E2157 Sri Lanka Provincial Roads Project

Public Disclosure Authorized

Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Assessment and Management Framework

Public Disclosure Authorized

Uva Provincial Roads Development Department Eastern Provincial Roads Development Department Northern Provincial Roads Development Department Ministry of Local Governments and Provincial Councils Public Disclosure Authorized

October 2009 1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has requested financing from the World Bank to undertake a Provincial Project to upgrade and rehabilitate dilapidated provincial road infrastructure. The proposed project is aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of management of provincial roads that facilitate the access of provincial productive markets by (a) rehabilitation of provincial roads infrastructure in selected prioritized areas, and (b) supporting development of technical capacity at the provincial level to improve their ability to manage their assets.

This project will focus on upgrading, rehabilitating and maintaining the priority provincial roads by resurfacing in Uva Province and Ampara District of Eastern Province. Provincial roads are the key connectors between the rural and the national networks. In addition, the project intends to finance improving the institutional capacity of the provincial roads departments in the participating provinces.

Projects and Programs financed with IDA resources need to comply with World Bank Operational Policies. Therefore, sub-contracts and components eligible for funding under this project will be required to satisfy the World Bank’s safeguard policies, in addition to conformity with environmental legislation of the GOSL. The activities to be financed by the project do not have the potential to trigger significant negative environmental impacts. Investments under the maintenance and rehabilitation components of will consist of resurfacing only and the provision of drainage, where applicable. Therefore, it is anticipated that environmental issues and impacts would be minimal. Five provincial roads to be rehabilitated under the project have been identified at this stage for the Uva Province for the Phase I; the project is yet to prioritize the remainder that will be funded from this project in both the Uva and Eastern Provinces. Therefore, road-specific environmental assessments cannot be undertaken at this stage for the Eastern province. The road-specific environmental assessments are currently being conducted for the 5 selected roads of the Uva Province.

Environmental Assessment and Management Framework (EAMF) has been developed to be used as a guide and serve as a template to ensure compliance with the World Bank’s environmental safeguard policies and the relevant provisions under the National Environmental Act (NEA) and associated regulations of Sri Lanka. The document will provide the necessary background for environmental considerations to be built into the design of the project so that environmentally sustainable implementation can take place. To aid this process, the EAMF highlights general policies, guidelines, codes of practice and procedures to be taken into consideration when formulating environmental strategies to the project design and to be incorporated as part of the bidding documents and contracts.

World Bank policies and guidelines, relevant to environmental safeguards that require consideration under this project are as follows: • OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environmental Assessment

The only safeguard policy to be triggered under this project will be OP/BP/GP 4.01 on Environmental Assessment (EA). The purpose of conducting an EA is to identify environmental and social consequences of the proposed sub-projects or components, in order to: 1 • Ensure the identification of potential environmental issues and social concerns early in the implementation of a proposed project to incorporate necessary safeguards in project design to prevent potential adverse impacts by determining appropriate mitigation and compensation measures; • Minimize risks and enhance positive impacts/benefits; • Avoid delays and extra costs which may subsequently arise due to unanticipated environmental problems; and • Identify the potential for maximizing environmental resources management and socioeconomic benefits to local communities within the scope of the sub-project.

At this stage an identification of generic issues have been made that are typically associated with road resurfacing activities as proposed under the project based on Road Sector Assistance Project of World Bank, as well as the studies carried out by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These generic information are required to be applied road-specific EAs, as and when the relevant details become available. In such circumstances, OP 4.01 requires that arrangements be made whereby the project implementing institutions undertake the functions of sub-project screening, EA review and implementation of mitigation and monitoring plans. Therefore the purpose of this document is to outline a framework for environmental assessment and management, giving details of potential environmental issues and guidelines on how to prepare Environmental Management Plans (EMP). The EAMF will serve as a template to undertake appropriate environmental analysis of the roads once selected.

The EAMF is being submitted in lieu of a project EA and has formed the basis for appraising the environmental aspects of the project. It will be made available for public review and comment in appropriate locations in Sri Lanka and in IDA’s Public Information Center in accordance with BP 17.50 requirements of disclosure. The EAs prepared for individual roads by the ADB will be verified in accordance with the EAMF by the implementing agencies and will be updated accordingly. They will be subsequently reviewed and cleared by IDA prior to the approval of disbursement of funds.

