name and contact details: person named above)? Signature

Name of Barqi Tojik person assigned responsibility Resolved or referred to GRC1? ☐ Resolved ☐ Referred If referred, date: Resolved referred to GRC2? ☐ Resolved ☐ Referred If referred, date: Completion

Final resolution (briefly describe) Short description Accepted? Acknowledgement signature (Y/N) 1st proposed solution 2nd proposed solution 3rd proposed solution

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 90 Annex 2: Example of standardized ESMP

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 68 Example of standardized ESMP applicable for low voltage power transmission lines

Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation 1.0 Procurement Phase 1.1 Preparation of bidding Failure to optimize design to As required by World Bank Standard Procurement ‒ Designer understands Barqi Tojik documents for design of avoid impacts on people and Documents, include relevant documentation (ESIA, need to minimize transmission line environment RPF, SEP) in procurement documents. Include the impacts World Bank following in work requirements: ‒ No physical (approval) ‒ Avoid household plots with occupied houses or displacement and buildings minimal economic ‒ Where feasible, avoid placing towers on arable displacement land used for crops, hay, and orchards ‒ Where feasible, align corridor to avoid the need to cut back trees, including orchards 1.2 Preparation of bidding/ Failure of bidders to recognize As required by World Bank Standard Procurement ‒ Bidders understand E&S Barqi Tojik procurement E&S requirements, to plan for Documents, include relevant documentation (ESIA, requirements and documents for E&S management, and to RPF, SEP, ESCP) in procurement documents, for prepare responsive World Bank transmission line incorporate E&S construction contracts and require proposals to proposals (approval) construction requirements in proposals include the following plans as part of Management ‒ Higher E&S capacity by and planning Strategies and Implementation Plan: bidders ‒ Occupational health and safety plan ‒ Realistic proposals ‒ Land management and erosion control plan ‒ Worker Code of Conduct and Grievance Redress Mechanism Define key personnel to include, for the project (that is, not corporate-level): ‒ E&S manager ‒ Safety manager ‒ Biodiversity specialist (as required) ‒ Community liaison/social specialist ‒ HR manager 1.3 Preparation of bidding/ Failure of bidders to recognize As required by World Bank Standard Procurement ‒ Bidders understand E&S Barqi Tojik procurement E&S requirements, to plan for Documents, include relevant documentation (ESMF, requirements and documents for E&S management, and to RPF, SEP, ESCP) in procurement documents, and prepare responsive World Bank substation construction consider E&S requirements in require proposals to include the following plans as proposals (approval) cost proposal part of Management Strategies and Implementation ‒ Higher E&S capacity by Plan: bidders ‒ Community health and safety plan ‒ Realistic proposals ‒ Occupational health and safety plan

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 69

Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Worker Code of Conduct and Grievance Redress Mechanism Define key personnel to include, for the project (that is, not corporate-level):: ‒ E&S manager ‒ Safety manager ‒ Community liaison/social specialist ‒ HR manager 1.4 Review and evaluation Failure to consider bidders’ ‒ Inclusion of E&S specialist(s) in proposal review ‒ Bidders’ E&S Barqi Tojik of proposals E&S qualifications and team, with sufficient time provided for evaluation qualifications and experience in scoring ‒ Awareness by entire evaluation team of key E&S experience receive full proposals requirements consideration in ‒ Scoring includes corporate E&S experience and evaluations qualifications, E&S staff experience and ‒ Bidders disqualified for qualifications poor safety record, ‒ Recognition of unqualified bidders inadequate E&S qualifications and experience, or inadequate MSIP (that is, inadequate understanding of requirements) 1.5 Selection of contractors Selection of contractor ‒ MSIP plans sufficient to avoid or control impacts ‒ Award to contractor able Barqi Tojik unqualified and/or ‒ Key staff qualified and available to implement this ESMP unprepared to implement ‒ Award only to contractors with E&S qualifications ‒ Contractor ultimately World Bank ESMP full C-ESMP and experience that meet specific criteria implements ESMP (approval) satisfactorily ‒ Fewer delays in project preparation and construction 2.0 Project preparation 2.1 Implementation of ‒ Uninformed local people ‒ Outreach to identified stakeholders ‒ Well-informed Barqi Tojik Stakeholder and other stakeholders ‒ Realistic information on employment supportive community manages overall Engagement Plan (SEP) ‒ Unrealistic expectations by opportunities ‒ Realistic expectations program and local people and others ‒ Meetings with community leaders and citizens as ‒ Trust of contractor and deals with high- ‒ Long-term distrust of appropriate Barqi Tojik to resolve level grievances contractors and Barqi Tojik ‒ Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism issues - Protests or other disruptions ‒ Timely resolution of Contractor - Vandalism grievances implements on

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Train project personnel (Barqi Tojik, contractors, day-to-day basis etc.) in relevant requirements of SEP, including during receiving and reporting grievances construction 2.2 Management of E&S ‒ Failure to hire qualified ‒ Assign key E&S personnel defined in items 1.2 Qualified staff in sufficient Contractor issues specialists with sufficient (transmission line) and 1.3 (substation) and numbers to time to manage issues provide sufficient time to perform duties implement/oversee C- ‒ Excessive E&S impacts due ‒ Employ and train sufficient safety officers: at least ESMP to mismanagement or one per work crew and overall ratio of at least 1 failure to manage E&S per 50 workers issues ‒ Train managers and supervisors/foremen in key requirements for E&S mitigation (i.e.., this ESMP and monitoring plan) ‒ Develop checklists for use by E&S staff to record findings ‒ Develop templates for monthly E&S reports to Supervisions Consultant ‒ Develop templates for investigating and addressing root cause of serious incidents /injuries/accidents ‒ Develop registers for recording grievances from external stakeholders and from workers 2.3 Complete Contractors’ ‒ Contractor begins works ‒ Plans prepared by qualified E&S specialists and ‒ No activities undertaken ‒ Contractor Construction ESMP (C- without programs to avoid project managers without underlying (prepare) ESMP) by preparing/ or minimize impacts on ‒ Supervision Consultant to review and approve all procedure or plan to ‒ updating; human and environmental C-ESMP plans and procedures protect E&S ‒ Supervision ‒ Materials and Waste resources: ‒ All plans reviewed and ultimately approved by ‒ Comprehensive Consultant Management Plan ‒ Unsafe vehicles, accidents qualified experts contractor program for (approve) ‒ Land Management ‒ Damage to protected flora ‒ Code of Conduct adopted, acknowledged and avoiding and minimizing ‒ and Erosion Control ‒ Subcontractor E&S signed by all workers on site (Contractor, Sub- impacts Barqi Tojik ‒ Community Health performance not managed Contractors, Supervisor, as applicable) ‒ Subcontractor ‒ to review and Safety Plan ‒ Noise disturbances to compliance with plans ‒ Labor Management communities ‒ All activities in Procedure. ‒ Community disruption, accordance with C-ESMP ‒ Refuelling and Spill violence, crime, disease ‒ No unacceptable or Prevention Plan due to worker influx unpredictable impacts ‒ Worker Occupational ‒ Unsafe and/or unsanitary Health and Safety accommodations Plan ‒ HR Manual

