E1473 VOL. 3 Environmental Assessment -3^J4U1uch 2Aiin9- iT;. shiiingl.2. 2 } ~A'rIi-gdue Phod--r1c3 (Technical & Financial support from SNV-Bhutan) Public Disclosure Authorized Rural Access Project (RAP II) (For World Bank Financing) Department of Roads, MOWHS Thimphu: Bhutan May, 2006 Final Report Public Disclosure Authorized
jll Public Disclosure Authorized
Bhu tan Consultants &Research Public Disclosure Authorized (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 - 111 1, Fax: +975 2 326594 E-Mail: kiimba(adruknet.bt, bhucoretWDdruknet.bt I Table of Content
Abbreviasti andons Acronyms ...... i Glossary ...... ii Executive Summary ...... iii-viii
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ...... 2 1.3 THE PROPOSED ROAD PROJECT ...... 2 1.4 NEED OF EA STUDY ...... 2 1.5 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE OF EA STUDIES ...... 3...... 3 1.6 METHODOLOGY ADOPTED ...... 3 1.61 Desk Study ...... 3 1.6.2 Field Work ...... 4 1. 6.3 Public Consultation...... 4 1.6.4 Interpretation,Analysis, and Preparationof EA Report ...... 5 1. 6.5 Study Team and Duration ...... 5
2 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ...... 6
2.1 THE PROPOSED PROJECT ...... 6 2.2 TYPE OF ROAD ...... 6 2.3 PROJECT STATUS ...... 8 2.4 PROJECT ACTIVITIES ...... 8 2.5 RESOURCES REQUIRED ...... 9 2.6 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY ...... 9 2.7 MAINTENANCE APPROACHES ...... 9 2.8 INSTITUTIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECT ...... 10 2.9 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ROAD ALIGNMENT ...... 10 2.10 PROJECT DURATION...... 11
3 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS ...... 13
3.1 GENERAL...... 13 3.2 PROJECT ALTERNATIVE ...... 13 3.3 ALTERNATE ALIGNMENT ...... 13 3.3.1 Alignment I ...... 13 3.3.2 Alignment 24...... 14 3.3.3 Comparison ofAlignment Options ...... 14 3.4 Do NOTHING ALTERNATIVES ...... 15 3.5 RECOMMENDATION OF SUITABLE ALIGNMENT ...... 15
4 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE INFORMATION ...... 17
4.1 PHYSICALENvIRONMENT ...... 17 4.11 Topography ...... 17 4.1.2 Geology and Soil ...... 17 4.1.2.1 General ...... 17 4.1.2.2 Description of Project Area Geology ...... 17 4.1.3 Unstable Area ...... 18 4.1.4 Land Use ...... 19 4.1.5 Water Resources ...... 21 4.1.6 Climate ...... 21 4.1.7 Ambient Air and Noise ...... 21 4.1.8 Water Quality ...... 22 4.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 22 4.2.1 Vegetation Type in the ProjectArea ...... 22 4.2.2 Forest Management along the Road Corridors...... 23 4.2.3 Non-timber Forest Products...... 25 4.2.4 ProtectedArea ...... 25 4.2.5 Rare and EndangeredFloral Species ...... 25 4.2.6 Fauna...... 25 4.2.6.1 Mammal ...... 25 4.2.6.2 Bid...... 26 4.2.7 Rare and Endangered Wildlife ...... 27 4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 29 4.3.1 Population, Occupations, and MigrationStatus ...... 29 4.3.2 Agriculture System ...... 29 4.3.3 Community Infrastructure...... 29 4.3.4 Places of Religious and CulturalImportance ...... 30 4.3.5 Places for Development Potentials ...... 30
5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IDENTIFICATION, PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT ...... 31
5.1 GENERAL ...... 31 5.2 BENEFICIAL IMPACTS ...... 32 5.2.1 Construction Phase ...... 32 5.2.1.1 Employment Opportunities and Increase of Income ...... 32 5.2.1.2 Trade and Business ...... 32 5.2.1.3 De reaseRural -inUrban Migration ...... 33 5.2.2 Operation Phase ...... 33 5.2.2.1 Increase in Land value ...... 33 5.2.2.2 Increase in Agriculture Production ...... 33 5.2.2.3 Promotion of Small Scale Industries ...... 33 5.2.2.4 Improvement in Accessibility and Saving of Transport Cost ...... 34 5.2.2.5 Enhancement of Social Services ...... 34 5.2.2.6 Women Empowerment ...... 34 5.3 ADVERSE IMPACTS ...... 34 5.3.1 ConstructionPhase ...... 34 5.3.1.1 Physical Environment ...... 34 5.3.1.2 Biological Environment ...... 38 5.3.1.3 Socio-economic and Cultural E n v iro n m e n t 4040...... 5.3.2 Operation Phase ...... 41
6 MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 43 6.1 GENERAL ...... 43 6.2 PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...... 43 6.2.1 Route Selection ...... 43 6.2.2 Detailed Survey and Design ...... 43 6.2.3 Incorporation of Mitigation Measures in Cost Estimate ...... 44 6.2.4 Incorporation of Mitigation Measures and EMP in Bid Document ...... 44 6.3 CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...... 44 6.3.1 Physical Environment ...... 44 6.3.1.1 Earthwork and Safe Disposal of spoil ...... 44 6.3.1.2 Slope Instability and Erosion ...... 45 6.3.1.3 Quarrying and Establishment of Stockpile Yards ...... 47 6.3.1.4 Use of Blasting Materials ...... 47 6.3.1.5 Selection of Batching Plant and Crusher ...... 48 6.3.1.6 Construction of Sub-grade and Gravelling ...... 48 6.3.1.7 Disruption of Community Infrastructures ...... 48 6.3.1.8 Drainage and Cross Drainage Works ...... 49 6.3.1.9 Loss of Cultivated Land ...... 49 6.3.2 Biological Environment ...... 49 6.3.2.1 Impacts due to Site Clearance ...... 49 6.3.2.2 Use of Forest Product ...... 50 6.3.2.3 Degradation of Forest and Habitat ...... 50 6.3.2.4 CompensatoryPlantation...... 51 6.3.2.5 Protection of Wildlife ...... 51 6.3.2.6 Control Illegal Hunting...... 53 6.3.3 Socio-economic and CulturalEnvironment ...... 53 6.3.3.1 Location and Establishment of Construction Camps ...... 53 6.3.3.2 Occupational Health and Safety...... 53 6.3.3.3 Sanitation and Waste Management Facilities in construction camp ...... 53 6.3.3.4 Religious and Cultural Sites...... 53 6.4 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHASE ...... 54 64.1 Slope Instability and Erosion...... 54 64.2 Air, Noise and Water Pollution...... 54 64.3 Accidents ...... 54 6.4.4 Ribbon Settlement Along the Road ...... 54 6.4.5 Depletion ofForestResources...... 55 6.4.6 Maintenance of Road and other Related Infrastructures ...... 55 6.5 INSTITUTIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 55
7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 56
7.1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 56 7.2 TYPE OF MONITORING...... 56 7.2.1 Pre-constructionPhase ...... 56 7.2.2 ConstructionPhase ...... 56 7.2.3 OperationPhase ...... 57 7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING INDICATORS AND SCHEDULES ...... 57 7.3.1 Compliance Monitoring ...... 57 7.3.2 Impact Monitoring ...... 58
8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 60
8.1 CONCLUSIONS ...... 60 8.2 REcOMMENDATIONS...... 60 8.3 THE WAYFoRWARD...... 60
R EF E ...... R E N C E S 62 Appendices Appendix 1- Terms of Reference Appendix 2- Detail Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Appendix 3 - Public Consultations Appendix 4- No objection Certificates Appendix 5- List of Floral Species found in the project area Appendix 6 - List of Faunal Species found in the project area Appendix 7- List of Protected Species of Bhutan Appendix 8 - List of Officials Met Appendix 9 - Environmental Clearance for 8 km section of the Jangchucholing - Tashidingkhag road Acronyms
Acronyms
ADT Average Daily Traffic CA Competent Authority DoFS Department of Forestry Services DoR Department of Roads DYT Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogdu DFO Divisional Forest Officer EA Environmental Assessment EAA Environmental Assessment Act, 2000 EC Environmental Clearance ECOP Environmental Codes of Practice EFRC Environment Friendly Road Construction FNCA Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 FNCR Forest and Nature Conservation Rules, 2000 FYP Five Year Plan GYT Geog Yargye Tshogchung JDNP Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park JSNP Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park (Previously called Black Mountain National Park) MoA Ministry of Agriculture NEC National Environment Commission NECS National Environment Commission Secretariat Nu Ngultrum OHS Occupational Health & Safety RECOP Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002 RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan RNR Renewable Natural Resources WB World Bank
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) Glossary
Glossary
Dzongkhag District
Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogdu District Development Committee
Geog Administrative block
Geog Yargye Tshogchung Block Development Committee
Gup Elected head of a geog
Ngultrum Bhutanese currency, pegged to Indian Rupee
Sokshing Forest registered in a household's name for collection of leaf litter for use in farm yard manure
Kamzhing Dry land agriculture
Tsamdo Land over which a community or household has customary grazing rights
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Name and Location of Project and Project Proponent
Name of Project: Jangchucholing- Tashidingkho Road, Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan Name and Address of Proponent: Rural Access Project Department of Roads Ministry of Works and Human Settlement Royal Government of Bhutan Thimphu, Bhutan Telephone- 327451
After the encouraging experience of the Rural Access Project I (RAPI) with the financial support of the World Bank, the Department of Roads is planning to undertake the implementation of Rural Access Project 11as follow up/next credit of the World Bank. The Environmental Friendly Road Construction (EFRC) technique was adopted under RAP I to minimize the environmental degradation during construction and subsequent operation with the financial and technical support of SNV Bhutan. RAP I project is expected to be completed in June 2006. Prior to the completion of RAP 1, the department of Roads (DOR) is making preparatory works of RAP 11,which is to be implemented soon after the completion of RAPI. The Jangchucholing-Tashidingkha Feeder Road Project is one of the sub-projects to be implemented under RAP 11.The survey, design and cost estimation of this sub-project is currently underway. The total length of this sub- project is 14.3 kilometer. The proposed road starts from Jangchucholing and passes through Ridang Goenpa, Yusangang, Peljorling, and finally ends at Tashidhingkha. The estimated populations to be benefited by this road project include 1602 living in 178 households. The proposed road is planned to be developed as feeder road category having 5.1 meter formation width with gravel surface and necessary structures such as retaining wall, culverts, slope protection works, and other water management structures. The construction of the road will also adopt the EFRC technology. Out of total 14.3 kilometer, the construction has already been initiated in initial stretches with the utilization of Royal Government Bhutan's internal funding. Almost all earthwork and partial gravelling has been accomplished up to the length of 8.0 km. However, the structures and bio-engineering works in this initial stretches is still remained. The longitudinal gradient of the proposed road project varies from 0 to 10%.
In accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act 2000, and Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Project (2002), all the road project of feeder road category must go through Environmental Assessment (EA) level studies to obtain development permits or public financing prior to the implementation of project. The proposed project falls under this category and the Department of Roads is carrying out EA studies through domestic consultants. However, during the course of EA study and project planning, no objection certificates from relevant stakeholders have been obtained and will be submitted together with EA report for necessary approval and clearance by National Environment Commission (NEC).
The alignment of proposed road sub-project has been finalized after rigorous studies of alternative alignment. During this exercise, two alternatives were assessed. Based on the analysis, the proposed alignment has been finalized in terms of social benefits covering large number of households for connectivity, physical environment in terms of slope stability, less possibility of disruption of road services due to snowfall, suitable gradient for alignment, and less impacts on biological environment in terms of removal of less number of trees and less destruction of other forest resources. The comparison of both the alignments is presented in section 3.3.3 of this main report.
The summary of potential environmental adverse impacts due to the implementation of the proposed project is presented in table E.1.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) iii Executive Summary
Table El: Potential Environmental Impacts
Likely Impacts Environmental Impacts Significance Nature Magnitude Extent Duration Construction Phase Impact due to Earthwork Excavation and Disposal Direct Medium Site Specific Short Term Significant
Impact due to Operation of Quarry Sites Direct Medium Site Specific Short Term Insignificant
Impact due to Change in Land Use Direct Low Site Specific Long Term Insignificant ( Forest land - 3.96 ha, Agricultural Land -1.1 ha, Sokshing- 0.48 ha ) Impact on Water Resources Direct High Local Long Term Insignificant Damage on irrigation System, Water supply System, and river water quality degradation Slope Instability and Erosion Indirect Medium Site Specific Medium Insignificant Term Air and Noise Pollution Direct Low Local Short Term Insignificant Impact due to use of blasting materials Direct Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Water Pollution Direct Low Local Short Term Insignificant Loss of Forest Direct Medium Local Long Term Significant (6,147.79 m3) Pressure on Forest Product Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Disturbances on Wildlife Indirect Low Local Short Term Insignificant Rare and Endangered Species Indirect Low Local Short Term Insignificant Pressure on Social Service and Facilities Indirect Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Occupational Health and Safety Direct High Site Specific Short Term Insignificant Health and Sanitation In direct Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Impact on Local Culture Indirect Low Local Short Term Operation Stage Soil Stability and Management Direct Medium Site Specific Long Term Insignificant Road Accident Direct Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Air and Noise Pollution Direct Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Water Pollution Indirect Low Local Long Term Insignificant Road Safety Measures Direct High Local Long Term Insignificant Development of Ribbon Settlement Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Depletion of Forest Resources Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Socio-economic and Other Issues Indirect Low Local Medium Insignificant
The mitigation measures suggested to be adopted during the implementation of proposed sub-project is also presented in table E2.
Table E2: Suggested Mitigation Measures
Activitieslissues Mitigation Measures Location A. Pre-construction Stage Selection of Alignment as per Select best among the alternate route in consideration with minimize the adverse impacts and Project Area EA Study maximize the beneficial impacts (Please refer section 3.3.3 and 3.5 of EA main report) Implementation of EA Incorporation of EA recommendation in project planning and design Road Corridor recommendation in project, planning and design Inclusion of Mitigation Measures Incorporation of EA recommendation in Bid Documents and Contract Along the Road in Project Cost, Bid Documents, Corridors and contract Construction Logistics Arrangement of logistics in time including necessary precautions for storage, Construction Camps, sites Land and Properties Acquisition Compensation and rehabilitation to 6 affected households suggested intable 6.2 of EA main report Specific locations (please refer 6.3.1.9 of EA main report
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) iv Executive Summary
Activities/lssues Mitigation Measures |Location B. Construction Stage Site Clearance/removal of * Removal vegetation within 5.1 m formation width only Along the road vegetation Bio-engineering with native plants (Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina arborescens and Salix alignmentSpecific babylonica or Weeping willow) location (8+500 - * Avoid felling matured trees 13+000 km) * Compensatory plantation within road corridors to restore lost habitat * Tree felling shall be done parallel to road alignment * Log barrier/Check dams to be installed to prevent debris from rolling down and damaging the vegetation cover Construction, operation and * Briefing labourers/construction workers on local culture and rules and regulations of kingdom Labour camps to shifting of camps on illegal activities such as felling of trees, fishing and hunting. be constructed * Camps to be placed insecure location and be able to protect inhabitants from rain, excessive nearby takeoff and sunshine and other extreme condition at chainage 7+600 * Providing cooking gas or kerosene to discourage use of scares firewood and 9+000 * Waste disposal facilities such as dustbins and garbage to be provided * Health screening for labourers * Fire fighting equipment to be provided * Separate clean drinking water to be supplied to reduce water use competition and for proper sanitation * Adequate Pit latrines to be constructed at the campsites * Camp areas to cleaned and bare surface be revegetated to restore aesthetic value Management of Harvested Sell/Auction the harvested forest product (timber/fuel wood) if feasible Along Road Forest Product Local should be given opportunity to buy timber at subsidized rural rate Corridor where Trees felled in sokshing area could be given to the owner as compensation for their resources forest is to be lost. cleared (8+000 - 14+300 km) Compensatory Plantation Plantation of tree at least 5 times in Nos. of destruction in suitable area in nearby the project area. Along chainage (Note: RAP could support and fund Dangchu Geog in tree plantation specially on 2nd June social 6+500 - 14+300), forestry Day observed every year on HM Coronation Day) in consultation with communities Change in Land Use * Avoid fertile agricultural land, Road Alignment * provide compensation and rehabilitation to 6 households that falls within the ROW as Chainage (4+500 suggested inTable 6.4, Section 6.3.1.9 of the EA main report - 14+300 km)
Spoil Disposal * using spoils for reclaiming the degraded land in consultation with local community All along the road * No disposal shall allowed inthe areas of fragile slopes, floodways, farmland, forest areas, corridor. Spoil natural drainage path, religious and cultural sites, canal and other infrastructures should be dumped * Dispose spoils in the designated sites at specified * Build many spoil benches for filling disposal area rather than few larger ones to avoid slope disposal site overloading between chainage * Compact spoil benches at every 0.5 mthickness of 6+850 - 7+500 * Site shall be rehabilitated with appropriate bioengineering works and provide proper drainage and 13+000 - 13+200 km Earthwork and Excavation * Selection of proper alignment avoiding unstable and fragile, zone All along road * Slope cutting activities carried out during dry season alignment but * Slope cutting to be limited to 1:1 (details provided in table 6.2 of the EA report) specifically at * Slope cufting to be done with excavators location of * Log barriers/ Check dams to be built to avoid damage of vegetation, properties and injuries unstable zone of to passerby chainages: * Apply appropriate Bioengineering technique such spreading top soil, broadcasting seeds, 0+500 -4+080 grass slips, seedling of local plants such as Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina arborescens, Salix 6+340 - 14+300 babylonica and other appropriate and natively available species. * Gabion retaining walls with geotextiles at valley side e.g. at chainage 2+630 inalready built portion of road (Details provided in Table 6.3 inSection 6.3.1.2 of EA report) Slope Instability and Erosion * Select an appropriate road alignment as recommended by EA & Geological and All along the Geotechnical studies. Inthis case, select alignment I of alignment option 11. chainage. * Cut & fill approach shall be applied as far as possible. The recommended slope gradient for different cut slope height is provided in table 6.2 of EA report. Specifically at * Revegetate cut & fill slopes or exposed areas as soon as possible by using local plant Chainages: species such as Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina arborescens, Salix babylonica and other 0+000 -4+080 appropriate and natively available species 5+020 - 14+300
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) v Executive Summary
Activities/lssues Mitigation Measures Location * Slope cutting to carried out only during dry season * Proper drainage as recommended by Geological and Geotechnical Studies shall be adopted * Adoption of appropriate bioengineering technique along with civil structures such as breast and retaining wall for slope stabilization. (For detail refer 6.3) Quarries, borrow pits and stock * Selection of quarry site away from critical habitat, settlements, cultivated area as far as Specific location pile (Note: As per geological & possible of quarrying and geotechnical study, RAP II, * Separate clearance from DGM is necessary for Quarrying activities stock piling March 2006, there are no * Quarrying operation to be done from crown of the slope and gradually moving down-slope in suitable quarry sites within 14.3 a phased manner Chubachhu km stretch of Jangchucholing - * Provision of appropriate safety gadgets such as gloves, helmets, face masks, ear plugs, Stream Tashidingkha road. However, goggles, safety ropes to be tied around the waist, etc., to workers boulder could be quarried from * Quarrying activities to be carried out during daytime only streambeds of Chubachhu). * Sprinkle water over quarry and stockpiles twice a day to reduce excessive dust generation * Restoration of quarry site and access road using appropriate bioengineering measures (Planting Alnus nepalensis which grows in plenty around Chubachhu). * Top soil shall scrapped and stored in safe place for future reuse in bioengineering application Wild life and its habitat * Road shall be designed as per following criteria: Generally all sites, O With minimum road with of 5.1 m for easier wildlife movement and to discourage from Chainage unwanted vehicular parking which discourages unnecessary interference to 0+000 - 14+300 surrounding forest. km o Cut slope shall be limited to 1:1 o Slope shall be cut in benches and flatten to allow easy wildlife crossing Check dams o Design and constructing speed breaker to reduce vehicle speed to avoid wildlife needed at mortality by accidental or intentionally chainage 8+000 - o Animal crossing signage shall provided (refer figure 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, & 6.5) 13+500, o Application of appropriate bioengineering technique to improve or recreate lost habitat Compensation * Installation of strong log barrier/check dams to prevent debris from rolling downhill and plantation as part damaging the vegetation cover. of bioengineering * No tree felling, collection of firewood or disturbance of vegetation shall be allowed outside work will be along road reserve Road corridor * Felling of Oak trees shall be strictly prohibited as it is one of the main sources of food for especially from Himalayan Black Bear. 8+300 -13+500 * No labour/construction camps, crushing/batching plants siting shall be allowed within the habitat area between Peljorling - Tashidingkha village * Only Acconex shall be used along the sensitive or critical habitat are to reduce disturbance to wildlife * No spoil shall be dumped inthe habitat area except at designated site provided (refer table 6.1 of EA report) * No fire shall be permitted and fire break shall be implemented to prevent fire outbreak. Fire fighting equipment shall be made available to prevent any accidental fire harzard. * Contractor/Construction Supervisor will ensure the maintenance of permissible noise to reduce disturbances to wildlife * Contractor/Construction Supervisor will be responsible for controlling illegal activities by the construction workers * Contractor shall install check point to prevent illegal logging during construction period inthe name of the project * Awareness campaign on forest rules and regulations will be conducted for labourers and project officials by the project incoordination with DFO along with Local Forest Beat Office to discourage & prevent unlawful act. * Forest Beat Officer will make a surprise visit to the camp sites and other work areas to discourage the workers and others from illegal hunting and indiscriminate tree fellings. Handling and Use of Blasting * Transportation, handling and storage of explosive should follow the prevailing rules Road Chainage Materials (Explosive rules of the Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs), 10+100 and * Store explosive insteel container, which are fire and theft proof, 11+900 km where * Do not store gelatin, detonators, and cortex, together, rock cutting by * Dispose waste safely by burying them in5-8 feet deep pits, blasting materials * Adopt controlled blasting practice with limited charge where possible, is required. * Use Acconex near habitation and protected areas, * Make provision of well equipped first aid kits, health facilities, and fire fighting equipment on construction site,
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) vi Executive Summary
Activities/lssues Mitigation Measures Location Allow only trained or certified blasters to carry out all blasting activities, * Maintain coordination with Wangdue Dzongkhag administration, police, and Gup of Dangchu Geog on schedule of blasting to ensure that nearby community people are informed, C Use appropriate warning signals by using whistles, flags, megaphone to ensure safety of traveling vehicle and people, * Adopt OHS ( provision of helmets, gloves, masks, etc), * Conduct blasting exercise during day time Disruption of Drainage System 0 provide adequate numbers of drainage structures in order to have minimum interference with Along the road and impact on natural drainage pattern of the area, alignment 0+000 * Construct side drains, lined drain to tap excessive water and dispose of to natural drain, - 14+300 a Planting of fast growing plant species Alnus nepalensis, with high water absorptive capacity in marshy area to lower the water table and reduce surface drain, avoid surface water discharge into farmland or risky locations, Disruption of Community a Adapt side drain as irrigation channel and provide four hume piped crossing along the road Chainage Infrastructures crossing Irrigation at 0 Avoid indigenous spring water source of community and provide retaining wall to protect it 4+200, Spring at * Provide temporary/alternative arrangement foot and mule tracks 9+024km, foot * Restore all disturbed infrastructures to the condition before disturbance or improve where trails 6+380, appropriate, 10+820 and others) Road Surfacing/gravelling work Sprinkle water twice a day particularly nearby settlements to control dust pollution, Along the road maintain equipment and vehicles corridors near Ridhang Goenpa, Peljorling & Tashidingkha Air Pollution Adopt mitigation measures as suggested in earthwork excavation, spoil disposal, quarrying and Along the road stock piling corridors Water Quality Adopt mitigation measures as suggested in earthwork excavation, spoil disposal, quarrying and Along the road stock piling corridors, specifically at Chubachhu & Samochhu Noise Pollution Adopt mitigation measures as suggested in earthwork excavation, spoil disposal, quarrying and Along the road stock piling corridors Pressure on Community Make separate water supply arrangement if required Construction Infrastructures Camp site, etc Adoption of Occupational Health Adoption of OHS Construction site and Safety Disruption of Religious and * Road hitting directly holy tree has been realigned but needs protection wall to avoid slope Construction Site Cultural Resources failure (Ruin stupa at m Realigned the road section to avoid hitting the ruin stupa and provide retaining wall to protect 8+040 km and the stupa. religious tree at 7+840 km) C. Operation Stage Slope Instability correct maintenance of the slope protection measures and drainage works should be adopted, Landslide prone minor landslides, erosion, and mass wasting should be immediately cleared and slope restored area with appropriate technology ( preferably bioengineering), promote and support soil conservation activities in the right of way and beyond, organize environmental awareness programmes for local communities, road users, and decision makers. Road Accident Adoption of Road safety measures, road signals to be places, Along the road Development of Ribbon Restriction of development of ribbon settlement through Implementation of Road Act 2004 Along the road Settlement corridors Depletion of Forest Area Protection of forest resources by imposing strict rules Along the road corridors Maintenance of Road Adoption of regular maintenance practices Along the road
In order to implement the mitigation measures, comprehensive Environmental Management Plan covering mitigation measures, responsible person for adoption of mitigation measures, monitoring indicators, monitoring agencies, and frequency of monitoring has been prepared and presented in chapter 7 and Appendix 2.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) vii Executive Summary
The conclusions of the present EA study mainly include: * The Environmental Clearance (EC) for the construction of initial 8 km of the 14.3km long Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road was issued by NEC on 10th November 2004. To date the construction of 8 km road has been partially completed with the internal funding of DOR/RGOB. The remaining 6.3 km road from Peljorling to Tashidingkha along with the completion of initial 8.0 Km stretch will be constructed under the RAP II, which is to be financed by World Bank. This EA report has been prepared for the construction of entire Road length (completion of initial stretch and new construction between chainage 6+300 to 14+300 Km), which requires formal approval from NEC in accordance with RECOP. * Based on the exercise during the course of EA studies, the proposed road sub-project will have no detrimental impacts to physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural resources as the predicted negative impacts could be mitigated through the adoption of an appropriate mitigation measures. * Of the two alignment alternatives, the alternative alignment I is better option as it passes through gentle to moderately inclined slopes and occupying less forest and cultivated areas. Furthermore, the alignment I reduces the travel distance from Geog headquarter to the Wangdue Dzongkhag by almost 20km. * The bridge site at Chubachhu is highly susceptible from flood erosion as it could be completely damaged during monsoon as a result of likely occurrence of flood of large magnitude. This requires careful attention while planning and adopting design parameters. within Biological Corridor connecting Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Jigme Singye * The proposed road falls 2 Wangchuk National Park (previously known as Black Mountain National Park). About 0.05 km of the total area of 876 km2 will be converted to road use. The area required to convert into Road is quite small and it will have insignificant adverse impacts on movement of wildlife. As per the Biodiversity Action Plan of Bhutan 2002, Biological corridors are not strictly protected areas and hence are not included with the Protected Area Network. * The proposed road sub-project does not encounter any historical and cultural heritage sites along its corridor. * About 178 households of 12 villages of Dangchu Geog with an estimated population of 1602 people would directly or indirectly benefit from this sub-project by increasing access to market, education, health facility and other service centers. The construction of this road would reduce the travel time from Geog head quarter to the road head (near Jangchucholing) by almost 4 hours. The proposed project is recommended for implementation by following the specific recommendations: * Considering the emergence of integration of environmental conservation into development process, the proposed project should be designed and implemented in line with the Environmental Friendly Road Construction Technique being adopted in Bhutan, * The mitigation measures suggested should be integrated in planning and design stage of the project in terms of selection or appropriate alignment, incorporation of mitigation measures in detailed engineering design, cost estimate, bid document including technical specification as preventive measures. * As the bridge site at Chubachu need careful planning and adopt suitable design parameter to avoid likely damages from the flood events. * The John Howell's Bio-engineering in Bhutan for Road Sector 1999 should be consulted and used while designing a slope stabilization structures. This guide provides a detail bioengineering methods and techniques including the altitude-wise bioengineering plant species particularly for Bhutanese terrains. As a way forward, the RAP shall carryout the following activities once the detail road design is completed: * During the detailed design, the project will incorporate recommendation made by EA study * The mitigation measures proposed in the EMP shall be included in contract conditions, technical specifications and cost estimations, and Bill of Quantity (BOQ). * The Contractor/Bidder shall prepare site specific EMP as per EFRC/DOR's "Guidelines for Bid Preparation, July 2005" which has to be submitted with the bidding document. * During construction, the contractor, Project officials (RAP at center as well as in Project level) will ensure the implementation of mitigation measures, monitoring activities in specified time as recommended by EMP. In addition, the project officials will facilitate the monitoring process to be carried out by other stakeholders such as communities, MOWHS, NEC.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) viii Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkho Road
1 Introduction j
1.1 General Background
In the past the development was primarily intended to the promotion of economic growth as vehicle for improving well being of human society by ignoring or with little sensitivity to adverse impacts on environment in terms of physical, biological, social and cultural aspects The need to avoid adverse impacts and to ensure long term benefits from the development activities led to the concept of sustainability. This has become accepted as an essential feature of development if the aim of increased well-being and greater equity in fulfilling basic needs is to be met for current and future generations.
