Pakistan Irrigation Department
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SFG3992 Government of Sindh, Pakistan Irrigation Department Public Disclosure Authorized Sindh Barrages Improvement Project - Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernization Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT Public Disclosure Authorized Sindh Irrigation Department Public Disclosure Authorized December 2017 Contents List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................... iii 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP)............................................................. 2 1.3 The Proposed Project for Additional Financing .......................................................... 3 1.4 The Environmental and Social Assessment............................................................... 3 2 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ................................................................ 6 2.1 General ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Applicable National Environmental Policies and Legislation ...................................... 6 2.2.1 National Environmental Policies and Guidelines 6 2.3 Applicable Provincial Environmental Policies and Legislation .................................... 9 2.3.1 EIA Approval Procedure 11 2.4 Environmental Regulatory Authorities...................................................................... 13 2.5 International Treaties and Conventions ................................................................... 14 2.6 World Bank Safeguard Policies ............................................................................... 15 2.6.1 World Bank Environmental and Social Guidelines 18 3 Project Description ........................................................................................................ 19 3.1 Background ............................................................................................................. 19 3.2 Description of the Barrage Structure ....................................................................... 21 3.3 Assessment on Current Condition of Sukkur Barrage .............................................. 23 3.4 Project Objective ..................................................................................................... 23 3.5 Project Components for AF ..................................................................................... 23 3.5.1 Component A: Rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage 23 3.5.2 Component B: Improved Barrage Operation, Improvement 26 3.5.3 Component C: Project Management Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation, and training 26 3.5.4 Component D: Technical studies 26 3.5.5 Component E: Integrated Riverine Management. 26 3.6 Construction Methodology ....................................................................................... 27 3.6.1 Dredging and Dredged Material Management 27 3.6.2 Excavation of Sediments and Excavated Sediments Management 27 3.7 Construction Material and Sources .......................................................................... 29 3.8 Contractors Facilities ............................................................................................... 30 3.9 Construction Equipment .......................................................................................... 31 3.10 Construction Schedule ............................................................................................ 32 3.11 Project Cost............................................................................................................. 32 4 Project Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 34 4.1 No Project alternative .............................................................................................. 34 4.2 Alternative to the Project ......................................................................................... 37 4.3 Alternatives to Flood Management .......................................................................... 37 4.4 Options for Desilting of the Sediments from the Barrage Area ................................. 37 4.5 Alternative Types of Dredging ................................................................................. 38 4.5.1 Dredging Phases and Environmental Impacts 38 4.5.2 Dredger Types and Appropriate Use 38 4.5.3 Dredger Selection 40 4.5.4 Recommended Dredger 41 Sindh Barrages Improvement Project i Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernization 4.5.5 Timing of Dredging Activities 41 4.6 Alternatives to Dredged Material Management ........................................................ 42 4.7 Options for Desilting of Sediments from Right Bank Canals .................................... 42 5 Description of Environment .......................................................................................... 44 5.1 Physical Environment .............................................................................................. 44 5.1.1 Definition of the study area 44 5.1.2 Physiography 44 5.1.3 Climate 45 5.1.4 Geology 48 5.1.5 Soils 48 5.1.6 Seismicity 48 5.1.7 Indus River Flows at Sukkur 48 5.1.8 Floods 50 5.1.9 Climate Change Impacts on Floods 50 5.1.10 Morphology 51 5.1.11 Groundwater 51 5.2 Chemical Environment ............................................................................................ 51 5.2.2 Air Quality 54 5.2.3 Noise Quality 54 5.2.4 Traffic on the barrage 55 5.3 Biological Environment ............................................................................................ 55 5.3.1 Fauna of Indus River Plains 55 5.3.2 Flora 62 5.4 Social and Economic Environment .......................................................................... 66 5.4.1 Overview of the Command Area of Sukkur Barrage 66 5.4.2 Demography 67 5.4.3 Livelihood Sources 68 5.4.4 Agriculture and Livestock 69 5.4.5 Fisheries 70 5.4.6 Social Infrastructure 70 5.4.7 Gender Issues 72 5.4.8 Cultural resources 73 5.4.9 Livelihoods on Middle Bank Island and Shoals 74 6 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ................................................................. 76 6.1 General ................................................................................................................... 76 6.2 Impact Assessment Methodology ............................................................................ 76 6.3 Summary of Assessed Impacts ............................................................................... 78 6.4 Environmental impacts during Construction Stage .................................................. 82 6.4.1 Impact of Dredging on Aquatic and Benthic Habitat 82 6.4.2 Sediment Dispersion from Dredging Activities 83 6.4.3 Impact of In-River Placement of Dredge Material 83 6.4.4 Effluents and Emissions from Dredging Equipment and Associated Vessels 84 6.4.5 Impact of underwater noise levels on dolphin’s vocalization and behaviour 84 6.4.6 Risk of dolphin collision from construction works 85 6.4.7 Impacts from Excavation Activities in the Barrage 85 6.4.8 Impacts from Canal Desilting Activities 86 6.4.9 Risk of entrapment of Dolphins and other Aquatic Fauna in Construction Areas 87 6.4.10 Impacts of Excavated Sediments Placement on Dry River Banks 87 Sindh Barrages Improvement Project ii Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernization 6.4.11 Disposal of replaced mechanical and electrical parts 88 6.4.12 Potential risk of soil and water pollution 88 6.4.13 Noise and air pollution from construction works and traffic 89 6.4.14 Risk of Pollution from Solid Waste and Waste Effluents 89 6.4.15 Impact from Borrow and Quarry Activities 90 6.5 Social Impacts during Construction Stage ............................................................... 90 6.5.1 Land acquisition 90 6.5.2 Impact of canal closures on water needs of the command area 92 6.5.3 Impact of traffic on the Barrage 92 6.5.4 Generation of employment in the project area 92 6.5.5 Increased economic activity in the project area 92 6.5.6 Safety hazards for children and elderly people due to increased traffic 92 6.5.7 Impacts from Influx of Labour 93 6.5.8 Possible cultural conflicts between communities and immigrant workforce and community health impacts 93 6.5.9 Workers health and safety 94 7 Cumulative Impact Assessment ................................................................................... 96 7.1 Objective ................................................................................................................. 96 7.2 Background ............................................................................................................. 96 7.3 Dolphin Habitat Fragmentation ................................................................................ 98 7.3.1 Baseline Conditions and Trend 98 7.3.2 Cumulative Effects 98 7.3.3 Recommendations made in ESA of Guddu Barrage 98 7.3.4 Actions taken by SBIP 99 7.4 Hilsa Migration ...................................................................................................... 101 7.4.1 Baseline Conditions and Trend: 101 7.4.2 Cumulative Impacts: 101 7.4.3 Recommendations made in ESA of Guddu Barrage 101 7.4.4 Actions taken by SBIP 102 8 Environmental and Social