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Worker Code of Conduct Develop detailed method statements on: ‒ Traffic management ‒ Emergency response; ‒ Flora, fauna, and habitat survey required for finalization of design; ‒ Working in or near surface water bodies; ‒ Worker accommodation and work camp management 2.4 Conduct detailed study Foundations placed on Implement geological study to identify measure to Stable towers on stable Design contractor of unstable ground avoid or overcome unsafe/unstable locations ground geomorphology/geolog Tower collapse results and recommendations to avoid high-risk y to identify high-risk Landslides and/or severe locations locations erosion 2.5 Prepare and implement Unplanned impacts on Appoint qualified consultants to prepare and ‒ Minimal impacts on Barqi Tojik biodiversity and cultural biodiversity or cultural implement survey plans. Biodiversity survey plan to biodiversity, no impact heritage survey plans resources require, for entire corridor and substation site: on species of ‒ Qualified expert to prepare and implement, conservation concern during spring or summery ‒ No impacts on cultural ‒ Identification of trees that will need to be cut heritage down or cut back. Location for replacement trees ‒ Identification of trees and buildings with bat roosts, hibernation sites, breeding pairs ‒ Identification of trees with owl or raptor nests ‒ Presence of birds or other fauna of conservation concern and assessment of likelihood of adverse impact ‒ Identification of nesting and breeding birds and other fauna ‒ Plan for planting 2+ trees for every one cut, for placing bat boxes for every bat location affected

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Requirement to delay or change activities so there will be no impact on species of conservation concern ‒ Detailed recommendations for the these and other appropriate mitigations as needed ‒ Timeframe for implementation of mitigations Cultural heritage survey plan for entire corridor and substation site, to include: ‒ Qualified expert to prepare and implement ‒ Consultations with village leaders and residents and with regional/national experts to identify locations/items of value to communities or of historic/prehistoric interest ‒ Survey to verify consultations and identify artifacts and historic/prehistoric heritage ‒ Program to avoid impacts on locations with cultural value 2.6 Develop and implement ‒ All Project Affected ‒ Appoint qualified consultant to develop RACP ‒ Physical and economic Barqi Tojik Resettlement Action Persons (PAPs) not ‒ Based on final design/locations, identify PAPs and displacement Plan (RAP) based on identified impacts, identify vulnerable people, land compensated at World Bank (RAP Resettlement Policy ‒ All physical and economic ownership, land use, valuations, etc. replacement cost or approval) Framework (RPF) displacement not ‒ Consult with PAPs more, or like-for-like compensated or replaced ‒ Consult with authorities on valuation and compensation ‒ Inadequate compensation compensation ‒ RAP implementation ‒ Violations of Tajikistan law ‒ Acquire rights to land for towers and substation, meets requirements of and/or World Bank ESS5 provide compensation or like-for-like ESS5 for land take and replacement for physical and/or economic ‒ Affected people are fully compensation displacement prior to displacement occurring compensated for losses ‒ Hardships for PAPs prior to at replacement value or compensation land-for-land ‒ Degradation of PAP ‒ Compensation paid to all livelihoods or living PAPs prior to issuing standards authorization to proceed ‒ Loss of community support to contractor ‒ Participation by authorities and PAPs in process ‒ Community support

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation 2.7 Recruit and employ ‒ Unqualified workers ‒ Implement Contractor’s Labor Management Plan ‒ Maximum hiring of PAPs Contractor workers and and/or subcontractors (LMP) and other locals.; At subcontractors ‒ Poor labor practices ‒ Preference for local hiring, with PAPs given least 50% of workforce (substandard pay, preference (50% local) from local population uninformed workers, ‒ Written contracts with workers, per LMP and Tajik ‒ Workers employed in unsafe conditions, etc.) law compliance with law ‒ Excessive staff turnover ‒ Other provisions per Labor Code of Tajikistan (nondiscrimination, ‒ Subcontracts include and require compliance with equal opportunity, contractor’s LMP and law income, etc.) ‒ Subcontracts include and require compliance with ‒ Low staff turnover C-ESMP ‒ Workers receive full induction training 2.8 Establishment of ‒ Contractor trespasses on ‒ No ground disturbance until C-ESMP approved ‒ Compliance with Contractor construction land ‒ Implement C-ESMP requirements for noise, fuel approved C-ESMP camps/laydown areas, ‒ Placement of construction and hazardous materials, noise, worker safety, ‒ No unexpected or storage areas, zones in inappropriate and community safety, etc., including worker unacceptable impacts footpaths, locations (excess tree- training ‒ All work within marked quarries/borrow areas, cutting, too close to ‒ Reach written agreements with land users prior to boundaries etc. and other land residents, etc.) undertaking activities on their lands ‒ Minimal disruption to contractor may need for ‒ Impacts outside boundary ‒ Implement recommendations from biodiversity breeding fauna temporary of designated area and cultural heritage surveys ‒ Minimal disruption to use/possession ‒ Unrecorded damage to ‒ Train/warn workers to remain within boundaries bats and owls biodiversity and penalize for violations ‒ Minimal disruption to ‒ Excess damage to ‒ Maximize use of existing paths and disturbed fauna and flora of topsoil/subsoil, vegetation areas conservation concern cover, erosion, spills and ‒ Consult with roads authority concerning Traffic ‒ Minimal disruption to soil/water contamination, Management Plan and damages to public roads traffic impacts on communities ‒ Prevent/minimize movement of vehicles and ‒ Wood and flammable equipment on unpaved roads in wet conditions debris material removed ‒ Plant 2+ trees for every one cut, place bat boxes before it becomes a fire for bat roosts disturbed, avoid disturbance of hazard breeding/nesting fauna and birds of conservation concern ‒ Minimize cutting of mature trees and trees of conservation concern: maintain log of all trees cut ‒ Maintain photographic and written log of plants of conservation concern that are cut Implement Land Management and Erosion Plan, including at a minimum:

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ To extent possible, avoid landslide-prone areas and areas with severe erosion potential ‒ Establish and mark boundaries of construction zone ‒ Keep all activities inside boundaries ‒ Strip and store topsoil within boundaries, protect from erosion ‒ Store excavated subsoil separately, protect from erosion ‒ Install drainage control as needed to control erosion that would affect off-site ‒ Place gabions, walls, silt fences or other measures as necessary to prevent erosion from leaving construction areas 2.9 Establishment of ‒ Worker illness or death ‒ If accommodations are to be provided, comply ‒ Sanitary and compliant Contractor accommodations, ‒ Worker dissatisfaction and with ESS2/IFC guidance “Workers' facilities and amenities kitchens, sanitary lower productivity Accommodation: Processes and Standards” ‒ Healthy workers facilities ‒ Contamination of land and ‒ Develop and use operating and maintenance ‒ Toilets in place where water checklists for operation of canteens/kitchens needed ‒ Appoint persons to be responsible for cleanliness of accommodations, kitchens, canteens, break areas, etc. ‒ Provide toilets at or near all work locations, establish and enforce rules prohibiting workers from using the bush 3.0 Construction phase 3.1 All activities, beginning ‒ Worker injury or death Implement Occupational health and Safety Plan, ‒ Tasks completed with no Contractor with fieldwork during ‒ Damage to vegetation, including: worker injuries or deaths preparation phase land, property outside ‒ Medical clearance for workers to perform their ‒ Tasks completed with no construction zone tasks damage to vegetation, ‒ Assessment of risks and identification of land or property outside mitigation measures for all tasks, with PPE as last construction zone resort ‒ Design tasks for maximum safe operations ‒ Workers provided with proper equipment and tools, and PPE, to accomplish tasks safely ‒ Only trained workers allowed to complete tasks ‒ Safety Officers oversee all works (minimum 1 per crew and 1:50 workers overall)

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Sufficient First Aiders to provide first-level medical care as needed ‒ Fully supplied first aid kits in all vehicles and equipment and at all workplaces ‒ Communications established with nearest medical facilities and personnel regarding works to be completed, arrange for support as appropriate ‒ Record safety statistics (work hours, near misses, minor & incidents and accidents, fatalities) ‒ Worker transport (passenger vehicles only, no riding on heavy equipment, wear safety belts, etc.) ‒ Work within boundaries, penalize supervisors and workers for violations ‒ Install physical barriers at deep excavations to prevent accidents Implement Traffic Management Plan, to include: ‒ Drivers/operators licensed for vehicles and equipment ‒ Driver trained as needed and tested ‒ Vehicles properly licensed/registered ‒ Vehicles/equipment checked for safety daily by drivers/operators (horns, tires, fire extinguisher, headlights and taillights, safety belts, intact glass, etc.) ‒ Speed limits established and enforced ‒ Require special precautions for sensitive areas (hospitals, schools, etc.) ‒ Keys never left in vehicle/equipment when driver/operator not present ‒ Consultations with roads authorities concerning use of public roads (timing, locations, etc.) ‒ Mark boundaries of construction zone before operations

3.2 Manage contractor(s) ‒ In adequate or incomplete ‒ Include evaluation of E&S performance in Full implementation of E&S Barqi Tojik implementation of E&S decisions on payment of invoices for work requirements requirements completion=

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Pay 100% of milestone completion invoices when E&S requirements have been implemented as required, reduce payment if requirements are not implemented 3.3 Manage subcontractors ‒ Subcontractors not aware ‒ Include relevant portions of C-ESMP in ‒ Subcontractor Contractor of E&S requirements procurement documents and subcontracts implementation of C- ‒ Poor labor practices and ‒ Require compliance with contractor’s LMP safety, ESMP poorly trained workers and other requirements, or equivalent ‒ No unacceptable E&S ‒ Failure to implement C- requirements approved by contractor impacts ESMP ‒ Supervision of C-ESMP implementation by ‒ Poor E&S performance, contractor and Barqi Tojik (or Supervision including safety, leading to Consultant) environmental impacts, ‒ Structure milestone payments to include C-ESMP impacts on local implementation and withhold payments for communities, and worker failure to comply injury or death 3.4 Land clearing at tower ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Implement chance find procedure if artifacts or ‒ Minimum biodiversity Contractor locations, construction ‒ Excess damage to heritage discovered damage due to land zones (tree & surrounding areas, ‒ Train workers and implement Occupational clearing vegetation cutting, land including biodiversity and Health and Safety Plan, including requirements for ‒ No damage outside clearing, excavations, private land and property working with machinery and tools, working on boundaries earthworks in some ‒ Excessive erosion steep slopes, animal/plant hazards, working in hot ‒ Limited damage to places, ‒ Landslides or cold environments, etc. ground surface and root equipment/building ‒ Agree with communities how debris/wood will be zone placement, etc.) managed, with preference for donation to PAPs ‒ Survey completed, trees ‒ To extent possible, micro-locate construction and shrubs marked boundaries to minimize cutting/clearing flora of conservation concern Implement Land Management and Erosion Control Plan including at a minimum: ‒ Mark and stay within boundaries of construction zones and paths ‒ Train/warn workers to remain within boundaries, penalize supervisors and workers for violations ‒ Strip and store topsoil and subsoil/spoil in separate piles within construction boundaries, protect from erosion ‒ Install drainage control as needed to control erosion that would affect off-site areas ‒ Restore disturbed areas per Plan

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation Implement recommendations from biodiversity surveys (if any) 3.5 Vegetation clearance ‒ Excessive impact on ‒ Cut as little of trees as necessary to maintain ‒ Minimal impact on Contractor under line biodiversity (flora, fauna, clearance through maintenance period biodiversity, no excess habitats) ‒ Agree with communities or owners (as vegetation cleared ‒ Excessive erosion appropriate) as to disposition of wood, with ‒ No direct impacts off- ‒ Landslides preference for giving to PAPs site ‒ No use of herbicides ‒ Minimal erosion, no landslides ‒ Restored land 3.6 Excavations of tower ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Train workers and supervisors in Occupational Works completed safely Contractor foundations and ‒ Excessive soil and spoil Health and Safety Plan (as above), in particular: No damage outside substation footings removed - Working in/near excavations/ confined spaces boundaries - Workers trained in use of all tools and Safe and efficient equipment operations - Use of harnesses on towers and extremely steep slopes ‒ Implement relevant provisions of Land Management and Erosion Control Plan, including: - Disturb as small an area as possible - Remove and store topsoil and spoil separately on construction site, protect from erosion - Mark and work within boundaries - Replace topsoil, ensure area is stable when complete - Establish/restore vegetative cover ‒ Provide physical barriers around excavations if no active ongoing work 3.7 Excavations and cuts on ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Train workers and supervisors on Occupational ‒ Works completed safely Contractor steep and moderate ‒ Loss or damage to Health and Safety Plan (see above): ‒ No works or damage slopes equipment - Harnesses, handrails as needed: outside construction ‒ Excessive land affected - Working in steep terrain zone boundaries ‒ Landslides - Working around heavy equipment ‒ No landslides and no ‒ Erosion ‒ Implement Land Management and Erosion Plan: severe erosion - Mark construction zone boundaries ‒ Land restored and - Strip and store topsoil (if any) and spoil on site, stabilized after works allowing none escape downhill completed