Considering the emergence of rapid development of transportation network in sustainable manner, in recent days a new approach is evolving for rural transport interventions, which requires more holistic understanding of access need of rural communities. In recent years, Environmental Friendly Road Construction (EFRC) approach has been adopted to expand the transportation network in conjunction with the conservation of environment during construction and subsequent operation and maintenance of road projects.
Despite the continuous efforts of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB), large section of population are still not connected by adequate rural transportation resulting in isolation, poor access to market, sporadic government services and limited economic opportunities. The RGOB has been making efforts to expand its transportation network right from its first development plan and has been able to achieve significant progress.
The Rural Access Project is one of the endeavors made by Royal Government of Bhutan to increase the accessibility of rural population to basic services. This project was initiated from year 2000 and expected to be completed by end of June 2006 with the remarkable achievement of development of 129 Km of Feeder Road in four Dzongkhags. This project adopted Environment Friendly Road Construction (EFRC) technique and able to considerably take measures for environmental conservation right from planning, designing, construction and subsequent operation and maintenance of the project. During the implementation of RAP, RGOB has enacted a number of legislations, regulations and policies such as Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), Regulation for Environmental Clearance of Project (RECOP) and others for the conservation of environment while undertaking development endeavors. Considering the encouraging results of Rural Access Project, the Department of Roads (DOR) under Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MOWHS) is planning to undertake second phase of RAP as follow up/next credit of the World Bank. The next phase of the project is named as Rural Access Project II (RAP lI).Under RAP II, DOR intends to develop about 65 to 75 Km of Feeder Road. The identified sub-projects to be developed under RAP II include:
Jangchucholing -Tashidingkha Road (14.3 Km) in Wangdue Dzongkhag Kothakpa - Khar-Tsebar Road (10 Km) in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag Drujegang - Balung (42.5 Km) Dagana Dzongkhag
The DOR is currently carrying out an engineering survey, design and cost of estimate of these identified sub- projects. In accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act (2002), Environmental Assessment is mandatory prior to the initiation of development activities. Consequently, Bhutan Consultants and Research has been entrusted by DOR to carry out the Environmental Assessment of Jangchucholing-Tashidingkha Road Project, which is to be implemented under RAP II.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 1 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
1.2 Environmental FriendlyRoad ConstruictionProject In the context of expansion of rood network to increase the accessibility to more rural communities, eventually to increase economic activities, promote sustainable utilization of natural resources as well as to prevent environmental degradation, Environmental Friendly Road Construction Support Project is being implemented under Department of Roads of Bhutan with the support of SNV (Netherlands Development Organization) from the year 2003. The project included eight components viz. (i) Rural Access Project Implementation Support, (ii) Further development of EFRC concept, (iii) Adoption of EFRC for all road works by DOR, (iv) Development of EFRC Policy Framework, (v) Introduction of EFRC to other Road Agencies, (vi) Capacity Development of Dzongkhag and Communities, (vii) Capacity Building within Private Construction Sector, and (viii) Dissemination of EFRC to Technical Training and Educational Institutions.
Environmental Friendly Road Construction (EFRC) is one of the techniques being adopted in Bhutan. This technology is also adopted while implementing RAP I sub-projects. The EFRC stresses the following to practices: * Adoption of engineering design with optimal balance between prevention of environmental damages and investment cost, * Minimize possible cuts in mountain slopes, where slopes are fragile and prone to land slide, * Avoid Box cut as far as possible, * Minimize the cutting of trees (limited to road corridors), * Dispose excavated material in selected safe disposal sites, * Use the blasting in controlled manner to minimize damages in local environment * Provide adequate drainages * Reuse excavated materials such as boulders, topsoil etc * Adopt bio-engineering techniques for slope protections * Adopt earth moving equipment for road construction and provide opportunities for local people in mechanized road construction and avoid import of unskilled labors. This EFRC technology has been widely incorporated in RAP 1, and lesson learned of EFRC in RAP I is encouraging. Based on the encouraging result of EFRC, a new project namely Road Sector Support Project is planned to be implemented soon as follow up project of EFRC.
1.3 The ProposedRoad Project The proposed Jangchucholing -Tashidingkha Road Project is one of the rural road project identified during 8th five year development plan of Royal Government of Bhutan, named as Zelela-Tashidingkha Road Project. However, due to various reasons, this project could not be initiated during 8th five year development plan period and has also been included under current 9th development plan. Currently, RGOB intends to construct this road project as one of the sub-projects of proposed Rural Access Project 11,which is to be funded by the World Bank by adopting environmental friendly road construction technique. The total length of road is estimated to be 14.3 Km with two numbers of minor bridges and other pertinent road structures along the road. The main objective of the proposed road project isto provide connectivity to the settlements located within the zone of influence. The connectivity to these settlements by the proposed road sub-project is likely to provide enormous opportunities through better access to outside and enjoy reduced transportation cost as well as safety for mobility of goods, services and people. Eventually, this road will provide improved public and private services and economic development including access to market outlets
1.4 Need of EA Study The objective of the proposed EA Study is to identify the impacts on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of the Project Area due to execution of project activities. The objective of EA is
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 2 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
also to influence the Project as it evolves and takes shape: make it environmentally sound, tailor it and help fit it in the local environment including social and institutional context. More specifically, it includes to: * identify the positive and/or negative impacts on environmental resources due to natural phenomenon and road induced human activities during and after construction of the proposed road, * identify the major issues that may arise as a result of proposed works on bio-physical, socio- economic, cultural and religious environment of the project area, * identify and recommend measures for minimizing environmental impacts from proposed construction by employing principals of avoidance, mitigation and controls, and * recommend whether the EA is sufficient for the proposed road or whether full blown EA will be required considering the environmental issues that may arise due to the proposed work.
1.5 Purpose and Objective of EA Studies
The objective of the proposed EA Study is to identify the impacts on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of the Project Area due to execution of project activities. The objective of EA is also to influence the Project as it evolves and takes shape: make it environmentally sound, tailor it and help fit it in the local environment including social and institutional context. More specifically, it includes to:
* identify the positive and/or negative impacts on environmental resources due to natural phenomenon and road induced human activities during and after construction of the proposed road, * identify the major issues that may arise as a result of proposed works on bio-physical, socio-economic, cultural and religious environment of the project area, * identify and recommend measures for minimizing environmental impacts from proposed construction by employing principals of avoidance, mitigation and controls, and * recommend whether the EA is sufficient for the proposed road or whether full blown EA will be required as a result of the environmental issues that may arise due to the proposed work.
1.6 Methodology Adopted
1.6.1 Desk Study
During desk study the consultant collected and reviewed critically the secondary information related to the project, and local environment. These primarily include feasibility Study of proposed project, topographic maps and other thematic maps, environmental related prevailing legislations, policies and guidelines such as Environmental Assessment Act 2000, Regulation of Environmental Clearance of Project, 2002, Environmental Assessment Guidelines for Highway and Roads, Environmental Code of Practice for Highway and Roads, Guidelines for Preparation of Environmental Management Plan, Documents Related to Environmental Friendly Road Constructions, etc. In addition, the consultant also collected information related to environment in terms of forest resources, geology, topography, drainage patterns, protected areas, socio-economic data along the road corridors.
Under this task, the consultant conducted a number of interactions with stakeholders, which mainly included RAP officials, DOR officials, EFRC-SP officials, SNV Environmental Specialist and other line agencies of Royal Government of Bhutan to understand the projects and local environment.
During this period of study, based on the understanding of project activities and local environment, the generic impacts were identified. Consequently, the detailed checklists and questionnaires were prepared for carrying out the field work. In addition, the consultant also made detailed plan for field work including the arrangement of equipment and logistics.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 3 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkho Road
1.6.2 Field Work
The fieldwork was carried out to update or confirm the secondary information collected during desk study, collect primary information and conduct stakeholder consultation. The information mainly collected during field work is environmental baseline in terms of physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural environment. The field work covered the entire road corridors and its zone of influence. The major information collected included but not limited to the following:
* Physical, o Land, Water, Air, and Noise o Unstable or erosion prone areas o Flood Risk areas o Water Features * Biological o Protected Areas a Forest areas o Wild life o Rare and Endangered Species * Social o Demography o Economic Activities o Development Potential areas o Significant Historic, Cultural and Religious Sites o Settlements and Trade Centres o Community Infrastructures, and common property
1.6.3 Public Consultation
During the course of field work, the consultant carried out an extensive public consultation across the road corridors. A number of public meetings were held with cooperation of local DYT and GYT. During such meetings, the project related activities and potential impacts in local environmental were discussed with local communities and affected families. The Public Consultation and No objection Certificates from the public of Dangchhu Geog is attached as appendix 3 and 4 respectively.
The discussion themes and pertinent issues that emerged during the consultations include the following: * The purpose of conducting EA and the advantages of taking up Project, Technical Feasibility study. * The two alignment options of the proposed road project * Potentials for economic opportunities * All possible impacts such as loss of agricultural land, degradation of forest land, disturbances to cultural, historical places, community infrastructures and pollution due to road construction. * Social problems due to influx of labors from outside particularly from India. * Issues of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, prostitution, drug abuse; and as well as road accidents as a result of road construction and subsequent operation. * Compensation of land loss in terms of the land replacement and other forms of compensation. During the interaction, people of Dangchu Geog expressed great interest in the project and unanimously agreed to provide their Land if required by the project as it would bring in numerous social and economic benefits to the area and beyond. However, concerns were raised as to the adequacy of land compensation by the existing official rates. Land substitution has been discussed as a better option to cash compensation.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 4 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
1.6.4 Interpretation, Analysis, and Preparation of EA Report
After the accomplishment of the above tasks, the EA team compiled and interpreted the environmental baseline information in terms of physical, biological, social and cultural aspects. Similarly, the project related information in terms of its planning, design, and cost estimation were collected from DOR and updated. Based on the these information, potential environmental impacts were identified, predicted and evaluated in terms of magnitude, duration, extent, and their significance. On the basis of impact evaluation, suitable mitigation measures were suggested to avoid/mitigate the environmental impacts and enhance the positive impacts. Similarly a detailed environmental management plan have been prepared covering mitigation measures to be adopted including the identification of responsible person or agencies for the implementation of mitigation measures, and environmental monitoring plan covering monitoring indicators, frequency of monitoring, responsible organizations/person, etc. On the basis of the entire exercise, the conclusions were drawn and consequently the recommendations are made to facilitate the decision making process.
1.6.5 Study Team and Duration
The study team composed of Jaindra B. Karki (EA Expert), Karma Chogyel (Environmentalist cum GIS expert), Karma Jimba (Backstopping EA Expert), Phuntsho (Forester and Wildlife Biologist), Singay Wangchuk and Lacha Dhendup as enumerators and Gup of Dangchhu geog. Table 1.1 shows the composition of EA team and their responsibilities. Table 1.1 shows the EA Team composition SI No Name Qualification Responsibility
1 Jaindra B. Karki Bachelor of Engineerng, MSc in Natural EA Expert/Team Leader Resource Management 2 Karma Chogyel BSc. Zoology & Botany, MSc. in GIS & RS Environmentalist 3 Karma Jimba M Eng. Environmental Engineering EA Expert (Backstopping) 4 Phuntsho BSc. Forestry Flora & Fauna Specialist 5 Lacha Dendup Certificate Enumerator 6 Singye Wangchuk Certificate Enumerator
The field work for the EA study of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road was conducted from 16th - 21st December 2005. The analysis and EA reporting was done after the completion of field works of both the roads. Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Draft EA report has been completed by 21st January 2006.
The first draft EA report was presented on 9th February 2006 to the stakeholders, comprising of representatives from the National Environmental Commission (NEC), Nature Conservation Division (NCD), Department of Roads (DOR), Standard & Quality Control Authority (SQCA) and SNV Environmental Specialist. The comments received from the stakeholders particularly from DOR, NEC and SNV Environmental Specialist are incorporated. In addition to this, the comments on first draft report from World Bank were also addressed.
The draft final report was submitted on 24th April 2006 and the additional comments from World Bank Mission are incorporated in this final EA report.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 5 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
2 Description of Project - a.; .m,. - - a--.taaws4ac-t.,ur.:a a~D- ,*~~ .-- v-
2.1 The Proposed Project The proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road falls under the category of Feeder Road as per the road classification of Bhutan. This road connects east-west lateral national highway at Jangchucholing, and main market center namely Nobding, which is 40 km from Wangdue Phodrang town.
This road project was identified under 8th five year plan (FYP) and planned to be constructed as feeder road from Zelela to Tashidingkha. This road alignment was planned to follow the existing road of length 6.5 Km from Nobding to Zelela and further connect it to lateral highway at Pelela. However, this project could not be initiated during the period of 8th five year plan and it has been included in 9th five year plan as spill over project. Before 1997-1998, the national highway was in operation in between Dungdung Nyelsa to Pelela via Zelela. However, due to the occurrence of major landslide at Chuchengang, the national highway has been re-aligned. Consequently, the people residing within this area are deprived from road access. So the people of Dangchhu Geog made request to consider alternative alignment Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha. The proposed project has been formally identified upon the request of local GYT and DYT as Jangchucholing-Tashidingkha and included in 9th five year development plan as spill over program.
This project is proposed to be implemented as one of the sub-projects of proposed Rural Access Project 11, under the credit assistance of World Bank as follow up project Rural Access Project ll is expected to begin soon after the completion of Rural Access Project I in June 2006. However, the DOR is carrying out engineering survey, design, environmental assessment, socio-economic studies and geo-technical studies so that the construction of proposed sub-project could begin immediately after the initiation of RAP 11.
The total length of the proposed road is 14.3 Km. The alignment of proposed road starts from Jangchucholing and ends at Tashidingkha. The road alignment passes through Goda, Tonmay, Lungza, Tasa, Tomila, Tokaling, Chuba, Dencholing, Yusagang, Ridhang Goenpa, and Ridhang, settlements along the road alignment. The alignment of proposed road is presented in Map 1.
The estimate population benefited from the proposed project, which encompasses half-day waking distance from the road, isestimated at 1602 (178 households). Upon the completion of the construction, this road will become lifeline to the people living within the zone of influence in terms of enhanced connectivity, reduction in transportation cost for export of local production as well as the import of commodities from urban centers as direct benefits. In addition, other numerous indirect benefits is expected to generate and enhance the economic activities within the zone of influence.
2.2 Type of Road In accordance with DOR, Feeder Road is categorized as the road which connects one or more major growth centers and rural settlements to national highway, urban centers and District headquarters. The proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road falls under Feeder Road Project, which connects over 12 settlements to district headquarters and national highway. The proposed road length is about 14.3 Km, and road width is 5.1 meter. The Right of Way on either side of the road center line is will be 15 meter. The road design and construction will follow the geometric standard to be applied in road construction in hill ecological regions. The proposed road will be constructed in accordance with the principle of environmental friendly road construction as discussed in 1.2 of chapter I of this report. The proposed road will have gravel surface with adequate number of cross drainage structures. The summary of information relating to the proposed road is presented in table 2.1
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 6 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Rood
Map I
Bhuton Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 7 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Table 2.1 Proposed Road Related Technical Information Item Unit Specification/Quantity Road RoW width M 15.24 m from the road center line Formation width M 5.1 Pavement width M 3.5 Pavement material Water Bound Macadam (WBM) Volume of earth material to be excavated m3 72,251 m3 approx. Maximum road gradient 0 10 % culverts No 8 Bridges No 2 Total length of bridges M 30 m V-shape side drain dimensions (horizontal x vertical) Cm 600X500 Total length of V-shape drains M 14300 approx. Source: DOR, 2006
2.3 ProjectStatus The National Environment Commission (NEC) Secretariat has issued an Environmental Clearance (EC) for the Construction of 8 km stretch of the 14.3 km proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha feeder road. The Environmental Clearance granted by NEC is attached as an appendix 9 of this report.
Till date, the DOR has completed the road formation cutting up to 8 km stretch of the feeder road where EC was granted. The gravelling work is being carried out currently. Further, the 8 km stretch would require slope stabilization works, cross drainages (including a small bridge over Chubachhu stream), side drains and retaining walls. The design and construction of this stretch has been done in accordance with the EFRC principles.
Considering that the proposed road to be constructed under Rural Access Project II as a sub-project, the project preparatory works covering detailed engineering design, cost estimation, environmental assessment, socio-economic studies, and geo-technical studies are underway for entire 14.3 km stretch.
2.4 ProjectActivities The project activities for the proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road project will be in line with the environmental friendly road construction approaches. The construction activities will be carried out by involving domestic contractors. The earthworks (excavation and filling) will be carried out with the help of earth moving equipment. The labor force will be involved for leveling and dressing of earth surface. The major project activities during construction include but not limited to the followings: * Clearance of forest in new stretches * Earthwork in excavation * Gravelling Work * Construction of Retaining wall and other protection structures * Construction of side drains and other water management structures * Construction of cross drainage structures * Hard Rock cutting by using blasting materials * Implementation and monitoring of EMP During pre-construction, the major works to be accomplished include preparation of detailed engineering design, bid documents, selection of contractors and consultants. In addition to above during construction period, the major activities also include the construction supervision, quality control, preparation of construction design and drawings. During post construction, major activities include regular and emergency maintenance, road safety, etc.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 8 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Toshidingkha Rood
2.5 Resources Required
Various resources will be required for the construction and maintenance of the proposed road. They primarily include land, energy (e.g. operation of equipment and vehicles), tools and equipment, stone and boulders, soil, gravel, plants (seeds, sprigs and sapling for bio-engineering works), blasting materials, etc.
As the project is currently under investigation and design, the estimation of detailed resources required has not been completed. However, attempts hove been made to estimate the resources on past experiences of DOR and the consultants. The tentative resources required for the proposed road construction is presented in table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Resource Requirements S. No. Schedule of Resources/Materials Unit Quantity Remarks 1 Land acquisition Ha 1.5 Right of way 2 Gravelling M_ Approx. 7000 _ _ _ 3 Stone/Boulder M NA Information will be available after detail design 4 Cement Bags NA 5 Gabion wire Kg NA 6 Steel (MS Bars) Kg NA ., 7 Blasting Materials Kg NA_.. 8 Human Resources (Skilled / unskilled) No 30 person per day Source: DOR 2006.
The cost for proposed road construction is estimated at Ngultrum 99.087 million (Feasibility Study Report on Proposed Pelela - Tashidingkha Road) in addition to construction cost considerable investment every year for repair and maintenance.
2.6 Construction Technology
The construction technology for the proposed road project is primarily of environmental friendly road construction techniques, which has been tested over the period of RAPI. This technology mainly focuses the optimal balance between prevention of environmental damages and investment cost for road during construction as well as subsequent operation. The EFRC technology stresses to minimize of cutting of mountain slopes (wherever possible), make part of road with in filling supported by retaining walls, avoid box cutting as much as possible to avoid the volume of excavated materials, limit the cutting of trees only within road corridors, use tripper and other suitable equipment for transportation of excavated materials for disposing in safe location, construct barriers of logs or boulder at about 10 -15 meter below to prevent falling of excavated materials, etc. In addition, EFRC construction technology also include use of controlled blasting to minimize the damage of local environment, construction of adequate drainage/water management structures, adoption of bio-engineering works for slope protection works.
In addition, the EFRC technique also stresses the adoption of flexible structures such as gabion boxes and adoption of bio-engineering work in conjunction with construction of support structures such as breast and retaining walls. Considering the labor shortage in Bhutan, EFRC technique also envisages involving earth moving equipment for road construction to the extent possible. However, local work forces mainly school leavers should be trained and employed for operation of such equipment.
2.7 MaintenanceApproaches
The maintenance of Feeder Road in Bhutan is the responsibility of Department of Roads under Ministry of Works and Human Settlement. The attempts were made to develop road maintenance manual in the post. However, they are not properly adopted due to various complexities. It is noted that the maintenance manual for feeder road including other roads is necessary to meet the actual maintenance requirements covering prioritization of maintenance works and allow cost effective operations and quality control of maintenance works.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 9 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Rood
In general, the EFRC road should emphasize on prevention measure by promoting sustainable maintenance right from the planning stage. Despite the preventive measures, the other maintenance approach is to minimize the maintenance cost, which can be affordable to DOR from the internal resources of RGOB. To achieve the minimum maintenance cost following policies will be adopted:
* restricting of heavy vehicles which contribute to deep rill formation on the earthen road surface, * awareness to road users about the avoidable factors that contribute to rapid road deterioration, and * execution of proper and timely maintenance while the damage isstill manageable at low cost.
The proposed feeder road will require the following types of maintenance: Routine Maintenance: weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly maintenance by local labors or length man to correct water drainage, pot holes, road structure damages, etc. Post Monsoon (Periodic) Maintenance: The periodic maintenance is to be carried out following the monsoon under the supervision of technicians. The major works to be done under this include clearing of landslides, backfilling of rills, major potholes, repair of structures, repair of drains, readjustment of longitudinal gradient etc. Emergency Maintenance: Emergency maintenance is to be carnied out after extraordinary landslides with a view to minimize further damages.
2.8 Institutional Involvement in Project The ownership of the proposed road lies with Department of Roads, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement. The institutions involved in construction and subsequent operation of the proposed road will mainly include Rural Access Project (RAP) under Department of Roads, Ministry of Works and Human Settlements, Wangdue Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogchung (DYT), and Dangchhu Geog Yargay Tshogchung (GYT).
RAP under DOR is formed to undertake the responsibilities of planning, designing and construction of proposed road project under the credit assistance of the World Bank.
Project Implementation Unit under DOR is constituted to facilitate the implementation of RAP.
Department of Roads is the executing agencies under Ministry of Works and Human Settlement to undertake the execution of this project during planning, designing and construction. Upon the completion of construction works, the DOR will be responsible for operation and maintenance of this road project through its Divisions and Sub-division offices. Ministry of Works and Human Settlement is the line ministry to execute the proposed road project with specific responsibilities of coordination with various agencies including donors, monitoring of work progress and guide and supervise the maintenance works during operation stage of the project.
DYT and GYT - These institutions are primarily responsible for planning and prioritization of sub-projects among the candidate sub-projects, assist and support RAP in terms of social mobilization, land acquisition, and public consultation during construction and operation of the project.
2.9 Brief Description of Road Alignment The alignment of the proposed Road Project has already been selected with the consideration of various alternative routes and survey and design work is already in progress. The total length of road is 14.3 km. The alignment passes through land with flat, gentle, moderate to steep slope. The alignment of the proposed road has been fixed with maximum gradient up to 12 degree. The range of general gradient adopted for proposed road alignment is presented in Table 2.3.
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Table 2.3: Adopted Gradient for Proposed Road SNo Chainage (km) Gradient Type Land Cover From To 1 0+000 7+500 - 6 % Mixed Broadleaf forest & Kamzhing 2 7+500 8+600 - 4% Fallow land, Kamzhing, Sokshing 3 8+600 11+200 - 5% Broadleaf forest 4 11+200 13+600 +7% Riparian, Broadleaf forest 5 13+600 14+300 ± 4% Sokshing, Kamzhing and Broadleaf forest Source: Field Survey, 2006 (Above gradients moy vary once the detail design iscompleted) The proposed alignment passes intermittently through forest and Kamzhing (Dry land). The total numbers of cross drainages required is 2 with minor two bridges. The map showing the alignment details is presented in Map 2.
2.10 ProjectDuration
Rural Access Project (RAP I) is expected to be completed by June 2006. Soon after the RAP I next follow-up RAP II expected to begin. As the proposed road sub-project is planned to be developed under RAP II, the construction work is likely to begin sometimes in dry season of 2006. The construction of sub-project may take for two working seasons.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) l1 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkho Road
Map 2
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3 Alternative Analysis S:-.X...... -.: s- .-: s.=..;i..a:.s...... -...... - . - . . . r:- - . r m-
3.1 General
Alternative analysis has been considered as an integral part of EA study, which involves an examination of alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the proposed project. The aim of alternative analysis is to arrive at a development option, which maximizes the benefits while minimizing the unwanted impacts. Alternative analysis is also a form of mitigation measures. The aim of proposed road project is to improve the transportation network for the enhancement of safe and faster connectivity of rural areas into service and market centers and eventually improve the living condition of people living in the zone of influence. The various alternatives to achieve the above project objectives with minimum environmental degradation are discussed in the following sub-sections.
3.2 Project Alternative
This is referred as the other modes of transportation network to be built, ropeways and other forms of transportation modes. The people living within the zone of influence require the efficient and safe mode of transport to have access to the service centers. At the same time, there is also urgent need to conserve the environmental resources in terms of physical, biological and social and cultural aspects. In this context, the alternative projects to achieve the above said objectives can be improvement of trails, construction of ropeway, water ways and road.
As Bhutan is a rugged mountainous country, motorable rood is the only form of mass transportation that is feasible and viable. The installation of cable car is economically not viable while other transportation modes such as waterways and air transports are not at all feasible due to topography. Hence road construction is the most feasible project option for many years to come until another, technologically, economically and environmentally viable option comes in.
3.3 Alternate Alignment
Two alignment options were studied to connect Tashidingkho (Dongchu Geog) to market and service centers. Alignment I takes off from Jangchucholing while the alignment 11start from Zelela. Both the alignments terminate at Tashidingkha village below Zipchu Lhakhang. The two alignment options are described in detail in the following sub-sections, which is followed by the comparison of two in order to select the suitable option.
3.3.1 Alignment I
The total length of this alignment option is approximately 14.3 km as per the initial feasibility study. This alignment takes off from Jangchucholing at elevation of 2675m which is about 3.7 km from Nobding towards Dungdung Nyelsa. From Jangchucholing the alignment follows down gradient of approximately - 6% till Chungni Pang. From Chungni Pang the alignment still follows a down gradient till Chubachhu stream.
After crossing Chubachhu the terrain is gentle with 30 to 35- slope and the alignment follows almost a horizontal gradient before reaching Samochhu. However the terrain on the left bank of both the stream crossing at Chubochhu and Samochhu is geologically unstable. The rocks are highly fractured and the slope is susceptible to landslide.
The feasibility study team has explored the possibility of taking the alignment with take off option from Dungdung Nyelsa or from below Nobding to avoid the unstable areas near Chubachhu and Samochhu. If the alignment takes off from Dungdung Nyelsa it would directly hit the major landslide at Chunchengang and would entail lot of zigs on steep gradient. Further the alignment takeoff option from below Nobding
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 13 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road would lengthen distance and affect a lot of agriculture land. Therefore the alignment taking off from Jangchucholing is found to be technically and environmentally most feasible.
The terrain is stable and gentle after crossing Samochhu till Tashidingkha. The gradient along the alignment is about ± 5%. A rocky stretch is encountered for length of about 50m approximately at chainage 12km. The alignment will terminate near Zipchu Lhakhang below Tashidingkha village approximately at an elevation of 2500m. This alignment requires two minor bridges of 15m span over Chubachhu and Samochhu respectively. Map 3 illustrates the alternative road alignments.
3.3.2 Alignment 11
The alignment ll is starts from Zelela to Tashidingkha and is about 9km in length. This option will utilize the existing 6.5km of road from Zelela to Pelela to connect with the notional highway at Pelela. Therefore the total length of the road from Pelela to Tashidingkha would be about 15.5km (following 6.5km existing road from Pelela to Zelela which is presently being maintained as feeder road).
The new alignment takes off from Zelela at an elevation of 3190m and descends down to Tashidingkha which is at an elevation of 2500m. The vertical height difference between the take off point and the destination point is about 690m. This would entail around 6 zigs from Zelela to Tashidingkha.
The alignment runs through gentle terrain from the take off point till Samochhu for about 1.5km and after crossing the Samochhu stream the alignment run entirely through rocky cliff on the right bank of Samochhu. The terrain is geologically stable however it would require heavy construction cost due to rock cutting on the right bank of Samochhu. The alignment follows entirely through forested area and has direct benefit only to the people of Tashidingkha comprising of only 11 households at the terminal point of the road.
3.3.3 Comparison of Alignment Options
The comparison of both the alignments in terms of various elements are presented in table 3.1
Table 3.1: Comparison of Alternate Alignments Environmental Parameter Alignment I (Recommended) Alignment II Approximate Length 14.3 km 9.00 km Although the proposed alignment seems 5 km longer than The distance would be longer by alignment 11the travel distance to reach Dzongkhag head about 20 km as the people will have Travel distance to the Dzongkhag HQ quarter will be shorter for the people of Dangchu geog as to travel via Pelela to Wangdue it avoids the distance from Zelela to Nobding Phodrang (Dzongkhag Head approximately by 20 km. quarter) Major Bridges required Nil Nil Minor Bridges 2 Nos. over Chubachhu and Samochhu 1No. over Samochhu Number of Culvert required 8 Nos. (Approximate) 3 Nos. (Approximate) Maximum Gradient adopted ±6% ±7% Zigs required 3 Nos 6Nos Alignment Agriculture Land take up 1.1 ha 1.0 ha Forest Land take up 21.72 ha 27 ha Natural Pasture land 0 ha 1 ha Impact on Wildlife Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Wild Dogs Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, The alignment runs through gentle terrain however there Although the terrain is geologically Slope Stability are two unstable areas on the left banks of Chubachhu stable as it is rocky area but the cost and Samochhu for a short stretch (150 m) Mitigation of construcbon will be high. works are required on this stretch. Length of Rock Area Approx. 150 m Approx. 450 m As the alignment passes over The altitude of this alignment is low and there would be 3000m, Snow clearance and road Snow Clearance no problem during winters due to snow fall. maintenance would be additional cost during winter. Villages directly benefited Ridhang, Ridhang Goenpa, Yusagang & Tashidingkha Tashidingkha (11 households) Bhutan Consult_n _Research (60 households) 14
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 14 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Item Alignment I (Recommended) (in Million Nu) Alignment II (in Million Nu)
Road Cost 78.13 54.09 Bridges 20.174 10.087 Agricultural Land Compensation 0.05 0.05 Total 98.35 64.23 Source: Field Survey. ond DOR, 2005
3.4 Do Nothing Alternatives
This alternative avoids the implementation of the Project. This alternative will have both beneficial as well as adverse impacts. It will save environment by avoiding by road construction but will deny the benefits to communities living within the zone of influence as envisioned by the Project. The objectives of this Project are to provide connectivity of rural area to market center, increase productivity in rural areas, enhance the flow of goods and services from rural area to market centers and vice versa and eventually increase the living condition of people living in the zone of influence. If the Project is not implemented, the present conditions of remoteness and isolation exists, and this will limit the access of local people to the markets and vice versa resulting into low level of productivity and prevalence of poverty. The do-nothing situation will conserve some of the environmental adverse impacts at the cost of severe poverty.
