Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Thimphu Structure Plan

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Thimphu Structure Plan Ministry of Works and Human Settlements Royal Government of Bhutan Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Thimphu Structure Plan June 2018 Acronyms and Abbreviations ADB Asian Development Bank APIC Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Craft BBR Bhutan Building Rules BLSS Bhutan Living Standard Survey BoD Bhutan Oil Distribution BOC Bhutan Olympic Committee BRT Bus Rapid Transit CBS City Bus Service CCM Council of Cabinet Ministers Chhu River or Stream CoP Conference of Parties CPLC Cash Payment in Lieu of Land Compensation CSO Civil Society Organisations DCR Development Control Regulation DDM Department of Disaster Management DITT Department of Information Technology and Telecom DNP Department of National Properties EA Environment Assessment Act 2000 E.coli Escherichia coli EV Electric Vehicle FYP Five-Year Plan GCF Global Climate Fund GEF Global Environment Facility GNHC Gross National Happiness Commission GHG Green House Gas IFC International Finance Corporation IT Park Information Technology Park PEI Poverty Environment Initiative PPP Policy, Plans and Programmes Kgpcd Kilogram Per Capita Per Day LAP Local Area Plan LGA Local Government Act Lpcd Litre Per Capita Per Day MoF Ministry of Finance MoHCA Ministry of Works and Human Settlement MoWHS Ministry of Works and Human Settlement MoEA Ministry of Economic Affairs MLCP Multi-Level Car Park MSW Municipal Solid Waste MSWM Municipal Solid Waste Management MLD Million-Litre Per Day MRG Mainstreaming Reference Group MT Metric Tonnes NECS National Environment Commission Secretariat NES National Environment Strategy NKRA National Key Result Areas NLCS National Land Commission Secretariat NN Neighbourhood Node NRW Non-Revenue Water PES Payment for Ecosystem Services RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan RBG Royal Body Guard RSTA Road Safety and transport Authority PAVA Property Assessment and Valuation Agency RBA Royal Bhutan Army RBP Royal Bhutan Police SAR Search and Rescue SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SoP Standard Operating Procedures STP Sewerage Treatment Plant Sq.m Square Meter TSP Thimphu Structure Plan Thromde Tshogde City Council Thimphu Thromde Referred to as Thimphu Municipal Thromde Thuemis City Councillors Thim Throm Thimphu Throm also referred to as Thimphu City UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFCC United Nations Framework on Climate Change UV Urban Village WB World Bank WTP Water Treatment Plant Table of Content ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 1 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT ............................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 RATIONALE AND PURPOSE OF THE SEA FOR THE TSP .................................................................................................. 12 1.3 GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.4 SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTLOOK OF THIMPHU THROM .............................................................. 13 1.5 SUMMARY OF THIMPHU STRUCTURE PLAN 2002-2027 ............................................................................................. 14 1.6 RELEVANCE OF NATIONAL PPPS AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS TO TSP ........................................................ 20 2 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 21 2.1 SCENARIO APPROACH .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2 TEMPORAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................................................... 22 2.3 PROCESS METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................... 23 3 MAPPING AND PRIORITISATION OF THEMATIC ISSUES .................................................................................... 26 3.1 PROJECTION OF ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 3.2 RELEVANCE OF TSP GOALS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOALS .................................................................... 27 3.3 PRIORITISATION OF FOCUS AREAS ..................................................................................................................................... 28 4 ANALYSIS OF THEMATIC ISSUES ............................................................................................................................ 31 4.1 LAND USE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.1 Current baseline .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 4.1.2 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 4.2 NEIGHBOURHOOD NODES ................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.2.1 Current Baseline ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.2.2 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.3 SLOPE ANALYSIS................................................................................................................................................................... 41 4.3.1 Current baseline .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 4.3.2 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 4.4 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................................... 45 4.4.1 Water .............................................................................................................................................................................. 45 4.4.1.1 Current baseline ....................................................................................................................................................................... 45 4.4.1.2 Scenario 1: Population of 160,000 .................................................................................................................................... 47 4.4.1.3 Recommendation..................................................................................................................................................................... 