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation - Grade surfaces, install gabions, walls, silt fences, etc., as necessary to prevent landslides, slope failure, mass erosion and stabilize slopes - Clear site of all debris and waste when works are complete - Restore land (stable contour, replace topsoil if possible, restore/establish vegetative cover with native species 3.8 Erection of Worker injury or death ‒ Train workers and supervisors in Occupational ‒ Works completed safely Contractor towers/poles Damage outside construction Health and Safety Plan: lifting, working at heights, ‒ No damage outside zone electrical safety, general works, steep slopes boundaries ‒ Mark and work within boundaries of construction zone, penalize supervisors and workers for violations ‒ Remove all construction debris, restore sites when complete, including restoration of vegetative cover 3.9 Restoration of land at ‒ Post-construction against ‒ Restore all disturbed areas per Land Management Land returned to Contractor construction sites future erosion, landslides and Erosion Control Plan (see items above): productive use (towers, construction ‒ Failure to ‒ Remove all waste and debris zones/areas, temporary restore/establish ‒ Establish stable contours paths, all damaged vegetative cover ‒ Spread spoil and topsoil (except on rocky barren lands) ‒ Reduced production from terrain) cropland and grasslands ‒ Remove excess spoil/soil for use elsewhere. Donate excess fertile topsoil to PAPs ‒ Plant native species of grasses and shrubs. ‒ On land used by contractor for construction zones: restore land as above unless landowner requests modification (for example, no planting on cropland, etc.) 3.10 Protection of camps, ‒ Abuse of local population ‒ Prepare and implement Security Plan: No vandalism, theft, or Contractor storage areas, or workers, including - No armed security incidents involving security equipment, property, injury or death - Subcontractor and guards checked for licenses, Barqi Tojik substation, etc. ‒ Loss of community past abuses to approve (security) support, possibly active - Guards trained in appropriate use of force opposition - Consultations with local law enforcement ‒ Liability for contractor and authorities Barqi Tojik

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation 3.11 Placing conductors ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Train workers and supervisors in Occupational ‒ Works completed safely Contractor (stringing wires) ‒ Excess damage to land, Health and Safety Plan ‒ Minimal damage to land, crops, and forest - Work within corridor boundaries crops, etc., within - Place notice boards or otherwise notify corridor landowners of upcoming activities ‒ No damage outside - Consult with road/traffic authorities before corridor placing conductors over highways and public ‒ Losses due to damages roads compensated per RAP - Train and place flaggers to control traffic on public roads/highways while conductors are being placed overhead and when work on roadside is in places with limited visibility ‒ Repair damage to land surface immediately after operations are complete at that location ‒ As recommended by the avian expert, install bird diverters on conductors at specific valley crossings 3.12 Protect workers Child labor, forced labor, If Barqi Tojik or contractor has significant control or No child labor or forced Contractor employed by primary and/or serious safety issues at influence over primary suppliers (specifically, tower labor or serious safety (supported by suppliers primary suppliers and conductor suppliers, contractor to monitor issues at primary suppliers Barqi Tojik supplier and require improvement in labor safety ) practices or remedies in case of child or forced labor 3.13 Payment of invoices for Failure to implement E-CSMP ‒ Consider relevant E&S management ‒ Proper implementation Barqi Tojik completion of in completion of construction requirements to be an integral part of each of C-ESMP for contractor milestones milestones: erosion damage, construction milestone ‒ Minimal impacts on invoices works/damage outside ‒ Penalize initial failures to implement mitigations biodiversity, people, and construction zone by withholding partial payment until mitigations property Contractor for boundaries, poor soil/spoil are properly implemented subcontractor management, poor safety ‒ Penalize repeated failures to implement invoices practices, risks to community, mitigations by considering milestones incomplete etc. and reducing payments permanently 4.0 Demobilization 4.1 Closure of construction ‒ Contaminated soil , waters Implementation of Land Management and Erosion ‒ Areas used for Contractor areas, camps, remain after contactor Control Plan prior to departure (site restoration, construction operations accommodations, etc. departs revegetation, etc.): restored to pre- ‒ Removal of all equipment, storage units/tanks, construction uses or as debris, wastes, etc. agreed with land users ‒ Removal of contaminated soil ‒ No residual liability or damages

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Establish stable contours to eliminate standing water and match surrounding terrain as much as possible ‒ Spread spoil and replace topsoil ‒ Plant native species or take final action as requested by private landowners. ‒ Monitor plantings until established and self- sustaining 4.2 Payment of final invoice Demobilization incomplete, Withhold payment until Barqi Tojik confirms ‒ No continuing or Barqi Tojik with residual damage, demobilization is complete from E&S perspective residual damages or unrestored land, improper ‒ Appoint third party to complete restoration contamination drainage, etc. activities if contractor fails, at contractor’s ‒ Land restored to former expense use as required 5.0 Operation and maintenance 5.1 Energizing transmission ‒ Electrocution of workers ‒ Consult with communities before energizing Works completed safely Contractor and line and substation or others ‒ Workers trained per Occupational Health and Barqi Tojik ‒ Damage to towers, Safety Plan: electrical safety, working at heights, conductors, substation lifting ‒ Follow Barqi Tojik technical protocols/ procedures for energizing lines/components ‒ Keep bystanders/observers away from corridor and substation during procedure ‒ Inspect entire corridor in case of malfunction 5.2 Updates of Labor ‒ Lack of compliance with Barqi Tojik Safety Manual updated per World ‒ Updated management Barqi Tojik Management Plan and safety law Bank Group EHS General Guidelines and programs Occupational Health ‒ Worker injuries and deaths guidelines for Transmission Lines ‒ Safe working and Safety Plans ‒ Poor labor relations ‒ LMP updated to reflect World Bank ESS2 environment requirements ‒ Good labor relations 5.3 Routine maintenance ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Workers trained in requirements of Barqi Tojik ‒ Works completed safely Barqi Tojik and security patrols ‒ Damage to ground surface Safety Manual specific to their jobs ‒ Damages compensated and cover vegetation, soil ‒ Workers trained in requirement of Traffic promptly per RAP erosion Management Plan ‒ Traffic accident ‒ Compensation per RAP ‒ Damage to private property (trees, crops, etc.) 5.4 Tower repairs or ‒ Worker injury or death ‒ Same as tower construction above ‒ Works completed safely Barqi Tojik replacement