3.5 Recommendation of Suitable Alignment
Based on the above comparison and description of two alignments, despite higher construction cost, Alignment I has been recommended for the proposed Road Project. The reasons of adoption of Alignment I is presented here under:
Distance to Dzongkhog Head Quarter- The alignment I seems 4km longer than alignment 11,however, the travel distance to reach Dzongkhag head quarter will be shorter for the people of Dangchu Geog through alignment I as it avoids the distance from Zelela to Nobding approximately by 20 km.
Snow Clearance and Frequent Closure of Road - The alignment 11passes through high elevation, it frequently experience snow fall at about 3000 meter amsl. This situation may frequently disrupt transportation services and require additional costs for snow clearance.
Households Coverage - The alignment I will provide services to about 60 households in comparison to 11 households through alignment 11.
Rock Cutting - The alignment I passes only 150 meter length through hard rock, which requires blasting materials in comparison to 450 meter along alignment 11.
Forest Clearance - The alignment I require less forest area to be cleared in comparison to alignment 11.
Grazing Land - The alignment I does not pass through natural pasture or grazing land, while Alignment 11 affects nearly 1 ha of grazing land.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 15 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Map 3
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 16 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Rood
4 Environmental Baseline Information
4.1 Physical Environment
4.1.1 Topography The proposed road runs through ridge from Jangchucholing till Ridhang Goenpa Village. The road corridor generally passes through north face of the ridge. After crossing Chubachhu, the alignment is horizontal and almost parallel to Dangchhu River till Tashidingkha village. Topographically proposed road passes through relatively small flat land but mostly along hill faces and the ridges. The altitude at the takeoff point is approximately 2450 m above mean sea level (amsl) but varies from 2285 m amsl near Samochhu to 2550 m amsl below Zipchu Lhakhang at termination point of the proposed road. Map 2 presents the detail alignment.
4.1.2 Geology and Soil
4.1.2.1 General The Bhutan Himalaya can be tectonically divided into three east west trending belts:
* The southern frontal belt, which includes the lesser Himalaya and the foothills (Siwalik) * The central crystalline belt, which includes greater Himalaya and the lesser Himalaya * The Tethyan belt, which includes portion of the greater Himalaya and portion of lesser Himalaya. The southern frontal belt borders with India in the south and comprises a very narrow strip of Tertiary Siwalik rocks represented by sandstone, mudstone, siltstone and boulder conglomerates. The Lesser Himalaya north of the Main Boundary Fault/Thrust (MBT) is represented by the rocks of Permian-Paleozoic formations. These formations from south to north are the Damuda, Baxa Group and the Shumar.
Damuda Formation consists of sandstones, shale with coal seams, felspathic quartzite and carbonaceous shale Baxa Group consists of dolomite, variegated quartzite and conglomerates represented by different formations like Jainti, Manas, Phuentsholing and Pangsari.
Shumar formation consists of metasedimentry rocks represented by phyllite, micaccous quartzite with rare limestone bands.
The central Crysatalline Belt over thrusts the southern frontal belt through the Main Central Thrust (MCT) This belt covers most of the Bhutan's Himalayan area, represented by high grade metamorphic and intrusive rocks of Paro Thimphu group (Pre-Cambrian to Tertiary). Rocks of Paro are represented by quartzite, quartz-mica schist, marble, calcsilicate and graphitic schist while rocks of Thimphu are represented generally by granite, gneiss, migmatites and occasionally by granite-mica schist, felspattic schist and amphibolite.
The Tethyan Belt covers portions of Northern Higher Himalaya range, Crystalline Belt of the central and eastern part of Bhutan Himalaya. It consists of various rock information's and is represented by sedimentary rocks (Pre- Cambrian to Cretaceous) intruded by Tertiary granites. The main rock types of this belt are shale, phyllite, slate, calearous phyllite, quartzite and limestone with intrusive granite.
4.1.2.2 Description of Project Area Geology The proposed road alignment falls in the Higher Himalayan geological units. It passes through Nakechhu Formation and Mane-Ting Formation. Nakechhu Formation composed of white to light gray, fine to medium grained Quartzite. The presence of ortho-conglomerate within this formation is distinctive feature. Mane-Ting Formation is composed of phyllitic Quartzite. The formation also has thin band of limestone.
Along the proposed road corridor starting from 0+000, geological traverse was taken to identify the nature of soil and rocks up to 14+300 (end point). The proposed road corridor is dominated by 1-6 m thick Colluvium
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 17 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road deposit. Loose, angular to semi-round, medium to fine grained sandy Gravel with boulders dominates from Chainage 1+060 to 4+200. The percentage of fines in the soil deposit increases from Chainage 5+000 to Samochhu. The size of boulders increases in the colluvium deposit further North-West to North from Samochhu.
Occasionally Residual soil covers the bedrock. The brown residual soil was observed at Chainages 0+000 to 1+060, 2+770 - 2+810, 4+960 - 5+020, 5+360-6+300 and 13+580-13+61 0. At Chainages 7+460 - 7+540 and 7+800- 8+340, the colour of the residual soil was gray in colour. The change in colour may be due to the formation of these soils by weathering of different parent rocks.
From the geological map, it was deduced that the proposed road corridor is dominated by the Quartzite rock with intercalation of Phyllite and Conglomerate while Limestone was expected from Chainage 9+000 to 10+0000 Km stretch. However, the field survey for geological studies revealed only Phyllite intercalations with Quartzite rock were observed.
Light grey, medium to coarse grained, jointed, moderately to highly weathered Quartzite rock with intercalation of Phyllite were seen at Chainages 0+560 - 0+640, 1+740-1+870, 1+910-2+000, 2+630-2+770 and 3+460-3+500. Grey, fine grained, thinly bedded, jointed, moderately weathered Limestone bed rock was observed at Chainage 10+300-10+500. Low grade metamorphic, moderately to highly weathered Schist rock was spotted for a very short stretch from Chainage 13+780 - 13+820. The quartzite rocks have 3 major discontinuity planes with foliation more or less thinly bedded. The rock mass particularly of the quartzite rock is heavily jointed.
4.1.3 Unstable Area Certain stretch of the road alignment is highly vulnerable from the slope instability point of view. Mostly the instability of slope is caused due to the presence of steep slope, thick colluviums, which is highly vulnerable to sliding during rainy season due to saturation, and adversely oriented geological discontinues. The main locations indicating high risk of slope instability, their extension, and material type constituting slope is given in the following Table 4.1. Table 4.1: List of Potential Slope Instable Area as reported by Geological & Geotechnical Study Road Chainage Mechanism Initiation Factors Impact
0+000 - 4+080 Potentiality of shallow * Steep slope cut in the loose debris. . Frequent road blockages if cut seated cut slope failures. . slope erosion due to run off water. slopes are not treated.
* Potentiality of shallow Ste lp u nth os olvu Frequent road blockages due to 5+020 - 6+340 seated cut slope failures. water onpoff cut slope failures. . Spoil mass flow. * debris flow on the road surface. . Potentiality of shallow . Steep slope cut in the loose colluvium & rock 6+340 + 9+700 seated cut slope failures. mass. . Frequent road blockages due to * Rock slide. . High cut slope ht., cut slope failures. . Excessive blasting. * Steep slope cut inthe loose colluvium & rock *Frequent road blockages due to 9+700-10+765 Plane failure. mass. cut slope failures, . Excessive blasting. . Entire road could be lost. p .a Frequent road blockages due 10+765-13+250 a Debris slide . Steep slope cut inthe loose and saturated to cut slope failures, c Entire road could be lost.
* Steep slope cut in the loose and saturated . Frequent road blockages due 13+250-13+650 * Debris slide. clui .to cut slope failures, u. . Entire road could be lost.
13+650-14+300 * Debris slide. . Steep slope cutting on soil, * Frequent road blockages due to 1 cut slope failures.
Source: Geological & Geotechnical Study, RAP 11,May 2006 and EA Field Survey. December 2005
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 18 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road Photo I Unstable slope near 1+857 km (Constructed,S, -4.Road) Photo 2 Unstable slope and debris deposit at ChubachhuJr
- *l-
SoreEA Fil Survey, Deeme 200
Source: EA Field Survey, December 2005
4.1.4 Land Use
Overall the forests dominate the land use or cover pattern comprising of mixed broadleaf, blue pine, fir and mixed forest. Along the proposed road alignment, land use is predominantly cool broadleaf forest and Kamzhing (Dryland agriculture). Gentle slopes of Ridhang Goenpa, Penjorling and Tashidingkha are cultivated. While the steeper slopes along the alignment are covered with dense broadleaf forest.
The land use, which will be converted into road corndor due to implementation of the Project, is presented in Table 4.2 and in Map 4.
Table 4.2 Land use along the Right of Way (ROW) along Road Alignment Land Use Type Area in ha Kamzhing (Dry land agrculture) 1.1 Broadleaf Forest 20.12 Others (Sokshing) 0.5 Total - 21.72 Source: Field Survey, 2005
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 19 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Rood
Map 4
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 20 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
4.1.5 Water Resources
The Project area (Dangchhu Geog) is mainly drained by Dangchhu River, which originates from the high mountain in the Geog. This river is one of the major tributaries of Punatsangchhu and it flows north to south in the west of the proposed road alignment. A number of smaller rivers & streams flow into Dangchhu. The prominent rivulets, which drain into Dangchhu are Chubachhu and Samochhu.
Despite the careful selection of road alignment to minimize the cross drainage, 2 small river crossings (Chubachhu & Samochhu river crossing) are unavoidable to have safe and all weather mobility. These crossings will require two numbers of bridges, at Chubachhu (6+830 Km) and Samochhu (11+200 km) respectively.
4.1.6 Climate
The project area falls under the mid-mountain zone. The climate is more temperate, with cool or cold winters, hot summers with moderate rains. It is mainly influenced by monsoon airstreams that blows north from the Bay of Bengal, which brings heavy rainfall to the area. Figure 4.1 and 4.2 show the rainfall and temperature pattern of 2002 recorded at Nobding, which is very close to the project area. There are four seasons while winter and summer are distinct of cold and hot.
Figure 4-1 Average Monthly Rainfall i Figure 4-2 Average Monthly Temp
600 - 230- 487.5 ~2 E T 20- E 352 ~15 300- 271.5 272 25 - M t
0.-
100 429 15E
. 30 0 3 - Jan Feb Mar ApriMay June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apri May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov x -*- Max av. temp -- Minav temp|
Table 4.3 illustrates monthly average rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature Jan Feb Mar Apnl May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Average Monthly Rain fall in 3.0 42.9 30.0 106.0 130.0 271.5 487.5 352.0 272.0 61.5 0.0 3.0 mm Maxi Average Tem (0C) 10.0 9.5 15.4 19.6 22.9 22.9 24.4 24.8 23.5 21.9 18.6 11.7 Min Average Temp (°C) 2.4 2.1 4.3 6.3 9.6 13.1 13.9 13.6 12.4 9.1 4.2 2.5 Source: Statistical Year Book of Bhutan, 2003
4.1.7 Ambient Air and Noise
No data exist on the air quality situation in the project area. There are virtually no industry and very little traffic, which cause air pollution to any extent in the area. The only pollutant that could be observed during assessment is due to use of firewood and kerosene as the source of energy for cooking, heating and lighting. There are no industries and vehicular traffic in the project area. Therefore the average noise level at the site is estimated to be 50 dBA in the rural area. This noise is attributed to sound of insects, birds, rivers and streams, domesticated animals and human beings.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 21 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
4.1.8 Water Quality
The water quality data of river and spring water within the Project area is not available. However, the field water quality test was carried out by NEC in 1997 at Chuzomsa downstream of Dangchhu River. The water from the river is slightly alkaline in nature (pH 8.0) with total dissolved oxygen of 5.2 mg/L and conductivity of 40.2 MpJS. There are no industrial or large settlements in the project area, which contribute to pollution of streams and river. Main source of water pollution is as result of soil erosion and landslide particularly from the upstream of Chubachhu and Samochhu.
Table 4.4: Field Water Quality Test Results of Dangchhu River Station Name: DO (mg/L) DO (%) Salinity (ppt) Temp (°C) pH Conductivity (M p S) Chuzomsa upstream, (Dangchhu River) Wangdue 5.2 61.6 0.00 18.6 8.0 40.2 Phodrang Source: National Environment Commission, 1997
4.2 Biological Environment
4.2.1 Vegetation Type in the Project Area About 65% of the total area of Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag is under true forest cover (LUPP 1997). The prevalent forest types are of broadleaf and coniferous. The project area generally falls in temperate cool broadleaf and oak forest with altitude ranging from 2000 m and above. Map 5 shows forests type within the proposed alignment. The initial 8.0 km of proposed road is currently under construction and is partially completed. The forest along this stretch has already been cleared for road construction. The remaining stretch of the proposed road, from chainage 8+000 km (near Peljorling village) till 14+300 km termination point at Tashidingkha passes through various land uses or cover such as barren or fallow land, Kamzhing (Dry land Agriculture), Sokshing (Privately owned forest) and broadleaf forest. The detail chainage wise description of forest type and their status is provided below:
8+000 - 8+300 km: This stretch of alignment passes through agriculture and fallow land with few trees. Erythrina arborescence and Salix spp. are found planted as live fences. 8+300 - 8+600 km: Road alignment passes through Sokshing (privately owned forest). It is primarily an oak forest with predominant species such as Quercus lanata, Quercus griffithii and Quercus glauca as top canopy. Middle storey comprises of Benthamidia capitata, and Rhododendron arboreum. Sokshing forest is highly disturbed due to intense use for collection of firewood and leaf litters.
8+600 - 9+000 km: Road alignment passes through a broadleaf forest. The forest along this chainage is disturbed due to human interferences and cattle grazing. It is evident from the existence of large colony of Alnus nepalensis, which isconsidered as pioneering and natural colonizing tree species. 9+000 - 11+200 km: This stretch of alignment passes through matured and relatively intact broadleaf forest. The dominant top canopy includes Betula utilitis, Quercus glauca, Cupressus comeyona, Juglans regia, Percia spp., Castanopsis spp. and Alnus nepalensis. The middle storey consists of Quercus lanata, Symplocus spp., Rhus chinensis, Rhododendron arboreum., and Lyonia ovalifolia. Ground layer is mostly clear where vegetation is dense and matured, while Yushania microphylla (Small bamboos), Artemisia and Berberis spp., are observed in few areas of lesser crown coverage. 11+200 - 13+000 km: Oak forest is the main vegetation type along this stretch of the alignment. This oak forest is relatively intact. Top canopy comprises of Quercus lanata, Quercus griffithii, Quercus glauca and Rhus chinensis. In some area, Juglans regia, Betula utilitis and Percea spp., are found dominant. Middle storey consists of Rhododendron arboreum and Lvonia ovalifolia. Ground layer is mostly clear and is usually covered with the leaf litters.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 22 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
13+000 - 13+600 km: This stretch of alignment passes through Sokshing which is basically an ook forest. It is highly disturbed due to intense firewood and litter collection. Top canopy consist of few Quercus griffithii and Quercus lonoto. However, the dominant vegetation is secondary species like Alnus nepolensis, Lyonia ovalifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The ground layer consists of Berberis, Rubus ellipticus and Artemisia.
13+600 - 13+900 km: This stretch of alignment passes below agricultural land and there is no distinct vegetation type. Few trees such as Alnus nepolensis, Quercus griffithii, Juglans regia and Lyonia ovalifolia are found growing.
13+900 - 14+300 km: The vegetation is mostly disturbed owing to its proximity to human settlement (Tashidingkha village). Quercus lonata, Betula utilitis, Acer campbellii, Quercus semicarpifolia and Erythrina arborescence are dominating tree species with Berberis, Rubus ellipticus and Artemisia as undergrowth.
The proposed road from chainage 8+000 km till 14+300 km at Tashidingkha will occupy about 3.96 ha area of forest land. The area derived here is the actual clearance required for road construction not considering the total ROW area. The details of forest area to be cleared is presented in Table 4.5
Table 4.5: illustrates chainage wise forest area to be cleared Chainage (Kim) Length (m) Forest Area as per ROW Estimate Forest Area for Clearance ha) From To (ha)EsiaeFrsArafrCeane() 7+500 8+300 800 2.4384 0.48 8+300 8+600 300 0.9144 0.18 8+600 10+100 1500 4.572 0.9 10+100 11+200 1100 3.3528 0.66 11+200 13+000 1800 5.4864 1.08 13+000 13+600 600 1.8288 0.36 13+600 13+900 300 0.9144 0.18 13+900 14+300 200 0.6096 0.12 Total 6600 20.1168 3.96 Source: Field Survey, 2005
4.2.2 Forest Management along the Road Corridors
There are basically two types of Forests - one government owned national forest and sokshing, which is registered to an individual person or household. The government forest is conserved but no forest management plan exists. While sokshing is managed by the individual to whom it is registered. Such individual or household is allowed to harvest litters and dead woods for their daily use. However, they are not allowed to harvest any live trees and even convert the land use type.
It is estimated that the proposed road will affect 0.5 ha of sokshing and 3.96 ha of government owned forest.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 23 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Map 5: Forest Types along Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha feeder Road
N 14t3OD r ' Tashidingkha s
}+600
Propoused Rca d is consi ucre d till 8 km
Scal e: 1:25 ,500 Legend * Chainage Proposed Road Land Use rnBarren Land Coniferous Disturbed Broadleaf Forest Dry Land Agriculture ,jJJDense Broadleaf Forest
0.000 -Oak Forest J anjch uc ho)rgn Sokshing
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 24 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
4.2.3 Non-timber Forest Products
Non-timber forest products basically constitute wild vegetables and plants having non-timber value such as medicinal, industrial, vegetable, fruits, etc. Local inhabitants of the project area have been collecting wild vegetables from the forest for their usage from long time. Extraction and use of the NTFPs involves traditional or indigenous techniques and is one of the vital modules in the local people's way of living. The details of NTFP being used within the project area is presented in table 4.6 below: Table 4.6: illustrates the Non Timber Forest Products found in project area Scientific Name Common Name Part Use Rubia cordifolia Laneinaangroo (sh') Entire plant Dyeing Elatostema lineolatum Dambur (Dz2) Shoot Vegetable Auriculana auncula Jilinamcho(Dz) Entire plant Vegetable Acanthocystisb geogenius Jitsishamu(Dz) Entire plant Vegetable Pleurotus comucopiae Selishamu(Dz) Entire plant Vegetable Diplazium spp. Nakay (Dz) Shoot Vegetable Source: Field Survey, 2005
4.2.4 Protected Area
The proposed road does not pass through protected area or national parks. However, it falls within the biological corridor connecting Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP) and Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park (JSNP), previously known as Black Mountain National Park. The purpose of this corridor is to allow the movement of wildlife between Protected Areas. As per the Biodiversity Action Plan of Bhutan 2002, Biological Corridors are not strictly Protected Areas and are not included within the Protected Area Network. The areas will have low intensity land uses such as Forest Management Units, community forests, agricultural land and riparian corridors.
The entire area of the corridor, connecting JDNP and JSNP is about 876 km2 as per Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation Planning, Bhutan 2000. Of which 0.4 km2 (considering full ROW) and only 0.05 km2 (considering road formation width of 5.1 m) will be used for road construction. More than 20 km of East - West later national highway passes through this biological corridor from where first 8 km of 14.3 km feeder road from Jangchucholing to Tashidingkha is under construction and nearing completion. The remaining 6.3 km stretch will also pass through nearly 3000 m of biological corridor area. The forest within the corridor is basically a cool broadleaf. The map showing the national parks, biological corridor and the project is provided in Map 6.
4.2.5 Rare and Endangered Floral Species
No endangered and protected plant species as listed in Schedule 1-Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan, 2000 is observed or reported within the area.
4.2.6 Fauna
4.2.6.1 Mammal
The matured broadleaf forest in the project area supports significantly diverse wild animals. During the field survey, animals like Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), Barking deer (Muntiocus muntjok), Macaque (Mocaca assamensis) and Common Langur (Presbytis entellus) were spotted. While existence of Sambar (Cervus unicolor). and Porcupine (Hystrix indica) are confirmed from their broken antlers, spines and their droppings. The plentiful borrows and diggings in the forestland indicate the existence of large number of
1 Sh - Sharchop name 2 Dz - Dzongkha Name
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 25 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Wild Boar (Sus scrofo). It is reported that wild boars cause severe damages of crops and are considered nuisance to the local communities.
The predators like leopard (Panthera pardus) and Wild dog (Cuon alpines) are fairly common and even attack the domestic animals in the locality. The large and diverse wild animals in the proposed project area attributes to virtually no poaching. The strong Buddhist believes prohibits people from killing wild animal as it is considered sin and against religion.
Dense broadleaf forest in the project area (along chainage 10+100 to 11+200 km) is a significant wildlife habitat. The important mammals in the area are Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), is listed as vulnerable and Leopard (Panthera pardus) as endangered, both the species are protected under Schedule 1- Forest and Nature Conservation Act (FNCA) of Bhutan, 2000. The Wild dog (Cuon alpinus) and Assamese Macaue (Macaca assamensis) both listed as vulnerable by IUCN is not protected species under FNCA 1995. Table 4.7 presents the wild mammals reported within the project area with their national and IUNC status Table 4.7: presents the IUCN and National status of the wild mammals Species Common Name IUCN 3Status FNCA 4 Status Cuon alpinus Wild Dog Vulnerable Selenarctos thibetanus Himalayan Black Bear Vulnerable Protected Panthera Pardus Leopard Protected Macaca assamensis Macaque Vulnerable Cervus unicolor Sambar Muntiacus muntjak Barking Deer Sus scrofra Wild Boar Hystnix indica Porcupine Presbytis entellus Common Langur Source: Field Survey. 2005, IUCN 2004 (Red List of Threotened Species) and FNCA 1995.
Photo 3: Girl holding an antler of Sambar Photo 4: Dropping of Wild dog
4.2.6.2 Bird The cool broadleaf forest is second only to warm broadleaf forest in richness of bird species. During the field study more than 30 species birds were spotted and idenfified. However, it is expected that many more species of bird exisfs in the area as the habitat is ideal for their survival. Since the survey was done in December, many bird species may have migrated to lower altitude in order to avoid the cold winter. Detail list of birds are provided in Appendix 6. There were no significant or globally threatened bird species observed within the project area during the field survey. Some of the birds during season of this season are provided in table 4.8.
3 IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature 4 FNCA - Forest & Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995
Bhutan Consu/tants & Research (BHUCORE) 26 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Table 4.8: provides some of the found birds species that were spotted during the survey Scientific Name Common Name IUNC Status FNCA Status Sitta himalayensis White-tailed Nuthactch Not listed Not protected Phoenicunus schisticeps White-winged Redstart Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay Urocissa flavirostris Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Minla strigula Chestnut-tailed Minla Pans monitcolus Green-backed Tit Garrulax stnatus Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus Streaked Laughingthrush . Heterophasia capistrata Rofus Siba Prunella immaculata Maroon-backed Accentor Garrulas glandarius Eurasian Jay Myophonus caeruleus Blue Whistling Thrush Pyrrhula nipalensis Brown Bullfinch . Phylloscopus trochiloides Greenish Warbler Lophura leucomelanos Kalij Pheasants . Source: Field Survey, 2005
Photo S:White-throated Laughingthrush Photo 6: Yellow billed Magpie Photo 7: White winged Redstart
-' ''' - .'- -r/
4.2.7 Rare and Endangered Wildlife
The project area particularly along chainage 10+ 100 to I11+200 km is a significant habitat both for mammals and birds. Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) and Leopard (Panthera pardus) protected under Schedule I- Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan, 2000.
Birdlife in the area is diverse; however, no significant or globally threatened species are observed.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 27 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Map 6
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 28
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4.3 Socio-economic and CuilturalEntvironment
4.3.1 Population, Occupations, and Migration Status
Dangchhu is the smallest Geog under Wangdue Dzongkhag. It is situated in the northern part of the Dzongkhag in a higher altitude of alpine region. The geog consist of 12 villages namely Goda, Tongmey, Tasa, Tokaling, Tomla, Yusagang, Lungza Chuba, Dhencholing, Tashidingkha, Ridhang Goenpa, and Ridhang with a total households of 178 and a population of approximately 1602 (9th FYP Dangchhu Geog Plan, 2002- 2007).
Agriculture activities are mostly concentrated to the lower part of Dangchhu Geog in very small scale due to its cold temperate climate. The people of this Geog are also mostly engaged in off-farm activities like seasonal labour to earn cash income. Livestock rearing is the main occupation due to its large area under Tsamdrog (grazing land).
According to the latest study on Rural - Urban Migration by MoA in 2005, about thirteen percent of the total population of Wangdue Dzongkhag has migrated to urban centers. This includes the households of the project area. It is said that almost half of the rural households of Bhutan including Wangdue have at least one family members living in urban areas. The most prominent reasons for out migration are lack of education facilities, lack of off-farm jobs in rural areas, inadequate service facilities, and small landholdings.
4.3.2 Agriculture System
As per the Land Use and Statistics Section, PPD/MOA, 1995, there exists 533 ha of Kamzhing (Dryland), 57 ha of Chuzhing (Wetland), 81 ha of mixed agriculture and 1101 ha of pasture land. Average landholding size within the project area is about 6.0 acres, which is mostly Kamzhing.
The principal crops grown in the Geog are wheat, buckwheat, mustard, barley, maize and paddy cultivation is limited mostly to the southern part. Chilli is dominant cash crops as the main source of cash income with vegetables gaining importance in certain pockets. During the public consultation, people expressed interest in potato cultivation, which can be exported to urban centers once the road isconstructed.
The major crops and production of agricultural land, which is likely to be converted into road, are given in the table 4.9. Table 4.9: Crop Area and Production Commodity Area (Acre) Yield (kg/acre) Production (Kg) Paddy 62 856 53072 Maize 6 386 2316 Wheat 245 398 97510 Barley 57 462 26334 Buckwheat 13 377 4901 Source: Fieid Survey, 2005 There is large area of natural pasture land, which is over thousand hectares. Hence the livestock rearing is common in the area. The Geog has a livestock population of 1414 cattle, 148 yaks, 184 horses, 239 pigs and 240 poultry. Out of the 177 households present in the geog about 165 households own cattle. People usually take their livestock products like butter, cheese and Yak meat to neighbouring geogs like Phangyuel, Kazhi and Nyisho to barter with rice.
4.3.3 Community Infrastructure Dangchhu Geog has one basic health unit, 1 junior high school, 1 community school, 1 agriculture extension centre, 1 livestock extension centre and 1 forest beat office. The geog has no road access. The basic transportation facilities from one place to other primarily include foot trails, mule tracks and suspension bridges. There are three suspension bridges connecting the villages.
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None of the main community infrastructures fall within the ROW of the proposed road. However, three indigenous community infrastructures, which include traditional irrigation channel, foot trails /mule tracks and water hole (spring) are likely to be damaged due to the construction of proposed road.
Irrigation channel which serves the paddy fields of Ridhang village below Ridhang Goenpa. This channel is intersected at three locations along the alignment - at chainage 3+800 km, 4+400 km and 4+650 km. From chainage 4+200 km till 4+400 km, the channel runs parallel to the road.
The proposed road intersects with traditional foot trail/mule tracks chainage 6.380 km. This foot trail serves Peljorling and Yusugang village.
Waterhole (spring) or small pond but very important for cattle drinking is located at chainage 8+700 km. This is the only water source for cattle, if destroyed the nearest water body would be 2.5 km away toward Peljorling village. The alignment as per the detail survey passes right through the waterhole. Photo illustrates the current alignment.
Photo 8: Irrigation Canal crossing road Photo 9: Foot trail crossing Road Photo 10: Spring (Small Pond)
* -- _ _ _ _
Ih -- }..
Source: Field Survey, 2005
4.3.4 Places of Religious and Cultural Importance The geog has two important Ihakhang (temples) - Shabjey Lhakhang and Tashidingkha (Zipchu) Lhakhang, which are commonly shared and maintained by the communities themselves. These temples are away from the ROW of the proposed road. However, two significant local religious and culturally important trees and ruin of chorten (stupa) are located along the alignment.
Locally significant, spiritually important tree, dedicated to local deity (known as Lungchunap) is located near the chainage 7+840 km. Previous alignment passed directly through the area but upon the request of Mr. Singye Penjor (Resident of Peljorling village), it was realigned. At chainage 8+040 km, there exists a ruin of chorten (stupa). This stupa is a very important part of the local culture, every year, during month of March; communities in Penjorling perform Tsechu (religious ceremony). This ceremony is aimed at appeasing local deity called Drap Majay or Lam Drop thereby seeking good health of communities and protection of crops against natural calamities.
