ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT of TALLO BARUN KHOLA HYDROPOWER PROJECT(132 MW) Sankhuwasabha, Province No. 1
Submitted to
Ministry of Forests and Environment through Department of Electricity Development and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation
Submitted by Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone No: 01-6211581, 01-5010505 Email: [email protected]
Prepared by Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. PO Box: 19281, Kathmandu, Nepal Kathmandu-31, New Plaza Tel. No: 977 01 4413302 Email: [email protected]
February, 2020
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS amsl : Above Mean Sea Level AQI : Air Quality Index BOD : Biological Oxygen Demand CAR : Catchment Area Ratio CBS : Central Bureau of Statistics CITES : Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CSP : Community Support Program CTEVT : Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training DAO : District Administration Office DBH : Diameter at Breast Height DCC : District Co-ordination Committee DHM : Department of Hydrology and Meteorology DNPWC : Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation DO : Dissolved Oxygen DoED : Department of Electricity Development. EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment EMP : Environmental Management plan EMU : Environmental Management Unit EPA : Environment Protection Act, 2053 EPR : Environment Protection Rules, 2054 ERT : Electrical Resistivity Test FGD : Focus Group Discussion FDC : Flow Duration Curve GIS : Geographic Information System GLOF : Glacier Lake Outburst Flood GoN : Government of Nepal GRC : Grievance Redress Committee H : Height HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus HRT : Headrace Tunnel ICIMOD : International Center for Integrated Mountain Development ILO : International Labor Organization IPP : Independent Power Producer IUCN : The International Union for Conservation of Nature KII : Key Informant Interview L : Length MBNP : Makalu Barun National Park LPG : Liquefied Petroleum Gas MCT : Main Central Thrust MIP : Medium Irrigation Project MoEWRI : Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation MoFE : Ministry of Forests and Environment MoFSC : Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation MoWR : Ministry of Water Resources MS : Microsoft NBSAP : Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEA : Nepal Electricity Authority NGOs : Non-Governmental Organizations NTFPs : Non-Timber Forest Products
OHS : Occupational Health and Safety PAFs : Project Affected Families PAP : Project Affected People PCC : Plain Cement Concrete PIC : Project Information Center PM : Particulate Matter PPA : Power Purchase Agreement PPE : Personal Protective Equipment Ppm : Parts per million RCOD : Required Commercial Operation Date RM : Rural Municipality RoR : Run of River Rpm : Revolution per minute SD : Scoping Document SPAFs : Severely Project Affected Families TBKHP : Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project ToR : Terms of Reference TSS : Total Suspended Solids W : Width WASH : Water and Sanitation Health WECS : Water and Energy Commission Secretariat
Symbols % : Percentage ºC : Degree Centigrade Units cm : Centimeter cm2 : Square centimeter GWh : Giga watt Hour ha : Hectare Kg : Kilogram km : Kilometer km2 : Square Kilometer km/hr : Kilometer per hour kV : Kilo Voltage KW : Kilowatt KWh : Kilo Watt Hour m : Meter MH : Megha Hertz mm : Millimeter m2 : Square meter m/s : Meter per second m3 / s : Cubic meters per second MT : Metric Ton MT/ha : Metric Ton per hectare MW : Megawatt NRs : Nepali Rupees sq. km : Square kilometer ug/m3 : Micro gramper cubic meter
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g]6 x]8 M *#%=*%# ld= afFw M @) ld= nDafO{ / % ld= prfO{ x]8/]; 6g]n M $%@& ld= / #+=% ld=Aof; ;h{ ;fkm\6 M !) ld= Aof; / @&=(* ld= prfO{ k]g:6s kfO{k M !#$* ld=,@=^ ld= Aof; ljB'tu[x M ;tx - *) ld !@ ld !$ ld_ kFx'r dfu{ M !@ ls= ld sf]zL /fhdfu{ b]vL lgdf{0f cjlw M ^) dlxgf cfof]hgfsf] cg'dflgt nfut M ?= @,^!,@%,)&,&)) $= cWoog ljlw o; cfof]hgfsf] jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"Nof+sg jftfj/0f ;+/If0f lgodfjnL, @)%$ cg';f/ ul/Psf] 5 . g]kfn ;/sf/åf/f lglb{i6 ul/Psf] sfg"gL k|fjwfgx?, :ynut cWoog tyf ;/f]sf/jfnf JolQm / clwsf/Lx?;Fu ;Nnfx ;'emfj lnP/ o; k|ltj]bg tof/ ul/Psf] 5 . k|fylds tyf bf]>f] >f]tx?af6 tYofÍ tyf hfgsf/Lx? ;+sng ul/Psf] 5 . cjnDjg ul/Psf] cWoog ljlwdf :ynut ;e]{, cjnf]sg, jg ;e]{If0f, ;/f]sf/jfnf;Fu k/fdz{, cGt/jftf{, ;fd"lxs 5nkmn, 3/w'/L ;j]{If0f, k|efljt kl/jf/x?sf] klxrfg cflb /x]sf] 5 . o; qmddf tYofÍ tyf hfgsf/Lx?sf] ljZn]if0f / JofVof Plss[t ul/Psf] 5 . ;s/fTds / gs/fTds b'a} lsl;dsf k|efjx?nfO{ To;sf] kl/df0f, If]q / ;docjlwsf b[li6sf]0faf6 d"NofFsg ul/Psf] 5 . %= ljBdfg jftfj/0fLo cj:Yff
o ef}tLs jftfj/0f cfof]hgf If]q dWo kxf8L e]udf kb{5 . cfof]hgf If]q ;d'Gb| ;Txaf6 !#@) b]lv !*^& ld6/sf] prfO{ leq kb{5 . j?0f vf]nf lxd gbL xf] . j?0f vf]nfsf] hnfwf/ If}q $%) 3g=ls=dL ;Dd km}lnPsf] 5 . k|:tfljt cfof]hgf xfOo/ lxdfnog hf]gdf kb{5 . cfof]hgf If]qdf h]g]l;; / l;:6 h:tf r§fgx? kfOG5 . o; cfof]hgf If]q j/k/ s'g} k|sf/sf] jfo' / WjgL k|b'if0f b]lvPsf] 5}g . kfgLsf] u'0f:t/ klg dfkb08 cg';f/sf] kfOPsf] 5 .
o h}ljs jftfj/0f cfof]hgf If]qdf dsfn' j?0f /fli6«o lgs'Gh leq kb{5 . dsfn' j?0f /fli6«o lgs'Gh !%)) ju{ ls=dL df km}lnPsf] 5 / o;sf] dWojtL{ If]q *#) ju{ ls=dL df km}lnPsf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]q c?0f EofnL sf] Ps If]q xf] . cn}rLsf] d'Vo v]tL oxfF x'G5 . cfof]hgf If]qdf kfOg] d'Vo jg;kltx?df plQ;, kmnFf6], sfpnf], lrnfpg] cflb x'g\ . :tgwf/L, r/fr'?ª\uL / peor/ k|hftLsf hgfj/x? kfO{g] pNn]v u/LPsf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]qdf kfOg] jGohGt'x?df lrt'jf, /ftf] afFb/, :ofn, jglj/fnf], nf]vs]{, v/fof], efn' cflb /x]sf 5g\ . cfof]hgf If]qdf kfOg] r/fx?df sflnh, 9's'/, dn]jf, lkm:6], h'/]nL, sfu, ltqf, sf]OnL cflb /x]sf 5g\ . :yflgosf] egfO{ cg';f/ j?0f vf]nfdf s'g} klg k|sf/sf] df5fx? kfOb}gg\ . :yflgosf] cg';f/ lt df5fx? c?0f / j?0f glbsf] bf]afg eGbf *)) ld= dfyL c?0f glb kfOG5g\ .
ii sfo{sf/L ;f/f{z tNnf] a?0f vf]nf hnljB't cfof]hgf
o ;fdflhs, cfly{s jftfj/0f ;+v'jf;ef lhNnf gu/kflnsf / ufFpkflnsf ul/ hDdf % efudf ljefhg ul/Psf] 5 . o; lhNnfsf] s'n If]qkmn #,$*) ju{ lsdL /x]sf] 5 . cfof]hgfaf6 k|efljt dsfn' j?0f ufFpkflnsf ;fljs ( xl6of uf=lj=; df kb{5 . cfof]hgfsf] lgdf{0fn] s'n !^ kl/jf/ nfO{ k|ToIf k|efj kfb{5 . !^ kl/jf/ ) s} 3/ ;a]{If0f ubf{ ;j} tfdfË hftLsf] j;f]jf; b]lvPsf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]qsf] glhssf] j:tLx?df l;Dj'Ë, l;sl;nf, j?0f bf]efg / uf]nf /x]sf 5g\ . o; If]qsf] d'Vo k]zf v]tL ls;fgL /x]sf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]qdf af6f]sf] kxF'r k'u]sf] 5 / /fli6«o ljB't k|;f/0f nfO{g ;Fu hf]l8Psf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]qsf] k|efljt kl/jf/ ;a}nfO{ cfof]hgf af/]df hfgsf/L ePsf] kfO{of] . ^= jftfj/0fLo k|efj k|:tfljt tNnf] a?0f vf]nf hnljB't cfof]hgf lgdf{0f tyf ;+rfng ug]{ qmddf b]vf k/]sf ljleGg jftfj/0fLo k|efax? cf}NofO{Psf] 5 .
;sf/fTds k|efj cfof]hgf lgdf{0f / ;+rfngsf bf}/fg /f]huf/Lsf] cj;/, oftfoft tyf ;+rf/sf] ljsf;, :yfgLo s[lif pTkfbgn] ahf/ kfpg], :yfgLo cy{tGq rnfodfg x'g], ;+v'jf;ef lhNnfnfO{ ljB't /f]oN6L cfpg] cflb cfof]hgfsf] ;sf/fTds k|efjx? x'g .
gs/fTds k|efj o ef}tLs jftfj/0f cfof]hgfsf] ;a} eGbf 7"nf] gs/fTds c;/ hUuf clwu|x0f / ;f] hUufsf] e"pkof]u kl/jt{g xf] . cfof]hgfsf] :yfoL ;+/rgfx? lgdf{0f ug{ !% bzdnj $( x]S6/ / c:yfoL k|of]hgsf nflu !)=(% x]S6/ hUuf cfjZos kg]{5 . cfof]hgf lgdf{0fsf] ;dodf hldg vGbf / ;DofpFbf, s8f r§fg k'm6fpFbf / ef/L pks/0fx? k|of]u ubf{ hldgsf] k|fs[lts :j?kdf gsf/fTds k|efj kg{ ;S5 . lgdf{0f If]q glhs /x]sf] ufpFx?df jfo' / Wjlg k|b"if0f a9\g ;S5 . t/ o:tf k|efj :yfgLo :t/sf] / cNksfnLg x'g]5 . o;}u/L lgdf{0f sfo{sf] nflu ;+rfng ul/g] ;jf/L ;fwgsf] cfjthfjt cflb sf/0fn] jfo' / WjgL k|b"if0fdf j[l4 x'g]5 . a?0f vf]nfsf] kfgL kmsf{Og] x'+bf s]xL efudf vf]nfsf] axfj sd x'g]5 .
o h}ljs jftfj/0f h}ljs jftfj/0f cGtu{t d'Vo k|efj dsfn' a?0f /fli6«o lgs'~hsf] !$=@& x]S6/ jg If]qdf :yfoL k|of]usf nflu / )=@) x]S6/ c:yfoL k|of]usf sf/0f k|efj kg]{ b]lvG5 . hËnleq lgdf{0f sfo{ tyf %@$* ?vx?sf] s6fgn] hLjhGt'sf] lxF88'n tyf af;:yfgdf c;/ kg{ ;Sg] b]lvG5 . j?0f vf]nfsf] h}ljs jftfj/0fdf c;/ kg]{5 . cfof]hgf:yndf ;xh kx'+r / aflx/af6 cfpg] sfdbf/x?n] ubf{ rf]/Llzsf/ tyf cj}w hl8a'6L ;+sng a9\g ;S5 .
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iii sfo{sf/L ;f/f{z tNnf] a?0f vf]nf hnljB't cfof]hgf :yflgosf] :jf:Yodf ;d]t k|efj kg{ ;S5\ . &=j}slNks ljZn]if0f o; cfof]hgfsf] hl8t Ifdtf / k|fljlws l8hfOg ubf{ j}slNks n]cfp6 / l8hfOg ;a} ;+/rgfsf] xsdf s]nfOPsf] lyo]f . o; k|ltj]bgdf cfof]hgfsf ;DefJotf tyf jftfj/0fLo cWoogsf] j}slNks ljZn]if0f t'ngfTds ?kdf ul/Psf] 5 . j}slNks ljZn]if0f ubf{ pko'Qm k|ljlw, l8hfOg, cfof]hgf If]qsf] cj:yf / cGo Jojxfl/s kIfx?nfO{ Wofg lbOPs]f 5 . cfof]hgfsf] ;+/rgfx? /xg] :yfg 5gf}6 ubf{ ;s];Dd sd v]tLof]Uo hUuf kg]{ / Go"g dfqfdf jghËn s6fg ug'{ kg]{ h:tf kIfnfO dWogh/ u/L jftfj/0fLo b[li6sf]0fn] pko'Qm ljsNk ;lxt jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"NofÍg ul/Psf] 5 . *= jftfj/0fLo k|efj clea[l4 Pj+ Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox?
;sf/fTds k|efj clea[l4sf pkfox? cfly{s ultljlwx¿df a[l4 ;Lk ljsf; sfo{s|d :yflgo /f]huf/L cfhLljsf ;dy{g k|lzIf0f ;fd'bflos ljsf; sfo{qmd :yfgLo / /fli6«o pBf]ux¿sf] :yfkgf Jofkf/ tyf k'jf{wf/sf] ljsf; hn /fh:jsf] pkof]u jftfj/0fLo k|efj Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox? ef}lts jftfj/0f e'—w/ftnLo ;'/Iff, kmf]xf]/d}nfsf] plrt Joj:yfkg, jfo' tyf kfgLsf] u'0f:t/, lgdf{0f ;fdfu|Lsf] e08f/0f, lgdf{0f If]]qsf] ;'/Iff OTofbL ljifo j:t'x?nfO{ ef}lts jftfj/0fdf kg]{ c;/ /f]syfd / Go'gLs/0fsf] pkfosf ?kdf k|:tfljt ul/Psf] 5 . oGq tyf pks/0fx?sf] lgoldt dd{t ;+Def/ / JolQmut ;'/Iffsf ;fdfu|Lx?sf] pknAwtf ;+u} Iflt ePsf] If]qsf] k'glg{df{0f h:tf kIfx? cfjZos Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox? x'g\ . ef}lts jftfj/0fdf x'g] gsf/fTds c;/ Go"gLs/0fsf] nfuL nfUg] vr{ cfof]hgfsf] l;len vr{ leq} kb{5 . h}ljs jftfj/0f cfof]hgfsf sfdbf/x?sf] nflu bfp/fsf] ;§fdf a}slNks phf{sf] Joj:yf ul/g]5 . jg tyf jGohGt' ;+/If0f ;DalGw hgr]tgf d'ns sfo{s|d ;+rfng ul/g]5 . o;sf] nflu ? @,(!,)),))) k|:tfj ul/Psf] 5 . Ifltk'lt{ :j?k !,%%,))) la?jfx¿sf] j[Iff/f]k0f ul/g]5 . ;fy} )=%# So'd]s kfgL jftfj/0fLo jxfjsf] ?kdf 5f]l8g]5 . h}ljs jftfj/0fsf] k|Effj Go"gLs/0fsf nflu x'g] vr{sf] ljj/0f tn tflnsf Dff lbOPsf] 5 . tflnsf != h}ljs jftfj/0fsf] k|Effj Go"gLs/0fsf nflu x'g] vr{sf] ljj/0f s|=d Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox? lgdf0f{ cjlw
= ! jg ;+/If0f ;DaGwL hgr]tgf %,)),))) iv sfo{sf/L ;f/f{z tNnf] a?0f vf]nf hnljB't cfof]hgf
@ Ifltk"lt{ /f]k0f @,(!,)),))) # h+unsf] ;§fdf hUuf v/Lb @,)),)),))) $ Hf}ljs ljljwtf ;+/If0f sfo{qmdnfO{ %),)),))) ;xfotf s'n !),$!,)),)))
;fdflhs, cfly{s tyf ;fF:s[lts jftfj/0f hUuf wgLx?sf nflu hUufsf] k|rlnt ahf/ d'Nosf] cfwf/df tyf hUuf k|fKtL P]g adf]lhd d'cfAhf / afnL gf]S;fgsf] nflu Ifltk'lt{sf] Joj:yf ul/g] 5 . cfof]hgfn] sd{rf/Lx?sf] nflu vfg]kfgL, zf}rfno tyf :jf:Yo ;'ljwfsf] Joj:yf ul/lbg] 5 . cfof]hgfsf sd{rf/L tyf :yflgo hgtfsf nflu :jf:Yo / ;/;kmfO{ ;DalGw hg r]tgf d'ns sfo{s|d cfof]hgf ul/g] 5 . ;fdflhs tyf ;f+:s[lts jftfj/0fsf] k|Effj Go"gLs/0fsf nflu s'n vr{ ? @^,)),))) 5'§fOPsf] 5 . vr{sf] ljj/0f tn tflnsf @ df lbOPsf] 5 .
tflnsf @: ;fdflhs tyf ;f+:s[lts jftfj/0fsf] k|Effj Go"gLs/0fsf nflu x'g] vr{sf] ljj/0f s|=d= Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox? lgdf0f{ cjlw ! k]zfut :jf:Yo / ;'/Iff !^,)),))) @ ;fdflhs r]tgfd"ns sfo{s|d %,)),))) # xf]l8{+u af]8{ / kf]:6/x¿sf] k|bz{g %,)),))) s'n @^,)),)))
*=! jftfj/0fLo k|efj Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox?sf ah]6 jftfj/0fLo k|efa d'Nofªsg k|ltj]bgdf clej[l4 / Go"gLs/0fsf pkfox?sf nflu ?= @@,*),))) /sd 5'§fOPsf] 5 . vr{sf] ljj/0f tn tflnsf # df lbOPsf] 5 .
tflnsf #: clej[l4 / Go"gLs/0fsf] sfo{s|dsf nflu x'g] vr{sf] ljj/0f s=d= Jf0f{g cg'dflgt /sd -g]=?_ s= clej[l4sf] vr{ != ;Lk ljsf; sfo{s|d ##,)),))) @ cfhLljsf ;dy{g k|lzIf0f @),)),))) s'n %#,)),))) v= ;fd'bflos ljsf; sfo{qmd !!,)),)),))) u= Go"gLs/0fsf] vr{ ! Eff}lts jftfj/0f @ h}ljs jftfj/0f @=! jg ;+/If0f ;DaGwL hgr]tgf %,)),)))
@=@ Ifltk"lt{ /f]k0f @,(!,)),))) @=# h+unsf] ;§fdf hUuf v/Lb @,)),)),)))
v sfo{sf/L ;f/f{z tNnf] a?0f vf]nf hnljB't cfof]hgf
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vii
Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
Executive Summary
1. Introduction The project proponent of the proposed Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (TBKHP) is Ampik Energy Private Limited, Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal. This company has obtained survey license from DoED for feasibility and environmental study of a hydroelectric project in Barun Khola. The proponent company has assigned a consulting firm Energy resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for conducting the EIA study of this project.
The EIA of the proposed project was carried out as per the Environment Protection Rules, 2054. The TBKHP has the installed capacity of 132 MW and the project lies on Makalu Barun National Park so according to EPR 1997, project requires EIA.
2. Project Location The proposed project has installed capacity of 132 megawatt. The project area is located at ward no.4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality (former Hatiya VDC) of Sakhuwasabha district of Province No. 1 of Nepal. The project area also lies in Makalu Barun National Park. The project area is accessible by Koshi Highway. The road distance from Kathmandu to the project area is about 600 km via Tumlingtar. The project area is 60 km away by road from Khandbari. Barun is one of major tributaries of Arun River. All of the project structures are proposed on the left bank of Barun Khola. The proposed dam site is about 8 km and the powerhouse site is about 2 km upstream of the Arun-Barun confluence.
3. Project Description The TBKHP is a run of river (ROR) scheme. Its design discharge is 18.44 m3/s and gross head is 853 m, which is a very attractive feature. A 20 m long dam will be built over Barun Khola. Diverted water will be conveyed to underground desilting basin. Then, the water conveyance from the intake to the surge tank is by about 4527m long tunnel with 3.5 m diameter. The penstock pipe will convey design flow to the powerhouse, which will have 6 units. The power plant will generate 756.53 GWh, with dry energy of 233 GWh and wet energy of 523 GWh. Generated power from the TBKHP will be evacuated through the 220 kV transmission line to the switchyard of Upper Arun HEP, which will be just 1.733 km long. The anticipated project construction period is 5 years. Total estimated project cost is NRs 20,128 million.
Project Salient Features Name of project: Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project Name of River: Barun Khola Location: Ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasawa District Type of Project: Run of River Installed Capacity: 132 MW Design Discharge: 18.44 m³/s Net Head: 835.853 m Weir: 20m (L), 5m (H) Headrace Tunnel: 4527 m Length, 3.5m diameter Surge Shaft: 10m dia. 27.98 height Penstock Pipe: 1348m, 2.6m diameter Powerhouse: Surface, 80m x 12m x 14m Access Road: 12 km long from ongoing Koshi Highway Construction Period: 60 months Estimate Project Cost: NRs.26125.077 Million
a Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
4. Study Methodology The EIA process follows EPR, 1997 and National EIA Guidelines, 1993. This EIA is prepared in accordance with the legal requirements of GoN, based on field studies and consultation with local people and officials. Data and information was collected from primary as well as secondary sources. The study methodology adopted walkthrough survey, field observation, forest inventory, consultation with local people and stakeholders, interview, group discussion, household survey, identification of Project Affected Families etc. Data and information were analyzed, interpreted and compiled. A public hearing program was conducted at the project site on BS 2075/08/22 to solicit stakeholder's comments of the draft EIA report. Recommendation letters of the project affected municipality was collected.
5. Existing Environmental Condition Physical Environment The project area lies in the middle mountain region with elevation ranging from 1100 m to 2000 m. Barun Khola is a snow fed river. Its catchment is mostly covered by snow area. Catchment area of Barun Khola at the proposed intake site is 450 sq km. There has been some records of GLOF event within Barun River basin. Geologically, project area lies in the Higher Himalayan succession. The main rock type of the project area is banded and banded gneiss with thin intercalation of Schist. The slope stability of the project area is seems to be stable. The land use pattern of the project area is cultivated, forest and barren land. The project area is free from air and noise pollution. Water sample of Barun Khola was tested in a lab in Kathmandu, which shows its quality good.
Biological Environment The project area lies adjacent in Makalu Barun National Park. MBNP covers an area of 1500 square km and its buffer zone an area of 830 sq km. Makalu Barun area is rich in biodiversity. The project area of TBKHP is a part of the Arun Valley. There were three types of natural forest observed during the field visit- Subtropical Evergreen Forest nearby the powerhouse area, Schima-Castanopsis Forest along the headrace tunnel alignment and Lower Temperate Mixed Broad Leaved Forest in the headworks area. Alaichi (black cardamom) farming is extensive in the project area, which is a significant part of vegetation there. Major tree species are Kaulo, Phalant, Chilaune, Uttis, etc.
Various species of mammals, birds and herpeto fauna are reported or recorded in the project area. Fauna reported in project areas included Chituwa (Panthera pardus), Rhesus monkey (Maccaca mulatta), Syal (Canis aureus), Kharayo (Lepus sp.), wolf (Canis lupes) and Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), Bhalu (Ursus thibetanus) etc. The bird species reported in the project area are Kalij, Dhukur, Malewa, Fiste, Jureli, Kaag, Titra, Koili etc. Barun khola is a very steep, fast flowing river. According to the local people, Barun River could not reveal presence of the fish fauna. According to the locals, these fish species can be found about 800 m upstream from the Barun and Arun confluence. Above that stretch, fish is not reported. Fish could not be caught up during the field survey.
Socio–economic and Cultural Environment Sankhuwasabha district is administratively, divided into five municipalities. The total area of the district is 3,480 km2. The affected Makalu Rural Municipality was formed comprising former Walung VDC. The land acquisition for the permanent and temporary establishment of project structures and facilities will affect only 16 families, which are termed as Project Affected Families (PAFs). All of 16 households were sampled during household survey during the field visit. They are totally Tamang people. The settlements patterns of the project area are scattered. The major settlements near the project area are Simbung, Syakshila, Barun Dovan and Gola. Agriculture is the major occupation of the people in the project area. The project area is connected by road and electrified by central grid. Home solar sets are found common for lighting in the project area. During the household survey, all of PAFs were found having some information about the proposed project. b Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
6. Impact Assessment Environmental impacts identified and predicted on the existing environmental conditions due to the proposed TBKHP during construction and operation phases have been presented. Likely environmental effect and impact, both adverse as well as beneficial were evaluated and rated for its significance, extent of the impact and duration. Beneficial Impacts Beneficial impacts of the project are increase economic activities, employment opportunities, local's skill development and increase in government and municipality revenue.
Adverse Impacts Physical Environment The land take and land use change is one of the most adverse impacts. The project will require 15.49 ha land for the placement of permanent project structures and 10.95 ha for temporary facilities. During the construction, other physical impacts might be soil erosion, disposal of excavated materials, pollution to water sources, dust, vehicular emission etc. Dewatering might cause micro-climate change in river stretch during operation phase.
Biological Environment The total forest area falling under the project structures and facilities is 14.27 ha for permanent facilities and 0.2 ha for temporary facility. Forest sampling shows 5248 trees including poles will be felled. The forest clearance and construction activities might disturb wildlife. Increase in forest pressure, possibility of poaching and illegal trade of wildlife, impact on protected species are other likely impacts. Diversion of water from Barun during the project operation might affect aquatic life in dewatered stretch of Barun Khola. Aquatic life in Barun River may not be a major concern, since there is no present of fish fauna.
Socio-economic and Cultural Environment TBKHP will need about 2.50 ha of private agricultural land (1.20 ha permanent and 1.30 ha temporary requirement) belonging to 16 families. Other socio-economic impacts are occupational health hazards, accident risks, crop production loss, change in income/expenditure pattern, pressure on communal resources etc.
7. Alternative Analysis While optimizing installed capacity and technical design of TBKHP, alternative layouts and designs have been examined for all project components. These alternatives were assessed on the basis of their operational, economic, financial, engineering and environmental aspects and are discussed in this section. They were based on site-specific conditions and practical options developed by the technical team and environmental team jointly.
8. Enhancement & Mitigation Measures Enhancement Measures Increase in Economic Activities Skill Development Training Provide Employment Opportunities Livelihood Support Training Community Support Program Establishment of Local and National Industries Utilization of Hydro Revenue Mitigation Measures Physical Environment
c Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
Proper drainage will be maintained to control soil erosion and slope cutting, air quality protection measures including spray of water twice a day within the project area in construction phase, stringent water quality protection measures, proper storage of the construction materials and safe guarding of the construction sites are some mitigation measures proposed to minimize the impact on physical environment. The other mitigation programs include regular maintenance of engines and equipment, availability of Personal Protective Equipment and rehabilitation of the disturbed sites. The mitigation cost of the adverse impacts on physical environment has been included in the civil cost of the project.
Biological Environment An amount of NRs. 291,00,000 is proposed to mitigate the adverse impact on biological environment. Compensatory Plantation of 155,000 saplings will be carried out. Riparian release of (0.53 m3 /s) water in Barun Khola from the weir will be an important mitigation measures during operation stage to sustain the available fish in Barun Khola. Details of cost for biological environment mitigation measures are given in Table a. Table a: Mitigation Cost for Biological Environment
S.N. Mitigation Measures Construction
1. Nature Conservation Awareness 500,000.00 Program 2. Compensatory plantation program 2,91,00,000 3. Land purchase in lieu of the forest land 2,00,00,000 4 Support to Biodiversity conservation 50,00,000 program Total 10,41,00,000
Socio-economic and Cultural Environment Compensation for land and crop loss will be given to the land owners as per prevailing market price. The project will provide drinking water, toilets and health facilities to its staff and workers to minimize pressures on local facilities and resources. Project workers as well as the local people will be provided periodic awareness program on health and sanitation. An amount of NRs. 26,00,000 is proposed to mitigate the adverse impact on social environment. Details of cost for socio-economic and cultural environment mitigation measures are given in Table b.
Table b: Mitigation Cost for Socio-economic and Cultural Environment S. Mitigation Measures Amount No . 1. Occupational health and safety program 16,00,000.00 2. Social Awareness program 500,000.00 3. Display of hoarding boards and posters 500,000.00 Total 26,00,000.00
8.1 Enhancement and Mitigation Measures Cost The total cost for mitigation measures, enhancement program and CSP is estimated at NRs. 22,80,00,000.00. The details of estimated cost are presented in Table c as follows:
d Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
Table c: Summary of Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Cost S.N. Description Amount (NRs) 1 Enhancement Measures 1.1 Skill development training 33,00,000 1.2 Livelihood support training 20,00,000 1.2 Community Support Program 11,00,00,000 subtotal 11,53,00,000 2 Mitigation Measures 2.1 Physical & chemical environment 2.2 Biological environment 2.1 Nature Conservation Awareness Program 5,00,000 2.2 Compensatory Plantation Program 2,91,00,000 2.3 Land purchase in lieu of the forest land 2,00,00,000 2.4 Support to Biodiversity conservation program 50,00,000 Subtotal 10,41,00,000 3 Socio-economic & Cultural Environment 3.1 Occupational health & safety Program 16,00,000 3.2 Social Awareness Program 5,00,000 3.3 Display of hoarding boards and posters 5,00,000 subtotal 26,00,000 Total 22,20,00,000
9. Acts, Rules/Regulations, Policies, Guidelines, and Conventions The proponent will be responsible for fulfilling the provisions of all relevant acts, plans and policies, acts, rules/regulations policies, guidelines and conventions while implementing the proposed project. These legal documents were cited while preparing the report.
10. Environment Management Plan The proponent will have prime responsibility for the implementation of environmental monitoring. Environmental expert along with support staff will be hired to conduct monitoring works during construction and operation phase of the project. The total estimated monitoring cost including baseline, compliance, and impact monitoring is approximately NRs. 3,00,00,000.00. For Community Support Program cost is estimated cost is Rs. 11,00,00,000 which is 0.5% of the total cost of the project. The details of estimated cost are shown in Table d below: Table d: Monitoring Cost S. Man- Rate/ Month Estimated Amount Items No. Month (NRs.) (NRs.) 1. Human Resources 1.1 Unit 60 1,00,000.00 60,00,000.00 Incharge/Environmentalist 1.2 Sociologist 50 80,000.00 40,00,000.00 1.3 Various Experts 20 150,000.00 30,00,000.00 1.4 Support Staffs 200 45,000.00 90,00,000.00 2. Transportation and fuel 50 - 50,00,000.00 3. Office Set Up Cost LS - 5,00,000.00 4. Office Running Expenses 50 30,000 15,00,000.00 5. Laboratory Test LS - 5,00,000.00 6. Miscellaneous LS - 5,00,000.00 Total 3,00,00,000.00 e Executive Summary Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project
The details of CSP cost is provided in Table e. Table e: Cost for Community Support Program S. No. Items Amount (NRs) 1. Support to the project affected schools 100,00,000 2. Support to Health Post 100,00,000 3. Support to Barun Religious Site 500,00,000
4. Upgrading of drinking water supply system 100,00,000 5. Scholarship trust for higher education 100,00,000 6. Ambulance vehicle 100,00,000 7. Miscellaneous support 100,00,000
Total 11,00,00,000
11. Conclusion The environmental impacts/issues identified so far are multitudinous but common like in other Run-of-River type high hydroelectric project of Nepal. Most adverse impacts are land take, land use change, forest loss, tree felling, dewatering and impacts on aquatic life and disturbance to wildlife. In order to mitigate adverse impacts and enhance beneficial impacts, various mitigation and enhancement measures have been proposed during the construction and operation phase.
The total environmental cost (mitigation, enhancement, CSP, monitoring and auditing) of the proposed project is estimated to be NRs. Twenty Five Crore and Thirty Eight lakh which is 1.26% of the total project cost. The EIA study concludes that the proposed TBKHP is environmentally and socially feasible, if the proposed mitigation measures and monitoring plan are implemented.
f TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms i-ii Executive Summary in Nepali i-viii Executive Summary in English a-f
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Page No.
1.1 Project Proponent 1-1 1.2 Organization Responsible for Preparing the Report 1-1 1.3 Rationality for Conducting the EIA Study 1-1 1.4 Objectives of the EIA Study 1-1 1.5 Scope of the Study 1-2
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPOSAL 2.1 Background 2-1 2.2 Project Location and Accessibility 2-1 2.3 Objectives of the Project 2-2 2.4 Project Description 2-2 2.5 Salient Features 2-9 2.6 Project Activities 2-13 2.6.1 Preconstruction Phase 2-13 2.6.2 Construction Phase 2-14 2.6.3 Post Construction Phase 2-14 2.6.4 Operation Phase 2-14 2.7 Construction Planning 2-14 2.7.1 Land Requirement 2-14 2.7.2 Human Resources 2-14 2.7.3 Construction Materials 2-15 2.7.4 Construction Power Supply 2-15 2.7.5 Muck Disposal Area 2-15 2.7.6 Quarry Site 2-16 2.7.7 Crushing and Batching Plant 2-16 2.7.8 Camp and Other Facilities 2-17 2.7.9 Bunker Area 2-18 2.7.10 Access Road 2-18 2.8 Project Construction Schedule 2-18 2.9 Project Area Delineation 2-18 2.9.1 Core Project Area 2-19 2.9.2 Surrounding Area 2-19 2.9.3 Project Affected Families (PAFs) and Severely Project Affected 2-19 Families (SPAFs)
CHAPTER 3: METHODS FOR PREPARING THE REPORT 3.1 Literature Review 3-1 3.2 Data Collection Methods 3-1 3.2.1 Physical Environment 3-2 3.2.2 Biological Environment 3-4 3.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 3-5 3.3 Data Analysis 3-6 3.3.1 Physical Environment 3-6 3.3.2 Biological Environment 3-7 3.3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 3-8 3.4 Public Hearing 3-8 3.5 Recommendation of Rural Municipality 3-8 3.6 Impact Identification and Prediction 3-8 3.7 Time, Cost and Specialist Used for the Study 3-10 3.7.1 Time Schedule 3-10 3.7.2 Cost Estimation 3-10 3.7.3 Specialists Involved 3-10
CHAPTER 4: EXISTIG ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION 4.1 Physical Environment 4-1 4.1.1 Topography and Land Use 4-1 4.1.2 Climate 4-2 4.1.3 Basin Physiography and Hydrology 4-3 4.1.4 Sedimentation 4-11 4.1.5 Glacier Lake Outburst Flood 4-11 4.1.6 Geology 4-12 4.1.7 Landslide and Slope Stability 4-14 4.1.8 Seismicity 4-14 4.1.9 Air and Noise Quality 4-16 4.1.10 River Water Quality 4-17 4.2 Biological Environment 4-17 4.2.1 Makalu Barun National Park 4-17 4.2.2 Vegetation 4-18 4.2.3 Plant Resources Use Pattern and Non-Timber Forest Products 4-20 (NTFPs) 4.2.4 Wildlife 4-21 4.2.5 Rare, Endangered and Protected Species 4-25 4.3 Social- economic and Cultural Environment 4-26 4.3.1 General Introduction of Project Affected District 4-26 4.3.2 General Profile of the Project Affected Rural Municipality 4-27 4.3.3 General Profile of Project Affected Core Area 4-27 4.3.4 Project Affected Families 4-31 4.3.5 Market Price 4-38 4.3.6 Cultural Environment 4-38 4.3.7 Water Use Rights 4-39 4.3.8 Other Local Issues 4-39
CHAPTER 5: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 5.1 Beneficial Impacts 5-1 5.1.1 Construction Phase 5-1 5.1.2 Operation Phase 5-3 5.2 Adverse Impacts 5-4 5.2.1 Physical environment 5-4 5.2.2 Biological Environment 5-9 5.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 5-12 5.3 Summary of Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 5-16
CHAPTER 6: ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS 6.1 Basis of Alternative Analysis 6-1 6.2 Project Location 6-2 6.3 Design Alternatives 6-3 6.4 Technologies, Procedure of Operation, Time Schedule and Raw 6-4 Materials to be Used 6.5 Alternative to the Quarry and Muck Disposal Sites 6-5 6.6 No Forest and Less Forest Alternative 6-5 6.7 Non Implementation Scenario 6-5
CHAPTER 7: ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEAURES 7.1 Enhancement Measures 7-1 7.1.1 Construction Phase 7-1 7.1.2 Operation Phase 7-4 7.2 Mitigation Measures 7-4 7.2.1 Physical Environment 7-4 7.2.2 Biological Environment 7-7 7.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 7-11 7.3 Resettlement and Rehabilitation Measures 7-15 7.4 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Cost 7-15 7.5 Addressing Public Issues 7-16
CHAPTER 8: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 8.1 Objectives of EMP 8-1 8.2 Environmental Management Approach 8-2 8.2.1 Pre-Construction Phase 8-2 8.2.2 Construction Phase 8-2 8.2.3 Operation and Maintenance Phase 8-4 8.2.4 Reporting Requirements 8-4 8.3 Environmental Management Plan 8-5 8.3.1 Physical Environment Management Plan 8-5 8.3.2 Biodiversity Management Plan 8-10 8.3.3 Social Environment Management Plan 8-12 8.4 Cost of the Proposed Project 8-17 8.5 Institutional Set Up 8-17
CHAPTER 9: REVIEW OF PLANS, POLICIES, ACTS, REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, STANDARDS, CONVENTION 9.1 Constitution of Nepal 9-1 9.2 Strategies/Plan/Policies 9-1 9.3 Acts 9-5 9.4 Rules and Regulations 9-12 9.5 Guidelines and Manuals 9-14 9.6 Conventions 9-18 9.7 Standards 9-19
CHAPTER 10: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 10.1 Phases of Monitoring 10-1 10.1.1 Baseline Monitoring 10-1 10.1.2 Compliance Monitoring 10-1 10.1.3 Impact Monitoring 10-1 10.2 Monitoring Parameters, Indicators, Methods, Schedule and Location 10-1 10.3 Human Resources 10-6 10.4 Environmental Monitoring Cost 10-6
CHAPTER 11: ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT 11.1 Estimated Cost 11-2
CHAPTER 12: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 12.1 Summary 12-1 12.2 Environmental Impacts 12-1 12.2.1 Beneficial Impact 12-1 12.2.2 Adverse Impact 12-1 12.3 Mitigation Measures 12-1 12.3.1 Construction Phase 12-2 12.3.1 Operation Phase 12-2 12.4 Conclusion 12-2
References
Appendices Appendix I : Survey License and Related Documents Appendix II : Project Layout Map Appendix III : Land Requirement Appendix IV : Construction Schedule Appendix V : Approved Terms of Reference Appendix VI : Minutes of Focus Group Discussions Appendix VII : Documents Related to Public Hearing Appendix VIII : Recommendation Letter Appendix IX : Lab Report of Water Quality Analysis Appendix X : Details on Loss of Forest Resources Appendix XI : Details of Land Loss of PAFs Appendix XII : Environmental Release and Power Production Table Appendix XIII : Declaration Sheet and CV
EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT PROPONENT Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. is the proponent of the proposed Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (TBKHP). The address of the proponent is provided below. Address of the Project Proponent Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone No: 01- 6211581, 01-5010505 Email: [email protected]
1.2 ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING THE STUDY Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has prepared the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report of the proposed Project. Address of the Consultant Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. PO Box: 19281, Kathmandu, Nepal Kathmandu-31, New Plaza Tel. No: 977 01 4413302 Email: [email protected]
1.3 RATIONALITY FOR CONDUCTING THE EIA STUDY According to Schedule-2, (Pertaining to Rule 3), EPR, 2054; the construction of any project required EIA if it meets the following criteria: i. Requires clearance of vegetation from more than 5 ha of national forest land (Clause 12, Section A) ii. Installed capacity greater than 50 MW (Clause 2 of Section F); iii. Displacement of more than 100 permanent settled population (Clause 5 of Section F); iv. Located in protected areas (Clause 3 of Section L) The proposed TBKHP meets the criteria (i, ii and iv). The installed capacity of TBKHP is 132 MW and requires the vegetation clearance from 14.27 ha. The proposed TBKHP lies in Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP) in Bhot Khola Rural Municipality (RM) ward no. 4, hence it requires an EIA.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY The objectives of the EIA study are to: . document important physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural baseline conditions of the project areas; . analyze alternative project location/alignment; . identify, assess and predict the adverse and beneficial impacts of the implementation of the proposed hydropower project areas in terms of the magnitude, extent, and duration; . suggest practical enhancement and mitigation measures for potential adverse and beneficial impacts; familiarize various stakeholders with the EIA outcomes through a public consultation
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 1-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
and participation programs and to incorporate their relevant concerns and issues in environment management plan; prepare environmental management, monitoring plans; and . provide sufficient information to decision-makers about likely consequences of the project due to its implementation to make better informed sound decisions with regard to the final approval of the project.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY This EIA report covers construction and operation phases of implementation of the hydropower project and its associated project components such as contractors’ facilities, employers’ camps, crushers, and batching plants, quarry sites, muck disposal sites and access road. This EIA study does not cover its transmission line component.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 1-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER II INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPOSAL
2.1 BACKGROUND Nepal has a theoretical hydropower potential of about 83,000 MW of which about 43,000 MW is technically and economically feasible (Shrestha, 1966). Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) hydropower plants including small power stations generated a total of 2,308.37 GWh, against the generation of 2305.17 GWh in the year of 2016/17. The total energy available in NEA’s system increased by 12.79% to 7,057.93 GWh over the previous year’s figure of 6257.73 GWh. Out of the total available energy, NEA’s own generation contributed 32.71% whereas those imported from India and local IPPs accounted for 36.58% and 30.71% respectively (NEA, 2018). In recent times, Nepal has significantly reduced power cuts but Load forecast estimated by NEA shows that the demand for electricity in Nepal would rise by 30% in 2020 compared to that in 2015 (WECS, 2017). Realizing this demand the potential for generating hydroelectric power from the country’s abundant water resources, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has developed policies for projects to be developed by government as well as private investors. In this context, the proponent Ampik energy Pvt. Ltd. applied for the survey license of TBKHP to Department of Electricity Development (DoED) with the preliminary estimated installed capacity of -lj=lj=lj= )&!÷&@ lj=p=;+= 9600 kW. The survey license of the proposed project for 9600 kW ^*!_ was issued on BS 2071/03/12 (AD 2014/06/26) with the validity up to BS 2073/03/11 (AD 2016/06/25). Later, the updated feasibility study optimized the installed capacity to be 132 MW. Hence, the project proponent applied for the amendment of the survey license for the updated capacity of 132 MW. Therefore, DoED issued the survey license for the 132 MW installed capacity of TBKHP. As well, the amendment on project location co-ordinates was made on survey license with validity extended up to BS 2074/03/11 (AD 2017/06/05). On BS 2074/04/02, the then Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) issued the letter for the consent of the EIA study of the proposed TBKHP. There are different conditions on 10 points in the consent letter to apply while carrying out the EIA study. The survey license was renewed for the second time validating the license period to BS 2075/ 03/11. The proponent has applied for the renewal of survey license on BS 2075/03/05. Since the project boundary provided by the DoED and the then MoFSC was different. Accordingly, MoFSC issued the letter based on the co-ordinate provided by DoED on BS 2074/10/11. The copies of the survey license and related documents are attached in Appendix I. The boundaries of the proposed TBKHP have been finally fixed within the following geographical coordinates: 87º 18’ 10” E to 87º22’ 05” E and 27º 41’ 29” N to 27º 43’ 19” N Barun River is very steep and flows down with gushing speed, which is not suitable for fish and other aquatic life. Furthermore, there is no any consumptive use of water in the stretch between the proposed diversion weir and tailrace outlet.
2.2 PROJECT LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY -ef]6 vf]nf uFfpkflnsf $_ The proposed project is located in Bhot Khola RM 4 of Sankhuwasabha District of 1 no. Province (Figure 2.1). All the project components are proposed at the left bank of Barun River. The headworks area of the proposed project is located 200 m downstream of the Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Saldim-Barun confluence. The headworks area of the proposed project is located about 8 km upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence (Barun Dovan). Similarly, the powerhouse site is located on uphill slope about 2 km away by road distance from the Barun-Arun confluence. The right bank and the dewatered zone between the intake and tailrace outlet also lie in same ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. The entire project components lie in MBNP (Figure 2.2). The aerial distance from Kathmandu to the project area is about 200 km. The road distance from Kathmandu to the project powerhouse area via Itahari, Tumlingtar is about 600 km. At the time of EIA field visit, the Koshi highway as a north-south linking corridor was under construction in full swing, which passes through the proposed powerhouse site and surge tank area of TBKHP. The powerhouse area is located at Simbung village. Track road of the Koshi highway has recently connected Simbung village to Khandbari, district headquarter of Sankhuwasabha district. But the proposed headworks site is not accessible by road. The headworks site is now only accessible by foot trails. The project needs to construct an access road from the surge tank (Simbung village) to the headworks site (Saldim-Barun confluence). There is an airport with blacktopped runway at Tumlintar. Flight by small plane takes 45 minutes from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. There are daily two scheduled Kathmandu Tumlingtar flights by private airliners. There is also flight from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar twice in a week. In the downstream area of the proposed TBKHP in the Arun River valley, an Indian Company, Satlaj JalVibhyut Nigam (SJVN) has commenced construction of Arun III Hydroelectric Project (900 MW). A next mega project, Upper Arun Hydropower Project with the installed capacity of 830 MW promoted by Nepal Electricity Authority is on pipeline to be built in near future.
2.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT The primary objective of the proposed project is to generate annual gross energy of 756.532 GWh in an environment-friendly and socially acceptable manner subsequently to be supplied to the national grid of NEA.