48 4.4.1.4 Scenario 2: Population of 200,000 .................................................................................................................................... 50 4.4.1.5 Recommendation..................................................................................................................................................................... 51 4.4.2 Sewerage........................................................................................................................................................................ 52 1.1.1.1 Current baseline ....................................................................................................................................................................... 52 4.4.2.1 Scenario 1: Population of 160,000 .................................................................................................................................... 53 4.4.2.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................................................... 54 4.4.2.3 Scenario 2: Population of 200,000 .................................................................................................................................... 54 4.4.2.4 Recommendation..................................................................................................................................................................... 55 4.4.3 Storm water drainage .............................................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Strategy for 100% Renewable Energy Supply in Bhutan
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Ritsumeikan Research Repository Strategy for 100% Renewable Energy supply in Bhutan A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of the degree Master of Science: International Corporation Policy From Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies Beppu, Japan By Suberi Hari Kumar Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Faezeh MAHICHI and Prof. Dr. Peter Heck April 2014 Abstract Bhutan's ambitious vision of 100% renewable energy (RE) supply is based on hydropower as the main source of electrical energy supply and it is inevitably linked to the adverse impacts of climate change. As of now, only 5% of the total hydro potential is utilized for electricity generation where 75% of generation is exported to India. Despite the enormous potentials, as Bhutan’s transport fuel requirement is 100% import-dependent, the national renewable energy share currently remains at 60%. In addressing this challenge, this study aimed to identify alternative renewable energy supplies and their potentials for Bhutan’s 100% RE vision. The qualitative analysis carried out on the available RE sources indicates that Bhutan has about 50 GW of solar energy potential and 4 GW of wind potential in addition to the existing untapped 30 GW hydro energy potential for electrical energy generation. Additionally, biomass from cattle waste is also suitable for rural cooking energy demand. Combined potential of these RE sources have the capacity to mitigate adverse impact of climate change. While Bhutan has achieved 34% renewable electricity supply, this study aimed to find substitutes for transport fuel and coal employing clean renewable electricity leading to a 100% renewable energy supply.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Energy Royal Government of Bhutan
    Department of Energy Royal Government of Bhutan Dagachhu Hydropower Project Environmental Assessment (EA) Report July 2006 Section I - Main Report Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) Consultants in Engineering, Natural Resources and Environmental Management Changlam Plaza, Room No 56, Chang Lam, P.O. Box 955 Thimphu, Bhutan Telephone: +975 1760 - 1111, Fax: +975 2 326594 E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected] Table of Content ACRONYMS................................................................................................................................................................I BHUTANESE TERMS..............................................................................................................................................II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................................................................... III 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Objectives of the Project .............................................................................................................................. 2
    [Show full text]
  • Cover 14-2 Edit.Indd
    2 POWER SECTOR PROSPECTS AND POLICIES OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN BHUTAN Received: 2 April 2019 Kezang Lhazom1 and Prapita Thanarak1* Revised: 22 April 2019 1 Accepted: 4 September 2019 School of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Bhutan’s electricity access rate has increased from 61 percent in 2006 to 100 percent in 2016, ahead of the country’s initial 2020 goal. On-grid hydropower is Bhutan’s main energy source and the main driver behind its rapid expansion of electricity access. The country’s mountainous terrain makes grid extension difficult in the remote rural areas where around 4,000 households are located. In order to explore the prospects and policies of the power sector in Bhutan, this paper discusses the responsibility organizations, electricity demand, and supply, laws, and policies as well as the power sector development strategy in Bhutan. The interview data was from related organizations. The secondary was collected from relevant government and public agencies and published reports. As a result, the government has made off-grid renewable energy projects a significant development effort under the nation’s five-year plans, providing around 2,000 rural households with solar home systems and repairing an additional 1,000. Related donor-assisted grant projects have filled the rest of the country’s electricity gap. Although the government of Bhutan achieved the remarkable feat of 100 percent electricity access, it lacks the resources and workforce to sustain these projects on its own. The country’s mountainous terrain makes remote areas difficult for government workers to access.
    [Show full text]
  • SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY in THIMPHU, BHUTAN a Feasibility Study Using TRNSYS Modeling Peter Bennewitz & Johan Persson
    SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY IN THIMPHU, BHUTAN A feasibility study using TRNSYS modeling Peter Bennewitz & Johan Persson Master Thesis in Energy and Building Design Faculty of Engineering | Lund University Abstract Bhutan is one of the highest per capita users of firewood in the world. Firewood and electricity are the most common methods for heating in Bhutan and both methods suffer from drawbacks. Bhutan’s capitol, Thimphu, lies some 2500 meters above sea level and has cold winters with clear skies. These facts are the base for this report’s investigation of the potential to use solar thermal energy to mitigate the use of firewood and electricity for heating. Fieldwork and interviews were carried out in areas in and around Thimphu. Two models were made; one for a typical rural house, heated with firewood, and one for a typical urban apartment complex, heated with electricity. The rural house was modeled as a two story building with one family living on each floor. The urban apartment complex was modeled as a four story building with four apartments on each floor for a total of 16 families living in the building. These models were input into the simulation program TRNSYS. A solar thermal system was optimized for each house based on performance while trying to keep the system as small as possible. The effects of this system on the comfort and energy consumption in the rural and urban model were noted. In the rural case a solar thermal system with a solar collector area of 15 m2 and a tank volume of 0.65 m3 decreased the firewood usage over a year with 50 % while increasing the comfort level.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioenergy Needs Assessment Study in Bhutan
    Bioenergy Needs Assessment Stu d y in Bh u ta n – Sta tu s, Issues, Concerns and Opportunities Fe b ru a ry 04, 2011 Report submitted to Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Th i m p h u , Bh u t a n . Prepared by Sonam Tobgay Founder/ Principal Consultant Thimphu Consultants International Ltd. Tel.975-02-324949/17119900 Email: [email protected] ii ExecutiveSummary The report outlines a need assessment re se a rc h st u d y o n t h e st a t u s, issu e s, priorities, constraints and opportunities of bioenergy development prospects in Bhutan. The study is funded as part of th e regional research initiative under the Technical Cooperation Program Facility undertaken by United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Office for Asia and Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. Similar research studies are ca rried out in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The research describes the potentials of bioenergy sources, policies, gaps, and utilization options by strengthening the technical understanding and interrelationship between bioenergy usage and food se c u rit y o b je c t iv e s in Bh u t a n . Su b se q uently, the study provides baseline informa tion on existing b ioenerg y sc ena rio in terms of p olic ies, institutions, availability of bioenergy resources and investment viability options for enterprise development in the country. Chapter 1 offers a quick overview on the definition and rationale of bioenergy research study in Bhutan and also presents a brief country profile highlighting its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2007
    NOVEMBER 2007 Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2007 National Statistics Bureau Royal Government of Bhutan TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword….......................................………………………………………..…………............................................... i Notes for users………………………………………………………………............................................................... ii Key Facts about Bhutan ………………………………………………..……...…………………................................ iv Bhutan……………………………………………………………..………………………………………………….. v CHAPTER 1: POPULATION 1-2 TABLE 1.1: Projected population (numbers) by sex, Bhutan 2005-2030…………………………………………… 3 1.2: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex,Bhutan 2005 - 2006………………………… 4 1.3: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2007 - 2008………………………… 4 1.4: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2009 - 2010………………………… 5 1.5: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2011 - 2012………………………… 5 1.6: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2013 - 2014………………………… 6 1.7: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex,Bhutan 2015 - 2016………………………… 6 1.8: Projected populatin (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2017 - 2018…………………………… 7 1.9: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2019 - 2020………………………… 7 1.10: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan2021 - 2022………………………… 8 1.11: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex,Bhutan 2023 - 2024………………………… 8 1.12: Projected population (numbers) by age group and sex, Bhutan 2025
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Energy in Bhutan: Opportunities for Energy Efficiency
    ARTICLE Sustainable Energy in Bhutan: Opportunities for Energy Efficiency SHERAB JAMTSHO1 Abstract: In terms of Bhutan’s energy trade, while the country exports clean energy, the country imports fossil fuels. On the demand side, transport and industry sectors are the major consumers of energy in Bhutan constituting together more than 80 per cent of the total energy consumed in the country. On a seasonal basis, power generation in the summer months is more than four times the winter generation, whereas the power demanded is the maximum during the winter. There is also a gradual increase in annual domestic power demand in the recent years, necessitating import of power from India during the lean season. The paper first presents the gaps in the energy situation of Bhutan and then identifies the energy efficiency saving potentials in the transport, industry, and buildings sector. The objective is to identify areas and suggests measures where energy savings can be achieved through regulatory, financial, and technical approaches. Introduction Bhutan’s climate is distinguished by warm and wet summers, and dry and cold winters. Most of the precipitation in Bhutan is received during the summer months. With no peaking power plants or reservoirs, power generation in Bhutan is mostly dependent on the seasonality of the river flow. Although Bhutan’s electricity generation capacity is to the tune of 1,500 MW, the generation in winter drops down to as low as 300 MW due to low flow in all of the rivers (DGPC 2013). Winter is also the time during which most parts of Bhutan need more power for heating purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Review of National Energy Policies and Programmes in Bhutan Improving Gender-Inclusive Access to Clean and Renewable Energy in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka
    Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan Improving gender-inclusive access to clean and renewable energy in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan ADB GRANT-9158 REG ETC project number 129019 June 2015 ii Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan Improving gender-inclusive access to clean and renewable energy in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka iii Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan iv Gender review of national energy policies and programmes in Bhutan Preface The Improving Gender-Inclusive Access to Clean and Renewable Energy in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka is Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported project (JFPR Grant-9158 REG). The project aims to increase rural poor women's access to affordable and reliable clean energy sources and technologies in selected project sites in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This is a report of a gender review of the energy sector policies and programmes undertaken in Bhutan, as part of the Project. It assesses the gender inclusiveness of the energy sector at three levels: policy, programmes and organizations. The gender review in Bhutan was undertaken by Tshering Choden, supported by Soma Dutta and Tshering Phuntsho. The report was reviewed by Sheila Oparaocha, Govind Kelkar and the Department of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs. The team acknowledges the support from the Department of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Bhutan Power Corporation, the community of Zhemgang and other organizations and individuals consulted.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector
    Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector Department of Renewable Energy Ministry of Economic Affairs Royal Government of Bhutan December 2015 Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector This report is a part of the studies conducted for the formulation of the draft Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The studies were conducted by Ernst and Young LLP, India as part of the Energy Plus Program:Promoting Clean Energy Development in Bhutan. This project was funded by the Government of Norway and administered by the Asian Development Bank under ADB TA- 8630 BHU: F-003 Energy Efficiency. Disclaimer: This report is intended solely for the purpose of drafting the Bhutan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy. It provides an outline of energy consumption in the Transport Sector. Relevant agencies may use this report as a source of information on Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector in Bhutan. However, professional advice must be sought for making decisions or implementing the recommendations. The Department of Renewable Energy and Ernst & Young LLP accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone using this report. 1 Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector Acknowledgement This report on Energy Efficiency in Transport Sector for Bhutan was initiated by Department of Renewable Energy (DRE), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA), Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) with assistance from Government of Norway and Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Energy Plus Programme. DRE and Ernst & Young LLP (EY) are thankful to ADB for providing the opportunity to conduct this study. DRE, EY and iTrans team express their sincere gratitude to all representatives of Department of Roads under Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Phuentsholing Thromde, Policy and Planning Division under Ministry of Information and Communications, Road Safety & Transport Authority, and Thimphu Thromde for their valuable inputs and support.
    [Show full text]
  • Education in Emergency ADAPTED CURRICULUM & PRIORITIZED CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 4: Classes IX - X May 2020
    Education in Emergency ADAPTED CURRICULUM & PRIORITIZED CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 4: Classes IX - X May 2020 Ministry of Education Royal Education Council Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment 1 Published by @MoE, REC & BCSEA 2020 Acknowledgment This curriculum resource is a joint effort of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Royal Education Council (REC) and the Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) towards facilitating the continuity of learning of our students under the emergency of COVID 19 virus pandemic. This venture would not have materialized without the participation and contribution of various key players in the field of education. We commend the voluntary contribution of teachers from different schools in terms of their professional input in outlining and sequencing of curriculum content and learning objectives. In this hour of emergency, we are thankful to our development partners like UNICEF, HELVETES, Save the Children for their continued support both professionally and financially. The education fraternity remains hopeful that our students gain the optimum benefit from the generous gesture and help us take education to greater heights in realising the national purpose of education. Above all, the wisdom and blessing of the Government has been the impetus, which proved vital in rolling out numerous EiE programs and activities. Without the full support of policy makers and professionals in the country, there is little hope that the EiE outcomes are translated and materialized to fruition. ISBN: …………………….. 2 FOREWORD The detection of the first COVID-19 case on 5th March 2020 resulted in closure of schools and institutes in the proximal zone of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutan Energy Sector
    Evaluation Study Reference Number: SAP BHU 2010-21 Sector Assistance Program Evaluation August 2010 Bhutan: Energy Sector Independent Evaluation Department CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of July 2010) Currency Unit – ngultrum (Nu) Nu1.00 = $0.02126 $1.00 = Nu47.0300 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank ADF – Asian Development Fund BEA – Bhutan Electricity Authority BPC – Bhutan Power Corporation CAPE – country assistance program evaluation CDM – Clean Development Mechanism CDTA – capacity development technical assistance CHPC – Chhukha Hydro Power Corporation COS – country operational strategy CSP – country strategy and program DGPC – Druk Green Power Corporation DoP – Department of Power EIRR – economic internal rate of return FIRR – financial internal rate of return GDP – gross domestic product HPP – hydropower plant IED – Independent Evaluation Department IEM – independent evaluation mission JFPR – Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency NEC – National Environment Commission OCR – ordinary capital resources PCR – project completion report PPAR – project performance audit report PPMS – project performance and monitoring system PPP – public–private partnership RIE – rigorous impact evaluation RRP – report and recommendation of the President SAPE – sector assistance program evaluation SCADA – supervisory control and data acquisition TPAR – technical assistance performance audit report WEIGHTS AND MEASURES GWh – gigawatt-hour km – kilometer kV – kilovolt kVA – kilovolt-ampere kW – kilowatt kWh – kilowatt-hour MW – megawatt NOTES (i) The fiscal year (FY) of the government and its agencies ends on 30 June. FY before a calendar year denotes the year in which the fiscal year ends, e.g., FY2000 ends on 30 June 2000. (ii) In this report, “$” refers to US dollars. (iii) For an explanation of rating descriptions used in ADB evaluation reports, see: ADB.
    [Show full text]
  • The Integrated Master Plan Study for Dzongkhag-Wise Electrification in Bhutan Final Report
    No. The Integrated Master Plan Study for Dzongkhag-wise Electrification in Bhutan Final Report October 2005 Japan International Cooperation Agency Economic Development Department ED JR 05-103 The Integrated Master Plan Study for Dzongkhag-wise Electrification in Bhutan Final Report October 2005 Japan International Cooperation Agency Economic Development Department Preface In response to a request from Kingdom of Bhutan, the Government of Japan decided to conduct The Integrated Master Plan Study for Dzongkhag-wise Electrification in Bhutan and entrusted the study to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA sent a study team led by Mr. Tomoyasu Fukuchi, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. to Bhutan six times from December 2003 to November 2005. The study team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Royal Government of Bhutan and conducted a series of field surveys. After returning to Japan, the study team carried out further studies and compiled the final results in this report. I hope this report will be utilized for contributing to Dzongkhag-wise Electrification of Bhutan and to the promotion of amity between our two countries. I also express my sincere appreciation to the officials concerned of the Royal Government of Bhutan for their close cooperation throughout the study. November 2005 Tadashi IZAWA Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency November 2005 Mr. Tadashi IZAWA Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency Tokyo, Japan Dear Mr. Izawa, Letter of Transmittal We are pleased to submit the Final Report on completion of the Integrated Master Plan Study for Dzongkhag-wise Electrification in Bhutan. The report consolidates the achievements of collaborative work between related organizations in Bhutan and the study team over the past two years.
    [Show full text]