4.3.5 Places for Development Potentials Ridhang Goenpa, Yusugang, Tashidingkha and Dangchhu settlements are scenically beautiful and culturally rich. The surrounding natural and intact vegetation provides good habitats to wildlife especially to birds. This area has potentiality of development of trekking, cultural and ecotourism.
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a - *. .-. o-v- :c -- S 7 . - ~ ** r - !~ r .4 h JT!-fl,ti I - Ln sa 5 Environmental Impact Identification, Prediction and Assessment ,
5.1 General
The development of infrastructure inevitably brings the changes in local environment in terms of bio-physical and socio-economic aspects. The changes in local environment also generate impacts. In other words, the environmental impacts are generated as a result of interaction between the Project action and existing local environment. The impacts generated are both beneficial as well as adverse.
As in all development activities, the Jangchucholing -Tashidingkha feeder road development activities are likely to bring environmental impacts as a result of changes in bio-physical and socio-cultural environment. During the course of this Study, the environmental impacts have been identified for a number of issues based on the analysis of environmental baseline information and activities that are to be undertaken by the Project. Most of the identified impacts have been quantified to the extent possible on the basis of assessment of information collected from primary as well as secondary sources. Each of the environmental issues has been examined in terms of their current condition, likely impacts during construction and subsequent operation phases. The impacts have been predicted in terms of their magnitude, extent and duration. The possible impacts (positive and negative) from the proposed road during construction and operation are presented in the following Sub-sections and summary of impacts are presented in table 5.1 and 5.2. Table 5.1 Likely Beneficial Impacts Likely Impacts Environmental Impacts Significance Nature Magnitude Extent Duration Construction Phase Employment opportunity and increase in income level Direct Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Increase in Trade and Business Direct Low Local Short Term Insignificant Enhancement of Skill (one to three training per year ) Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Operation Stage I Increase in land value Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Improvement in Accessibility Direct High Regional Long Term Significant Increase in Productivity Indirect Medium Local Long Term Significant Promotion of small scale industries Indirect Low Local Long Term Insignificant Enhancement of Social Services Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Availability of Forest Product from site dearance Direct Medium Local Short term Significant (6147 m3, from 1279 trees) Women Empowerment Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Reduction of out Migration to Urban center Indirect High Regional Long Term Significant Table 5.2 Adverse Impacts Likely Impacts Environmental Impacts Significance Nature Magnitude Extent Duration Construction Phase Impact due to Earthwork Excavation and Disposal Direct Medium Site Specific Short Term significant
Impact due to Operation of Quarry Sites Direct Medium Site Specific Short Term Insignificant
Impact due to Change in Land Use Direct Low Site Specific Long Term Insignificant ( Forest land - 3.96 ha, Agricultural Land -1.1 ha, Sokshing- 0.5 ha ) Impact on Water Resources Direct High Local Long Term Insignificant Damage on irrigation System, Water supply System, and river water quality degradation Slope Instability and Erosion Indirect Medium Site Specific Medium Insignificant
______~~Term ______Air and Noise Pollution Direct Low Local Short Term Insignificant Impact due to use of blasting materials Direct Medium Local Short Term Insignificant
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 31 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
Likely Impacts Environmental Impacts Significance Nature Magnitude Extent Duration Water Pollution Direct Low Local Short Term Insignificant Loss of Forest Direct Medium Local Long Term Significant (6147.79 m3) Pressure on Forest Product Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Disturbances on Wildlife Indirect Low Local Short Term Insignificant
Rare and Endangered Species Indirect Low Local Short Term Insignificant Pressure on Social Service and Facilities Indirect Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Occupational Health and Safety Direct High Site Specific Short Term Insignificant
Health and Sanitation In direct Medium Local Short Term Insignificant Impact on Local Culture Indirect Low Local Short Term Operation Stage Soil Stability and Management Direct Medium Site Specific Long Term Insignificant Road Accident Direct Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Air and Noise Pollution Direct Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Water Pollution Indirect Low Local Long Term Insignificant Road Safety Measures Direct High Local Long Term Insignificant Development of Ribbon Settlement Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Depletion of Forest Resources Indirect Medium Local Long Term Insignificant Socio-economic and Other Issues Indirect Low Local Medium Insignificant
5.2 Beneficial Impacts The development efforts, particularly the development of transportation network will have multifold beneficial impacts. The immediate impacts from the development of road will have employment generation in local level, improve the food security situation, and increase the economic activities of the area. In the long term, the road will provide safe and fast mobility of goods and services from rural area to urban centers and vice versa. This will bring about increase in productivity in rural area and eventually improve the socio-economic condition of people living in road corridors. The proposed Project is likely to generate following beneficial impacts during construction and operation stages of the Project.
5.2.1 Construction Phase
5.2.1.1 Employment Opportunities and Increase of Income
Environmental friendly road construction (EFRC) envisages imparting training to school leavers relating to operation of earth moving equipment (such as excavators, pay-loaders and trippers) and provide employment during construction of Rural Access Project (RAP). The proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road project is one of the sub-projects under RAP 11,and during the construction, employment generation is likely through subcontracting of building retaining walls and development of roadside drainage in addition to the likely employment in operation of heavy equipment.
Further, the proposed project will employ domestic contractors for construction and consultants for studies, construction supervision, project review, etc during pre-construction, construction and post construction. Such situation will also provide employment of local population in construction and consulting industries. The exact number of people, who will be benefited through construction and consulting works, can not be determined at this point of time. However, the proposed project will definitely bring employment opportunities in construction and consulting industries.
5.2.1.2 Trade and Business The construction of the proposed project will require hardware materials such as cement, steel, GI wire, and transportation of such hardware materials from quarry sites, urban centers, etc. In addition, the construction of project will increase the population in the project area in terms of contractors, skilled and unskilled labor. The
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 32 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Rood increase in population will require additional food, beverages and others. These situations will increase the opportunities for trade and business opportunities in project area resulting into opening of restaurants, shops, and transportation related vehicles. The increase business opportunities will enhance the income level of people living within the project area. Such impacts are of short term and local in nature.
5.2.1.3 Decrease in Rural - Urban Migration
One of the likely benefits of road construction would be reduction in rate of rural - urban migration. This is clearly pointed out in RAP I project appraisal document 1999. The main causes for rural - urban migration in Bhutan as mentioned in a study (Rural - Urban Migration in Bhutan) conducted in 2005 by Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture are:
* Lack of education facilities (46% of rural home leaving stated that reason) * Lack of job opportunities (17%) * Inadequate services facilities (15%) * Small landholding accounted for 19% * Drudgery of farm work (7%) * Unproductive agriculture (5%) * Crop damage by wild animal (3%) * Natural calamities (1%)
Much of the stated reasons for out migration from rural areas are directly or indirectly attributed to a lack of rural infrastructures. Therefore, the construction of rural roads would go a long way in reducing rural - urban migration, as it is an essential precursor for any other infrastructure development. According to the study, about 28% migrants come to Thimphu while rest in other urban areas. Hence it will reduce the overall pressure on urban areas, particularly Thimphu and Phuentsholing. This will have long term impacts with great significance.
5.2.2 Operation Phase
5.2.2.1 Increase in Land value
As soon as a road is planned or comes under construction, land values in the adjacent area increase by many-folds, particularly in potentially commercial as well as residential areas. Landowners within the road corridors will be benefited. Similarly, the land price of the agricultural land located in zone of influence will also get increased. The appreciation of agricultural land price can be attributed to easy and improved accessibility. This will be a significant impact and long term in nature.
5.2.2.2 Increase in Agriculture Production
The increased access to market center due to the opening of road will encourage farmers to grow more crops in accordance with the market demand particularly high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and others. The increase of access will also increase the availability of agriculture support services in terms of inputs, extension services, and credit facilities. The combined effect of market accessibility and agricultural support service will increase the agricultural productivity and cropping intensity. This will enhance the economic condition of local people living within the zone of influence. This will have significant and long-term impacts from the proposed Project.
5.2.2.3 Promotion of Small Scale Industries
The increased accessibility in zone of influence and increased agricultural production as stated above create a favorable situation of availability of raw materials, labor, and accessibility to market, credit facilities and other elements necessary for the establishment of industries. This will eventually open-up the avenues for establishment of small scale industries primarily related with agro-based industries. Dangchhu geog has 1562 cattle population owing to large area of natural pasture land. During 9th FYP, Geog plans to establish a dairy and poultry farm to generate supplementary income. This will enhance economic activities within the area
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 33 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road through the increase of employment opportunities and income level. Such impacts are significant and long term in nature.
5.2.2.4 Improvement in Accessibilityand Saving of Transport Cost
Once the road Project is completed, the people living within the road corridor will have access to market, service center in DYT head quarters, and urban centers for health, education, and other basic services. This will enhance the transaction of goods and services. Furthermore, the local people will have safe and fast mobility within the area as well as to the market center and important places.
In the hill ecological regions of developing countries, the cost of transportation is equivalent to the cost of either human or animal porterage. The cost of passenger transport (pedestrian travel) is the cost of time and expense of walking. After the opening of road, the transportation costs will be changed into vehicle operating cost and passenger time cost. The benefit from the vehicular traffic is faster or additional numbers of trips in a specific time. This will save the transportation cost and greatly enhance the socio-economic condition of people within the Project area. This is the most significant impact and will have long- term benefits.
5.2.2.5 Enhancement of Social Services
As a by-product of increase in productivity and subsequent increase in income level, it is also expected that there will be improvement in social services. The improvement in social services can be seen as improved access to private and public services such as education, public health, government offices, saving and credits etc. The improvement can also be expected with more frequent visit of extension workers, longer stay of professionals such as teachers, doctors to their rural duty areas.
Similarly, improved income level will encourage people to spend more on social services in terms of education in the village and higher education outside. The enhanced income level will also encourage local people to spend more on health and sanitation, development of education facilities by employing qualified and professional teachers, upgrading the existing health posts and others. This will be a significant and long-term impact of the proposed Project.
5.2.2.6 Women Empowerment
The proposed Project will have beneficial impact on women in terms of their involvement in economic activities. The increased access will provide opportunities to women to engage in production sectors such as vegetable production, operation of restaurant and other occupations. This will enhance women's access to production and resources. Strengthened with money through these income areas, women will have greater role in decision making in the society. This impact will have significant impact for long period of time.
5.3 Adverse Impacts
5.3.1 Construction Phase
5.3.1.1 Physical Environment
Impact due to Change in Land Use The construction of proposed road will require at least 30.48 meter width for right of way of the road in the entire length. This action will occupy 26.8 ha of land, which are currently under various land use categories. The change of land use as a result of road construction is presented in Table 5.3:
Table 5.3: Changes of Land Use l ROW of Area Actual Area (ha) (Considering S.No Land Category Length (meter) (ha) formation width)
1 Forest 7700 20.1 3.96
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2 Agricultural Land 660 1.1 1.1 3 Sokshing 800 2.4384 0.48 Total 23.6384 5.54 Source: Field Survey. 2005
The changes in land use have a number of adverse affects in terms of loss of forest product, loss of agricultural production, and loss of grazing land. The changes in land use particularly from agricultural land to built up area will directly affect the food production situation. About 9% of 353 acres of agriculture will be used for road development. From this, it is estimated the tentative loss of 4.7 metric tones agricultural yield (cereal only) per year against total cereal production of 184 metric tones. The details of agriculture yield lost is presented in Table 5.4
Table 5.4: Loss of Agricultural Production Crops Area in ha Yield MT/ha Total
Wheat 0.33 1.00 0.33 Buckwheat 0.825 1.00 0.83 Chillies 0.22 3.50 0.77 Potato 0.165 16.63 2.74 Total 1.54 4.67 Source: Field Survey, 2005
The changes of land use will have insignificant impacts on local communities.
Impact due to Earthwork, Excavation and Disposal Earthwork is the major activity associated with road construction, which involves excavation, cutting of slopes and formation of embankment. Fresh cut invites landslides and erosion during following monsoon. The total excavation volume for the proposed road construction is estimated to be 72,251 m3. The inappropriate and unstable spoil disposal is the biggest environmental problem in road construction, particularly in hill ecological regions. The common likely problems from the inappropriate excavation and disposal of spoils are: • Loss of nutrient rich top soil • Gullying and erosion of spoil tips, especially when combined with unmanaged surface water runoff, • Slope overloading and resultant failure and mass wasting, * Disruption of natural drainage pattern, causing scouring, erosion and landslide, • Damage and destruction of existing vegetation, • Damage to farmlands and crops through direct deposition, or indirectly as result of mass flow, * Water pollution and degradation of water quality
The above said problems may occur all along the road alignment. The impacts from excavation and spoil disposal during the construction of the proposed road will be significant, if proper mitigation measures as suggested by this EA and EFRC concept are not adopted.
Impact due to Blasting for Removing Hard Rock The proposed road passes through partly rocky area at chainage 10+1 OOkm and complete hard rock area at chainage at 13+900 km. The estimated total length of hard rock along the alignment is 150 meter. The excavation in this stretch is possible only through the use of blasting materials. It is estimated that total of 250 kilograms of blasting materials will be needed. The use of blasting materials will have a number of adverse impacts in local environment, which will primarily include but not limited to the followings:
* Creation of excessive noise and vibration, which may weaken the geology, cause damages to community infrastructures, religious places and monuments, • Disturb wildlife, ecologically sensitive areas and communities
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Risk of theft and misuse of explosive by unauthorized person or miscreants Pollution of ground and surface water due to leakage of toxic materials and wastes endangering the health of people as well as aquatic, and wildlife. Risk of Injury workers and local people passing by during blasting
The impact from blasting will be of insignificant in nature if properly planed and due care is taken.
Impact due to Quarrying of Construction Materials The construction of road, particularly retaining walls, gravel surface and other structures will require boulders and gravel. During the field investigation no suitable quarry sites were observed within the project area. As per Geological & Geotechnical studies, the boulders could be quarried from the streambed of Chubachhu. The possibility of using upstream of chubachhu for quarrying of limestone aggregates is remote due to the difficulties of opening access. Further opening of access and quarrying could aggravate already sliding areas. Therefore, quarries need to be developed outside the project area to extract construction materials in required quantities. The clearance for quarrying activities has to be sought separately from the Department of Geology and Mines with separate application.
The extraction of boulders & aggregates from the banks of Chubachhu would result in following adverse impacts: * Injuries to workers and people passing by * Loss of top soil * Further stream banks erosion of already eroded and unstable area due excessive extraction of boulders and aggregates * Water pollution due to soil erosion as a result of indiscriminate quarrying * Effects on aquatic lives due to water pollution (increase in turbidity and reduction in Dissolved Oxygen) * Change in water/stream regime * Disturbance to wildlife from quarrying operation
The impacts from quarrying and borrowing will be of insignificant in nature if properly planed and due care is taken.
Impact on Community Infrastructure The community infrastructures within the Project area, which are likely to be affected by the proposed road construction, primarily include irrigation canals, springs, and rivulets and fences. The community infrastructures, which could be affected, are presented in Table 5.5
Table 5.5: Impacts on Community Infrastructures Type of Nos. Possible Effect Possible Impacts Infrastructures . Irrigation Canal 1 Damage of Canal Disruption of Irrigation Services Spring (Pond) 1 Damage of pond Disruption of drinking services for human & cattle Rivulets 2 Blocking of stream Erosion in d/s Fence 1 Destruction of fence Loss or damage of crops by animals Source: Field Survey, 2005 The impocts on these resources will not have significant impacts, if proper measures are taken.
Impact due to Slope Instability and Erosion Removal of vegetation and open cuts with exposed soil to rain and wind erosion cause soil erosion as well as landslide. This can become a major source of silt that the monsoon runoff carries away, increasing suspended
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and bed load in rivers and clogging irrigation systems. Along the rood corridor from Jangchucholing to Tashidingkha, the problem of soil erosion is expected to be more severe between chainage 1 + 757 to 1 + 957, 6 + 830 to 6+880, 10+721 to 10+821 km and 11 + 050 to 11 + 200 km where the land slope is steep, and consisting of mass wasting prone colluvial soil characterized by active rills, gullies, and high gradient streams. These slopes are highly erodible due to intense sheet wash during rainy season. The detail chainage wise location of slope instability areas as suggested by Geological & Geotechnical Study are provided below in Table 5.6.
Table 5.6: Areas of Likely Slope Instability and Erosion Road Chainage Mechanism Initiation Factors Impact
0+000 - 4+080 Potentiality of shallow * Steep slope cut in the loose debris. * Frequent road blockages if cut seated cut slope failures. . slope erosion due to wun off water. slopes are not treated.
* Potentiality of shallow . . * Frequent road blockages due to 5+020 - 6+340 seated cut slope failures. * Steep slope cut In the loose colluvium cut slope failures. * Spoil mass flow. . debris flow on the road surface. * Potentiality of shallow . Steep slope cut in the loose colluvium & rock 6+340 +9+700 seated cut slope failures. mass. * Frequent road blockages due to 6 Rock slide. * High cut slope ht., cut slope failures. . Excessive blasting. . Steep slope cut inthe loose colluvium & rock *Debris slide, mass. * Frequent road blockages due to 9+700-10+765 Plane failure. mHigh cut slope ht., cut slope failures, . Excessive blasting. * Entire road could be lost.
Steep slope cut in. the loose and saturated * Frequent road blockages due 10+765-13+250 * Debris slide coluviu m to cut slope failures, u* Entire road could be lost.
* cuStep inthe lop oos an sauraed * Frequent road blockages due 13+250-13+650 * Debris slide. * Steep slope cut in the loose and saturated to cut slope failures, * Entire road could be lost.
13+650-14+300 . Debris slide. * Steep slope cutting on soil, cFrequent road blockages due to
Source: Geological &Geotechnical Study, RAP 11,May 2006 and EA Field Survey. December 2005 It is also to be noted that the very steep and unstable slope area with exposed big size boulders, rock and colluvium is located across km 10+ 100 - 10 + 200, along southern aspect of the Tashidingkha village. The road alignment passes through the slope where the rock and boulders are very precariously balanced and vulnerable to slide if the slope is disturbed. The degree of sliding increases during the road excavation and will offer regular sliding during later operational phase. Further, at the slope in the down hill side, a dense vegetation would be damaged by rolling boulders and debris during construction..
If the proposed road construction adopts the EFRC road approach, the likely impact of slope instability and erosion is insignificant and will have short term impact.
Impact on Air Quality
The ambient air quality data of the Project area is not available at present. Apparently, the air quality parameters are within the threshold limit or not polluted. This is primarily due to the non-availability of vehicles and industries as sources of pollution.
During construction, there are likely chances of emission of dusts as a result of construction activities such as earthwork in excavation, filling, crushing of stone, and movement of vehicles and equipment. This will be intense along the construction site. The local people and workers may be affected by dust pollution. In addition, the construction work will be carried out during dry season and dust emission will be likely to be
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 37 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road significant. The impacts from such effect are likely in degradation of human health, particularly of the labor force engaged in road building and people living in nearby areas.
The proposed construction is under EFRC approach, which will decrease the emission of dusts from earth-work and quarrying. As a result, the impact on air quality will not be significant and short term in nature.
Noise Pollution The Project area at present does not experience noise pollution. However, during construction, the increased construction activities may cause noise pollution to some extent. However, the impact of noise pollution will be very insignificant and of short term nature.
Water Pollution The water quality data of river and spring water within the Project area is not available. However, the field water quality test was carried out by NEC in 1997 at Chuzomsa downstream of Dangchhu River. The water from the river is slightly alkaline in nature (pH 8.0) with total dissolved oxygen of 5.2 mg/liter and conductivity of 40.2 MpS. There are no industrial or large settlements in the project area, which contribute to pollution of streams and river. Major natural form of water pollution is as result of soil erosion and landslide particularly from the upstream of Chubachhu and Samochhu.
During construction, these water bodies are likely to be degraded due to disposal of excavated materials and disposal of wastes by the workers. Such effects will have serious impacts on quality of water, and subsequently to the local population and aquatic animals.
However, the construction is under EFRC with appropriate provision of disposal of excavated materials and proper labor camp and the waste management. This will induce very insignificant effect on water quality. The impact from such action will be insignificant and short term in nature.
5.3.1.2 Biological Environment
Loss of Vegetation due to Site Clearance Vegetation or forest within the first 8+000 km has been already cleared for road construction which is partially completed. However, the proposed road from 8+000 km passes through almost 6.0 km of forest at various stretches and forest area loss is estimated to be 3.96 ha. Maximum forest loss is anticipated along the chainage 9+000 to 13+000 km as it is densely forested and relatively intact. Refer Map 4 for detail forest types along the entire alignment.
The common tree species that needs to be removed are Alnus nepolensis , Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus lanata, Quercus griffithii, Quercus glauca, Rhus spp., Cuppresses corneyana, Castanopsis hystrix, Juglans regia, Pyrus sp. and Betula utilites. The impact of this will be confined to the road alignment and thus will be local, direct, long term and significant. The lists of forest area to be cleared are listed in Table 5.7. Table 5.7: Description of Forest Loss from Road Construction 3 Chainage Length (km) Species No. Trees Volume (m ) 7+500 - 8+300 0.8 Quercus lanata, Q.griffithii, Pyrus, Rhus spp. 130 411.76 Q.griffthii, Q.lanata, Pyrus sp, Rhododendron 8+300 - 8+600 0.3 arboreum, Alnus nepalensis, Erythina spp., Juglans 62 275.98 regia Castanopsis hystrix, Q.lanata, Q. griffithii, Alnus 8+600 - 10+100 1.5 nepalensis, Pyrus sp, Rhododendron arboreum, Betula 260 1198.88 utilites Q. glauca, Betula utilites, Symplocus sp, Alnus 10+100 - 11+200 1.1 nepalensis, Cuppresses comeyana, Juglans regia, Q. 264 2188.65 griffithi, Rhus spp., Castanopsis hystrix
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 38 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road
3 Chainage Length (km) Species No. Trees Volume (m )
11+200 - 13+000 1.8 JuglansQ. Lanata, regia, Rhododendron Alnus nepalensis3914.8 arboreum, Q. griffithii, 391 1453.81
13+000 - 13+600 0.6 Rhododendron Quercus spp.______arboreum, Pyrus sp, Alnus nepalensis, 107 220.31 13+600 - 13+900 0.3 Alnus nepalensis, Pyrus sp. 22 182.39
13+900 - 14+300 0.2 Q. lanata, Q. semicarpifolia, Castanopsis hystrix, Alnus 43 216.00 nepalensis, Betula utilites Total 6.6 1279 6147.79 Source: Field Survey, 2005
3 Out of total forest products to be cleared, 2,409 m (only for 6.6 km) has timber value and remaining 3738 m3 does not have timber value and can be used for fuel wood purpose.
The above estimated forest loss is only along the road alignment with total width of 5.1 meter (carriage way 4.5 meter and shoulder 1.0 meter either side of carriage way). The estimated forest loss does not include the total right of way.
Considering the volume of removal of forest resources, the likely impact is significant. However, the impact can be reversible over a period of time through compensatory plantation.
Pressure on Forest Product
The heavy earth moving equipment will be employed for construction of road. This will significantly decrease the number of labor force during construction. Consequently, the pressure on forest product for fuel wood for cooking and heating will be not very significant. The over all impacts under this category will be insignificant.
Impact on Protected Species
Flora
There are no endangered or protected plant species in the project area. Hence no impact is anticipated. Fauna
The construction of road will inevitably lead to habitat fragmentation and thereby affecting numerous ecological processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales, including changes in abiotic regime, shift in habitat use, altered population dynamics, and changes in species composition. Federal Highway Administration under US Department of Transportation in their studies, "Wildlife Habitat Connectivity across European Highways", found that the Europeans have been using relationship among traffic volume, speed and wildlife mortality. Results indicate that traffic volume of 10,000 average daily traffic (ADT) represent a completed barrier to animal movement for some species, and that many species suffer 50 percent mortality when crossing highways with volumes as low as 2000 ADT. Therefore, construction of such roads will need an urgent mitigation measures which have to be incorporated during road planning and design phase to reduce wildlife mortality and barrier effects.
In the case of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road, the volume of traffic flow will be very low as it falls under feeder road category. It will be comparable to Dakpai - Buli feeder road where it is assumed that from 10 vehicles per day at opening year to 22 vehicles per day over a 5 year period. Hence, the barrier effects caused by such road and wildlife mortality due to roadside accident will be almost negligible. However, the certain anticipated impacts due to this road construction are listed below:
Disappearance of wildlife, especially the ground dwelling birds and endangered mammals due to destruction of its habitat during construction activities. This will be particularly true along the chainages 9+000 - 12+000 km which is seen to be good wildlife habitat.
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Fleeing of wildlife due to disturbance caused by increased noise level from operation of heavy machines, blasting and movement of workers * Alteration or disruption of traditional wildlife migratory routes due to barrier created by road construction * Harassment, poaching and trapping of wildlife especially by labourers during construction. Vulnerable species are Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Sambar and ground dwelling birds such as babblers and pheasants. The impact on wildlife would be significant and long-term, if proper mitigation measures suggested by this EA are not adopted during planning, designing and construction of road. Loss of Forest and Habitat
The proposed road does not pass through protected area or national parks. However, it falls within the biological corridor connecting JDNP and JSNP. The purpose of this corridor isto allow the movement of wildlife 2 2 between Protected Areas. The total area of this biological corridor is about 876 km , of which only 0.2 km (considering total ROW) and only 0.05 km2 (considering rood formation width of 5.1 m) will be used for road construction. More than 20 km of East - West later national highway passes through this biological corridor from where first 8 km of 14.3 km feeder road towards Tashidingkha is under construction. The remaining 6.3 km stretch will also pass through biological corridor. The development of remaining stretch of the proposed road will therefore cause following adverse impacts:
* Fragmentation of wildlife habitat as proposed road will pass through biological corridor from approximately chainage 9+000 - 12+000 km which is about 3000 m long. * Disrupt movement or the migratory routes of wild animals from one National Park to other * Isolation of both wildlife and plant communities * Soil erosion due to loss of forest cover The habitat destruction would be significant and long-term if proper mitigation measures are not adopted.
5.3.1.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment
Pressure on Community Infrastructure The construction will not require a large number of labors as heavy equipments will be employed to the extent possible for earth work. However, some labor force will be deployed for dressing and leveling of earth surface and structure works. In addition, limited number of skilled and semi skilled will be deployed by contractors and DOR for construction management and supervision. Additional number of work forces present during the construction of the proposed road will utilize the existing community infrastructures such as drinking water, health, and others along the road corridor. This will increase the pressure on the existing community infrastructures and will have inconvenience to the local community. Considering the number of labors, the pressure on community infrastructure will be insignificant and will have short term in nature. Disruption of Cultural and Religious Places
A ruin of stupa located at chainage 8+040 is directly within the road formation width. This stupa has great significance to the local communities of Peljoring village. If the stupa is destroyed during the construction of road, it would mean permanent loss of their cultural & spiritual heritage. However, if the road is realigned and stupa is avoided, the impact is insignificant.
Occupational Health &Safety The labor involved in construction activities are exposed to different levels of risks. The potential impacts to health are respiratory and eye disease due to exposure to dust, risk of accident during work, dysentery/diahorrhea due to drinking spring water etc. Therefore, proper occupational health and safety standard should be adopted by all work forces during working hours. This impact is insignificant if proper measures are adopted
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Health and Sanitation Open defecation by labor-force may pollute the surrounding environment in terms of land, water and air. This will have adverse impacts on health of labor-force as well as the people and wildlife living nearby. This impact is insignificant if adequate sanitation facilities are arranged during construction.
5.3.2 Operation Phase
Impact due to Slope Instability During operation phase, the hill slope along the road alignment and nearby areas may be destabilized due to inappropriate design, inadequate drainage works, faulty construction, de-vegetation of the area, and unsuitable disposal of spoil. The destabilization of slope may also be aggravated due to human activities in the road neighborhood such as quarrying stones or soil, animal grazing and irrigated cultivation. This will cause the damage of road section, disruption of transportation and other social impact in nearby area. However, the proposed road has been designed and being constructed under EFRC concept, such above-said impacts will be well managed and controlled naturally. Consequently the impacts of such kinds will be insignificant.
Road Accident Construction and operation of roads entail road accident. The rate of road accident is directly proportional to the speed and the traffic volume. However, the proposed road has been designed as feeder road with maximum vehicular speed of 20 km per hour. The total population living within the zone of influence of the proposed road is relatively small; the traffic volume is not expected much. This will significantly reduce possible accidents.
Similarly, inadequate provisions of road safety measures such as provision of signals and lack of enforcement of traffic rules during operation period may also invite accidents. The impact of such kind will be insignificant.
Development of Ribbon Settlement The establishment of settlement along the road-side soon after construction of road is a common feature in developing countries. This is primarily attributed to increased opportunities for trade and commerce through the establishment of shops and stalls. The development of settlement in this way normally trigger the negative impacts in terms of encroachment of right of way, reduction in road capacity and increase in road accident. This isan insignificant impact if such activities are avoided by using strict legal action and social pressure.
Depletion of Forest Resources The pressure on forest and forest resources during operation phase will result less from the actual road operation and more from induced activities. The forest resources depletion may occur due to ineffective drainage works, inappropriate spoil disposal, and bad construction practices. The induced activities on the other hands such as restaurants, hotels and cottage industries may exert pressure on forest and eventually deplete the resources.
The proposed road is designed and constructed on EFRC approach. Adequate provision of spoil disposal, drainage systems and appropriate construction methods will not affect forest resources. The impact on forest during post-construction due to human induced activities will be insignificant.