2.4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION As per the feasibility study report of proposed 132 MW Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (TBKHP), a design discharge of 18.44 m3/s in Q 40 basis which is diverted through intake for power generation. The project is conceived as a simple Run-off-River (RoR) scheme. A diversion weir crest is located at 2000.535 m from sea level will divert water into the intake. For water conveyance from the intake which consists of four number of a double orifice, a 120 m long Settling Basin, 85 m box culvert, 4527 m long modified horseshoe-shaped headrace tunnel and 1348 m long penstock pipe will be used to the powerhouse. This will generate an installed capacity of 132 yielding total annual energy of 756.53 GWh. The gross head of the project is 853m, which is very attractive for power generation in terms of lower cost of the project structures. An underground RCC structure of dimension 80 m x 12 m x 14 m powerhouse is proposed at the left bank of Barun River near the Arun-Barun confluence to accommodate turbines, generators, service bays, control room, and other associated equipment and accessories. A total of six units of vertical shaft Pelton turbines have been proposed, having 22 MW rated output and 750 rpm. After producing energy the diverted flow will be conveyed back to Barun River through a 4.6 m x 4.6 m inverted D shaped tailrace tunnel. The energy thus generated will be evacuated to the Upper
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Arun Substation, which is being developed by Nepal Electricity Authority, located across the Arun River. The 220 kV single circuit transmission line will be 1.733 km long for power evacuation. The detail of project component is given below. The general layout and overall profile of the project are shown in Appendix II. 2.4.1 Coffer Dam and Diversion Channel A cofferdam will be constructed in order to divert the flow to the right bank during the construction period so that certain length of weir, intake, right guide wall, divider wall, and under sluice could be constructed. When the first phase of headworks is completed, the river flow will be diverted to under sluice section. The weir will be constructed in the second phase. The height of cofferdam is maintained to safely divert dry flood flow of a return period of years. Peak flows within November and May were used for calculating dry season peak flows. Apart from water diversion, the cofferdam will also provide working space for the excavation of the foundation. The main features of such cofferdam are summarized as below:
• Diversion Weir and Intake Diversion weir is 20 m long and 5 m high from the present lowest bed level and its axis are at right angle to the direction of river flow. The upstream slope is kept vertical while the downstream slope of weir is maintained at 1 in 3. The crest level is fixed at 2001 m to divert water towards intake. The intake structure is designed to receive the design discharge even during driest flows. Two units of undersluice radial gates each of 3.0 m width and 3 m height are provided. They are designed to bypasses the sediments that have entered through the first set of orifices and deposited upstream of the gates. The frontal wall that prevents big boulders from entering into the sluiceway has two rows of six submerged orifices of 1.75 m x 3.60 m in the lower row and four in the upper row as shown in Figure below. The coordinates of the headworks site is 27°42'42.88"N and 87°18'42.90"E.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Figure 2.1: Location Map of Project Area
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Figure 2.2: Map of Protected Areas of Nepal showing Project Area
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Figure 2.3: Google Map showing Road Accessibility to Project Area
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Figure 2.4: Engineering Design of Headworks 2.4.2 Gravel Trap A gravel trap has been designed to trap 90% of sediments larger than or equal to 2 mm with a flushing interval of two hours at the designed sedimentation inflow. Two basins having two sub- basins in each have sub-basin dimensions of 13 m long, 9.500m wide and 5.660 m (minimum) deep including freeboard, and are designed to settle 90% of particles of more than 2 mm size. The dimensions of the gravel trap flushing are 42.6 m x 1m x 1 m (L x W x H). The most critical aspect in the gravel trap as well as in the flushing channel is wear and tear due to high velocity. Therefore, the longitudinal slope should be such that the scouring velocity does not exceed and the surface should also be hard enough to minimize the effect of wear and tear.
2.4.3 Settling Basin In order to reduce erosion of guide vanes and runners of turbines by suspended sediments, two hopper type underground open flow settling basins have been proposed. Each basin with dimensions of 15 m x 4 m (water depth) and 120 m long settling basin is used to settle 90% of 0.15 mm or bigger sediments at 150C for the designed and 120% of designed flows. Each basin has hydraulic flushing gates at the end of the settling basin to flush the sediment deposit easily. Each settling basin is further divided into sub-basins at the lower portion of the basins in order to minimize turbulence/meandering of water and to facilitate better flushing of sediments.
2.4.4 Headrace Tunnel A modified horseshoe shape fully reinforced concrete lined headrace tunnel of 4527m length begins immediately after the forebay. The tunnel goes through higher Himalayan geological conditions and most of the tunnel is expected to be lined. The proposed size of the tunnel is 3.50m x 3.50 m. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
2.4.5 Surge tank The surge tank will be located at the end of the headrace tunnel(27°42'8.05"N; 87°20'1.10"E). The size of the surge tank will be circular steel, non-spilling, restricted of 10 m diameter. The height of the surge shaft will be 27.98 m. The main dimension of the surge shaft will be as below:
2.4.6 Penstock Pipe Penstock pipe of 1348.00 m length made of high yield steel (Fe540) has been proposed. A three- stage inclined steel shaft embedded by plain concrete has been proposed for the penstock. An adit at each stage has been proposed. The lengths and the inlet portal elevations of these adits (A4, A5, and A6) are 549m long at 1415masl, 373.15m long at 1695masl and 144.39m long at 1975.00 masl respectively. Spiral factory welded pipe for up to 25mm thick and longitudinal welded pipe beyond 25mm thick of 6.0m max long will be transported to site for joining each other. The inner surface of the penstock will either be painted with epoxy paints or fusion-bonded epoxy.
2.4.7 Powerhouse An RCC structure of 80.00 m x 12.00 m x 14.00 m is considered for the proposed underground powerhouse structure which accommodates six vertical units of Pelton turbines, six generators, service bay, generator hall, turbine floor, control room and other associated electrical and mechanical equipment. The turbines are arranged perpendicular to the penstock pipe at that point. The turbine axis in the powerhouse is fixed at 1145.435m based on the level, length, longitudinal slope and flood level at tailrace end. The coordinates at which powerhouse will be be located is 27°41'45.72"N and 87°21'21.54"E.
2.4.8 Tailrace Three 11.0m long individual rectangular channels will be provided under each turbine unit which merges to form a 555m long single inverted D-Shaped free flow tailrace canal of 4.6 m x 4.6 m. The tailrace tunnel is designed for 110% of design flow which is equal to 20.284 m3/s. The outlet of the tailrace water level is maintained at 1143.234 m, which is 25.0 m above the 100 years flood level in the Arun River. The tailrace end will be protected by boulder riprap.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
2.4.9 Switchyard and Transmission Line A fenced outdoor switchyard with a surface area of 100 m x 50 m is proposed north of the powerhouse building. The switchyard is kept above and away from the flood plain of Barun Khola. This area shall be equipped with step-up transformers and other electrical installations, all required for power evacuation. All equipment and fittings are kept fully outdoor in this area. The power generated from the proposed TBKHP will be evacuated to the switchyard of the Upper Arun Hydropower Project across the Arun River through a 1.733 km long transmission line of 220 kV voltage.
2.5 SALIENT FEATURES Salient features and project descriptions in the EIA report are consistent with Feasibility Study Report, August 2018. Table 2.1: Salient Features of TBKHP
General Name of the Project Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project Developer Ampik Energy Pvt Ltd Name of the River Barun Khola Type of Scheme Run-of-the-river Project Location Ward/Municipality Ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality District Sankhuwasabha Province No. One Latitude 27° 41’ 29" N to 27° 43’ 19" N Longitude 87° 18’ 10" E to 87° 22’ 05" E Access Road to be constructed from surge 14 km tank to headworks Gross Head 853.000 m Net Head @ Q = 18.44 m3/s 835.853 m Q daily Average
Design Discharge 18.44 m3/s Q%=>> 40.00% Installed Capacity 132.00 MW Gross & Net Plant Factor for 10% Q 68.15% & 65.42% releases % Gross & Net Annual Generation for 10% 788.04 & 756.54 GWh Q releases Consultant AECPL
Hydrology Reference Station Rivers Intake @ 2000m Powerhouse Sabha, 602 Catchment Area (km2) 449.337 469.815 390.930 Long term Average Flow 24.367 m3/s
Design Discharge @ Q40% 18.44 m3/s
Design 100 yrs Flood Discharge @ HW 470.000 m3/s 2004.268m
Diversion Flood @ HW (Qconst 1:25) 164.900 m3/s Construction Flood @ HW (Qconst 1:2) 48.720 m3/s Design 100 yrs Flood Discharge @ PH 470.000 m3/s Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-9 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Construction Flood @ PH (Qconst 1:2) 48.720 m3/s Minimum monthly Discharge (m3/s) 5.2 m3/s Maximum monthly Discharge (m3/s) 58.8 m3/s Environmental Flow 0.52 m3 /s Headworks and Intake Structure
Weir Location Saldim-Barun confluence Type Boulder in-filled concrete, overflow type Crest Length 20 m Weir Height 5 m River Bed Level at Weir Location 1995.044 m Weir Crest Level 2000.535 m Stilling basin type, length & level Type IV, 16m, 1994.406m
Intake Type Orifice -sluice-trashrack-orifice intake Outer Upper Orifice nr & size (WXH) 4nr 3.6m X 1.75m (W x D) Outer Lower Orifice nr & size (WXH) 6nr 3.6m X 1.75m (W x D) Inner Trashrack nr, size (H x W) & bars 4nr 3.6m X 2.8m (W x H) 20mm X 50mm (t x b) Inner Orifice nr & size (WXH) 4nr 2.70m X 1.75m (W x D) Invert Level 1997.544 m High Flood Level ( 1 in 100 years) 2004.267 m Undersluice Sluice 1:50 slope, Qf (m3/s)=151.653 Flushing gate 2nr 3m x 3m (WxH)
Gravel Trap Type Surface Settling Criteria 90% >=2mm @ flushing interval of 6hr Number of Basin 2 Number of Sub-Basins 1 Gravel Trap Size incl freeboard of 0.5m 13m x 9.5m x 5.66m (L x W x D) Spillway Length (m) & hot 10.294m, 0.5m for Q: 50% of 27.66 m3/s Size of Flushing canal 1m x 1m (WxH) @ 1:25
Settling Basin Type Conventional Settling Criteria 90% >=0.15mm @ flushing interval of 8hr Number of Basins 2 Number of Sub-Basins 2 Inlet Transition Length 19.500 m Settling Basins Size 120m x 15m x 5.932m (L x W x D) Bed Slopes 1:120 Spillway Length & overtopping height 24, 0.717 for Q: 66.67% of 27.66m3/s Size of Flushing canal 1m x 1m @ 1:25 Orifice Slot nr x basin, dimensions & invert level 4 x 2, 2.5m x 1.5m (W x D) & 1997.5m Trashrack nr, size (WXH) & bars @ 4nr 5m X 2.31m (W x D) 20mm X 20mm (t x b) Orifice Trashrack nr, size (WXH) & bars @ 10m X 5.13m (W x D) 10mm X 20mm (t x b) forebay
Box Culvert
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-10 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Gravel Trap to Settling Basin 1 number Length l m 85.000 Height h m 1.250 Width b m 2.250 Water level at the outlet m 1998.163
Headrace Tunnel Shape Modified horseshoe-shaped Type & % of lining Concrete 100%
Total Length (m) 4527.000 (Excluding Adits) Dimensions 3.5m x 3.5m (W x D)
Surge Shaft Type Circular Steel, non-spilling, restricted orifice Diameter 10 m Height 27.980 m Undamped Upsurge 14.418 m Undamped Down surge -14.418 m Water level in the upsurge 2008.414 masl Water level in the down surge 1985.315 masl Crown level of surge shaft 2011.000 masl Invert level of surge shaft 1975.315 masl Orifice 2m high, 3.5m diameter 5m high, 3.5m diameter Connecting pipe
Tunnel invert level @ surge shaft 1971.815 masl
Penstock Type Inclined Shaft Material High Yield Fe 540 Length 1348 m Diameters 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.414 m Thicknesses 16 mm - 60 mm Dimensions (m)
Reach 01 248m long, 2.6m dia& 16mm thick Reach 02 40m long, 2.6m dia& 18mm thick Reach 03 40m long, 2.6m dia& 20mm thick Reach 04 120m long, 2.4m dia& 24mm thick Reach 05 230m long, 2.4m dia& 35mm thick Reach 06 100m long, 2.4m dia& 40mm thick Reach 07 185m long, 2.2m dia& 45mm thick Reach 08 115m long, 2.2m dia& 50mm thick Reach 09 230m long, 2.2m dia& 60mm thick Reach 10 30m long, 2m dia& 60mm thick No of Branches near Turbine 6 Dimensions of the longest branch 10m long, 1.414m dia& 60 mm thick Number of Anchor / Thrust blocks Adits: Three Adits 1055m, 4.2m x 4.2m (W x D) Powerhouse Type Underground Dimension 80.0m x12.00m x 14.00m (L x W x D) Access Tunnel 770m, 4.2m x 4.2m (W x D)
Tailrace Tunnel Normal Water Level (m) 1144.401 Type Inverted D-Shaped Tunnel Size (B) 4.6 Size (D) 4.6
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-11 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Length m 505.750
Turbine Type Pelton Axis of Rotation Vertical Number of Units 6 Axis Level 1145.435 Efficiency @ rated Q 90.00% 3.073 Speed 750 rpm Rated output & Capacity (MW) 22.00 MW 24.200 Closure time (s) Tc 30 Opening time (s) To 60 Generator Number of Units 6 Power Factor 0.850 Speed (rpm) 750 Efficiency 97.00% Rated Output & Capacity with derating factors (MVA) 26.600 27.423 Number of Poles 10 Frequency 50 Hz Rated Voltage 11.000 kV Transformer 3-Phase Number of Units 6 Type 3-Phase, ONAN Cooled Efficiency 99.00% Rating 26.6(27.7) MVA, 11kV/220kV Frequency 50 Hz
Transmission Line Transmission Voltage (kV): Cal =175.614 220.000 kV Length 1.733km Number of Circuit 1 Connection Point Upper Arun Substation Power and Energy Installed Capacity 132 MW Dry Outage including transmission losses 4.00% Wet Outage including transmission losses 4.00% Used Months English Energy Estimates based on Daily Average Q release of 10% Flows Dry Season Saleable Energy 232.886 (~30.78%) GWh Wet Season Saleable Energy 523.65 (~69.22%) GWh Total Annual Saleable Energy 756.532 GWh Overall Efficiency (incl. transformer) 86.43% Access road
12 km (already been built by the ongoing Koshi Highway Access road from PH to Surge project) From Surge to HW which has to be built 22.9 km (District Rural Road- Category “A” road- 6m by the Project. width) Right of way (RoW) 10 m (5m on both sides from centerline) Financial Indicators Project Life 30 years Construction Period 5 years (including 1 yr preparation) Construction Year 2020 Used Currency NRs Project Cost w/o financing NRs 20128.729 million
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-12 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Project Cost w/ financing w/o WC NRs 26125.077 million Equity to Capitalized Loan Ratio 30:70 Interest Rate on Loan 12.00% Payback Period (years) 12 Min. Debt Service Coverage Ratio 1.472 (DSCR) Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 15.23% Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) 17.29% Net present Value at 12% Discount Rate NRs. 5349.011 million Dry Tariff (Rs/kW) 8.40 Wet Tariff (Rs/kW) 4.80 Benefit-Cost Ratio 1.199 Cost Per MW NRs 197.917 million CSP Cost NRs. 11,00,00,000 Exchange Rate (USD =>Rs) 108.00 Source: Feasibility Study Report of TBKHP, 2018
2.6 PROJECT ACTIVITIES The primary objective of the proposed project is to generate 132 MW of hydroelectric power from the Barun River in an environment-friendly and socially acceptable manner. The financial closure of the project has been almost completed. The proponent company shall award the main construction works of the project dividing it into different lots (civil, hydro-mechanical, electrical, etc) to qualified contractors on competitive basis. The main project activities are as described below:
2.6.1 Pre-construction Phase This phase includes pre-construction activities like concluding Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NEA, financial closure through financial arrangement for project implementation, receiving generation license for construction of the project as well as transmission line from DoED completion and approval of EIA report, completion of final design and preparation of bidding documents, bidding and contract award. Most of the lands required for the project at headworks and powerhouse shall be acquired or purchased prior to commencing the physical implementation. Since most of the project components are located within the MBNP and 14.29 ha government land shall be required for the proposed permanent structures as well significant number of tree needs to be cleared, the proponent company will apply through Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) for government land lease and tree cutting permission. The proponent company shall obtain permission by cabinet decision of Government of Nepal (GoN). It will take some months for completing the process as per Working Procedures for the Utilization of National Forest for the National Priority Projects, 2074. The proponent shall coordinate MBNP office for field data collection of trees and land, as well as for management of tree felling. Then, the company will clear construction sites and prepare land for construction camps and sites. Mobilization for establishing a project office, construction of access roads and construction power line, etc., shall be completed before commencing the project component construction works. The contract works will be procured through national and international competitive bidding process. Bidding will be made for civil works, hydro‐ mechanical works (gates and penstock pipe), electromechanical works (generating equipment) and transmission line and substation work separately.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-13 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
2.6.2 Construction Phase This phase includes construction activities like site clearance, earthwork excavation/backfilling, tunnel drilling, blasting, quarrying and crushing of boulders, transportation of construction materials, storage of construction materials, equipment/machineries and fuel, construction of main project components (weir, gravel trap, settling basin, powerhouse, tailrace) and disposal of muck and smooth operation of powerhouse and regular maintenance of project structures and equipment.
2.6.3 Post Construction Phase This phase includes the dismantling of project support facilities like campsites, crusher and batching plants, contractors’ facilities and rehabilitation of the areas occupied by the construction support facilities and muck disposal sites.
2.6.4 Operation Phase This phase includes the permanent diversion of River, operation of the powerhouse and regular maintenance of project structures and equipment.
2.7 CONSTRUCTION PLANNING 2.7.1 Land Requirement The estimated land requirement for the project is 15.49 ha for the placement of permanent structures and 10.95 ha for temporary use. Details of land requirements are provided in Appendix III. Table 2.2: Estimated Land Requirement in a hectare Permanent Temporary Total Type of Land Government Community Private Government Private Forest 14.27 - - 0.20 - 14.47 Cultivated - - 1.20 - 1.30 2.50 Barren - - - 4.45 4.45 Flood Plain 0.02 - - 5.00 - 5.02 Total 14.29 - 1.20 9.65 1.30 26.44
2.7.2 Human Resources The construction workforce is estimated to be up to 950 personnels during peak construction. As far as possible, available local manpower will be used for constructional activities and transport of materials, which will create employment opportunities for the locals. The total construction workers have been categorized as unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled human resources. The estimated workforce is given in Table 2.3. Table 2.3: Tentative Human Resources Required for the Project Qualification No. of Person Availability in Client Contractor Total Local Area Skilled 75 100 175 - Semi-skilled 50 75 125 Few might be Unskilled 650 650 Few might be Total 125 825 950 - Source: Feasibility Study Report of TBKHP, 2018
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2.7.3 Construction Materials The requisite quantities of construction materials such as boulders, cobble, gravel, and sand are generally available in and around the project. The project will require substantial quantity of construction materials like reinforcement bars, steel plates, construction chemicals, drill rods which will be imported. The estimated amount of construction materials is provided in Table 2.4. Table 2.4: Estimated Quantity of Construction Materials Needed S. No Items Units Quantity S. No Items Units Quantity 1. Cement M3 300,000 8. Accelerator Kg 4,000,000 2. Re-Bar Kg 100,000 9. Explosives Kg 700,000 3. Sand m3 15,000 10. Electric Detonator Number 800,000 4. Aggregate m3 140,000 11. Drill Bits Pieces 25,000 5. Diesel Liter 8,000,000 12. Drill Rod Pieces 3000 6. Steel Plate ton 3316 13. Blasting wire Roll 15,000 7. Concrete M3 5031 14. Shotcrete M3 350 Source: Feasibility Study Report of TBKHP, 2018
2.7.4 Construction Power Supply There is no electrification in the project area that can fulfill the energy demand of the project during construction. Each one generator set will be required for the powerhouse site, audit portals of tunnels and headworks construction sites. Hence, six portable diesel generator sets of 250 KW capacity shall be installed at the project site for construction power supply. The power requirement for construction of the project is estimated to be 1500 kW at the peak. Each of the generator sets will be installed within a separate house in premises of the contractor camps, which shall be fenced and under 24 hours vigilance of security guards. Trained technicians will be assigned for generators operation works and electric power supply to the construction site and camps. Generator fuels will be transported, handled and stored in high-density plastic containers with utmost care. The diesel generator plant will be installed as per the standard developed pertaining to Rule 15 of EPR, 1997 for the release of dust particulate matter in air by diesel generator.
2.7.5 Muck Disposal Area As per the technical feasibility report of the project, about 99,500 m3 volumes of muck will be generated considering bulking factor from Intake and gravel trap, Settling basin, Headrace tunnel, and powerhouse. Out of the total muck generated 25,875 m3 is excavation in boulder mix soil and earth soil, 73,600 m3 is rock excavation. Among 30,000 m3 can be used for backfilling. Therefore, only 69,500 m3 of muck is required to disposed. Mainly Topsoil has been marked at Gravel trap, penstock alignment, powerhouse and Tailrace area all together approximately 960 cum of topsoil has been calculated. The thickness of topsoil considered is around 0.60m. Out of 69,500 m3 of muck to be disposed off, 960 m3 is top soil, which needs to be preserved and distributed over the muck disposed area. Bulk Factor for Earth and Gravel mix soil is 25% and Bulk Factor for Rock is considered 65% and the compaction factor has been considered 20% (https://kalkulator.com.au/bulking-factor/).The location, area acquired and volume of muck will be disposed as shown in Table 2.5 and presented in topographic layout map in Appendix II.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-15 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Table 2.5: Estimated Amount of Muck Volume S.No. Description Muck Volume (m3) Top Soil volume(m3) 1 Weir 599.76
2 Gravel Trap 1,006.63 90.00 3 Settling basin 9,025.00 4 Headrace Tunnel 26,132.34 5 Surge Shaft 1,114.72
6 Aeration Tunnel 986.59 7 Pressure Tunnel 8,817.12 8 Penstock 2,100.00 324.00 9 Powerhouse 16,051.00 510.00 10 Tailrace Canal 890.50 36.00 11 Total 66,723.66 960.00 12 Bulk Factor for Rock 60%
13 Bulk Factor for Earth and Gravel mix soil 25%
14 Grand Total Considering BulkingFactor 99,475.00
Source: Feasibility Study Report of TBHP, 2018 About 1.5 ha of riverbank area (27º42’21”N and 87º22’09”) along the bank of Arun River above high flood level have been proposed for disposal of muck (refer Project layout Map in Appendix II).
2.7.6 Quarry Site Gravels and boulders are the dominant materials available in the Arun River. The requisite quantities of construction material like boulders, cobble, gravel, and sand are generally available in and around the project. Bar deposits of the Arun River along the left bank and excavated materials from the tunnel alignment are the main sources of construction material. These deposits predominantly consist of gneiss and schist boulder, cobble and gravel including some quartzite. The entire project needs estimated volume of 450,000 m3 of quarry materials for the entire construction work at different project component. A quarry site (27º 42’ 28” N and 87º 22’ 07”) covering an area of about 5 ha of flood plain area has been proposed near powerhouse site, the estimated volume of quarry materials from a quarry site to be extracted is 350,000 m3 of sand and aggregate along riverbank and flood plain of the Arun River located upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. Remaining quarry materials will be excavated materials from the tunnel alignment.
2.7.7 Crusher Plant and Batching Plant One crusher plant will be installed near the powerhouse site. The land area required for that is about 0.20 ha in private land. Crusher plant of capacity 20 TPH will be installed at the terraced land just downside of existing road to Simbung village. The proposed plant site location is about 700 m upstream of Barun Dobhan. The location of the plant is marked in the top sheet. There is also sufficient space available to stock the crushed material. As the concrete quantity for the structures will not be in huge quantity at a time, only concrete batch mixers will be used for the production of concrete. So, a concrete batching plant will not be required. Stockpiles of coarse and fine aggregate will be arranged near the headworks and powerhouse site in adequate quantities. Part of the coarse aggregate will be screened from the river bed materials. Raw materials for coarse aggregate will be transported from designated quarry sites by dump trucks. Fine aggregate (sand) for Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-16 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) concrete and masonry works will be borrowed from sand pockets along the Arun river or procured from local suppliers authorized by the concerned local government bodies. The crusher plant will be installed as per the standard developed pertaining to Rule 15 of EPR, 1997 for the release of dust particulate matter in air by Cement and Crusher Industry.
2.7.8 Camps and Other Facilities The construction camps will be established at the powerhouse site and headworks site (Refer Fig 1.3: Project layout map). The intermediate construction works will be served from these two sites at the head and tail end. Below Simbung village along the track of Koshi highway, the main project camp will be established nearby the powerhouse site. Fencing will be provided around the main camp for security reasons. Within premise of the main project camp, there will be employer's camp and contractor's camp side by side. Employer’s camp will consist of office building, staff quarters, canteen and guard’s quarter. The employer's camp will be converted to permanent camp to be used later for the operation period as well. An area of 0.3 ha covered with bushes (Alaichi cultivation) has been proposed for the employer's camp. Similarly, an area of 1 ha has been proposed for the establishment of contractors ‘facilities. The Contractor’s camps will have prefab houses for site office, staff quarters, labor quarters, workshops, warehouses, medical centers, security posts, etc. The employer's camp will be established in the land area owned by the proponent company. The land area used by the contractor's camp will be on temporary basis for project construction period. The coorodinates on which Contractor’s camp will be located is 27°42'39.72"N and 87°18'47.68"E. Contractors will be appointed for civil works, hydro-mechanical works, electro-mechanical works, and substation, and transmission works. Civil work and hydro‐ mechanical work contractors will be mobilized first to the project site. The Electro-mechanical contractor will be mobilized at the project site after major portion of civil works has been completed. The erection works of generating equipment will be well coordinated by the employer to match the completion of civil works and start of erection works. Water Supply and Sanitation Drinking water supply for the Employer’s and contractors’ camps will be provided from nearby sources. A perennial stream on the left bank of Barun Khola at distance of about 700 m has been identified as a drinking water supply source to the camps. The quality of water will be tested regularly. Reserve tanks will be installed for the water supply in camp areas in adequate quantity. Water for construction works will be tapped from Barun Khola by using water pumps or installing high density plastic pipes. The workplace should have good sanitary facilities. Clean toilets, washing facilities and shower rooms are important. These facilities have been made in the camps. It is prescribed to have one toilet at a workplace for every 15 workers. Urinals may be provided for men. Toilets will be separate for men and women. In addition, one wash basin will provided for every 30 workers. These sanitary facilities are necessary for workers' well-being and to prevent disease. Thus, adequate toilets, bathrooms, water and sewer drainage, septic tanks and soak pits etc. will be constructed and maintained for the work force in the labour camps and staff quarters. Toilets will be maintained in hygienic condition. Greenery will be developed by gardening within premises of the camps.
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2.7.9 Bunker Area Explosives, as mentioned in Table 2.4, will be required for the project. These explosives will be acquired from Nepal Army with the legal procedure as per the prevailing rules and regulations regarding explosives. For the selection of bunker area, consultation with the Nepal Army will be carried out. And it will be managed well by providing army security and explosives will be well handled so as to ensure use in construction only. The management of number of army personnel for security of explosive materials and capacity of bunker house is expected to be finalized by the government body during project implementation stage. An area of 0.2 ha has been proposed.
2.7.10 Access road Access road from PH to Surge is 12km, which has already been built by the ongoing Koshi Highway Project. From Surge to HW, the road of 22.9km has to be huilt by the Project. The formation width of the road is 6m with gravel surface and bituminous surface treatment. There are no river crossing structures along the access road except some minor culverts. The RoW will be 4.5 m (2.25 m on both sides from centerline) based on the required construction width for retaining structures.
2.8 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE The total project construction period is 65.08 months including 28 months for pre-construction works. The most difficult part of the project construction works is tunneling for waterway construction, which has been planned to complete within 30.85 months. Details of the project construction schedule are provided in Appendix-IV. While preparing the construction schedule, standard working hours in two shifts with four hours of overtime facilities resulting in a total working time of 600 hours for 25 working days per month have been considered. The following factors have been used to estimate the efficiency of work.
he total efficiency of manpower: 0.71 he total efficiency of the machine: 0.56 The project proponent will make a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Immediately after having the PPA, the proponent will conclude financial closure of TBKHP. The proponent already had several meetings with different investors, lenders and financial sources for the project construction. The proponent is optimistic to have the PPA and financial closure until December 2019. In general, the Required Commercial Operation Date (RCOD) of a hydroelectric project is integrated into the PPA document. Then, the proponent company will select civil contractors and contractors of other construction lots through the competitive bidding process. It is still premature to mention about RCOD of the proposed TBKHP. However, the proponent company aims to mobilize civil contractors to the project site until the beginning of 2020. Thus, the expected RCOD of proposed TBKHP shall be the end of 2025 AD.
2.9 PROJECT AREA DELINEATION The term ‘Project’ indicates the proposed TBKHP and the ‘area’ includes the ‘core project area and the ‘surrounding area’. The term ‘project area’ is also referred to as the study area for the EIA. For
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2-18 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) the purpose of the EIA study, the study area is defined as the project area consisting of the project site as well as the area that will be impacted due to the construction and operation of the project. The study area is divided into two parts on the basis of the proximity and magnitude of the impacts.
2.9.1 Core Project Area The core project area is the area that will be directly and physically affected by construction and operation activities. It will, to a large degree coincide with the required land take of the headworks and their ancillary support facilities as well as the immediate vicinity of the project construction areas. This includes both permanent and temporary land takes in the construction period (refer Project Layout Map in Appendix II). During the project construction phase, the periphery at distance of 100 m from the project components has been in general, considered as Core Project Area or Direct Impact Area (DIA).
In the operational period, it may be limited to areas of permanent land take. In addition, the stretch of Barun River expected to be most affected by reduced water flow is included in the directly project affected area. The settlement included in core project area is Simbung.
2.9.2 Surrounding Area The term ‘surrounding area’ indicates a greater area, which shall directly or indirectly be influenced by the implementation of the Project. Social and biological effects are expected to be the effects more extended in space than physical impacts. The expected social (employment opportunities, local economic boom, etc) and biological impacts (disturbance to wild animals' movement, likely increase in poaching, etc) might occur in the indirect impact areas. Hence this area is literally other areas of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality where no project structure and facilities are located. This area is also defined as the ‘Zone of Indirect Impacts’. Barun Bazar, Syakshila and Gola are human settlements in the surrounding project area. In the ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, the next human settlement is Hatiya located on the right bank of Arun River upstream of the project area, which is about 2 hours. walking distance away from the powerhouse site or Simbung village. Hatiya is also the headquarter of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. However, the right bank of the Arun River on opposite side of the project area has not been considered in the project surrounding area due to physical barrier of the river and difficult mountain terrains. Moreover, powerhouse site of the Upper Arun Hydropower Project has been proposed at the right bank of Arun River.
2.9.3 Project Affected Families (PAFs) and Severely Project Affected Families (SPAFs) The households whose land and/or shed or any other assets required for the project and purchase through direct negotiation with the owners will be considered as PAFs. In this proposed project, those households whose land was purchased for the placement of employers and labor camps are considered as PAFs. In addition, family losing residential households or more than 50% of land owned will be considered SPAFs. There is no SPAF in this project.
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Figure 2.5: Project Area Delineation Map
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CHAPTER III METHODS FOR PREPARING THE REPORT
The EIA process follows the EPA, 2053 and EPR, 2054. The details of methodologies applied in conducting the EIA of the proposed project are presented below.
3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW The key documents of the project were collected and reviewed to determine the nature and scope of project activities that influence the environmental condition of the project area. Published and unpublished literature and documents available in the documentation sections of government and non-governmental organizations and maps (topographical maps, land use maps) related to the project were collected and reviewed to get information on the existing baseline conditions on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the project area. Existing policies, legislations, guidelines, and manuals related to hydropower development in Nepal were also reviewed. The EIA study of the proposed project started with the review of approved Scoping Document (SD) and Terms of References (ToR) for the EIA of the proposed project, relevant reports and literature review, study of topographical maps of the project area, district profile of Sankhuwasabha and Feasibility Study Report of TBKHP (2018). Secondary data and information were collected from different relevant organizations, institutions, local governmental line agencies. Review of EIA reports of similar capacity and type projects were also carried out to establish a frame of reference for the EIA study of the proposed project. The data collected through a literature review on the physical environment include topography, geology and soil, drainage and hydrology, climate/meteorology, land use, erosion, landslide and land stability, etc. On the biological environment, information related to forest coverage and types, floral and faunal biodiversity, rare, endangered and protected faunal and floral species, habitats and ecological conditions of the project area were collected. Demographic characteristics of the project district and the affected wards, quality of life, culture, and traditions were the key information collected in the socio-economic and cultural aspects. The important literature reviewed during the EIA study include: National Population and Housing census 2011 (Village Development Committee/Municipality) Volume 01 and 02, NPHC 2011 (CBS, 2012); District profile of Sankhuwasabha (2070); Feasibility Study Report of TBKHP, 2019; Approved SD and ToR of TBKHP (132 MW), 2018 (Refer Appendix V);
3.2 DATA COLLECTION METHODS A team of experts comprising Environmental Expert, Sociologist, Botanist, and Environmental Engineer carried out the field investigation. The field visit was conducted on BS 2075/04/23 to BS 2075/05/28 and BS 2075/08/20 to 2075/08/28 to collect baseline information of the project area. The team members surveyed in the project sites and also made an observation of the physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural environment. Hence, the team used the survey and observation methods while collecting data. Various baseline data and information regarding the existing environmental and social conditions of the project area were collected. The following approaches were adopted for collecting primary information during field survey.
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3.2.1 Physical Environment In order to collect baseline information on the physical environment, an intensive field investigation within the proposed project area was carried out. Status of land use pattern, topography, geomorphology, soil erosion/landslides, and slope stability were carried out through direct observation and field study using a checklist. Water samples were collected within the project area i.e., headworks and powerhouse sites. Of the above data required, information on topography and geomorphology were derived from topographic maps the project area. Important topographic and geomorphic features were mapped and located in the topographic maps during field surveys for the key project facility sites. Data on ambient environment (air, water, noise) were obtained through assessment of air quality using IQ Air (Air Visual Pro),water sample collection and laboratory analysis; in-situ measurement of DO of the river and direct measurement of sound level and sources of noise in project area. Detailed methodology regarding hydrology, geology, and seismicity is described below: 3.2.1.1 River Morphology and Land Use The river morphology is used to describe the shape of the rivers and how they change their shape and direction over time. The river morphology of Barun River was studied theoretically with the help of a topo map (Sheet No: 2787 06); Scale (1:50000). The land use data was collected through the study of Topo map and field observation.
3.2.1.2 Hydrology and Meteorology Barun Khola is not a gauged river. More reliable and accurate hydrological data will be estimated only if there is regular flow measurement data at the proposed section is available. In absence of an automatic gauging station, a gauging station with ordinary staff gauge was established on 17 December 2014 although few measurements were carried out on 27 June 2014 nearby the suspension bridge site over the Barun Khola near the confluence of the Barun Arun Rivers. A local guy has been recruited to take out the gauge reading thrice a day and recorded the data from the beginning of the gauge established date. The daily flow measurement of the river is computed by the stage-discharge relationship equation. Since the study basin (Barun Khola) do not have published streamflow records, the streamflow at the proposed dam site is generated thorough reference hydrology study. In reference hydrology, the streamflow records of the nearby gauged station (i.e. nearby DHM gauging station) having similar hydrologic characteristics are used to estimate the streamflow at the dam site considering the catchment area of the river. The daily streamflow records of Sabha Khola gauging station no. 602 and Barun Khola gauging station no. 620 were used in reference hydrology. Different methods, Catchment Area Ratio (CAR), Medium Irrigation Project (MIP) were employed to determine the long term flow of Barun Khola. 3.2.1.3 Sediment Yield, GLOFs Sediment transport studies are mainly based on data collection on suspended sediment concentrations. Based on data collected by DHM and information available from different other sources, researchers, have been analyzed data and generalized sediment yield of different catchments were generated. Data related to GLOF was collected from Feasibility study report. It is recommended to take the lower values of estimated sediment load from Himalyan Sediment yield technique.
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3.2.1.4 Geology The geological investigation was carried out during the feasibility study. It included the assessment of the rock mass condition of the project area, geological mapping, detailed discontinuity mapping, general construction material survey and identification and observation of the unstable slopes. Geological maps of the headworks site, tunnel alignment, and powerhouse site have been prepared on a scale of 1:2000.
3.2.1.5 Air Quality For the collection of air quality data, IQ air (Air visual Pro Air Quality Monitor) was used. The instantaneous data on air quality in/around proposed headwork (27° 41’12” N, 87° 21’ 17” E, 2000 m amsl) and powerhouse (27° 41’35” N, 87° 21’53” E, 1100 m amsl) site was taken. Five grab samples in/around each site were taken. The given instrument displayed the value of PM 2.5 and Air Quality Index (AQI). Photo 3.1: Air Sampling Using Air visual Pro Air Quality Monitor 3.2.1.6 Noise Quality For noise level data, the sound pressure level was measured using sound level meter (Digital Sound Level meter, Sigma MTQ8055). It was carried out at proposed headwork site, nearby settlement (Simbung) and powerhouse site. Table 3.2: Location of Noise Sampling Points S. No. Location Co-ordinates Elevation No. of Samples Date, Time 1 Headworks 27° 41’12” N, 87° 21’17” E 2000 m amsl 1 2075/05/08, 11;15 am 2 Simbung 27º 41’34” N, 87º 21’51’ E 1850 m amsl 1 2075/05/08, 2:25 pm 3 Powerhouse 27°40’32” N, 87° 21’52” E 1100 m amsl 1 2075/05/09, 2:30 pm Source: Field Survey, 2018
3.2.1.7 Water Quality Water quality parameters are needed to understand the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the river. It is the measure of the condition of the river relative to the requirements of biotic species. The water quality parameters were tested and compared with the Nepal Water Quality Guidelines for Aquaculture. The methods employed for the data collection were indirect assessment of water quality; water sample collection at two locations (headwork and powerhouse site) of Baruni Khola. The location of water sampling sites is described in Table 3.3. On-site measurement of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was carried out using DO meter. Water samples from headwork and powerhouse sites were collected and laboratory analyses for different parameters like pH, nitrate, ammonia, free carbon dioxide, and iron and coliform were carried out.
Table 3.3: Location of Water Sampling Point Elevation S. No. Location Co-ordinates Date/Time No. of Sample m amsl 1. Headwork site 28º01’06” N, 85º46’49” E 1934 11/10/2075, 12:35 PM 1 2. Powerhouse 27º39’32” N, 85º21’0.8” E 1396 13/10/2075, 10:23 AM 1 Source: Field Survey, 2019
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Photo 3.2: Noise Measurement (Left), Measurement of DO in Barun Khola using DO Meter (Right)
3.2.2 Biological Environment 3.2.2.1 Forest Resources A. Sample Sites To know the forest structure and composition, forest sampling was carried out. Altogether five plots were taken (Table 3.4). A square quadrat of 20 x 20 m2 was made. All tree species having Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) greater than 10 cm present within the quadrats taken into account. DBH and height of all trees were measured with the help of DBH tape (Photo 3.2) and Clinometer respectively. Within the 20 x 20 m2 quadrat, a quadrat size of 5 m x 5m was made for the sampling of saplings and shrub and next 1m x 1m sampling size was made
for herb species. A census of the trees needed to Photo 3.3: Measurement of DBH of tree be felled along the project alignment was carried out.
Table 3.4: Location of Sample Plots
S.N Project Elevation m No. of Aspect Co-ordinates Date o. Component (amsl) Sample plot 27º01’06” N 1 1. Headwork East facing slope 2010 2075/05/02 87º46’49” E Tunnel Inlet 27º00’56” N 1 2. East facing slope 1939 2075/05/02 Portal Area 87º49’51” E 28º00’34” N 1 3. Access Road South East 1214 2075/05/03 87º47’26” E 27º59’25” N 1 4. Access Road South West 1163 2075/05/03 87º48’01” E 27º39’32” N 1 5. Powerhouse South East 1196 2075/05/04 87º21’0.8” E Source: Field Survey, 2018
B. Wildlife Wildlife from the proposed project area was recorded particularly through direct observation, counting pugmarks, droppings, footprints, pallets, ground digging and marking, remains (skin, fur,
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 3-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) feathers, bones, etc.), nests, holes and burrows and from secondary sources of information. Local people were consulted and checklists were filled out. The past literature, reports, and investigations/researches on the fauna were also consulted. Direct observation, identification of birds call and consultation with the locals were carried out to get the information about the birds. A transect survey was done along the proposed project alignment and along both right and left banks of Barun Khola for the direct as well as indirect observation of herpeto-fauna. Local people were consulted to get an idea about the abundance of herpeto-fauna. The method of continuous recording (Chalise, 2003) was adopted for the collection of general information on species diversity and population by direct observation. Presence of mammals, birds, and herpeto-fauna was also recorded by the identification of pug marks/footprints, droppings/pallets, ground digging and uprooting, tree scratching and marking, remains (skin, fur, feathers, bones, horns/antlers), nests, holes, and burrows. Additional information on animal presence and movements was obtained by using indirect methods i.e. discussions with local people and cattle grazers C. Aquatic Life Three attempts were made for capturing fish samples at the Barun-Arun confluence using cast net. Local people were used for this task. No fish was caught in net in spite of casting net several times. Upstream of the confluence, the Barun river stretch is not accessible because of vertical cliffs on both banks. Therefore, the result of fish sampling is null. Secondary information on fish fauna of the Arun River was collected from other sources. However, local informants were consulted and discussion made with them regarding fish and aquatic life in Barun Khola.
3.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment The methodology adopted to collect data and information on socio-economic and cultural aspects includes: 1) Focus Group Discussion (FGD); 2) Key Informant Interview (KII) with key stakeholders in the Project area; 3) Community Consultation Meeting, 4) Census of PAFs 5) A market survey for market prices of agricultural commodities, major construction materials, and wage rates. a) Field Observation Onsite field observation was made on housing, sanitation condition and other physical infrastructures present in the project area.
b) FGD Two FGDs were conducted in the project area (Table 3.5). The main objective of the FGD was to collect the issues/concerns of local residents’ regarding the implementation of the proposed project. Deeds of FGD are provided in Appendix VI. Table 3.5: Details of Group Discussion S. No Location Date Time No. of Participants 1. Simbung 2075/05/11 11:15 am 18 2. Gola Bazar 2075/05/12 3:00 pm 9 Source: Field Survey, 2019
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Photo 3.4: FGD at Simbung c) KII KII was conducted with three key stakeholders from the project area. The participants included an elected ward member of Bhot Khola RM 4. d) Census of PAF There are altogether 16 PAFs in this project area. A questionnaire-based household survey was undertaken to collect the socio-economic information of those households. e) Market Survey A checklist was used for the market survey. It was conducted in Gola Bazaar to gather the prevailing market prices of agricultural commodities, major construction materials, and wage rates.
3.3 DATA ANALYSIS 3.3.1 Physical Environment Information collected from the field visit was compiled. A land-use map was prepared using GIS. The water quality data were analyzed and compared in Kathmandu with the Nepal Water Quality Guidelines for Aquaculture. For noise quality, noise descriptor such as equivalent sound pressure level was calculated.
3.3.1.1 Hydrology Methods adopted for hydrological analysis included a rational method, Hydest, Modified Hydest Method and Catchment Area Ratio (CAR). Flow Duration Curve (FDC) The FDC is a probability discharge curve that shows the percentage of time; a particular flow is equaled or exceeded. In a run-off-the-river hydropower project, it is useful to know the variation of flow over the year so as to make ease to select the most appropriate turbine configuration as well as
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 3-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) for project optimization. It is more realistic to derive the flow duration curve based on daily data therefore it is necessary to have the daily flow data at the intake site.
3.3.1.3 Air Quality The mean values of AQI of five samples were compared with the US EPA Standards for Particle Pollution. Table 3.6: US EPA Standards for Particle Pollution S. No AQI Remarks 1. 0-50 Good, Little to no health risk 2. 51-100 Moderate, Sensitive individuals may experience irritations 3. 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups 4. 151-200 Unhealthy, Harmful for sensitive groups, reduced outdoor activity for everyone 5. 201-300 Very Unhealthy, Everyone can be affected. Avoid heavy outdoor activity 6. 300-500 Hazardous, Serious risks of respiratory effects. Everyone should avoid outdoor activities
3.3.1.4 Noise Quality The collected noise level data, using the sound level meter at different sites i.e. headwork, surge tank and powerhouse were compiled and equivalent noise level was calculated. The measured noise data helps in monitoring noise pollution during the construction and operation phase of the project.
3.3.1.4 Water Quality Water samples were collected from both headwork and powerhouse sites. Different water quality parameters viz. pH, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, iron, ammonium, carbon dioxide, and E. coli concentrations were tested and analyzed in a laboratory in Kathmandu. Dissolved oxygen in Barun Khola was measured on-site using a digital DO meter. The result of lab analysis and that of in-situ measurement of DO were compared with Nepal Water Quality Guidelines for Aquaculture.
3.3.2 Biological Environment Data collected during field visits were compiled and analyzed using MS office software like Word and Excel. The field data were used to calculate density and basal area. Density Density is the number of individuals per unit area. Density (stem/ha) = Total number of individuals of a species in all plots × 10000 Total number of plot studied × Size of the plot (m2) Basal Area Basal area refers to the ground actually penetrated by the stems. The basal area can be measured through, BA = r2 = (DBH) 2/4 cm2 Where BA= Basal Area DBH = Diameter of Tree at Breast Height It is expressed in m2/ha. Tree Volume and Biomass The volume of trees was calculated according to Schedule 7 (related to Rule 17 and 18 of Forest Rules Rules, 2051 (Fifth Amendment). Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 3-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
Status of Rare/Endangered and Protected Species Data recorded from the field were compared with those from the secondary sources and the species list was compared with the list of rare, endangered and protected species categorized under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Data List, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices and GoN/Nepal's list of protected species.
3.3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment The field data from Project Affected Wards and PAFs were compiled, edited and analyzed using MS office software like Word and Excel. The analyzed data were then interpreted and discussed in the appropriate section.
3.4 PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing program as per the provision in the EPR, 1997 was organized on BS 2075/08/22 at the school located at Simbung after preparation of the first draft report of EIA. The main objective of the public hearing program was to discuss the findings of the draft EIA report and to collect comments and suggestions of the local people, communities, and stakeholders of the project area. A summary of the EIA report in Nepali language was prepared and distributed to the participants during the public hearing program. A detail of the public hearing program is given in Appendix-VII. The issues arise in public hearing have been included in community support program as enhancement measures in Chapter VII. Almost issues are rational and can be fulfilled by the proponent under corporate social responsibility of the proponent company. The EIA team has a meeting with MBNP officials at the park office in Khandbari on conservation issues, likely impacts due to the project construction and mitigation measures to minimize the project impacts. The park office has provided their concerns and suggestions in a written letter. The MBNP's representative has been in involved as a team member in the EIA study.
3.5 RECOMMENDATION OF RURAL MUNICIPALITY As per the provision in Rule (10) of EPR, 2054, the recommendation of concerned RM was collected and attached to this report in Appendix VIII.
3.6 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION A simple interaction matrix was used during a scoping study in order to identify issues/impacts. For qualitative prediction of all the identified impacts on physical, biological, socio-economic, and cultural environment, method prescribed in the National EIA Guidelines, 1993 was used.Under the method, a simple matrix containing magnitude, extent, and duration of the impact was prepared. The impacts were further categorized as high, medium, and low in terms of magnitude; site-specific, local and regional in terms of extent and short term, medium-term and long term in terms of duration. The criteria for the rating of the impacts in terms of their magnitude, extent, and duration are elaborated below. Significance of Impacts Significant: The impact which is considerable and changes the baseline condition is considered to be significant impact. Insignificant If the change is so minor that the baseline condition is not affected Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 3-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
Impacts: considerably, then it is an insignificant impact.
Magnitude of Impacts Low Impact (L): If the value of the resources could be used with no or minimum inconvenience to the public and environment. Medium Impact If the value of the resources could be used with inconveniences to the (M): public and environment. High Impact (H): If the value of the resources is reduced far below the level acceptable to the public and environment.
