Environmental Assessment Document
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Draft Initial Environmental Examination November 2011 IND: Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism — Project 2: Tamil Nadu Prepared by the Government of Tamil Nadu for the Asian Development Bank. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 15 September 2011) Currency unit – Rupee (INR) INR1.00 = $0.02098 $1.00 = INR 47.65 ABBREVIATIONS ADB - Asian Development Bank CPCB - Central Pollution Control Board CRZ - Coastal Regulation Zone DoT - Department of Tourism DSC - Design and Supervision Consultants EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EMP - Environmental Management Plan IEE - Initial Environmental Examination PIU - Project Implementation Unit PMU - Project Management Unit RCC - Reinforced cement concrete ROW - Right-of-way SPS - Safeguard Policy Statement TA - Technical Assistance TTDC - Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ha – hectare km – kilometer m – meter mm – millimeter NOTES (i) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. (ii) ―INR‖ and ―Rs‖ refer to Indian rupees This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page I. INTRODUCTION 1 A. Background 1 B. Purpose of the IEE 1 C. Environmental Regulatory Compliance 2 D. Report Structure 5 II. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT COMPONENTS 5 A. Components of the Subproject 5 B. Implementation Schedule 8 III. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 8 A. Environmental Profile – Tamil Nadu 8 B. Environmental Profile – Component Specific 13 IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 19 A. Location Impacts 19 B. Design Impacts and Pre-Construction Impacts 20 C. Construction Impacts 20 D. Operation and Maintenance Impacts 20 E. Cumulative Impact Assessment 21 F. Package Specific EMPs 22 V. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 40 A. Institutional Arrangements 40 B. Environmental Monitoring Plan 43 C. Capacity Building 44 D. Environmental Budget 46 E. Environmental Monitoring and Reporting 47 VI. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 48 A. Process for Consultation followed 48 B. Plan for Continued Public Participation 49 C. Grievance Redress Mechanism 49 VII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 50 VIII. CONCLUSIONS 51 1 APPENDIXES: 1. Contract Clauses to be Integrated into Bid Documents 53 2. Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist 57 3. Environmental Management Plan Template 60 4. Environmental Monitoring Format 79 5. Sample Grievance Registration Form 80 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. The India Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism (the Investment Program) envisages environmentally and culturally sustainable and socially inclusive tourism development in the project states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, delivered through a multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) modality. Project 2 includes the states of Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu. 2. This Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) assesses Project 2 subprojects for the state of Tamil Nadu. The IEE was based on a careful review of subproject site plans and reports; defined management plans (e.g., coastal regulation zones notified areas temple development plans); field visits, and secondary data to characterize the environment and identify potential impacts; and interviews and discussions with stakeholders. An environmental management plan (EMP) outlining the specific environmental measures to be adhered to during implementation of the subproject has been prepared. Subprojects will provide needed environmental and tourist infrastructure to improve the environmental management and quality of the sites towards preserving their ecological and cultural integrity. The subproject will conform to all Government regulations, policies, and standards, as well as Asian Development Bank‘s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). 3. The selection of components are consistent with the subproject selection criteria outlined in the Environmental Assessment and Review Framework (EARF) aimed at enhancing protection of these sites and enhancing their environmental quality. Subprojects are consistent with defined management plans designed to protect environmentally sensitive and cultural locations. Management plans guided subproject design and location, therefore, all proposed facilities in natural areas are located outside sensitive areas and sited in designated tourist development zones (as per Pichavaram mangrove management plan prepared by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department) and located away from sensitive habitats. 4. The project design incorporates the views of primary and secondary stakeholders including local communities and local officials who were all meaningfully consulted during IEE and project preparation. 5. The Project 2 includes additional environmental awareness-building to raise conservation values consistent with management plans and Tamil Nadu‘s environmental and tourism policies (which emphasize ecotourism) amongst local communities and local governments in order to ensure future sustainable development in and around these locations. 6. The environmental impacts of the project are therefore not significant and at Category B level, as per ADB's Safeguards Policy Statement. The specific measures stated in the EMP will address all adverse environmental impacts due to the subproject. Impacts are readily mitigated through careful siting, specific selection criteria for procuring contractors with demonstrated experience; execution of proven mitigation measures during the design; and adoption of good engineering practices during construction and implementation. A detailed monitoring plan prepared as part of this IEE will further mitigate negative environmental impacts during implementation. 7. Potential induced impacts are addressed through the following: (i) awareness-building of local management plans at proposed sites specifically addressing the need to regulate tourism related development and planning in the area through coordination with related government departments and local land use committees; and (ii) project-supported environmental ii awareness campaigns in surrounding communities to encourage participatory sustainable development consistent with eco-tourism principles and in compliance with the state's tourism policy ecotourism aspects. 8. The Investment Program includes upfront and ongoing supervision and training assistance for environmental monitoring reporting in project management structures. The effective implementation of the measures proposed will be ensured through the building up of capacity towards environmental management within the project management unit (PMU) supplemented with the technical expertise of a Safeguards Specialist as part of the Design Supervision Consultants (DSC) and Project Management Consultants (PMC). Further, the environmental monitoring plans provide adequate opportunities towards course correction to address any residual impacts during construction or operation stages. 9. Category B is proposed for this subproject for the following reasons: (i) No significant impacts are expected as subprojects are characterized by small- scale improvements (e.g., picnic areas, toilet facilities, rehabilitation of tourist welcome/info centers, etc.) which will improve environmental management and quality of infrastructure at tourist destinations. (ii) No natural or critical habitats or sensitive ecological areas will be impacted. (iii) Subprojects do not endanger heritage or archaeological resources, and further precautions taken under the Project include: (i) State Archaeological Department to review/clear all designs and supervise all works for the one state-level heritage site; (ii) heritage and conservation specialists of the consultant teams to do the same; (iii) State Archaeological Department-certified contractors with proven track record for working in heritage sites to be selected; and (iv) chance find procedures incorporated into the EMP further ensure that impacts are avoided. (iv) All subprojects were prepared in consultation with primary and secondary stakeholders where no objections were raised and inputs were incorporated into project designs. (v) The Project makes special provisions for environmental training and education to promote biodiversity conservation through participatory approaches with local communities. (vi) Induced impacts are addressed through the Project by supporting the implementation of management plans and state eco-tourism policies which support low- impact site and regional development. The state Forest Departments and Tourism Departments oversee these plans and policies. The Project‘s capacity building component works at two levels: (i) strengthening the capacity of state government implementing agencies at both their headquarters and branch divisions to implement these plans; and (ii) raising awareness and capacity to implement these plans at the community level targeting NGOs, community based organizations, and local government bodies. Capacity building will emphasize coordinated efforts amongst these different level stakeholders and will include joint activities to build partnerships. (vii) Induced impacts are also