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Excess damage to ground ‒ Minimal damage in surface, vegetation, immediate vicinity of drainage, leading to tower, no damage erosion outside that area ‒ Longer power outages ‒ Damages to land repaired and land restored to previous use ‒ Compensation paid promptly per RAP 5.5 Replacement of ‒ Worker death or injury ‒ Implement Safety Manual ‒ Work completed safely Barqi Tojik conductors ‒ Damage to land from ‒ Restore damages to land immediately upon ‒ Damages to land equipment and vehicles completion (grading, revegetation per Land repaired and land ‒ Longer power outages Management and Erosion Control Plan) restored to previous use ‒ Compensate promptly for losses due to damages ‒ Compensation paid per to vegetation, crops, property RAP 5.6 Vegetation control in ‒ Worker death or injury ‒ Workers trained in risks and mitigations of tasks ‒ Work completed safely Barqi Tojik corridor/under line ‒ Trees cut too close to per Barqi Tojik Safety Manual ‒ Minimal disturbance to ground ‒ Workers provided proper and safe equipment and ground surface and ‒ Excess cutting of trees tools tree/plant roots ‒ Excess compensation paid ‒ Workers knowledgeable of boundaries of ‒ All works within vegetation control zone and remain within zone vegetation control zone ‒ Wood distributed as agreed with ‒ Debris removed before communities/owners becoming a fire hazard ‒ No use of herbicides or pesticides 6.0 All phases 6.1 Oversight of E&S ‒ Lack of timely knowledge ‒ Appoint qualified professionals to oversee E&S ‒ Barqi Tojik project HSE Barqi Tojik performance of project about contractor E&S performance on the project staff and corporate HSE (and Supervision performance ‒ If Barqi Tojik Energy supervises, project Department Consultant if ‒ Unnecessary E&S impacts management to communicate with corporate knowledgeable and up appropriate) ‒ Minor issues become management on E&S management on weekly to date on E&S major problems basis, written reports on monthly basis performance ‒ If Supervision Consultant supervises, Consultant ‒ Barqi Tojik management to communicate with to Barqi Tojik on weekly well-informed of issues basis, writeup reports on monthly basis before they become ‒ Monthly progress meetings involving contractor, problems Barqi Tojik, and (if appropriate) supervision Consultant ‒ Project management to provide data for website updates

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Barqi Tojik HSE Department (corporate) to: - Schedule and participate in consultation meetings and informal interviews - Periodically consult with municipal and village authorities - Review grievance logs periodically - Maintain communications with important NGOs - Maintain communications with Committee for Environmental Protection 6.2 Operating passenger ‒ Traffic accidents Implement Traffic Management Plan ‒ Vehicles and equipment Owner/ Operator and heavy vehicles ‒ Injury or death to drivers ‒ Trained and licensed drivers operated by authorized of vehicle: or passengers ‒ Speed limits personnel Contractor, ‒ Damage to pedestrians, ‒ Daily safety checklist ‒ No traffic accidents Supervision other drivers and ‒ Passengers only in seats designed for persons ‒ No injuries to drivers or Consultant, Barqi passengers, property (safety belts, etc.), no standing or riding in back of passengers, no damage Tojik ‒ Liability to contractor and trucks or on equipment to property project ‒ No giving rides to public ‒ No vehicle/equipment movements off construction zones and roads unless authorized by site supervisor 6.3 All construction works Damage to vegetation, land ‒ Implement relevant elements of Land ‒ All work within Contractor surface, property outside Management and Erosion Control Plan construction zone construction zone boundaries ‒ Implement relevant elements of Occupational boundaries Barqi Tojik Health and Safety Plan ‒ Minimal damages, (OHS) ‒ Control dust from soil/spoil piles and construction compensation per RAP sites by covering or vegetating, from roads by ‒ Work completed safety dampening ‒ Control noise by maintaining equipment and vehicles, training workers 6.4 Stakeholder ‒ Uninformed stakeholders ‒ Implement Stakeholder Engagement Plan ‒ Informed stakeholders Barqi Tojik engagement ‒ Distrust of Barqi Tojik ‒ Notify local authorities of ongoing maintenance ‒ Public support (manage ‒ Increased vandalism and repair operations throughout, ‒ Implement Grievance Redress Mechanism: implement receive and respond to comments and complaints during operation) Contractor (day- to-day) during construction

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation 6.5 Hazardous and ‒ Spills and contamination of Implement Materials and Wastes Management Plan, ‒ Minimal spills and Contractor nonhazardous waste soil and surface water including contamination, rapid and materials ‒ Extra cost due to wastage ‒ Minimize use of hazardous materials, using and proper cleanup as management nonhazardous substitutes wherever possible needed ‒ Store hazardous materials (including fuels) in ‒ Proper and safe waste secure area over impermeable surface management, including ‒ Material Data Safety Sheets to be kept at all third-party management locations where hazardous materials (including fuels, paints, lubricants) are stored or used ‒ Allow only authorized and trained personnel to work with hazardous materials ‒ Segregate used materials/wastes in categories to maximize ability to restore, reuse, recycle and minimize disposal ‒ Dispose wastes in licensed disposal area or hire licensed hauler to take wastes to a licensed area (verified by contractor) ‒ For hazardous wastes taken away by hauler, verify hauler’s license and verify that final disposal/recycling location is properly permitted 6.6 Vehicle and equipment ‒ Spills and contaminated ‒ Vehicle and equipment fueling and maintenance ‒ No contamination from Contractor fueling and soil or water only over impermeable surfaces. Use drip trays incidents involving maintenance ‒ Fire needed when not over paved surface. fueling ‒ Fire extinguisher with proper chemicals in all ‒ Vehicles maintained as vehicles/equipment and at all fueling locations required ‒ Spill cleanup kits at all locations where fuel and hazardous chemicals are stored and in all vehicles and mobile equipment ‒ Vehicles maintained per manufacturers’ recommendations: mufflers, safety equipment, engine and fuel burning (no black smoke), etc. 6.7 All activities within 20m ‒ Spills of fuel or other ‒ Implement procedure for working in or near ‒ No water contamination Contractor of natural watercourses materials into water surface water ‒ Minimal damage to or other perennial and ‒ Damage to streams and ‒ Barriers between work zones and water if within streams and seasonal streams water bodies 25m of water drainageways ‒ Erosion into streams and ‒ No fueling within 25m of surface water or water bodies ephemeral drainageway ‒ Vehicle/equipment crossings of drainageways or small streams only at designated locations

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Mitigation Measures/ Target outcome of No. Activities Potential Adverse Impact Responsible body Best Management Practice mitigation ‒ Apply gravel or otherwise prepare surface at places of frequent crossings to minimize damage to streambed ‒ Minimize crossings during wet weather ‒ Repair rutting and other damage to stream banks and streambeds immediately when works are completed in that area (grade, revegetate) 6.8 Responding to ‒ Worker injury or death Implement Emergency Preparedness and Response ‒ Emergencies avoided Contractor and emergencies ‒ Community member injury Plan, which is to include: ‒ Emergency equipment Barqi Tojik or death ‒ Appointment of emergency response team in place and ready if ‒ Excess damage to property ‒ Train workers in their responsibilities in case of needed or people emergencies and in responding ‒ Quick and effective ‒ Identify possible emergencies and possible responses to consequences (fire, accidents, injuries or deaths, emergencies earthquake or weather event, civil unrest, spills) ‒ Develop and use checklists to verify readiness for emergencies ‒ Place and maintain emergency response equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kits, radios/communication devices, etc.) ‒ Conduct investigations/reviews to identify causes and avoidance measures following emergencies, including accidents 6.9 Protect undiscovered Damage or destruction of Implement chance find procedure, to include ‒ Qualified personnel Contractor cultural heritage artifacts or archaeological ‒ Stop work upon discovery make judgments about remains ‒ Notify Ministry possible finds ‒ Consult with Ministry on steps to commence work ‒ Cultural heritage ‒ Protect site while awaiting work re-start protected ‒ Begin work when authorized by Ministry ‒ Train workers and supervisors in procedure

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 85 Annex 3: Generic Mitigation Measures

Activity Parameter Mitigation measures checklist General Notification - The local construction and environment inspectorates and communities have been notified of upcoming conditions and Worker activities Safety - The public has been notified of the works through appropriate notification in the media and/or at publicly accessible sites (including the site of the works) - All legally required permits have been acquired for construction and/or rehabilitation - The Contractor formally agrees that all work will be carried out in a safe and disciplined manner designed to minimize impacts on neighboring residents and environment. - Workers’ PPE will comply with international good practice (always hardhats, as needed masks and safety glasses, harnesses and safety boots) Construction Air Quality - DuringAppropriate interior signposting demolition of debristhe sites-chutes will inform shall be workers used above of key the rules first and floor regulations to follow. Activities - Demolition debris shall be kept in controlled area and sprayed with water mist to reduce debris dust - During pneumatic drilling/wall destruction dust shall be suppressed by ongoing water spraying and/or installing dust screen enclosures at site - The surrounding environment (side-walks, roads) shall be kept free of debris to minimize dust - There will be no open burning of construction / waste material at the site - There will be no excessive idling of construction vehicles at sites

Noise - Construction noise will be limited to restricted times agreed to in the permit - During operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical equipment shall be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible Water Quality - The site will establish appropriate erosion and sediment control measures such as e.g. hay bales and / or silt fences to prevent sediment from moving off site and causing excessive turbidity in nearby streams and rivers. Waste - Waste collection and disposal pathways and sites will be identified for all major waste types expected from management demolition and construction activities. - Mineral construction and demolition wastes will be separated from general refuse, organic, liquid and chemical wastes by on-site sorting and stored in appropriate containers. - Construction waste will be collected and disposed properly by licensed collectors - The records of waste disposal will be maintained as proof for proper management as designed. - Whenever feasible the contractor will reuse and recycle appropriate and viable materials (except asbestos)

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Activity Parameter Mitigation measures checklist Individual Water Quality - The approach to handling sanitary wastes and wastewater from building sites (installation or reconstruction) wastewater must be approved by the local authorities treatment system - Before being discharged into receiving waters, effluents from individual wastewater systems must be treated in order to meet the minimal quality criteria set out by national guidelines on effluent quality and wastewater treatment - Monitoring of new wastewater systems (before/after) will be carried out - Construction vehicles and machinery will be washed only in designated areas where runoff will not pollute natural surface water bodies. Affected forests, Protection - All recognized natural habitats, wetlands and protected areas in the immediate vicinity of the activity will not be wetlands and/or damaged or exploited, all staff will be strictly prohibited from hunting, foraging, logging or other damaging protected areas activities. - A survey and an inventory shall be made of large trees in the vicinity of the construction activity, large trees shall be marked and cordoned off with fencing, their root system protected, and any damage to the trees avoided - Adjacent streams and water bodies shall be protected from construction site run-off with appropriate erosion and sediment control feature to include by not limited to hay bales and silt fences Traffic and Direct or - InThere compliance will be no with unlicensed national borrowregulations pits, the quarries contractor or waste will dumpsensure inthat adjacent the construction areas, especially site is properlynot in protected secured Pedestrian Safety indirect andareas. construction related traffic regulated hazards to - Signposting, warning signs, barriers and traffic diversions: site will be clearly visible and the public warned of all public traffic potential hazards and - Traffic management system and staff training, especially for site access and near-site heavy traffic. Provision of pedestrians safe passages and crossings for pedestrians where construction traffic interferes. by - Adjustment of working hours to local traffic patterns, e.g. avoiding major transport activities construction activities

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Annex 4: Example of ESMP Monitoring Plan

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Example of Monitoring Plan What Where How When Why Who Activity (Is the parameter (Is the parameter to (Is the parameter to be (Define the frequency / or (Is the parameter (Is responsible for to be monitored?) be monitored?) monitored?) continuous?) being monitored?) monitoring?) - Observations during Technical Verify normal activities progress and Continuous or as implementation of Supervision - Inspections implementation necessary mitigation Consultant - Monthly reports and All of mitigation measures construction measures, All areas incident reports works compliance with Third-party Verify Tajik E&S law, Annually during consultant E&S monitoring audit implementation of World Bank ESF, construction appointed by Barqi C-ESMP and C-ESMP Tojik

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 69 Annex 5. Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Farkhor District

Location Number of people Number of men Number of women 1 May 2019 Farkhor district, Conference 33 28 5 Hall of the Khukumat building

Purpose: To describe the objectives and activities for the proposed Project, including environmental and social management framework issues and solicit feedback

Khatlon Province Public Consultations (May 2019) Date: 1 May 2019 Location: Farkhor district, conference-hall of Khukumat building

Panel Members: • M.Kamolzoda, Chairman of Farkhor district • Nusratullo Asrorzoda, PMUES/ Barki Tojik; • Firuz Muhammadjonov, specialist of the Ministry of energy and Water resources

List of participants (presented below): 33 participants

Comments, notes, conclusions At the meeting, presentations were made on the environmental and social management framework issues for the proposed Rural electrification project.

Information was given on the requirements of WB safeguards policies, national environmental legislation, potential impacts of the project, safety issues, proposed mitigation measures in EMP, aspects of monitoring (leaflets on project and ESMF in Russian were distributed to participants, Power point presentations done in Tajik).

# Question / Comment Answer 1 Will the routes of the Yes, at the stage of detail designing transmission/distribution lines be with the public? 2 Will local people be hired? Yes, there is relevant provisions in ESMF project 3 60 households live in the village of Noted Obshoron. We have a transformer, but the population is not able to conduct electricity to their homes. 4 How many households in Farkhor district, 543 households will the project provide with electricity ? 5 How can non-governmental organizations There is no special focus for the NGOs, but NGOs contribute to or work with this project? can participate in awareness raising, information and capacity building activities 6 When the project will start? Project commencement is expected this year or beginning of 2020.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 70 Participants noted that the components of the proposed project will not have negative environmental, social and health impacts.

All participants concluded that the implementation of the ESMF provisions and appropriate mitigation measures for the consequences of the project activities will have a largely positive impact on their safety, livelihood and the business climate of the country.

Consultations in Farkhor district – 1 May 2019

List of public consultations participants in Farkhor district, 1 May 2019

N Name of Jamoat/village, professional occupation participants 1 Saidov T. Darh jamoat, Chairman of dehkan farm 2 Nazimov B. Non-employed resident 3 Tohirov R. Jamoat Dehkonoi, Obshoron village, farmer 4 Kholov Sh. Jamoat Darkad, farmer 5 Alimov A. Jamoat Darkad, farmer 6 Kamolov E. Jamoat 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 7 Rajabov D. Jamoat Darkad, farmer 8 Safarov A. Jamoat 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 9 Kamolov F. Jamoat 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 10 Sharifov Jamoati Gairat, specialist of Economy Department 11 Kurbonov B. Jamoati Gulshan, specialist of agriculture Department 12 Hakimov H. Jamoati Mahram, specialist of transport department 13 Razikov F. Jamoatu dehoti Farkhor, non-employed 14 Turahonov Kh. Jamoatu dehoti Farkhor, v.Urtabuz, specialist of architecture department 15 Vaduhov T. Sayora village, press secretary of the Chaiman of Farkhor district 16 Sharifov S. Jamoati dehoti Farkhor, farmer 17 Shariifov Sh. Jamoati dehoti Farkhor, farmer 18 Mahmadaminov S. Jamoat Vatan, farmer 19 Gayurov H. Jamoat Vatan, farmer

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 71 20 Manonov R. Jamoat Vatan, farmer 21 Gadoev S. Jamoati dehai Farhor, farmer 22 Isroilzoda M. Jamoat Darkad, farmer 23 Murodova S. Jamoati 20 solagii Istikloliyat, housewife 24 Kholnazarova M. Jamoati 20 solagii Istikloliyat, housewife 25 Anvarov A. Jamoati 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 26 Nuraliev S. Jamoati 20 solagii Istikloliyat, specialist of district electric station :Rogun” 27 Soliev S. Jamoat 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 28 Ibrohimova R. Kuhandiyor village, housewife 29 Mirova F. Kuhandiyor village, housewife 30 Anvarova Z. Kuhandiyor village, housewife 31 Saidov G. Jamoat 20 solagii Istikloliyat, farmer 32 Toshev Sh. Jamoat Galaba, Nurmat Safar village, driver 33 Mahmadiev Y. Jamoat Galaba, Nurmat Safar village, farmer

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Annex 6.Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Khamadoni District

Location Number of people Number of men Number of women 1 May 2019 Khamadoni district, 69 43 26 conference-hall of district Finance department

Purpose: To describe the objectives and activities for the proposed Project, including environmental and social management framework issues and solicit feedback

Khatlon Province Public Consultations (May 2019) Date: 1 May 2019 Location: Khamadoni district, conference-hall of district Finance department

Panel Members: • Nusratullo Safarzoda, Deputy Chairman of Khamadoni district • Nusratullo Asrorzoda, PMUES/ Barki Tojik; • Firuz Muhammadjonov, specialist of the Ministry of energy and Water resources

List of participants (presented below): 69 participants

Comments, notes, conclusions At the meeting, presentations were made on the environmental and social management framework issues for the proposed Rural electrification project.

# Question / Comment Answer 1 We installed a transformer, but many Unfortunately not. As we said during the people are not taking into account the presentation, the main goal of the project is to safety precautions and this caused a weak provide electricity to villages that are not connected transmission of electricity. Does the project to the national grid. include the purchase of an additional transformer?

2 There is no electricity in our village Your village is included into the project list. Zafarobod, we need a transformer and a . power line.

3 In the village of Chubek, the power line No, this is beyond the scope of our project. And if the passes over 30 newly built houses. Does the power line was constructed before the houses project consider moving this line further construction, it means that the houses are built in the away from these households? wrong place. We will pass your request to the Project team

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 75 Out of 276 households, only 105 live in the village of Turdi Jamoat Somoniyen because of the lack of electricity. Is it possible to include our village in the project too? 5 We have a request for those construction Noted. Thank you very much for your suggestions. works that are planned under the project for . the replacement of poles for the 10 kV and 0.4 kV power lines. 6 In the village of Tokiston we installed a Noted. We will pass your request to the Project team transformer at our own expense. We need help with the power line installation. Can the project help us?

Participants noted that the components of the proposed project will not have negative environmental, social and health impacts.

Consultations in Khamadoni district – 1 May 2019

List of public consultations participants in Khamadoni, 1 May 2019

N Name of Jamoat/village, professional occupation participants 1 Jurakulov B. Jamoat Chubek, Mervari bolo village, farmer 2 Kurbonaliev D. Jamoat Chubek, Mervari bolo village, farmer 3 Kurbonov B. Jamoat Chubek, Mervari bolo village, farmer 4 Kurbonob N. Jamoat Chubek, Mervari bolo village, farmer 5 Saidmurodov U. Jamoat Chubek, Mervari bolo village, farmer 6 Hasanov F. Jamoat Mehnatobod, village Dusti, senior doctor

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 76 7 Tyraeva Kh. Jamoat Kahramon, village Bog, senior doctor 8 Kuvvatova A. Jamoat Mehnatobod, nurse 9 Gahlonova M. Jamoat Mehnatobod, nurse 10 Mahmadulloi H. Jamoat Mehnatobod, nurse 11 Mirzoboeva M. Jamoat Mehnatobod, nurse 12 Isufov U. Jamoat Mehnatobod, family doctor 13 Marjonai M. Jamoat Mehnatobod, nurse 14 Aminai Khairullo Jamoat Mehnatobod, village Dusti, nurse 15 Mirzoev N. Jamoat Dashtigulho, village Sharifov Izotulllo, student 16 Safarov O. Jamoat Dashtigulho,, village Murod Rahan 17 Hairullo H. Jamoat Dashtigulho, student 18 Nigmonov H. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 19 Karimov H. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 20 Unusov A. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 21 Buhoriev S. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 22 Karimov B. Jamoat Dashtigulho, chaiman of mahalla 23 Hidratkulob N. Jamoat Panjob, village Zafarobod, farmer 24 Salimov M. Jamoat Panjob, village Zafarobod, pensioner 25 Davlatov M. Jamoat Panjob, village Zafarobod, farmer 26 Mahmadaliev I. Jamoat Panjob, village Zafarobod, farmer 27 Kurbanov M. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 28 Salimov M. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 29 Kodirov Sh. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 30 Idiev I. Jamoat Dashtigulho, farmer 31 Umarova S. Jamoat Panjob, village Zafarobod 32 Zimatova B. Jamoat Shahrak, doctor 33 Mahmadalieva S. Jamoat Shahrak, teacher 34 Nabieva M. Jamoar Shahrak, nurse 35 Odinaeva T. Jamoar Shahrak, nurse 36 Ashurov V. Jamoar Shahrak, teacher, school 14 37 Kosimova N. Jamoar Shahrak, teacher, school 14 38 Majidova G. Jamoar Shahrak, teacher, school 14 39 Negmatullaeva Sh. Jamoar Shahrak, teacher, school 14 39 Katahonova H. Jamoar Shahrak, nurse 40 Odinaev D. Jamoat Chubek, village Mehvar 41 Sharipov S. Jamoat Dashtigulho, village Izatullo Sharipov, accountant 42 Olimova D. Director of school N54, Khamadoni center 43 Guldastai Mirzoali. Village Panjob, student, school N13 44 Ismoilova Sh. Jamoat Shahrak, student, school N13 45 Pirova Z. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 46 Azimova S. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 47 Rahmatulloeva O. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 48 Mirova S. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 49 Nazarova K. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 50 Mirovonova N. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 51 Abdullaeva H. Village Panjob,j.Tokiston, housewife 52 Holikov A. Faizobod, jamoat Dashtogulho, teacher 53 Odinaev Sh. Jamoat Panjob, farmer 54 Abdurasulov M. Jamoat Panjob, farmer 55 Dilshodova M. Jamoat Panjob, photographer

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 77 56 Abdurahimov J. Jamoat Shahrak, deputy head of energy department 57 Muhabbatov A. Village Guliston, master 58 Nazarov N. Village Guliston, Engineer 59 Abdurahimov T. Village Gadoi, master 60 Uldashev T. Village Tokiston, farmer 61 Maliev F. Jamoat Panjrud, village Badal, senior specialist on regigion matters 62 Niyozov U. Village Obshoron, jamoat Turdiev, engineer 63 Sharipov E. Village Anjirkon, engineer 64 Zarifov Sh. Moskva city, specialist of energy department 65 Latiipov U. Village Somoniyoun, farmer 66 Boimatov F. Village Sairob, trader 67 Rozikov F. Village Sairob, trader 68 Kalonov F. Village Sairob, trader 69 Zafarov Z. Village Sairob, farmer

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Annex 7. Minutes of Consultation Meeting in Shamsiddin Shohin District

Location Number of people Number of men Number of women 2 May 2019 Shamsiddin Shohin district, 32 31 1 Conference Hall of Jamoat Shurobod

Purpose: To describe the objectives and activities for the proposed Project, including environmental and social management framework issues and solicit feedback

Khatlon Province Public Consultations (May 2019) Date: 2 May 2019 Location: Shamsiddinin Shohin district, conference-hall of Jamoat Shurobod building

Panel Members: • Askar Mirzomatzoda, Head of Executive department of the Chairman of Shamsiddinin Shohin district • Nusratullo Asrorzoda, PMUES/ Barqi Tojik; • Firuz Muhammadjonov, specialist of the Ministry of energy and Water resources

List of participants (presented below): 32 participants

Comments, notes, conclusions At the meeting, presentations were made on the environmental and social management framework issues for the proposed Rural electrification project.

# Question / Comment Answer 1 112 households live in the village of Kuhdoman, This village is not selected for the project and we are connected to transformers of other villages. Also in the village, school number 2 has no connection to the electricity system, and the power lines in very poor condition have been operating for more than 30 years. Does the project take into account the installation of a transformer and the replacement of a power line in our village?

2 Village Khairkoron : 2-3 power lines here are very As we explained during the presentation, the main old. Does the project take into account the goal of the project is to provide electricity to those replacement of old power lines with new ones? villages that are not connected to the national grid.

Environmental and Social Management Framework For Grid Connections in Khatlon Region, Tajikistan 69 Our electronic devices are constantly failing due to differential electricity. Can the project help us solve this problem?

3 In the village of Khairkoron, the population is cut Noted down trees and use them as power line supports. We need help in solving this problem, since it does not meet the current requirements.

4 In some of selected villages, there are only one or Noted. We will inform the Project team two households or even nobody live there. Can be those villages replaced by other ones where more beneficiaries? 5 When the project will start? It is planned in 2019 or beginning of 2020 6 Who will be contractor? We will have the tender process

Participants noted that the components of the proposed project will not have negative environmental, social and health impacts.

Consultations in Shamsiddini Shohin district – 2 May 2019

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List of public consultations participants in Shamsiddini Shohin, 2 May 2019

N Name of Jamoat/village, professional occupation participants 1 Ashurov B. Village Hojogolton, Senior specialist on religion matters 2 Ashurov F. Village Kuhdoman, specialist of communal services 3 Kiyomiddinin Nizom Village Kuhdoman,chairman of mahalla 4 Odinaev A. Devdor village, chairman of NGO “Zoloto” 5 Mehruboni Sh. Hairkoron village, medical doctor 6 Mustafoev S. Hairkoron village, specialist of jamoat 7 Sunatulloev B. Hairkoron village, doctor 8 Kholov K. Village Kuhdoman, farmer 9 Ashurov D. Village Kuhdoman, farmer 10 Holov D.. Village Kuhdoman, farmer 11 Holov O Hairkoron village, specialist of jamoat 12 Gamziyori T. M.Kurbon Turk, Sugurta, farmer 13 Mahmudov Z. M.Kurbon Turk, Moskva city, specialist of Khukumat 14 Kurbonov I. M.Kurbon Turk, Moskva city, specialist of culture department 15 Kurbonov Sh. Village Rogiyon, cultural department 16 Banoi Davron Village Kuhdoman, jamoat Shurobod 17 Odinaeva M. Village Navobod, jamoat Shurobod 18 Habibov B. Village Hairkoron, farmer 19 Sayorozov U. Village S.Shamsiddin, student 20 Odinaev S. Village Kuhdoman, student 21 Nazriev J. Village Kuhdoman, worker 22 Zarifi Hushkadam Village Safarov Shamsiddin, student 23 Mirzoev S. Village Safarov Shamsiddin, student 24 Shoev S. Hairkoron village, farmer 25 Mirzomadzoda A. Village Roziyon, specialist of district chairman department 26 Nabiev D. Hairkoron 2 village, farmer 27 Pahlavonov M. Hairkoron 2 village, farmer 28 Nafasov R. Hairkoron 2 village, farmer 29 Kurbonov E. Hairkoron 2 village, farmer 30 Sufiev Z. Hairkoron 2 village, farmer 31 Ibrohimov R. Village Kuhdoman, chief engineer 32 Amonov Sh. Village Doniston, engineer

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