Extent of Impacts If the impact is limited to the site, then it is a site-specific Site-Specific (S): impact. If the impact extends to the adjoining areas, it is termed as Local (L): local. If the impact of the work extends to a much wider area, it is Regional (R): termed as regional. Duration of Impacts If the duration of the impact that lasts for only three years after Short Term (ST) project initiation is classified as short term impact. If the impact of the works that continues for more than three Medium Term years but less than 20 years, then it is considered as medium- (MT): term impact. Long Term If the impact of the work lasts beyond, then it is considered to (LT): be a long term impact. The identified impacts were evaluated using impacts were identified using a simple checklist. The following aspects (Table 3.8) were taken into account for the evaluation of the identified impacts. Table 3.8: Impact Evaluation MAGNITUDE EXTENT DURATION HIGH 60 REGIONAL 60 LONG TERM 20 MODERATE 20 LOCAL 20 MEDIUM TERM 10 LOW 10 SITE-SPECIFIC 10 SHORT TERM 5 Source: National EIA Guidelines 1993 The significance was determined based on cumulative results of Magnitude, Extent, and Duration. Expert judgment has been considered for categorization of impacts into highly significant, significant and insignificant impacts (Table 3.9). For the impacts ranging cumulative score up to below 45, it is termed as Insignificant, for the impacts ranging cumulative score from 45 to 75, it is termed as Significant/ Moderate, and for the impacts ranging cumulative score above 75, and it is termed as Highly Significant.
Table 3.9: Impact Significance S. No. Cumulative Score Description 1 < 45 Insignificant 2 45 to 75 Significant (Moderate) 3 > 75 Highly Significant
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3.7 TIME, COST AND SPECIALISTS USED FOR THE STUDY 3.7.1 Time Schedule The time schedule proposed for the EIA study was 12 months after the approval of the SD and ToR. The schedule of the EIA study of the proposed project is given in Table 3.10. Table 3.10: Work Schedule for EIA Study of TBKHP Schedule in Months Activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Literature collection and Review Preparation work for EIA study Field Investigation for EIA Data Encoding and Analysis Draft EIA preparation Preparation and Implementation of Public Hearing Program Collection of Recommendation of Rural Municipality EIA Report Preparation and presentation in DoED Comment incorporation and report submission to MoFE Review and EIA Report and Approval
3.7.2 Cost Estimation The total estimated budget for the EIA study of the proposed TBKHP was estimated at NRs.2,000,000.00 (Twenty lakh rupees only) excluding VAT.
3.7.3 Specialists Involved The following experts/specialists were involved in the EIA study; Table 3.11: EIA Team Members S. No. Name Position Specialization Contact No. 1. Hishila Sujakhu Team Leader M.Sc. (Envt. Science) 9849304223 2. Milan Dahal Ecologist M.Sc. (Botany) 9751017390 3. Kamal Maden Botanist M.Sc. (Botany) 9851192822 4. Bishnu Prashad Basel Sociologist M.Phil. (Sociology) 9841030588 5. Sagar Dahal Zoologist M.Sc. (Zoology) 9841508494 6. Pramod Mahat Environment Engineer B. Tech. (Envt. Engineering) 9849694585 7. Sonam Lama Sociologist (Assistant) B. A. (Sociology) 9843494872 8. Deepesh Mijar MBNP Representative B.Sc. (Forestry) 9741481203 9. Shankar Bashyal Co-ordinator B.A. 9751016842 Note: Hydrologists and Geologists were involved during the feasibility study of TBKHP.
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CHAPTER– IV EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION
The existing environmental condition of the proposed Project area with regard to physical, chemical, biological and socio-economic and cultural environment are presented in following sub-chapters.
4.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 4.1.1 Topography and Land Use The project area lies in the middle mountain region. The project area is characterized with rugged hills and steep terrain. The elevation of the project site ranges nearly from 1100 m to 2000 m amsl. There is a drop of about 850 m in about 4500 m of horizontal distance from intake to powerhouse site. Headworks area has steep topography in a narrow gorge. The proposed powerhouse area is also located on steep slope. The project area comprises of river valley of Barun. All the project structures are located within left bank of Barun River. The confluence of Barun and Arun River is located nearby Barun Bazar. High gradient water rapids in regular interval are the characteristics of the Barun River. Rocky outcrops are moderate to steep. The valley is steep and mostly covered by dense forest and bushes. The project area is shown in Google map (Figure 4.1).
Headworks Area
Powerhouse Area
Figure 4.1: Project Area showing in Google Map
The land use pattern of the project area of LBKHP comprises of forest, bushes and little area of agricultural cultivated land. Because of steep terrain and rocky out crops, cultivated land is limited in the project area. The land use map of the project area is presented in Figure 4.2.
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Figure 4.2: Land Use Map showing Project Area 4.1.2 Climate The climate of the basin is influenced by the physiography of the region. The difference between warm humid summer and cold dry winter becomes more distinct with the change in altitude. The temperature variation is different during different periods of the year. The minimum temperature ranges from -40C to 90C in December-January and the maximum temperature ranges from 150C to 250C in May. The mean annual precipitation of the catchment area of proposed project is 2200 mm out of which 70 to 80 percentage Photo 4.1: Mt Makalu and Barun glacial lake occurs in monsoon. The monsoon causes major annual precipitation over the region and at the project catchment. The monsoon period in this region generally starts from mid-June and continues till the end of September. The low flow period starts from November and continues till April. From April onwards, snowmelts start at the Himalayas and the river flow gradually increases. Approximately 16 percent of the basin catchment lies in the permanent snow cover area, about 49 percent of the basin catchment lies in the seasonal snow cover area while remaining 35 percent of the basin lies purely in the rain fed area. A basin having snow cover area of 65 percent is considered to be very good. As a result, Barun River gives a good perennial flow during the dry season.
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4.1.3 Basin Physiography and Hydrology Barun meets the Arun River in Barun Bazar located about 4 km upstream of Gola Bazar. The Arun River is a major tributary of Saptakosi River which drains the eastern part of Nepal. The Saptakosi river merges into Ganga river in India before it ultimately enters into Bay of Bengal. The Barun glacier river originates from the high Himalayan range i.e Makalu Himal of Nepal. The Barun glacier river flows south-east wards from the Himalayan range. Then, from lower Barun glacier lake, the Barun river originates with small tributaries. Barun River meets Saldin khola originated from Chamlan Himal. The Barun River continuously flows towards south-east through gorges deeply incised into high mountains, ranging in elevations between 2200 m and 1100 m till it meets with Arun River. The catchment area of Barun River at the proposed intake site is about 449 km2. Its total catchment area is 470 km2. Basin perimeter is 163 km and 180 km at the intake site and in total respectively. Further, the catchment area at intake is classified as follows: Table 4.1: Catchment Area by Elevation Elevation Area Above 5000 m 214 km2 Between 3000-5000 m 213 km2 Below 3000 m 22 km2 Source: Feasibility Study Report, TBKHP 2018 Most of the catchment area lies above 3000 m elevation, a favorable condition for higher degree of base flow throughout the year and less flood hazards. Except for some permanent snowlines, glaciers and lakes; the rest of the catchment area is covered with barren hard rock, grassland with scattered vegetation and dense forest. The catchment area of the stream is elongated to south-east with trellis pattern of drainage. Hydrology The Barun River is a gauged river but Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has not published stream flow records of the river due to poor and insufficient flow measurements data as well as intermittent water level records available in DHM. The feasibility study team visited at the Barun gauge site of station number 600 on 23 December 2014 (08 Poush 2071 BS). Overall inspection and interaction with local people & gauge reader reveals that the gauging station was found to be in very poor conditions due to absence of lower staff gauge and poor maintenance of the gauge plates and occasional flow measurements (hardly two times measurement) in a year. Hence, this project has established the gauze station 300 m upstream from the intake site. It is the same site as of DHM gauging section of station 600. The recommended mean monthly flow were taken from long term mean monthly flow obtained from long term average mean daily discharge computed from CAR techniques with reference to stream flow records of Sabhya khola at gauging station 602 with adjustment for medium flow season (November & December) in recession curve based on the primary data collected by the study team in December 2014, February and March 2015. Since the stream flow records of 602 gauging station are of long period (1974-2008 i.e. 35 years), fair quality, similar basin size located very close to the Barun Khola study basin, adopted mean monthly flow were taken with reference to Sabhaya Gauging station 602. The adopted mean monthly flow data are slightly lower than that of the flow obtained from reference hydrology based on flow Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) records of 620 will provide more safety against the hydrological risk during low flow season. The recommended long term mean monthly flow at the proposed dam site is as shown in Figure 4.3. Table 4.2: Estimated and adopted mean monthly flow (m3/s) at the intake site Reference Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Yearly station
Estimated long term mean monthly flow
602 6.7 5.6 5.2 6.9 16.7 36.0 56.8 58.8 52.9 26.9 13.8 9.0 24.9
620 7.1 6.2 5.9 6.7 9.6 28.4 74.0 91.3 65.1 28.8 14.1 9.5 29.1
DHM- 2.8 2.5 3.2 3.2 4.3 11.0 21.8 29.5 18.2 9.8 5.1 3.5 9.6 2004
WECS- 3.0 2.5 2.3 2.4 3.3 22.2 35.9 43.2 33.3 14.5 12.1 7.8 15.2 DHM
Adjusted long term mean monthly flow
602 6.7 5.6 5.2 6.9 16.7 36.0 56.8 58.8 52.9 26.9 12.3 7.6 24.5
620 7.1 6.2 5.9 6.7 9.6 28.4 74.0 91.3 65.1 28.8 12.7 8.1 28.8
Recomme 6.7 5.6 5.2 6.9 16.7 36.0 56.8 58.8 52.9 26.9 12.3 7.6 24.5 nded
Source: Feasibility Study Report, TBKHP, 2018
Figure 4.3: Comparison of mean monthly flow obtained from different methods Mid Irrigation Project (MIP) method were also used to compute mean monthly flow based on the discharge measurement data of 17 December 2014, 18 December 2014, 10-February 2015, 14 March 2015, 15 April 2015 and 2 June 2017. The average of the observed flow measuremnt (current meter observation) data with proper adjustment considering drainage area were taken as the observed mean monthly data for the month and used MIP non dimensional regional hydrograph ordinate for the region one (1) is used to calculate mean monthly flow in other months based on the obsserved mean monthly flow. The observed mean monthly flow of the month of measurement were calculated first considering the days of measurement suitably considering the mean monthly ordinate and the days before or after the mid of the month. Comparative study of the recommended Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) mean monthly flow obtained from reference hydrology and from MIP method shows that the annual mean flow at the dam site is higher mainly due to high mean monthly values in months January, February, August, September, October, Novmber and December months. MIP methods are reliable mainly for rivers in terai region and used for design of inrrigation facilities and it may not be suitable to apply for prediction of flow for hydropower since precise stream flow estimation is essential based on long series of stream flow for calculation of power and energy production from hydropower project. The recommended mean monthly flow were taken from long term mean monthly flow obtained from long term average mean daily discharge computed from CAR techniques with reference to stream flow records of Sabhya khola at gauging station 602 with adjustment for medium flow season (November & December) in recession curve based on the primary data collected by the study team in December 2014, February and March 2015 . Since the stream flow records of 602 gauging station are of long period (1974-2008 i.e. 35 years), fair quality, similar basin size located very close to the Barun Khola study basin, adopted mean monthly flow were taken with reference to Sabhaya Gauging station 602. The adopted mean monthly flow data are slighlty lower than that of the flow obtained from reference hydrology based on flow records of 620 will provide more safety against the hydrological risk during low flow season. Table 4.3: Estimated mean monthly and yearly flow (m3/s) at the dam site by MIP method MIP Non 17 & 18 13 & 14 - 15- Dimensional 10-Feb- Average mean Months Dec- Mar- April- 2-Jun-2017 Ordinate (for 2015 monthly flow 2014 2015 2015 region-1) Observed 6.10 5.21 8.99 11.88 58.50
Jan 2.4 4.80 6.59 16.39 28.52 23.40 15.94
Feb 1.8 3.60 4.94 12.29 21.39 17.55 11.95
Mar 1.3 2.60 3.57 8.88 15.45 12.68 8.63
Apr 1 2.00 2.74 6.83 11.88 9.75 6.64
May 2.6 5.20 7.14 17.76 30.90 25.35 17.27
Jun 6 11.99 16.47 40.98 71.30 58.50 39.85
Jul 14.5 28.98 39.80 99.03 172.31 141.38 96.30
Aug 25 49.97 68.61 170.73 297.09 243.76 166.03
Sep 16.5 32.98 45.29 112.68 196.08 160.88 109.58
Oct 8 15.99 21.96 54.64 95.07 78.00 53.13
Nov 4.1 8.19 11.25 28.00 48.72 39.98 27.23
Dec 3.1 6.20 8.51 21.17 36.84 30.23 20.59
Annual 14.37 19.74 49.11 85.46 70.12 47.76
Flow Duration Curve If a run-of-river hydropower scheme requires flows greater than the minimum stream flow for power generation, it is useful to know the variation of flow over the year to select the most appropriate turbine configuration and firm energy calculation. For this purpose, information presented in the form of a flow-duration curve is most useful. The flow duration curve is also important for Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) determination of the design flow rate and installed capacity of the reservoir and Pondage project. The flow duration curve is also useful for determination of the storage required as well as to check the sufficiency of available water in streams to meet the desired flow for the power production. The average flow-duration curve is an exceedence probability-discharge curve showing the percentage of time when a particular flow is equaled or exceeded. The flow duration curve was prepared from the generated mean daily flow data as described above in long term hydrology using CAR method. The flow duration curves were also assessed using the long term mean monthly flow and long term mean ten (10) daily flows as shown in Table 4.6 generated for the dam site. The average of the long term mean monthly flow data were arranged in descending order to find the flow corresponding to different probability of exceedence. The comparative study of the estimated flow values from the different techniques as shown in Table 4.9 are close together for the time exceedence greater than 40%. The values obtained from Total flow duration curve analyses (QAADM) yielded lower values for all time of exceedence above 10% time of exccedence for both with reference to 602 and 620 gauging station. . The comparative study of the flow duration curves obtained by long term average mean daily flow, long term average mean monthly flow and long term average ten days mean daily discharge with reference to same station 602 are quite close together, The FDC values obtained with reference to 602 are lower than the values obtained from 620 gauging station up to 25% time of exceedence and while above 75% of time exceedence, the flow values of FDC obtained with reference to 602 station are higher than that obtained with reference to 620 gauging station. The FDC value obtained from Calendar based flow data of 1 year like FDC from long term average mean daily flow, long term average mean monthly flow are higher than the total FDC values obtained from total flow duration curve (TFDC) specially for 40 percentile of Time exceedence which are commonly used as design discharge for determination of installed capacity and reservoir capacity. The recommended flow values of FDC above 5% of exceedence are lower than the FDC values obtained with reference to 620 gauging stations up to 35% while the recommended values are higher than that obtained with reference to 620 gauging station while the values yielded from WECS-DHM and DHM 2004.are less than that of recommended.
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Figure 4.4: Flow Duration Curve from long term average stream flow data
Figure 4.5: Recommended Flow Duration Curve for the proposed dam site
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Table 4.4: Time exceedence of daily discharges at dam site Time Daily Discharge Daily Discharge Days per Time Days per Exceedence Equaled Equaled Year Exceedence (%) Year (%) Or Exceeded (m3/s) Or Exceeded (m3/s) 5 18.3 58.83 55 200.8 12.11 10 36.5 57.69 60 219.0 9.53 15 54.8 56.37 65 237.3 7.53 20 73.0 54.28 70 255.5 7.12 25 91.3 49.57 75 273.8 6.85 30 109.5 40.26 80 292.0 6.74 35 127.8 33.30 85 310.3 6.33 40 146.0 28.29 90 328.5 5.75 45 164.3 22.85 95 346.8 5.45 50 182.5 17.25
Flood hydrology
The objective of the flood analysis was to estimate the project inflow floods up to 1000 year return periods. These peak flood values are required to determine the spillway design flood and the necessary energy dissipation structures at the headwork to prevent downstream scouring and bank erosion. It is emphasized that the Barun Khola (BKHPP) Hydroelectric Project is a Runoff River (ROR) type and will have low height dam, There are few glacier lakes in the upper part of the drainage area so potential flood that may occur due to Glacier Lake outburst Flood (GLOF) shall need to be considered in selection of design flood for spillway design. At present level of study, detail information of the Glacier lake and moraine dam is not available, so design flood of 1000 years return period shall be taken as GLOF flood for design of spillway. As the Barun basin is being ungauged river basin, there was not any information about the flood magnitude and its occurrence. The review of the historical relevant past flood events (maximum instantaneous flood discharge) recorded at the Sabhaya khola from 1974 to 2008 revealed that the highest flood in the Sabhya khola, which had an instantaneous peak of 390 m3/s, was recorded on 14 July 1983. The second highest flood recorded on the Sabhya gauging station was 301 m3/s on 19 July 1982. The review of flood (instantaneous maximum discharge) records observed at the Jalbire gauging station from 1964-2008 revealed that the highest flood record was of 920 m3/s recorded on 4 September 1985. The second highest flood was of 720 m3/s recorded on 1 August 1988. To overcome obvious shortages, such as the limited extent of available data base at the dam site and the uncertainties involved in the raw and historic-reconstituted data series, the estimation of flood discharges necessitated the application of two different procedures: (i) flood frequency analysis on generated instantaneous annual flood series based on reference hydrology with respect to the gauging stations 602 and 620 for the dam site and powerhouse tailrace outlet site and (ii) a regional flood frequency analysis. Flood Frequency Analysis for proposed dam site and powerhouse tailrace site
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The annual monsoon and storm rainfalls in the months May through October causes sustained high flow conditions and floods in the Barun River basin which generally reach their maxima during June to September. Comparative study of generated annual flood series with maximum mean daily discharge of a year showed that, the generated flood data at the dam site was found to be less than the annual maximum mean daily discharge for the same year indicating under estimate of the flood data at the dam site. Indirect computation of normal annual flood from field visit eye observation of HFL and river channel bed materials and channel cross section and L-profile survey data showed normal flood flow is higher than that generated considering drainage area ratio below 3000 m elevations as described above. To avoid under estimation of design flood flow realizing potential flood flow with Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), the annual flood series data at the head work site were generated taking drainage area ratio of the basins lying below 5000 m elevation providing the index of one as the size of the drainage basin lying below 5000 m elevations are quite comparable with the corresponding drainage area of the reference stations. Comparative study of the distribution based on the fitting of observed and computed values, the LPIII distribution seems better fitted although others distributions are acceptable as there was very little real differences between the various distributions. For the case of flood series generated from 602 gauging station, the flood values yielded from the GEV distribution are slightly higher than that from LPIII and LN above 10 to 25 years of return period while LPIII values are higher than that of the GEV and LN for higher return period floods. But in the case of flood series generated from 620 gauging stations the flood values yielded from LPIII are higher than GEV and LN distribution for above 50 years of return periods. The deviations of flood discharge values were found higher for higher return period in both of the cases with reference to the gauging station 602 and 620. The resulting flood discharges of the Barun river at the dam site and power house site with the return periods are displayed in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: Flood estimation for the dam site and powerhouse TRT out let site Reference from 602 Reference from 620 WECS-DHM Return DHM Instanta Period GEV LPIII LN GEV LPIII LN Daily 2004 neous
Dam Site considering area below 3000 m elevation
2 25.7 23.6 24.5 58.1 54.2 55.1 16 30 33
5 35.9 33.1 33.3 81.7 76.3 76.5 26 53 62
10 52.9 49.0 48.1 121.1 113.1 112.0 33 72 86
20 62.0 60.3 57.0 142.2 137.9 134.2 40 92 113
25 66.5 66.0 61.5 152.7 150.3 145.2 42 97 119
50 76.7 80.9 72.1 176.2 181.2 171.8 51 122 153
100 86.8 97.6 83.2 199.6 215.1 199.7 59 147 193
200 96.8 116.6 94.9 222.8 252.2 229.3 68 175 227
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500 105.5 137.2 105.9 243.0 290.1 257.6 80 215 284
1000 120.1 171.4 124.3 276.6 353.2 304.7 90 249 333
Dam Site considering area below 5000 m elevation
2 121.9 119.1 123.3 170.6 159.4 162.5 16 30 33
5 172.5 164.9 165.9 238.6 222.7 223.3 26 53 62
10 257.0 241.3 237.0 351.9 328.2 324.6 33 72 86
20 302.3 295.1 279.7 412.7 399.2 386.9 40 92 113
25 324.9 321.9 301.1 443.1 434.7 418.1 42 97 119
50 375.4 391.3 351.4 510.8 523.6 492.3 51 122 153
100 425.4 469.1 403.7 577.9 621.1 570.1 59 147 193
200 475.3 556.6 458.6 644.9 728.2 652.5 68 175 227
500 518.6 650.0 510.1 703.0 837.9 730.6 80 215 284
1000 590.8 805.6 596.0 799.9 1020.9 861.0 90 249 333
Reference from 602 Reference from 620 WECS-DHM Return DHM Period Instanta 2004 GEV LPIII LN GEV LPIII LN Daily neous
TRT Outlet Site of powerhouse in Barun khola near gauge station considering area below 3000 m elevation
2 39.7 36.1 37.8 92.9 86.8 88.5 28 49 55
5 56.2 51.3 51.7 129.9 121.3 121.6 44 86 101
10 83.7 76.6 74.9 191.6 178.7 176.7 56 114 138
20 98.5 95.6 89.1 224.7 217.4 210.7 67 145 178
25 105.8 105.1 96.3 241.3 236.7 227.6 70 152 189
50 122.3 130.6 113.2 278.1 285.1 268.0 84 189 239
100 138.6 159.9 130.9 314.7 338.2 310.4 96 225 297
200 154.8 193.8 149.6 351.1 396.5 355.2 110 265 347
500 168.9 231.8 167.3 382.8 456.2 397.8 129 323 430
1000 192.4 295.0 196.9 435.6 555.8 468.8 144 371 500
TRT Outlet Site of powerhouse in Barun khola near gauge station considering area below 5000 m elevation
2 132.9 120.7 126.5 186.1 173.8 177.2 28 49 55
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5 188.1 171.7 173.1 260.2 242.9 243.5 44 86 101
10 280.2 256.6 250.9 383.7 357.9 354.0 56 114 138
20 329.6 320.3 298.5 450.0 435.3 421.9 67 145 178
25 354.3 352.1 322.3 483.2 474.1 455.9 70 152 189
50 409.3 437.3 379.0 557.0 571.0 536.8 84 189 239
100 463.9 535.7 438.2 630.2 677.3 621.7 96 225 297
200 518.3 649.2 500.9 703.2 794.0 711.5 110 265 347
500 565.5 776.2 560.2 766.6 913.7 796.7 129 323 430
1000 644.2 987.8 659.2 872.2 1113.2 938.8 144 371 500
4.1.4 Sedimentation Main sources of sediment in river are the soil erosion from the watershed. The human activities like tilling of land for cultivation, construction of infrastructures like road, buildings, felling down of trees for fire wood activates the soil erosion. Intense rainfalls on steep bare land bring a lot of sediment in river with flowing water during monsoon season. The soil erosion can be surface (sheet erosion), rills erosion and gulley erosions in high steep slope. Besides the artificial reasons; natural land slide, mass failure and debris flow are also major sources of the sediment in Nepalese river. The GLOF can also be one of the major sources of sediment.
Due to inaccessibility of the project headworks site, especially during rainy or high flow season, the sediment samples have not collected from the proposed headworks site yet but few sediment samples were collected from January 2015 to February 2016 covering one complete monsoon season. Since catchment area above the headworks site is covered by rock and forests having negligible agriculture land and low population density, the sediment load might be lower than the estimated values as given above. It is recommended to take the lower values of estimated sediment load from Himalyan Sediment yield technique i.e. 0.285 million m3/yr or equivalent to 0.755 million metric tons/yr for design of intake and settling basin parameters. (Source: Feasibility Report, TBKHP, 2018).
4.1.5 Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) A GLOF event may occur when a glacier lake terminal moraine dam fails due to erosion, water pressure, an avalanche of rock or heavy snow, an earthquake or cryoseism, or if a large enough portion of a glacier breaks off and massively displaces the waters in a glacial lake at its base. The collapse of Glacier Lake generates huge debris mixed flash flood downstream. Several catastrophic GLOF events occurred in China and Nepal but, these events were not considered seriously. Inventory study of glacier and Glacier Lakes carried out by ICIMOD and
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UNEP/EAP in 2000 shows that there are altogether 2,323 lakes have been identified above 3,500 masl in major river systems like Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali basins. As per re-study of the glacier lakes carried out by ICIMOD, Lower Barun Glacier lake falls on first category of prioritization of potentially dangerous glacial lakes of Nepal identified in 2009 study. The Lower Barun Glacier Lake lies about 24 km upstream from the proposed headworks site. The glacial lake is approximately 2.7 km in length and 0.7 in breadth (Courtesy: Google earth). In a study conducted in a total of 1541 glacial lakes (in 2017; size ≥0.0036 km2) with a surface area of 80.95 ± 15.25 km2 across the Nepal Himalaya, showed that the total surface area of glacial lakes in Nepal expanded by 25% between 1987 and 2017 (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/10/12/1913/htm). Besides the Lower Barun Glacier Lake, fourteen other glacier lakes were found above the proposed headworks site from study of published topographic map of Survey Department and ICIMOD study of Glacier lake inventory study 2000. Glacier Lakes other than Lower Barun are small and remarked as not potential dangerous glacier lake. A large‒scale flash flood was reported in the Barun River on April 20, 2017 even though there was no rainfall on that day. A resident of Yangle Kharka, reported that a lake on Langmale Glacier burst around 1 pm, flooding down the Barun River. The flood reached at the Barun-Arun confluence around 4 pm, where the debris dammed the Arun River, forming a temporary lake of 2-3 km length. (http://www.subhimalayan.com/barun-valley-glacier-lake-outburst-flood-may-20-2017/).
Figure 4.6: Google image of the Lower Barun Glacier Lake located at upstream of the project area.
4.1.6 Geology Detail geological study was carried out at the project area Sankhuwasabha District along Arun River Section and Barun Khola Section for the better understanding of the geological condition of the area. Rock type, associate minerals, bedding structures and slope aspects and attitude of beds were noted during Geophysical Survey (ERT survey). The proposed project area belongs to high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Lesser and Higher Himalayan rocks, situated between the Saldim Khola and Barun Bazaar village. Generally, the project area consists of high-grade metamorphic rocks like gneiss, banded gneiss and schist. Majority of the rocks are high-grade metamorphic rocks. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-12 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
Proportion of gneiss is comparatively greater than schist in the Lesser Himalaya whereas ratio of the schist is greater than gneiss in Barun Gneiss Zone (Formation I). The lithounit is comprised of thick-bedded, light grey coarse-grained banded gneiss and gneiss intercalated with grey, thick to thin bedded schist. In general, the project area covers gneiss more than 90% in Lesser Himalaya and 70% in the Higher Himalaya. The dip directions of rocks vary from 1000 to 1100 and dip amount ranges from 400 to 520. The trend of the strike of the foliation plane varies from 0100 to 1900 and dipping ranges from 400 to 450 towards south. Rocks are exposed at the many part of the project area. Augen structures were observed in gneiss. Gneiss observed in the area is tabular to sub horizontal which forms immense cliffs and steep slope in the project area. High grade metamorphic minerals like kyanite and sillimanite were observed in boulders but not in fresh rock exposure. Headworks Area In headworks area the rock exposure is thick to very thick bedded, light dark grey, coarse-grained banded gneiss and grey mica schist. At the proposed weir axis site the left bank of the Barun Khola has rocky cliff covered with banded gneiss and mica schist. The right bank slope is covered by the old alluvial soil and GLOF sediments which consists of mainly subrounded to rounded fragments of gneiss and quartzite on the bedrocks. The riverbed consists of mostly boulders and gravels of quartzite, gneiss. Bedrocks are exposed on the right bank riverbed. Tunnel Alignment The proposed tunnel alignment follows on the left bank of the Barun Khola, also lies in the rocks of the FI Formation (Barun Gneiss Zone) and FII Formation (Chamlang Migmatite Zone) Formation, Higher Himalaya and Irkhuwa Crystalline Nappe (Ulleri Formation) of the Lesser Himalaya but initial part of the tunnel alignment lies in the rocks of the FII Formation. Intercalation of gneiss and schist can be found along proposed tunnel alignment. 90% of the total length of the alignment of tunnel covers by the gneiss whereas 10% of the alignment covers by the schist. Thick layers (more than 5 m thick) of colluvial deposits as the GLOF sediments are found on the hill slope on the rocks of the gneiss and schist. Thickness of the gneiss varies from 1 to 5 m whereas the schist varies from 2 to 3 m. The proposed alignment crosses the small and minor tributaries which do not affect directly because the bedrocks are exposed and also seems sufficient coverage for the tunnel alignment. The proportion of gneiss is greater than schist is found downstream from the headworks area also. The tunnel alignment passes through the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone (Barun Thrust I) as well as Barun Thrust II. These thrusts are identified only by the lithological character and mineralogical composition and dipping of the rocks. These thrusts are not active. Surge Tank The proposed surge tank and penstock alignment area is located on the left bank of the Barun Khola, above Syangbung Village, and lies geologically on in the rocks of the Irkhuwa Crystalline Nappe (Ulleri Formation), Lesser Himalaya. Around the proposed area, medium- to coarse-grained gneiss and schist can be observed on uphill side area. Powerhouse and Tailrace The powerhouse and tailrace lies on the left bank of the Barun Khola, on the right bank of the Arun River at Barun Bazaar, about 500 m upstream from the confluence between the Arun River and Barun Khola. The structure shall be underground. Geologically, proposed area belongs to the rocks
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-13 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) of the Irkhuwa Crystalline Nappe (Ulleri Formation). Around the powerhouse and tailrace area rocks are exposed and superficially covered by colluvial deposits (GLOF sediments). Access Road The access road will pass through intercalation of gneiss and schist. Since the major rock type distribution along the access road is gneiss and schist, it offers the better quality of the alignment for access road. The slope around the access road area is stable and no occurrence of soil erosion is observed. So to understand the subsurface geological condition of the area Geophysical investigation using Two Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography Survey was carried out on most of the project components. 4.1.7 Landslide and Slope Stability The slope stability of the project area is seems to be stable. The dipping of the foliation plane is oblique to the natural hill slope, hence, can be considered favorable. The sound rocks area found in the surge tank, powerhouse as well as in intake area. Hence, there is less possibility of failure. There are no major faults and landslides in the proximity of the project area as well as the tunnel alignment. 4.1.8 Seismicity Nepal is located at the boundary between Indian and Tibetan tectonic plates. Therefore, the project area lies in a seismically active region. The seismic risk zone of Nepal indicates that the project area is located in second risk zone. Historical data evidence the occurrence of destructive great earthquakes in the past. Nepal has experienced several large earthquakes over the past centuries that have resulted in substantial property damage and loss of life. The recent recorded earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes in 2015 was Gorkha earthquake situated about 300 km west from the Project area; National Seismological Center, Kathmandu under Department of Mines & Geology monitored seismic activities in Nepal. According to the seismological center, the last earthquake of 4.2 Magnitude with its epicenter in Sankhuwasabha district occurred on BS 2075/5/13.
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Project area
Figure 4.7: Geological Map Nepal showing Project Area (Source: Upreti and LeFort, 1999)
PROJECT AREA
Figure 4.8: National Geological Map of Project Area after DMG, 2005
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The country is divided into three seismic risk zones based on allowable bearing capacity of three types of soil foundation. The proposed TBKHP lies in the seismic zone 2 of the Nepal Himalaya. The design horizontal seismic coefficient is considered to be 0.15. The calculated effective design seismic coefficient is approximately 0.12 to 0.15 by considering the minimum acceleration of 250 gal and maximum acceleration of 300 gal (Seismic Hazard Map of Nepal, 2002) and the reduction of 0.50.
Project Area
Figure 4.6: Seismic Hazard Map of Nepal Showing Project Area 4.1.9 Air Quality and Noise The project area lies in the rural setting without industrial establishment and vehicular movement. The project area seems free from air and noise pollution. However, construction activities of track road opening for Koshi Highway in Simbung village and powerhouse area were ongoing at the time of field visit during the second week of December, 2018. The EIA team observed loud noise and dusty environment at the powerhouse area. But the proposed headworks area is in pristine location. Ambient air quality is measured by a variety of techniques, most involving drawing sample air into the analyser and determining the concentration of the pollutant in the air such as oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, fine particles etc. An AQI is used by government agencies regarding public health concerns about the polluted air. The AQI is determined by emissions (e.g. vehicular traffic or fire) or from a lack of dilution of air pollutants. Stagnant air, often caused by temperature inversion, or low wind speeds lets air pollution remain in a local area, leading to high concentrations of pollutants, chemical reactions between air contaminants and hazy conditions. AQI of the proposed project site was found to be 51 at the headwork site and that in powerhouse site was found to be 63. It indicates that the air quality is moderately good according to US EPA standard for particle pollution. There are no such pollutant sources and air stagnant condition in the project area. There is no any source of toxic elements that deteriorate ambient air quality in the project area. Dust and noise due to the road construction is temporary.
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The sound pressure level recorded using the sound meter was shown in Table 4.3. The sound level was found to be little higher at the Barun-Arun confluence and headworks site due to sound of gushing river flow.
Table 4.3: Noise Level at the Project Sites S. N. Location Equivalent Sound Pressure Level (dBA) 1. Headworks 58.89 2. Simbung 46.60 3. Powerhouse site 55.22 Source: Field Survey, 2018
4.1.10 River Water Quality The result of water quality test is presented in the Table 3.4. The lab report of water quality test is provided in Appendix-IX. The observed value of water was found within the range of Nepal Water Quality Guidelines for Aquaculture. Table 4.4: Result of Physico-chemical Analysis of Water S. No. Parameters Intake Powerhouse Standard Value * 1. Temperature (C) 2 3 4-18 2. pH 7.1 7.1 6.5-9.0 3. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), mg/L 8.2 8.0 6-9
4. Total Hardness as CaCO3, mg/L 24 38 20-100 5. Total Alkanity as CaCO3 mg/L 36 43 <12 6. Total Suspended Solids (TSS), mg/L <1 1 <20000 7. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) mg/L 38 44 <2000 8. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), mg/L <1 <1 <15 9. Phosphate, mg/L 0.02 0.03 - 10. Nitrate, mg/L 2.98 6.34 <300 11. Total Coliform Count (MPN Index/100ml) Nil Nil - *Nepal Water Quality Guidelines for Aquaculture Source: Field Survey and Lab Report, 2018
4.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT The project area of proposed TBKHP is located in the east corner within boundaries of the Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP). MBNP is one of the main components of biological environment of the project area. The main features of the biological settings of the project area are presented below.
4.2.1 Makalu Barun National Park With the goal of nature conservation, twenty different protected areas have been established in territories of Nepal. They cover landscapes and ecosystem from Himalayas and high mountain watershed to flood plains of Terai with a low representation in mid-mountain area. MBNP was established in 1992 AD. This park is at present administered and managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forest and Environment of GoN. From tropical forests along the Arun River to icy mountain summits, the MBNP covers an area of 1500 square km. Recognized for its tremendous diversity of plants, animals and people, the area contains 25 species of rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, and 56 rare plants. The protected area is habitat for a wide diversity of faunal species. There are 315 species of butterflies, 43 species of reptile and 16 species of amphibians. 78 species of fish inhabit the many ponds, lakes and rivers. Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, wild boar, is among the wildlife found here. The buffer zone of the park's its southern and southeastern border covers an area of 830 sq km.
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An innovative conservation model has been adopted in the park management that integrates protected area management and community development. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and conserving their own rich cultural heritage. (Source: https://dnpwc.gov.np/protected_areas/details/makalubarunnationalpark)
4.2.2 Vegetation According to District Profile of Sankhuwasabha, the altitude of the district ranges from 457 to 8,463 m amsl. The Arun river valley covers most part of the district. Because of sharp altitudinal variation, the Arun valley is one of the world's deepest valleys, which is a cradle of rich and unique biodiversity. Ecosystems range from subtropical broadleaf forests to alpine meadows in the Arun valley. There are different classification systems of Nepal forest. Stianton's Forest of Nepal Photo 4.3: The proposed powerhouse site covered by a kind of (1972) implied 35 forest types of Nepal sunflower like shrubs (Tithonia diversifolia) based on the detailed floristic studies. The project area of TBKHP is a part of the Arun Valley. Following the Stainton's classification, there were three types of natural forest observed during the field visit, viz. Subtropical Evergreen Forest nearby the powerhouse area, Schima-Castanopsis Forest along the tunnel alignment and Lower Temperate Mixed Broad Leaved Forest in the headworks area. Alaichi (black cardamom) farming is extensive in the project area, which has converted cultivated land into orchards consisting of shade trees, mainly Uttis (Alnus nepalensis). Statically, the published literature (Chaudhary & Vetaas 2002:17) shows the Makalu Barun National Park area divided into the following sections: Tree forest cover = 38%, Rock and ice = 37%, Grazing land = 12.69%, Shruby forest cover = 8.26%, Level of terrace = 3.18%, Cultivated area and sloping terrace = 0.86%
Makalu-Barun region is rich in floristic diversity. Literature review reveals that a total of 3,073 Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, 128 Pterydophytes, 78 Lichens species have been reported from Makalu Barun and its region. Many endemic plant species have been reported from there. Some examples are Impatiens arunensis (Arun Valley, Upper Kashwa Khola above Hedangna), Senecio brunneo-villosus (Chyamtang, 2,615m), Imaptiens mallae (Kongma-Tashigaon, 3,500m), Solm-laubachia nepalensis (Barun Valley, 5,445m), Carex himalaica (Kasuwa Khola, N. of Num, Arun Valley, 2,690m), Gentiana
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-18 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) chateri (Kasuwa Khola, 4,000m), Swertia barunensis (Sipton Pass, 4,200m), Pedicularis cornigera (Lamni Nama, 4,000m), Borinda emeryi (Youngly, N. of Num, Barun Khola, 3,750 m), Ranunculus makaluensis (Merek, 4,340m), Potentilla makaluensis (Shipton Pass, 4,120m), Potentilla turfosoides (Around Khongma, 3,500 m), Salix staintoniana (Arun Valley, Barun Khola, N. of Num, 3,690 m) (Rajbhandari et al. 2017: 235-279). All of above mentioned endemic plant species were collected in between 1954-97 AD. Since then, different researchers have carried out botanical researches in the Arun and Barun valleys. Researches were carried out especially along tropical to temperate climatic zone. Vegetation and Society: Their Interaction in the Himalayas (Chaudhary et al. 2002a), is an informative and interesting book for the Arun and Barun valleys. This book does not mention any of the endemic species mentioned above. This indicates, all these endemic species occur only in high altitude areas of the MBNP, but not in tropical to subtropical zone where human settlements exist. Therefore, there is less chance of occurrence of endemic plants in the project area. During the field visit in November 2018, floral diversity was observed in the Barun valley from the Barun-Arun confluence (1100 masl) to the proposed headworks site (2000 masl). The walkover survey in the project area enumerated 120 species of angiosperms, 1 species of gymnosperms and 5 species of orchids. Total dewatered stretch in the project area will be about 8 km from headwork to the confluence in the Arun River. It is noteworthy that the proposed powerhouse location is 2 km upstream from the confluence and tailrace tunnel is only 505 m. Hence, tailrace will discharge water at least 1.5 km upstream from the confluence. The dewatered stretch is inaccessible by foot. The river flows through narrow gorge between rocky cliffs. Therefore, tree cover along the river banks in the dewatered stretch is not expected. The vegetation in this stretch might be consisting of lichens, mosses, ferns and plants of bamboo family like Nigalo, Malingo.
The vegetation cover at different project component sites is given in the following sections: 4.2.2.1 Headworks Site The proposed headworks site is located just downstream of the confluence of Barun and Saldim River. The headworks site belongs to subtropical climatic zone and has relatively cold climate. On hill slopes along both bank of the Barun River, dense forest cover was observed. The forest is evergreen broadleaved type. Ground vegetation is dominated by Malingo (Thamnocalamus spp.), Nigalo (Drepanostachyum falcatum), Nigalo (D. intermedium). Photo 4.4: The confluence upstream of headworks site
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The headworks area comprises the characteristics feature of mainly subtropical forests. There is absent the conifer trees. Dominant tree species is Phalant (Cyclobalanopsis lamellose). Other tree species are Acer laevigatum, Alnus nepalensis, Dodecadenia grandiflora, Engelhardia spicata (Mauwa), Euodia fraxinifolium, Leucosceptrum canum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Persea species. The ground vegetation is almost covered by Thamnocalamus spp. The vegetation sampling revealed that Cyclobalanopsis lamellosa is dominant tree of the headworks area and the least dominant tree is Acer laevigatum. The total tree density was calculated to be 625 individuals per ha and total basal area was 21.22 m2/ha. 4.2.2.2 Tunnel Alignment and Access Road The headrace tunnel alignment passes through the left flank of Barun River. The access road from surge tank to headworks has been proposed through steep terrain surface over the tunnel alignment. The access road will connect adit portals to the headrace tunnel. During the field visit, walkover survey of the EIA team members traversed through this area along foot trails. Dense forest cover was observed in this area. Rocky outcrops without vegetation cover were also found. The forest can be characterized as subtropical broadleaved forest consisting of Phirphire (Acer Photo 4.5: Vegetation in the Powerhouse Area laevigatum), Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Mauwa (Engelhardia spicata), Katus (Castanopsis hystrix), Bhusure (Leucosceptrum canum), Angeri (Lyonia ovalifolia) etc. Also here the ground vegetation is dominated by Malingo (Thamnocalamus spp.). The total tree density was calculated to be 675 individuals per ha and total basal area was 19.74 m2/ha.
4.2.2.3 Powerhouse area The elevation of the powerhouse area is around 1200 m amsl. The powerhouse area comprises of sub-tropical forest type with vegetation species like Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Uttis (Alnus nepalensis). The total tree density was calculated to be 415 individuals per ha and total basal area was 17.31 m2/ha.
The natural vegetation of the powerhouse area has been altered due to agro farming system. Cultivated land was observed as orchards of black cardamom (Alaichi), which is shrub species and grows under shade trees, especially Uttis (Alnus nepalensis).
4.2.3 Plant resources Use Pattern and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Non timber forest products are important because they are used in many local uses. They use different biological resources in various ways like food and medicine. People around the project location reported different utilities of plant resources found in the area, though currently, there is no record of commercial utilization of such resources in the project area except well-known cash crop black cardamom (Alaichi). Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-20 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
As the literatures, 142 plant species were documented as used by local communities in MBNP and adjoining areas (Chaudhary et al. 2002: 84). During the field study, local people's interviews were carried out. According to this, following plants are used in different purposes by the local people in the Barun valley. Name of these plants are presented in the Table 4.5. Table 4.5: Wild Plants and Local Use S. N. Scientific Name Common Name Part Used Purpose 1. Acorus calamus Bojho Rhizome Medicine 2. Albizia procera Seto siris Branches Firewood/fodder 3. Alnus nepalensis Uttis Trunk/branches Timber/firewood 4. Artemisia indica Titepati Leaf Medicine 5. Astilbe rivularis Budho Okhati Rhizome Medicine 6. Bergenia ciliata Pakhan bed Rhizome Medicine 7. Bombax ceiba Simal Timber Timber/medicine 8. Canabis sativa Bhang Fruit Medicine and spice 9. Dryopteris cochleata Niuro Shoot Vegetable/Medicine 10. Nephrolepis cordifolia Pani amala Fruit Wild Fruit 11. Ocimum sanctum Tulsi Leaves Medicine 12. Oxalis corniculata Chari amilo leaf Medicine 13. Rhus javanica Bhakimlo Fruit Pickle 14. Rubus ellipticus Aiselu Fruit Edible 15. Rubus paniculatus Ainselu Furit Eidible 16. Schima wallichii Chilaune Bark Medicine 17. Swertia chirayita Chiraito Stem, root Medicine 18. Urtica dioca Sisnu Leaf Vegetable 19. Zanthoxylum armatum Timbur fruit Medicine Source: Field Survey, 2018 4.2.4 Wildlife 4.2.4.1 Mammals Nepal has 185 species of mammals found in various parts of the country. In the Makalu Barun National Park, there are more than 80 species of mammals (HMG/UNDP 1993) including Musk deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Porcupine, Golden Jackal, Wild Boar, Barking deer, Common Langur, Clouded Leopard, Jungle Cat, Golden Cat, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan Wiesel, Himalayan marmot, Red Fox and probably Marbled cat. Some of these mammals, such as the clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer are listed as protected species in Nepal and in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) appendices. Similarly, according to the officials of National Park there are 431 species of birds including Blood Pheasant, Cheer Pheasant, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Black Eagle, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Snow Pigeon, Broad Billed Warbler, Tawny Wood Owl etc. Secondary information shows that 56 species herpeto-fauna, 78 species of fish and 315 species of butterflies are also recorded from the Makalu Barun National Park. The headworks area of the TBKHP is located just below the confluence of Barun and Saldim rivers at around 2000 m elevation. The headworks site lies about 8 hours of walk from the nearest Simbung village. The headworks site does not have a proper walking trail and has to be walked through thick vegetation of bamboo shrubs (Nigalo, Malingo) in the forest along the way.
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General habitat of Wildlife The dense forest and shrub land provide a favourable habitat for various mammals, birds, reptiles. The different classes of mammals use the natural forest as their habitat. During the wildlife survey of the headworks area; barking deer, hoary bellied squirrels were directly observed. Similarly, many tracks of wild boars were frequently observed. Photo 4.5: Himalayan water shrew in Barun River Apart from that, the headworks area might be suitable habitat for Asiatic Black Bear and Red Panda. However, no signs of the any of those protected species were observed along the way. The Asiatic Black Bear is the flagship animal of Makalu Barun National Park. Local people reported that porcupine, barking deer, and wild boars raid crops in Simbung village. Locally, named “Kala” i.e. Large Indian Civet is infamous for raiding the most important cash crop of cardamom. The powerhouse area is located between Barun Bazar (settlement of 7 households) and Simbung village near to the road. The area generally have Cardamom field. A barking deer was observed near the powerhouse site during the field visit. Beside that, according to the locals, Large Indian Civets and porcupine visit the area foraging cardamom fruiting. We consulted whether leopards are found in the area taking away poultry and goats but the villagers mentioned there was no threats of leopard in the powerhouse area. Altogether 20 species of wild mammals are reported in the project area. Mammals reported by locals and indirect observation are listed in Table 4.6. However, various species are likely to inhabit in the Barun valley. There are four species of civets found in Nepal. Among them, Masked Palm civet and Large Indian Civet are likely to be in the project area. Himalayan water shrew swimming in the Barun-Arun confluence was photographed during the field visit. Similarly, semi aquatic mammals like Eurasian otter and Elegant water shrew might be in the Arun River and they probably migrate into the Barun River. Mid hills of Nepal has good population of Leopard cat. As the proposed project area is located in pristine environment of the Eastern Himalaya, small cat species like Golden cat and Marbled cat are possibly found in the project area. Similarly, various species of bats, rodents, land shrews must be using the landscape. A detail study covering various seasons the year round using camera trapping technology is essential to explore about mammals and other fauna in the project area. Without that, there are limitations to tell more about wildlife in the project area of TBKHP.