1.2 Project Description

The project will include the following components:

Component 1: Provincial Roads Rehabilitation in Uva Province, Ampara district of Eastern Province and Jaffna district of Northern Province. Component 2: Maintenance of Provincial Roads including drainage cleaning, improving visibility on the sides of the roads, pothole patching, etc. for fairly good road network in Uva and Eastern provinces. Component 3: Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: within provinces and Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils (MoLGPC).

1 Social assessment requirements will be presented in the Social Impact Management Framework (SIMF) 2. Environmental Safeguards Requirements

2.1 Government of Sri Lanka Environmental Regulations and Procedures  The National Environmental Act (NEA) has made Environmental Assessments (EA) a legal requirement for a range of development projects. A list of projects requiring an EA is prescribed in Gazette (Extra Ordinary) No. 772/22 dated June 24, 1993. Road resurfacing is not listed as a prescribed project requiring an EA under the above gazette notification. Agreement has been reached with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the World Bank that projects financed through World Bank resources will be required to undertake an environmental analysis commensurate with the potential for environmental impacts and prepare detailed EMPs that will be included for implementation as part of the Contractors contracts.

The GOSL environmental clearance process, in principle, is consistent with World Bank environmental and public disclosure requirements. The exception being the screening criteria adopted in the GOSL process under the NEA, where project thresholds are used to determine the type of clearance required and the content of public consultation. However, all activities under the proposed project will be subjected to the EA process regardless of the project threshold, prior to disbursement of funds. The implementing agency will share the final version of EAMF with the CEA for information. A detailed description of the environmental legislative framework for environmental assessment and management is provided in Annex I.

2.2 World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies and its Relevance to the project

Projects financed with IDA resources normally need to comply with World Bank Operational Policies. World Bank OP 4.01 requires Environmental Assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that these projects are environmentally sound and sustainable. EA is a process whose breadth, depth and type of analysis depend on the nature, scale and potential for environmental impacts of the proposed project. Considering the work involved and resultant environmental repercussions in road resurfacing and upgrading and/or provision of drainage in non- sensitive environments, this project can be treated as Category B.

World Bank OP 4.01 is very clear that for a project in Category B proposed for financing under an IDA Credit, the developer must consult project affected groups and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) about the projects environmental aspects and take their views into account in the design and implementation. The EA should particularly incorporate such comments to improve social acceptability and environmental sustainability. Such consultations should be initiated as early as possible, in the Project cycle and it is mandatory that consultations are undertaken after the draft EA is prepared. In addition, the developer is expected to consult with stakeholders throughout project implementation as necessary to address EMP related issues that affect them. The OP 4.01 also highlights the importance of analyzing alternative designs, technologies and operational strategies systematically in terms of their potential environmental impacts in order to select the most environmentally friendly and economically viable option. 3. District Level Assessments on Status of the Environment and Socio-Economic Conditions

3.1 Eastern Province: Ampara District

3.1.1 Physical resources

Topography, Geology and Soil: Land area distributed in the Ampara district is located within the 1st peneplane of the country (0-125 m above the Mean Sea Level). The topography of the district is flat and slightly undulating. Non Calcic Brown Soils dominantly found in dry zone in the east of Sri Lanka. The top of the soil is dark brown to dark grayish brown. The sub soil is brown or yellowish brown. Reddish Brown Earths also occur in this area. The characteristic of the soil is reddish brown in colour. Generally there is a layer of gravel and the texture may vary from sandy loam to sandy clay.

Climate: Mean annual rainfall in the Ampara district is 1650mm. There are two dry periods in Ampara area from May to October and from mid-January to March. The North East monsoon lasts from November to the end of December.

Water resources: Gal Oya is the largest river in Ampara District. It flows from the South Central hills of the country and passes through the dry Eastern sector of the Island to enter the Indian Ocean close to Kali Odai in Oluvil Village. The Gal-Oya River has a watershed size of approximately 200 sq miles. It was the first multi- purpose irrigation scheme started in post independent Sri Lanka. A dam across the river at Inginiyagala has created a reservoir called “Senanayake Samudraya.” The reservoir has a capacity of 770,000 acre feet of water and feeds a large number of perennial and seasonal tanks in the northern part of the district. It has resulted in new settlements being established in a once dry forest land and with that a new administration for the district. The paddy lands that were cultivated only once per year can now be cultivated twice. The yearly flood in the coastal areas has been reduced with the additional water retention capacity. Gal Oya being a multi-purpose project not only provides hydro power, but also has made possible the commencement of sugar, tile production, rice milling, and various other industries. The other water reservoirs which store water are Pannelagama, Ambanoya, Sangaman Kulam and Arakkaman kulam.

Air Quality: Most of the roads in Ampara districts are not affected by pollution of air due to lack of vehicular transport and industrial activities. Hence atmospheric composition does not contain vehicular emissions and other industrial waste gases. But during the dry season, relatively dust emission is high thus according to consultants’ explanation within dry period atmospheric composition contains higher level of dust. However the studies or past literature about the quality of air within Ampara is lack.

3.1.2 Ecological resources

Yala East National Park lies on the South – East coast in Eastern Province, 12 km South of Arugam Bay, and is accessible from the Wellawaya - Pottuvil Road. The main feature is in the world famous Kumana mangrove swamp, which is surrounded by plains and jungle. Numerous, rocky outcrops break the flat terrain of the coast. There are large saline lagoons along the coast, often surrounded by extensive plains. Its altitude ranges from sea level to 90m height rocky outcrops. Total area of the Yala East NP is 18,149 ha, with 265.3 ha in block II and 17,863.4 ha in block I. The vegetation of this National Park comprises semi-arid thorn scrub with fairly large areas of dense forest. Important species of tree are palu, weera, mayila, ehala, satin and malithan. Around the marshy swamps kirala and hambu are prominent. Generally fauna is similar to that found dry zone forests and this is very famous for avifauna due to the presence of large number of migratory and residential bird species. Common birds include pelican, painted stork, spoon bill, white ibis, open billed stork, purple heron, grey heron, pond heron, all species of egrets, which are in Sri Lanka, night heron, Indian darter, and different cormorant species, water cock, moorhen, purple coot, and pheasant tailed jacana. Black winged stilt, whistling teal and little grebe are also present in this area. Rare species such as Black necked stork can see in this area. Arugam Bay is ecologically and aesthetically important another site located on the Indian Ocean in South-East coast of Sri Lanka. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination. The Bay hosts a large fleet of fishing boats which operate off the beach. A bridge is located at Arugam Bay is very famous land mark in the area, which linking Arugam Bay with Pottuvil town. There is excellent elephant viewing nearby as well as two types of monkeys wandering around the area. The sandy beach area of Arugam Bay provides nesting habitat for the sea turtle. Five species of turtles including Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) are annually reach to this coastal area for laying eggs. Arugam Bay lagoon is also very important habitat for water birds. Large number of residential and migratory birds distributed in and around the lagoon.

Lahugala Kithulana National Park is in the basin of the Heda Oya, 16km inland from the coastal town of Pottuvil in Eastern Province. The Pottuvil Moneragala trunk road runs through the South Eastern sector of the park. The terrain is flat with occasional rock outcrops. The park features three tanks, Lahugala (243ha), Kithulana and Sengamuwa, which ultimately drain into the Heda Oya. These tanks are largely silted up and support an abundance of Beru grass. The area of the park is 1554 ha. Vegetation surrounding the tanks is dry mixed evergreen forests with scrubs. Common species include weera, palu, halmilla, milla satin and ehala. Beru a tall reedy grass, cover the tanks. Rivers are fringed by gallery forest. Lahugala traditionally used as a feeding ground by elephant. Heard of up to 150, attracted by the beru grass was common sight at Lahugala tank during the period of July to August. Other mammals include endemic toque macaque, common languor, sloth bear, and jackal, rusty spotted cat, fishing cat, leopard, and wild boar, Indian muntjac, spotted deer, sambar, Pangolin and black napped hare. The avifauna is diverse and includes a variety of waterfowl and the usual dry zone forest birds. Wetland species include pelican, purple heron, painted stork, teals, white bellied sea eagle, grey headed fishing eagle, common kingfisher, stork billed kingfisher and white breasted kingfisher. The last recorded sighting of comb duck now thought to be an extinct species in Sri Lanka, was found at Lahugala. Other birds include the rare red-faced malkoha and the endemic Sri Lanka spurfowl. Amphibians include frogs such as the endemic Bufo athukoralei, Rana limnocharis, Rhacophorus maculate, Kaloula pulchra and Micropyla rubra. Noteworthy reptiles include python, rat snake, flying snake, cat snakes, whip snakes and Russell’s viper. Seruwila-Allai Sanctuary is another important marine Protected Area which is located Ampara district of in Sri Lanka. Literature about this place is very limited. The Kudumbigala Sanctuary 10 km south of Arugam bay is a large rock complex of ridges and huge granite boulders. Between 300 and 2000 years BC a cave dwelling hermitage of Buddhist monks was located here.

Any of these above mentioned and non-mentioned environmental sensitive areas or their wild fauna or flora do not affected by the proposed road development activities in Ampara district. The reason is those areas are not located close proximity to proposed road sections.

3.1.3 Economic Development

Rural poverty prevailing in Ampara district is mainly due to low land productivity. The causes for this low productivity are; the low rain fall, and the poor support service extended to the farmers. Poor performance and the non-completion of irrigation infrastructure is another major factor that is contributing to the poverty situation in the district.

Land use and the Agriculture: The total area of the district is 4415 km2. Of these 4222 km2 comprise terrestrial lands and rest 193 kim2 covers by inland waters. In Ampara district the biggest tank is the Senanayake Samudraya. It has a capacity of 770,000 acre feet of water. It provides irrigation facilities to more than 38,000 ha of paddy lands. Its main channel network system is about 35 km long and conveys about 100 m3 of water per second to the system. Historically, rice farming has been the main economic crop in the Ampara district. Over sixty percent of the population is dependent on rice cultivation or its related industries. The high incidence of rural poverty in Ampara district is associated with poor land productivity due to low rainfall, weak agricultural support services, and poorly performing irrigation infrastructure. The D.S. of Navithanveli reported that the production in 2005 from the Yala season was 14,000 MT while the Maha season level of production was 104,000 MT. Many of the lands in this division do not have functioning irrigation schemes at the lower left bank of the Gal Oya system. The irrigation sector is of fundamental importance in promoting economic growth in rural agro-based economics. The total paddy cultivated area during 2004/ 2005 within Ampara district is 75071 ha. In addition to the paddy, coconut, minor crops such as banana, maize and some other home garden species also cultivated in Ampara area. The total coconut cultivated land area of the Ampara district is 5,087 ha in year 2005.

Infrastructure: Within the Ampara district, electricity is available most of the proposed road sections except two roads. Tele – communication facility is not available in four proposed roads and lack pipe – borne water facility is observed in the district, only six proposed road sections are available pipe-borne water.

3.1.4 Social and cultural development

Population and community: A total of 19 DS divisions located within the Ampara district. Selected roads for the improvement run through 19 out of 13 DS divisions of the district. A total of 592,997 populations are distributed within the 19 DS divisions of the district while 371808 (62.6%) populations distributed within 13 DS divisions representing all ethnic and the religious group in the country. From the total population distributed in the district 39.9 % is Singhalese, 18.4 % Sri Lankan Tamil, 0.1% Indian Tamil, 41.3 % Sri Lankan Moor, 0.2 % Burgher, and 0.1% others. Mainly four religious groups represented in the district as fallows: 39.7% Buddhist, 16.9 % Hindus, 41.3 % Muslims and 1.3 % Roman Catholics. Majority of the road sections selected for the improvement project is distributed in rural areas of the district.

Health and Educational Facilities: A total of 54 hospitals distributed in different locations of the Ampara district. These include a single provincial general hospital at Ampara, single base hospital type A, at Kalmunai, 04 base hospitals type B at Dehiattakandiya, Potuvil, Mahaoya and Akkaraipattu. In addition 08 district hospitals, 04 peripheral units, 04 rural hospitals, 06 central dispensaries and maternity homes and 26 central dispensaries are also located within the district.

Altogether 402 schools including 388 government schools and a single special education unit are distributed in Ampara district. The literacy rate of the district is 85.9 %.

Sites of the Cultural, Archeological and Historical Significance: Archaeological Department has identified several ancient Buddhist shrines and archaeological sites in Ampara district. Moodu Maha Viharaya is located on the seashore, near Pottuvil. Much of the remains at this site appear to be covered by sea sand. At an elevated site is a ruined dagaba. West of the dagoba are the remains of a pillared structure. To the South is an image house and a pond. East of the dagoba are seen stumps of pillars and brick walls. It is believed that buried under a thick layer of sand are other remains of ancient structures. Pulukunava located at the boundary of the Galoya scheme on the Ampara-Mahiyangana road is on a large forested hill. On the Southern scrap of the hill are a large number of dripledged caves. In many of these caves are pre-Christian inscriptions. Samangala located about five miles to the West of the Kohombana junction on the Ampara-Gonagala road. On the Eastern escarpment of Samangala hill are found a large number of dripledged caves bearing pre-Christian Brahmi inscriptions. On a high boulder close to an ancient cave is incised the representation of a dagoba similar to the stupas at Sanchi. Dighavapi, is another important archeological, historical and religious site located in Ampara district. A total of 35 archaeological sites distributed within Dighavapi complex. The archaeological area is a mere 42 square kilometres in extent. The area declared under the Archaeological Department is only four hundred yards in radius of each site leaving the other areas unprotected under the Antiquities Ordinance No. 9 of 1940. The Magul Maha Viharaya has been known as the Ruhunu Maha Vihara in ancient times. It was built by King Dhatusena (453-474 A.D.). The structures here had been reconstructed by Vihara Maha Devi wife of Bhuwenakabahu IV of Gampola and Parakramabahu V of Dedigama in the 14th century. Two inscriptions of this queen are at the site. In an area girt by a prakara of stone slabs are a Bodhigara, an image house, a dagaba and a sabbath house. Kudumbigala situated on the road from Panama to the Ruhunu National Park, there are a large number of drip ledged caves here some of which bear inscriptions. Thiru Koneshwaram, the "Dakshana Kailash" of the ancients, "The Great Pagoda" or "The Pagoda with a thousand Pillars" of the Portuguese or simply Swami Rock" during the British regime, is the most ancient place of Hindu veneration in Ceylon. It has very interesting history behind it. The Okanda Devale is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Skanda-Murukan - the war god most famously worshipped in Sri Lanka at Kattaragama. The shrine is located on a rocky outcrop over looking the sea. The Okande Devale is an important place of worship for pilgrims undertaking the annual 'padi yatra' from Jaffna all the way along the east coast to Kataragama.

3.2 Uva Province: Badulla District

3.2.1 Physical resources

Topography, Geology and Soil: Badulla district is located towards the East of the Central highlands. Physiographically, it is a complex region with mountain ranges, dissected plateaus and narrow valleys covering a greater proportion of the district. The Eastern arm of the Central highlands extends towards Dewatagala in the East, through the Southern part of the district. This Eastern range has an elevation ranging from 1200-1800 m to the East. And North-South aligned Namunukula range beyond which are located a section of Lunugala ridges that rise to over 1200m. The terrain of these ridges is rugged. At the extreme South of the district separated from the Eastern range by a steep escarpment is a section of the Koslanda plateau, with an elevation ranging from 300-1000 m. On the whole the general gradient of a large part of the district is northwards to the valley of the Mahaweli Ganga. Geologically the district is belonging to the rock formation of highland series. The highland series occupies a board belt running across the center of the Island from Southwest to Northeast, and it thus includes the whole of the central hill country and part of the Northern plain. The highland series is composed of metasediments and closely associated charnockite geneisses. The metasediments comprise quartzites, fine-grained acid geneisses, granulites calc geneisses, marble and type khondalite, which is a sillimanitic-garnet – graphite schist. The drier lower areas of the district have Red Earth and Brown Loams. The relative wet higher slopes are characterized by highly leached Red-Yellow Podsols, while their lower slopes have Lateritic Reddish Brown soils.

Climate: A large section of the Badulla district belongs to the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. The average annual rainfall in the district is around 2000 mm. but it varies from 900 mm in the Northern and Southern extremities of the district to over 2500 mm in the Eastern flanks the Central highlands, Namunukula and Lunugala ridges. The average annual rainfall of the Uva Basin, which is protected on all sides by highlands, is approximately 1700 mm. The rainfall in the district is subjected to interannual, seasonal and monthly variations. Drought is an important climatic characteristic in Badulla district. Partial drought occurs very often during the months of February to July. The average annual temperature of the district varies between 20- 25oC depending on the altitudes. The period of greatest diurnal temperature range occurs during the Southwest monsoon due to the influence of wind. Local winds have an impact on the temperature and humidity.

Water resources: Several head streams of the Mahaweli, Walawe, Krindi, Kumbukkan and Gal Oya rise in the mountain ranges within the district and them flow North, South and Eastwards across the district. The rim of the Basin and the Uva highlands located in its center are highly dissected by the Northward flowing Uma, Badullu and Loggal Oyas and their tributaries. Valley bottoms of the Uma, Badullu and Loggal Oyas have undulating floors while the flanking hills rise sometimes to a height of 900 m Badulla Oya, for example flows in a deep valley and the lateral tributaries too have carved up deep valley on either side. The headwaters of major rivers the Mahaweli Ganga, Walawe Ganga, Menik Oya, Kumbukkan Oya, Badulu Oya and Loggal Oya which tumble through the province's rugged terrain create numerous enchanting waterfalls. The Bambarakanda Falls which plunge down 790 ft. is Sri Lanka's highest seasonal waterfall, beautifully sited in secluded surroundings. The majestic 560 ft. Diyaluma Falls at Koslanda is Sri Lanka's highest perennial waterfall and sixth highest in the world. