Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Public Disclosure Authorized Monsoon Monitoring Centre Pakistan Meteorological Department Islamabad Public Disclosure Authorized Pakistan Hydro- Meteorological and DRM Services Project March, 2018 Public Disclosure Authorized ESMP Monsoon Monitoring Center Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Executive Summary Over the last two decades Pakistan has made considerable progress in reducing absolute poverty and improving shared prosperity, but most of the population remains poor or vulnerable1.A key dimension of social vulnerability in South Asia is exposure to hydrological and meteorological (hydromet) hazards including storms, floods, and droughts. Being one of the most flood-prone countries in the South Asia Region, Pakistan has suffered a loss of US$18 billion between 2005 and 2014 (US$10.5 billion from the 2010 floods alone), equivalent to around 6 percent of the federal budget. Ranked among 7th on the climate risk index2, the severity of these hazards is likely to be exacerbated due to climate change. Annual average flood damages are projected to increase five-fold by 2030.3 In addition, these extreme weather events create vulnerabilities in major natural asset-based sectors like agriculture, forestry, livestock, food security and water. Agriculture sector being severely exposed to climate and weather-related risks that accounts for 95 percent of total national water use. To maximize the economic value of its relatively scarce water resources, Pakistan needs to greatly improve water management. Climate-resilient development also requires stronger institutions and a higher level of observation, forecasting, and service delivery capacity; these could make a significant contribution to safety, security, and economic well-being.4 Pakistan Hydro-meteorological and DRM Services Project is initiated to strengthen the delivery of reliable and timely hydro-meteorological and disaster risk management services to user departments and communities. Co-financed by the World Bank and Government of Pakistan, the project beneficiaries include people who are at risk from climate, weather and water-related disasters5 and line departments. Establishment Monsoon Monitoring Center is part of greater effort to improve the hydro-meteorological infrastructure. The sub-project will support community level early warning systems for extreme weather-related events such as thunderstorms, floods, and flash floods. An Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared to assess the impacts of the project on environmental and social environment and propose the mitigation measures. This document provides the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the Monsoon Monitoring Centre in consistent with the identified requirement of the ESMF. Description of Sub-Project Establishment of Monsoon Monitoring Center (MMC) is proposed under Component 1.2 E: Expansion and Refurbishment of PMD’s Operational Facilities of Pakistan Meteorological and Climate Services Project. With an aim to upgrade the observation infrastructure, data management systems and forecasting, the proponent for the project is Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). In particular, it will extend the forecasting for flash floods, analysis and service delivery capabilities to provide guidance to agriculture, water resources and irrigation, 1http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/886791468083329310/Pakistan-Country-partnership-strategy-for-the-period- FY2015-19 2 http://germanwatch.org/en 3 http://floods.wri.org/#/country/170/Pakistan 4Upgrading all hydro-meteorological information and early-warning systems in developing countries has been estimated to have the potential to save 23,000 lives annually and provide US$3–30 billion per year in economic benefits—see Hallegatte (2012). “A Cost Effective Solution to Reduce Disaster Losses in Developing Countries: Hydro-meteorological Services, Early Warning, and Evacuation.” Policy Research Working Paper 6058, World Bank, Washington, DC. 5 Over 30 million people have been affected from floods between 2010 and 2014, as per NDMA. Since 1950, around 12,000 people have lost their lives directly as a result of flooding disaster, as per the National Flood Protection Plan IV of the Federal Flood Commission. Draft Report Executive Summary March 2018 Page | 1 ESMP Monsoon Monitoring Center Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project disaster risk management, media, civil aviation, health and energy. The MMC will be built within the existing PMD complex in Islamabad, therefore not requiring any land acquisition. Regulatory Framework Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 applicable for Islamabad along with the NEQS and guidelines for Environmental Social Assessment have been used for the project. In addition applicable municipal laws of Islamabad have also been taken into consideration while formulating this ESMP. World Bank Operational Policy OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment is applicable to this sub-project. Moreover the applicable World Bank Environmental Code of Practices has been referred to in the ESMP to enable environmental protection and social safety. OP 4.12 has been triggered for the overall project but is not relevant for this subproject as there is no land acquisition or displacement is involved. Assessment of Environmental and Social Baselines The proposed Monsoon Monitoring Center will be constructed within the premises of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Sector H8 Islamabad, Pakistan. The sub-project site is facing a graveyard towards the east and residential complex of PMD weswards the building. There are multiple office complexes parallel to the building. The environmental baseline of the project location and surroundings has been collected using field surveys and literature review. The sub-project site is entirely surrounded by built-up area including offices and educational institutes in Islamabad. Assessment of baseline reveals the noise levels, air quality and ground water quality of the sub-project site is well within the limits defined by NEQS and World Bank OHS guidelines. The topography is plain with no land features that may suffer impacts of construction. Islamabad has distinct seasons marked by wide variation in temperature with hot summers and cold winters. Summer lasts from May to October with mean maximum and minimum temperature of 40 oC and 24 oC. Winter season is from November to March with mean maximum and minimum temperature of 17.7 o C and 2.6 o C. One of the sub-tributaries of Nullah Lai and Saidpur Kas passes 500 meters east of the sub- project site at the PMD, originating from the Margalla Hills and falling into the Nullah Lai just upstream from Katarian Bridge on I.J.P Road which is at a distance 3.5 km from PMD project site. The sub-project site falls under Seismic Zone-3 prone to moderate to severe damage from earthquakes. Therefore, structural design mitigations will follow the building codes with seismic provisions specific to Zone 3. There are no endangered species of flora and fauna encountered in the sub-project site and surroundings. The most noticeable vegetative cover in the proximity of the project site is Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP). Maragalla Hills are at a distance of 5 kilometers north whereas Shakarparian is 800 meters east of project site. The Buffer zone between Shakarparian and the sub-project site is Islamabad Expressway which is a busy road and does not encounter animals from MHNP. According to the 2017 population census, the population of Islamabad is approximately 2 million with a literacy rate of Islamabad is 87%. The sub-project site is surrounded by a number of educational institutions that include Beaconhouse School, Saint Gabrial School, Preston University and City School. A network of government hospitals and basic health units is operational in Islamabad, with better functioning than other areas of the country. The nearest heath care facility to the sub-project site is the private Shifa International Hospital that can be reached in 2 minutes in case of emergency. A grave yard is present at a distance of 200 meters east of sub-project site. Stakeholder Consultations and Disclosure Draft Report Executive Summary March 2018 Page | 2 ESMP Monsoon Monitoring Center Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Consultations were carried out with primary stakeholder within the vicinity of the sub-project site and with PMD. The stakeholders expressed their satisfaction on compliance with environmental and social safeguards during recent Weather Surveillance Radar tower construction by JICA through PMD. The major concerns raised were regarding emissions, noise, waste and increase in traffic congestion from the construction site. There was also a concern about the movement of heavy vehicles at times when students from nearby educational institutes are entering or exiting their schools. In order to address the concerns, a Traffic and Noise Management Plan along with solid waste and emission controls is proposed in the mitigation measures. A third party testing of air and water and noise in compliance with NEQS and World Bank OHS requirements is also made part of the mitigation measures. Overall stakeholders provided a positive feedback in support of the project. Impact Assessment and Mitigation Detailed assessment of potential impacts associated with the sub-project on environmental and social receptors was carried out for design,