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Table 4.6: List of mammals reported from the Project Area S. Scientific Name Common Frequency Methods of Confirmation N. Name of Direct Interaction Literature Occurrence Observation (Baral & Shah 2008, Jnawali et al. 2011) 1. Macaca mulatta Rato Bandhar Frequent + 2. Hytrix indica Dumsi Frequent + 3. Herpestes Nyauri Muso Frequent + edwardsii 4. Panthera pardus Chituwa Rare + 5. Muntiacus muntjak Ratuwa Occasional Barking sound Mirga observed 6. Naemorhedus Ghoral Occasional + goral 7. Ursus thibetanus Black bear Rare Tracks of movement observed. 8. Canis aureus Syal Frequent + 9. Felis chaus Jungle cat Occasional Scat was observed 10. Martes flavigula Malsapro Occasional Scat was observed 11. Semnopithecus Langur Occasional + entellus 12 Chimarrogale Himalayan Occasional Photographed himalayica Water Shrew 13 Prionailurus Leopard Cat Occasional + bengalensis 14 Lutra lutra Eurasian Occasional + Otter 15 Eptesicus Bats Occasional + serotinus 16 Viverra sp. Civet Occasional + 17 Manis Chinese Occasional + pentadactyla Pangolin 18 Moschus Musk Deer Occasional + moschiferus 19 Hemitragus Jharal Occasional + jemlahicus 20 Sus scrofa Wild boar Frequent Tracks of movement observed Source: Field Survey, 2018 4.2.4.2 Birds Nepal has more than 850 recorded species of birds. Cultivated land, field and structures associated with village and riverside, provide suitable habitat for a number of bird species. The bird species found in project area are common and widely distributed in mid hill throughout Nepal. List of Birds is provided in Table 4.7.
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Table 4.7: List of Birds reported in the Project Area Methods of Confirmation S. Scientific Name Common Name No. Direct observation Interaction/ /Reported location Reporting 1. Milvus macrorhynchos Black kite Forest 2. Lophura leucomelanos Kalij Pheasant + 3. Streptoprelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove Agriculture Land 4. Psittacula himalayana Parakeet + 5. Pyconotus striatus Striated Bulbul + 6. Eudynamys scolopacea Asian Koel + 7. Dicrurus macrocercus Drongo Open land 8. Acridotheres tritis Common Myna Settlement 9. Passer domesticus Tree Sparrow Agricultural land 10. Apus apus Common Swift Settlement 12. Athene brama Spotted Owlet + 13. Pericrotus ethologus Long tailed Minivet Forest 14. Corvus macrorhynchos Crow Settlement, Agriculture 15. Cettia flavolivacea Warbler Bushes 16. Ictinaetus malayensis Black eagle + 17. Gyps fulvus Eurasian Griffon Vulture + 18. Falcon peregrinus Peregrine falcon + 19. Malacias capistratus Rufuos Sibia + 20. Parus spilonotus Yellow Cheeked Tit + 21. Megalaima virens Great barbet + 22. Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented Bulbul + 23. Columba livia Rock Pigeon Open land 24. Lanius schach Long-tailed Shrike + Source: Field survey, 2018 4.2.4.3 Herpeto-fauna Amphibian and reptile animal are regarded as herpeto-fauna. Herpeto-fauna of Nepal has been accounted as 52 amphibians and 125 reptiles. Out of that, fourteen species of herpeto-fauna are endemic to Nepal. During the direct observational study (2nd to 11th December 2018), no single record of herpeto-fauna was observed in the project area. This is a winter season and herpeto-fauna usually go under hibernation during this time of the year. Citing the literature (Shah and Tiwari 2004), 60 species of herpetofauna were found to be distributed within Makalu Barun National Park and Sankhuwasabha district. List of herpeto-fauna in the project area and their occurrence as per reported by locals are presented below in Table 4.8. Table 4.8: List of Herpeto-fauna reported in the Project Area S. No. Common Name Scientific Name Frequency of occurrence 1. Himalayan toad Bufo himalayanus Frequent 2. Black spined toad Bufo melanostictus Occasional 3. Hariyo Paha Amolops formosus Frequent 4. Sikre Paha Amolops marmoratus Frequent 5. Kalo Paha Amolops monticola Frequent 6. Paha Amolops nepalicus Frequent 7. Tiny frog Paa minica Frequent 8. Common garden lizard Calotes versicolor Frequent 9. Variegated mountain lizard Japalura variegata Frequent 10. Himalayan Rock Lizard Laudakia tuberculata Frequent 11. Himalayan Ground Skink Asymblepharus himalayanus Occasional
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12. Mountain keelback Amphiesma platyceps Frequent 13. St. John's Keelback Water Frequent Xenochrophis sanctijohannis snake
4.2.4.4 Aquatic Fauna Extensive literature review was done but nothing was found about aquatic fauna in rivers of of the Makalu Barun National Park. Local people reported that there are no fish in Barun river upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. The Barun river flows with steep gradient which may have caused the habitat inappropriate for aquatic fauna. Direct observation and even casting net into the Barun River could not reveal presence of the fish fauna there. Based on secondary information and KII, the fish species in Arun River are given in the following table. Table 4.9: List of Fish Species reported in the Project Area S. No. Scientific Name Nepali Name Distribution 1. Garra gotyla gotyla Budhuna Hill Streams 2. Schizothorax richardsonii Asala Arun River 3. Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Titae Arun, Tamor 4. Schistura beavani Gadera Arun 5. Schistura horai Gadera Arun, Tamor 6. Clupisoma garuwa Jalkapoor Arun, Tamor 7. Clupisoma montanum Jal kapoor Arun, Tamor 8. Amblyceps mangois Bokshi Macho Arun, Tamor Source: KII, 2018 None of the households in the project area was found to be involved in fishing as their major occupation. The fishing is not common in Barun and even in Arun River within the project area. Fishing is occasionally done for recreational purpose only. The most commonly used fishing apparatus in the project area is Balchhi (fishing tackle).
4.2.5 Rare, Endangered and Protected Species Flora and fauna reported from the project area of TBKHP are sorted out in relation to its categories of protection status. As per NPWCA (1973), different category of IUCN and appendix of CITES, a list of the protected species is presented below. Table 4.10: List of Protected Species of Flora and Fauna from the Project Area
Common Conservation status S. No. Scientific Name Name NPWCA CITES IUCN Flora 1. Michelia champaca Chanp 2. Orchids Sunakhari Mammals 1. Macaca mulatta Rato Bandhar - II Least concern 2. Hytrix indica Dumsi - Least concern 3. Martes flavigula Malsapro - II 4. Panthera pardus Chituwa - I Vulnerable 5. Muntiacus muntjak Ratuwa Mirga - Least concern Naemorhedus goral Near 6. Ghoral - I Threatened Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-25 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
7. Semnopithecus entellus Langur - I Endangered 8. Ursust hibetanus Black bear - 9. Herpestes edwardsii Nyauri Muso - III 10. Canis aureus Syal - III Least concern 11. Felis chaus Jungle cat - II 12 Moschus moschiferus Musk Deer Protected I Vulnerable Near 13 Hemitragus jemlahicus Jharal Threatened 14. Prionailurus bengalensis Leopard Cat Protected I Least Concern Herpeto-fauna Himalayan 1. Bufo himalayanus Least concern toad Black spined 2. Bufo melanostictus Least Concern toad 3. Paa minica Tiny frog Vulnerable 4. Amolops marmoratus Sikre Paha Least Concern Birds Common S. No. Scientific name name 1. Milvus macrorhynchos Black kite - II Least concern 2. Lophura leucomelanos Kalij Pheasant - I Least concern Oriental 3. Streptopreliaorientalis - - Least concern Turtle Dove 4. Psittacula himalayana Parakeet - II Least concern 5. Athene brama Spotted Owlet - II Least concern Long tailed 6. Pericrotus ethologus - - Least concern Minivet Eurassian 7. Gyps fulvus Griffon - II Least concern Vulture Fishes 1. Schizothorax richardsonii Asala - - Vulnerable 2. Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Titae - - Least Concern 3. Schistura beavani Gadera - - Least Concern 4. Amblyceps mangois Bokshi Macho - - Least Concern Source: Field Survey, 2018 Note: Protection Statuses: CITES Appendices Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction Appendix II: Species not yet threatened, but could become endangered if trade is not controlled Appendix III: Species identified by any part as being subject to regulation in that country and which require international cooperation to control trade.
4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 4.3.1 General Introduction of Project Affected District Sankhuwasabha is one of the mountainous districts of Nepal with its headquarters at Khandbari. As per current federal structure of Nepal, this district is a part of Province no 1. Administratively, the district is divided into five Rural Municipality and five Municipalities.
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The administrative division of Sankhuwasabha district was formerly one municipality and 33 VDCs. The total area of the district is 3,480 km2. Demographic characteristic of Sankhuwasabha district is given in Table 4.11.
Table 4.11: Demographic Characteristics of Sankhuwasabha District Total Population 158,742 Male 75,225 Female 83,517 Total Numbers of Households 34,624 Average Households size 4.58 Population Density (Persons/Sq.km) 46 Sex Ratio (Males per 100 Females) 90.07 Percent of Literacy Rate (5 years & above) 69.38 Total Area of the Districts (Sq. km) 3,480 Sherpa, Limbhu, Brahmin, Chhetri, Newar, Tamang, Major Castes Yakkha and Rai Religion Hinduism and Buddhism, Language Nepali, Rai and Sherpa Human Development Index 0.488 Source: District and VDC Profile of Nepal, 2013
4.3.2 General Profile of Project Affected Rural Municipality The affected project area is ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha district, which was formerly Hatiya VDC. The Rural Municipality covers quite bigger geographical area. Bhotkhola RM is 639 sq. km in area. Kimthanka, Hatiya, Chepuwa and part of Pawa VDCs have been merged to form Bhotkhola RM in federal restructuring of Nepal as per Constitution of Nepal, 2015. The baseline profile of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality is presented in Table 4.14. Table 4.12: Baseline Profile of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality Project Area Total Total Population *Total *Average *Sex ratio population Area Density household Household Size Bhotkhola 6576 639 km2 10.29 661 4.65 92.54 RM Source: Nepal Government, Ministry of federal affairs and general administration *Source: CBS, 2011
The headquarters of Bhotkhola RM is Hatiya, which is a village located on 2 hours walking distance from the powerhouse site (Simbung village). The project affected area is confined within the boundary of former Hatiya VDC, which is now ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola RM. Thus, the baseline of the demographic profile of Hatiya VDC is given in Table 4.13. Table 4.13: Population of the Project Affected Area (former Hatiya VDC) Project Area Total Male Female Household Average Household Size Hatiya 3073 1477 1596 661 4.65 Source: CBS 2011
4.3.3 General Profile of Project Affected Core Area Population density is very low in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality due to difficult physical terrain and limited cultivated land. Human settlements as villages are found clustered in fertile and relatively less steep land area. Simbung on the left bank of Barun and Skyakshila on the right bank are such
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-27 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW) villages in the project area. Simbung was ward no. 5 of Hatiya VDC and similarly, Syakshila was ward no. 6. Both of former wards of Hatiya VDC are now in ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola RM. Considering existing rural settings and socio-economic linkages, these two villages can be regarded as the project affected core area. The baseline condition of the project area is presented below in Table 4.14. Table 4.14: Population of the Project Affected Core Area Project Affected Ward Total Total Male Female Average Household Village Household Population Size Simbung 5 50 233 117 116 4.65 Syakshila 6 136 636 336 327 4.65
Academic Institutions There are four schools in project area as shown in Table 4.15. However, student number was found very low in schools of the project area. Parents prefer to send their children to Khandbari and even other cities like Dharan, Kathmandu for quality education. Table 4.15: Educational Institution in Project Area S.N. Name of Institution Established in B.S. Address 1 Shree Bal Kalyan Elementary School 2045 Bhotkhola-4,Simbung 2 Papli Bhanjyang Basic School - Bhotekhola-4, Syaksila 3 Shree Krishna Secondary School 2030 Bhotekhola-4, Gola 4 BidhyaVardayini Basic School - Bhotekhola-4, Hatiya Source: Field Survey, 2018 Occupation and Employment Major occupation of the project area is agriculture. However, it is subsistence in nature and do not support for year round livelihood to the local residents. Another main source of income in the project area is black cardamom (Alaichi) farming. Cardamom is high value cash crop. Several local youths of the project area are in foreign employment in gulf countries and Malaysia. Some local people have been migrated to Kathmandu for trade and different business activities. Trekking guide and porter jobs are also popular among local young people. No any local person of Simbung village was found employed in government jobs during the socio-economic survey for this EIA study.
Migration Status As per the household survey during socio-economic study for EIA in 2018, all of 16 surveyed households are residing in their ancestral place for generations. None of them reported that they are migrants from other places to the project area. Some local people have been migrated to Kathmandu for trade and job. Though they are settled there, they have land, houses and family members in the project area. Such non-migratory population can be a boon for the project because such residences know the better geographic as well as ecological situation in the project location. Similarly, permanent residents have, more often, the sense of unity among them which is largely benefited to the project because they can have a common agendas and expectations.
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Settlement and Market Area Bhotkhola Rural Municipality is thinly populated. Settlements are found clustered. There are Simbung and Syakshila villages in the project area. The nearest market center is Gola Bazar, which is about 4 km downstream of the Arun-Barun confluence (Dovan).
Gola Bazar was an important stopover along the traditional trade route through the Arun valley between mid hills of Nepal and Tibet. Recently built road as a track of the Koshi highway is changing centuries Photo 4.6: A view of Barun Bazar old socio-economic scenario of the Arun valley. Kimathanka is a market center on Nepali land at Nepal-Tibet (China) boarder point, which lies within Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. Kimathanka is an important point in traditional Nepal-Tibet trade route. From Chinese side, the boarder point is accessible by road. Koshi highway as a north- south corridor is under construction to connect the boarder point. Government of Nepal has aimed to revive this trade route. There is still cross border trade through Kimathanka but in small scale. Barun Bazar is not actually a market center. Rather, it is just a cluster of 7 households. Tentative total number of household in the settlements of the project area according to field survey is given below in Table 4.16. Table 4.16: Household in project area S.N. Settlement Location Total Ethnic Group Households 1 Simbung Left bank of Barun Khola upstream from the 60 Bhote (100%) proposed powerhouse site. 2 Barun Bazar Right bank of Barun Khola downstream to the 7 Bhote (100%) proposed powerhouse site 3 Gola 4 km downstream of Barun Dovan 17 Gurung (10%) Bhote (40%) Tamang (30%) Others (20%) 4 Syaksila About 1500 m uphill on the right bank of Barun 150 Bhote (83%) Khola Lingbo ((15%) Others (2%) Total 234 Source: Field Survey, 2018 Ethnicity The project areas (Simbung and Syakshila villages) are dominated by Bhote ethnic/caste group. All of the 16 Project Affected Families belong to Bhote ethnic group. They have sub-groups: Munaga Bhote, Khumbuwa Bhote and Thikhepa Bhote. They are similar to Sherpa people but they claimed themselves as a distinct ethnic group.
Gola Bazar is next settlement in the ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola RM, which is located about 4 km downstream of the Barun-Arun confluence (Barun Dovan). There are people of Gurung and Tamang ethnic groups in Gola Bazar.
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Local people told that few people from other neighboring ethnic groups like Limbu and Rai have been assimilated into Bhote group in Bhotkhola areas. Some people of Syakshila village called themselves Lingbo that means descendents of Limbu who migrated there many generations ago from other areas.
Languages The local people of the project area speak their own Bhote language among them. Beside their mother language, majority of them understand and speak Nepali language. In downstream areas of the Arun valley, Yamphu (a clan of Rai ethnic group) people have their own language. Agricultural and Livestock Maize, millet, potato are the main agricultural products in the project area. The project area has limited terraced cultivated land. Black cardamom (Alaichi) farming was observed widespread. Local people rear cow, goat and chicken for their household use in the project area. Local people reported vast available area of grazing land (Khark) in higher uphill areas in Bhot khola. Herds of Chauri (Himalayan cows) and sheep which is one of characteristics of high Himalayan society have been declined because of lacking of manpower interested in livestock farming. Except cardamom, other agricultural activities is traditional and for subsistence.
Photo 4.7: Alaichi farming in the Project Area NTFP Collection Sankhuwasabha district is highly potential for the production, processing and marketing of the different kinds of NTFPs including medicinal and aromatic plants. Few people of the Arun-Barun valley are found involved in commercial marketing of NTFP. Local people also reported collection of Yarshagumba from the high altitude areas of Barun valley. But strict rules of the national park have hindered the NTFP collections from the project area. Though there are different NTFPs in the project area, Chiraito is major NTFP collected and exported from the project area. Chiariato is high value commodity. This valuable herb is also cultivated in the farm lands During the field visit in 2018, local market price of Chiraito was around NRs 8000 per man (40 kg). NTFPs contribute to household level food security, nutrition and help to generate additional employment opportunity.
Gender Aspect In the project area, male are involved mostly in outdoor works such as trade, labor, and farming whereas female are more involved in household chores. Male plays the dominant role in decision- making and social work. In case of the Himalayan tribes like Sherpa and Bhote families, women also hold decision-making position; however, the society is generally male dominant. Children are also involved in in-house and farming activities. Almost children in the project area go to the school to get formal education. Women participation in the political activities is limited. Those who seemed to be involved are only for fulfilling the number of women quota approved by government. Child marriage was not reported during the field survey. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-30 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
Common wife among brothers was also not reported in the project area, which is traditional practice in the Himalayan tribes. Polygamy was also found very rare. Decision on economic activities is mostly done by the male. Land and property holding was found by the both male and female. In the villages, adult females have formed Aama Samuha, which is a club like community organization for women welfare and social works in local area. Active participation of female members was also found in Tuting Buffer Zone Forest Users Group at Simbung village.
Transportation and Communication The project area has been linked by recently opened track road in last year. The alignment of Koshi Highway passes through Simbung village. There are still few kilometers of track road to be constructed to link Kimathanka (Nepal-China boarder point). However, the road construction was in full swing in the project area during the field visit in November, 2018. Regular public vehicle services are available from Gola Bazar to Num or Khandbari. In rainy season, road get worse and blocked. The local bus services are available from Num or Khandbari to Dharan. There daily flights to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar airport. National radio station (Radio Nepal) and local level FM such as Khadbari FM community Radio 105.8 MHz can be heard in the project area. The project area has been covered by Nepal Telecom and Ncell (GSM) mobile phone network. There is also a post office at Gola Bazar. Tourism Activities Though the project area lies in Makaulu Barun National Park, trekking route does not pass through the project area. Tourism activities were found in downstream area of the Arun valley. There is no tourism activity in the project area. In fact, tourist flow is also low in the Makalu Barun region. Exact data could not be obtained. The Park staffs estimates about 400 to 500 tourists coming every year. Photo 4.8: Arun-Barun confluence (Dovan)
In the first day of Nepali month Magh (Maghe Sakranti), religious devotees and internal tourists in hundreds of numbers visit the Barun-Arun confluence (Dovan) for holy bath. Maghe fair occurs for duration of three days. Bhotkhola area is prospective place for future tourism development. Natural beauty and cultural heritage can be tourist attractions in the project area. Better accessibility after completion of the Koshi Highway construction and upgrading might increase tourist flow in the Makalu Barun region as well in the project area
4.3.4 Project Affected Families The land acquisition for the permanent and temporary establishment of project structures and facilities will affect 16 families and are termed as Project Affected Families (PAFs). A census survey of these 16 households was carried out for the EIA study. Based on this census survey, the socio- economic conditions of these families are presented as under.
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4.3.4.1 Demographic Information Household Headship Out of total 16 PAFs, 13 households were found male headed and remaining 3 households were found female headed. All the household heads (both male and female) are married.
Population by Sex In total 16 households, there are altogether 88 persons. Among the population, the total male members are composed of 36 in numbers with (41%) and the female population composed of 52 in numbers with (59%). Hence, it is found that there are higher numbers of female population than male. The average household size of PAF is 4.65.
Table 4.17: Population of PAF by Sex Sex No. % Male 36 41 Female 52 59 Total 88 100 Total household 16 Average household size 4.65 Source: Household Survey, 2018
Population by Age Group Among total population, the younger age group or the age group below 15 years represents 26.13% (Comprising both male and female) of the total population of PAFs. Similarly, the age group range between 16-45 years is the dominating in number (38.63%). This age group is physically fit to work. Working population for any community is better to uplift the socio-economic condition of the society. The next population of age group between 45-60 years is in 29.54%. These age groups of population cab also be mobilized as labor power in need. Remaining population of older age people (above 60 years) comprises 5.68%. These population are simply belongs to dependent people since they are no more capable of physical work.
Table 4.18: Population of PAFs by Age Group S.N. Age group Male Female Total No. % No. % No. % 1. Below-15 years 8 9.09 15 17.04 23 26.13 2. 16-45 years 15 17.04 19 21.59 34 38.63
3. 45-60 years 10 11.36 16 18.18 26 29.54 4. Above 60 years 3 3.40 2 2.27 5 5.68 Total 36 40.90 52 59.09 88 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018 Family Structure Regarding family structure of PAFs, 11 families were found living as joint family and other 5 families are nuclear family. Joint family is a common feature in high Himalayan communities.
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Religion Majority of the PAFs follow Buddhism. Among the surveyed 16 households, only one household responded their religion other than Buddhism. Large number of population belongs to the same religion means that they have the same cultural attributes too.
Table 4.19: Religion of the PAFs S.N. Religion Number % 1. Buddhist 15 93.75 2. Others 1 6.25 Total 16 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018
4.3.4.2 Educational Status The table above shows that educational status is poor in this community. Among all, 16% of the total population of PAFs was found illiterate. Out of total illiterates, female illiteracy is higher than male. About 64.77% PAFs can simply read and write but not formally educated in school. Only 10.22% of population got primary level education. Comprising the population with school level education (lower secondary, secondary and S.L.C.) is about 6.81%. Only 2.27% of population has completed their intermediate level study. But none people complete their graduation levelPhoto among 4.9 them.: Krishna High School at Gola Table 4.20: Educational Status of PAFs S.N. Education level Male Female Total No. % No. % No. % 1. Illiteracy 5 5.68 9 10.22 14 15.90 2. Read and write 33 37.5 24 27.27 57 64.77 3. Primary 5 5.68 4 4.54 9 10.22 4. S.L.C. 4 4.54 2 2.27 6 6.81 5. Intermediate 2 2.27 0 - 2 2.27 6. Graduation 0 - 0 - 0 0 Total population 49 55.67 39 44.30 88 100 Total Households 16 Source: Household Survey, 2018 4.3.4.3 Public Health and Sanitation There are two health posts one at Gola and another at Hatiya. Insufficient number of trained medical staff, medicine supplies and equipment makes the health services unsatisfactory in the project area. However, the overall sanitation condition was observed to be satisfactory. Most of the project affected households (87%) have toilets. Open defecation has been discouraged in the project area in recent years as in other parts of Nepal. The common diseases prevailing in the project area are related with skin, respiratory and fever. Proper waste management was not observed in the project area. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-33 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
4.3.4.4 Drinking Water All 16 PAFs have drinking water supply by pipeline. No PAFS are dependent in traditional source of water supply i.e. kuwa, well, etc. During winter season, water supply reduces to Simbung village. Capacity upgrading of the existing drinking water supply system is necessary for sufficient supply in Simbung village in dry season.
4.3.4.5 Source of energy As regards to the source of the energy for lightning, almost all houses have solar and only very few houses use kerosene for lightning. Among various sources of energy for cooking, firewood remained main fuel for cooking in project area. The project area is not connected to national grid of NEA. Nevertheless, the project area (Simbung, Syakshila, Gola) have been electrified by micro hydroelectric plants. There is Namase Micro Hydel Plant with installed capacity 18 kW across the Arun River. All 16 PAFs surveyed households have installed home solar set for lighting as well electrified by the micro hydro plant. Similarly, all of them use firewood for cooking. They collect firewood from buffer zone forest and private cultivated.
4.3.4.6 Land Ownership The household survey of EIA study collected the land ownership data of the PAFs. It revealed that total land area owned by the 16 families is about 32 ha. Their average land holding size is 2 ha (40 Ropani). There is no irrigation facility to these lands.
4.3.4.7 Agricultural Land & Production Based on the traditional agriculture practice in Nepali context, private agricultural land can be divided into paddy field (Khet), upland non irrigated field (Bari) and land unsuitable for tilling (Pakho bari). Terraced paddy fields were observed in narrow stretch along the bank of Arun River nearby the powerhouse area. However, almost agricultural land was found as Bari. Black cardamom (Alaichi) farming is very popular in the project area. It is also called as Black Gold because of it high market price. Cash crop (Alaichi) is produced more than grains by PAFs. Though cardamom is native to the eastern hills of Nepal, cardamom farming has been introduced into the project area in recent years ((not more than 20 years). Crop production per year is shown in Table 4.21 as revealed by the household survey. Local people told that they use both kinds of chemical and organic fertilizers for crop production. Vegetable farming is not common in the project area. Fodder and firewood trees were observed frequently in the cultivated land of the project area. Fruits plants like lemon, banana and coffee were also found there.
Table 4.21: Production of Crops in PAF land S.N. Types of crops Production (Quintal per Hectare) 1 Alaichi 57.15 2 Paddy 3.05 3 Millet 14.21 4 Maize 18.45 5 Pulse 4.52 Source: Household Survey, 2018
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4.3.4.8 Food Sufficiency Out of total 16 PAFs, only 10 PAFs have sufficient food for the whole year from agricultural production. Remaining 6 PAFs have food deficient for various months as shown in the following Table.
Table 4.22: Food Deficiency Status of PAFs S.N. Food Deficiency (Months) No. % 1 3 months 1 16.66 2 6 months 2 33.33 3 9 moths 1 16.66 4 Whole year 2 33.33 Total 6 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018 The PAFs solve their food deficient problem by various measures. Usually, they sell Alaichi and buy rice bags in local markets (Gola, Num or Khandbari), which are imported through Dharan grown in Terai land or even India. Local people also buy other food items in local markets imported from same ways. Sometimes they buy foods with money earned by other sources like labor, remittance and selling livestock.
4.3.4.9 Livestock and Poultry The survey revealed that only 12 PAFs rear livestock (cows and goats) and poultry. Other 4 PAFs have no livestock and poultry at all because there were only old members and children in families who were unable for livestock farming.
4.3.4.10 Occupation In the household survey, 7 PAFs replied that agriculture is their main occupation for livelihood and 5 respondents answered wage labor. Only one household was found engaged in business & service related occupation. Some male member involve in seasonal occupation trekking. It indicates that no good employment opportunity is available here. Table 4.23: Occupational Status of PAFs S.N. Occupation No. % 1 Agriculture 7 43.75 2 Business & Service 1 6.25 3 Wage labor 5 31.25 4 Household chore 2 12.5 5 Social service 2 12.5 Total 16 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018 4.3.4.11 Income The average annual income of PAFs is NRs. 157,000 (Rupees one lakh fifty seven thousand). Alaichi (31.84%) is a key contributor among income sources followed by service and labor work (22.29%). Alaichi farming has changed socio-economic conditions of local people in remote mountains like Bhotkhola. Other agro productions have minimum contribution in income source although agriculture is the major occupation of PAFs.
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Table 4.24: Average Annual Income of PAFs S.N. Description Income (NRs.) % 1 Cereals, Pulses 9000 5.73 2 Poultry and Livestock 11,000 7 3 Remittance 13000 8.28 4 Labor works, service 35000 22.29 5 Alaichi 50000 31.84 6 Trekking/ porter 25,000 15.92 7 Others 14,000 8.91 Total 157,000 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018 4.3.4.12 Expenditure The average annual expenditure of PAFs is NRs. 102,000 (Rupees one lakh two thousands). The household survey shows average expenditure pattern of PAFs as shown in Table 3.27. They spend their most of the income in religious and festive occasions. No more income is invested in productive sector.
Table 4.25: Annual Expenditure of PAFs S.N. Title of Categories Tentative cost % expenditure 1 Daily needed Food items 15000 14.70 Salt, Oil, ghee Sugar, tea etc 2 Basic needed Clothes 22000 21.56 Education Health Transportation Food etc. 3 Religious Works, Name giving ceremony 50000 49.01 Feast & Festival Marriage Death rites etc. 4 Others Tax/ Revenue 15000 14.70 Unseen topics Total 102,000 100.00 Source: Household Survey, 2018 4.3.4.13 Practice of Loan In the project affected area, there is no banking facility or any kind of cooperative organization for loan and deposits. Out of total PAFs, 13 PAFs have taken loan for different purposes as shown in Table 3.26. The purpose of taking loan is mainly for socio-cultural activities. The sources of loan are local merchant, relative/friend and mother groups.
Table 4.26: Purpose of Taking Loan by PAFs S.N. Source Number % 1 House Related Expenses 2 15.38 2 Socio-cultural activities 5 38.46 3 Health Treatment 2 15.38 4 Agricultural loan 3 23.07 5 Others 1 7.69 Total 13 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018
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4.3.4.14 Decision Making Status of PAFs Decision making in household matter is not equally done by male and female members. The survey indicated that the male members have upper hand in every decision making in matter of such as agriculture, education of children, community development work, income related matters, financial matter and social work. Female members of the household have very limited power to decide in many sectors. Female members do activities such as shopping/purchasing, health/sanitation and taking care of children etc in their own ways.
4.3.4.15 Project and Compensation related information During the household survey, all of PAFs were found informed about the proposed project. Similarly, all of them expressed their willingness to give their land and assets required for the project construction. As well, all of them expect compensation in cash and none of them were found interested to have land in lieu of land. 56.25% PAFs mainly want to utilize the compensation for constructing new house and clearing loan. So on, 43% PAF wants to utilize the compensation for buying land. They would like to buy land within the project area. All the PAFs want to purchase their land within their neighborhood and all of them want to do so due to cultural reason.
Table 4.27: Expectation of PAFs from Project S. N. Description No. % 1 Employment Opportunity 2 12.5 2 Electricity facility 5 31.25 3 Good Compensation of Land, Employment Opportunity 1 6.25 4 Employment Opportunity, Electricity Facility 1 6.25 5 Good Compensation of Land, Employment Opportunity, Electricity 1 6.25 Facility 6 Good Compensation of Land, Employment Opportunity, Electricity 2 12.5 Facility, Development of Local Area 7 Good Compensation of Land, Employment Opportunity, Electricity 4 25 Facility, Development of Local Area, Improvement in Lifestyle Total 16 100.00 Source: Household Survey, 2018 Five households (31.25%) expect good compensation of land and employment opportunity. Four household (25%) expects more than two things from the proposed project.
4.3.4.16 Preference of Work Among the surveyed households, 7 respondents answered that they want to have some kind of service related jobs. Similarly, 5 people want to be self employed in small business such as grocery and hotel during the project construction period. Four people have no any education, skill and plan, so they prefer to work as labor in the project construction.
Table 4.28: Preference for Work S.N. Description Number % 1 Service 7 43.75 2 Business (shop, hotel industry) 5 31.25 3 Labor 4 25 Total 16 100 Source: Household Survey, 2018
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4.3.5 Market Price The nearest market area in project area is Gola and Num. There is one small grocery shop in Simbung village. In the project area, prevailing market prices of various commodities and good were found as shown below in Table 4.29. Table 4.29: Market Price in local area S.N. Materials Kg/per/litter/Pathi Price (NRs) Remarks 1. Maize 1 pathi 200 Food items Millet 1 pathi 300 And Potato 1 dharni 200 Vegetables Rice 1 pathi 200 2. Banana 1 dozen 400 Fruits Orange 1 kg 300 3. Alaichi 1 mound 25000 Forest Uttish Per tree 2000 products Bamboo 1 tree 800 Timber (fire Per tree 1000 wood) 4. Milk 1 litter 100 Dairy Butter 1 litter 300 Honey 1 litter 1100 5. Buff 1 dharni 400 Meet Pork 1 dharni 400 Mutton 1 kg 500 Chicken per individual 3000 Full grown Source: Socio-economic Survey/EIA, August 2018 In the local area, traditional way of measurement system (mana, pathi, dharni and mound) is still in use.
4.3.6 Cultural Environment Festivals Main festival celebrated by the local inhabitants of the project area is Lhosar. In the project area Bhote community celebrates Lhosar according to Tibetan calendar. In downstream areas of the Arun Valley, Rai community celebrates Udhauli-Ubhauli, which is celebration twice in a year remarking change of seasons. Dashain and Tihar are also celebrated in the project area on influence of Hindu culture.
Religious, Historical and Archeological Sites There is Gumba on uphill side of Simbung village. During the field survey there has been found some Buddhist shrines (Mane) in the project area. There is no other site of historical and archeological importance on both side of Barun River from the proposed headworks site to the powerhouse site.
However, Barun-Arun confluence is a famous holy place for both of Buddhists and Hindus. A three days long fair occurs there on occasion of Maghe Sakranti. On the left bank of confluence, there are a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva and a Gumba (Buddhist monastery). But, physical infrastructures of these religious sites were found in poor condition.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-38 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
During the field visit for EIA study, local people told interesting mythical stories about the Barun- Arun confluence. According to a myth, the Arun River is uncle of Barun River (Mama-Bhanja).
Figure 4.7: Map showing Religious Site of Project area
4.3.7 Water Use Rights The water of Barun River is absolutely not used for irrigation, micro hydro, drinking water and water mills within the dewatered zone. There is also no possibility of use of the Barun river water in future except hydroelectricity generation. No cremation site was found along the bank of Barun river as well in the Arun-Barun confluence (Dovan). But Barun Dovan is a sacred place for both of Hindus and Buddhists. Religious people visit here to perform rituals and holy bath. Not only local people, devotees from outside of Sankhuwasabha district and even from India, visit the Barun Dovan because of its religious importance.
4.3.8 Other Local Issues Major issues raised during public hearing are Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project’s name should be changed as 'Mangruwa Khola Hydro Electric Project’ because Barun River is called Mangruwa in local Bhote language. Barun Dovan and its premises should be preserved as a sacred religious site. Tailrace outlet of the project should be located upstream of the confluence so that its flow would not change here. The project should have coordination with the local people of the project area during the project construction. Priority should be given to local people in employment opportunities created by the project construction and operation. The project proponent company must distribute at least 10% share to local people. Tree plantation and its protection, management should be in planned way. It should be made clear before the project construction.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-39 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
Simbung village and other settlements in the project area have been electrified by micro hydro plants but its power supply is not reliable. Therefore, budget should be allocated to for rural electrification program in the project area replacing existing off-grid electrification system. Appropriate compensation must be provided to the land to be acquired by the project. Financial support should be provided for the establishment of health post in Simbung village, improvement of trails and other community development works.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 4-40 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
CHAPTER - V ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Environmental impacts identified and predicted on the existing environmental conditions due to the proposed TBKHP during construction and operation phases have been presented in this chapter. Likely environmental effects and impacts, both adverse as well as beneficial were evaluated and rated for its significance, extent of the impact and duration. The proposed project can be regarded as a foreign component in the existing environment of the project area. Introducing different project structures, equipment, materials and construction activities in the ecological system of the project area disrupt ecological balance of the project area in particulars. The project will bring changes in natural environment (air, water, land, vegetation, animal etc) of the project area. As well, changes also occur in socio- economic and cultural dimension due to the proposed project. Unwanted changes or consequences of the project are adverse impacts. As a result of hydropower project construction and operation, almost impacts occurring on physical, chemical and biological environment of the project area are often adverse. On other hand, the hydropower project creates opportunities for socio-economic changes in favor of local people. These likely changes are considered beneficial. A hydropower project is above all an economic activity for financial returns on investment made with calculative risks. EIA methods need measurement data to estimate values of impact indicators. However, many of the environment impacts cannot be quantified, e.g. visual impact, lifestyle quality and social acceptance. Instead information from similar EIAs, expert judgment and community sentiment has been employed and approximate reasoning methods have been used. Main purpose of the EIA study is to figure out environmental and social impacts of the proposed project. Thus, this chapter is vital part of the EIA report.
5.1 Beneficial Impacts 5.1.1 Construction Phase 5.1.1.1 Economic Boom in the Project Area The project construction requires about 400 people in the workforce during the peak time. The project area is thinly populated. Therefore, available manpower in the project area is quite negligible. During the project construction, outsider workforce and labor influx will be high in the construction site. This will temporarily increase trade and commerce in the project area. The activities like small business of selling food and lodging facility will increase in the project area. There will be income generation opportunities for local people of Simbung, Barun Dovan and Syakshila selling their agro products (vegetable, milk, chicken etc). In addition, local people can make income renting their house spaces or land to the outsider workforce and the petty contractors. This will increase the economic activities in the area and ultimately uplift the social status of local people. In this way, the project construction will create economic boom in Bhot khola Rural Municipality for five years long construction period of the proposed TBKHP. This impact is assumed to be high in local economy of the project area for short term period. MED rating: High, Local, Short term
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
5.1.1.2 Local Development in the Project Area Because of its location in remote mountains and isolated from the road network, local people in the Bhotkhola area have been deprived of better facilities in education, health, communication and other public services. Government budget allocated for local development is always inadequate to fulfill public needs. Government and non-government development agencies reach less often to such areas. Therefore, implementation of the proposed TBKHP is good opportunity for local development in the project area. In this context, the local people are excited and put forward their various demands for community development in the project area. The issues raised for community development in the public hearing program have been documented in the EIA report. It is mandatory for the proponent company developing a hydropower project of more than 100 MW installed capacity in order to allocate budget not less than 0.5% of total project cost under Community Support Program (CSP) for local development. The CSP budget will be utilized for local development in the project area, which will bring significant beneficial impacts to local community of the project area. This impact is assumed to be high, local and long term MED rating: High, Local, Short term
5.1.1.3 Employment Opportunity to Local People Among 400 people in the workforce, besides highly skilled manpower such as engineers, managers and consulting experts; other human resource is estimated to be around 200 unskilled and 75 semi-skilled people during the peak period of the project construction. Local youths can have short term skill development training and they can have semi-skilled jobs such as security guard, mason, driver, foreman, operators, office clerks etc. Baseline socio-economic survey of the project area shows that there are altogether 234 household in the project area (ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Municipality). Therefore, the project construction will create employment opportunity for at least one person from every household of the project area of the proposed TBKHP. However, they are mostly farmers and engaged in traditional agriculture. As in other parts of Nepal, the population engaged in agriculture remains practically unemployed for about 6 months in a year. They can have unskilled or labor job during off-farm seasons. On other side, a significant part of youth population of the project area has been reported being outside of the project area for employment in Kathmandu and foreign countries. Thus, a gross assessment revealed that there will be no more than 50 local people available having different skill capacities and willing for employment in this project construction. However, local employment opportunities can attract the out migrated local people who are in Kathmandu and foreign countries. Thus, the local people can be benefited from the employment opportunities generated during the construction period of five years. Obviously, employment will increase the income level of the local people of the project area. The increased income level, in turn, will improve the overall living condition. MED Rating: High, Local, Short Term
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132MW)
5.1.1.4 Skill Development of Local People As mentioned above, the construction activities of the project require skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled labors. The local people will get chance to develop their skills on the job in the project construction. The development of skill on them will have very long lasting impact on their life. Nonetheless, this beneficial impact of skill development opportunity to local people is expected to be low. The assumption is that few local people will be eager to learn new skills in the project construction works. It depends on personal interest. Current population of working age in the project area is mostly unskilled. This is good opportunity for local people to increase their skill capacity in such remote mountains of Bhotkhola. Hence, this impact is expected to be moderate in local area but it gives long term benefits. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Long Term
5.1.2 Operation Phase 5.1.2.1 Contribution to National Economic Growth The project will generate 756 GWh of hydroelectricity per year and feed into the national grid of Nepal. This will be a significant input in the national level power planning as the country is facing heavy power shortage. Government of Nepal has aimed to develop hydropower projects in 5 thousands megawatt in next 5 years. If Nepal will have surplus energy, it will be possible to export of hydroelectricity to India and other neighboring countries. Availability of regular electric supply will favor establishment of industries. Economic value of hydroelectricity generated is not only based on its direct selling price in terms of its economic impacts. It creates multitudinous impacts in regional and national economy. Thus, the TBKHP will definitely contribute to national economic growth of the country and ultimately to achieve Nepalese dream of prosperity. MED Rating: High, Regional, Long Term
5.1.2.2 Employment Opportunity for Locals After the construction work is over, the project will require about 30 permanent employees for operation and regular maintenance of project components such as equipment, headworks, surge shaft, and powerhouse. Local people will be given priority in recruitment for administrative and technical works according to their qualification and skills. During the operation phase, the TBKHP can provide long term employment for about 20 people of the project affected area. It is assumed that local youths will develop their skill and capacities during the project construction period. So, they will be capable to have skilled and semi- skilled jobs like machine operators, technicians, admin staffs, driver etc. Besides, the local and national level industries that might flourish with availability of regular electricity supply will indirectly create employment opportunities for large number of people. Therefore, the impact is expected to be moderate, local and long term. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Long Term
5.1.2.3 Revenue to Government and Rural Municipality The proponent company will pay royalty, land lease tax, local taxes, custom duty, and other taxes as applicable to GoN and its local bodies as per the prevailing laws. Intergovernmental Fiscal Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Arrangement Act 2074 (2017) has been promulgated to provide necessary provisions regarding revenue rights, revenue sharing, grants, loans, budget arrangements, public expenditures and fiscal discipline of the Government of Nepal, the State and Local Level. As per this act, the Government of Nepal may levy and collect tax and non-tax revenues as specified in Schedule-1 in accordance with Federal law. Province may levy and collect tax and non-tax revenues as specified in Schedule-2 in accordance with Province law. Similarly, the local level may levy and recover tax and non-tax revenues as specified in Schedule-3 in accordance with local law. The Government of Nepal may levy on and collect royalty of natural resources in accordance with Federal law. In order to share among the Government of Nepal, Province and Local Level, the amount of value added tax and excise duty collected from domestic products, the Government of Nepal shall create a Federal Divisible Fund and deposit such amount in the Fund. Similarly, in order to distribute the royalty obtained from the natural resources among the Government of Nepal, Province and Local Level, the Government of Nepal shall create the federal divisible fund to deposit such amount obtained from the royalty in accordance with Federal law. The Government of Nepal shall distribute the royalty of electricity as followings: 50% will be allocated to GoN, 25% will be allocated to Province No. One, 25% will be allocated to Local Level (Sankhuwasabha district and Bhotkhola RM).
As per GoN's rule, the energy royalty is calculated for the hydropower project of installed capacity of above 100 MW up to 15 years of operation, as per the following formula:
Energy Royalty = Annual saleable energy x Average selling price at rate of 2 percent.
Capacity Royalty = Installed capacity (kW) at rate of NRs 200 per kW.
Power purchase agreement of the proposed TBKHP has not been concluded yet. However, assuming average selling price as NRs 8 per kWh and installed capacity as 132 MW, thus, royalty of the proposed TBKHP is about NRs 24 crores per year. Local level shall get about NRs 6 crores per year for the first 15 years of project operation. Then, it will increase more than 5 times. Beside the electricity royalty, the project construction generates other tax and non-tax revenues, which will be shared to three levels of governance. Revenue generated by the project will contribute to national and regional economy of the country. Bhotkhola Rural Municipality will be significantly benefited using revenue to local development. MED Rating: High, Regional, Long Term
5.2 Adverse Impacts 5.2.1 Physical Environment Construction Stage 5.2.1.1 Change in Topography and Land use Pattern Excavation works for the construction of a hydropower project can change topographic features at particular sites in some extent. Changes in the prevailing land use pattern will be anticipated during the construction and establishment of the project structure and facilities. Impacts of land use change are permanent as well as temporary nature.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
The proposed TBKHP has been designed with water conveyance through tunnel. The settling basin, surge tank, penstock and powerhouse will be underground. Therefore, there will be minimum surface excavation works in this project construction. However, mock disposal generated from the tunnel and powerhouse cavern excavation is one of the serious environmental issues. The project will require 15.49 ha land permanently. In addition, the project requires 10.95 ha land temporarily during the project construction period for five years. Obviously, the land acquired by the project will get its existing land use changed. Most of the changes will occur on the unused riverbanks and the flood plains for muck disposal, quarry etc. The land use change will also occur on private land but mostly unproductive (Pakho Bari) for camps and construction yards. Because of high head nature (gross head 853 m) of the proposed TBKHP, its structures are comparatively smaller in size in comparison to hydropower projects of similar installed capacities. Thus, the project's impacts on the existing topography and land use pattern of the project area are anticipated moderate in comparison to the other hydropower project of similar capacity. It does not alter geomorphology of the project area at all. The 14 km long access road from the surge tank to headworks is a major component of the project that requires 14.50 ha land. The access road construction obviously changes topographic features in linear stretch, which passes through the forest and the forest cover will be removed. Total area required for the proposed TBKHP is 26.44 ha, which is quite a small fraction of the land area in surroundings. Therefore, the likely impacts on topography and land use in the project area is considered moderate, site specific but it will be permanent that is long term in duration. MED Rating: Moderate, Site-Specific, Long Term
5.2.1.2 Possibility of Landslide and Slope Instability No major landslide in the project area has been observed. Generally landslide occurs due to weakness zone and steep slope. Since there are such landslide prone areas, the landslide in the project area can be induced due to the project activities like blasting and movement of heavy construction vehicles. The unstable slopes and their probable impacts during the project construction are as presented in Table 5.1. Table 5.1: Probable impacts due to the major instabilities in the project area Place Location Type Possible Impact Direct Impact At the left bank of Slope at 60 degree, debris Small soil slump with boulders Area Barun in the and boulders deposited due to may stop the construction work at powerhouse area gravity effect, vulnerable to camps landslide
Direct Impact At some locations along Steep slope, weak zone and Downhill erosion, rock falling due Area access road alignment hanging rocks, vulnerable to to excavation due to road landslide and rock falls construction.
MED Rating: Low, Site-Specific, Short Term
5.2.1.3 Muck Disposal In total, about 99,500 m3 volume of muck will be generated considering bulking factor from Intake and gravel trap, Settling basin, Headrace tunnel and powerhouse. Out of the total muck generated 25,875 m3 is excavation in boulder mix soil and earth soil, 73,600 m3 is rock excavation. Among 30,000 m3 can be used for backfilling. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
The principal environmental concerns related to muck disposal include loss of natural vegetation, interference with natural drainage, increase in erosion and sediment deposition, increase in slope instability and visual alteration of landscape. However, due to the muck disposal, no adverse direct or indirect impacts are anticipated with respect to sensitive habitat because the muck disposal site has been already designated in the feasibility study of the project. Therefore, the likely impact due to the muck disposal is expected to be moderate, site specific and long term. MED Rating: Moderate, Site Specific, Long term
5.2.1.4 Pollution due to Solid Waste and Effluents
Solid waste and effluents from the project camps accommodating 300 people and the project site offices in the project area will pollute the existing environment of the Ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, which seems now pollution free, clean and healthy. Crusher plant, concrete mixers and various project construction activities are other sources of pollution in a hydropower project construction. Solid waste and effluents ruin top soil quality, if not managed properly. The chemicals could also affect the soil’s buffering capacity. In an acidic soil condition, cations like aluminum (Al+++) and Manganese (Mn+++) will dissolve in soil water is vulnerable to agricultural crops. Similarly, the non-acidic soil lacks Iron and Molybdenum that are the important soil nutrients for plants. Random storage of construction materials like aggregates, cement, iron bars, petroleum fuel in barrels, chemicals etc might be detrimental to land surface at the project construction sites. Surface and sub-surface water quality may deteriorate due to possible leakage of oil and chemicals from the machineries, diesel generators, other stored construction materials, metal fabrication, and operation of concrete mixing plants. Possible hazardous wastes in the project area due to the project construction activities during the construction phase are listed in Table 5.2. The pollution impacts in the project area due to the solid waste and effluents are expected to be moderate, site specific and short term. Table 5.2: Hazardous waste during construction phase of the project
Hazardous S.N. Origin Waste Type Constituents Characteristic 1 Fossil fuel storage Sludge/Liquids Hydrocarbons Flammable, toxic Sulfuric and/or Hydrochloric acids, 2 Metal fabrication Sludge/Liquids Cadmium, copper etc Corrosive Toxic
3 Paint Sludge/Liquids Organic solvents Flammable, toxic 4 Vehicle servicing Liquids Lubricating oils Flammable, eco-toxic Electricity Oils from capacitors, Polychlorinated biphenyls 5 distribution transformers (PCBs) Toxic MED Rating: Moderate, Site-Specific, Short-Term
5.2.1.5 Air and Noise Pollution Since the proposed project area is located in the remote Himalaya, it is now observed as serene environment. The project area seems free of air and noise pollution except occasional vehicle movement (mainly tractors for transportation of goods) on newly opened track road of the Koshi highway. However, the existing environment of the project area is going to be changing itself in
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) coming years due to the Koshi highway. During the project construction, vehicular movement of the proposed TBKHP will increase in massive scale. The project construction activities such as excavation of rocks and operation of machineries (compressor and diesel generator) during day and night will increase the noise level in the project area.
Experience from similar nature projects has shown that during surface blasting activities, the noise level goes up to 130 db for 30 seconds which is more than threshold of pain (120 db). Sustained noise levels during construction are expected to exceed 70 dBA at a distance of 200 meters from source. There are a primary school and a Buddhist monastery in Simbung village. The nearest settlements are Simbung and Barun Bazar which are located within 800 m and 500 m form the proposed powerhouse site respectively. The Barun Bazar is also a religious site as described in Chapter IV. The excessive noise is not only detrimental to local people and the project workforce but also to wildlife in the project area. During the project construction phase, dust emission due to vehicular movement as well crushers, concrete mixer machines, drilling, blasting and other construction activities. Drilling and subsequent blasting which is necessary for tunnel construction (excavation) will degrade the air quality inside the tunnel. The ingredients of concrete in mixer machines will also degrade the air quality in the surrounding areas. Burning of petroleum fuels for operations of several vehicles, six diesel generator sets of
250 KW capacity each and other equipments will emit carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the air. These primary pollutants may undergo series of chemical reactions with different atmospheric components (such as H2O, O3 and hydrocarbons) to produce secondary pollutants. However, the impact would not be to the maximum extend in the view of available natural sink in vast areas of the Arun-Barun valley. Therefore, the likely impacts due to air and noise pollution in the project area due to the project construction amid other non-project factors are evaluated to be moderate in magnitude affecting the ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality for five years. MED Rating: Moderate, local, Short term
5.2.1.6 Possibility of Change in River Morphology
The feasibility study of LBKHP has identified construction material quarry along the left bank of Arun River upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. The estimated volume of construction materials is not enough to change the river morphology of Arun River, because of the size of Arun River.
Construction activities will require diversion of Barun River from the headwork site for one season. Much disposal sites for 90,000 cubic meter volume have been also identified along the right and left bank of Arun River. Unless muck disposal issue is not carefully planned, there might be possibility of change in river morphology. Since Barun river flows through narrow river course, it will not be disturbed as far possible. The likely impact on the rivermorphology of Barun River is expected very low, in short stretch of about 8 km and persist for long time. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long Term
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Operation Stage 5.2.1.7 Dewatering Impact in Barun River The diversions of water from the headworks will create a dewatered stretch of about 8 km long up to the confluence of Barun and Arun River. The hydrological calculation in the feasibility study report of TBKHP has recommended 5.2 cubic meters per second as the lowest average mean monthly flow of Barun River, which occurs in March. Though 50% riparian release has been provisioned for the hydropower project located within conservation areas as per the GoN's procedural guidelines, this EIA study could not find rational basis for 50% riparian release. There are no fish fauna in the Barun river and hence, ecological requirement of riparian release at the rate of 50% river flow is not justifiable at all. In the case of proposed TBKHP, the dewatered stretch of Barun is shorter (just 8 km) with steep gradient in the narrow gorge. Therefore, it does not require riparian release more than 10 % of average mean monthly flow for any reasons. Therefore, during the dry season, there will be a minimum of 0.520 m3/s of discharge in the dewatered section. Besides downstream release, there are streams below the proposed headworks, which also contribute river flow to the dry river stretch of Barun. In physical viewpoint, 10% riparian release is enough to maintain natural regime of the Barun River in the dewatered stretch. Excavations for the weir foundation in the river channel could result siltation in the Barun River. Sediment free discharge released from the tailrace outlet can increase the erosive effect of the river downstream resulting scouring of the riverbed. However, it is anticipated that this effect will be ameliorated by stream flow generated by the catchment below the headworks. The Barun River is confined by the rocks exposures at the either side so the change in river course is not expected. Thus, the dewatering impact with 10% riparian release is expected to be moderate due to its river morphology of narrow type, relatively short distance, steep gradient and peculiar ecological conditions of Barun River. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Long Term
5.2.1.8 Formation of Microclimate in Dewatered Stretch Diversion of water from the Barun River for hydroelectricity generation will make normal discharge lower within the stretch between headworks and tailrace outlet. Low water level is likely to influence temperature in the dewatered zone. Experience from the similar nature projects has shown that the temperature might fall by about 0.5° C in the winter season.
During summer and monsoon seasons, the temperature might rise by about 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius. Reduced discharge in the Barun Khola might create pools which can favor algal growth. This change can alter nutrient value of the river water. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long Term
5.2.1.9 Noise Pollution at Powerhouse Operation of the powerhouse will definitely cause the noise in the powerhouse area that might be harmful to the project staffs working in the powerhouse. The noise from the underground powerhouse will not affect the nearby settlements.
There are no sensitive noise receptors like schools, hospitals and worship places close to the Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) powerhouse area and also the project area is located outside the core habitat of wildlife. Hence, noise generated during the project operation period is predicted to be very low. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long Term
5.2.2 Biological Environment Construction Stage 5.2.2.1 Forest Loss Altogether the proposed TBKHP requires 14.27 ha of the forest land for different project components. Major part of the forest land requirement is for the project access road which starts from the surge tank and terminates at the headworks site. During construction phase, major impacts on the forest include felling of 5248 trees including poles, which produces about 1291.93 cubic feet of wood volume. Major part of the wood volume is not suitable for timber use. So, it will be largely firewood. Among these 5248 trees, pole size trees are in higher number (Refer Appendix X).
The tree species that needs to be cleared during the project construction are Phalant (Cyclobalanopsis lamellose), Phirphire (Acer laevigatum), Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Katus (Castonopsis sp). Total number of trees and estimated forest products (government and private) with respect to different sites are given. The forest land area acquisition and tree felling/vegetation clearance on that forest land will create major impacts in the existing biological environment of the project area. The forest land loss will be inside the core area of Makalu Barun National Park. Therefore, this impact is anticipated to be high and long term, but confined in local particular areas of the Barun valley. MED Rating: High, Local, Long term 5.2.2.2 Possibility of Fire Hazard Forest fire is destructive to habitat of flora and fauna. However, forest fire is occasional in the project area as reported by local people. Large number of labor and their dependents will live in the project area during the construction period. Camp sites at the headworks site will pose risk of forest fire in surroundings. Besides, cigarette smokers can throw live matchsticks without noticing the season. Welding sparks can escape into dry grasses causing forest fire. MED Rating: Low, Local, Short term
5.2.2.3 Increased Pressure on Forest During construction phase, outsider laborers will migrate into the project area. It will create demand of timber for making camps and fuel wood for cooking. Therefore, locals will start selling timber and fuel wood collected either from their own private land or from nearby forest. Temporary food stall and other shops appear at the project construction sites, which will demand additional forest products. Local economic boom also encourage local people to build new houses. Therefore, there will be pressure on existing forests due to sudden increase of timber and fuel wood demand in the project area. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term
5.2.2.4 Disturbance to Natural Habitat of Wild Animals During the construction phase; several vehicles, machinery and construction workers will be mobilized, which may disturb the wildlife population in the vicinity of project area in the Barun
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-9 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) valley. The operation of various equipments will generate noise. Especially noise of blasting will have adverse impact on birds and wild animals in the project area. The noise may scare wild fauna and force them to migrate to other areas. Likewise, construction sites, project camps, muck disposal site etc could also lead to adverse impact on the movement of wild animals as well their feedings and breeding in the project area. Increased human interference could have an impact on terrestrial ecosystem of the project area specially environment of the proposed headworks site. The forest in and around the proposed headworks is habitat for some wildlife. Lokharke (Ratufa sps), Jungle cat (Felis chaus), and Malsapro (Herpestes edwardsii) are common species habitually occurred within the grasslands, bushes and forest of the project area. Other animals like Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Jackals and Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) dwell in the open field as well as in the forest area. Monkeys dwell in the open fields and rocky places, but because of their arboreal habitat, spend time in the forest area. Predatory animals like Chari Bagh (Felis bengalensis), Himalayan Black Bear and Leopards are the occasional visitors to the project area. They reside in dense sub-tropical and temperate forest within Barun catchment at the upstream region. There will be pronounced disturbances to the natural habitat of wildlife particularly at the headworks due to mobility of the workforce and construction noises/vibrations. Operation of heavy construction machineries/ equipment and blasting will be particularly frightening to the animals. Wild animals will be compelled to temporarily migrate to safer habitats. Since, porcupine (Hystrix indica), squirrel (Ratufa sps), and some species of reptiles and amphibians are comparatively less mobile then birds and other mammals, they will be affected the most. Some bird habitat will be destroyed due to the removal of trees. Clearance of herbs, shrubs, and bushy land and the riparian vegetation in the area will further degrade the feeding areas of birds. In over all, the proposed TBKHP will certainly disturb natural habitat of wild animals in the project area, which is a part of the Makalu Barun National Park. Habitat disturbance in turn ultimately causes decline of wild animal population. Thus, the likely impacts is serious and considered as high. MED Rating: High, Local, Short Term
5.2.2.5 Poaching and Illegal Trade of the Wildlife Investigation during field visit shows that there are 20 species of mammals, 24 species of birds, and 13 species of herpato-fauna in the project area. About 300 human resources will be involved in the project construction during the peak period. It is expected that the workforce and their dependents may get involved in illegal hunting and poaching of wild animals for sports, sales, and meat supplements. Mammals like Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Dumsi (Hystrix indica) and birds may be hunted for meat supplement. Considering the size of the work force and proximity of the forest, the impact is considered moderate, local and short term. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term
5.2.2.6 Impact on Protected Species of Flora and Fauna Out of the 29 tree species recorded in the project area, two species namely Champ (Michelia champaca) and orchids belong to use regulated (species banned for collection, use, sale, Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-10 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) distribution, transportation and export) under forest rules 1995 AD (2051 BS). Regarding the faunal diversity, 20 species of mammals, 24 species of birds and 13 species of herpato-fauna are reported in the project area. But no fish fishes have been recorded from the Barun River. Among them, 14 mammals, 7 birds, and 1 hepeto-fauna are listed within the protection status of GoN and other international agencies. Chari Bagh (Prionailurus bengalensis), Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus) and Leopard (Panthera pardus) are listed in Appendix I of CITES, similarly they are also recognized as near threatened wild mammal species in IUCN red list. Ban Biralo (Felis chaus), Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) are another CITES Appendix II species found in the project area. Similarly, Syaal (Canis aureus), Malsapro (Herpestes edwardsii) are included in CITES Appendix III. Based on the number of individuals of protected flora required to be cleared and the fact that the protected fauna could easily escape during project construction activities, the likely impact is considered as low in local area and short term. MED Rating: Low, Local, Short Term
5.2.2.7 Impact on Fish and Aquatic Life The aquatic environment of Barun Khola is expected to be affected during construction due to excavation of the weir foundation, increase siltation and turbidity in the river water. Spillage of oil, chemicals and construction materials may pollute the river water. In addition, solid waste and effluent disposal into the river at the headworks can cause pollution in the Barun Khola. There is no record of fish fauna upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. But there might be herpeto fauna and other creatures of lower phyla in this river stretch, which will be disturbed due to the project construction activities. Likely increased demand of fish by the project workforce of TBKHP can encourage local anglers for more fishing from the Arun River. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term
5.2.2.8 Impact on the MBNP Management Since the project area lies in the Makalu Barun National Park, movement of the workforce and transportation of construction materials into the project area from the outside might be issue for general management of the Makalu Barun National Park. There is a check post of the Park guarded by Nepal Army at Hedangnagadhi on the way to Bhotkhola from Khandbari. There are also other posts of the Park office at Gola Bazar and Hatiya. Monitoring of the environmental impacts due to the proposed project construction shall create extra pressure on regular activities of the MBNP management. The discussion with the Park officials during the field visit in December 2018 revealed that there is already lacking of physical resources for proper management. The Park conservation activities are conducted as per Fiver Year Management Plan. Management planning for any protected area is a dynamic process, and it must be prepared to accommodate the changes in the management based on new facts. The likely impacts on the biological environment of the project area mentioned above are utmost concerns of the Park management. The project construction activities will create chaos to implement the Park's management plan for conservation, management and utilization of the park and its buffer zone resources. The anticipated impact on the MBNP management is moderate, regional and short term for the construction period. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-11 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Operation Stage 5.2.2.9 Impacts on Aquatic Environment of Barun Khola Since Barun River is fast flowing river with high gradient through narrow gorge between vertical cliffs, there is no suitable habitat for spawning and rearing grounds of fish species. No any fish has been recorded from the upstream of Barun-Arun confluence. There might be occurrence of herpeto fauna (frogs) and lower creatures (insects) in the dewatered stretch of Barun Khola. Diversion of water from the Barun River during the project operation will create about 8 km long dewatered stretch between the intake and tailrace outlet of the proposed project. The aquatic habitat of these stretches might be affected by reduction in flow but there will be no impact on fish fauna. Therefore, the impact on aquatic environment has been predicted as low. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long Term
5.2.2.10 Impact on Rare, Endemic, Endangered, Protected and Threatened species of flora and fauna During the operation, the project activities will be limited to plant operation and some maintenance work only. There will be no additional vegetation clearance. Only about 35 operation and maintenance staffs will stay at the project sites so the pressure on forest and impact on rare, endangered, threatened, vulnerable and use regulated floral species will be insignificant. There will be no notable activities producing excessive noise and vibration. The possibility of “forest fire” due to the project activities will also be very insignificant. Some of the staff, however, may get involved in illegal hunting and poaching. MED Rating: Low, Site-specific, Long Term
5.2.2.11 Poaching and Illegal Trade During the operation phase, there will be only plant operation and some maintenance works. Though the project staffs will be few in numbers, they may involve in illegal hunting and poaching. At the same time, due to the better accessibility condition to the project area, the outsider may be attracted in hunting and poaching. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long Term
5.2.2.12 Fragmentation of wildlife habitat and disturbance to wildlife movement The permanent structural components of TBKHP will not impart significant impact on the movement of wildlife as the major component, waterway, is underground. At the headwork site, the construction of "run-of rover" type of diversion weir will create limited upstream inundation with a little rise in water level up to 5 m from the bed level (riverbed) in the river which may create limited problem for small size animal. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Long Term
5.2.3 Socio-Economic & Cultural Environment Construction Phase 5.2.3.1 Land Acquisition The project components are located on private agricultural land and forest land. The TBKHP will need only about 2.50 ha of private land (1.20 ha permanent and 1.30 ha temporary requirement). MED Rating: High, Local, Long Term
5.2.3.2 Loss of Agricultural Production The project will require about 3 ha (1.270 ha permanent and 1.725 ha temporary) of private Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-12 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) agricultural land located at Simbung. During the construction phase, these lands will be used for labor camps, site office, construction yards and parking of the construction vehicles. These activities will degrade the agricultural land. Above all of these, acquisition of the agricultural land for the project construction will result in the loss of agricultural production in the project area. Considering the direct impact on PAFs, the magnitude of the impact is rated high. Refer Appendix-IX for details of PAFs and crop loss. MED Rating: High, Local, Long term
5.2.3.3 Occupational Health and Safety Hazards The peak time human resource is estimated to be around 400 persons. Unskilled peak time labor has been estimated to be around 200 persons. The semi-skilled manpower like mason, driver, security guard, foremen, clerk etc will be about 75 people. Main activities during the construction will be drilling, blasting, clearing (the blasted material), sorting, and transportation of the muck. Handling of the explosions, drilling, blasting is always risky. The construction of headworks, buildings and other structures involves concrete mixing, concrete pouring, bar bending, scaffolding, steel ribs fabrication, welding etc. There will be always risk of accident at the construction sites. Frequent vehicular movement will be threat to pedestrians. Safety issue should be the most important concern in the project construction. Noise and dusty environment will be detrimental to worker's health. The workers working with concrete may be exposed to fine silicate particles that might cause lung diseases. Therefore, the issue of occupational health and safety hazards is highly significant in the project area during the project construction. MED Rating: High, Local, Short Term
5.2.3.4 Change in Income/Expenditure Pattern During project construction, local economic boom shall improve economic condition of the Project Area People (PAP). On the other hand, the sudden cash flow in the hands of local people through cash compensation and wages from working in the project may change in the expenditure pattern. The sudden earnings of the PAF may lead to the development of extravagant habit and indulge in gambling and alcohol. Market price of consumer goods might be skyrocketed due to increased demand in local area. MED Rating: Low, Local, Long term
5.2.3.5 Change in Aesthetic Value of the Project Area Landscape Changes in aesthetic value of the project area landscape are another potential direct effect from the hydropower development. The project can change the visual quality of an area by introducing physical structures like buildings, sheds, electric cables etc. Noisy and polluted environment might be objectionable to local people and occasional tourists in the Bhotkhola area. Disposal of muck generated during the project construction will change the existing topographical setting of the project area. Cutting of trees, piling of construction materials and other project activities will change the landscape view of the project area. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Long term
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-13 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
5.2.3.6 Impact on Local Infrastructures and Public Transportation The construction of TBKHP will involve transportation of significant quantity of construction materials from outside and within project area. Movement of people will increase due to outsider workforce in the project area. The vehicular activities will increase dust level released from the dusty road in the project area. Similarly, the increase traffic is also likely to increase road accidents in the project area. The project activities will also add an extra pressure on various existing infrastructures of the project area. The project activities will affect the normal movement pattern of local people and occasional tourists. Despite these adverse effects, increase vehicular traffic will provide the people with easier access to the Bhotkhola area. This effect will remain during construction period. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term
5.2.3.7 Impact on Public Health and Sanitation Among the estimated 400 people in the peak time workforce, about 90% of them will migrate to the project area from other places and reside in labor camps near the construction sites. The number of people working in the camp may be higher than actual number of workers because some of them may be accompanied with their families. Solid waste from these camps, if not managed properly, will pollute surface and groundwater. Labors may even do open defecation. Thus, there is possibility of spread of communicable disease like cholera, typhoid, and jaundice. Also the outsider workers might bring communicable diseases like cholera, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted disease (STD), AIDS etc. Solid waste, effluents, air & noise pollution due to project activities will also degrade the overall health and sanitation condition of the area. Overall impacts on the public health and sanitation of the project area are rated as: MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Mid term
5.2.3.8 Disturbance on Law and Order Situation Because of 400 people in the project workforce, who mostly migrated to the project area from other districts of Nepal and even from other countries, their different social-cultural background can disturb social harmony in the project area. Since some of the workers will be accompanied by their dependants, actual number of people staying in camps may still be higher. Therefore, temporarily social settings of the project area will change to multi-ethnic, multi- cultural & multi-religious. Furthermore, cash flow in the area may attract the workers towards gambling, alcohol consumption, prostitution, theft and such other social evils. In such situation, it will be difficult to maintain law and order situation in the Ward No. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. There is a police post in Gola Bazar. The local conflicts regarding social crime and quarrels are solved by the village leaders. The extreme cases are looked after by the police post at Gola Bazar and district police post at Khandbari Municipality. During the project construction, the available resources in the Gola police post may not be sufficient. It is obvious that the interest of local people and outsiders will differ as per their need. The local people will keep their prime concern for the development of the area whereas the outsiders will be money oriented. Large number of outsider workers amid possible social conflicts can cause worse situation of the law and order in the project if no mitigation measure is taken. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Medium term
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-14 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
5.2.3.9 Impact on Communal Resources (health, education, drinking water) All of the constructions activities will be within the Ward No. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. 400 outsider people will utilize health, drinking water, school and such other resources of the Ward No. 4. Therefore, these communal resources will be on pressure due to sudden increase in population of the project area. MED Rating: Moderate, Local, Short Term
5.2.3.10 Impact on Gender Role Local male people are expected to be engaged in the construction works, thereby creating shortage of male labor for agricultural and household activities. This will create women and children under additional pressure of agricultural and household workload of collecting fodder, firewood and grazing livestock. On the other hand, the contractor/sub-contractor may be willing to employ children for low wages. Local people may also involve in prostitution for extra earning. There might be incidents of sexual harassment by the project staffs. Thus, there shall be direct and indirect impact on gender issues in the project area during the project construction. MED Rating: High, Local, Short Term
Operation Phase 5.2.3.11 Impact on Existing Water Use There is no water use issue as the water from Barun Khola is not used by the locals for any purpose like drinking, irrigation, washing etc. Fishing activity is not reported in Barun. No any traditional fishermen community resides in the project area. Hence, no impact is expected on existing water use of Barun river.
5.2.3.12 Impact due to sudden release of water at the downstream During project operation, the flow in Barun River from the proposed headworks to the tailrace outlet will be reduced. But the proposed tailrace outlet opens about 200 m upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. The dewatered stretch is inaccessible due to vertical cliffs on the both banks of Barun River. Therefore, there will be no chance of impacts on public life due to sudden release of water at the downstream. MED Rating: No impact
5.2.3.13 Possible Impact due to Retrenchment of Economic Activities With the completion of construction phase, local economic boom will decline. Most of the workers will lose their jobs; there will be drastic decrease in demand of local agro products, cash flow will slowdown. Thus, people who were benefiting from the economic activity brought in by construction works will face sudden loss, which will create discomfort and anxiety among them. Nevertheless, it is expected that people will gradually adapt to the changed conditions within a period of few months to a year. MED Rating: Low, Local, Mid Term
5.2.3.14 Impact on Cultural and Religious Practices and Norms/values The project area is nearly homogenous community dominated by Bhote people. They follow Buddhism of Tibetan influence. There are few other people of Gurung, Tamang and Rai ethnic groups, who are living in harmony and in good cooperation with Bhote people. The large number of outside workers belonging to different religious & cultural belief will interact
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-15 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) with local people directly or indirectly. In such condition, there might be chance of some sort of conflicts and unrest in the project area. However, the migrant workers mostly will be the Nepalese people. MED Rating: Low, Local, Short Term
5.3 Summary of Evaluation of Environmental Impacts All of the impacts discussed are categorized as per their magnitude, extend and duration. These impacts have been evaluated to know their environmental significance taking into consideration the location of the project, direct or indirect nature, reversibility and irreversibility of the impacts, and more importantly the national policy, law and guidelines. In general, direct impacts are identified and indirect impacts are predicted. The significance of the impact has been evaluated using rating score. Assumption has also been made to evaluate the significance impacts.
For example, the direct impacts or direct loss of land and property, forests and vegetation as a part of site clearance are significant impacts; the project induced impacts are considered moderately significant; and impact that may occur outside the project area, and/or which is not directly related with the project activity is considered insignificant for this project. For convenience, direct impacts having total score of over 75 are considered significant; impacts having 50 to 75 score are considered moderately significant; and impacts having total score of less than 50 are considered insignificant for this project. However, some of the impacts whose total score exceeds 50 may not be significant in some cases depending upon nature of the impact. The impact identification and evaluation matrix is given in Table 5.3.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-16 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Table 5.3: Impact Identification and Evaluation Matrix
S. N. Impacts Impact Rating Nature Magnitude Extent Duration Impact significance 4.1 Beneficial Impacts Construction Phase 4.1.1.1. Economic boom in the project area due to influx of workforce and D H (60) Lo (20) St (5) Significant (85) project activities. 4.1.1.2. Local development in the project area using CSP budget D H (60) Lo (20) Lt (20) Very Significant (100)
4.1.1.3. Employment opportunity to local people of the ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola D H (60) Lo (20) St (5) Significant (85) Rural Municipality 4.1.1.4 Skill development of local people D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (60)
Operation Phase 4.1.2.1 Contribution to national economic growth IN H (60) R (60) Lt (20) Very Significant (140) 4.1.2.2 Some local people can have employment in the project operation and D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (60) maintenance. 4.1.2.3 Revenue to Government and Rural Municipality- Out of total annual D H (60) R (60) Lt (20) Very Significant (140) royalty, 50% to federal government, 25% to the province and 25% to municipality. Besides that, revenue will be 4.2 gAdenveerratedse I asm pleaacstes tax, VAT, local tax etc. Physical & Chemical Environment Construction Phase 4.2.1.1 Change in topography and land use pattern due to excavation for laying the D M (20) Ss (10) Lt (20) Insignificant project structures. (50) 4.2.1.2 Possibility of Landslide and Slope Instability- Landslide can be induced D L (10) Ss (10) St (5) Insignificant (25) and slope stability can be increased due to project construction activities at the proposed powerhouse site and 4.2.1.3 hMuckeadw oDisposalrks - Impact due to muck disposal in 90,000 cubic meter D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (5) Significant (60) volume from 4.2.1.4 ePxocalluvtiaotino nd uweor tok s o(lidtunn wel,as tepo fwroemrh laousboer ccaavmerpns, asnudrg eef ftlaunekn)t.s D M (20) Ss (10) St (5) Insignificant (35)
4.2.1.5 Air and noise pollution in serene environment of the project area due to D M (20) Ss (10) St (5) Insignificant (35) the project construction activities and machineries.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-18 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
4.2.1.6 Change in river morphology of Barun Khola D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (50)
Operation Phase 4.2.1.7 Dewatering impact in Barun Khola D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (60) 4.2.1.8 Formation of microclimate in the dewatered stretch of Barun Khola. D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (50) 4.2.1.9 Noise pollution at the power site due to machine operation. D L (10) Ss (10) Lt (20) Insignificant (40) Biological Environment Construction Phase 4.2.2.1 Forest loss at the proposed headworks site D H (60) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (100) 4.2.2.2 Possibility of fire hazard D M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (45) 4.2.2.3 Increased pressure on Forest IN M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (45) 4.2.2.4 Disturbance to natural habitat and movement of domestic/wild animals D H (60) Lo (20) St (5) Very Significant (85)
4.2.2.5 Impact on wildlife due to poaching and illegal trade of the wildlife IN M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (45)
4.2.2.6 Impact on Protected species of Flora and Fauna IN/D L (10) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (30)
4.2.2.7 Impact on wildlife and its habitat due to project construction activities IN/D M (20) Lo(20) St (5) Insignificant (45) 4.2.2.8 Impact on fish and aquatic life in the Barun River D M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (45)
4.2.2.9 Impact on the MBNP Management due to the project construction IN/D M (20) R (60) St (5) Significant (85)
Operation Phase 4.2.2.9 Impact on aquatic environment of Barun Khola D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (5) Insignificant (35) 4.2.2.10 Impact on rare, endemic, endangered, protected and threatened species IN L (10) St (10) Lt (20) Insignificant (40) of flora and fauna. 4.2.2.11 Poaching and illegal trade of wildlife IN L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (50)
4.2.2.12 Freagmentation of wildlife habitat and disturbance to wildlife movement- IN L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (50) Likely impact on forest due to increased pressure. Socio-economic & Cultural Environment Construction Phase 4.2.3.1 Impact due to land acquisition (3.8 ha) and lease of land (3.61 ha) from D H (60) Lo (20) Lt (20) Very Significant (100)
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 5-18 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
locals for the project construction. 4.2.3.2 Loss of agricultural crop production D H (60) Lo (20) Lt (20) Very significant (100) 4.2.3.3 Occupational Health and Safety Hazards at the project construction D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (60) sites. 4.2.3.4 Change in income/expenditure pattern due to sudden inflow of cash D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Insignificant (50) 4.2.3.5 Change in aesthetic value of the project area landscape D M (20) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (60) 4.2.3.6 Impact on infrastructure, public movement & transportation D M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Significant (45) 4.2.3.7 Degradation of public health and sanitation D M (20) Lo (20) Mt (10) Significant (50) 4.2.3.8 Disturbance on law and order situation D M (20) Lo (20) Mt (10) Significant (50) 4.2.3.9 Impact on communal resources D M (20) Lo (20) St (5) Insignificant (45) 4.2.3.10 Impact on gender IN/D H (60) Lo (20) St (5) Significant (85) Operation Phase 4.2.3.11 Impact on existing water use D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (50) 4.2.3.12 Decrease in agricultural production D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (20) Significant (50) 4.2.3.13 Impact due to sudden release of water at the downstream. D L (10) Lo (20) Lt (5) Significant (50) 4.2.3.14 Possible impact due to retrenchment of economic activities D L (10) Lo (20) Mt (10) Insignificant (40) 4.2.3.15 Impacts on cultural practices and norms/values of local people in the IN/D L (10) L (10) St (5) Insignificant (25) project area due to influence of outsider workforce
Note: Basis of impact rating as per National EIA Guidelines, 1993
Nature of Impact: Direct (D), Indirect (IN)
Magnitude: High (H) = 60, Moderate/Medium (M)= 20, Low (L)= 10
Extent: Regional (R) = 60, Local (Lo) =20, Site specific (Ss) =10
Duration: Long term (Lt) = 20, Mid-term (Mt) = 10, Short term (St) = 5
Significance: Total score >75= Very Significant, 50 – 75 = Significant, <50= Insignificant
Proponent Consultant Ampik energy Pvt.Ltd. 5-19 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER VI ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS
Alternative analysis is the evaluation of the different choices available to achieve a particular project management objective. A proposed hydroelectric project should be not only economically feasible; on other hand it should be environmentally and socially acceptable. Therefore, an analytical comparison of different factors and conditions of the proposed project is very important in decision-making and a vital part of EIA process. Thus, an analysis of alternatives is to provide an unbiased and transparent assessment of investment alternatives from an environmental and social perspective. To achieve this goal the environmental and social considerations need to be brought into the planning from the feasibility study stage. The EIA team well studied the feasibility study report of TBKHP and acquire the technical and economic attributes of the project. At early stages of technical design of TBKHP, EIA team members were not involved, however environmental feedbacks were considered while optimizing the project structures, design, location etc. In other hand, economic and financial evaluation of the project was carried out in order to determine viability of the project. The financial analysis evaluates the acceptability of the investments made in the TBKHP from the viewpoint of developers. The technical feasibility of the scheme has been established through study carried out on the technical aspect. Apart from the technical, environmental and socio-economical and cultural aspect of the project, the financial analysis provides the most important indicators for the acceptability of the TBKHP for investment.
6.1 BASIS OF ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS The Arun River valley is a deep valley locating at low altitude from sea level, which is aunique characteristic feature of this valley. The Arun flows around level of 1000 m in the project area. However, its tributaries including Barun Khola flows down steeply from Mt Makalu range into the Arun River. The project area lies on the east facing slope on the right side of Arun River, where thin human settlement and marginal agriculture activities on narrow terraces were observed during the field visit for the EIA study. The economy is heavily dependent on remittances from family members working in foreign countries. However, black cardamom (Aalaichi) is valuable cash crop which grows abundantly in the project area. Water resource of Barun khola is absolutely unused. The project area i.e. virtually the ward no. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality has been electrified by micro hydroelectric plants. Local people use fuel wood for cooking and heating. Almost households have also home solar sets for lighting purpose. This geographical features and socio-economic settings of the project area are also considered while selection of the project layouts and design options besides mere engineering viewpoints. Market price of hydroelectricity and it importance is determined by demand and supply rule. Hydroelectricity is more precious commodity during dry season of a year and peak time at late evening of a day. Since high available head of about 853 m, peaking option can generates more electric energy. Therefore, the PRoR option of TBKHP can be more attractive in terms of economic scenario. However, there are other factors like river morphology, GLOF risk as well environmental and social impacts that don't allow the PRoR option.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Except the diversion weir and intake gate, all other project structures settling basin, headrace tunnel for water conveyance, surgetank and powerhouse have been proposed underground. The underground project structures avoid possibilities of landslides as well minimize the project's land requirement on surface. Locations of the project components have been selected as much possible to avoid core area of Makalu Barun National Park. Site office, labor camps and construction yards have been proposed on private lands at Simbung village, which lie in the buffer zone of national park. The private land acquisition will have impacts on social aspects and livelihood of local people, but it can be compensated by cash compensation and other measures. While optimizing installed capacity and technical design of the TBKHP, alternative layouts and designs have been examined for all project components. These alternatives were assessed on the basis of their operational, economic, financial, engineering and environmental aspects and are discussed in this section. They were based on site-specific conditions and practical options developed by the technical team and environmental team jointly. The following are topics for which alternatives were considered:
6.2 PROJECT LOCATION Alternative I: Project Layout on Left Bank Initially at the stage of project inception, a Run-Off-River type of scheme with installed capacity of about 9.6 MW was conceptualized by the developer company's team. Survey license was also obtained by the proponent accordingly for this scheme. In the mean time, hydrological data was collected for long term and detail hydrological study was carried out. This showed possibility of increasing installed capacity. The proponent obtained the upgraded survey license from Development of Electricity Development (DoED) in BS 2073/08/05 to develop TBKHP having project capacity 132 MW. Two possible alternative layouts were considered during the study. In Option I, tunnel alignment follows the left bank of Barun River and powerhouse at Barun Bazaar. Tailrace water drains out to Barun River about 200 m upstream of the Barun-Arun confluence. River water is diverted from the Barun Khola at a point about 2005 m elevation which is just downstream of Saldim-Barun confluence. A weri structure is constructed from the river bed to ensure suitable flow diversion. This project utilizes a gross head of 853 m in the Barun River between the normal water level at diversion weir and the tail water in the parent River. The total tunnel length is about 4900 m and penstock pipe length is about 1500 m. Geological condition and topography of the Option I are slightly better. Since the Option I caters for the local public interest of having full river flow before the Barun-Arun confluence, it is chosen for further studies. The option I was found both economically feasible and environmentally acceptable.
Alternative II: Project Layout on Right Bank Next alternative is the project layout on the right bank of Barun River. Hydrology of both project options is the same as both the layouts have the headworks at the same location. Available head on the right bank is little more than on the left bank
In Option II, tunnel alignment follows the right bank of the Barun River and powerhouse at Barun Bazaar. Headrace tunnel length will be about 6 km long. Tailrace water drains out to Arun River. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
There will be no river flow on the Barun-Arun confluence due to the diverted flow into the Arun River, which is against of local public concern.
As mentioned in the earlier chapters, the Barun- Arun confluence is an important religious site of both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotee people visit this site for holy bath and ritual performing. During the public consultation, local people have showed their strong concerns for conservation of the religious site at the Barun-Arun confluence.
6.3 DESIGN ALTERNATIVES Water Conveyance Options Topography of the project area is not suitable for water conveyance of the proposed Lower Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project through headrace canal or steel pipe. Left bank of the Barun River is selected as suitable alignment for headrace tunnel of the project. Design flow of 18.44 m3/s will be conveyed through the headrace tunnel. Considering constructability aspect required for mechanized excavation, 3.3m internal diameter and length 4527 m excluding adits of inverted D type headrace tunnel is selected.
Weir and under sluice Diversion weir is 20 m long and 5 m high from the present lowest bed level and its axis is at right angle to the direction of river flow. The gated weir is designed to pass the 1 in 1000- year flood of 810 m /s with free flow type. The weir consists of four intake gates with under sluice. These gates regulate the flow and maintain the required stage. Maximum weir crest level is 2000 m. Gravel trap, which is a basin like structure will prevent boulders and gravels not to damage intake gates. Design alternatives of the headworks structure are limited.
Settling basin In order to reduce erosion of guide vanes and runners of turbines by suspended sediments, two hopper type underground open flow settling basins have been proposed. Each basin with dimensions of 15 m x 4 m (water depth) and 120 m long settling basin is used to settle 90% of 0.15 mm or bigger sediments at 150C for the designed and 120% of designed flows. Each basin has hydraulic flushing gates at the end of settling basin to flush the sediment deposit easily. Underground option of the settling basin will minimize the land requirement on surface and consequently its impact on environment.
Surge tank The hydraulic stability of the water conveyance system is very important factor to be considered in a hydropower project with long water conveyance systems. At the time of load acceptance and rejection, wicket gates are opened or closed, which will produce mass oscillation of water and cause water hammer effect or pressure rises in the conveyance system. To minimize these effects, a surge tank is provided generally at the end of the headrace tunnel in the system to allow stable governing to be maintained in the turbine and keep pressure rises to an acceptable level. The size of the surge tank will be circular steel, non-spilling, restricted of 10 m diameter. The height of the surge shaft will be 27.98 m. Penstock pipe Penstock pipe of 1348.00 m length made of high yield steel (Fe540) have been proposed. A three stage inclined steel shafts embedded by plain concrete has been proposed for the penstock. An adit at
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) each stage has been proposed. Spiral factory welded pipe for up to 25mm thick and longitudinal welded pipe beyond 25mm thick of 6.0m max long will be transported to site for joining each other. Since the powerhouse is underground, the penstock pipe will be underground. This underground option is expected to minimize environmental impacts in the project area.
Power house Underground power house has beenn proposed for this project. The powerhouse will contain six units of 22 MW turbine/generator units, associated electrical and mechanical equipment, a service bay and a control room. The powerhouse cavern will have an RCC structure of 80.00 m x 12.00 m x 14.00 m. The turbines are arranged perpendicular to the penstock pipe at that point. The turbine axis in the power house is fixed at 1145.435m based on the level, length, longitudinal slope and flood level at tailrace end.
Tailrace Tunnel Three 11.0m long individual rectangular channels will be provided under each turbine unit which merges to form a 555m long single inverted D-Shaped free flow tailrace canal of 4.6 m x 4.6 m. The tailrace tunnel is designed for 110% of design flow. The outlet of tailrace water level is maintained at 1143.234 m, which is above the Barun-Arun confluence level. The tailrace end will be protected by boulder riprap.
Switchyard and Power Evacuation A fenced outdoor switchyard with a surface area of 100 m x 50 m is proposed north of powerhouse building. The switchyard is kept above and away from the flood plain of Barun Khola. All equipments and fittings are kept fully outdoor in this area. The power generated from the proposed LBKHP will be evacuated to the switchyard of the Upper Arun HEP across the Arun River.
Accessibility Options The project area is accessible by newly opened track road of the Koshi higheay. But, the project has to construct a new access road from the surge tank to the proposed headworks. The tentative length of the roads from the surge tank to the headworks is 14 km.
Rope option for accessibility is environmental friendly. However, the ropeway option for accessibility to the headworks cannot be selected because of the size of LBKHP and so, huge quantities of the construction materials.
6.4 TECHNOLOGY, PROCEDURE OF OPERATION, TIME SCHEDULES AND RAW MATERIALS TO BE USED
To provide the maximum job opportunities to the locals, the selected construction technology alternative is labor supported with machines. The machine only or maximum machine based construction technology is rejected because of its potential environmental management difficulties and the minimum job opportunities to the locals. Since the project area is ecological sensitive for its location in the Makalu Barun National Park and its buffer zone, use of heavy equipment and machineries should be minimized as far possible.
The power plant operation will make the optimal utilization of the available hydrology. A consideration is given to the environmental requirements to release the environmental flow. As far as Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) possible, raw materials required for the project will be sourced from the local area except for timber and fuel wood. Similarly time schedule for the construction of the project is selected to October to June during this period the rainfall is less and there is less probability of mass wasting and soil erosion.
6.5 ALTERNATIVE TO THE QUARRY AND MUCK DISPOSAL SITES Considering the availability of construction materials there are two alternatives for the project first is to mine the required materials from the bed rocks and second is to mine the aggregates from the flood plain of river. The first alternatives involves direct impacts on land use and slope stability whereas the second alternative will avoid such impacts on the land resource of public use but will have limitations on the mine operation in the rainy season. Based on the assessment, the left bank of Arun River has been selected for the quarry and muck disposal sites as the best alternative from the environmental and social stand point with a few measures to be implemented for the protection of the river water quality. The contractors will have to comply with the selected option and the sites for the aggregate extraction. Considering the spoil disposal sites selection based on the following criteria; • Avoid the core area of Makalu Barun National Park • Avoid agricultural private land • Minimize environmental impacts. The selected sites for spoil disposal sites are the best sites for the protection of local environment and river bank protection along the Arun River.
6.6 NO FOREST AND LESS FOREST ALTERNATIVE A Forest alternative is one of the criteria for the project site selection to minimize the forest losses. To comply with this alternative, the location of the project structures and ancillaries are proposed to minimize the forest area for the proposed TBKHP. Underground powerhouse cavern and selection of the camp sites, crusher plants, stock piling yards etc in private will minimize the likely impacts on the forest as well this site selection is better for geology and geotechnical stability prospective.
6.7 NON IMPLEMENTATION SCENAIRO Still forty percent of the total population of Nepal has no access to electricity. Nepal is importing electricity from India. The country was suffering by frequent blackouts and load shedding in recent past years. Huge hydropower potentials of Nepal are untapped. Considering this gloomy situation, Government of Nepal has granted permission to an Indian company, Satlaj Jalbidhyut Nigam Limited for development of Arun III HEP (900 MW) in Koshi basin. Moreover, Upper Arun Hydropower Project (830 MW) is under pipeline, promoted by Nepal Electricity Authority. The Upper Arun HEP also lies in the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. This scenario has triggered development of other hydropower projects in its upstream and tributaries. Hydropower is one of the most important natural resources of Nepal on which Nepali dream of prosperity can be materialized. Implementation of the proposed project will utilize water flowing down in Barun Khola. The project area lies in the Ward No. 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. With the construction of this project, the local communities will be benefited in various ways. The project area will be privileged to use revenue generated during project operation at the local level and
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) regional level. The proposed TBKHP may uplift socio-economic status of local people in the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. Without this project, the project area will remain in its present underdeveloped state of subsistence economy. In the non-implementation scenario, a significant economic development opportunity will be lost if the proposed TBKHP is not selected for implementation.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydropower Project (132 MW)
N
Sheet No: 2787 06 Figure 6.1: Map showing Alternatives of TBKHPScale -1:50,000
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 6-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER - VII ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Based on identification, prediction and analysis of both adverse and beneficial impacts; environmental protection measures have been proposed to augment the beneficial environmental impacts as well to avoid/reduce or compensate the adverse impacts. Mitigation measures are proposed, giving high priority to preventive measures (avoidance of impacts) followed by corrective measures (reduction of impacts) and compensatory measures as last resort. Based upon the nature of impacts and their suitability as well as cost effectiveness, different mitigation measures as suitable (preventive, corrective and compensatory) have been proposed for implementation to avoid or reduce or compensate adverse environmental impacts .The project proponent is responsible for carrying out all the proposed mitigation measures and enhancement measures presented below. Adverse or beneficial impacts that are not identified or predetermined during the EIA study if later discovered during the construction and operation phase will be explicitly mitigated or enhanced by the proponent. The proponent will compensate the affected parties for losses of lives and properties due the implementation of the project as per prevailing law. Attention has been given to ensuring that the residual impacts are within the acceptable limits. The proposed TBKHP has considered all these concerns while designing mitigation and enhancement measures. All significant impacts (adverse and beneficial), other than those mention in this EIA report, identified during the project implementation will be properly mitigated/enhanced by proponent. Proponent will be primarily responsible to carry out all mitigation and enhancement measures proposed in this report. The project proponent will compensate for losses of land, properties and mitigate the impacts that would arise during project construction and implementation in addition to those mentioned in the report as per prevailing laws.
7.1 ENHANCEMENT MEASURES Following measures are proposed to enhance the beneficial impacts occurring as a result of project implementation during project construction phase.
7.1.1 Construction Phase 7.1.1.1 Increase in Economic Activities One day training program shall be conducted in the project area for general awareness to local people so that they could have more and more benefits from economic activities at their doorstep. The training program will cover topics like entrepreneurship development. Local will be encouraged for agro production and selling their household productions like milk, chicken, vegetables etc.
7.1.1.2 Skill Development Training Local people will be provided skill training for the job required during the project construction such as electric wiring, cook and computer operator training. Priority shall be given to members of the Project Affected Families. The skill training programs will be of one month duration providing theoretical and practical know-how in 150 credit hours. Three different kinds of skill trainings (electrical, cook and computer application) will be conducted as per courses and standards of Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). These skill development trainings will be given only by the training provider institutions affiliated to CTEVT to ensure quality and effectiveness of the trainings.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
Among the project affected people, trainees shall be selected based on their personal abilities and social criteria. Altogether sixty persons will be trained to make them capable for employment. The total estimated amount for the training program is NRs 33,00,000 (Thirty Three Lakhs Rupees).
Table 7.1: Cost Estimate for Skill Development Training Program S. N. Particulars No. Rate/Day/ No of Total Amount Pax Day Electrical Training (150 hrs) 1. Trainer 2 5000 30 300,000 2. Participants 20 1000 25 500,000 3. Training lumsum 200,000 materials and logistics 4. Tool kit to participants 20 5,000 100,000 4. Miscellaneous lumsum 100,000 Subtotal 12,00,000 Cook Training (150 hrs) 1. Trainer 2 5000 30 300,000 2. Participants 20 1000 25 500,000 3. Training lumsum 200,000 materials and logistics 4. Miscellaneous lumsum 100,000 Subtotal 1100,000 Computer Operator Training (150 hrs) 1. Trainer 2 5000 30 300,000 2. Participants 20 1000 25 500,000 3. Training lumsum 150,000 materials and logistics 4. Miscellaneous lumsum 50,000 Subtotal 10,00,000 Total 33,00,000
7.1.1.3 Provide Employment Opportunities Creation of employment opportunity to local people will be one of the most important enhancement measures during the construction phase of the project. The project will hire local people in the project construction works as per their level of education and skill. These employment opportunities will contribute in poverty alleviation in the project area. Employment opportunities may prevent out-migration of local youths from the project area and promote reverse-migration. The project will give priority in the employment to members of the project affected families. The possible increase in local employment opportunity will be an effective means of cash earnings for the local people of the project area. A roster list of local people seeking jobs in the project construction will be prepared and sent to the contractors with recommendations by the project office.
7.1.1.3 Livelihood Support Training The project may be unable to provide employment to all job seeker people of the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. Therefore, the project will conduct trainings in order to enhance their local skills for
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) livelihood support. Local people's livelihood can be improved providing them agricultural production intensification training program. Local farmers are largely dependent on black cardamom (Alaichi) farming. Depending on single kind of crop is not good for sustainability of local economy. Organic vegetables and high value medicinal plants can be other sources of livelihood for local people in the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. Such training program will be of one week duration. The training program will be focused on modern agricultural techniques and productivity intensification as well tools and materials will be provided to the participants. Altogether 80 persons will be trained in four batches of the training. The total estimated amount for the training program is NRs 20,00,000 (Nepalese Ruppes Twenty Lakhs).
Table 7.2: Cost Estimate for Livelihood Support Training Program
S. N. Particulars No. Rate/Day/ No of Total Amount Person Day Agricultural Production Intensification Training
1. Trainer 2 5000 7 70,000 2. Participants 20 500 6 60,000 3. Training materials and logistics lumsum 15,000 4. Tunnel sheet, tools & seeds 10 10,000 100,000 distribution 5. Miscellaneous lumsum 5,000 Subtotal 2,50,000 Cost of training @ 8 batches for 80 persons 20,00,000
7.1.1.4 Community Support Program In order to maximize the opportunity of local development in the project area, community support program has been proposed under CSP of the proponent. As per policy of 0.5% allocation of total project cost for CSP, a sum of NRs 11,00,00,000 (Eleven crore) is proposed for community support program to the project area. A detail plan of CSP shall be prepared in coordination with local stakeholders and the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality office. However, addressing public concerns of the Barun Religious Site, a sum of NRs 5 crore is allocated for its physical infrastructures development. In fact, contrary to the fame of Barun religious site, it is now very poor in physical infrastructures. Shiva temple and Buddhist monastery will be re-built to make it better. A pilgrim house with basic facilities will also be built by the allocated budget. So on, CSP budget shall be used for health post, schools, drinking water supply, rural electrification etc. A scholarship trust has been proposed to provide grant to children of local people to pursue higher education in technical fields (engineering and medical). The scholarship trust will be managed by a local committee. A tentative budget estimate for CSP is given in Table 7.3:
Table 7.3: Budget Estimate of CSP S. No. Items Amount (NRs) Remarks 1. Support to the project affected schools 100,00,000 For 4 schools
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
2. Support to Health Post 100,00,000 3. Support to Barun Religious Site 500,00,000 Physical infrastructures development 4. Upgrading of drinking water supply system 100,00,000 For Simbung village 5. Scholarship trust for higher education 100,00,000 Priority to PAF members 6. Ambulance vehicle 100,00,000 Stationed at Barun Dovan 7. Miscellaneous support 100,00,000 As per need of local community Total 11,00,00,000
7.1.2 Operation Phase
7.1.2.1 Establishment of Local and National industries The generated electricity will be connected to national transmission grid of GoN. Similarly, TBKHP will contribute in rural electrification of the project area. The project will encourage its operation and maintenance staffs to purchase local products in order to uplift the economic condition of the local farmers.
7.1.2.2 Employment Opportunity for Locals During the project operation phase, about 30 staffs will be required for operation and maintenance of the power plant. Most priority will be given to technical, trained and experienced local people of the project area to this employment opportunity.
7.1.2.3 Utilization of Hydro Revenue In order to maximize the benefits of the hydro revenue, the project will support to prepare a practical guideline will be developed in coordination with local stakeholders and the Bhotkhola Rural Municipality for rational and effective use of the hydropower royalty in the project area.
7.2 MITIGATION MEASURES 7.2.1 Physical Environment Construction Phase 7.2.1.1 Landslide and slope stability The unstable slopes will be stabilized using appropriate methods such as; • The unstable slope will be cut in 1:1 maintaining sufficient drainage. The slope comprising loose soil will be further protected using various bio-engineering techniques. • If no good to fair rock mass are encountered in the slope of major structures, the unstable slope will be stabilized by cutting the slope in 1:3 to 1:5 and using various support method such as shotcrete, rock bolts and spilling bars. • Continuous monitoring of the unstable slopes using instrumentation such as inclinometer or reflectometers, bore hole extensometers and piezometers will be conducted. All protection measures will be used to prevent failure of slopes. • If any small-scale instability occurs in these areas, it will be stabilized before it escalates to a major disaster.
7.2.1.2 Management of Tunnel Mock and Spoil Following corrective actions shall be taken to minimize the impact. • The excavated materials will be used for rural road filling and labeling camp sites.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-4 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
It will be properly compacted to ensure that less dust is released with wind. • The excavated materials will be compacted with proper moisture to ensure less dust is released with the wind. The muck disposal will be carried out only at the designated site on the left bank of Arun River. It is not cost effective to transport thousands cubic meter of muck volume from the headworks (more than 14 km). Nonetheless, management of tunnel mock and spoil will be carried out carefully considering ecological sensitiveness of the project area. No any muck and spoil will be dumped into the Barun River and elsewhere inside the Makalu Barun National Park. The muck disposal site has been proposed on the land area of 5 ha. At the end of project construction works, the muck disposal area will be shaped and landscaped to give attractive aesthetics and also to harmonize with the surrounding area by planting trees of endemic species and other bio-engineering works.
7.2.1.3 Management of Solid Waste and Effluents Storage of construction materials, solid waste and effluents are unavoidable in the project area during construction phase. However, it can be minimized to great extent. Corrective actions to minimize the impact are: • All the mechanical equipment will be kept in proper working condition and the construction materials will be stored in properly managed storing units. • The wastewater will be collected in wastewater collection pond. The solid waste and any scum will be removed by screening, followed by the settling of the sludge. For the removal of soluble organic matters, the wastewater will be subjected to biological oxidation through a bed of microbes. The final output will be discharged into the surface water after chlorination. • Solid waste generated in camps will be disposed in proper waste bins; the bins will be kept at a safe distance from river and springs. Different bins will be used for organic and inorganic type of solid waste for separate treatment and disposal. • Wasted/leftover construction materials such as cement bags, iron rods, oils, drums etc. will be collected and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Cement bags will be collected and burned nearby the construction site. Irons rods and drums will be collected in specific place and will be sold to the vendors. No burning of waste materials will be allowed in the project camps. Non-biodegradable wastes (plastic, glass bottles, metal scraps etc) will be sent back to Dharan by the returnee lorries for recycling. Management of solid waste and effluents will be carried out carefully considering ecological sensitiveness of the project area.
7.2.1.4 Noise Pollution Control During the construction phase, noise will be high in the working area. Noise production cannot be avoided, however it can be minimized. The project will take following measures to minimize degradation of sound quality in the area. • Construction equipment, generator, vehicles, batching plants and crusher plant will be kept in good working condition through scheduled maintenance. The operating condition of this equipment will be checked on a regular basis to prevent unnecessary noise from the equipment. • The use of explosive will be limited to the extent possible, especially in surface blasting. •Ear gears will be provided and its use will be made compulsory to the construction workers in the noise-prone areas.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW)
7.2.1.5 Dust and Air quality Control Construction equipment, blasting and drilling operations is must during the construction of different project components. Degradation of air quality due to these activities is invincible however they can be minimized through following corrective actions. • Construction equipment, generator and vehicles will be kept in good working condition through scheduled maintenance. The operation condition of this equipment will be checked regularly. • The excavated materials will be compacted with proper moisture to ensure dust is released with the wind. • Safety mask will be provided to the labors. The mask would be used as per health and safety requirements. For the dust control, civil contractors will be abided in the contract document to spray water twice a day on the roads within the project area, camps and construction site. Strict monitoring and compliance will be ensured by the project proponent.
7.2.1.6 Change in River Morphology Following preventive measures will be carried out in order to curtail impacts on river morphology and river gradient: • Construction materials will not be quarried from the designated site only at the left bank of Arun River. • The excavated areas will be refilled with enough compaction and plantation. • Top soil will be uniformly spread over such restored sites. • Muck disposal sites will be shaped and landscaped to give attractive aesthetics and also to harmonize with the surrounding area by planting trees of indigenous species and other bio- engineering works.
Operation Phase 7.2.1.7 Possibility of Soil erosion and change in river morphology The project will take following preventive/corrective measures to minimize the impact: • Bank protection works (gabion spurs and/or revetment) will be undertaken to prevent erosion near the headworks site. • The muck disposal site will be protected as required against erosion and failure using civil structures and bio-engineering techniques • Longitudinal and cross sections of affected portion of river will be studied after every rainy season.
7.2.1.8 Decrease in discharge and possible formation of microclimate There will be low flow at the downstream reach from January to April. The reduction in flow is likely to increase the temperature of the water at the dewatered zone. Since most of the low flow period fall during the winter season, the slight increase in water temperature of Barun River will be favorable for the aquatic ecosystem. • Undersluice structures will be provisioned to drain out sediments downstream from the bottom of the reservoir. • Frequent sediment flushing will be conducted only during monsoon season when there is sufficient flow at the downstream region, so that the flushed sediment will be easily diluted with the flow. Stockpile areas for materials such as sand, gravel, stone, laterite, and topsoil, as well as overburden
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) dumps should be located away from watercourses and will be surrounded by perimeter drains with sediment and other pollutant traps located at drain exits. • Construction of the diversion cofferdams will be carried out in the dry season when the river level is lowest.
7.2.1.9 Sound Pollution at Powerhouse area The proposed powerhouse is away from the settlement, so it is not likely to impact the nearby settlement and public places. Sound pollution is unavoidable due to machine operation inside powerhouse. However, the following measures will be carried out to prevent excessive noise: • The working cavern at powerhouse will be made sound proof with sufficient ventilation and air conditioning. • The working staffs will be provided with ear gears to minimize the effect of noise to them.
7.2.2 Biological Environment Construction Phase 7.2.2.1 Loss of Forest Resources In order to compensate the felling of 5248 trees of different species in the forest land of 14.27 ha for the project construction, the proposed TBKHP will take following measures to minimize the impact: • Compensatory plantation of 132,000 saplings (5248 trees x 25 and plus) will be conducted as per GoN rules. • The plantation program will also include the plantation of trees with NTFPs and local species. • Regarding the use of government land area for construction purpose as well as for generation period, the land required will be obtained on lease from GoN. • As per prevailing legal provision, the proponent company will purchase lands of 14.27 ha adjoining to the forest land, then handover it to GoN. A lumsum amount of NRs 2 crore is allocated for this provision.
Plantation program, tending operation and conservation of the plantation sites will be continued for five years till handover of the plantation sites by the project to concerned government agency.
Compensatory Plantation Program The plantation sites which require 82 ha land area (for 132,000 saplings at rate of 1600 sapling per ha) will be identified in collaboration with the Buffer Zone Committee and MBNP office in and around the project area. The Plantation Program will be undertaken in close coordination with the buffer zone committee and MBNP office. Then approval has to be obtained from the MBNP office before its implementation. The mitigation measures to be taken and other aspects have been framed into this package program. Main activities include compensatory plantation.
Legal Provision and Compensation Plantation According to “Working Policy on giving out Forest Land to other Provisions, 2063”, MoFE has put a provision to give forest land to other activities. The provision number five of this policy states that for each of trees to be cleared there should be plantation of trees in the ratio of 1:25. Moreover, the plantation must be done for the land provided by the project in lieu of the forest land used for the project construction. Therefore, the extra plantation will be carried out for the land area of 14.27 ha. Standard rate of the plantation is 1600 saplings per hectare. The project will carry out
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) extra plantation of 23,000 saplings in addition of 132,000 saplings. Thus, the TBKHP is responsible for plantation of 155,000 saplings in total as per prevailing legal provision. According to Rule 41 and 49 of Forest Rule 2051, annual royalty of the leased forest area is Rs. 3500 per hectare. In the present case, the permanent forest area required is 14.27 ha and the total amount of royalty to be paid is NRs. 63,997.50 per year. The cost will increase at the rate of 10% each year.
Total estimated cost for the compensation plantation program is NRs 291,00,000 (Two Crore Ninety One Lakh Nepalese Rupees). The proponent Ampik Energy Pvt Ltd will provide this allocated budget to the respective parties. The program will be implemented as per Compensation Plantation Action Plan prepared by jointly by MBNP and the Buffer Zone Committee. Approval of Program and Implementation Agency The program will be finalized following appropriate procedures. Buffer Zone Users Committee will incorporate into their annual program and obtain approval from MBNP. The MBNP may implement it in collaboration with the users committee. The proponent company will provide financial recourse as per cost estimate. Implementation approach will be as per the decision to the taken in consultation with MBNP and the buffer zone users committee. Table 7.3: Cost Estimate of Plantation Program
S.N. Mitigation Program Unit/Rate Amount (NRs) C-Phase O-Phase Total 1 Plantation of 155,000 seedlings and 170 26,400,000
management of planted site (transportation, site clearance, pitting, planting and weeding
operation, purchasing/production of seedlings) 26,400,000 2 Plantation site fencing LS 1,000,000 1,000,000 3 Technical support (Ranger/forester) LS 500,000 500,000 1,000,000 4 Wage of watchmen (2 person for 5 years) 10,000 per 600,000 600,000 month 1,200,000 5 NTFP plantation along with training and LS 500,000 awareness 500,000 Total 285,00,000 16,00,000 291,00,000
7.2.2.2 Fire Hazard and Habitat Destruction The project will take following measures to prevent the likely impact of fire hazard and wildlife habitat destruction: • The construction workers will be made aware of the danger and source of fire hazard. Awareness program will be conducted at the regular interval in association with Buffer Zone Users Committee and MBNP to conserve forest area. • The Environment Management Unit will draft, get endorsed and apply 'Code of Conduct' that includes leave no foot print measures in nature. Awareness program will be organized at regular interval in the project area. • As far as possible, the workforce camp will be located at safe distance and not in the core forest area. 7.2.2.3 Disturbance to Natural Habitat and Movement of Wildlife animals During construction activities; birds and animals will easily migrate to the nearby habitat. The habitat of less mobile animals like Porcupine (Hystrix indica), and Lokharke (Ratufa sps) and the
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) habitat of reptiles will be affected due to excavation activities. The project will take following preventive measures to avoid or minimize the impact: • The animals encountered will be left untouched and will be forced to escape out from the project construction area. The animals found in their underground habitat during project excavation activities will not be harmed and will be relocated to safe habitat. The provision will also be included in the project construction contract document. As far as possible, the use of explosive will be minimized, controlled and done within the allowable time considering the safety of the environment. Surface blasting operations will be limited only during daytime. The construction facilities such construction plants, workshops, stores and labor camps will not be placed in the core forest area. As far as possible local people will be employed according to their skill and qualification. Code of conduct will be prepared and implemented to the construction workers as well as to the visitors. Nature conservation awareness program of one day duration will be conducted at five different places in the project area. Altogether 100 people will be included as participants in the awareness program. This program will be given to Forest users, local leaders and foremen/supervisors of the contractors. MBNP office shall be consulted to organize this program. The allocated budget for this program is NRs 500,000 (Five Lakhs Rupees).
Table 7.4: Cost Estimate for Nature Conservation Program
S. N. Particulars No. Rate/Day/Person No of Days Total Amount 1. Trainer 2 10,000 2 40,000 2. Participant Allowance 20 1000 20 20,000
3. Training materials lumsum 30,000 and logistics 3. Miscellaneous - - - 10,000 Subtotal 100,000 Total cost of 5 batches @ 20 participants for 100 persons 500,000
7.2.2.4 Increased pressure on Forest and Forest product IKHP will take following corrective measures to minimize the impact: • Local people will be employed as much as possible so that pressure of influx of people from outside is minimum thereby minimizing pressure in forest for fuel wood and timber. • Code of conduct will be implemented and orientation program will be organized at regular interval to provide required information and increase awareness of workforce specially on things that may be done and things that should not be done. • Workforce will be supplied kerosene or bottled cooking gas. • The use of kerosene/ cooking gas will be ensured by making it obligatory in the contract agreement.
7.2.2.5 Poaching & Illegal Trade of Animals and Plant Parts The project will take following corrective measures to minimize the impact: • The local people will be employed as much as possible so that pressure of influx of people from outside is minimum thereby minimizing intimidation/hunting/poaching of wildlife • Code of conduct will be implemented and orientation program will be organized at regular interval to provide required information and increase awareness of workforce specially on things
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-9 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) that may be done and things that should not be done such as illegal hunting and poaching. • Programs to increase awareness of adjoining community will be conducted in association with Tutin community forest user group.. • Meat and other body parts of wildlife in the camps will be strictly prohibited.
7.2.2.6 Impact on Protected Species of Flora and Fauna The project will take following compensatory measures to minimize the impact: Protected species like orchids will b relocated and restored into their suitable habitats nearby the disturbed sites for project construction. • As mitigation measures for possible impacts due to "forest fire" & "increased pressure on forest" has already been proposed in respective headings, no additional mitigation measure will be required. • The animals whether protected or not, encountered will be left untouched and will be forced to escape out from the project construction area. The animals found in their underground habitat during project excavation activities won’t be harmed and will be relocated to safe habitat. The provision will also be included in the project construction contract document.
Operation Phase
7.2.2.7 Impact on Aquatic Life in Barun River The project will take following corrective measures to minimize the impact: • Spillage of oil, chemicals, & other construction materials will be controlled; machines & equipment will be regularly maintained. • Removal of riverbed and basic materials from Barun River will be strictly avoided. • Fish pass canal/fish ladder has not been envisioned at the water diversion structure, because there is no record of migratory fish species in upstream area. The provision for downstream water release structure for the release of 10% of minimum monthly flow discharge of Barun Khola (0.52 m3/s) will be included in the project design. The 10% release is estimated on the basis of present use of water, the aquatic water requirement at the dewatered zone and the Hydropower Policy, 2001. 7.2.2.8 Impact on endangered, protected and threatened, species of flora and fauna The impact is insignificant since there will be no additional vegetation clearance during the operation phase. Mostly local people depending on the skill will be given priority as operation and maintenance staff that will be made aware on things that should be done and things that should not be done such as poaching and illegal trade of banned animal parts or plant products.
7.2.2.10 Support to the Park Management The project construction of TBKHP will create pressure on regular activities of the park management of MBNP office. A smooth collaboration between the project proponent and the MBNP office will be required to ensure effectiveness of environmental monitoring and management of the project construction for five years. The Park office will require additional resources and logistics for intensive take care of the project area during the construction period. In order to deal with upcoming management constraints in the Barun valley, the park office has requested the project proponent to provide support for physical infrastructure buildings, biodiversity profile preparation and logistics as suggestions. (Refer the park letter dated BS 2075/08/28 in Appendix I). In this context, a sum of NRs 50 lakh has been proposed under the heading of
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 7-10 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower Project (132 MW) biodiversity conservation support program as shown in Table 7.6:
Table 7.6: Biodiversity Conservation Support Program
S.N. Description Amount (NRs) Remarks 1 Biodiversity Profile Preparation 10,00,000 Barun valley 2 Support to physical infrastructures 30,00,000 At Gola and Hatiya (Post/sector office buildings) 3 Support to the field gears required for 2,00,000 anti-poaching patrolling 4 Support to the equipments and logistics 8,00,000 (camera trap set, GPS, laptop etc) Total 50,00,000
7.2.3 Socio-Economic & Cultural Environment Construction Phase 7.2.3.1 Land Acquisition The project will acquire 1.20 ha of private land permanently for placement of project structures whereas 1.30 ha of private land will be taken in lease and provided the appropriate amount to the land owners. The required area of private land for the proposed project will be purchased through direct negotiation with the concerned landowners as per the market price. The amount for compensation of land is included in project technical cost.
7.2.3.2 Loss of Agricultural Production Land acquisition will be done after harvesting the crops. If the proponent requires the land before the harvesting of crops, crops will be compensated as per the production potential at market price. Lease/rent will be provided for the agricultural land acquired temporarily, and the amount provided will not be less than the total annual land productivity. This amount will provide the basis of alternative livelihood to the owner. The leased/rented land will be returned to the owner in its previous productive condition.
7.2.3.3 Occupational Health and Safety Hazards Main works during construction such as drilling, blasting, hauling, and concreting will produce dust and smoke. Unforeseeable events that may occur are sudden rock burst, emergence of poisonous gas and groundwater flow. The project will abide by the provisions of labor act and will make arrangement to implement following preventive and mitigation measures to minimize the hazard. Occupational health and safety training program of half day duration will be conducted on routine basis to orient the workforce on safety measures at the project construction sites. Use of safety helmet, earplugs, and masks will be made compulsory for each person entering the working area for any purpose. Use of safety mask will be made compulsory as a compliance of contractors for the workers working with sand, cement and mud. A health care unit will be established either in the powerhouse or in headworks area that is staffed by health assistance, helper and all equipment and medicines as required, to handle accidents and provide primary health care. A sum of NRs 1,600,000 (Rupees Sixteen Lakh only) is proposed for the training program targeting 400 workers and repeating once for same person during the project construction period.
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Table 7.7: Cost Estimate for Occupational Health and Safety Program
S. N. Particulars No. Rate/Day/ No of Day Total Amount Person 1. Trainer 1 5,000 2 10,000 2. Participant Refreshment 20 500 2 10,000 3. Training materials lumsum 0 5,00 3. Miscellaneous lumsum 5,000 Subtotal 40,0000 Total cost of 40 batches @ 20 participants 16,00,000
7.2.3.4 Change in trade/commerce and income/expenditure due to the project activities. The TBKHP will take following corrective actions to minimize the adverse aspects of the impact. • Awareness programs will be conducted to the project affected people about the wise use of compensation, benefits and prioritizing their needs. • Job oriented training programs will be conducted to the active member of SPAF and PAF and will be involved in some kind of work in project so that they will not involve in ideal gambling and alcohol.
7.2.3.5 Preservation of Aesthetic Value of the Project Area The TBKHP will take following corrective measures to maintain aesthetic value of the project area landscape: • The project facilities such as structures, cables, power stations, lights, moorings, or barges will not be placed haphazardly. When not in use they will be stored in the warehouse located in the construction camp. • The construction equipment, generator, vehicles, batching plants and crusher plant will be kept in good working condition through scheduled maintenance. The operating condition of the equipment will be checked on a regular basis. • The muck-disposed area will be shaped and landscaped to give attractive aesthetics and to harmonize with the surrounding area by planting trees of indigenous species and other bioengineering works.
7.2.3.6 Impact on Local infrastructure, Public Movement and Transportation Pattern To minimize the impact due to increased project activities on local infrastructures and people’s movement, TBKHP will take following preventive and corrective measures. • Use of heavy transportation vehicles in and around the project area will be optimized so that the impact is minimum. • Water will be sprinkled over the roads in and around the project area especially nearby settlement areas so that the effect due to dust is minimized. • Damaged roads due to the use for project activities will be repaired and maintained. • Orientation programs will be conducted to drivers so that the hazard of accident will be minimized. • Locations vulnerable to accidents will be identified and protection indicators will be established. • In case of occurrence of accidental events, it will be handled as per legal provisions. • Third party insurance will be provided against accidents.
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7.2.3.7 Degradation of Sanitary and Hygienic condition The project will take following preventive actions to minimize the impact: Adequate number of construction camps (employers’ camps and contractors’ camps) will be constructed with all basic facilities such as electricity, water supply, and sanitation. Entertainment & recreation facilities such as sports grounds, television room and news desk will also be provided in the camps. All camp houses will be provided with the adequate number of sanitary toilets. Open defecation in the project area will be strictly prohibited. “Code of Conduct” will be developed containing list of codes to be followed by workforce and employees of TBKHP to ensure proper sanitary and hygienic condition. Orientation program will be conducted on a periodic basis to educate the code of conduct and to make it mandatory. Social awareness will be organized to aware the public on sanitation and hygiene in the project area. Treatment facility will be provided in the medical center established for the workforce and TBKHP staff to treat common communicable diseases. Social awareness program will be conducted in the project area, which shall cover up various social issues like benefit making from economic opportunities due to the project, pressure on communal resources due to influx of labor, health and sanitation condition etc. The program will be conducted in interactive mode allowing participants to express their quarries and opinions. There will be no limitation for topics and issues for discussion. The project information and current updates of TBKHP will be also disseminated in the awareness program. Code of social conduct will be drafted and presented in the program for discussion. One of the outcomes of awareness program, Code of Conduct will be prepared in participatory approach.
Table 7.8: Cost for Social Awareness program S. N. Particulars No. Rate/Day/ No of Day Total Amount Person 1. Trainer 1 10,000 2 20,000 2. Participant Refreshment 20 500 1 10,000 3. Training materials lumsum 10,000 3. Miscellaneous lumsum 5,000 Subtotal 50,000 Total cost of 10 batches @ 20 participants 5,00,000
7.2.3.8 Maintain Law and Order Situation TBKHP will take following corrective actions to main the law and order situation: • In-house security arrangement including security personnel and equipment will be established. • “Code of Conduct” will be designed and implemented to the workforce. • Cordial relation will be maintained with the local Police post and district police • Action plan will be prepared in coordination with police posts in case of undesirable occurrence of breach of law and order in the project area.
7.2.3.9 Pressure on existing communal resources Following corrective measures will be taken to minimize the impact on communal resources: Following corrective measures will be taken to minimize the impact on communal resources.
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• The project area schools, health posts, police post, and other communal resources located within the project influence area will be supported to upgrade as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility. • Similarly, own drinking water supply system will be developed by TBKHP so that additional pressure on existing water supply system is minimized. • A medical center will be established at the project camp for the project staffs and the local people. In addition, hoarding board and flex poster will be prepared and displayed in public places as well the project construction sites. Hoarding board and flex poster will have slogans in Nepali language and local language (Bhote). Slogans will be in catchy words for general awareness including various issues like road safety, traffic sign, accidents, hazards at working sites, HIV, nature conservation, legal warnings etc.
Table 7.9: Cost Estimate for Social Awareness Program S. N. Particulars Quantity Rate (NRs) Amount (NRs) 1. Hoarding board 20 15,000 300,000 2. Flex poster 200 1000 200,000 Total 500,000
7.2.3.10 Impact on Gender Role The project proponent company is committed to abide by the prevalent law of Nepal and international agreements to which Nepal is a party; it will take following preventive measures to minimize the impact. The proponent company will carefully understand the prevalent rules regarding employing workforce, especially women, children, and disadvantaged group and abide by the provisions. Gender balance job opportunity and wages will be ensured to workforce employed by the project office or Contractors. As per prevailing laws, prohibition arrangements will be made to employ children less than 16 years of age by contractors and other agency employed by TBKHP through appropriate contractual condition “Code of Conduct” will be designed and implemented to the workforce for not involving in unsocial acts and adultery.
Operation Phase 7.2.3.11 Downstream Water Use Minimum 0.52 m3/s of discharge (ten percent of the least monthly discharge) will be released from the weir of TBKHP during the dry season of the year. This environmental release is considered sufficient for maintaining the aquatic environment of the river. There are streams which also contribute some discharge into Barun River. Since there is no other water use for irrigation, water mill, drinking, cremation site etc in the downstream of the proposed headworks, additional downstream release for social purpose is not necessary at all in this project. 7.2.3.12 Safety due to Sudden Release of Water at the Downstream Solution to the impact is classified into two situations– Planned Release and Sudden Release of water to natural Barun River course. For planned release, schedule of release is exactly known beforehand but since sudden release will take place due to some technical difficulties, it may occur at any time. TBKHP will take following corrective action to address the possible impact:
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• TBKHP will notify the concerned communities about the plan of release through written notices, mouth to mouth information, awareness program and all other possible means identified later. • TBKHP will install alarm-warning system (siren) at appropriate location so that alarm sound is disseminated to all concerned. Warning signal (siren) will be made at least three times (before 1 hour, 30 minutes and 15 minutes) before water is released. • TBKHP will install a special alarm system so that in case of sudden shut down of the power plant. • Powerhouse, the system will automatically ring loudly for at least 5 minutes. The released water will take some time to travel downwards during which people nearby riverbank will have sufficient time to move to safety. Regarding the safety issue due to sudden release of water at the downstream, the area at Barun-Arun confluence is especially sensitive because devotees often visit this site for holy bath and ritual performing. The cost of installation siren system shall be included in the civil cost of the project.
7.2.3.13 Awareness program Withdrawal of economic activities during operation phase is a natural phenomenon. Local people including the affected families will be encouraged to utilize their skill and improved infrastructures to diversify their income generating activities. Such potential activities will be covered in awareness programs. Such programs will include awareness on savings and expenditure, use of local skill etc. These programs will be conducted once in a year for two years of operation phase of the project. An amount of NRs. 500,000.00 is proposed for the program.
7.2.3.14 Impact on Social, Cultural and Religious Practices and Norms/Values In order to mitigate possible conflict and unrest situation due to the presence of workers, TBKHP will take following preventive action: • Social awareness program targeting the local communities and orientation program targeting the workforce will be regularly conducted regarding social cultural and religious practices and code of conduct will be prepared for the workforce. • Implementation of Code of Conduct is expected to minimize this impact.
7.3 RESETTLEMENT & REHABILATION MEASURES The TBKHP requires private land for the proposed project components, but no any house needs to be relocated due to the land acquisition. Therefore, there is no issue of resettlement and rehabilitation. It is estimated that a sum of NRs 50 lakh in total should be provided to permanent land required (1.20 ha). The proposed average rate of cash compensation is NRs 2 Lakh per Ropani. Furthermore, a lumsum amount of NRs 10 lakh is proposed for rental compensation for temporary land (1.30 ha) required during the project construction. Thus, total estimated cost of land compensation is NRs 60,00,000 (Nepalese Rupees Sixty Lakh only).
7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION COST As mentioned above in different heading of enhancement and mitigation measures, the proposed or estimated costs are summarized in Table 7.10. The total budget NRs Twenty Two crore Twenty lakh as shown below is essential to ensure implementation of enhancement and mitigation measures prescribed in the EIA report. This cost estimate is based on the market rates of December, 2018.
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Table 7.10: Summary of Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Cost
S.N. Description Amount (NRs) Remarks 1 Enhancement Measures 1.1 Skill development training 33,00,000 For 60 persons 1.2 Livelihood support training 20,00,000 For 80 persons 2 Community Support Program 11,00,00,000 CSR subtotal 11,53,00,000 3 Mitigation Measures 3.1 Physical & chemical environment Included in civil cost 3.2 Biological environment 3.2.1 Nature Conservation Awareness Program 5,00,000 For 100 participants 3.2.2 Compensatory Plantation Program 2,91,00,000 3.2.3 Land purchase in lieu of the forest land 2,00,00,000 18.285 ha 3.2.4 Support to Biodiversity conservation program 50,00,000 MBNP office Subtotal 10,41,00,000 4 Socio-economic & Cultural Environment 4.1 Occupational health & safety Program 16,00,000 4.2 Social Awareness Program 5,00,000 4.3 Display of hoarding boards and posters 5,00,000 4.4 Land acquisition and crop loss Included in civil cost
Subtotal 26,00,000 Total 22,20,00,000
7.5 ADDRESSING PUBLIC ISSUES The mitigation measures for the issued rose by the public are listed below. Most of the issues and concerns raised by the local stakeholders during the public consultation were in the form of demand related with local development. Table 7.11: Mitigation Measures for Local Issues S. No Issues Remarks 1. Name of Hydropower Project should be Survey license has been issued as Tallo Barun Khola 'Mangruwa Khola Hydro Electric Project Hydropower Project. So not relevant. 2. Barun Dovan and its premises should be The powerhouse site is located on uphill slope about 2 preserved as a sacred religious site. Tailrace km away by road distance from the Barun-Arun outlet of the project should be located confluence. Hence no impact in Barun Dovan. upstream of the confluence so that its flow would not change here 3. The project should have coordination with A detail plan of CSP shall be prepared in coordination the local people of the project area during with local stakeholders and the Bhotkhola Rural the project construction. Municipality office. 4. Priority should be given to local people in Addressed in section 7.1.1.3. employment opportunities created by the project construction and operation. 5. The project proponent company must The project will provide share to the locals as per the distribute at least 10% share to local people. Securities Registration and Issue Regulation, 2073 and Securities Issue Guidelines, 2065 of Nepal. 6. Tree plantation and its protection, Refer section 7.2.2.1 management should be in planned way. It should be made clear before the project construction.
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7. Simbung village and other settlements in the Cost allocated in CSP, Table 7.3; Bullet 6 project area have been electrified by micro hydro plants but its power supply is not reliable. Therefore, budget should be allocated to for rural electrification program in the project area replacing existing off-grid electrification system. 8. Appropriate compensation must be provided The required area of private land for the proposed to the land to be acquired by the project. project will be purchased through direct negotiation with the concerned landowners as per the market price. 9. Financial support should be provided for the Included in CSP, Table 7.3; Bullet 2 establishment of health post in Simbung village, improvement of trails and other community development works.
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CHAPTER - VIII ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is an important part of EIA process as it deals with mechanisms for the implementation of proposed mitigation and enhancement measures, monitoring activities, public concerns and coordination among different stakeholders and GoN line agencies. The EMP identifies objectives, approach, procedures and methods that will be adopted to control and minimize and/or mitigate potential environmental and social impacts associated with the construction and operation activities of the proposed project. The primary objective of the EMP is to ensure the highest degree of environmental and social performance with environmental due diligence during implementation of the proposed project. The EMP will also provide a guideline to the project proponent, contractors and the consultant. It will also be a supporting document for line agencies such as Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE); Ministry of Energy, Water resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI); Department of Electricity Development (DoED) and MBNP. The EMP also specifies the parties that would be responsible for mitigation besides various line agencies, and non- project participants to be coordinated with and schedule of implementation. The EMP in matrix form is presented in Table 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3. The project proponent will have the prime responsibility for the implementation of Environmental Management Plan. The major activities that will be carried out under the EMP during project implementation are . Accomplish all the environmental and social conditions as stipulated in the EIA report, . Maintain environmental due diligence by the project actors; . Promote and encourage environmental awareness and understanding among the major stakeholders of the project including the local communities; . Implement ‘adoptive management' approach for continuous improvement and unforeseen impacts; . Support local community in reaping the benefits occurring as a result of project implementation; . Regularly consult with and disseminate project related information with the project stakeholders and involve them throughout the implementation of the project.
8.1 OBJECTIVES OF EMP The basic objective of the EMP is to streamline the course of action in order to mitigate the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the implementation of the proposed project. The EMP is prepared to provide: . A practical framework for establishing best practices for environmental management standards and guidelines to mitigate the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the implementation of the project; . A mechanism to ensure full compliance with legal environmental provision; . A ground to achieve improved environmental performance by using adoptive management approach; . A basis for environmental due diligence during the implementation of the proposed project.
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8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT APPROACH Following approach for environment management will be adopted during different phases of the project. 8.2.1 Pre - Construction Phase 8.2.1.1Activities The EMP for pre-construction phase includes the management of pre-construction phase related activities such as land take/lease, approval for the clearance of forest, addressing issues of public concern, and coordination with line agencies and updating the baseline condition, if required. The allocation of adequate budget for the implementation of first year mitigation and monitoring program, preparation of inception report prior to the construction, follow up of the contract clauses that should be incorporated in tender documents are other activities to be managed or conducted during pre - construction phase.
8.2.1.2 Management Plan . Project Proponent The proposed project will implement and manage land take/lease and compensation, approval for forest clearances, issues of public concerns, and coordination with line agencies and allocation of adequate budget and incorporation of environmental clauses in contract.
8.2.2 Construction Phase The construction phase environmental management is rather complex and requires multi-disciplinary expertise and resources. The activities to be conducted during construction phase management plan are discussed below.
8.2.2.1 Activities . Establishment of Environmental Management Unit (EMU) with concerned experts, office, field equipment and adequate budget; . Implementation of enhancement and mitigation measures as mentioned in Chapter – VII; . Liaise with local people of RM, MBNP and central level line agencies; . Coordination of work with the Project Proponent and technical team; . Environmental monitoring and . Preparation of periodic environment management and monitoring report.
8.2.2.2 Management Plan . Environnemental Management Unit (EMU) The EMU of the proposed project will be established at project level for day to day environmental management of the implementation of proposed mitigation measures and carrying out environmental monitoring plan. The unit will be located under the Project Manager office. The project proponent will hire a local consulting firm experienced in environmental monitoring of implementation of hydropower projects for establishment of the unit and to implement the afore- mentioned work. Technicians/supervisors will be hired locally. The following human resources will be required for the unit. . Environment Management Expert/Unit Chief . Environmental Engineer
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. Botanist/Forestry Experts . Socio-economist . Field Technician/ Supervisors . Support staff This unit will also be responsible for the implementation of community based program, enhancement measures, coordination of work with RM, MBNP and other district level line agencies. The unit will also coordinate with central line agencies such as MoEWRI, MoFE and DoED.
. Consultant/ Resident Engineer The coordination of the compliance monitoring and mitigation program allocated under the contractor will be the responsibility of Resident Engineer (RE). Environmental Management Unit of the project will work for the monitoring of compliance issues and report to the Project Manager. The Project Manager delivers written message to the Resident Engineer for prompt action. The RE is supposed to be aware of and to understand the context of EMP. The RE will also be responsible for supervising the contractor's performance of environmental activities as proposed by the EMP. He will also ensure that the proper training on Health and Safety aspects and the environmental awareness is well taken care of. The Resident Engineer will also have responsibility of approval of contractor’s Health and Safety Plan with written recommendations of the EMU. He will have authority to stop work fully or partially, delay in payment or otherwise penalize contractors for non- performance or non-compliance with the environmental tender clauses. The RE will also be responsible for the supervision and quality control of the works including environment management activities conducted by the EMU.
. Project Manager The Project Manager will have prime and overall responsibility of the implementation of enhancement and mitigation measures and monitoring of the same. The Project Manager may delegate this responsibility to the EMU but ultimate authority must rest with the Project Manager as construction activities and logistic therein will be closely linked with the mitigation efforts. He/She will ensure that the proposed mitigation and monitoring activities are incorporated into the contract bid documents related to project contractors’obligations and provisionsare made accordingly in the contract and bill of quantities. He/She will approve any changes in the EMP as required based on ‘adoptive management approach’. On behalf of the project proponent, the Project Manager will ensure effective implementation of the EMP, dissemination of the EMP provisions to contractors; provide adequate resources for effective implementation of the EMP. He/She will regularly report environmental activities and performance of the project to the concerned GoN line agencies at local and central levels. One of the primary responsibilities of the Project Manager will be to make sure that the grievance redresses mechanism functions effectively.
. Construction Contractors The project contractors will be well aware of and understand the content and philosophy of EMP and ensure that his staff, workers and sub-contractors including petty contractors adhere to the provisions of environmental requirements. The construction contractors will be responsible for implementation of mitigation measures specified on the part of contractor and for compliance with tender clauses. The contractors will also be responsible for developing a Health and Safety Plan. The contractor will be responsible for the implementation of occupational health and safety plan, bio-engineering
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW) measures, water quality protection measures etc. The project contractor will make sure that the environmental and socials safeguards procedures are in place and are adhered to at all times at the project level and at all work places. It will be the duty of the project contractor to report to the Resident Engineer and the Project Manager in case of major environmental incidents within 24 hours of the incident. The contractors will prepare and submit to the Project Manager through Resident Engineer all the required environmental plans identified during detailed project design for approval. In case of major casualty to project workers, the project contractor will follow the existing legal provisions of GoN.
. Line Agencies District level line agencies such as District Administration Office and MBNP Office will be closely consulted with during implementation of mitigation measures. The district level GoN line agencies will provide suggestion and support for land and property requisition, forest area demarcation, its counting and clearances. The cost of required technical input to the implementation of program will be borne by the project. They will review the periodic environmental report and provide feedback, suggestions and support for maintaining law and order situation in the project area. Besides, central level line agencies, viz. MoEWRI; DoED; DNPWC and MoFE will have responsibility of monitoring of project activities with regard to Environmental Management, Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. The project proponent may coordinate with central level line agencies with regard to implementation of project EMP in case of such a need. Concerned central level line agencies will review project documents and ensure that the proposed plan and program of EIA are being implemented, review periodic environmental report and provide feedback and suggestions.
8.2.3 Operation and Maintenance Phase 8.2.3.1 Activities The operation and maintenance phase activities include operation of the intake and powerhouse, regular maintenance, safety issues, implementation of operational phase biophysical and socio- economic mitigation programs.
8.2.3.2 Management Plan . Project Proponent The project proponent will be responsible for the management during the operation and maintenance phase of the project. It will be responsible for the execution of work with regards to bio-physical and socio-economic and cultural environment.
. MBNP MBNP will be responsible for the continuation of the forest sector mitigation program for two years after project completion. The cost required for the implementation of program will be borne by the project proponent.
8.2.4 Reporting Requirements The EMU will be responsible for the preparation and distribution of report to the concerned agencies. The unit will prepare following reports.
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. Pre-construction Environmental Report This report will be prepared prior to the commencement (just before start) of the construction work of the project. The report will include baseline situation and site condition prior to the start of actual construction work. The report will also include any modification made in Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan with due changes in time. . Construction Phase Environmental Report The construction phase environmental report will be prepared on half yearly basis and an annual environmental report will also be prepared at the end of each calendar year (BS). A final environmental report will be prepared after the completion of the construction work. Environmental Management Unit of the project will be responsible for the preparation of these reports. The report will be distributed to the MoFE, MoEWRI, DoED, MBNP and RE. Office of Project Manager will be responsible for distribution of the report to the above mentioned organizations. . Operation and Maintenance Phase Environmental Report Operation and maintenance phase environmental report will be prepared for at least two years. The project proponent will have principal responsibility of preparation of environmental report. The report will describe mitigation measures, problems and recommended solution as well as the best practices adopted. The report will clearly identify where operational mitigation measures are not being implemented or where mitigation efforts are inadequate to protect natural and socio-economic resources. Unanticipated deleterious impacts of the projects will be clearly identified. Measures to solve problem will be proposed and be funded under the project annual operating budget.
8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Environmental Management Plan including physical and biological management aspects of the project area are presented below;
8.3.1 Physical Environment Management Plan The required actions under the Physical Environment Management Plan are presented below.
8.3.1.1 Erosion Abatement and Watershed Management Plan The project contractor will formulate an Erosion Abatement and Watershed Management Plan and obtain prior approval for its implementation. The plan will include a layout of the sites, work procedures, design and methods for erosion control and minimization etc. Plan # 1: Excavation and cutting activities The contractor will use manual methods for initial phase of cutting and excavation of project internal road to minimize the side casting of materials down the slope and the potential ground disturbances. Use of explosives will be minimized with low capacity detonator and it will be done in a controlled manner. Side casting of excavated materials down the slope will be avoided.In case of unavoidable circumstances, it will be done in such a way that the natural river course is not disturbed. The excavated muck and spoil will be collected and transported/hauled to the designated disposal sites. Angle of repose will be maintained during cutting and excavating the slopes.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Water collected on the side drain will be discharged across the road down the slope, using stable drainage line. Tunnel portal and the project internal road will be periodically maintained three times a year during pre-monsoon, middle of monsoon and post monsoon period.
Plan # 2: Underground excavation Exploration of the land stability position around the tunnel alignments will be carried out prior to the excavation.
Plan # 3: Quarry excavation Slope cutting will be maintained in every 4 m with a 3 m wide bench. Drainage will be arranged for run-off from the quarry sites.
Schedule The plans will be implemented during the construction phases of the project.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the plan.
8.3.1.2 Muck/Spoil Management Plan Plan # 1: Muck/Spoil disposal sites Drainage will be arranged around the heap of disposed spoil/muck to prevent run-off of spoil during monsoon. Toe protection will be provided at/around spoil/muck disposal sites to control erosion and slides. Filled spoil/muck will be compacted after every one meter depth of filling. Outward slopes will be maintained at 35 degrees, taking into account the angle of repose. Outward slope surface will be planted with grass cover to minimize gully erosion. Top of the filled spoil/muck surface will be treated to maintain surface level.
Plan # 2: Construction materials storage and stockpiling sites Contractors will plan for optimum use of designated construction yard for storing and stockpiling construction materials, keeping in view the physical and chemical properties of the materials to be stored. Good housekeeping practice will be established within the yard with records of materials in storage and stockpiling areas. Explosives will be transported with Nepal army protection and stored in a bunker at designated location with security personnel as per Explosive Act of Nepal. Required fuel and lubricants and dispensing units will be bounded in a concrete platform with berm all around. Spent mobiles, oils, greases and other chemicals will be collected and stored in a separate covered storage facilities before final safe disposal is carried out as per prevailing rules of GoN.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Schedule These plans will be implemented during the construction phase of the project till the end of all construction works.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the plan and will obtain prior approval from the RE for implementation.
8.3.1.3 Environmental Pollution Abatement Plan The project contractor shall prepare a Pollution Abatement Plan for water, air and noise pollution control.
8.3.1.3.1 Water Pollution Control Plan Plan # 1: Wastewater and solid waste management plan The workers’ camps and all construction sites will have adequate number of toilets/bathroom facilities with sufficient water supply equipped with flushing arrangement. Sewage from residential and office buildings within the workers/staff camps will be treated in septic tanks, which will be constructed within the premises of respective camps. Other wastewater/grey water generated from all camps will be recycled for flushing and irrigation. A 3R approach as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2013, will be implemented to collect, segregate and dispose all solid wastes, including hazardous wastes, to be generated from all construction sites, storage yards and workers/staff camps. A segregation and temporary storage facilities at the project intake and powerhouse sites will be established for segregation of solid waste from the project camps, construction sites and yards, batching and crushing plants, etc. for periodic management of solid waste as per the direction of the EMU. Littering and haphazard dumping of solid waste will be strictly prohibited. Workers will be strictly prohibited from open defecation. Wastewater generated from the run-off from batching plants, crusher plants, concrete mixture, workshop and tunnels/adits will be first diverted to a settling tank before final discharge into the river or natural water bodies. In the settling tank, the wastewater will be physically treated for removal of suspended solids through gravitational settling while petro-chemical and other oily substances will be removed with the skimmers from the surface. Unused cement slurry and concrete from the batching plants will be used for the road maintenance and/or safely disposed of in the designated spoil disposal sites. Muck/spoil will be safely dumped at the designated site. The floor of designated storage area will be lined to reduce the surface and underground pollution in the event of a spill of fuel, oils, lubricants or other chemicals. Additionally, such area will be enclosed by dikes/berms in order to prevent overflow and contamination of top soil thereby. Inside all camps, every household will be provided with two separate dust bins (with two different colors) for compulsory segregation of domestic waste into bio-degradable and non- biodegradable fractions, which will also be collected separately every alternate day followed by composting/burial of compostable fraction and sorting/recovery of reusable/recyclable materials
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-7 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
from non-biodegradable fraction. Collection of used oils, burnt mobiles, grease and other toxic and hazardous waste/materials such as unused chemicals, exhausted batteries etc. only at covered storage facility within construction yard for final disposal later as per regulatory requirements or EMU instructions Burial of septic waste from cleaning of septic tanks only at designated place far from the local water bodies. The effluent from the construction yards, labour camps and other construction facilities will be discharged into the inland water bodies only after maintaining the Effluent Standards for Discharge to Water Body from construction Sites and Camps as per the Ministry of Population and Environment, Section 51, Issue No. 3, Nepal Gazette (Rajpatra), 2058/01/17.
8.3.1.3.2 Air Pollution Control Plan Plan # 1: Operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment . All concerned parties will be required to procure, use and maintain vehicles complying with Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standards (NVMES) and other applicable emission standards, if any, enforced by MoFE during the entire project implementation period . The crusher plant will be installed/operated as per the standard developed pertaining to the Rule 15 of EPR, 2054 for the release of dust particulate matter in air by Cement and Crusher Industry.
Plan # 2: Fugitive dusts Sprinkling of water four times daily on project access tracks, quarry sites, in and around the aggregate crushing plants during dry season to arrest the fugitive dusts particles. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, goggles etc. shall be provided to all the construction crew members. Requiring trucks transporting/delivering aggregates and cement to have tarpaulin cover
Plan # 3: Combustion emissions Restriction on biomass burning at workers camps for heating and cooking purpose. Provision for kerosene or LP Gas for heating and cooking purpose within all camps. Maintenance of project access road, vehicles and equipment on regular basis as per manufacturer’s specifications. Compulsory provision of controlled smoke and exhaust stacks in the concrete batching/aggregate crushing plants and the diesel generators. Open burning of any solid waste as an easy disposal method will be strictly prohibited.
Plan # 4: Control of foul odor emission Provision of adequate number of toilets, with flushing arrangement and septic tank at all construction sites and camp sites. Strict prohibition of open defecation and littering within the project area
8.3.1.3.3 Noise Pollution Control Plan Plan # 1: Noise from vehicles and equipment Regular maintenance of the project/construction vehicles and equipment to minimize noise pollution.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Restriction on the use of pressure horns and honking near settlements particularly at night. Periodic maintenance of all machinery at aggregate crushing and concrete batching plants
Plan # 2: Procurement of machines and equipment Project management will require thecontractor/s to purchase/use state-of-the-art air compressors, diesel generators and crushing machines fitted with noise arresters.
Plan # 3: Noise from blasting Blasting activities will be performed only during day time with limited detonators and in small lots. Night time blasting activities will be prohibited except for underground blasting. Compulsory flagging the construction area and blaring of siren as warning prior to blasting to notify the local communities.
Schedule The plans will be implemented during entire construction phase of the project.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan and.
8.3.1.3.4 Toxic and Hazardous Chemical Handling Management Plan The project contractor will prepare a Toxic and Hazardous Chemical Handling Management Plan in order to prevent and minimize the impacts associated with mishandling of such wastes, which would result in human exposure to them. The plan will include the process and procedures for proper location and storage of toxic and hazardous chemicals and its handling procedures.
Plan # 1: Clearing activities Contractor/s will be given strict instructions about avoiding procurement of unnecessarily extra amount of hazardous materials Toxic and hazardous materials and chemicals, such as used oils, lubricants, mobiles, chemical admixture, used batteries along with their containers, will be collected and stored in dedicated covered storage facilities separately within the premises of construction yard as per instructions of Resident Engineer before their final safe disposal is carried out as per the prevailing rules of GoN.
Schedule The plans will be implemented during the construction phase of the project.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan and will obtain prior approval from the RE for its implementation.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-9 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
8.3.2 Bio-diversity Management Plan The Bio-diversity Management Plan will include Terrestrial Ecology Management Plan and Wildlife Protection and Conservation Plan.
8.3.2.1 Terrestrial Ecology Management Plan Under the Terrestrial Ecology Management Plan, a detailed survey of plant species to be felled in the presence of MBNP authority, proper felling of trees for sites clearances, preparation for replacement plantation to minimize and/or mitigate the impacts on terrestrial ecology of the area will be prepared. Due consultation with the MBNP office and its local office as well as the local community and the people will be undertaken with regard to selection of plantation location, selection of plant species, plantation and conservation for five years.
Plan # 1: Coordination with MBNP Project will make close coordination with MBNP and its local office from the initial stage to the end of the project in order to minimize impacts on forest resources to the extent possible and to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures and enhancement of the beneficial impacts. Project will support MBNP in its environmental conservation activities.
Plan # 2: Replacement plantation as per GoN policy Replacement plantation in the ratio of 1:25 (as per recent policy of GoN) will be carried out with due consultation with MBNP, local community and people in the area. Plantation activities will also be carried out at the sites of spoil disposal upon completion of the project construction works and handed over to the concerned authority. Involvement of MBNP and local community in the compensatory plantations and conservation for five years.
Plan # 3: Control of illegal activities Project will prohibit its construction workforce from illegal extraction of forest resources, and will take stern action if anyone found guilty of engaging in such activities by stipulating the provision in the workers code of conduct. Inform MBNP in case of illegal activities. An effective consultation and coordination mechanism will be developed and maintained between the project and MBNP. Posters and sing-posts will be placed at appropriate locations of the project area to inform people and workers about the importance of conservation and protection of forest resources. Project will provide kerosene and/or LP gas as alternative source of energy for cooking purpose to the project workers at the construction camps. Awareness program will be conducted for the local communities twice a year with the coordination of local youth clubs and women groups to promote conservation awareness
Plan # 4: Control of Forest Fire Inflammable material like oil and lubricants used or used up during project operation will be stored properly in a proper storage facility equipped with fire extinguishing equipment. This area will be declared ― no smoking zone.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-10 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Fire line will be drawn around the camp and storage facilities to prevent the possible spread of fire to the nearby forest and village. Hoarding boards will be placed at critical location of the access road on the preventive actions to control the forest fire. Public awareness programs with limited firefighting training will be launched to prevent the forest fires in the local area. Resident workers will be regularly informed not to throw lighted cigarette tips in the forest areas and not to use forest area as picnic spots.
Schedule The plan will be implemented during the construction phase of the project.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan.
8.3.2.2 Wildlife Protection and Conservation Plan Under the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Plan, various measures to protect the wildlife and its habitat shall be prepared in detail in order to conserve the wildlife status as well as to minimize and/or mitigate the potential impacts associated with the implementation of the proposed project. Due consultation with the MBNP office and its local office as well as the local community and the people will be closely consulted regarding to protection and conservation of wildlife and its habitat.
Plan # 1: Coordination with MBNP Project will establish close coordination with MBNP and its local office from the initial stage to the end of the project in order to minimize the impacts on wildlife and its habitat to the extent possible and to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures and enhancement of the beneficial impacts. An effective consultation and coordination mechanism will be developed and maintained between the project and MBNP. Project will support MBNP in its efforts of wildlife conservation activities.
Plan # 2: Information and awareness Project will prohibit its construction workforce from illegal hunting, trapping and poaching activities in the forest, and will take stern action if anyone found guilty of such activities by stipulating the provision in workers' code of conduct. Inform MBNP in the case of illegal activities like poaching and hunting. Posters and sing-posts will be placed at appropriate locations of the project area to inform the people and workers about the importance of conservation and protection of wildlife and its habitat. Awareness program will be conducted for the local communities and the outside workers with the coordination of MBNP, local youth clubs and women groups to promote wildlife protection and conservation awareness
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-11 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Schedule The plan will be implemented during the construction and operation phases of the project.
Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan.
8.3.3 Social Environment Management Plan 8.3.3.1 Permits and Approval Plan Permits and approvals required for the implementation of proposed hydropower project shall be obtained by project proponent prior to the start of the construction works. A hydropower development project needs to obtain permits and approval from a number of government line agencies, such as generation license from DoED, approval of EIA from MoFE, government approval for forest clearance, approval from local level GoN line agencies for use of local resources, permit from Home Ministry for use of explosive and involvement of Nepal Army in transporting the explosives and security, negotiation for land take and leased of forest land etc. Hence, the project proponent will acquire all the required permits and approval from concerned line agencies, persons and the community well before the start of the project. Plan # 1: Preparation and submission of request letters and documents Project proponent will plan for obtaining required permits and approvals from concerned authorities for forest clearances, leasing of land and permits for explosives during pre- construction phase. Schedule The plans will be implemented during pre-construction phase of the project and all the permits and approvals will be acquired prior to the start of the project construction works. Responsibility The project proponent will prepare and implement the plan prior to the start of the construction works of the project.
8.3.3.2 Public Grievance Redress Management Plan A grievance redress mechanism will be established at the project site to allow community to appeal against any disagreeable decisions, practices and activities; technical and general project-related issues and disputes. The community will be made fully aware of their rights and the procedures for doing so verbally and in writing during community meetings and consultations. Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) will be formed in advance in order to address the grievances of the local communities.
Plan # 1: Objectives The primary objective of GRC is to settle disputes through consultation and to reduce the number of court cases. EMU will help the community member in bringing out their issues related with project before the GRC for redressing. If a community member is not satisfied with the preliminary level of redressing outcome, the EMU shall forward the case to GRC for formal proceeding. The GRC would hear complaints lodged by the community member and facilitate solutions. The GRC may undertake field investigation with concerned community member, if required. The GRC will resolve the grievances of the eligible persons within the stipulated time period of one month. The response time
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-12 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW) prescribed for GRC is 15 days. The GRC will meet at least once in a month. However, the GRC may meet more frequently depending upon the number of cases. The decision of the GRC will be final, unless vacated by court of law. The decision of the GRC will not be binding for the community member to take recourse to the civil court if he/she so desires. The EMU will maintain the grievance record for each and every case.
Plan # 2: Formation of Grievance Redress Committee GRC will be formed at project level, comprising following members: . Project Manager, Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project . Chief, EMU . Representative from Bhot Khola RM . Representative of local community . Representative of contractors. The GRC will be headed by a person of repute from the project area. Such person could be a retired government officer or headmaster of local schools. It has to be ensured that the head of the GRC is not a serving government officer. Chief of EMU will serve as member-secretary of the GRC.
Plan # 3: Mechanism Proposed mechanism for grievance resolution will be as follows: Complaints of the community member on any aspect of the project shall in first instance be settled in written form in project office at field. The complaint can be discussed in an informal meeting with the concerned community member and EMU and representative of the Project Manager to settle the issues at the local level. The community consultation may also facilitate the process in this regard. All the grievances will be reviewed and the decision will be made and the complaining party will be informed within two weeks of receipt of the complaint. If the complaining party is not satisfied with the response from the EMU, the complaining party can go to the GRC. While lodging the complaint, the complaining party must produce documents to support his/her claim. All the grievances will be reviewed and a decision will be made to inform the concerned party of the same within a month of the receipt of complaint. Any complaining party can exercise its constitutional right to approach the court of law at any time if he/she chooses to do so.
Plan # 4: Establishment of Project Information Centre At the project field level, a Project Information Center (PIC) will be established. A grievance and feedback recording register will also be placed at PIC. Local people can lodge their complaints at this center. The Chairman of GRC will review that register on monthly basis. The PIC will maintain the related information of the project regarding environmental and social activities. planned and ongoing programs, likely impacts and proposed mitigation measures etc. The executive summary of EIA report in Nepali language will be put in place to brief the local community and the affected communities. The PIC will also plan and ensure coordination among the various stakeholders of the project including GoN line agencies at local level. Periodic meetings will be organized at PIC to present and discuss project activities, progress and issues, if any, with the community members and stakeholders.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-13 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
8.3.3.3 Institutional Capacity Strengthening Plan The project proponent will prepare an Institutional Capacity Strengthening Plan to enhance the skill and capability of the staff responsible for implementing the EMP. Effective capacity building is necessary for successful implementation of all the plans and program proposed in EMP.
Plan # 1: Training and observation visit The project proponent will implement a short term training and observation visit program of two weeks for the staff responsible for the management, implementation and operation of EMP. Observation visit will be made to one of the hydropower development sites in Nepal where environmental due diligence and EMP have been implemented.
Plan # 2: Review and Records The implemented training program will be reviewed to assess the short-comings as well as to identify the future needs. The entire program implemented will be recorded and maintained at EMU.
8.3.3.4 Construction Camp Management Plan The project contractor will prepare and submit the Construction Camp Management Plan to the Resident Engineer and the Project Manager for approval. The primary objective of this plan is to make sure that the adverse impacts arising from workers camps during project construction is minimized to the extent possible and the living condition inside the camps is clean and hygienic with adequate supply of potable water, adequate numbers of toilets with flushing facilities and septic tanks, and that of kerosene or LPG for cooking and heating purposes. The final plan will be prepared by the project contractor upon completion of final design. However, the plan will address the following aspects. The project contractor will prepare the detailed design of the proposed construction camps and other auxiliary facilities for its staff and workers including features of camps structure, facilities and services for the approval to Resident Engineer within two months prior to the start of construction activities at work sites. The layout and design of facilities will be based on applicable standards and in compliance with environmental provisions. The proposed camps will be equipped with adequate ventilation and proper facilities for sleeping, resting, canteen, grocery shops, toilets and bathroom etc. with adequate supply of drinking water and sanitation provision. The toilets will have flushing facilities with connection to septic tanks. A code of conduct for the contractor’s staff and workers from outside will be prepared including instructions to respect local norms, values, culture and traditions. Outside workers will not be allowed to bring their family and kids to the project sites. Camp area will be fenced off with round the clock security provision.
Schedule The plans will be implemented prior to the construction of the project works and continue till the end of the construction phase.
Responsibility The project contractor will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the plan and will obtain approval from the RE.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-14 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
8.3.3.5 Occupational Health and Safety Plan (OHS Plan) Plan # 1: Safety of construction workers All the workers will be insured against any injury or death caused in the course of project construction works. The Occupational Health and Safety Plan will include occupational safety procedures, safety training, provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), supervision and monitoring of working conditions of job sites, regular periodic checks on OHS Plan, and sickbay facilities for workers in times of injuries and fatal cases etc. Project workers will be provided with basic training on safety issue and safety measures to be taken at job sites at least once a week for the initial first year of project construction followed by trainings on monthly basis later. Project workers will be provided with PPE such as, safety helmets and boots with steel toe, hand gloves, air masks, ear plugs, and goggles for welders and mandatory use of PPE at job sites during the time of works. Workers found not using the PPE’s during working hours will be penalized. Project contractor will employ a Safety Officer on duty at sites to oversee and monitor the safety aspects of the construction workers as well as to ensure that the workers are aware of safety issues and measures and they are using the safety gears provided by the contactor. First aid box for minor cuts and injuries will be placed at each of the construction sites of the project. Tunnels will be provided with sufficient light and fresh air.
Plan # 2: Safety of work place Various informative safety sign posts will be placed at risky area of construction sites. Handy fire extinguishers will be placed at each of the appropriate construction sites of the project. A siren warning system will be placed at each of the construction sites and to signal the project workers to evacuate the sites immediately in case of emergency and/or unpredictable incidents. Workers will be notified by Siren to leave the tunnel before blasting. The operational procedure of the siren will be notified to all the construction workers in the work place. Unauthorized persons and project workers found not complying with prescribed safety measures will not be allowed to enter the construction sites.
Plan # 3: Health care facilities A sickbay for healthcare facilities for the project workers and staff will be established nearby the project area with trained medical personnel, medicines and equipment. The feasible location of the healthcare facility will be selected during the construction of the project. A medical ambulance will be put in service to evacuate any injured workers to the sickbay or hospital. Schedule The plans will be implemented during the construction phase of the project. Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-15 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
8.3.3.6 Disaster Risk and Emergency Preparedness Management Plan Plan # 1: Formulation of Disaster Risk Reduction and coping team in project. Disaster prone areas such as landslide hazard zone, river flood plain areas, etc will be identified and cordoned off, if necessary. Protection measures in the landslide prone areas and areas with risk of floods and soil erosion. Engineering techniques like bioengineering, gabion walls, retaining walls, drainage management. Necessary trainings/orientations will be given to task groups to enable them to cope with disasters such as earthquake, fire incidents and sudden release. Fire extinguisher will be placed in different work faces and camp site.
Plan # 2: Periodic check of construction work area Project construction sites will be checked routinely with regard to working area safety provisions and preparedness for required response to any emergency situation. Emergency siren will be placed at each of the construction locations to warn the construction workers for safe evacuation from the construction sites in case of emergency. Maps showing emergency escape routes will be placed at accessible locations inside each job site. Construction workers will be briefed about the emergency measures to tackle accidents involving exposure to chemical and other hazardous materials. Besides, user friendly instruction notice will also be posted at various locations of construction sites to inform the workers. A stand-by medical ambulance will be arranged for each construction site to evacuate any injured workers to the sickbay or to nearby hospital in case of emergency. Sufficient stock of medicines for communicable diseases will be maintained in order to respond to any outbreak of epidemics. Schedule The plans will be implemented during the construction phase of the project. Responsibility The project contractor will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan and will obtain prior approval from the RE.
8.3.3.7 Construction Traffic Management Plan Plan # 1: Parking at camp and construction sites Project vehicles and equipment will be parked only at the designated areas inside the camps and construction sites. Speed of vehicles will be controlled near settlements of the project area. Speed control stand post shall be placed at appropriate locations. Honking of horn will also be prohibited near settlements of the project area.
Plan # 2: Traffic signs and control Important traffic signs will be placed at appropriate locations within the project area for defensive driving and safety of the local people.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-16 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Schedule The plans will be implemented during the construction phase of the project.
Responsibility The project contractors will primarily be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan and will obtain prior approval from the RE.
8.4 COST OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT The total cost of the proposed project is estimated at NRs. 20,128,729,000.00.Likewise, the total cost for environmental enhancement and mitigation measures as well as CSP including environmental monitoring and environmental audit is estimated at NRs. 253,800,000.00 which is equivalent to 1.26%of the total project cost. Table 8.1: Cost of the Project S. No. Activities Amount ( NRs) A. Construction Cost 1. Total Project Cost 20,128,729,000.00 B Environmental Cost 1. Enhancement measures 5,300,000.00 2. CSP Cost 110,000,000.00 3. Environmental mitigation measures 106,700,000.00 4. Environmental monitoring cost 30,000,000.00 5. Environmental Audit 1,800,000.00 Total Environmental Cost 253,800,000.00 C Percentage 1. Percentage of Total Environmental Cost 1.26% Percentage of environmental cost excluding CSP 0.71% Percentage of CSP Cost 0.55%
8.5 INSTITUTIONAL SET UP The detail of organizational structure for the implementation of environmental monitoring and Environmental Management Plan is given below in Figure 8.1.
Line Board of Directors/Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. Agencies/Stakeholders -MoEWRI -DoED -MoFE -DNPWC Project Management Team/TBKHP -MBNP -DCC -CDO -Nepal Police Supervision Environmental -RM/Ward Office Consultant Management Unit -Buffer Zone Group -Local Coordination Committee Contractors -NGO/CBOs -PAFs -Local institutions
Figure 8.1: Organizational Chart for Environmental Management of TBKHP
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-17 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EI A Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower project (132 MW)
Table 8-1: Summary of Environmental management Plan
Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation Physical environment Air Spraying of road surfaces with water 4 times Clearing of vegetation daily during the construction cover and earthwork period through contractor to MBNP/ Project 1.Pollution due to dust excavation minimize the generation of Engineer emission - dust - Contractors EMU
Maintenance and use of all the Operation of Operation of Maintenance and use of all vehicles, 2. Pollution due to vehicles, construction vehicles, construction the vehicles, construction construction emission of fine machineries/ machineries/equip ment machineries/equipment machineries/equipm ent particulates and other equipment and and cooking in camps complying with complying with applicable gaseous pollutants cooking in applicable regulatory regulatory emission Contractors Project EMU camps emission standards standards Engineer
Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Complete ban on open burning of solid open burning of solid Complete ban on open burning open burning of solid Project waste waste of solid wastes wastes Contractors Engineer EMU Use of fuel Use of fuel Restriction on biomass Restriction on wood/biomass as wood/biomass as burning at the camps biomass burning at the Project cooking fuel cooking fuel for cooking and heating camps for Contractors Engineer EMU
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 8-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EI A Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydropower project (132 MW)
Receptor/Impact s Causes/Project activities EPM’s Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation Compulsory segregation of domestic Compulsory waste into organic and non- segregation of domestic waste organic fractions, followed 3. Foul smell into organic and non-organic by composting of organic fractions, followed by fraction and Uncontrolled disposal Uncontrolled disposal c omposting of organic fraction sorting/recovery of of biodegradable solid of biodegradable solid and sorting/recovery of reusable and recyclable wastes and sewage wastes and sewage reusable and recyclable materials from non-organic materials from non- organic fraction Project fraction Contractors Engineer EMU Provision of Provision of adequate number adequate number of toilets of toilets, with flushing with flushing arrangement arrangement and septic tank at and septic tank at all all construction sites, including construction sites, headwork, powerhouse and including headwork, camp sites powerhouse and camp Contractors Project EMU sites Engineer Water 1.Pollution with Landslides & Periodic flushing Physical treatment of Not Project sediments/ soil erosion with of sediment wastewater generated avoidable/mitigable Contractors Engineer EMU
increased subsequent run- through sluice from the run-off from turbidity & SS off from the gates batching plants, concrete batching areas mixture and workshop in a settling tank before discharging to rivers or/and natural water bodies
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation Enclosure of fuel Surface run-off of storage sites by dikes of liquid/semi- liquid different sizes in order to waste consisting of prevent the overflow with cement slurry and additional provision of lined waste from equipment floor to arrest accidental wash down - seepage/leakage into soil and - Contractors Project EMU groundwater Engineer Disposal of muck and spoil materials only at the designated sites, preferably on Contractors EMU Uncontrolled dumping the upper terrace of immediate Project of spoil/muck with river flood plains with Engineer subsequent run- off provisions of gabion/retaining - walls to prevent erosion - Drainage to be provided in spoil Project - disposal areas to - Contractors Engineer EMU
minimize the effects of drainage disruption and associated erosion and sedimentation Construction of slope protection works, such as Contractors Project EMU gabion walls and retaining Engineer walls, around all muck/spoil dumping sites as per field requirement
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation
2. Pollution with Uncontrolled Construction of toilets organic matter/ discharge of untreated connected to septic tanks in increased sewage/ wastewater Project all the camps and at the active turbidity and suspended from camps and Contractors Engineer EMU construction job sites solid construction sites - - Burial of septic materials only at designated Contractors Project place far from the local water Engineer EMU bodies
3. Pollution with hazardous substances/ Control and safe discharge of Project chemicals - - toxic chemicals - Contractors Engineer EMU
Use of residual cement
slurry and concrete from the
batching plants for the road Contractors Project maintenance or safe disposal at - EMU Engineer designated muck disposal sites Collection/storage of used oils, burnt mobiles, Project grease, unused chemicals, - Contractors Engineer EMU exhausted batteries only at designated location for final Prohibitiondisposal l a t eofr a sd pireecr t dumpingregulato ofry mu requirck aendm espoilsnts Contractors Project generated from headworks area - Engineer EMU and powerhouse into the river (A)
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Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation Surface hydrology
1. Decreased flow Diversion of the river within a headworks to water for energy Not avoidable/unable to Contractors Project powerhouse production - mitigate - Engineer EMU
Decreased flow Riparian release in the river between the downstream Contractors Project EMU dam site and tailrace - Diversion of river - all year round (C) Engineer
Noise/Vibration Operation of Regular maintenance of heavy vehicles and all vehicles to meet any construction machines - regulatory noise emission - Contractors Project EMU standards Engineer Locating all workforce camps away from the Project construction sites - Contractors Engineer EMU
Compulsory provision of PPE (ear mufflers, plugs Contractors Project EMU etc) to all workers - Engineer
Regular maintenance of all machinery/equipment to manufacturer's Project specifications - Contractors Engineer EMU Prohibition of use of pressure horns and honking Project mainly near settlements and - Contractors Engineer EMU particularly at night time
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Construction Operation Construction Operation Agency consulted Agency Topography/land use Stabilization of Clearing of vegetation - unstable slopes, minimum 1.Landslides/soil cover followed by disturbance to the slopes, Project EMU erosion earthwork excavation construction and maintenance - Contractors Engineer of adequate drainage systems, and re- vegetation of the disturbed slopes Application of bioengineering measures including gabion Project walls, retaining structures - Contractors Engineer EMU Shotcrete and concrete lining to reduce the Project possibilities of slope failure - Contractors Engineer EMU
Provision of adequate drainage at all excavation areas Project and spoil disposal sites - Contractors Engineer EMU
Permanent land use Clearing of change unavoidable but 2. Change in land- vegetation/forest - temporarily acquired land to - Contractors Project EMU use cover/crops be returned back to its owner Engineer in the condition as required by Permmutuaneantl a g rleeandm e nt use change unavoidable but Construction of project temporarily acquired land to components/structures be returned back to its owner - Contractors Project in the condition as required Engineer EMU - by mutual agreement
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation
Permanent land use change unavoidable but Creation of controlled temporarily acquired land to spoil/muck disposal be returned back to its owner sites in the condition as required Project - by mutual agreement - Contractors Engineer EMU
Clearing of Collection/haulage vegetation cover from all construction sites 3. Loss of top soil followed by earthwork - followed by stockpiling - Contractors Project EMU excavation at designated sites, one Engineer near headwork site and another near powerhouse site, to be located at hired private land, which will be protected against run- off
Geomorphology
1. Change in Clearing of slope condition around vegetation cover and Unavoidable but vegetation major structures earthwork excavation - clearance will be minimized - Contractors Project EMU Engineer
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Table 8-2: Biological Environment Management Plan
Agency to be Receptor/ Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing consulted Monitoring Impacts Construction Operation Construction Operation ng Agency Agency Biological Environment Permanent removal/loss of Vegetation/ vegetation for the Felling of trees in project MBNP, Project Forest resources construction of various components only Engineers project structures - - Contractors EMU and facilities Vegetation located outside the project MBNP, Project structures will be kept - Contractors Engineers EMU intact Avoidance of MBNP, unnecessary use of forest Project land - Contractors Engineers EMU Compensatory plantation for felled trees as per regulatory MBNP, Project requirements - Contractors Engineers EMU Increased demand of firewood and timber, Supply of alternative fuels MBNP, Project and a likely increase in such as kerosene to the Contractors Engineers EMU harvesting of (NTFPs) workers - Impose strict control - Loss of the individual over the project workers for MBNP, Project plants and forest harvesting non- timber - Contractors Engineers EMU resources forest products - Exploitation of Non- Impose strict control over MBNP, Project timber Forest Products the project workers Contractors Engineers EMU (NTFPs) - for harvesting non- - timber forest products
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Receptor/ Causes/Project activities EPM's Agency to be Impacts Implementing consulted Monitoring Construction Operation Construction Operation ng Agency Agency Illegal harvesting Impose strict control over Loss 14.27 ha forest land by increased number of Compensatory and the project workers for MBNP, Project and vegetation cover outside people attracted replacement plantation as ill egal harvesting from Contractors Engineers EMU Forest land by prospects of per regulatory requirement forest land economic activities (A) Compensatory and Loss of Clear felling of an - replacement plantation as Contractors MBNP, Project plant species estimated 5248 trees per regulatory requirement - Engineers EMU Strict ban on Careless activities of smoking near forest area MBNP, Project Forest fire construction workers - and fuel storage area - Contractors Engineers EMU Wildlife Vegetation Loss of clearance for the No mitigation habitat construction sites - measures possible - Wildlife Habitat & Movement The project 1. Interruption Construction infrastructures such as to normal disturbances resulting acce ss road and movement, feeding from vehicle other structures may Contractors Project and other activities movement and other disturb the - Unavoidable Engineers EMU of wildlife related activities movement of wildlife in and around the project area. Electric light arrangement will also be high in Contractors EMU powerhouse and Unavoidable - Project intake area that may Engineers also disturb the movement of wildlife - in surrounding areas
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Conduction of 2. Decrease in the Poaching by awareness programs for Project population of wildlife workers - project workers and staff - Contractors Engineers EMU about the wildlife conservation
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Table 8.3: Social Environment Management Plan
Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Causes/Project activities EPM's ng Agency consulted Agency Receptor/Impacts Construction Operation Construction Operation Socio-economic and Cultural Environment Make available potable drinking water, clean toilets Health and Influx of with adequate water facilities to Project sanitation outside workforce - all the workers - Contractors Engineers EMU
Provision of first aid kits for preliminary treatment in Project emergencies - Contractors Engineers EMU Installation of public taps Project at designated locations - Contractors Engineers EMU
Establishment of Project additional health care - Contractors Engineers EMU facilities in the project area Composting of organic waste in compost bins and recycling of non organic fraction of solid waste into useful Project materials. - Contractors Engineers EMU Construction of adequate drains to avoid stagnant pools Project of wastewater - Contractors Engineers EMU Provision of PPE and Occupation health and Use of heavy safety equipment required for safety machines and - - the operation and maintenance Contractors Project EMU associated of the headworks and Engineers hazards/risks powerhouse operation Safety caution signs at Project work places - Contractors Engineers EMU Occupational health and safety trainings to all Project workers - Contractors Engineers EMU
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring Construction Operation Construction Operation ng Agency consulted Agency Sudden cash flow Implementation of awareness in rural area program to make aware the local People’s behaviors due and unproductive people about the proper use of Project to change in economy spending - money through organization of Contractors Engineers EMU lectures, distribution of pamphlets, audiovisuals, and posters Influx of large Enforcement of a strong numbers of aliens code of conduct for the outside Social and cultural into local - construction workers - Contractors Project EMU values/norms communities Engineers Influx of outside construction Conduction of regular meetings Law and order workers with with local Ward level authorities Contractors Project situation different social and on the security situation of the Engineers cultural background area EMU - - Employment of local Contractors/ retired military and police for Project Project EMU the security purpose - Proponent Engineers
Provision of ID cards to Contractors/ all the project workers and Project Project staff - Proponent Engineers EMU Migration of people from Project will establish its own Pressure on local surrounding facilities, like drinking water, Contractors/ Project institutions or resources area into the - health clinic, etc - Project Engineers EMU project area Proponent
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Receptor/Impacts Causes/Project activities EPM's Implementing Agency to be Monitoring ng Agency consulted Agency Construction Operation Construction Operation
Organizing a series of training program particularly Completion n targeting skilled labor force Contractors/ Withdrawal of of all willing to establish their own Project Project economic activities - construction n - entrepreneurship Proponent Engineers EMU activities Developed training packages to suit the majority of skilled labor force with Contractors/ Project encouragement initiate Project Engineers EMU individual business Proponent
Organize training sessions at least 3 months prior to the project completion so that the skilled labor force will be able to start their Contractors/ business immediately upon the Project Project termination of their jobs in the Proponent Engineers EMU project.
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EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW)
CHAPTER IX REVIEW OF PLANS, POLICIES, ACTS, REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, STANDARDS, CONVENTION
The prevailing plans, policies, acts, rules/ regulations, guidelines, standards, conventions and strategies related with the development of the hydropower projects in Nepal were reviewed during the preparation of EIA report. The objective of the review of legislative provision is to understand existing policy provision that is applicable for the implementation of the project and to ensure meeting these legal provisions during different phases of project implementation. The applicable legislative provisions reviewed are presented hereunder.
9.1 CONSTITUTION OF NEPAL Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal has ensures the right of every person to live in a clean and healthy environment. It has also ensures the right of victim of environmental pollution to get the compensation from the polluter. Article 51, Sub-Article (f 1) mentions the policies to formulate sustainable socio-economic development strategies and programs under the regional development plan for inclusive economic development with regional balance and implement them in a coordinative manner. Article 51, Sub-Article (g1) mentions the policies related to protect, promote and make environment friendly and sustainable use of natural resources available in the country in consonance with national interest and adopting the concept of inter-generational equity and make equitable distribution of fruits according to the priority and preferential right to the local communities. Sub-Article g (3) of Article 51 mentions the policies to ensure reliable supply of energy in an affordable and easy manner and make proper use of energy for the fulfillment of the basic needs of citizens by generating and developing renewable energy. Sub-Article g (5) of Article 51 mentions about the policy to conserve, promote and make sustainable use of forests, wildlife, birds, vegetation and bio-diversity by mitigating possible risks to environment from industrial and physical development while raising awareness of general public about environment cleanliness. Sub-Article g (7) of Article 51 mentions the policy to adopt appropriate measures to abolish or mitigate existing or possible adverse environmental impacts on the nature, environment or biological diversity. Sub-Article g (8) of Article 51 mentions the policy to pursue the principles of environmentally sustainable development such as the principles of polluter pays of precaution in environmental protection and of prior informed consent.
9.2 STRATEGIES/ PLAN/ POLICIES 9.2.1 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014-2020 The Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) envision a conserved biodiversity contributing for sound and resilient ecosystems and national prosperity. This document has been revised from the earlier Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (2002) and Implementation Plan (2006-2010) after rigorous and extensive consultations engaging a wide range of stakeholders from national to community level. The strategy has emphasized on the execution of the EIA. The focus of the strategy is on the conservation, management and sustainable use of biodiversity including equitable benefits sharing out of the usage of biological resources.
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9.2.2 Fifteen Plan (Fiscal Year 2076/77-2080/81) Approach paper National Planning Commission has released the 15th 5-year plan to make Nepal a middle-income country by 2030, qualifying for going beyond the Least Developed Country status. The government will achieve the targeted goal by accelerating development works of major indicators like rail, roadways, tourism, agriculture and electricity. At the end of fiscal year 2074/75, the total installed hydropower has reached to 1020 MW. About 70% of total population has access to National grid of electricity. Only 623 local units have access to electricity. The electricity consumption rate per person is 198 kWh. It is targeted to generate 5000 MW by the end of this fiscal year as well as the per capita electricity consumption rate is targeted to reach 700 kWh. In addition, all the local units will have access to electricity.
9.2.3 National Environment Policy, 2076 Nepal Government has endorsed the ‘National Environment Policy-2019′ to control pollution, manage wastes and promote greenery so as to ensure citizens’ right to live in a fair and healthy environment. The policy was framed to guide the implementation of environment related laws and other thematic laws, realize international commitment and enable collaboration between all concerned government agencies and non-government organizations on environmental management actions. This policy aims to lessen and prevent all types of environment pollutions, manage wastes emanated from all sectors including home, industry and service, expand parks and greenery in urban area and ensure environment justice to the pollution affected population. In order to meet the policy goals and objectives, the policy has specified special measures, including setup of effective systems for checking and reducing pollution of all types, encouragement for the use of environment-friendly technology in industry, hospital and vehicles, regulation of harmful pesticides in production and protection of human health from unauthorized food intake. The ministry has envisaged to devise environment-friendly technology to manage pollutant dust, smoke, water emanating from industries and other business promote the use of solar stove, electric stove, bio-gas, improved stove and chimney for the prevention of pollution at homes and lay emphasis on energy effective housing.
9.2.4 Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2072 The main goal of this policy is to improve social and economic status of project affected families by providing fair and adequate compensation, appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation assistances. Its main objective is to create conducive environment for timely completion of the project by simplifying land acquisition, valuation, compensation, and resettlement and rehabilitation process. This policy asks to carry out meaningful consultation with affected persons and vulnerable groups and provide compensation on time based on current market value. The policy mentions about the four approaches for land acquisition: Voluntary donation, direct negotiation, Land development program and Expropriation. 9.2.5 Land Use Policy, 2072 Land use Policy is a policy document relating to limits and protection of Land and Land Resources, optimum use and effective management thereto. Legal and institutional management for Lands and Land Resources and protection, use and management thereon are done under this Policy. This Policy shall bring about benefits of using Lands and Land Resources by creating a situation of distributing lands in a just manner.
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The National need of this policy is to ascertain of environment-friendly construction-works by making optimum use of Lands and Land Resources in keeping with a balance between the environment and development, to develop a hygienic, beautiful, well-facilitated and safe human settlement; to enhance a planned and sustainable urbanization of the country, and to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic boost up through devising and executing of all regional development plans of the country under a level-wise Land Use Plans.The vision of this Policy is to make optimum use of available Lands and Land Resources in pursuit of sustainable social, economic and ecological developments and prosperity of the country as well
9.2.6 National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development Decade Plan, 2072 This plan was formulated for the institutional improvement related to energy sector. According to this plan, for the community development of the project area, it is proposed to separate 0.75% of total project cost in case of the project with installed capacity below 100 MW and 0.5% of total project cost of the project with the installed capacity greater than 100 MW for Community Support Program in IEE and EIA report. In this plan, it is mentioned that the recommendation letter from community forest is not required for the approval of IEE or EIA report. Supplementary IEE or Supplementary EIA is not recommended if significant impact on the environment is not expected due to the change in the project components or if there is change in the forest land requirement by 10%. It is planned to manage the 10% share of total capital of the project to the communities and personnel of the project affected district.
9.2.7 National Forest Policy, 2075 It aims at proper protection, conservation and utilization of forest, wildlife, medicinal plants and water resources for the ecological balance and uplift the livelihood of poor people. The long term objectives of this policy are; to meet peoples' basic needs for fuel wood, timber, fodder and other forest products on sustained yield basis, to protect land against degradation; and to conserve the ecosystems and genetic resources. The project implementation should not undermine these objectives at any cost. It stresses on conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem and protection of land degradation by soil erosion, landslide, floods desertification and other ecological disturbances. The public participation in forest management is sought through community forestry, collaborative forest management, leasehold forestry etc. The mitigation measures such as plantation, NTFP program and other social and community support program proposed by the project will be implemented by mobilizing the local people which is in line with the Forest Sector Policy. This policy is important and related to the implementation of the proposed project in sustainable way.
9.2.8 National Climate Change Policy, 2076 The National Climate Change Policy, 2076 was implemented to mitigate the impacts of climate change like the increase in global temperature, climate change related natural disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), flood, famine along with the negative effects seen in human health, tourism, energy sector and for the up-liftment of the society along with the aim of directing the different fields towards the construction of a progressive society with the help of policy. Nepal
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW) has been actively managing activities related to climate change since 1994, as it is the supporter of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). In this context, Nepal has been operating climate adaptation project, identifying and implementing medium- and long-term adaptation actions in the climate impacted and climate-induced disaster-prone areas, communities, and people; low carbon development and climate resilience by adopting a low carbon emissions and climate-resilient development path for sustainable socio-economic growth and formulating and implementing the necessary strategies, working procedures to support a socio-economic development that is climate-friendly and resilient, access to financial resources and utilization by establishing a Climate Change Fund for mobilizing the financial resources from public and private, internal and external sources to address the issues of climate change and generating financial resources by promoting carbon trade and Clean Development Mechanism; increasing peoples' participation and empowerment by updating information and building capacity from local to policy level on climate adaptation, impact mitigation, low carbon growth, technology development and transfer, and carbon trade, technology which is identified by National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) which was established in 2065. Under climate-friendly natural resources management, this policy envisages encouraging investments in clean energy sources with priority on hydropower from national, regional, and international sources while emphasizing on reducing GHG emissions by promoting the use of clean energy, such as hydro-electricity, renewable and alternative energies. The target of this policy is to contribute for the socio-economic prosperity of the nation by developing a climate uplifted society.
9.2.9 Hydropower Development Policy, 2058 The Hydropower Development Policy of 1992 was revised and passed in 2001. The primary objectives of the policy include generation and transmission of clean energy through development of hydroelectric power projects and environmental conservation. It makes provisions for attracting private sector investment in hydropower sector, and promotes joint ventures between the government and private sector, and bilateral or regional cooperation in hydropower development. It also states that resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced families shall be conducted as per approved GoN criteria.
9.2.10 Water Resources Strategy, 2058 The Water Resources Strategy, 2002 underscores the interdependency between water resources development and the environmental conservation. It has adopted the environmental principles related, interlaid, to the integration of ecological aspects at every level of Hydroelectric development process, conserve biodiversity, watersheds and adopt ecosystem approach. The activities area also related to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, promote community participation for the sustainable management of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems. This strategy is a guiding principle for hydroelectric development projects in that it provides the vision for the sustainable management of watersheds and the ecosystem.
9.2.11 Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan, 2051 and 2055 The Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan (NEPAP) were endorsed in 1993 to further institutionalize environmental protection in the development processes. NEPAP recognizes that a
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growing number of people are exposed to pollution from industrial enterprises. NEPAP identifies the following factors as contributing to this process: . Inappropriate sitting of Industrial facilities in close proximity to population centers; . Insufficient emphasis on fuel efficiency; . Little, if any, pollution abatement equipment used for reducing emissions; and . A total lack of industry pollution standards. Hence, the NEPAP emphasized the need for mitigating adverse environmental impacts due to urban and industrial development, air and water pollution, and infrastructure development.
9.2.12 National Conservation Strategy, 2071 The National Conservation Strategy of Nepal aims to satisfy the basic needs of the people of Nepal (whether material, spiritual or cultural); to ensure the sustainable use of Nepal's land and renewable resources; to preserve the biological diversity of Nepal in order to maintain and improve the variety and quality of crops and livestock and to maintain the variety of wild species both plant and animal; and to maintain the essential ecological and life-support systems such as soil regeneration, nutrient recycling and the protection and cleansing of water and air.
9.3 ACTS 9.3.1 Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 2017 The Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 1961 provides the legislative protection of the aquatic habitats. The section three (3) of the Act renders punishment to any party introducing poisonous, noxious or explosive materials into the water source or destroying any dam, bridge or water system with the intent of catching or killing aquatic life. The section four (4) empowers the government to prohibit catching, killing and harming certain kinds of aquatic animals through notification in the Nepal Gazette.
9.3.2 Explosive Act, 2018 Section three of the Act states that GoN by notification in the Nepal Gazette may declare any substance as explosives. Section four forbids producing, storing, using, carrying, and importing explosives without license. The section also provides the concern to apply for the license to the Chief District Officer with necessary description prescribed in the provisions of the Act. Section eight states that GoN must be informed of all explosives substance related accidents. The implementation of the proposed project may require the use of explosives. Hence, it is mandatory to follow the provisions of the act in the event explosives are used.
9.3.3 Land Reform Act, 2021 The Land Reform Act, 1964 is considered as a revolutionary step towards changing the existing system of land tenure by establishing rights of tenants and providing ownership rights to actual Tiller. To date it has been amended five times. Section 25 (1) of this act deals with tenancy rights. This act will be attracted in the case of tenancy issues in the project affected areas.
9.3.4 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, BS 2029 came into force on 2030/06/04 after publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette. This Act has been amended four times. The Act was Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-5 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW) promulgated to manage national parks, conservation of wildlife and their habitat, regulate hunting and to conserve, promote, develop, and make appropriate arrangements for and the use of places which are of special importance from the view point of natural beauty and to maintain good manners and welfare of the general public. The Act has defined the 'National Parks' as an area set aside for the conservation, management and utilization of flora, fauna and scenery along with the natural environment. It has defined the 'Conservation Area' as an area to be managed according to an integrated plan for the conservation of natural environment and balanced utilization of natural resources. Similarly, the Act also defined the 'Buffer Zone' as a peripheral area of a national park or reserve prescribed under the section 3a in order to provide facilities to use forest resources on a regular and beneficial basis for the local people. IT has categorized wildlife in broad category including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects of any kind other than domesticated and this term also includes the eggs of Oviparous creatures. According to the Act, the GoN may declare an area as a national park or reserves or conservation area by publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette and indicating the boundary thereof. No person is allowed to enter into national parks or reserve without obtaining an entry permit. The Act has prohibited certain actions within national parks such as hunting wildlife, construct or possess house, hut, shelter or any other structures of any materials, occupy, clear, reclaim or cultivate any part or grow or harvest any crop, graze any domestic animal or bird or feed water to it, cut, clear, fell, remove or block trees, plants, bushes or any other forest resource, or do anything to cause any forest resources dry, or set it on fire, or otherwise harm or damage it; dig mines, stones or remove any mineral, stone, boulder, earth or any other similar material; cause damage to forest resources or wildlife or birds or any land; to block, divert any river or stream flowing through national park, reserve, or any other source of water, or use any harmful or explosive materials. The Act has also made provision of punishment that illegally kills or injures, sells, purchases or transfers or obtains objects as specified in section 26 of the Act.
9.3.5 Land Acquisition Act, 2034 It is the main legislation to guide the compulsory acquisition of land in Nepal. Government can acquire land at any place in any quantity by giving the compensation pursuant to the Act for the land required for any public purpose or for the operation of any development project initiated by the government institution (sections 3 and 4). The powers given under these sections are very broad as Government is empowered to acquire any land in the name of a public work by paying compensation to the owner of the land. Once the government decides to acquire land for the project, the Project Chief Initiates preliminary action to decide where, which and what amount of land is necessary to acquire for the project. S/he is required to affix one copy of this decision to each of the following places so that the concerned person can be informed: . Near the concerned land, especially at a thoroughfare, . At the office of concerned Municipality, and . At the house or compound wall which is to be acquired. After three days of such notice, the Project Chief is empowered to enter into the proposed land, house or compound with other staff for preliminary investigation. If the owner of the land is not satisfied with the amount of compensation decided by the Compensation Fixation Committee, s/he may file a complaint to the Chief District Officer (CDO) within 15 days from the date of receiving information of assessment of such compensation. And in such case, CDO is the final authority to decide on such issues.
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This act forms the basis for all kind of land acquisition and it is mandatory for the proposed project, if the land and assets needs to be acquired for the project.
9.3.6 Labor Act, 2074 The Labor Act, 2017 ("New Labor Act") was passed by the Parliament on August 11, 2017 (Shrawan 27, 2074). The New Labor Act has brought complete change in employment regime in Nepal. New Labour Law applies to company, private firm, partnership firm, cooperatives, association or other organization in operation, or established, incorporated, registered or formed under prevailing laws, regardless of its objectives to earn profit or not and entity registered in foreign country but engaged in promotion of business, sale of its products or other work in Nepal (Section 90). Maximum overtime (Section 30) is 4 hours a day and 24 hours a week. Employer can even terminate their regular employees if he/she does not perform well or there is no sign of performance upgrade in certain specific time period. An employer becomes eligible for Provident Fund from his/her first day of joining. Section 40 -48 describes the leaves and holidays for the labor.
9.3.7 Electricity Act, 2049 Electricity Act, 1992 is related to survey, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Electricity includes electric power generated from water, mineral oil, coal, gas, solar energy, wind energy or from any other means. Survey, generation, transmission or distribution of electricity without obtaining license is prohibited under Section 3 of the Act. Section 4, sub-section 1 of the Act, requires any person or corporate body who wants to conduct survey, generation, transmission or distribution of electricity over 1 MW to submit an application to the designated authority along with the economic, technical and environmental study report. The authority will issue survey license within 30 days and generation, transmission or distribution license within 120 days after the submission of application. The validity period of survey license is 5 years. This act provides the mandatory legal process that needs to be followed with regard to the inception to the implementation of electric power projects.
9.3.8 Forest Act, 2049 The Forest Act, 2049 and its Amendments amends the definition of forest which includes trees as well as shrub while in previous there is only tree. Provision of collaborative forest is included. The definition of forest service is also included in the amendment act. It recognizes the importance of forests in maintaining a healthy environment. The Act requires decision-makers to take account of all forest values, including environment services and bio- diversity, not just the production of timber and other commodities. Section 23 of the Act empowers the government to delineate any part of a national forest, which has “special environmental, scientific, or cultural importance”, as a protected forest. Section 49 of the Act prohibits degradation of lands, setting fires, grazing, removing, or damaging forest products, felling trees or plants, wildlife hunting and extracting boulders, sand and soil from the National Forest without the prior approval. The Act empowers the government to permit the use of any part of the government forest, community forest, leasehold forest, if there is no alternative except to use the forest area for the implementation of a plan or project of national priority without significantly affecting the environment.
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This act provide legal basis to control and use of resources from the National Forest and emphasized the importance in maintaining a healthy environment. It gives high priority of private forest management, benefit sharing in leasehold forest management and also mention the provision of private sector involvement in block forest management.
9.3.9 Environment Protection Act, 2053 It recognizes the interdependence between development activities and the environment; and emphasizes the proper use and management of natural resources. This Act provides the legal basis for EIA study and implementation and stresses the minimization of adverse impacts on the physical, biological and socio-economic environments. Sections 3 and 4 require that the project proponent conduct an IEE or EIA of the proposed Project and obtain approval from the concerned agency or the MoFE for project implementation. There is a provision for punishment if the proponent contravenes any of the provisions of the EPA, 2053. The EPA, 2053 empowers the MoFE to prohibit the use of fuel, equipment or plant which may have adverse effects on the environment, and includes provisions for Environmental Inspectors to monitor construction and ongoing infrastructure and development projects. It empowers the government to declare specific areas as environmentally protected areas. It also established an Environmental Protection Fund to be used for environmental protection and pollution control. Under the act, polluters are required to compensate those affected by the pollution. The EPA, 1997 is mandatory and forms the basis for environmental studies of the development project.
9.3.10 Local Government Operation Act, 2074 Chapter 3 of this act has mentioned the rights and duties of the Municipality and Rural Municipality. This Act empowers the Municipality and Rural Municipality to formulate, implement and monitor the rules and standards regarding the local scale development projects. Section 11, sub-Section 2 (g 3) empowers the local bodies for conducting the research and impact assessment of local scale development projects. Section 11, Sub-section 2 (J 12) has made Municipality and Rural Municipality responsible to formulate and implement the programs related to the protection of the environment and biodiversity. Section 11, Sub-section 2 (s 5) of the Act makes the Municipality and Rural Municipality responsible regarding the management, operation, monitoring and implementation of local electricity distribution system and services. Section 11, Sub-section 4 (J) empowers the local government to formulate the laws, standard and then monitor the royalty collection and it’s sharing after the utilization of natural resources. This act provides the legal basis for the functioning of local bodies. The roles of the local bodies are important for the smooth implementation of the project and for the use and conservation of local natural resources.
9.3.11 Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, 2039 The Act was created to manage the watersheds of Nepal. Section 2 (B) of the Act defines soil and watershed conservation. According to section 3, the GoN may declare any area as a protected watershed area and can acquire such land by giving written notice. Determination of the compensation rate for private land for this purpose shall be in consultation with local authorities. Section 10 of the Act identifies activities that are prohibited in areas where natural disasters have occurred or are expected to occur. Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-8 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW)
This act is will guide watershed conservation during the implementation of the project.
9.3.12 Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056 This Act was formulated to prohibit engaging children in factories, mines or similar risky activities and to make necessary provisions with regard to their health, security, services and facilities while engaging them in other activities. This Act defines child as a minor not having completed the age of sixteen years. Section 6 of this Act admits the approval of the concerned labor office or any authority in case if any enterprise has to engage a child in works. In Section 7 of this Act, there is mentioned about obtaining qualification certificate prior to engage a child as a labor in an enterprise. According to section 9, no child shall be engaged in work for a period after six o’ clock at the evening to six o’ clock at the morning. No child shall be engaged in work for more than six hours in a day and more than thirty six hours in a week either giving or not giving additional remuneration.
9.3.13 Control of International Trade of Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2073 This act was formulated on the basis of Sub-Article 1 of Article 296 of the Constitution of Nepal for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 1973. The main objective of this act was to protect the endangered flora and faunal species and monitor and control the international trade of those species. According to this Act, the species enlisted in Appendix I of CITES is stated as Threatened Wild Fauna of Flora, species enlisted in Appendix II of the convention is stated as Vulnerable Wild Fauna of Flora and Appendix III is stated as Protected Wild Fauna and Flora. Section 1 of this Act states that no one can transport, use, keep, plant, grow and have the captive breeding of the endangered flora and fauna cited in Appendix I and II of CITES. If anyone is interested to do research, training or plant and grow the endangered species, he/she has to take the consent letter from the concerned authority. Section 8 of this Act states that interested person can keep, utilize and transport the protected species after getting the license from the concerned authority.
9.3.14 Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act, 2074 This Act is expedient to provide necessary provisions regarding revenue rights, revenue sharing, grants, loans, budget arrangements, public expenditures and fiscal discipline of the Government of Nepal, the State and Local level. Section 7 of this Act states about the distribution of royalty to be obtained from natural resources. In Sub-Section 1 of Section 7, it is mentioned that in order to distribute the royalty obtained from the natural resources among the GoN, State and Local Level, the GoN shall create the federal divisible fund to deposit such amount obtained from the royalty in accordance with Federal law. The GoN shall distribute the royalty as specified in Schedule -4 of this Act. According to Schedule 4 (Relating to Sub-Section 2 of Section 7), the distribution of royalty of water and other natural resources, 50% of royalty is shared with GoN, 25% to concerned State and 25% to the concerned local level.
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9.3.15 Contributions Based Social Security Act, 2074 This Act is applicable to any industries, business or service sector. The Social Security Act provides that the government publishes the notice in Nepal gazette prescribing the sector, industries, business, service or employer undertaking certain transaction to which the Social Security Act applies.The Social Security Act requires the employer to enlist the employees in the Fund. The timeline for enlisting the employees depends on applicability of the said Act to the employer. The Social Security Act also provides that the employees, among others, who have been depositing the amount at the Social Security Fund as per the prevailing laws at the time of commencement of the Social Security Act, the employee is deemed to have been listed with the Fund from the date of such deposit.The Social Security Act provides that the amount of Social Security Tax collected so far or to be collected is managed by the Fund. In view of this, it may be inferred that the employee whose Social Security Tax has been deducted may be deemed to have been enlisted in the Fund.
9.3.16 National Civil (Code) Act, 2074 The National Civil (Code) Act, 2017is expedient to make timely the civil provisions contained in the Country Code and other laws, by also amending and consolidating such provisions, in order to maintain morality, decency, etiquette and convenience as well as economic interest of the public by maintaining law and order in the country and maintain harmonious relationship between various castes, races and communities, by making just provisions in the economic, social and cultural fields; Now, therefore, the Legislature-Parliament under clause (1) of Article 296 of the Constitution of Nepal has enacted this Act.
9.3.17 Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 2074 Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 2074 has been formed by the constituent assembly in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal Article 296 Sub-Article (1) in order to maintain the balance of demand and consumption of the electricity, regulate the collection of electricity revenue, secure the rights of the electricity user, make the electricity market competitive and to make the electricity facility dependable, easy, qualitative and secured by making the generation, transmission, distribution and trade of electricity simple, regulated, managed and transparent.
9.3.18 Land Use Act, 2076 According to Section 2, 6 (1) before the formation of land use plan, Nepal government, province government and local government must study the increase in demand of the land for the wildlife, population growth rate, necessity of food and shelter, economic development and infrastructure construction. According to Section 3, 8 (1) Article 4 states the land use cannot be changed by using the land that has been classified for another purpose. According to Section 3, 8 (7) irrespective of the fact whatever is written in sub article 1, Nepal government can change the current land use of the places where national priority development projects, industrial area, special economic area, etc. are to be established.
9.3.19 Forest Act, 2076 The Forest Act, 2076 defines forest area includes grass land, grazing land, snow covered and uncovered barren cliff, road, pond, lake, wetland, river, flood plain and unregistered land.
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According to Section 3 of the, no one can change the land use pattern, use the forest land and take the land in lease without the permission of Nepal Government. Section 42 of this Act empowers the government to permit the use of any part of the National Forest for the implementation of a plan or project of national priority without significantly affecting the environment, if there is no alternative except to use the forest area. According to Sub Section 2 of Section 42, the project has to compensate the National forest land equivalent to the land occupied by the project. Instead the project can pay the cash amount for the land used by the project (Sub Section 5 of Section 42). According to Sub Section 6 of Section 42 of this Act, the project proponent itself will be responsible to plant the saplings take care and protect the planted tree for five years with the co-ordination with concerned forest office.
9.3.20 Environment Protection Act, 2076 The new Bill on EPA 2076 has included additional layer for preparing and approving 'environmental study' report for the prescribed proposal in addition to IEE and EIA. Based on proposed definition, 'environmental study' includes: (i) brief environment study; (ii) IEE; and (iii) EIA reports. A section has been added for 'detailed alternative analysis' of any proposal that requires environmental study report. The proponent should prepare in the 'prescribed format' to maintain the standards and quality of the environmental study report. If, environmental study report is prepared by non-complying the standards and is in contrary to the quality prescribed, the consultant will not be 'eligible' to prepare such report up to 5 years. It gives a message that proponent is not responsible for the under quality report. The existing EPA and EPR do not recognize the 'consultant' and all IEE and EIA reports 'must be owned' by the proponent. However, proponent may hire the consultant to prepare the report on its behalf. It seems, 'ownership over the report' is shifted. Rule 14 of the EPR (2053) empowers the Environmental Ministry to conduct environmental auditing 2 years after the commencement of the service provided from the proposal requiring EIA report while the new Bill obliges the proponent to conduct auditing within 6 months after 2 years of the service provided. As environmental auditing is a systematic study and requires documented evidences (as the financial auditing) to access the actual environmental impacts, this binding provision (within 6 months) is in consistent with the principle. The new Bill empowers the Government of Nepal or the Province to carry out environmental study of any mapped area or location. The new Bill has proposed to punish with a fine up to NRs. 5 lakhs, 10 lakhs and 50 lakhs for the implementation of any proposal without approval of the 'brief environmental study', IEE and EIA reports or any act contrary to these approved reports.
9.4 RULES AND REGULATIONS 9.4.1 Electricity Rules, 2050 (1993) The Electricity Rules, 1993 has been formulated for the implementation of the provisions made in the Electricity Act, 1992. Rule 12 (f) and 13 (g) are related to environmental studies which emphasize that the environmental study report should include measures to be taken to minimize the adverse effects of the project on physical, biological and social environments and should also elaborate utilization of local labor, source of materials, benefits to the local people after the
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-11 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW) completion of the project, training to local people in relation to construction, maintenance and operation, facilities required for construction site and safety arrangements. This rule is mandatory and directly related to the implementation of the proposed project.
9.4.2 Water Resources Rules, 2050 (1993) It is mandatory under Rule 17 (e) of the rules that any person or corporate body, who desires to obtain a license for utilization of water resources must state in his application that appropriate measures will be taken to lessen the adverse effects due to the project on the overall environment. Measures are to be taken for the conservation of aquatic life and water environment and for mitigating social and economic effects of the project in the concerned area. Local labor should be utilized and local people should get benefits after the completion of the project. Rule 19 stipulates that the Water Resources Committee shall publish notice giving detail information about the project to people. This rule provides important direction for the conservation of the overall environment related to water resources development.
9.4.3 Forest Rules, 2051 (1995) Rule 65 of the Forest Rules stipulates that in case the execution of any project having national priority in any forest area causes any loss or harm to any local individual or community, the proponents of the project itself shall bear the amount of compensation to be paid. Similarly, the entire expenses required for the cutting and transporting the forest products in a forest area to be used by the approved project should be borne by the proponents of the project. The rules plays significant role in implementation of development project in any forest area.
9.4.4 Environment Protection Rules, 2054 (1997) The EPR, 1997 was endorsed in June 1997. The EPR, 1997 establishes the process to be followed during the preparation and approval of Scoping, Terms of Reference for EIAs, and the preparation of IEE or EIA reports for proposed Projects. It also includes provisions for compliance with findings included in the IEE and/or EIA reports; monitoring and environmental auditing; prevention and control of pollution; description of the functions, duties and powers of Environmental Inspectors; conservation of national endowments; establishment of environmental laboratories; mechanisms for operating the environmental conservation fund; rights to environmental compensation; and other related matters. Schedules 1 and 2 give the lists of proposed Projects requiring IEEs and EIAs; Schedules 3 and 4 describe the time frame for conducting IEEs and EIAs; Schedules 5 and 6 highlight the required elements to be included in the IEE and EIA reports. An IEE is required for hydroelectric projects with a proposed installed capacity above 1 MW to 50 MW. EIAs are required for proposed Projects above 50 MW capacities. However, all the projects need to go for EIA if it is located in protected areas. Rule 10 stipulates that the report prepared according to Rule 7 should contain the recommendations of related Municipality(s). The EPR, 1997 forms the basis for environment studies of the projects and it is mandatory and directly related with the development of the project.
9.4.5 Himalayan National Park Rules, 2036 (1979)
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Rule 7 of this Rule stipulates the prohibited activities within the park area. No person without obtaining a written permission of the warden shall be allowed to occupy (capture) any land, to clear or cut, fell down, remove, obstruct or trim the trees, plants, bushes or any other plants or to perform any activity and to excavate stones, sand or mines or to remove any minerals, earth or other similar materials or to damage the land in any form. Rule 12 stipulates the prior approval of the Government of Nepal to be taken before performing any research or functions within the park. Rule 13 prohibits anyone except the employee of the office of the park to post or keep any type of signboard, notice board, advertisement or other similar types of posters within the park.
9.4.6 Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules, 2062 (2006) This Rule was framed in exercise of powers conferred by section 27 of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056. Before, employing a child as a Labor an application shall be filed in the Labor office to examine his /her health in relation to his/her ability and inability to do the work, mentioning about the nature of the work and the age of the child.A child working in an Enterprise shall get the monthly remuneration and allowance not less than prescribed by the Government of Nepal by publishing a notice in Nepal Gazette from time to time.A child working in an Enterprise shall get at least Thirteen days public holiday with full salary each year.A child who goes to school shall get Ten days educational leave during the annual examination in a year.
9.4.7 Solid Waste Management Rules, 2070 (2013) This Rule has been issued by GoN by exercising the power conferred by section 50 of the Solid Waste management Act, 2068. Rule 3 has set the responsibility of local body for the segregation and management of solid waste. Rule 4 describes for determining the separate time, place and manner for transportation of solid waste. Rule 5 states that no one shall discharge solid waste by mixing harmful, chemical, organic or inorganic waste with other waste. The arrangement for final discharge should only be made after processing of harmful, chemical, organic or inorganic waste into a general waste. The collection, storage and transportation of harmful, chemical, organic or inorganic waste shall only be done by applying a safe mode.
9.4.8 Labor Rules, 2075 (2018) The Labor Rules has set out the criteria for determining if any disputes arises on whether or not an employment is regular employment. Pursuant to the Rule 3, the issue as to whether or not the employment is of regular nature is determined on the basis of whether not the employment requires continuity upon expiry of the term and if it is required to continue whether or not another Employee is immediately required and the employer has worked on a regular basis for a period more than one year in the case if no term of employment has been specified. Rule 4 of the Labor Rules requires the employment contract to cover nature of employment, primary work of the employee and his/her position, date, time, place of contract and its effective date and other important terms and conditions related to the work or service of the Employee. Rule 16 of the Labor Rules provide flexibility to the Employer to determine the work hours. The Labor Rules also provide that the Employer to provide additional rest period for certain female Employees. Employers are required to maintain the occupational safety and health policy of Employee. The Labor Rules provides that domestic workers are entitled to twelve (12) day paid public holiday and one (1) day paid weekly off every week. If the worker is engaged in work on
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-13 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW) weekly off or public holiday, the Employer should provide replacing holiday within 21 days or overtime payment for such work.
9.4.9 Community Based Social Security Regulation, 2075 (2018) The Government of Nepal has framed the Contribution Based Social Security Regulations, 2018 (2075) by exercising the power conferred to it under Section 69 of the Contribution based Social Security Act. The Social Security Regulations has been published in Nepal Gazette on November 19, 2018 (Mangsir 03, 2075) with immediate effect. The Social Security Regulations has prescribed certain matters as required by the Social Security Act. Such matters include (a) the procedure for participation in Social Security Schemes (b) registration of the employer and employee with Social Security Fund (c) operation of fund, etc.
9.4.10 Explosives Rules, 2020 (1964)
This rule is formulated as per the Explosive Act, 2018. According to Rule 1, person having the consent letter for selling can only purchase, keep and sale the explosive materials. Person having the license for using the explosives can only purchase and use for his/her own purpose. The licensed foreman can use and take care of explosives under the supervision of licensed owner. But it is not compulsive to have the license for those workers who carry and transport the explosive materials under the supervision of licensed owner.
9.4.11 Buffer Zone Management Rules, 2052 (1996) Rule 17 of this regulation prohibits the use of any harmful chemicals or explosive materials in the river and water resources flowing in Buffer Zone, clearing Buffer Zone land for agriculture or residential use, cutting trees and denuding forests without authority on the land, conducting any activities that cause destruction to the forest or setting those resources on fire, mining stone, sand, soils or any other mineral resources causing significant impact on the environment, hunting games in an unauthorized way of inflicting damages to the wildlife . Rule19 prohibits any damage to the public road, culvert, fence or other public property inside the buffer zone.
9.4.12 Electricity Regulatory Commission Regulation, 2075 The job of this regulation is to see that the grid made by the commission for distribution of electricity is within the international standard. This regulation will make sure that the revenue collected from the users is as per the criteria made by the commission in Rule 8. This regulation can also make necessary criteria and regulate it for the trading and specifying the rate of electricity for the licensed person or organization.
9.5 GUIDELINES AND MANUALS 9.5.1 National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines, 2050 (1993) The National EIA Guidelines, 1993 developed by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in conjunction with The World Conservation Union (IUCN), set out the process for the environmental review and management of infrastructure projects in all sectors and the respective roles of certain government agencies and the project proponents. These guidelines were part of a comprehensive program to develop the national and sectoral guidelines for establishing a national system for environmental impact assessment which was a part of the Government's National Conservation Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-14 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW)
Strategy and Nepal's Seventh Year Plan. The guideline was endorsed by the GoN on 27 September 1992 and gazetted on 19 July 1993. This guideline provides the fundamental process for Environmental Impact Assessment of development project and very much useful for environmental study of the proposed project.
9.5.2 EIA Guidelines for the Forestry Sector, 2052 (1995) Within the framework of the National EIA Guidelines, GoN has prepared and implemented separate EIA Guidelines for Forestry Sector which is also related with the project. These guidelines encourage the proponent to identify the likely impacts of the project on environment. The forestry sector EIA guidelines aim to facilitate the sustainable use of forest resources for the socio-economic development and to meet the basic needs of the communities for forest products. The positive and negative impacts of any development project in the forest area are to be identified and plans must be developed to minimize environmental damage, conserving genetic resources and bio-diversity. This guideline will be much helpful during the implementation of the project to control and minimize environmental hazards associated with the development project.
9.5.3 Forest Products Collection and Sale/Distribution Guidelines, 2057 (2000) The clauses 3 to 10 of the guidelines have specified various procedures and formats for getting approvals for vegetation clearance, delineation of lands for vegetation clearance, evaluation of the wood volume etc. and government offices and officials are responsible for the approval. These provisions have a direct relevance to the development of the project and need compliance to these provisions.
9.5.4 Working Procedures along with the Standard for the Utilization of National Forest for the National Priority Projects, 2076 Section 3 of this working procedure states that the concerned authority should perform the feasibility study and alternative analysis of the proposed project avoiding the National Forest area completely as far as possible, If it is not possible to avoid the National Forest completely, they should go through less forest option. According to Sub-section 1 of Section 4, if any proposed project lies in National Forest, the concerned party should conduct IEE according to the prevailing EPA and EPR. Sub-section 3 of Section 4 states that the concerned party should prepare the Environment Management Plan including the mitigation measures if the proposed project is subjected to have impact on National Forest. According to Section 4, if the proposed project requires the forest land area, the concerned ministry should get the consent letter from the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation before the approval of IEE and EIA. The related ministry should get the approval letter from the MoFE for the utilization of the forest land for the implementation of the proposed project. According to Section 8, the project has to compensate the National forest land equivalent to the land occupied by the project. Instead the project can pay the cash amount for the land used by the project (Section 9).
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According to Section 17 of this Act, the project proponent itself will be responsible to remove the trees on its own cost and hand over the forest resources to the concerned forest office. They should plant the saplings in 1:10 ratio if the project is subjected to remove the trees. They will be responsible to take care and protect the planted tree for five years with the co-ordination with concerned forest office. 9.5.5 Guidelines for Construction and Operation of Physical Infrastructure within Protected Areas, 2065 As the project lies in the Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP), this guideline has been reviewed during the preparation of EIA study. This describes the terms and conditions required for implementing projects inside the National park or buffer zone area. This policy states that no land will be made available for construction of any development works except of National priority within the conservation and buffer zone area. Implementation of mitigation measures, allocation of royalty for the protection of National Park, payment for use of natural resources and monitoring are some of the conditions mentioned in this guideline.
9.5.6 Guidelines for Issuing Survey license for Hydropower Projects, 2075 This guideline is prepared on the basis of Electricity Rules, 2050. The installed capacity of the proposed hydropower project should be designed as per probability of Exceedence at 40% of provided hydrological time series data. It will be cross checked by DoED on the basis of available authentic hydrological data. If any differences reported among the data provided by proponent and developers, the design discharge will be adopted as per the Modified Hydest method and MHSP 1997. And the installed capacity will be designed according to the gross head, maximum 5% head loss and overall efficiency 80%.
9.5.7 Land Ceiling Exemption Order, 2074 This was issued on the basis of the rights provided by Land Reform Act, 2021 (section 12). Section 3 mentions about the circumstances that any industry or any organization can retain the maximum land area for their project. Schedule 2 related to Section 4 and 5 provide the condition for purchasing or set aside the maximum land area for any project. In the context of any hydropower project, it can set aside or purchase the land that is mentioned in the Detail Project Report of that particular project.
9.5.8 Guidelines related to IEE and EIA of Hydropower Projects and Transmission Line Projects, 2073 This guideline is prepared to guide the approval process of IEE reports that are registered in DoED. Similarly, this guideline also guides for the recommendation process required for EIA reports. It also informs about the process of review committee meeting and selection of environmental experts and formation of review committee.
9.5.9 Hydropower Impact Assessment Manual, 2018 This EIA Manual has been developed by the Ministry of Forests and Environment to facilitate the sustainability of the hydropower sector development process in Nepal and provide guidance on “good practices”. The Manual is prepared for government authorities, hydropower developers, consultants, civil society groups and others.
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The Manual is based on the EPA and its regulations, particularly Schedule-2 of the regulations. It aims to facilitate the EIA process for all hydropower projects such as run-of-river (diversion and/or storage) and associated facilities of the project such as power transmission lines, substations, construction materials management, and access roads. The Manual can be used in conjunction with Nepal’s standards, administrative systems and processes and guidelines to be followed for all EIAs in Nepal. The Manual does not include IEE process defined in Schedule 1 of the Rules. However, proponents pursuing an IEE can benefit by following the “good practice” recommendations. The objective is to ensure an appropriate assessment of project risks and mitigation measures that will enable a well-planned, well managed and well executed project delivery and help avoid cost overruns. The Manual outlines the approach for preparing, submitting, reviewing and implementing EIAs related to hydropower in Nepal. i) Section 4-Stakeholder engagement and public participation ii) Section 5-Screening process for hydropower project proposal iii) Section 6-Scoping and developing terms of reference for the EIA study iv) Section 7, 8 & 9-Identifying, assessing and managing environmental and social impacts v) Section 10-Reporting Section and vi) Section 11- Reviewing EIAs.
9.5.10 Social Security Schemes Operation Directives, 2075 (2018) The Social Security Fund has formulated the Social Security Schemes Operational Directives to operate the Social Security Schemes pursuant to Section 10 of the Social Security Act. The Directive has been approved by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security on November 22, 2018 (2075/08/06) and has been effective thereof.The Social Security Fund has introduced the following Social Security Schemes: Medical Treatment, Health and Maternity Protection Scheme, Accident and Disability Protection Scheme, Dependent Family Protection Scheme and Old Age Protection Scheme. The Employer and the Employees are required to contribute certain amount of the employee’s basic salary each month to the Social Security Fund.
9.5.11Buffer Zone Management Guidelines, 2056 (1999) This guideline should be given special consideration in attaining the objective of the buffer zone in an effective and productive manner while declaring the affected peripheral areas of the national parks and reserves or villages, settlements and hamlets within the national parks or reserves as buffer zone, in-addition to the criteria mentioned in Rule 3 under the Regulation. (a) While designating the Buffer Zone boundary, if a part of any Hamlet, village, settlement or Ward which lies within the buffer zone, the whole area of the concerned village, town or Ward, should be included in the Buffer Zone as far as possible. (b) As mentioned in sub clause (a), conservation of bio-diversity located in peripheral villages, municipalities or wards and areas with the possibility for the development of eco- tourism should also be included. (c) In course of declaring a buffer zone, the following basis could also be considered, for the impact Zone likely to be affected from the national park and reserve. (1) Area directly affected by the prohibited use of forest products of national park or reserve. (2) Area directly affected by prohibited of grazing in the national park or reserve. (3) Area directly affected by the wildlife of national park and reserve on a regularly or partially basis to crop damage.
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9.6 CONVENTIONS 9.6.1 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), (1973) It is an international agreement of which Nepal became a contracting party in 1975. Nepal is a party to the CITES that aims to control the trade of certain wildlife species to prevent further endangering of their survival. CITES classifies species according to the following criteria: I - species threatened with extinction, II - species which could become endangered, III – species that are protected (CITES 1973). As Nepal is party to the Conventions related to species conservation, attention should be given to evaluate the impacts of the project activities on meeting their obligations. It is relevant to study that species protection list could also be used to evaluate the significance of the identified and predicted impacts. Plant and animal species under legal protection provides a basis to propose EMPs for their conservation and for least damaging them during project implementation.
9.6.2 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 2049 (1992) The CBD contains a series of far-reaching obligations related to the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable uses of its components. One of these obligations is the requirement for environmental study. The purpose of an environmental study in relation to biodiversity conservation is to identify in advance: . the aspects of the project which is likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity at genetic species and ecosystem level, and . the steps to be taken to avoid or minimize significant adverse effects to ensure that the proposed Project comply with existing environmental legislation. The GoN has included 17 species of plants and 39 species of animals in the protection list. If the project area is the core habitat of these species and the project activity will likely to affect them, mitigation measures shall be proposed and be implemented to avoid and/ or mitigate the adverse impacts. Nepal is a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and in accordance to the article 14, adequate attention should be given to minimize and/ or avoid impacts to biological diversity.
9.6.3 C169 - Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) Nepal ratified ILO Convention No. 169 on September 14, 2007. In 2007 the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly. The declaration reaffirms the importance of the principles and approaches provided under Convention No. 169 and its adoption; therefore, provide a fresh impetus for promoting the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 169. ILO Convention No.169 highlights the need to recognize indigenous and tribal people’s specific knowledge, skills and technologies as the basis for their traditional economies and self-determined development process. Article-1 of the convention provides definition of the tribal and indigenous people. Article-6 deals the consultation of the peoples concerned through appropriate procedure and in particular through their representative institutions, whenever consideration is being given to legislative or administrative measures which may affect them directly. In Article 15, the rights of the peoples concerned to the natural resources pertaining to their lands shall be specifically safeguarded. These rights include the right of these people to participate in the use, management and conservation of these resources. The uses of the term lands include the concept of territories, which covers the total environments of the areas that the peoples concerned occupy or Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-18 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW) otherwise use. The peoples concerned shall wherever possible participate in the benefits of such activities and shall receive fair compensation for any damages which they may sustain as a result of such activities. Article 16 (2) clearly mention that where the relocation of these peoples is considered necessary as an exceptional measures such relocation shall take place only with their free and informed consent. Where their consent cannot be obtained, such relocation shall take place only following appropriate procedures established by national laws and regulations, including public inquiries where appropriate, which provide the opportunity for effective representation of the peoples concerned. Article 16 (3) mention that whenever possible these peoples shall have the right to return their traditional land as soon as the grounds for relocation cease to exist. Article 16 (5) elaborated the persons thus relocated shall be fully compensated for any resulting loss or injury.
9.6.4 Basel Convention, 1989 It is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries. It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation, and to assist least developed countries in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate. This convention was acceded by Nepal on 15th October, 1996.
9.7 STANDARDS The proponent will describe the pertinent regulations and standards governing environmental quality, health and safety, protection of sensitive areas, protection of endangered species, land use control etc at regional, district and ward level. The Environmental Standards prescribed by the GoN are given below. Table 9.1: Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2012 Parameters Units Averaging Concentration Test Methods time max TSP µg/m3 Annual - - 24-hours 230 High Volume Sampling and Gravimetric Analysis 3 PM10 µg/m Annual - 24-hours 120 High Volume Sampler and Gravimetric Analysis, Beta Attenuation Sulfur dioxide µg/m3 Annual 50 Ultraviolet Fluorescence, West and Gaeke method 24-hours 70 Same as annual Nitrogen µg/m3 Annual 40 Chemiluminescence dioxide 24-hours 80 Same as annual Carbon µg/m3 8 hours 10, 000 Non Dispersive Infra-Red monoxide Spectrophotometer (NDIR) Lead µg/m3 Annual 0.5 High Volume Sampling followed by atomic absorption spectrometry Benzene µg/m3 Annual 5 Gas Chromatographic Technique 3 PM2.5 µg/m 24 hours 40 Pm2.5 Sampling gravimetric Analysis Ozone µg/m3 8 hours 157 UV Spectrophotometer Source: MoEST, 2069
Table 9.2: National Standard of Noise Quality, 2069 Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-19 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132MW)
Noise Level (L ) dB S. No Sectors eq. Day Night 1. Industrial Area 75 70 2. Business Area 65 55 3. Rural Residential Area 45 40 4. Urban Residential Area 55 50 5. Mixed Residential Area 63 55 6. Silence Area 50 40 Source: MoEST, 2069
Table 9.3: Proposed Noise Exposure Limits for the Work Environment S. No Noise Exposure (dBA) Permissible Exposure 1. 85 16 hrs. 2. 87 12 hrs. 3. 90 8 hrs. 4. 93 5 hrs. 5. 96 3 hrs. 6. 99 2 hrs 7. 102 1 hr 8. 105 1 hr 9. 108 40 min 10. 111 26 min 11. 114 17 min 12. 115 15 min 13. 118 10 min 14. 121 6.6 min 15. 124 4 min 16. 127 3 min 17. 130 1 min Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Table 9.4: Effluent Standards for Discharge to Water Body from construction Sites and Camps S. No Parameters Tolerance Limits 1. Total Suspended Solids, mg/L 30-200 2. Particle size of total suspended particles Shall pass 850 - micron sieve 3. pH 5.5 to 9.0 4. Temperature Shall not exceed 40 ºC in any section of stream within 15 meters downstream from effluent outlet
5. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) for 30-100 5 days at 20ºC, mg/L 6. Oils and grease, mg/L 10 7. Phenol compounds, mg/L 1 8. Cyanides (as CN), mg/L 0.2 9. Sulphides (as S), mg/L 2 10. Radioactive a. Alpha emitters, c/ml 7 OCT materials b. Beta emitters, c/ml 8 OCT 11. Insecticides Absent 12. Total residual chlorine, mg/L 1 13. Fluorides (as F), mg/L 2 14. Arsenic (as AS), mg/L 0.2 15. Cadmium (as Cd), mg/L 2 16. Hexavalent chromium (as Cr), mg/L 0.1 17. Copper (as Cu), mg/L 3 18. Lead (as Pb), mg/L 0.1
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19. Mercury (as Hg), mg/L 0.01 20. Nickel (as Ni), mg/L 3 21. Selenium (as Se), mg/L 0.05 22. Zinc (as Zn), mg/L 5 23. Ammonia nitrogen, mg/L 50 24. Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L 250 25. Silver, mg/L 0.1 Source: MoPE, 2058
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 9-21 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER X ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
The principal objective of Environmental Monitoring includes identification of monitoring parameters for environmental monitoring during pre-construction, construction and operation phases of project implementation and institutional setup for management and monitoring of these parameters as well as for implementation of mitigation measures. Monitoring is an important part of environmental management as there is always an uncertainty in the predicted magnitude, extent and duration of project impacts. The primary responsibility of all monitoring activities fully lies with the project proponent. A copy of half yearly and annual environmental mitigation and monitoring report produced by the proponent will be submitted to the concerned offices of GoN.
10.1 PHASES OF MONITORING There are three types of monitoring activities such as baseline monitoring, compliance monitoring and impact monitoring. Compliance monitoring and impact monitoring are further categorized in terms of construction phase and operation phase.
10.1.1 Baseline Monitoring A survey of the project area will be conducted to compile and maintain a data base of key environmental and social parameters within the project area before the commencement of construction phase so that subsequent monitoring will assess any changes in those parameters over time against the baseline condition.
10.1.2 Compliance Monitoring Compliance monitoring will be conducted by employing a periodic sampling method or a continuous recording of specific environmental quality indicators to ensure project compliance with stipulated environmental standards. Compliance monitoring also covers various contractual obligations to be fulfilled by the contractor/s.
10.1.3 Impact Monitoring The physical, biological and the socio-economic and cultural parameters within the project area will be measured during the period of project construction and operation in order to detect environmental changes which may have occurred as a result of project implementation. The actual impacts caused by project implementation will be closely monitored during the construction and operation of the project to examine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. Impact monitoring basically constitutes collection, analysis and interpretation of scientific data and a follow-up of mitigation works. It is designed to assess gap between the actual impacts and predicted impacts and effectiveness of the mitigation measures that were implemented.
10.2 MONITORING PARAMETERS, INDICATORS, METHODS, SCHEDULE AND LOCATION In case of a sink-oriented monitoring approach, the monitoring indicators/parameters need to be selected according to the type/nature of the environmental factor (impact receptor) being monitored while they need to be selected according to the type/nature of mitigation measure being implemented in case of a source-oriented monitoring approach. Table 10.1 below presents details of selected environmental monitoring indicators/parameters for baseline monitoring, impact monitoring and compliance monitoring separately based on a mixed approach of sink and source oriented Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 10-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132 MW) monitoring. However, it should be acknowledged that in a sink-based monitoring, which is essentially done at the ambient level, the measured pollution/damage level in a particular environmental receptor within the project influence area is usually contributed to not only by the project activities but by multiple other pollution sources, which are beyond the control of the project.
Table 10.1: Monitoring Parameters, Indicators, Methods, Schedule, Location and Responsible Agency Responsible Types Parameters Indicators Methods Frequency Location Agency 1. Baseline Monitoring Physical Landslides Number of Direct Before and Dam site, Spoil TBKHP Environment and Erosion landslides/ observation and After rainy disposal sites, debris mapping in the season internal access flows/gully appropriate roads, burrow formation sites scale map pit sites, camps, marked and storage indicated in facilities etc. suitable maps
Air Quality CO2, PM 2.5 IQ Air Sampler Once prior Headwork and TBKHP and AQI construction Powerhouse Site Noise and Noise level Noise sampling Prior to Headwork and TBKHP Vibration (decibel) and analysis implementa Powerhouse tion of the Site project Water Quality Parameters As per tolerance Prior to U/S dam site TBKHP listed in “ limits for implementa and Tolerance Industrial tion of the downstream Limits for Effluents to be project and Industrial Discharged into construction Effluents to be Inland Surface camps Discharged Water into Inland Surface Waters” 2003 – to examine impact on the receiving water body
Land use Forest land, Observation Prior to Project acquired TBKHP Cultivated implementa areas land, Barren tion of the Cliff project
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Biological Forest Density, Basal Forest sampling Prior to Intake area, TBKHP Environment Resources Area, Coverage implementa powerhouse, tion of the surge tank area project Wildlife Abundance Public Prior to Nearby forest TBKHP Consultation implementa and tion of the Surrounding project Area Socio- Settlements Number of Observation and Prior to Project TBKHP economic and settlement discussion with implementa Affected Wards cultural areas local people tion of the Environment project Community Major ethnic Observation and Prior to Project TBKHP structure group, discussion with implementa Affected Wards language local people tion of the project Local Major Observation and Prior to Project TBKHP economy occupation, discussion with implementa Affected Wards Market area local people tion of the project Public health Types and Observation and Prior to Project TBKHP incidence of discussion with implementa Affected Wards prevalent of local health tion of the diseases, No of post project health centers, Local Road Type, Observation and Prior to Project TBKHP infrastructure Financial discussion with implementa Affected Wards institute, local people tion of the No. of project educational institute 2. Impact Monitoring 2.1 Construction Phase Activities Parameter Indicators Method Time Location Physical Topography Slope, fractures Field Monthly Along the TBKHP, Environment and cracks observation, headwork area, EMU tunnel alignment, access road, powerhouse site Air Quality AQI Instantaneous Quarterly Construction TBKHP, Air Sampling Sites EMU Noise level Equivalent Sound Level Quarterly Construction TBKHP, Sound Pressure Measurement sites EMU level$$ by Sound Level Meter Downstream 10% of Discharge Dry season Downstream of TBKHP, release minimum measurement intake EMU monthly flow Water Quality Turbidity, oil Water sampling, Quarterly Effluent from TBKHP, and grease, lab testing and Crusher plant, EMU coliform, pH, comparison employers’ and DO, BOD, with applicable contractors’ Nitrate standards. Camp Biological Forest Status Coverage and Forest sampling Once a year Headwork, TBKHP, Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 10-3 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
Environment species present powerhouse and EMU access road area Wildlife Wildlife status Public Once a year Project TBKHP, in terms of Interaction Affected Wards EMU species present and reported Socio- Land take Area of land Observation and Once a year Project TBKHP, economic and take and discussion with Affected Wards EMU Cultural compensation local people and Environment and use of it. the project Markets No. of Direct Once a year Headwork and TBKHP, Hotels/tea stall enumeration powerhouse EMU and restaurants Consumer Price of local Market survey Once a year Headwork and TBKHP, price and imported and powerhouse EMU consumer items documentation such as rice, wheat, millet, meat, LPG, vegetables, labour cost day ( male and female) Sanitation No of Field survey and Once a year Dam site, Camp TBKHP, Households documentation, site, Internal EMU having toilets, Photograph access road and Practice of ancillary sanitation facility sits (Child defecation, solid waste disposal), Source of water (Piped, springs, river etc.) Occupational Use of PPE, Observation and Daily Project TBKHP health and warning and discussion with construction safety caution sign workers, review sites fencing of the of records construction area. 2.1 Operation Phase Physical Noise and Noise level Observation and Quarterly Powerhouse TBKHP Environment vibration (decibel) and sampling area vibration Environmental Release of Observation and Dry season Dewatered zone TBKHP release 10% of mean measurement monthly flow in each month Types Parameters Indicators Methods Schedule Location
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Biological Forest Density, Basal Forest sampling Prior to Intake area, TBKHP Environment Resources Area, Coverage implementa powerhouse, tion of the surge tank area project Wildlife Wildlife status Public Once a year Project TBKHP, in terms of Interaction Affected Wards EMU species present and reported Socioeconomic Agricultural Livelihood Observation and Annual Project TBKHP and Cultural production patterns of discussion Affected Wards Environment affected families Economic Status of local Observation and Annual Project TBKHP opportunity economy discussion Affected Wards Employment Number of Observation and Annual Project office TBKHP local people cross checking employed in the list of operation phase employment Occupational Occurrence of Observation and Annual Project affected TBKHP health and incidents discussion Wards and job Safety sites 3. Compliance Monitoring 3.1 Construction Phase Mitigation Measures Direct Following All structural MoEWRI, Measures All mitigation supervision and completion sites and DoED actions listed in documentation of tender facility sites EMP and documents and their Environmental surroundings Mitigation Management for Operation phase Water quality As per Nepal Water Quality Monthly Water supply MoEWRI, in the operation Drinking Water Analysis as per reservoir and DoED camp Quality National one end tap of Standard for Drinking water the camps compliance Quality Standard Landslides and Number of Direct Before and Headwork, MOEWRI, Erosion landslides observation after Powerhouse DoED and mapping in Monsoon and Project the appropriate Period Internal access scale map Road Air Quality AQI Instantaneous Quarterly Construction MOEWRI, Air Sampling Sites DoED
Noise level Equivalent Sound Level Quarterly Construction Sound Pressure Measurement sites level$$ by Sound Level Meter 3.2 Operation Phase
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Occupational Safety Observation Annual Intake and MoEWRI, safety equipment, Powerhouse DoED warning sign Riparian Release of 10% Measurement Dry season Intake MoEWRI, release of mean and discussion DoED monthly flow in each month
10.3 HUMAN RESOURCES Following professionals will be required for the construction phase monitoring of the proposed project. . Unit in-charge/Environmentalist . Sociologist . Representative of Makalu Barun National Park office . Various Experts (environmental engineer, ecologist etc) on intermittent basis . Support staffs (field technician, social mobilize etc)
10.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COST The total cost of baseline, compliance, and impact monitoring has been estimated at NRs. 3,00,00,000.00. The details of which are shown in Table 10.2 below. Table 10.2: Environmental Monitoring Cost S. No. Items Man-Month Rate/ Month (NRs.) Estimated Amount (NRs.) 1. Human Resources 1.1 Unit 60 1,00,000.00 60,00,000.00 Incharge/Environmentalist 1.2 Sociologist 50 80,000.00 40,00,000.00 1.3 Various Experts 20 150,000.00 30,00,000.00 1.4 Support Staffs 200 45,000.00 90,00,000.00 2. Transportation and fuel 50 - 50,00,000.00 3. Office Set Up Cost LS - 5,00,000.00 4. Office Running Expenses 50 30,000 15,00,000.00 5. Laboratory Test LS - 5,00,000.00 6. Miscellaneous LS - 5,00,000.00 Total 3,00,00,000.00
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 10-6 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132 MW)
CHAPTER XI ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT
The environmental audit of hydropower projects are done with various objectives. For the TBKHP, environmental audit will be conducted after two tears of commencement of project operation phase by the MoFE as per the EPR provisions. The prime objective of such an audit will be, among others, to: Evaluate the accuracy of impact predictions made in the approved EIA report Document appropriateness and effectiveness implemented mitigation measures document residual impacts Identify areas of improvements required in future EIAs and their implementation Provide feedbacks as to specific improvements needed based on the findings of the audit As regards the specific types of environmental audit as prescribed in the National EIA Guidelines, 1993, it would be entirely up to the MoFE to decide commensurate with the above-mentioned objectives of the audit. The envisaged environmental audit team will comprise an environmental expert experienced in EIA study, monitoring and auditing works as team leader accompanied by a sociologist, terrestrial ecologist, and aquatic ecologist. A general approach of the environmental audit of TBKHP would be based on: Reviewing documents and records starting from approved EIA report and bi-monthly monitoring reports of the project (The project proponent is supposed to readily make available all required/relevant documents to the audit team). Making a weeklong visit to the project site to directly observe and comprehend the post-project field conditions of the project area and compare the findings with the approved EIA report and periodic environmental monitoring reports Conducting local stakeholder meetings with the affected households and communities and key informants including the personnel of project operation management office at the site Following a detailed audit plan as shown in Table 11.1.
Table 11.1: Audit Plan for TBKHP S. No. Parameters Location Methods Indicators Physical Environment 1. Change in River Barun Khola, Weir to Inspection Erosion of river bank Morphology Powerhouse Site and sediment deposition pattern 2. Air quality Headwork Area, Instantaneous Air Sampling Measurement PM2.5, Access Road, and visual inspection CO2, AQI Penstock alignment Area, Powerhouse Area 3. Noise Level Headwork Area, Access Instantaneous Measurement Noise Level road, Penstock alignment of Noise Level using Noise Area, Powerhouse Level Meter 4. Water Quality Barun Khola, Weir to Sampling and Laboratory pH, DO, BOD, Powerhouse Site Analysis Turbidity, TSS, Nitrate, Oil and Grease 5. Land Use All the land used by Inspection and study of Change in land use Pattern project Google map 6. Environmental Dewatered Stretch In-situ Discharge Discharge in River Release Measurement
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Biological Environment 7. Change in Headwork site, Forest Sampling and in-situ Change in forest Vegetation powerhouse and surge measurement density and coverage Cover tank site 8. Wildlife Surrounding area of the Public Consultation Decline in the diversity project movement and occurrence of wildlife 9. Forest fire Along the Project Interview with locals and Frequency of fire hazards components staff of MBNP events, total damage to forest in terms of trees, shrubs, herbs lost and wildlife movements Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 10. Status of paid Acquired land owners Questionnaire survey and Condition of the out of interview affected people, useful compensation utilization of compensation 11. Employment to Employment record of Direct observation, Project records and local people workforces and their Questionnaire survey and local people origin interview 12. Water Supply Camp Sites Direct observation, Review Records of complaints, and Sanitation of records and interview with epidemic disease workers and local people 13. Public Health Health status of Project Review of records and Records of health post Affected wards interview with local people 14. Occupational Project workers, and Review of contractor records Number and type of Health and occasional movement of and interview with accidents/diseases Safety outsider construction workers
11.1 ESTIMATED COST The estimated cost to carry out the envisaged environmental audit is NRs. 18, 00,000.00 (Eighteen lakhs only) including the experts, transportation and report production. The detail of the estimated cost of environmental audit is presented in Table 11.2 below. Table 11.2: Cost for Environmental Audit S. No. Items Man-month Rate/ Month (NRs) Amount (NRs) 1. Experts 1.1 Team Leader/Ecologist 1.5 200,000.00 300,000.00 1.2 Zoologist 1 150,000.00 150,000.00 1.3 Socio-Economist 1 150,000.00 150,000.00 1.4 Experts/Representatives of Line LS 300,000.00 Agencies 1.5 Field Supervisors 2 50,000.00 100,000.00 Sub-total 10,00,000.00 2. Out of Pocket Expenses 2.1 Laboratory Analysis LS 100,000.00 2.2 Daily Allowances and Field Logistics LS 200,000.00 2.3 Transportation Cost LS 200,000.00 2.4 Social Survey Cost LS 200,000.00 2.5 Cost for Report Production LS 100,000.00 Sub-total 8,00,000.00 Grand Total 18,00,000.00
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CHAPTER XII SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
12.1 SUMMARY This chapter sums up the findings of the EIA report of the proposed TBKHP and draws a conclusion based those findings. The EIA report of the proposed project is based on the review of various relevant documents/reports, field survey and observation. The project proponent will primarily be responsible for ensuring full compliance with all Acts, rules and regulations (Legislation and other relevant directives of GoN) while implementing the project.
12.2 Environmental Impacts The major environmental and social impacts likely to occur due to implementation of proposed project are summarized in the following sub-sections.
12.2.1 Beneficial Impacts Major beneficial impacts during the construction of the project include generation of employment opportunities for the local people including affected families. Apart from the considerable economic benefits that would arise from power generation by the project, it will also generate direct economic benefits to GoN including the local government and the concerned district hosting the project from royalties and revenues. Other direct benefits of the project will be in the form of regional development, employment of local people, and general improvement of infrastructures and services in the project impact area. Enhancement of technical skill of local people who worked in the project and better access to electricity supply are expected to improve quality of life of local people.
12.2.2 Adverse Impacts The major adverse impacts of the project include land use change within 26.44 ha of land on account of placement of project structures, air pollution, water pollution, noise and vibration, loss of 5248 trees and increased pressure on existing infrastructures. Likewise, major adverse impacts during the project operation include occupational and safety hazards and reduced flow in dewatered zone.
12.3 MITIGATION MEASURES The environmental and social impacts of the project can be mitigated and/or minimized by implementing the proposed mitigation programs. The project proponent will carry out all the proposed mitigation measures during construction and operation phases of project implementation. The project proponent will bear all the cost of environmental mitigation and enhancement measures, which will be included in the total project cost. The project proponent will also establish an Environmental Unit consisting of required human resources for environmental monitoring and mitigation program. The following mitigation measures are proposed to minimize and/or mitigate the anticipated adverse impacts of the proposed project on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of the project area.
12.3.1 Construction Phase The major mitigation measures proposed during the construction phase of the project include compensatory plantation of 155,000 saplings, compensation for the loss of private land, appropriate rent for leased land, environmentally safe and sound disposal of excavated materials and all kinds of Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 12-1 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. EIA Report Tallo Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project (132 MW) wastes, proper and careful handling of explosives and protection works in slide prone areas.
12.3.2 Operation Phase The mitigation measures proposed for operation phase of the project include uninterrupted riparian release of 0.53 cumec (10% of the minimum monthly flow) in each month downstream of headwork, employment to local people with priority to affected families, occupational health and safety measures for the workers, and awareness program for workers and the local communities. The total estimated amount for environmental enhancement and mitigation measures including the cost for CSP, environmental monitoring and environmental auditing is NRs. 25, 38, 00,000.00 which accounts for 1.26 % of the total project cost.
12.4 CONCLUSION The predicted impacts of the proposed project are minimal to moderate and can be minimized and/or mitigated through firm implementation of all the measures to which the proponent is fully committed to as shown in this report.
Proponent Consultant Ampik Energy Pvt. Ltd. 12-2 Energy Resources & Solutions Pvt. Ltd. REFERENCES 1. Carpenter, C. and R. Zomer (1996). Forest ecology of the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal. Mountain Research and Development 16 (2): 135–148. 2. Chaudhary, R.P. (1998). Biodiversity in Nepal: Status and Conservation, 3. Feasibility Study of Lower Barun Khola Hydroelectric Project, Project Brief Report, February 2018 Angel Engineering Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal. 4. Jha, S. G. (2003). Linkages between biological and cultural diversity for participatory management: Nepal’s experiences with Makalu-Barun National Park and buffer zone. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 31 (1&2): 41–56. 5. Manual for Preparing Scoping Document for EIA of Hydropower Projects, DoED/ IRG, 2001, Kathmandu. 6. Population of Nepal, Population Census 2011, Village Development Committee/Municipalities, CBS, Kathmandu, June 2002. 7. Statistical Year Book of Nepal 2007, GoN, NPCS/CBS, Kathmandu. 8. Upreti, B.N., and Le Fort, P. 1999. Lesser Himalayan Crystalline Nappes of Nepal: Problem of Their Origin. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. Spec. Pap. V 328.pp. 225-238 9. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T166525A135873256. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010- 4.RLTS.T166525A6228314.en. Downloaded on 02 December 2019.