Air Pollution During the operation period, a numbers of vehicles will ply along the road and it will emit gaseous pollutants. The emission of gaseous pollutant will increased pollution level of ambient air along the road corridor. At the same time, as a result of gravel road, the air pollution is likely from the dust emitted from earthen road surface
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 41 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road due to movement of vehicles and also from wind. This will also increase air pollution level. The air pollution may cause the adverse health impact to the people living nearby the road corridors.
As the road is of feeder road category, the vehicular movement is not expected much in number. The overall impact of air pollution will be insignificant.
Noise Pollution During operation period, the noise level will be increased due to movement of vehicles, expansion of settlements and establishment of cottage industries. However, due to low traffic volume and few cottage industries, the impact due to noise pollution will be insignificant.
Water Pollution During operation period, the disposal of gases and liquid pollutants from vehicles into water bodies may cause water pollution. The disposal of spoil and other construction materials and wastes into water bodies during maintenance may also degrade the water quality. The impact of this kind will be insignificant.
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6 Mitigation Measures
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6.1 General
Mitigation refers to the measures that are designed to cope with adverse consequences and to enhance the positive impacts on the environment as a result of the Project implementation. Mitigation measures are recommended actions that reduce, avoid or offset the potential adverse environmental consequences of the Project activities. The mitigation measures are of curative, preventive and compensatory types.
6.2 Pre-construction Phase
The mitigation measures adopted during design or pre-construction phases are of preventive in nature with two basic objectives: (i avoiding costly mitigation, and CiiJ awareness among the stakeholders.
6.2.1 Route Selection
The proper selection of appropriate route for the alignment can be one of the major preventive environmental mitigation measures. The appropriate route selection avoids or minimizes the environmental degradation primarily in terms of loss of flora and fauna, minimum or no slope instability or soil erosion, disruption of water bodies, minimum loss of fertile cultivated land, and no loss of valuable communities' properties.
For the proposed project, two alternatives routes were studied considering geology, social, economic, geomorphology, forest cover, and other relevant issues. Based on the comparison, the final route has been selected.
The prominent reasons for selecting alignment I include:
Distance to Dzonkhag Head Quarter- The alignment I seems 5 km longer than alignment 11,the travel distance to reach Dzongkhag head quarter will be shorter for the people of Dangchu geog as it avoids the distance from Zelela to Nobding approximately by 20 km.
Snow Clearance and Frequent Closure of Road - The alignment 11passes through high elevation, it frequently experience snow fall at about 3000 meter amsl. This situation may frequently disrupt transportation services and require additional costs for snow clearance.
Households Coverage - The alignment I will provide services to about 60 households in comparison to 11 households through alignment 11.
Rock Cutting - The alignment I passes only 150 meter length through hard rock, which requires blasting materials in comparison to 450 meter along alignment 11.
Forest Clearance- The alignment I require less forest area to be cleared in comparison to alignment 11.
Grazing Land - The alignment I does not pass through natural pasture or grazing land as compared to alignment 11which traverse and almost occupy 1 ha of natural pasture land.
6.2.2 Detailed Survey and Design
The detailed survey and design is also a preventive measure to avoid the slope instability, disruption of water systems, minimize road accident, minimize forest loss etc. The planning and survey need to be done by considering the above points. The survey and design also should incorporate the mitigation measures suggested by Environmental Assessment studies. The design needs to cover the rehabilitation of disrupted water systems, proper road gradient, suitable structures on instable zones and others. This measure should be incorporated in detailed engineering design.
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6.2.3 Incorporation of Mitigation Measures in Cost Estimate After detailed engineering design and drawing by incorporating mitigation measures as suggested by EA, the cost of for mitigation measures is to be included in the project cost. The mitigation measures will include physical, biological, and social related issues.
6.2.4 Incorporation of Mitigation Measures and EMP in Bid Document
All the works related to mitigation measures as suggested by the EA study should be incorporated in the bid document. The contract should be awarded by incorporating all mitigation measures covering physical, social, biological, occupational health and safety, etc. In addition, the specific responsibility of implementation of EMP should be made mandatory in the bid document as part of technical specification, so that the contractors will be obliged to execute the mitigation measures and EMP during the construction.
6.3 Construction Phase
6.3.1 Physical Environment
6.3.1.1 Earthwork and Safe Disposal of spoil Inappropriate and unsuitable spoil disposal is one of the biggest physical environmental problems in road construction of hill ecological regions. In order to dispose the spoil a careful planning needs to be prepared and practiced. EFRC approach of road building has adopted the principles of balance cut and fill and careful separation and reuse of excavated materials. The best mitigation measure for safe disposal of spoil is to strictly adhere with the EFRC principles and adopt mitigation measures recommended by this EA. However, it is difficult to attain perfect balance of cut and fill in each and every section. In order to make the safe disposal with minimum environmental damages, the following generic mitigation measures are suggested below. In addition to this, Table 6.1 provides the specific mitigation measures for proposed identified disposal sites along the road corridor. * Nutrient Top Soil shall be scrapped and stored for future use in bioengineering applications * Slope cutting activities to be carried out during dry season * Cut slope height to be limited to 1:1 * Slope cutting, excavation and transportation of spoil to be done with the use of Excavators and Trippers. * Using spoils for reclaiming the degraded land nearby in consultation with local communities, * No disposal shall be allowed in areas such as fragile slopes, flood ways, wetland, farmland, forest areas (from 9+000 - 13+000 km), natural drainage path, religious and culturally sensitive sites, canals and others, * No disposal shall be allowed in the area that will create inconvenience to the local community * Disposed spoil shall have minimum compaction preferably at every 0.5 m thickness. * Disposal site shall be rehabilitated with bioengineering work and provide proper drains to avoid erosion. Table 6.1: Disposal Site Management Measures Management Measures Site Clearance S No. Chainage Site description Requirements, if any * Build spoil benches Relatively gentle ground with almost no . compact spoil benches preferably at No site clearance is 1 6+850- 7+500 vegetation cover. No streams are every 0.5 m required as area is found nearby except chubachhu which . Proper drainage shall be provided almost barren area. almost a kilometre away. . Spreading of top soil followed by bioengineering work to prevent erosion . Build spoil benches Gently inclined ground. The area is thinly vegetated with shrubs and at . compact spoil benches preferably at No tree felling will be 2 13+000 - 13+200 safe distance from nearest stream. every 0.5 m required except for However this area is not suitable for . Proper drainage shall be provided bush clearance. huge volume of disposal. Spreading of top soil followed by bioengineering work to prevent erosion Source: EA field Survey 2005 and Geological & Geotechnical Study, RAP It,May 2006
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In addition to the above disposal sites, other suitable locations should be explored during the construction.
6.3.1.2 Slope Instability and Erosion
Due to the complex interaction between water, soil, and topography, the slope failure, landslide, mass wasting are the common features in hill ecological region. These factors are further aggravated by the road construction activities such as earth excavation, drainage work, and quarrying and spoil disposal. The mitigation measures to be adopted for avoiding such impacts in the proposed road Project are: * select the road alignment as recommended EA and Geological & Geotechnical Study. In this case, select alignment I over alignment option 11. * It is difficult to maintain balanced cut and fill concept especially in Bhutanese mountainous environment. Hence the recommended slope gradient for different cut slope height is provided in the table 6.2. * revegetate cut and fill slope or exposed area as soon as possible by using local species such as Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina spp., Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) and other suitable native species. * minimize the damage to vegetation through construction of Log barriers or check dams particularly along the steep slopes from 8+360 to 8+800km, 9+300 to 10+400 km and near banks of Samochhu. Table 6.3 shows the detail and specific location where slope stabilization work is needed to be carried out. * Prior to any earthwork, the topsoil shall be removed and stored in safe location for future re-use as a spreading over cut slopes, embankments, shoulders and central reserves followed by plantation of native plant species. * Slope cutting activities to be carried out only during dry season. * Proper drainage shall be constructed as specified by geotechnical studies for water management. V- shaped drains shall be constructed throughout the alignment. * Adopt bio-engineering technology - Bio-engineering is an integral component of Environmental Friendly Road Construction. It is a combination of small-scale civil engineering structures and vegetative systems to enhance the slope stability condition. The major threat to the sustainability of low cost earth and gravel roads is erosive effect of water, in particular the scourng of side drains, drainage outfalls, roads and embankment edge and exposed slopes in cuts. Innovative work in several countries including in Bhutan has demonstrated that it is possible to select and utilize particular combinations of local plants species to provide sound engineering solutions. Some of the local plants that could be used for bioengineerng are Gawangshing (Alnus nepalensis), Kharshing (Erythrina arborescens), Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica), Deshing (Daphne bholua) and Small bamboos (Yushania microphylla). Figure 6.1 illustrates the hypothetical site requiring civil and bioengineering works serving different functions. Figure 6-1: Hypothetical Site Requiring Civil and Bioengineering Work
Shrubs planted at Initerals anchorage through the potential failure plane X ,
Dense line of shrubs catching debris Planted grasses: armouring and providing reinforcement to 0.5m
Road and Id dri Ganion toe wall: providing support
Source: Roadside Bio-engineering, Department of Road, HMGN
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Table 6.2: Recommended Standard Slope Gradient for Cut Slope Soil Classification Cutting Height (m) Slope Gradient (V:H) Hard Rock 1:0.3- 1:0.8 Soft Rock 1:0.5 - 1:1.2 Not dense (loose), poorly 1:1.5 Sand graded Less than 5m 1:0.8 -1:1 Dense orwell graded 5L-1n m 1:1.0 -1:1.2 Sandy soil Less than5m 1:1.0 -1:1.2 Not dense (loose) 5 -10 m 1:1.2 - 1:1.5 Less than 10 m 1:0.8 -1:1 Sandy soil mixed with gravel 10-15m 1:1.0-1:1.2 or rock mass Not dense (loose) or poorly Less than 10 m 1:1.0 - 1:1.2 graded 10 -15 m 1:1.2 -1:1.5 Cohesive soil Less than 10 m 1:0.8 - 1:1.2 Cohesive soil mixed with Less than 5 m 1:1.0 -1:1.2 rock masses or cobbles 5-l10m 1:1.2 - 1:1.5 Source: Geological & Geotechnical Study, RAP It, May 2006
Table 6.3: Locations of Slope Stabilization as suggested by geological & geotechnical study Chainage Slope Failure Initiation Factors Potential Impact Suggested Mitigation Mechanism
* Steep slope cut in the . Frequent road . Gabion retaining walls with geo-textiles, at valley side 0+000 - 4+080 Potentiality of loose debris. blockages if cut shall be provided at short stretches e.g. at ch. 2+620 shallow seated cut * pore pressure slopes are not where gabion retaining wall of 4 m height and 20 m in slope failures. development due to treated. length is required. rain water infiltration. . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. * slope erosion due to * Bio-engineering structures shall be provided to protect run off water. the cut slope faces. * Potentiality of * Steep slope cut in the * Frequent road . Gabion retaining walls with geo-textiles, at valley side. 5+020 - 6+340 shallow seated loose colluvium. blockages due to * Cut slope on debris shall be limited to 1:1. cut slope failures. . Water run off. cut slope failures. * Bio-engineering structures shall be provided to protect * Spoil mass flow. * debris flow on the cut slope faces. the road surface. . Spoil shall be deposited at designated sites. * Potentiality of * Steep slope cut in the . Frequent road . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. 6+340 + shallow seated loose colluvium & rock blockages due to . The slope shall be cut by providing benches and the 9+700 cut slope failures. mass. cut slope failures. cut ht. shall be limited to 5 to 10 m. * Rock slide. * High cut slope ht., * Controlled blasting would be very helpful to avoid . Excessive blasting. triggering of the slope failure. * Debris slide, * Steep slope cut in the * Frequent road . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. 9+700-10+765 . Plane failure. loose colluvium & rock blockages due * The slope shall be cut by providing benches and the mass. to cut slope cut ht. shall be limited to 5 to 10 m. . High cut slope ht., failures, * Controlled blasting would be very helpful to avoid * Excessive blasting. * Entire road triggering of the slope failure. could be lost. . Masonry prop and breast wall may be required. . Masonry/concrete edge wall with or without dowel bars as per site condition. . Debris slide * Steep slope cut in the . Frequent road . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. 10+765- loose and saturated blockages due * The slope shall be cut by providing benches and the 13+250 colluvium. to cut slope cut ht. shall be limited to 5 to 10 m. failures, * Gabion retaining walls with geo-textiles, at valley and . Entire road hill sides (particularly up to km. 12). could be lost. . Cut & fill balance approach shall be used * Road side drains shall be lined with impervious material. . French type shallow sub-surface drains under the road side drains near the seepage area. . Herring bone pattemed drainage system at the up slope, . Bio-engineering structures shall be provided to protect the bare cut slope faces. * Debris slide. * Steep slope cut in the * Frequent road . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. 13+250 - loose and saturated blockages due . The slope shall be cut by providing benches and the
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13+650 colluvium. to cut slope cut ht. shall be limited to 5 to 10 m. failures, . Gabion retaining walls with geo-textiles, at valley and . Entire road hill sides. could be lost. * Cut & fill balance approach shall be used. . Road side drains shall be lined with impervious material. . French type shallow sub-surface drains under the road side drains near the seepage area. . Herring bone patterned drainage system at the up slope, . Bio-engineering structures shall be provided to protect the bare cut slope faces. Steep slope cutting on . Frequent road . Cut slope on colluvium shall be limited to 1:1. 13+650- Debris slide. soil, blockages due . The slope shall be cut by providing benches and the to cut slope cut ht. shall be limited to 5 to 10 m. 14+300 failures. . Gabion retaining walls with geo-textiles, at valley and hill sides. . Cut & fill balance approach shall be used to the extent possible. . Bio-engineering structures shall be provided Source: EA field Survey 2005 and Geological & Geotechnical Study, RAP It, March 2006
6.3.1.3 Quarrying and Establishment of Stockpile Yards The construction of road, particularly retaining walls and other structures will require boulders, sand and gravel. The field investigation conducted both by EA and Geological & Geotechnical Study reveals no suitable quarry sites within the project area. As per the Geological & Geotechnical study, the boulders can be quarried from the stream bed of Chubachhu. The extraction or mining of limestone aggregates upstream of Chubachhu bridge site will be difficult due to inaccessibility. It will further aggravate already sliding situation. Therefore, quarries need to be developed outside the project area to extract construction materials. To minimize the adverse impact due to boulder extraction along the bank of chubachhu, following mitigation measures are to be carried out:
* As per Annex 2 of the RECOP, the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) is designated as competent Authority for the issuance of EC for quarrying involving less than 3 hectares. In this context, the project need to file in separate application for EC for quarrying as per the "Application for environmental clearance guideline for Mines, NEC RGoB, August 2004" * Quarrying to be carried out from crown of the slope and gradually moving down slope in phased manner * Provision of appropriate safety gadgets such as gloves, helmet, face masks, ear plugs, goggles, to workers * Topsoil should be scrapped before any quarrying operation takes place and stored in safe location for future use, particularly for bioengineering works. * Avoid unstable stream bed while quarrying for boulders * Quarrying activities to be carried out only during daytime * Carry out boulders quarrying only limited quantity from same area to avoid soil erosion and thereby water pollution * Sprinkling water twice a day to reduce excessive dust generation * Restore quarry sites by planting native species such as Alnus nepatensis which is found growing in plenty along Chubachhu stream
6.3.1.4 Use of Blasting Materials
The proposed road construction will require cutting of hard rock approximately 1325 m3 at different location, chainage 10+1000 and 11+900 km. The use of blasting material will expedite the work; however, the use of blasting material will trigger landslide and other adverse impacts on environment. The mitigation measures to be adopted for use of blasting materials include:
* Transportation, handling and storage of explosive should follow the prevailing rules (Explosive rules of the Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs) * Store explosive in steel container, which are fire and theft proof
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* Do not store gelatin, detonators, and cortex, together * Dispose waste safely by burying them in 5-8 feet deep pits * Adopt controlled blasting practice with limited charge where possible * Use Acconex from chainage 9+000 to 13+000 km to avoid disturbance to wildlife and its habitat * Provision for well equipped first aid kits, health facilities, and fire fighting equipment on construction site * Allow only trained or certified blasters to carry out all blasting activities * Maintain coordination with Gup of Dangchu Geog and Wangdi police on schedule of blasting to ensure that nearby community people are informed. * Use appropriate warning signals by using whistles, flags, megaphone to ensure safety of traveling vehicle and people * Adopt appropriate OHS ( provision of helmets, gloves, masks, etc) * Conduct blasting exercise during day time
6.3.1.5 Selection of Batching Plant and Crusher
The proper site for concrete batching plant and crusher for the construction of structures such as bridges in later phases of the Project should be appropriately selected so that minimum adverse impacts to human health due to air pollution and noise pollution will be ensured. The following mitigation measures are suggested:
* Location of crushing plants should be away from settlements, agricultural lands and near the sensitive habitat (Chainage 9+500 to 12+500) * Water sprinkling on stones and aggregates at least twice a day to minimize the release of dust * Make provision of face mask, helmets, goggles, earplugs, etc to workers * Proper covers for vehicles transporting the stones and sand * Regular maintenance of equipment and vehicles * Provision for cyclone filters for crushing equipments if it has to site near to human settlement * Restoration of site after operation of plant with appropriate measures such as spreading top soil, re- vegetation, etc.
6.3.1.6 Construction of Sub-grade and Gravelling
The scope of the proposed road is limited to gravel surface. In carrying out this activity, there are chances of dust and noise pollution. This shall be mitigated by sprinkling water during sub-grade preparation and gravelling. Strict dust control through sprinkling of water during construction shall be carried out from chainage 4+500 to 6+000 (road alignment along Ridhang Goenpa village), 7+000 to 8+500 km (nearby Peljoring village) and at Tashidingkha village. Construction equipments will be maintained regularly and Cyclone filters to be installed to reduce noise pollution. The work will be carried out during day time only.
6.3.1.7 Disruption of Community Infrastructures
Despite the careful planning and survey, 3 numbers of community infrastructures will be adversely affected (Section 4.3.3, chapter IV). In order to avoid such impacts, the following mitigation measures are suggested:
* Restore irrigation canal by constructing a box-shape drain (chainage 4+200 to 4+400 km) about 200 m in length parallel to the road and construct four Hume pipe crossings to allow irrigation water to flow to the irrigated fields. * Avoid and protect indigenous spring water at chainage 8+700 km with appropriate bioengineering and civil structures as it is important water source of community. It is the only water source for cattle in the area. * Provide temporary passes during construction and complete restore after construction of the traditional foot and mule tracks at change 6+380, 10+820 km and other locations where foot trails/Mule tracks cross the proposed road.
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6.3.1.8 Drainage and Cross Drainage Works
The road generally generates large concentrated surface runoff. The concentrated water nearby the road causes erosion and landslide eventually affecting the stability of road itself. Similarly, road crosses a number of natural drains and river, which are to be provided with adequate cross drainage works. Along the proposed road project 2 numbers of minor bridges 8 Nos. of Culverts are proposed. In addition, in order to avoid the drainage problems, the following mitigation measures are suggested:
* provide adequate numbers of drainage structures in order to have minimum interference with and impact on natural drainage pattern of the area, * Construct French drains, lined drain to tap excessive water and dispose of to natural drain, * Planting of fast growing plant species with high water absorptive capacity in marshy area to lower the water table and reduce surface drain * avoid surface water discharge into farmland or risky locations, * do not divert water away from natural water course unless it is absolutely necessary, and * avoid blockage or diversion of natural channels due to construction of road and disposal of spoils. * provide temporary diversion of streams during construction of cross drainages (Bridges & culverts) to avoid water pollution through siltation which affects aquatic lives and downstream users. Particular attention shall be paid while constructing two minor bridges, over Chubachhu and Samochhu.
6.3.1.9 Loss of Cultivated Land
The proposed Project will convert almost 1.1 ha (1 ha = 2.47 Acre) of cultivated land, which is basically Kamzhing (dry land agriculture). This will directly affect the land owners in terms of their livelihood. For this, the following mitigation measures are suggested:
* the road center-line should be such aligned to avoid valuable agricultural land, * a detailed and transparent local consultation process should be adopted to resolve the acquisition and compensation issues in a way that the community particularly the affected households are adequately compensated. The affected households, area lost and the compensation to be paid are presented in table 6.4. Table 6.4: List of Affected Households and their Compensation S. No. Household Thram Loss of Land (acre) Rate Amount (Nu) No. Length (m) Area (Acre) Land use 1 Dem 126 45 0.17 Kamzhing 20,000 3389.28 2 Sangchum 151 160 0.60 Kamzhing 20,000 12050.79 3 Kinzang Dema 106 60 0.45 Kamzhing 20,000 9038.09 4 Budha NA 10 0.04 Kamzhing 20,000 753.17 5 Sigay NA 180 0.68 Kamzhing 20,000 13557.14 6 Rinchen (Kota) NA 200 0.75 Kamzhing 20,000 15063.48 Total 2.69 53851.95 Source: Field Survey, 2005 Note: The compensation rate is as per the prevailing Land Compensation Rate of RGOB.
6.3.2 Biological Environment
6.3.2.1 Impacts due to Site Clearance
During the construction, the site clearance along the alignment becomes essential. These activities result in the loss of vegetation cover, disturbance in micro level ecosystem, soil erosion, and scarring of landscape. In order to mitigate the impacts due to this action, the following measures are suggested:
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* Site clearance and tree felling shall be limited to only within the road formation width of 5.1 m to minimize the habitat damage. * As far as possible tree felling shall be parallel to the road alignment to reduce unnecessary damage of vegetation downhill. * Strong Log barrier or check dams to be installed on steeper slopes particularly along chainage 9+500 to 12+000 to prevent flowing debris from damaging the vegetation cover downhill. * During the construction period, RAP/PMU/Contractor in coordination with Lobesa Territorial Divisional Forest Office (DFO) will organize special instruction and awareness raising training for the construction workforce and local people to deter illegal activities such as unauthorized tree felling along ROW. * Nobding Forest Beat Officer will make a surprise visit to campsite and other work areas to discourage the workers from illegal and indiscriminate of felling of trees.
6.3.2.2 Use of Forest Product A total of 1279 trees shall be felled after the permission of competent forest authority for the construction of road. An estimated 6,147 m3 of wood volume is expected as part of site clearance. The forest product to be removed can generate considerable resources by selling the forest products, which can be used for timber as well as for fuel wood. The forest species, which can be used for timber, include Betula utilis, Cuppresus, Juglans and Quercus spp. From the clearance of forest the quantity of forest product which can be sold are presented in table 6.5. The past experience suggests that only about 15-20 percent of total estimated volume as indicated in table 6.5 can be finally brought to road head and market centers. The remaining quantity of timber volume can be utilized for construction work particularly for log barriers, etc. For the trees felled within the private owned forest (sokshing) could be given to an owner as a compensation of their resources lot. Table 6.5: Estimated Forest Products SNo. Description Quantity (M3) 1 Forest product having timber value 2,409.00 2 Forest which can be used for fuel 3,738.00 wood Source, Field survey. 2005 The project in coordination with the Department of Forest and Forestry Development Corporation can make arrangement for the selling out of forest products through auctioning. The amount collected can be either deposited to national treasury or directly used for the compensatory forestation program nearby the construction site.
6.3.2.3 Degradation of Forest and Habitat The direct loss of forest due to road alignment may be further degraded due to the number of construction related activities including spoil disposal, firewood collection by workers, etc. The following mitigation measures are to be strictly adopted while planning, designing and constructing this proposed road to avoid severe loss of forest and the destruction of habitat:
* ensure that the alignment is not pushed into forest area by local interested groups during construction, * Road shall be careful designed particularly from 8+300 - 13+000 km where road passes through steep forest land. While designing, the following measures have to be properly taken into consideration: o With minimum road width (not more 5.1 m formation width). The narrow road width will reduce the damage of vegetation. It will also discourage unnecessary parking of vehicle along the road and hence avoiding unwanted interference to the surrounding forest. o Cut slope shall be limited to 1:1. O The slope shall be cut by providing benches if flattening of side slope is not possible. This reduces possibilities of cut slope failures,
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o Appropriate design and construction of bio-engineering and civil structures as suggested by geological and geotechnical studies for RAP I1 to avoid slope failure * The fruits of Oak trees (Quercus spp.) are one of the main sources of food for Himalayan Black Bear. Hence unnecessary felling of Oak trees for fuel wood or timber shall be strictly prohibited. * No tree felling, collection of firewood or disturbance of vegetation will be allowed outside the road reserve. * Strong Log barrier or check dams shall be installed on steeper slopes particularly along chainage 9+500 to 12+000 to prevent flowing debris from damaging the vegetation cover downhill. * No Labour or Construction Camps and batching or crushing plants siting will be allowed within chainage of 9+500 to 12+500 km. * No Spoil dumping will be allowed in between the chainage 9+500 - 12+500 km except for the designated sites provided in table 6.1. * No fire will be permitted and fire break shall be implemented to ensure no spread of fires from the road reserve. The fire safety shall be strictly enforced from Chainage 11+200 - 13+500 km as the alignment passes through Oak forest with huge dried leaf litters during winter. Fire fighting equipments shall be made available to prevent any accidental fire hazards. * The Contractor or Construction supervisor shall be made responsible for prevention of any fire outbreaks within the construction sites. * During the construction period, RAP/PMU/Contractor in coordination with DFO will organize special instruction and awareness raising training for the workforce and local people to deter illegal activities such as unauthorized tree felling along ROW. * Nobding Forest Beat Officer will make a surprise visit to campsite and other work areas to discourage the workers from illegal and indiscriminate of felling of trees.
6.3.2.4 Compensatory Plantation
In order to minimize the forest loss, compensatory plantation is recommended within the project area. The compensation should be made by planting in ratio of 1:5 of trees. The project should identify the suitable land for compensatory plantation in consultation with Dzongkhag Forest Office and the local elected Head (Gup). The responsibility for re-plantation and conservation should be given to local community in consultation with RAP/DOR. DOR/RAP should allocate fund and provide the required saplings for Afforestation Program of Dangchhu Geog. RAP could use the June 2nd occasion, which is the Coronation Day of His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuk. The day is also observed as a Social Forestry Day, where people through out Bhutan plant the tree in honour of His Majesty and to promote environmental conservation awareness. The involvement of local communities in re-plantation work will instill the sense of ownership and will take responsibility of protection and nurturing of the planted trees.
6.3.2.5 Protection of Wildlife
The construction of road will inevitably lead to fragmentation of wildlife and its habitat. The road acts as a barrier to animal movements and disrupts their migratory routes. The impacts could particularly be along the chainage 9+500 to 12+000 which is dense forest and a habitat for wildlife. The applicable and cost effective mitigation measures are proposed to prevent excessive damage of wildlife habitat along this chainage. However, the-expensive wildlife corridor connectivity such overpasses and underpasses are not proposed as Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road is categorized as feeder road. The volume of traffic on the proposed road will be negligible and can be comparable to a Dakpai - Buli feeder which assumed to be around 22 vehicles per Day as per World Bank Study on Rural Access Project.
Hence the mitigation measures to reduce impact on wildlife are recommended as below:
* Road shall be careful designed particularly from 9+500 - 12+000 km using following criteria:
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o With minimum road width (not more 5. I m formation width). The narrow rood width will reduce the damage or reduce fragmentation of habitat. While wildlife crossing will be easier, it will avoid unnecessary parking of vehicle along the road, thereby discouraging unwonted interference to wildlife and surrounding forest. o Cut slope shall be limited to 1:1. O The slope shall be cut by providing benches if flattening of side slope is not possible. Cut slope height will be limited to 5 - 10 m. The flatter side slope together with benching will ease wildlife movement. o Designing speed breakers at appropriate intervals to reduce vehicle speed to avoid wildlife mortality by accidents or intentional ones. o Animal crossing signage as shown figure 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 are to be provided along the chainage. The specific animal crossings and installation of signage shall be determined during the construction in coordination with DFO and Nobding Forest Beat Office a Application of appropriate bioengineering technique to improve or restore lost habitat. Refer table 6.2 for site requiring bioengineering work. * Strong Log barrier or check dams to be installed on steeper slopes particularly along chainage 9+500 to 12+000 check flow debris and protect the vegetation cover downhill further. * No tree felling, collection of firewood or disturbance of vegetation will be allowed outside the road reserve * No Labour Camp, Construction Camps, batching/crushing plants siting will be allowed within chainage 9+500 to 12+500 km. * Only Acconex (blasting) to be used along the chainage 9+500 to 12+000 to reduce disturbance to wildlife * No Spoil dumping will be allowed in between the chainage 9+500 - 12+500 km except for the designated sites provided in table 6.1. * No fire will be permitted and fire break shall be implemented to ensure no spread of fires from the road reserve. The fire safety shall be strictly enforced from Chainage 11 +200 - 14+300 km as the alignment passes through Oak forest with huge dried leaf litters during winter. * The Contrator/Construction Supervisor will ensure the noise levels are under permissible limits and construction activities will be concentrated during day times as far as possible. * The Contrator/Construction Supervisor will ensure that no poaching or illegal hunting is carried out by the construction workers. * The Contractor will install of a check point at with a guard to prevent illegal hunting, felling of trees and movement of unauthorized vehicle to the construction sites from chainage 9+000 - 13+000 km. * During the construction period, RAP/PMU/Contractor in coordination with Lobesa Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) will organize special instruction and awareness raising training for the workforce and local people to deter poaching, tree felling and any other illegal activities. * The Contractor/Construction Supervisor will be responsible for controlling poaching, felling and any other illegal activities by the construction workers. * Nobding Forest Beat Officer will make a surprise visit to campsite and other work areas to discourage the workers from illegal hunting and indiscriminate of felling of trees. Figure 6-2: Bear Crossing Figure 6-3: Deer Crossing Figure 6-4: Leopard Crossing Figure 6-5: Pheasant Crossing
Source: Animal World /http:/lanwo.com/shopsite sc/storelhtml/animalsigns2. html)
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6.3.2.6 Control Illegal Hunting
Poaching or trappings of wildlife will be adequately controlled by taking appropriate measure by the Proponent. In order to avoid such activities, the Proponent will instruct the project officials, labor force, contractors, and other stakeholder not to indulge in illegal activities and abide by the forest act and its regulation. The Proponent will coordinate with Nobding Forest Beat office to control poaching and trapping by the workers under its authority. Surprise checking will be conducted by Forest Rangers and guards to control illegal hunting or poaching of all wild animals including the protected animals such as Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard and other common wild animals. Bhutan Forest & Nature Conservation Rules 2000 will be strictly implemented to minimize the poaching and trapping of animals. The offender will be penalized as per rules and could be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and pay fine equivalent to market value of forest produce involved.
6.3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment
6.3.3.1 Location and Establishment of Construction Camps
Improper siting and frequent shifting of labour camps will result in deforestation, poaching, loss of aesthetic beauty, improper waste disposal, health problems, disturbances to nearby settlements and competition in use of community resources. This will not be a serious issue as the project intends to recruit only a small number (around 30) labour force. However, it is important to put following mitigation measures in place to ward off any possible impacts from occurring.
* briefing of labourers on local culture, laws and rules of kingdom on illegal activities such as felling of trees, hunting, fishing and other prohibited activities * campsite shall be located at an appropriate distance from settlements. Suitable places are found at chainage 7+600 and 9+000. As mentioned in section 6.3.2.5 construction of camps will be strictly prohibited between chainage 9+500 to 12+500 km to reduce the disturbance to wildlife. * camps house shall be secure and be able to protect the inhabitants from rain, excessive sunshine and other extreme conditions * Providing cooking gas or kerosene to labourers to discourage use of firewood * fire fighting equipment shall be provided * camp areas shall be cleaned and bare surface be revegetated to restore the area
6.3.3.2 Occupational Health and Safety
The Proponent will ensure that the Contractors will comply with full OHS requirements. It will erect signs and signal on hazardous areas, which will be visible from a long distance. The construction workers will be provided with helmets, boots, gloves, masks, and earplugs depending upon the nature of work. There will be provision of first aid health facility at work sites and necessary information on rescue during emergency.
6.3.3.3 Sanitation and Waste Management Facilities in constructioncamp The following mitigation measures are considered for proper sanitation and waste management at the construction camps:
* Proper waste disposal facilities such as dustbins and garbage pits shall be made available at the camp sites. * Pit latrines to be constructed and drinking water will be supplied.
6.3.3.4 Religious and Cultural Sites
Impact on religious and cultural sites will be minimized through bypassing them, as far as possible. If not, then their relocation and rehabilitation with close coordination with the local communities will be done.
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In the proposed road alignment, two religious sites have been identified and specific mitigation measures are presented hereunder:
* Locally significant, spiritually important tree, dedicated to local deity (known as Lungchunap) is located near the chainage 7+840 km. Previous alignment passed directly through the area but on the request of Mr. Singye Penjor (resident of Peljorling village), proposed road was realigned. It is important to carryout appropriate rehabilitation works such as building retaining wall in order to protect the tree and its surrounding.
* At chainage 8+040 km. there is a ruin of chorten (stupa). This stupa is very important part of the local culture, every year, during month of March; communities in Penjorling perform Tsechu (religious ceremony). This ceremony is aimed at appeasing local deity called Drap Majay or Lam Drap thereby seeking good health of communities and protection of crops against natural calamities. The road alignment pass through this important ruins and it is recommended that road be realigned and the retaining wall should be constructed to protect site.
6.4 Operation and Maintenance Phase
6.4.1 Slope Instability and Erosion
The consequences of landslide and soil erosions are far wider than repair and maintenance of the road. The impact of slope instability and erosion will be in terms of agricultural land, agricultural production, forest and others. The mitigation measures to curb such impacts are:
* correct maintenance of the slope protection measures and drainage works should be adopted,
* minor landslides, erosion, and mass wasting should be immediately cleared and slope restored with appropriate technology ( preferably bioengineering),
* promote and support soil conservation activities in the right of way and beyond,
* organize environmental awareness programmes for local communities, road users, and decision makers.
6.4.2 Air, Noise and Water Pollution
After opening of road, vehicles will ply along the road and cause air pollution due to vehicular emission and dusts. The movement of vehicle will also cause noise pollution. Similarly, disposal of oil and grease on water- body and surface run-off from road surface may cause water pollution. In order to mitigate these impacts, vehicle emission standard shall be maintained which will indirectly keep vehicles in good condition, and watering on road surface shall also be made frequent. Appropriate water management and drainage system shall be developed.
6.4.3 Accidents After the operation of road there are likely chances of accidents. In order to mitigate these impacts, the safety measures suggested by DoR, restriction on speed, traffic signs, delineators etc., shall be provided.
6.4.4 Ribbon Settlement Along the Road
During the operation phase of the road, there are likely chances of the growth of ribbon settlements. This will cause congestion to road users and increase accident. Implementation of "The Road Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2004" discourages such settlements along the road. Local authorities shall be informed of appropriate areas of settlement expansion, bus stand, and other infrastructure facilities.
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6.4.5 Depletion of Forest Resources The pressure on forest resources during rood operation is very likely. The mitigation measures suggested to overcome such impacts are: * provide support to local communities for preserving their forest especially the community forest, * promote replacement of firewood by non-forest energy sources, such as hydropower and solar power, and * encourage and support local communities and authorities for controlling illegal harvesting of forest resources.
6.4.6 Maintenance of Road and other Related Infrastructures
In absence of proper maintenance, the road condition will deteriorate over the years resulting into numerous problems such as accidents, disruption of transportation services and accumulation of deferred maintenance. The Department of Roads will allocate adequate resources and logistics to ensure that the road is being maintained and intended benefits are generated thereof.
6.5 Institutions Responsible for Implementation of Mitigation Measures The institutions to be involved for the implementation of mitigation measures are listed here under:
RAP/DOR - Incorporation of suggested mitigation in survey, design, cost estimation, bid documents, quality control and construction supervision of mitigation measures, conduction of skill training, land and property acquisition, operation and maintenance of the road project
Contractor - Adoption of mitigation measures suggested as per contract documents including civil works, bio- engineering, management of construction camps and labor camps.
DYT/GYT - Responsible for coordinating local communities for acquisition of land and property, conduction of awareness among local communities, monitoring of project related activities, etc. MOWHS - Responsible for conduction of environmental monitoring activities
NEC - Responsible for environmental monitoring and auditing
DOF - Responsible for coordination of forest clearance, disposal of harvested forest products, and compensatory forestation program
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7 Environmental Management Plan
7.1 Environmental Management Plan
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) of a project is an important tool to ensure the implementation of mitigation measures at the right time and in right places in order to eliminate the adverse impacts, offset them, or reduce them to acceptable level and enhance the potentially beneficial impacts. The EMP consists of a set of mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures. In order to promote the implementation of mitigation measures for the proposed Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road Project, a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan is prepared and attached as appendix 2. However, the cost of Environmental management plan is not presented at this stage as detail design of the road is still under way.
7.2 Type of Monitoring As an important part of the EMP, environmental monitoring needs to be carried out in every stage of the project. The Environmental Monitoring will cover three types of monitoring in Environmental Assessment studies viz. Baseline Monitoring, Compliance Monitoring, and Impact Monitoring. Baseline monitoring aims to identify, collect, and verify the additional environmental baseline data, that is scientific or social in nature and needed to augment information on baseline conditions initially generated.
Compliance monitoring is necessary in order to encourage and promote the proponent to comply with the requirement as listed in the mitigation measures and any condition set-forth during the project approval. Hence, it is desirable to ensure the integration of mitigation measures in the document, if any, that should fully reflect environmental obligation to be compiled with by the proponent.
Impact monitoring is necessary in order to know the actual level of impact in the field during the construction and operation of the proposed Project, as the environmental impacts are predicted on the basis of value judgment through some valid assumptions.
The nature and purpose of environmental monitoring are different in various stages of the project process viz. Pre-construction Stage (Design and Investigation), Construction Stage, and Operation Stage.
7.2.1 Pre-construction Phase Monitoring at this stage of project is to:
* confirm that plan, route selection and design of the road has considered the recommendation made by EA * judge the level of preparation for implementing the construction related mitigation, and * prepare up-to-date environmental status of specific sites where the impacts are assessed to be significant.
7.2.2 Construction Phase
The monitoring at this stage of the project is primarily focused on construction and management practices. This stage of monitoring is to check compliance with the best practices, norms and standards and on implementation of the mitigation measures prescribed by EA vis-a-vis the impact or changes that are occurring on environmental receptors. During this, the following parameters will be mainly focused on: * disposal of spoil and construction wastes and its consequences, * disruption of natural water courses, drainage work, and its consequences, * loss or degradation of forest and vegetation, * care, sensitivity or disruption of community infrastructures, * loss or degradation or threat to private properties,
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* care sensitivity or disruption to cultural sites, * slope protection measures, * quarrying and borrowing, and * consultation and cooperation with local communities (GYT & DYT) in environmental matters.
7.2.3 Operation Phase
The monitoring during operation period will be mainly related with main focus on road features, road induced activities and their impacts on receiving environment. During this phase, the following parameters are mainly monitored:
* drainage structures, their outfall and damage to private properties, community properties, and natural resources, * effectiveness of the provided slope protection and soil erosion measures, * encroachment into road ROW, public land or marginal land, * status of waste disposal sites, quarry sites, and borrow pits, * symptom of enhancement, conservation or degradation of forest and soil, * road accidents, * symptoms of emergence of road side settlements, changes in agricultural pattern, * activities of road neighboring communities, and * illegal felling and poaching of wildlife.
7.3 Environmental Monitoring Indicators and Schedules
7.3.1 Compliance Monitoring
Based on the identification, prediction, and evaluation of environmental impacts and design of suitable mitigation measures, compliance monitoring plan has been prepared to ensure the implementation of suggested measures. The compliance monitoring plan is presented in table 7.1 here under:
Table 7.1: Compliance Monitoring Responsible Responsible Parameters Indicators Methods Schedule Implementing Monitoring Agency Agency Incorporation of EA Walkthrough Prior to the Final alignment selection as per recommendation into along selected start of Survey RAP/DOR MOWHS/NEC project alignment selection algnadt and Design alignment Implementation of EA Incorporation of EA Review of final Following the Recommendation for planning recommendation into design completion of and design as per EFRC project design document; document and detailed RAP/DOR MOWHS/NEC approach design of road project design specification Following Inclusion of Mitgation Incorporation of EA Review of Bid preparation of Measures in Project Cost, Bid recommendation in Bid Documents and bid RAP/DOR MOWHS/NEC Documents, and contract Documents and Contract Contract documents contract Contractors arrangement Beginning of Construction Logistics for materials storage, Site construction Site DOR/MOWHS equipment, and Observation period Engineer/RAP construction activities Land and properties Discussions acquisition procedures; with local Land and Property Preparation of inventory of people and Beginning of RAP/DOR MOWHS/NEC infrastructures to be likely communities; constructon . to be affected Check inventory
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Responsible Responsible Parameters Indicators Methods Schedule Implementing Monitoring Agency Agency and discuss with people
Implementation of all Environmental Conditions Mentioned in Project Document Arrangement for slope Site inspection, regarding site-specific design, protection, pollution discussion with Before and water management, slope and prevention, protection of project During Contractors/Site erosion protection at EA Study vegetation, wildlife, use of management, construction Engineer DOR/MOWHS/NEC designated critcal sites, spoil local labor, safe consultants, cnrione dump area, balanced cut and construction, public health and local perod. fill, water body pollution, flora etc. people, and fauna protection, use of local labor, public health etc. Check number Adequate number of and type of Adequate technical supervision technicians regularly at site technicians During as per EFRC aspe FR Conceptbiiy oimlmetEFC Skillavailable of work at site ConstructionDosturting DOR/RAP MOWHS/NEC carried out Discussion Clean Up and Reinstatement of Completion of different At the end of . . Site observation construction Contractors DOR/MOWHS the Project Area aspects of project clean uppeid period.
7.3.2 Impact Monitoring
The impact monitoring plan for the proposed road project is presented in table 7.2 here under:
Table 7.2: Impact Monitoring Responsible Responsible Parameters Indicators Methods Location Schedule Implementing Monitoring Agency Agency Degree of slopes, Every Stability of slope, Stobevin, Near month Drainage facilities such as catch Site observation, vulnerable during Contractor/ Slopes drain, side drain, Disturbed area due Discussion with slopes, Slide construction RAP S/NEC to lack of drainage technica areas, fresh and at the Fresh gullies and erosion and their technicians erosion areas end of stabilization construction Every Bio- Re-vegetation through bio- Site observation Cut slope month engineering engineering application on disturbed Inspection of area, where during Contractor/ DOR/MOWH of Disturbed slope nursery and its vegetation is construction RAP S/NEC Slopes Establishment of nursery production rate Nursery end of construction Initiated erosion, affected aesthetic Every Spoils and value, affected forest and agriculture, Site observation Along the road fifteen days Contractor DOR/MOWH Conspouction initated land erosion by local blocked and interview alignment during /RAP S/NEC Wastes drainage, hazard to downhill slope construction residents and agri lands Initiated erosion, changes in river Site observation Quarrying of regime, erosion by river systems, Water qualityo Every DOR/ Construction landslide due to quarrying, testing of Quarry site month Contractor/ MOWHS/ Materials degradation of vegetabon, pollution of important water- areas during RAP NEC water-body bodies/source of construction drinking water Disruption of Status of rehabilitation Observation and Disrupted Every two Contractor/ DOR/ Drainage Service status of irrigation and water interview water system months RAP MOWHS/
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Responsible Responsible Parameters Indicators Methods Location Schedule Implementing Monitoring Agency Agency System supply system, during NEC Operation and maintenance construction requirement Loss or Status of road side land Observation, data Road side Every three DOR/ Degradation Statustof r sield collection and Rad sid months Contractor/ MOWHS/ of Agni Land Prod uction / yield analysis and iand and during RAP And Lose Status of road side houses intesise houses cnrion MWS and Houses Interview construction NEC Every three DOR/ Water Quality Tubidity, Oil and Grease, Dissolved Water Sampling Water bodies months Contractor/ MOWHS/ Oxygen and testing of importance during RAP NEC construction Visual inspection, Around the Every three DOR/ Air Quality Total Suspended Solid, Particulates, measurement, construction months Contractor/ MOWHSI Sox, Nox and comparison area, and road during RAP NEC with baseline data side construction In and around Every three Forest and Numbers of trees, health of trees, Observation and the months Contractor/ DOR/ Vegetation presence of ground vegetation measurement construction during RAP NEC sites, markets, construction Number of stumps of cut trees nearby In and around Every three DOR/ Loss of the project area, fonest the project months Contractor/ MOWHS/ Timber forest araduring RAPNE area construction NEC Wildlife hunting Trapping and poaching by work force, Interview with Every three DOR/ Wild life Trade of wildlife, local people, Forest area, months Contractor/ MOWHS/ Frequency of birds and mammals lOcsraltpopl, and road side during RAPNE seen in the project site before and Observaton, construction NEC after the project Discussion with Every three Types of diseases and amount of local people, Nearby project months Contractor/ DOR/ Public Health disease in the project area and local health worker, areas mong raP MOWHS/ community clinics and construction NEC medical shops Numbers of people employed by the Records kept by Twice a Changein project durng constfuction the project year during MOWHS/ Economy Numbers of women in work forces management, Project area construction RAP/DOR NEC Eomnu es of wmnd in wrfor s discussion with Changes In land use pattern pol andprto during people operation Numbers of shops increased or During Trade and Ner shopof incresasdor construction DOR/DYT/ MOWHS/ Commerce decreased, rental of houses and land Records interview Project area and GYT NEC spacesoperations
Cottage Establishment of industries in the Records and Project During MOWHS/ Industries vicinity of project area interview area/zone of construction DYT/GYT NEC influence /operation Type and number of accident Occupational occurred during construction, Safety and Adequacy of occupational safety Observation and Project rea Durng Contractor/ Hazard measured provided records, interview j consteuction Site Engineertra Compensation provided to the loss of life or disability Congestions to road users Records, During Settlement Nos. of accidents observations Project Area uraiWn DOR/DYT MWHS I ROW encroachment operation DR
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8 Conclusion and Recommendations
8.1 Conclusions * The Environmental Clearance (EC) for the construction of initial 8 km of the 14.3km long Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road was issued by NEC on loth November 2004. To date the construction of 8 km road has been partially completed with the internal funding of DOR/RGOB. The remaining 6.3 km road from Peljorling to Tashidingkha along with the completion of initial 8.0 Km stretch will be constructed under the RAP II, which is to be financed by World Bank. This EA report has been prepared for the construction of entire Road length (completion of initial stretch and new construction between chainage 6+300 to 14+300 Km), which requires formal approval from NEC in accordance with RECOP. * Based on the exercise during the course of EA studies, the proposed road sub-project will have no detrimental impacts to physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural resources as the predicted negative impacts could be mitigated through the adoption of an appropriate mitigation measures. * Of the two alignment alternatives, the alternative alignment I is better option as it passes through gentle to moderately inclined slopes and occupying less forest and cultivated areas. Furthermore, the alignment I reduces the travel distance from Geog headquarter to the Wangdue Dzongkhag by almost 20km. * The bridge site at Chubachhu is highly susceptible from flood erosion as it could be completely damaged during monsoon as a result of likely occurrence of flood of large magnitude. This requires careful attention while planning and adopting design parameters. road falls within Biological Corridor connecting Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Jigme Singye * The proposed 2 Wangchuk National Park (previously known as Black Mountain National Park). About 0.05 km of the total area of 876 km2 will be converted to road use. The area required to convert into Road is quite small and it will have insignificant adverse impacts on movement of wildlife. As per the Biodiversity Action Plan of Bhutan 2002, Biological cornidors are not strictly protected areas and hence are not included with the Protected Area Network. * The proposed road sub-project does not encounter any historical and cultural heritage sites along its corridor. * About 178 households of 12 villages of Dangchu Geog with an estimated population of 1602 people would directly or indirectly benefit from this sub-project by increasing access to market, education, health facility and other service centers. The construction of this road would reduce the travel time from Geog head quarter to the road head (near Jangchucholing) by almost 4 hours.
8.2 Recommendations The proposed sub-project is recommended for implementation by following the specific recommendations:
* Considering the emergence of integration of environmental conservation into development process, the proposed project should be designed and implemented in line with the Environmental Friendly Road Construction Technique being adopted in Bhutan, * The mitigation measures suggested should be integrated in planning and design stage of the project in terms of selection or appropriate alignment, incorporation of mitigation measures in detailed engineering design, cost estimate, bid document including technical specification as preventive measures. * As the bridge site at Chubachu need careful planning and adopt suitable design parameter to avoid likely damages from the flood events. * The John Howell's Bio-engineering in Bhutan for Road Sector 1999 should be consulted and used while designing a slope stabilization structures. This guide provides a detail bioengineering methods and techniques including the altitude-wise bioengineering plant species particularly for Bhutanese terrains.
8.3 The Way Forward As a part of the EA, a detail Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared detailing all the anticipated environmental problems as well as suitable mitigation measures, which covers preventive, curative and compensatory in nature. Currently, the DOR is carrying out detail design of the proposed road. During
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detailed engineering design, and as well in subsequent activities, the RAP II will accomplish the following important tasks:
* During the detailed design, the project will incorporate recommendation made by EA study * The mitigation measures proposed in the EMP shall be included in contract conditions, technical specifications and cost estimations, and Bill of Quantity. * The Contractor/Bidder shall prepare site specific EMP as per EFRC/DOR's "Guidelines for Bid Preparation, July 2005" which has to be submitted with the bidding document. * During construction, the contractor, Project officials (RAP at center as well as in Project level) will ensure the implementation of mitigation measures, monitoring activities in specified time as recommended by EMP. In addition, the project officials will facilitate the monitoring process to be carried out by other stakeholders such as communities, MOWHS, NEC.
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 61 Environmental Assessment Report of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road x References .... - .. i -. |- . - - - I Sm~ - -t a a .~ . . -Sm. S- .a~A % .I n 1. Environmental Assessment Act, 2000, Royal Government of Bhutan. National Environment Commission, Thimphu Bhutan 2. RGOB (1996), Land compensation rate, Thimphu 3. The Road Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2004, Royal Government of Bhutan 4. Land Act, Volume (KA), 2nd edition in 1998, Royal government of Bhutan 5. Robert L. Fleming, Sr., Robert L. Fleming, Jr., and Bangdel, Lain Singh, Birds of Nepal with reference to Kashmir and Sikkim, 1984, Third Edition. Nature Himalayas, Kathmandu, Nepal. 6. Ali, Salim. The book of Indian Birds, 1996, Twelfth revised and enlarged and centenary Edition. Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford University Press. 7. Grierson A.J.C & Long D.G. Flora of Bhutan, Volume I, Part 11983, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg 8. Grierson A.J.C & Long D.G. Flora of Bhutan, Volume I, Part 11,1983, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg. 9. Grierson A.J.C & Long D.G. Flora of Bhutan, Volume I, Part 1I1,1987, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg. 10. Grierson A.J.C & Long D.G. Flora of Bhutan, Volume 2, Part 1,1991, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg. 11. Noltie H.J., Flora of Bhutan, Volume 3, Part 1,1994, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg. 12. Bio - diversity action plan for Bhutan, 1998, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Govemment of Bhutan. 13. Adrian & storrs Jimmie, Trees and Shrubs of Nepal and the Himalayas, 1998. Book faith of India. 14. Cowan A. M. & Cowan J.M., The trees of Northern Bengal, 1979, International Book distributors, India. 15. Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995. 16. Bhutanese Environmental assessment Sectoral Guidelines, February 1999, Highways and Roads, National Environment Commission, Thimphu Bhutan. 17. Pradhan, Rebecca & Wangdi, Tandin, Threatened Birds in Bhutan. October 1999, llnd Edition. 18. Odum, Principles of Ecology, Oxford University Press. 19. Ohsawa, M., (ed.), Life zone Ecology of the Bhutan Himalayas, volume 1,1987, Laboratory of Ecology, Chiba University, Japan. 20. Ohsawa, M., (ed.), Life zone Ecology of the Bhutan Himalayas, volume 11,1991, Laboratory of Ecology, Chiba University, Japan. 21. Gangule, H.C. & Kar, A.K. College Botany, Volume - 11, 1994. 22. IUCN - The World Conservation Union, 1995, EIA of he Bara forest Management plan, Kathmandu, Nepal. 23. Verma & Verma, Environmental Biology, 1994, llnd Edition. 24. Singh, Raj, Checklist, Bird & Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of India, Nepal and Bhutan, 1993, Nest & Wings, New Delhi, India. 25. Forests and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan, 2000, Volume I, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan. 26. Forests and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan, 2000, Volume II, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Govemment of Bhutan. 27. Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 1990, Thimphu, July - 1991, Central Statistical Office, Planning Commission, Royal Govemment of Bhutan. 28. Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 1994, Thimphu, September - 1996, Central Statistical Organization, Ministry of Planning, Royal Government of Bhutan 29. Fleming R. L Sr., & Bangdel, Birds of Nepal, 1979 Avalok Publisher, Kathmandu,Nepal 30. Forestry Integrated Wildlife Management workshop Excerpt, 1997 31. Journal of Renewable Natural Resources, Volume I issue 2, Ministry of Agriculture, November 2002 32. Clark, L. G. & Pohl, R.W., Agnes Charles First Book of Grasses, 1996, Smithsonia Institution Press 33. Stapelton, C. Bamboos of Bhutan, 1994, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 34. Biodiversity Action of Bhutan 2002, MOA, PGOB 35. Bhutan Bird News letter, Issue 2, November 2000 36. Biodiversity Assessment & Conversion Planning, Bhutan 2000, WWW Nepal Program, Kathmandu 37. Negi, G.S., Forestry Development in Bhutan, 1983, FAO, Rome 38. Upadhy, K.P., Alternatives to Shifting cultivation, 1988, FAO, Rome 39. Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Projects and Regulation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment, national Environmental Commission secretariat, Thimphu Bhutan 40. Dangchhu Geog, Ninth Plan, 2002-2007, Trashigang Dzongkhag, Royal Government of Bhutan 41. Wangdue Dzongkhag, Ninth Plan, 2002-2007, Trashigang Dzongkhag, Royal Govemment of Bhutan 42. RGOB (2006), Geological & Geotechnical studies for RAP II. Department of Roads, Ministry of Ministry of Works & Human Settlement, RGOB, May 2006, Thimphu. 43. RGOB (2004), Initial Environmental Examination, Road Sector Investment Component, Vol VI, Department of Roads, RGOB, Nov. 2004, Thimphu, Bhutan. 44. Cost Benefit Analysis Summary, Bhutan: Rural Access Project, http://www.worldbank.oro/transportlrural tr/bbls/pankai t.pdf
Bhutan Consultants & Research (BHUCORE) 62 APPENDIX 1
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
I lf le OF IFFFRINUIL' FOR CONDUCrING FANVIRONXKNl'Tl. lxli, IACT A"SEIS_NXLfNTS AND D)VVIl01PlM( FlNVIR(Y\IF \TAl. \I-X%NAG(F,1FNT l'1,x-NS f'or Follow upli Projcct RAI It World Hank I i'i.rw.ini
. (;eneradl Cfotrtxt
'he1Deparnenifl C l. 1ia( )oRi undcr the Nlinistrn ffWorks & SerlenYie nt \loW1kl IS) is entrulstd wili [lie responsibility ofroadL4.irtuctioni anid mairntntntiec in Rhulwn. the )DoRplanr to lake upi con'rULnirill of a3tUT 65 to 7 kni feedier- iads undier a follow itpnext crclit of lhes WVorld funk. Ior thes, roixds environmental assessnients hkiavto he carried out anid cinv!onMrnienta ma3nanascemnl pl;knS hove to he worked oti. The roads to he studied are
f.ii Jatnvhuhti4ilm,ii-. : i: -. TaRxid 1 3 kin) in '.mi' I Dzongkhkig
i:tyironinenrtal .I .,: .IL,n er l plans and cnvLonmcnloli esSniti ha\e to1heI! orked out
(hi Ktilhakpa Khar - Tsebar Roadi 10 k3iii) in Pmcnailgalslwl D,n khat
Not NCt
(e) lin:iir sin. -alu 42.5i kmniin lDagana W)zongkhas4
Fn.vironmental managmnient plans (for first 15 kmi and cnvironmerill :JiAessnients (tfor entirc. road) hIave to be workedi out
As the habitati for various Species o: plaims and animals coUld bT tlft:Cled OT n-Sil destrowed dalring or after road onstitruction, so .. nd'; Invironiment Impact A5ssssment and dtettinog IFnsiionmretial managent-L Pla.ns fir these proiccis hurs hecome one of the top priority for ihe l)pcwrrnimem of Roads_ I lie ovtrall ohicetive oflthe I tnirorimental Inpaci Aisesitnret is Lo identify nator environmntanl 'sSU ioilxcatedso withl dhe proposed prfject such as: al to revsal ptiuilive and netgative cnviroininntuil crnscquences of lte rte : to decision-makers and other interested parties. and bh provide environmenital [.gT-. mruI information that makes it p;.^itle to design. construct and openate the road in an . r.nrrr 1 it. asible ,a, and to provider miigation meluJres. 'I'he Frnvirormiental -_sscssments shuild(i he conducted in line wiih the Sectoral C,uinidclists forfr-,,n , issUedI hV th1e National Fanvironmncit Commission `ieerctariat 1()99
'I'he folloring principic tasks should he undertaken ifor the iA studx of the proposed project;
* Colleclion and review of docwuments and policies and t,hliThing liaisoin with the Enironmientul Authoritv,
* Collmecion and Gcencration offlasehne Data * I'ublic consultation and intfonnation disclosure-
* Collc.ction and generation of biaselinie n,irn)nmental data
* Derermination and evalLaition of the major im,pacts on the environmient
To,R bevrlni'-nur mmenral Abvsscisn.Fuu. COn AnEi.Fiynmealu?flr( J1ctnu{'eiiwru PI. Itage I of 9
BHUCORE Page 1 of 9 Terms of Reference Appendix 1
{jcflcriIVi tliatfiokn Iliii '-3il he hie overall ohieclive it the FilivironmCnt:il N5 naegenmelt Plarls iS to dcscrni 1: e:ius bvL-d the mcasures to mnbimnli., riitigate or Lo1mpc nT1lIe IlC unvironictuen.al imip,cut Plha dnL!tY2 by .oR cfr1st1uC-iori of tterdld, i h1 ( iLlidelilIC hor Fnvitvimneriit,l rnaurtltnent unitjr Ihe ltRC-SI' (215)* should he used.
2. Project Objectives I;r. : The mairn .,hj-i1i:: of the proposed road project is to provide the connecftiit\ to the the rural population of places. Thetqe connections will also inmprove the socio-economic shlEUi oal' marketing aeccrs to the rural those villages which lies along the proposed high\%a by providing comnmunity-
3. Projectt Benefitb of the country, The The construction of these leeder roads wvill bhnetT litllrernt Dzongkhags and reduee the prmiect w4ill provide the necessar\ access for marketing of agricultural products of transport and transportation cost of imported good ior rural people. The imprcived rmeans and even surplus ctmmunications xill enc(urage the production nl moare cash crops, vegetables food. which could he marketed outside their geogs.
4. Scope of 5% lirL have been I-he Terms oft Reference (ToR) for the construction of about 71' km feeder roads -.Alh the i nvirOnment prepared to meet the ndeds for an EA tand WN1Pw-hich are in agrcment Assessment Sectoral Guidelines ftr tHhutan 1999, ';nlkiniil Thr enviroiunental impct assessment should ndcniif). descriK- anri assess poiCilr.lhs' activities adversc end beneficial cnvironmental impacts of the rod project and necessmr; exe,tess materials imposed by the project. such as extrEsclion of construction mnaterials, disposal period and ecitablishment of labors camps. 1the impact assessment should cover the construction be comparcd and as well as the operation period. The impacts of various ilternatives should aLssessed. advtrse The environmenital management plan should idcntify a set of response to potcntrinl. are made in an environmenital imp:tis: deterniine requiremenus for ensuring that those responses Emphasis CIflsI. antd timely manner; and describe hthemeats of iieciiig those rcquircmcnls. mitigation shiould be given to roles and rehp. n,hiljiics of .accrii.!e charged with iin.pmcming.ii, and monitoring, that is who is going to do the wotrk and pay for it. of Liaisen with 5, ( nlkerctoni and Review of Documcnt% and llolicies and F-oKahlishrueni Ensmironmental Authorities pertaining to the The EA team should collect and study the followNing and any other documents proposed project and assess the aadat'IIi of data: the Royal * Environmnental pol ic . Acts including Legal and administrative framework of Government of Bhutan,
* Data about project roads,
Puge _7.r ToR ftlr FnvifronmentalAsservments and Etn mrmnmenrij l11no,:'n2cr t PirP
Page 2 of 9 BHUCORE Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
* C onsultation withl envinronmental autherities undt
* Relevant i'cunicnts mnapswid auriul photographs.
App icablilil ofl variua rules. r,4ulkttions and guidetines with rcslxct to the road project should he determincd and explored in order to followv the saWIMduring the hA study and rcport re pCaratid-rM
6. (ollection and Generation ofBaselinie Data
The 9tudy area wvilt compri. Lhe road corridor and thenstrounding area that may he affectcd by *he prolj ct. Iased on the availahit base map of the prtoject area, topography and othcr available inlthnration from u 1;. .i and thc FL.,... licial sources on environmental issues stemming from existing roads and on lheld investigation and consultation with stakcbolders, representative baselinc data on physical and b 1-'cl environmcnt (like climate. anid meteorology, air. noisew. surface wvater qualitv and lopogr.iphs flora and fatna, rare and endangered species. ~idnifit.-nt natural habitats, hi. l. K;LjI ldi%ersn sites, sensitivc habitats nduding park,s and resernes cultural propcrtyireiigious places. cducational inrlTitrtion^. induicd development and health) should be generated. All the information collcctcd from the field and secondary sources shotuld be :o. .: ed and pr ;1 itrJ in the form, of a strip ni.ir 7. Public Cpn.uiatiion and Information Disclosure
Public consultation should be carried oult with proiect-affected persons, Nt o $. and stalkeholders and their viexvwsoutcome incorporated in the report with suitable suggcstions for compensation. IThe affected communities rmay need assistancs to li 11tunderstand the project proposail, potential impacts and the environmental assessment proccss. Thrrcore, at the strt of EA process the FA team should determine the most appropniate way of (a) informing the commutnities of the proiect proposul, (h) obtaining the ecimtmities views and opinions and (c disclosing Lhe results of the EA process including the proposed mina.mion and monitoring actions to the communities concerned. The llIecied groups could be involved thrikieb G6ev-o ) argee Ishogshung IfCYT) while l)zrItgkat oitcials, hUps. Chirnis and lshogpas could act as la.i1injiir4 Summary information on the project and the lA should be displayod in public at the OCog and Dzongkhag lIsels. This section should list mtilcstones in public involvcemnt e.g. dates, attendance. topics of public meeting. information disclosed, pubiic consultation process and procedurcs lior future discloser.
Xl Determination and Evaluation of Maejoir Impacts on the Environment The identification, description and asscssment of potential environmental impacts should be assesed based on available nmaps. observations from field intcsmiI1or.,. survey and discussion with local ot'ricials, Ns05 and the public. The field observations should be supplementel with various baseline data. Ihe asscssmcnt qhould cover the proposed pnrjec and its associaled atcrnatives, It should include the follominr aspects:
* Topography * Landscape and environmental aesdietics.
ToRfJir FnvironmentalAxsses.sments and .'nvironmental wanagernte PIan.s Page 3 of9
BHUCORE Page 3 of 9 Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
* GhlOVr'l, 1,, . ,1 . and hydrology xvith spccial rzk.3rd to s(oil OrTOion ind hlndslides, Possibl4 si,tes oat andclihdes due to loose soil and landslide prain a- Thotulld be mlapped, fPlanned eartbh movrnment-s should he described. 'AKdl downstream w,ater bodics br imnpaircd bv siltaltion or by pnollutcd run-of lwNater Fromn the roadi
* Existing lrnd atnd water rit hkt should be includd. as,Well as csixilnn irrikadtiOn carrls aktd t1eir com-imand areas,
* Pritected area. Will the rioad project 'tti protected area, nature reserves or sanctuaries?
* RcsiOtTCc dt:mands * I:sier extraction and removal of logs thr commercial purposcs once road is built, * Inppact due to project location
D)eforestation andi Ios of vegetation COvcr, detcrioration ol ecologically sensitive areas. soil erosion- impact on biological diversity, natural habitats. cultural properties, alTect un water resources. affeet on air andi water quality along with noise level. biophysicaL. physical, road safety and anty other environtihntal issues relevant to the pro5ect should be assessed to find out the project location irract Ecology, tlora and fauna including a description of hiotopes with relevant lists of flora and launa. Number of trees required to be logged along with specics and if possible the approximate .LLJ,'iro in cubic nmeter fe.rt hh.uL&Ibe explored and included in EA .---
• Impaet due to project dcsign Environmental implications viz, disruption of natural dnuiage patsern, impact on historieal. cultiral. religious areas anid monumnents, inmpact on surface waler, land slides, m1l errO ioii. loss ola agricultural land. interference with movement of wildlife. livestock, and road crussing for animals dute to design of road d,lignerrir and pavemnent as w\ell as bridgcs and culverts should he asscssd.
* Inpact due to proieCt con1stnrction Stream and lake sedimentation, water loggitig of borrow pits and quarries, disposal of constntction spoils, air anid watcrpollution, noise level, fuel and oil spills, sanitary oi'iodiiwr:'. and health risks associated wvith construction caunps and workers catnping in the area should bc assessed. Cotistruction impact on critical watershed arca, indigcnous pcople, cultural r-,lcrtr biological diversity and induccd development such as developmcnt of markets, residenlial settlements, temporary shacks and tourism should also be asscswd, Air and watcr quality, noise pollution and vihration from blasting should be asscsscd and suitable tic,fi-Pailtn plan ulonig with guidelines should be prepaTred. * Impact due tn proiect opcration tilrt,ee rpill , incrcased surface runoff, and potcntial fIr increased incidence of fires which furthcr augment the runoff and crosion and reduce soil moisture retcntion thercby incrasing the seasonalitv of stream and river flows. Polliution like air, noise and water, roadsidc waste,
4 Por 4 BTR ngei noenfa A9ssessments anct . n '?wrnal AfrnuL' menl Pln' fage of!/
BHUCORE Page 4 of 9 Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
t afleaft.tN issues should be a alyzed Iused on tratfic cir- l, priojction and snIlitahle mitigltion Meastnrs should he incorporated in EA report.
I Icalith ,Ind pOten tial lhcalth iulpauts due to thI prljcet
During the design. coinstruedon. operition and maintrnarnc phascs aszroiated intmpais on the health should Kn asss.sedi and feasible and c(il Vff1tive cne:LiV measrro lo ininiinIT17e hialth riks should bc cxplored.
9. Fnvironmental Management Plan
fased on the iln.,toiL of thc ahvc evaluation and the geotechalical assessment, a mitization plan should be prepared. Thb mitigation plan should describe in dctail; a) Appropriate mitigation mneasures f[ir all identified adverse impacts and alternative approaches if an,y and shotild he proposcd . h iin.- 1, WisC.
lb - It should also include the costs cstimate for mi;ig.niion measures, staffing nceds,and timing for corrective measures and actions,
cl Roles and rL,p,1loI.linci for implementation and monitoring during and alfter construction should be ..pu.led in dctail, d) Technical N1itgit;von Measures- TIechnical measures that arc or could be incorporated into proirct design and construction phases to eldLn;.c or reduce advcrsc environniental impacts should be identificd and dcscribed in general terms. l)escription and technical details should be presented for each suggested mitigation measure, :ndluditI. cost estimates, staffing needs and timing for corrcetive measures and actions. Somc of the aspects that should be addressed arc as 1,ollo':%.'
* Construction tectnology,
* Nced for blasting,
. 7)rairagc systen aklonrsidc the raHd,
* Types of reiaining u:,l in m,Lijor landslide prone areas, or any other akernatives for ubihulng slopesi,
* Provision for culverts or larger drainagc systems tor rhe monsoon season. * Teniporarx disposal of fertilc top-soil to be reservcd for reclamation,
* Establishment of native shrubs/trees for further prevention of landslides above and below the road, • Land tenurTe, land use rights and land valucs,
* Raw material extraction. haiiline. storage and r.in.;poratL'on.
* I) spos)al of excess material From construction work-s.
BoR lor Env&onmenlat Ase.errnenis urf FnWronnenh4 Munogemeni Plans Page qf
BHUCOREPage 5 of 9 Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
Re;xintafioi plun for roadsido. Ictt qcuarries and disposal siitis.
cj \vlitivniion Plan for the constrilmijo phast.
Th1l eCtnni(InILalti amngemc:net pl;n Ir Co:LstrMJti00 iUCLivioiCS should he pr.pared wito the purposc olf incorporation of environmental tcrmrs atid condition into) the proposed proicct TenL3er Documents. Ihe management plan shoulki ovevr all aspccs oln road consruction incliuing the assigning of responsibilities for mitigation opcraltionr. eniergenCV respOnse procedUres, supervision. financing, monitoring and reporoingi. Inslitutional capacity for implementitig the plan should be reviewed and training needs assessed. Attentiontt should be paid to the following issues: . Implemetntation for technical mitigation meas*ures
* Occupational health and safety issues, including labor, camps and work sites * Waste managcmenL water supply. traffic. housing acnd scrvices lor labors. * Possible pillk or accidents resulting frorm use of hazardous rnaterials such as in blasting, * Response actions in case of accidents or unforescen events.
0) operation and NMaintenance Plan.
* A draft operation and maitetxnance plan or a code of maintenance practice should be prepared as panr of the hnvironmental management Plan including assigntnent of rf iprnsibdtiics in relation to xcguihr mainienwuic. emergency response aclions. supcrvision, fiiancing. monitoring and reriniinz
* Institutional capacity for mil4lenuenirf,p the cnvirormncntal manaWemcnt plan should be reviewed and training needs assessed.
gi Envinnmental M1onitoring, * A monitoring programme owiirieg ibc construction phase as lkdl as the operation phase of the proj"et should he prepared incliding assigeuncntlkeit n.'liacl and tn irnplemeniation schedule. * lear and siMple nhLnil.orinp reporting formats and indicators shotild he prepared, reasonable monitoring frcquencies set and a budgct shall be cstirnated lkir any additional o.LtCi'l ,nuIIitorinp
. The monitoring programme should make sure that the proposed rIiitaioin plan are implemented by the agencies or companies that arc in charge of road construction and road maintenance. Besides the above mentioned points the Ltearn mutst propose miiigafioa mcasures wherever required and come up with improvements whcn nmessary to protect the environment effectively. The team must assess whether the project is environmentally feasible or not.
10, Pretparadon of EA Report and E>IP
BUOR for E,weirtrnental AssesSment and Ivirnnental fa:s'c'me'n P&Jn Pugr 6 oJ 9
BHUCORE Page 6 of 9 Appendix 1 Terms of Reference
outlinc of ELA Rcport as pier \ L' guidelinc should 1> as
1. 1iFIepas2
3. Approved terms of refereTnce
4 Suntn:iTr
. lItroduction 6. Description ol'the Plroject 2. Plrojet Alternatives ilaTiy
8. Description nl the LEnvironrmrent 9. AnticipatedEnvirornental Impams Il. hlitigation Pku-u and r'rmi.im \ li iet,r,r Mcasures
I 1. Conclusions
The ijilirie for the Environmental Mtaji:,zmcni PlaDs is given in the guidelinc developcd by DoQ h-rotgh EFRC-SP -2'1i 5.
11. Reporting and timing tif the acsignmeni Ihe consultaney work for each af the assessments and plans including reporting is estimated to lake about one mrnnlh-
The etnsultatnt shall submit the draft report (in like 1,di at thie end of these months. Ihe comments on the draft report from DoR. .N%' and otlher IAlC1hl'Ider agencies shall be incorporated in the Final Repon.
Ilic flnal reports in five hard copies and a soft copy in CDs shall b e submitted. to DoR and SNV in two week's time after rceeipt of commcnts fnrm DoR, V and other stakeholder agencies.
12. QuRhlficatihn & Ixperience uf the eonsultant
M1inimum Niastersn Degree in En%ironrnerunIl Enginecring with at least 5 years of professional experience in with enviminmental is'qies in mountainous arcas and working experience urnder Himalayan conditions, and ih,il,I to irin lihez per%ns
13. Submiilon of Proposal and criteria for award of the a%ignment
[he consultanLts proposal for the asignment dih.l include, but not limited to, the follow,in
T(R ,fbr FnvironmentalAssessments and Entironmenjul Afanagement Plans Page 7olj9
BHUCORE Page 7 of 9 Appendix I Terms of Reference
i (Ciie.of relev\ant documents like \.ilid Trade License. tCDBi Registration tcriticaiic. and Tax lcanio (. ti. proving the firm's ligibiliztv I carry out the assignicnt:
ii The comp:tnv pro'ile demonstrating the 1irin' ability to carrv Otlt dtie assi-mmcnt. Tlic information on the lirni', experimnces in similar proiccts in the recent pa>t shfiu'.d also he providtd:
sil II.; ,I, of the perstnnel proposed to be dcploecd tIrr perloimlinn cihe assionmrert. Copies of Acadizmic & Truinini t.ertitreatc& Exerince C rtiIi ixleW arid CuTriculum Vitae should be attaLhed:
iv) Tcntative Nwrk ploin:schedulc and fli,, ' proposed to be adopted for carrying oul the assignincmnt:
v) Financial lProposal (in a separate sealcd envelope), ind,i-ii;- the costs for carrying out the assignment. IFhe financial proposal should he inclusivc of all items nr xpenes. that would Ie iriJ,;L.2nri. incurrcd in carrying out the assignmcnt. The propo,sal should reflcct the cost brcakups clearly all the items of expenses includin, rcmuneration for personnel to be deployed, overhead coSts, consultantis fee, and tax deductible at source. The firm may alsbt indicate in their proposal the moe of r luetis to be madc by the client for carnring otit the assignment.
The evaluation of thc proposal . Ill he based on the comparison of the technical !p.hilIr. of the finns (whicb shall include expenicre of the tirms. quality and suitabilitv of tht approach and rcil 1 4 s. xvork program. experiencc and qualification of the personnel proposcd to be assigned fozr the vork), This evaluationi is calcld rQtdiMi Bascd elrection. I hr evaluation will be carricd out by SN'V and DoR. The evaluation and the technical proposal of the highest ranking finm %,iII be sent to the World Bank Ohily the Linancial proposal ol' the firrn with the technuically best proposal will be opened and wilt be negotiated.
The sealed proposals must he delivercd at the 1`ilowing address not later than 1'.,,' hours ol 26th October 2005:
ThJe Director SA I Bhutan, PV Box .Yf Thimphu, Bhutaln
The contract will only be awarded when SNV and RGoB have a written agreememt reparding the reimbursement of this consultancy.
14. Suppi,rl services to be protvitded bv the client
he mnaps of the project area and ay other documcnts rtiatd to the project, if required for the pupowse of the stusdy, shall he provided by the client upon receipt of a %Nritten request from thc consultant. he consultant wAill work closcly wvith the FlpJrtIent rtl R (DoR),DR.ads SNV, NE.t and. whcrc necessary, zongkhiag Administration officials. The client may also, at its discretion. consider fctding of its representative to rKIprnMl the consultant's study team during fteld wvorks
BaRHfU r Eneiron and EnvirnnrnusiolAfinen,eni °lans Page 8 oJ9 oenfaI9..seSSments
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Ut~~ 1'~ I lAX'4N1: j J,tl.~II u' klodIJi,I
a8uaW3Jad Jo SwJal A x,qpuaddV i I
i i I
i APPENDIX 2
DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Detailed Environmental Management Plan of the Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha Road Activitieslissue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ng Agency g Agency A. Pre-construction Stage Selection of Physical, biological, Select best among the alternate route in Project Area Review of Walk through RAP/PMU DOR/IMOW Prior to detail survey Alignment as per social and cultural consideration with minimize the adverse alternate along the road HS and design EA Study adverse impacts impacts and maximize the beneficial analysis, and corridor impacts (Please refer section 3.3.3 and incorporation of 3.5 of EA main report) EA recommendation Implementation of Physical, biological, Incorporation of EA recommendation in Road Incorporation of Review of final RAP/PMU RAP/MOW Following the EA social and cultural project planning and design Corridor EA design document, HS/NEC completion of detail recommendation adverse impact recommendation technical design in project, into project specification, bid planning and design document design Inclusion of Physical, biological, Incorporation of EA recommendation in Along the Incorporation of Review of Bid RAP/PMU RAP/MOW Following the award Mitigation social and cultural Bid Documents and Contract Road EA Documents and HS/NEC of contract Measures in adverse impact Corridors recommendation Contract Project Cost, Bid in Bid Documents Documents, and and Contract contract Construction Adverse impacts on Arrangement of logistics in time Construction Status of logistics Field Observation Contractor/P RAP/DOR Prior to the Logistics local environment, including necessary precautions for Camps, sites interms of MU beginning of delay inconstruction, storage, equipment, constructions etc materials, storage facilities, precautions, labor camps, etc Land and Loss of Land, Compensation and rehabilitation to 6 Specific Amount paid to Review of RAP/DOR/G MOWHS/N Prior to construction Properties properties, loss of affected households suggested intable locations affected family, records, YT/ EC work Acquisition livelihoods, hardship 6.2 of EA main report (please refer Other form of interaction with Wangdue to affected families 6.3.1.9 of EA compensation affected families Dzongkhag main report paid, and other Land Record Rehabilitation stakeholder Office Work B. Construction Stage
BHUCORE Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi Schedule/Freque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ng Agency g Agency Site * Loss of 4.4 ha of * Removal vegetation within 5.1 m Along the Volume of forest Review of PMU/ RAP/ DOR/NEC/ Every month during Clearance/remov vegetation cover formation width only road product and document, Field Nobding Divisional construction al of vegetation * Loss of micro level * Bio-engineering with native plants alignment/Sp species of plant visit, interaction Forest Beat Forest ecosystem (Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina ecific location removed, area of with contractors, Office Office * Loss of habitat for arborescens, Salix babylonica and (8+500 - compensatory re- project officials, (DFO), Black Bear, other suitable native species 13+000 km) plantation, bio- and local Lobesa Leopard and other * Avoid felling matured trees engineering communities animals including particularly oak trees which isone of application ground dwelling the main source of Bear food locations in birds * Compensatory plantation within road length * Loss of standing corridors to restore lost habitat crops (1.1 ha of * Tree felling shall be done parallel to agriculture land) road alignment * Soil erosion * Log barrier/Check dams to be * Scarring of installed to prevent debris from Landscape rolling down and damaging the vegetation cover Construction, * Deforestation and * Briefing labourers/construction Labour Status of Camp Field observation PMU/Contra DORINEC/ Every month during operation and poaching by workers on local culture and rules camps to be site, availability of of campsite, ctor RAP construction shifting of camps labourers. and regulations of kingdom on illegal constructed drinking water, interaction with * Improper waste activities such as felling of trees, nearby cooking gas or workers, local disposal and loss fishing and hunting. takeoff and at kerosene, waste community and of aesthetic beauty * Camps to be placed insecure chainage disposal bin & other * Health problems location and be able to protect 7+600 and garbage, pit stakeholders within camps and inhabitants from rain, excessive 9+000 latrine, fire nearby settlements sunshine and other extreme fighting due to lack of condition equipment, illegal hygiene * Providing cooking gas or kerosene to hunting and * Damage to discourage use of scares firewood felling of timber construction * Waste disposal facilities such as camps and injury dustbins and garbage to be provided to workers due to * Health screening for labourers unsafe location * Fire fighting equipment to be and lack of safe provided facilities * Separate clean drinking water to be * Disturbance to supplied to reduce water use nearby settlements competition and for proper sanitation * Resources * Adequate Pit latrines to be competition constructed at the campsites through unfriendly * Camp areas to be cleaned and bare
BHUCORE 2 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/issue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ng Agency g Agency use of water, and surface to be revegetated to restore non-timber forest aesthetic value products by labourers Leaving dirty site behind after shifting camps Management of Loss of Forest * Sell/Auction the harvested forest Along Road Volume of Forest Review of RAP/DOF DOF/DOR/ During the Site Harvested Forest Resources/generate product (timber/fuel wood) if feasible Corridor Product documents/recor NEC Clearance Product revenue (loss of * Local should be given opportunity to where forest sold/auctioned, ds, site visits forest product - 6147 buy timber at subsidized rural rate isto be amount of m3) * Trees felled in sokshing area could cleared revenue be given to the owner as (8+000 - generated compensation for their resources 14+300 km) lost. Compensatory Increase in forest Plantation of tree at least 5 times in Along No of trees Review of RAP/DOF/P DOF/DOR/ Every four months Plantation area Nos. of destruction insuitable area in chainage planted, area documents, MU/ NEC nearby the project area. (Note: RAP 6+500 - planted, mode of observation at Contractor/ could support and fund Dangchu Geog 14+300), in protection site Dangchhu in tree plantation specially on 2nd June consultation Geog social forestry Day observed every year with Community on HM's Coronation Day) communities Change in Land * Loss of * Avoid fertile agricultural land, Road Criteria Review of RAP/DOR/ NEC/ DSLR Every six months Use Cultivated and * provide compensation and Alignment developed for alternate Wangdue Forest land rehabilitation to 6 households that Chainage alternate analysis, and Dzongkhag (Agricultural Land falls within the ROW as suggested in (4+500 - alignment, compensation Land Record
land - 3.96 ha, Table 6.4, Section 6.3.1.9 of the EA 14+300 km) Criterion for and rehabilitation Office & and Sokshing - main report compensation, criterion Beat Office 0.48 ha) * loss of agricultural production, * reduction in income to farmers, Spoil Disposal * lost of topsoil * using spoils for reclaiming the All along the Planning for Spoil Review of Contractors/ DOR/NEC/ Every 15 days by * Damage of degraded land in consultation with road corridor. deposition, planning and PMU RAP RAP, and Every farmland, local community Spoil should Current Practices practice of spoil month by NEC * Damage to * No disposal shall allowed inthe be dumped at of Spoil disposal, disposal, site visit properties areas of fragile slopes, floodways, specified and interaction * disruption of farmland, forest areas, natural disposal site with contractors, natural drainage, drainage path, religious and cultural between site engineers
BHUCORE Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi Schedule/Freque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin _ng Agency g Agency * damages of sites, canal and other infrastructures chainage of and other existing vegetation, * Dispose spoils inthe designated 6+850 - stakeholders * water and air sites 7+500 and pollution * Build many spoil benches for filling 13+000 - disposal area rather than few larger 13+200 km ones to avoid slope overloading * Compact spoil benches at every 0.5 mthickness * Site shall be rehabilitated with appropriate bioengineering works and provide proper drainage Earthwork and * Loss of nutrient * Selection of proper alignment All along Arrangement for Site Visit, Review Contractors, DOR/NEC Every month durng Excavation rch top soil avoiding unstable and fragile zone road Slope of design and PMU, RAP construction * Damage to * Top soil shall be scrapped and alignment but Stabilization, contract farmland stored for future reuse for specifically at design and documents * Soil Erosion and bioengineering application location of implementation interaction with slope failure, * Slope cutting activities carried out unstable of bio- stakeholders * Disruption of the during dry season zone of engineering, natural flow of * Slope cutting to be limited to 1:1 chainages: involvement of streams, rivers etc (details provided in table 6.2 of the * 0+000 - trained of the project area EA report) 4+080 technicians due to excavation * Slope cutting to be done with * 6+340 - or construction excavators 14+300 * Air and Noise * Log barriers/ Check dams to be built Pollution, to avoid damage of vegetation, * disruption of water properties and injuries to passerby bodies * Apply appropriate Bioengineering * disturbance to wild technique such spreading top soil, life broadcasting seeds, grass slips, * Damage to seedling of local plants such as properties Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina * Injury to people or arborescens, Salix babylonica and wildlife passing by other appropriate and natively available species. * Gabion retaining walls with geotextiles at valley side e.g. at chainage 2+630 in already built portion of road (Details provided in Table 6.3 inSection 6.3.1.2 of EA report)
BHUCORE 4 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/issue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin _ng Agency gAgency Slope Instability * Soil erosion and * Select an appropriate road alignment All along the No of slope Site Visit, Review Contractors, DOR/NEC Every month during and Erosion land slides due to as recommended by EA & chainage. failures, of design and PMU, RAP construction slope instabilities Geological and Geotechnical Arrangement for contract and thereby studies. Inthis case, select Specifically Slope documents damaging or losing alignment I of alignment option 11. at Chainages Stabilization, interaction with entire road * Cut &fill approach shall be applied design and stakeholders * Clogging of drains as far as possible. The * 0+000 - implementation and irrigation canal recommended slope gradient for 4+080 of bio- * Loss of fertile top different cut slope height is provided * 5+020 - engineering, soil intable 6.2 of EA report. 14+300 involvement of * Damage to the * Revegetate cut & fill slopes or trained natural vegetation exposed areas as soon as possible technicians and the habitat by using local plant species such as * Siltation of Alnus nepalensis, Erythrina streams, river and arborescens, Salix babylonica and other water bodies other appropriate and natively * Damage to aquatic available species lives and * Slope cutting to carried out only downstream users during dry season due to siltation * Proper drainage as recommended by Geological and Geotechnical Studies shall be adopted * Adoption of appropriate bioengineering technique along with civil structures such as breast and retaining wall for slope stabilization. (For detail refer 6.3) Quarries, borrow * Loss of top soil * Selection of quarry site away from Specific Site Selection for Review of Contractors/ DOR/RAP/ Every 15 days by pits and stock pile * Instability of slopes critical habitat, settlements, location of quarrying, contract PMU DGM site engineer and (Note: As per * Land slides/ rock cultivated area as far as possible quarrying and Protection document, site every month by geological & falls, causing injury * Separate clearance from DGM is stock piling measures visit, and DOR/NEC/DGM geotechnical to workers necessary for Quarrying activities adopted, interaction with study, RAP 11, * Changes in * Quarrying operation to be done from Chubachhu Rehabilitation of local March 2006, river/stream crown of the slope and gradually Stream sites communities there are no regime moving down-slope ina phased suitable quarry * Scarring of manner sites within 14.3 landscape * Provision of appropriate safety km stretch of * Disturbance to gadgets such as gloves, helmets, Jangchucholing - wildlife and nearby face masks, ear plugs, goggles, Tashidingkha communities from safety ropes to be tied around the road. However,
BHUCORE 5 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi Schedule/Freque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ng Agency g Agency boulder could be drilling and blasting waist, etc., to workers quarried from activities * Quarrying activities to be carried out streambeds of * Dust pollution during daytime only Chubachhu). effecting health of * Sprinkle water over quarry and workers, stockpiles twice a day to reduce communities and excessive dust generation surrounding * Restoration of quarry site and vegetation access road using appropriate bioengineering measures (Planting Alnus nepalensis which grows in plenty around Chubachhu). * Top soil shall scrapped and stored in safe place for future reuse in bioengineerng application Wild life and its * Reduction inforest * Road shall be designed as per Generally all Criteria Review of PMU/Contra DOR/NEC / Prior to design and habitat cover, following criteria: sites, from developed for alternate ctors/ Forest DFO planning, and during * disturbance to O With minimum road with of Chainage alternate analysis, review Beat Officer, Lobesa construction. wildlife habitats, 5.1 mfor easier wildlife 0+000 - analysis, of principle Nobding Surprise monitoring * Loss of movement and to 14+300 km planning of road adopted for visit endangered discourage unwanted corridors, avoidance of species, Black vehicular parking which Check dams measures forest, Bear and Leopard discourages unnecessary needed at adopted for endangered (found along the interference to surrounding chainage avoiding and species, and alignment from forest. 8+000 - minimizing forest habitats of wildlife Peljoriing - a Cut slope shall be limited 13+500, and wild losses. Tashidingkha to 1:1 village) o Slope shall be cut in Compensatio * Fleeing of wildlife benches and flatten to n plantation due to excessive allow easy wildlife crossing as part of noise from o Design and constructing bioengineerin construction speed breaker to reduce g work will be machineries and vehicle speed to avoid along Road workers wildlife mortality by corridor * Disruption of accidental or intentionally especially wildlife migratory a Animal crossing signage from 8+300 - route and shall provided (refer figure 13+500 movements 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, & 6.5) * Poaching and a Application of appropriate trapping wildlife by bioengineering technique labourers to improve or recreate lost habitat
BHUCORE 6 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ______ngAgency Aenc * Fragmentation of * Installation of strong log wildlife habitat or barrier/check dams to prevent debris biological corridor from rolling downhill and damaging * Isolation of both the vegetation cover. wildlife and plant * No tree felling, collection of firewood communities or disturbance of vegetation shall be allowed outside road reserve * Felling of Oak trees shall be strictly prohibited as it is one of the main sources of food for Himalayan Black Bear. * No labour/construction camps, crushing/batching plants siting shall be allowed within the habitat area between Peljorling - Tashidingkha village * Only Acconex shall be used along the sensitive or critical habitat are to reduce disturbance to wildlife * No spoil shall be dumped in the habitat area except at designated site provided (refer table 6.1 of EA report) * No fire shall be permitted and fire break shall be implemented to prevent fire outbreak. Fire fighting equipment shall be made available to prevent any accidental fire harzard. * Contractor/Construction Supervisor will ensure the minimum level of noise to reduce disturbances to wildlife * Contractor/Construction Supervisor will be responsible for controlling illegal activities by the construction workers * Contractor shall install check point to prevent illegal logging during construction period in the name of
BHUCORE 7 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activitieslissue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ngAgency g Agency the project * Awareness campaign on forest rules and regulations will be conducted for labourers and project officials in coordination with Lobesa Divisional Forest Office and Beat Officer of Nobding to discourage & prevent unlawful act. * Nobding Forest Beat Officer will make a surprise visit to the camp sites and other work areas to discourage the workers and others from illegal hunting and indiscriminate tree fellings. Handling and Use * Creation of * Transportation, handling and storage Road Amount of Review of Contractor/P RAP/DORI Every week by of Blasting excessive noise of explosive should follow the Chainage Blasting Material Records, MU NEC/ DOR, and Every Matedals and vibration, prevailing rules (Explosive rules of 10+1 00 and used, handling Observation, MOHCA month by NEC / which may weaken the Ministry of Home & Cultural 11+900 km process, consultation with MOHCA the geology, cause Affairs), where rock incidences of stakeholders etc damages to * Store explosive in steel container, cuffing by accidents, and community which are fire and theft proof, blasting other types of infrastructures, * Do not store gelatin, detonators, and materials is damages religious places cortex, together, required. and monuments, * Dispose waste safely by burying * Risk accident and them in 5-8 feet deep pits, injury to workers * Adopt controlled blasting practice and other people with limited charge where possible, living inclose * Use Acconex near habitation and vicinity, protected areas, * Disturbance to * Make provision of well equipped first wildlife aid kits, health facilities, and fire * Pollution of ground fighting equipment on construction and surface water site, due to leakage of * Allow only trained or certified toxic matedals and blasters to carry out all blasting wastes activities, endangering the * Maintain coordination with Wangdue health of people as Dzongkhag administration, police, well as aquatic, and Gup of Dangchu Geog on and wildlife. schedule of blasting to ensure that *_risk of theft and
BHUCORE 8 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ngAgency g Agency misuse of nearby community people are explosive by informed, unauthorized or * Use appropriate warning signals by miscreants, using whistles, flags, megaphone to ensure safety of traveling vehicle and people, * Adopt OHS ( provision of helmets, gloves, masks, etc), * Conduct blasting exercise during day time Disruption of Erosion, landslide, * provide adequate numbers of Along the Length of water Review of design, PMIU/RAP DOR/IMOW Every three months Drainage System creation of new gullies drainage structures in order to have road management construction HS/NEC and ills minimum interference with and alignment structures drawings, impact on natural drainage pattern of 0+000 - constructed, observation at the area, 14+300 (drain, culverts, site * Construct side drains, lined drain to bridges, etc) tap excessive water and dispose of to natural drain, * Planting of fast growing plant species Alnus nepalensis, with high water absorptive capacity in marshy area to lower the water table and reduce surface drain, avoid surface water discharge into farmland or risky locations, Disruption of * Damages of * Adapt side drain as irrigation channel Chainage ( No of system Observation, PMU/Contra DOR/IMOW Every three months Community irrigation canal and provide four hume piped Irrigation at rehabilitated and Review of ctors HS/NEC Infrastructures * Damage to foot crossing along the road crossing 4+200, restored records trails and mule * Avoid indigenous spring water Spring at tracks creating source of community and provide 9+024km, inconvenience to retaining wall to protect it foot trails local communities * Provide temporary/alternative 6+380, * Damage to arrangement foot and mule tracks 10+820 and indigenous water * Restore all disturbed infrastructures others) source (Spring to the condition before disturbance water) or improve where appropriate, Road Air and noise pollution * Sprinkle water twice a day Along the Air and noise Observation Contractors/ DOR/MOW Every month by Surfacing/gravelli particularly nearby settlements to road level PMU HS/NEC DOR, and in every ng work control dust pollution, corridors measurement, or six months by NEC * maintain equipment and vehicles near Ridhang complain of local
BHUCORE 9 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/lssue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin n Aenc Agency Goenpa, residents, Peljorling & Tashidingkha Air Pollution Problem of human Adopt mitigation measures as Along the Air and noise Observation Contractor/P DOR/IMOW Every three months health, vegetation, suggested in earthwork excavation, road level MU HS/NEC spoil disposal, quarrying and stock corridors measurement piling Water Quality Problem of public Adopt mitigation measures as Along the Air and noise Observation Contractor/P DOR/MOW Every three months health, aquatic life, suggested in earthwork excavation, road level MU HS/NEC etc spoil disposal, quarrying and stock corridors, measurement piling specifically at Chubachhu & Samochhu Noise Pollution Problem of public Adopt mitigation measures as Along the Air and noise Observation Contractor/P DOR/MOW Every three months health, aquatic life, suggested in earthwork excavation, road level MU HS/NEC etc spoil disposal, quarrying and stock corridors measurement piling Pressure on Inconvenience to local Make separate water supply Construction Complaints from Observation, Contractors DOR Every three months Community population for water arrangement if required Camp site, local interaction with by DOR Infrastructures supply, etc etc communities local communities Adoption of Accidents, loss of life, Adoption of OHS Construction Adoption level of Observation and Contractor DOR Every three months Occupational etc site OHS, No of interaction Health and Safety accidents occurred Disruption of * Damage to local * Road hitting directly holy tree has Construction Status of Observation and RAP/DOR MOWHS/ Every Six months Religious and cultural and been realigned but needs protection Site (Ruin restoration, or interaction with Dangchu Cultural religious sites (holy wall to avoid slope failure stupa at realignment local Geog and Resources tree and ruin stupa * Realigned the road section to avoid 8+040 km communities Wangdue at Peljorling hitting the ruin stupa and provide and religious Dzongkhag village) retaining wall to protect the stupa. tree at 7+840 Administrati * Erosion of local km) on culture and believes * loss of faith towards the project, C. Operation Stage Slope Instability Landslide, disruption correct maintenance of the slope Landslide Frequency of Review of DOR MOWHS/N Every six months
BHUCORE 10 Appendix 2
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Activities/issue Potential Adverse Mitigation Measures Location Monitoring Monitoring Responsib Responsi SchedulelFreque s Impacts Indicators Methods le ble ncy Implementi Monitorin ng Agency gAgency of road services, etc protection measures and drainage prone area occurrence of document, EC works should be adopted, minor slide, Frequency records and landslides, erosion, and mass wasting of maintenance, observation should be immediately cleared and awareness slope restored with appropriate programs technology ( preferably bioengineering), implemented promote and support soil conservation activities inthe right of way and beyond, organize environmental awareness programmes for local communities, road users, and decision makers. Road Accident Loss of life and Adoption of Road safety measures, Along the Frequency of Review of DOR MOWHS/N Every six months properties road signals to be places, road accidents, records and EC observation Development of Road Congestion, Restriction of development of ribbon Along the No of houses Observation DOR MOWHS Every year Ribbon Accidents settlement through Implementation of road built along the Settlement Road Act 2004 corridors road alignment Depletion of Inconvenience to local Protection of forest resources by Along the Incidences of Observation DOR/DOF MOWHS/M Every year Forest Area communities, loss of imposing strict rules road harvesting of OA/NEC forest resources, corridors forest product, losses of trees, etc Maintenance of Inconvenience to road Adoption of regular maintenance Along the Maintenance Review of DOR MOWH/NE Every six months Road users, accumulation practices road budgets, reports, C of differed progress of documents, maintenance maintenance observation work
BHUCORE 11 I
i i i i
i APPENDIX 3
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS I Appendix 3: Public Consultation Documentation
1 Public Consultation, procedures and documentation The Environment Assessment Act 2000 demands that concerned people and organization are informed and consulted before the submission of the environmental assessment documents for the clearance. The objective is to obtain stakeholders views, comments and concerns through dialogue.
In Bhutan, peoples' participation in decision-making picked up greater momentum after the RGoB has established the Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung (DYT) in 1981 and further establishment of Geog Yargye Tshogchung (GYT) in 1991. At the village levels there are also established mechanisms where people can express their feelings.
Wangdue Dzongkhag Officials were informed about the conduct of Environmental Assessment of Jangchucholing - Tashidinkha Roads. The official letter from the Department of Roads requesting the Dzongkhag's assistance to the EA team has been handed over. In return, the Dzongrab of Wangdue Dzongkhag has provided the executive order to the Gup of Dangchhu geog (block) provide necessary assistance during the EA studies in his geog.
With the permission from Dagana Dzongkha, EA team has conducted public consultation with the affected communities of Dangchhu geog at 2:30 Pm on 18th December 2005. 1.1 Consultation with Communities of Dangchhu Geog Venue for consultation: at the residence of Dema, Ridhang Goenpa The stakeholders consulted here were:
28 affected people that include 13 women and 15 men. The meeting was chaired by Gup Phurpa Tshewang of Dangchhu Geog. Consultation Procedures. Discussion and Outcome:
Phurpa Tshewang, Gup of Dangchhu Geog welcomed the EA Team to Dangchhu and wished for a successful EA studies. He then introduced the Team to the people and explained the purpose of having a consultation. The Gup mentioned that Dangchhu is remotest geogs in Dagana Dzongkhag. The people of Dangchhu walk from 1 hour to 4 hours to reach the nearest road head. Therefore, he said that the construction of road will definitely ease lot of hardships that facing owing to the lack of motor road. He also reiterated that people should suggest good proposals to make the road project be implemented in better way so as to reduce adverse impacts on local environmental setting. The floor was then given to Karma Chogyel, EA Survey Team Leader. To enable the consultation, Karma Chogyel addressed as the following:
Today, we gather here to discuss specific issues relating to the proposed road project. He also said that today's discussion is important because we wanted to discuss with you on the issues relating to the project that could be environmentally and socially detrimental to the present local settings. Therefore, all of you should participate actively in the discussions without any hesitation and come out with views so that EA can address in the report for better project design, reiterated Chogyel.
BHUCORE 1 of 2 Appendix 3: Public Consultation Documentatioh The consultation with the stakeholders in Bhutan is relatively a new approach as in the past; people were not consulted for development projects under taken in their geog. The situation is different now, as government and people work hand in hand for the greater benefit of both the people and the nation at large. As project falls under your geog, only you can tell us the exact problems and benefits accruing from the project. Decisions involving in your agriculture fields, pastureland, and even your village, should not be left up to the authorities as you know what is in your best interest, said Karma Chogyel.
After having said that, Chogyel began describing details of road project. The alternatives alignments were briefed. He explained the negative impacts associated with the project such as land acquisition, forest resources and water use conflict, and the overall social and environmental problems. The positive impacts were also explained relating to employment and business opportunities, improved access to modern amenities and the improvement of overall socioeconomic conditions.
In response to Karma Chogyel's presentation, Sangchum of Penjorling village has raised her concern regarding the alignment very close to the holy tree above her land. She said that it would be disastrous if the road damages the holy tree. Sangchum and locals believe that there will be sickness and misfortune to the community living around. Therefore, she suggested that "I am willing allow the road construction through fields rather than damaging the holy tree."
To this, Chogyel explained that their concern will be duly noted and appropriate mitigation measures will be developed.
The households of Penjorling and Yusang brought their concern on alignment hitting directly their water source. Kinzang Dema and Sangay Buda request the EA team for possible modification of alignment stretch that hits the spring water (small pond). Duo mentioned that if it is destroyed their cattle will not have any drinking water with 2-3 km either side.
To this, Chogyel explained that their concern will be duly noted and appropriate mitigation measures will be developed.
Finally, the Gup thanked the EA team for listening to theirs concerns. All the participants support their Gup and agreed what he had to say and thus provided the No Objection letter with their thumbprints. Photo below show the Public Consultation in Dangchhu Geog. i ii
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BHUCORE 2 of 2 APPENDIX 4
NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATES
Appendix 4 No Objection Certificate
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BHUCORE 4 APPENDIX 5
LIST OF FLORAL SPECIES FOUND IN THE PROJECT AREA I Appendix 5: List of Protected Species of Bhutan
List of Floral species found in the Project area
Table 1 List of Tree speci s Family Botanical Name Local Name Aceraceae Acer campbellii Sernlingshing(Shl) Anacardiaceae Rhus succedanea Sayshing(S), RaniBalayo(Lh2 ) Anacardiaceae Rhus chinensis ChokoShing(Dz), Roptangshing(Sh) Anacardiaceae Choerospondis axillaries Thronchungshing(Sh), Lapsi(Lh) Araliaceae Trevesia palmata Togmalaga (Sh),Phutta Betulaceae Betula utilities La Tap(Dz3) Betulaceae Alnus nepalensis Gamashing(Dz) Cornaceae Benthamidia capitata Phetsushing(Sh) Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus sp. Gob-ray (Lh) Ericaceae Rhododendron arboreum Zhudangmetog(Sh) Ericaceae Lyonia ovalifolia ShajulaShing(Sh) Euphorbiaceae Jatropha curcas Sajiwan (Lh) Fagaceae Castanopsis hystrix Tsheshing (Sh) Fagaceae Castanopsis lanceifolia Tsheshing (Sh) Fagaceae Castanopsis tribuloides Tsheshing (Sh) Fagaceae Quercus griffithii Baynangshing (Sh) Fagaceae Quercus semecarpifolia Bjishing(Dz) Fagaceae Quercus glauca Thongpashing(Sh) Fagaceae Quercus lanata Beytsa nangshi ng (Sh) Juglandaceae Juglans regia Kheshing(Sh) Leguminosae Erythrina arborescens Kharshing (Sh) Moraceae Melia azedarach Bakaina Pinaceae Picea spinulosa Shehshing(Dz) Pinaceae Tsuga dumosa Bashing(Dz) Rutaceae Tetradium fraxinifolium Khanakpa (Dz) Rutaceae Xanthoxylum sp. Geshing (Sh), Timbur (Lh) Salicaceae Salix bhutanenisis Changmashing(Dz) Salicaceae Salix babylonica Weeping willow(Eng4), Changmashing(Dz) Sapindaceae Sapindus rarak Killingshing (Sh), Rithra (Lh) Theaceae Schima wallichi Puyamshing(Dz), Zalashing(Sh)
Table 2 List of bamboo species Family Botanical Name Local Name Gramineae Thamnocalamus Yushania microphylla Arundinaria racemosa
Table 3 Lists of Shrubs Family Botanical Name Local Name Ericaeceae Pieris Formosa Khapshing(Dz) Rosaceae Rubus ellipticus Shergong (Sh) Solanaceae Datura stramonium
' Sh - Sharchop Name 2 Lh - Lhotsham Name 3Dz - Dzongkha Name 4Eng - English Name
BHUCORE 1 of 2 Appendix 5: List of Protected Species of Bhutan
Table 4 List of Herbaceous plants Family Botanical Name Local Name Amaranthaceae Amaranthus spp. Ludey jhar kadey (Lh) Araceae Arisaema spp. Ruginang Too Araceae Colocasia sp. Bozong (Sh) Cannabaceae Cannabis sativa Hemp(Eng), Phagpa nam (Sh) Commelinaceae Commelina hasskarrlii Korum (Lh) Compositae Ageratum conyzoides Elamey (Lh), Rogpu-ngon(Sh) Compositae Ageratum houstonianum Elamey (Lh), Rogpu-ngon(Sh) Compositae Bidens pilosa Blackjack (Eng), kuro (Lh) Compositae Crassocephalum crepidoides Dhadung phuley (Lh) Compositae Galingsoga parviflora Udasoy (Lh), yurungpa (Sh) Compositae Xanthium indicum Cocklebur (Eng) Convallariaceae Tupistra nutans Wangpem meto (Sh) Menispermaceae Houttuynia cordata Nombaring (Sh) Piperaceae Piper hamiltonii Pan (Dz) Polygonaceae Acconogonon molle Kochoma (Sh) Rubiaceae Rubia cordifolia Laneinaangroo (Sh) Urticaceae Girardinia diversifolia Zocha (Dz) Zingiberaceae Hedychium sp. Polypodiaceae Diplazium spp. Dawai (Sh) Polypodiaceae Pteridium aquilinum Dhawaytan (Sh)
BHUCORE 2 of 2 APPENDIX 6
LIST OF FAUNAL SPECIES FOUND IN THE PROJECT AREA
Appendix 6: List of Protected Species of Bhutan
List of Faunal Species found in the Project Area
Table 1: List of mammals found in the project Area
Scintific Name Common Name IUCN' Status FNCA 2 Status Selenarctos thibetanus Himalayan Black Bear Vulnerable Protected Panthera pardus Leopard Protected Sus scrofa Wild boar Cervus unicolor Sambar Muntiacus muntjak Barking deer Cuon Alpinus Wild Dog Vulnerable Calloscirus macclellandi Tree squirrel Hystrix indica Porcupine Nemorhaedus goral Ghoral Canis aureus Jackal Felis chaus Wild cat Macaca assamensis Monkey Viverricula indica Civet
Table 2: List of Avifauna found in the project Area
Scientific Name Common Name IUCN Status FNCA Status Caprimulgus indicus Grey Nightjar Sitta himalayensis White-tailed Nuthactch Phoenicurus erythrogaster White-winged Redstart Tragopan satyra Satyr Tragopan Urocissa flavirostns Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Minla stngula Chestnut-tailed Minla Parus monticolus Green-backed Tit Garrulax stnatus Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus Grey-sided Laughingthrush Gallinago nemoricola Wood snipe Heterophasia capistrata Rofus Sibia Prunella immaculata Maroon-backed Accentor - Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented Bulbul Coturnix cotumix Common Quail Lophura leucomelanos Kalij Pheasants Arborophila torqueola Hill Partridge Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove Milvus migrans Black Kite Ictinaetus malayensis Black Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis Mountain Hawk Eagle - Corvus macrorhynchos Large-billed Crow Pericrocotus flammeus Scariet Minivet Dicrurus macrocercus Black Drongo Dicnucus leucophaeus Ashy Drongo
Cinclus pallasii Brown Dipper _ _ _ Myophonus caeruleus Blue Whistling thrush - Zoothera dauma Scaly Thrush Turdus albocinctus White-collared Blackbird - Phoenicurus hodgsoni Hodgson's Redstart Hypsipetes leucocephalus Black Bulbul Cettia brunnifrons Grey-sided Bush Warbler - Motacilla alba White Wagtail
' IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature 2 FNCA - Forest & Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995
BHUCORE 1 of 1 i i
I APPENDIX 7
LIST OF PROTECTED SPECIES OF BHUTAN
Appendix 7: List of Protected Species of Bhutan
List of Protected Species of Bhutan, Schedule I of Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995
Table 1: List of Schedule I Wildlife Common Name Scientific Name Asian Elephant Elephas maximus Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa Golden Langur Presbytis geei Must Deer Moschus Chrysogaster Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Pigmy Hog Sus sylvanicus Snow Leopard Panthera uncia Takin Budorcas Tiger Panthera tigris Wild Buffalo Bubalus bubalis Black-Necked Crane Grus nigricollis Monal Pheasant Lophophonus impejenus Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum Raven Corvus corax Rufous-Necked Hornbill Aceros nepalenis Golden Mahseer Tor tor Spotted Deer Axis axis Gaur Bos gaurus Leopard Panthera pardus Leopard Cat Felis bengalensis Himalayan Black Beer Selenarctos thibetanus Red Panda Ailurus fulgens Serow Capricornis sumatraensis
Table 2: List of Schedule I Plants Local Name Common Name Botanical Name
Agar/agaru Eagle Wood/Indian Aloe Wood Aquilaria malaccensis
Yartsa-guenboop Chinese caterpillar Cordyceps sinensis
Pang-gen metog Gentiana crassuloides
Snow down Lily Lloydia yunnanensis
Tsher-ngeon Blue Poppy Meconopsis grandis
Kirang-shing Yew Taxus baccata
Bhreeng-gee ra-dza Ginseng Panax pseudo-ginseng
BHUCORE 1 of 1 I Ii APPENDIX 8
LIST OF OFFICIALS MET
Appendix 8 List Of Officials Met
List of Officials Met
Si. No. Name Designation Department/Agency 1 C.K. Pradhan Project Manager RWP, Department of Roads (DOR) 2 David Annandale Advisor National Environment Commission (NEC) 3 Dorji Wangchuk Asst. Engineer (EA) Standard & Quality Control Authority (SQCA)
Environmental Friendly Road Construction - 4 K.D. Chamling . . Environmental Specialist SupportSpotPoet(FCS) Project (EFRC-SP), SNV/DORN/O Investigation and Development Division (IND), Department of Roads (DOR) 6 S.B. Suberi NRE DOR 7 S.N Rai Project Manager EFRC-SP, SNV/DOR 8 Singay Dorji AE Environmental Unit, IND, DOR 9 Sonam Desel EA Officer SQCA 10 Sonam Lhaden PO/EA officer NEC 11 Thinley Dorji EA Officer NEC 12 Tshering Wangdi (A) Superintending Engineer Survey & Design Division, DOR 13 Tshering Penjor Project Manager Rural Access Project, DOR 14 Tshering Tashi Joint Director NEC 15 Tshewang Dorji Junior Engineer DOR 16 Yeshi Penjor Under Secretary NEC 17 Yeshi Dorji Asst. Project Manager Rural Access Project, DOR 18 Ugyen D Shartsho Dzongrab Wangdue Dzongkhag 19 Dorji Wangdi Juniour Engineer Wangdue Dzongkhag 20 Kinga Dorji District Engineer Wangdue Dzongkhag 21 Gomathi Asst Administrative Officer Wangdue Dzongkhag 22 Phub Tshewang Dangchu Gup Dangchu Geog, Wangdue Dzongkhag
23 Kinley Pem Chipon, Peljorling Village, Dangchu Geog, Wangdue Dzongkhag Peljorling Village, Dangchu Geog, Wangdue 24 Yangka TshogpaDznka Dzongkhag 25 Gem Dorji Mangap Dangchu Geog, Wandue Dzongkhag
26 Kinley Pem Chipon Ridang Goenpa, Dangchu Geog, Wangdue Dzongkhag Ridang Goenpa, Dangchu Geog, Wangdue 27 Drao Tshogpa Dzongkhag
BHUCORE 1
APPENDIX 9
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE FOR 8 KM STRETCH OF THE JANGCHIUCHOLING - TASHIDINGKHA ROAD I Appendix 9 Environmental Clearance
Environmental Clearance for 8km stretch of Jangchucholing - Tashidingkha road
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ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN NA;TION AL ENA I- CP..pOr.C *i,/5347 N.cvember 10 2CO -,: Subject: Environmental- Clearance for Tshachugang (Nobding) Tashidingkha (Dangchu) feeder road under Wangdiphodrang Dzongk!ag -e X0*2v --,vircrnrent CLo 'Vc Secre.:-1 s (EC)'earnce fo- :;¶ ccrs:rL ::s - o ''OP sz;etch Ti- r - . - f.r:L ..- . .. und.r -a . .~ rQezr.,;:..av-z C!arar>,- vc.z c.'-nr.tot ::"r;l;r~c:chkm.; J.- ;'-~ 7 ;r-~ , ".:ij. -T~.'-;) - --D~., - e roaui - .c.ea, ., .: . .a .7re r::: ccr2Stru:l must be l. Etnvirc-nmental Codes cr -c - ,or .. Roads 5veiopedc- by -ne L2LI.. r oDf r'. aya" Work ano Human -e e- - nd the Sectorat :de>n; For - .a, Ros, NECS -v.rCor,enal8 Fr .;il' R&c- C3.strSCr-, , -.. ILS must be appi:sOc a-,i waste i-aterials fter excavatlon s not :., r.c c-v - . -na.ed area I;r J spoj of the excavate, materials mus : 2r.C apprcved by ,:-:CS prior to irmpleme,ntation ofth- ac>t-,; -.S:e ra'r., Cross drains and Suoport structures Se r~e r2;- &:. .ust be construc-et as per Ithe an' r'esspc- r- :snsprevent 'u.re;;. -; cstcn Y.Z .a'u&I r; CC. ntrcIed, aactr-.;c:.iS, F . S;- - be Za-r-ed out as per Mmn!stri i jl,m !A L;IE-- 5. A,s- het vaiue m.ust oe preserved/enharnce oy r-.. r. the z.:: c areas A-tn re-.e. e.ar. o,f grss-s er trees n c-r.s I:a:.z ith the De:a rt.tert o' 7. . :r.a .*4i:n ir Sa.-ety .. ea-Lres must be strictiy a;Li-.eZ...... a A ca.-nc ,r-rC c a arising CLe tC ecnstruc:iort cf rcbae;--1 the r-.: ;r i of the project -ccrert BHUCORE Appendix 9 Environmental Clearance rr,j- ,- . -! i- i - - * -r V-- -:' 4 < 1 -.-. -'~ s f-r a -- 7riCd cf t. y. .; : 2- - c> c - i~~~~~~~~~~~~~.1- t-e~1---*i .- t' f. i , - - ,-zr.e -';' frl- .. . ,, -- - -~ ; 1,YW. . ...TE OF rX t OFoY TH.IS EC: 9 Novernber O3. .-- e!- .enr 3. ExeciLt,.e Ein'ne-er, <,DN oua -4. D,v:s ?-,- ., .,- Division, 6. re u 7 , 1 ' .- . . ! BHUCORE 2 NMp IIo61: LOCATIOII JAIIGCHU1.HOUIIG - TASHIDIIIGKHA FEEDER ROAD: CHINA GASA AA -I - ~LHUNTSE - C,- |FUNAKHA ATAHI YAN GE BUMTHANG THI G | FEEDERROi J PARO V" L TR NG SA S iE A AN i ) SA'sTS ), FiF-' 5 mu "DAG. - '½ EMAQ/KtrP itR.HIAN ; B Cor.IisrI I 'A B-uaCoslaft Reeac sArATSEnj (Sale A1 10)OD /EM GA < MAYH2 /'S1 (BHUCORE) X^ . $*.1irle tk 3wSoeertr Kt Ke DAGANAU, `3' T' I -rI >ZHMGN =,R:- I 6 z - -. .- .. , A- a= d fl = a a Zr r ri fls 2 _ Oj 3. = i a 0 = 1:. ml rn A a to tO A flt J tft 4 & -w * 4 :1 LA I ,.-' '\ Zr N. Zr a - Zr I 5- / I C N - at liii N 1 OQ 4 a a - LA N - ("'>-'--N - * - - t 6 7 II - '4, L N- K -I.e.; I - p 7<'4* i II i i I Map NoI3. ROAD OPTIONS ROAD: JANG CH UCH OLIN G -TASHIDINGKHA FEEDER Ta hidingkha '' " . ~ ~ S 1 1l - - ! 2000 ADignmentOption - II - * Chhibasi 1,.20D Alignrment - I (Reocm ded) .ELA H -y' 4L,1 ' 7 Penjoring jse.- Rdha j t V~usug an g X8 r Hi, *, ti;' A Ps T-- I., . - - e .1 n00 Coru0 r Legend: A FeederR oad(O plion-4) -- Majtreaws flhutanConsuftants &Resteao (BFRIORE)- - 9irRims - FeederRoad(Oploa41) A Pass6 (BHJCOPE) -- Ead.WestNatIora HigheapttErdotig) * Settement6 Diaslasners, ~z Oldv.tRoad(Exi.0r1g) 9119*.- ,T...1aZ * FeederRoad Cha,nage 1:25 000 --- Contourt40mIntl.et -" 43 t;- Sie=e It ~ O I 1 ;**. -p. cc - JANG6 HUICHOLING - TASHIDINGKHA FEEDER ROAD: Map No. 6: PROTECTED AREAS AND ROAD LOCATIOU aHIllA(TIBET) N GASA C> < )PLINAKHA 7 P4C . tr-' < t Rl.,-x.t) BLtITA)ITAHIANTRSE IAN THITH4I'IE 7r D LegndTRaier; ': SN9f> y. . >@r5 fE kRl r ^ASc ,IDI8 ,~ide= 1 1e1o E S78 WA - 2 TN I ktA - .. - .-, N s- -'>F-.GC; oY-.rsr 1./N00 "~ §J RoadNetr Bi ,, Disclaimers Legend: .* .x-I V i:-c - Jigmn- eSingyeVWangchuck- -.-- . r. National:-; Park Thrurmshingla Natonal Park - Pr opse d Fe eder Road SBHUCORE - . io-nP..-.". na idlfSa Tor-s r -t -teSReserveArea I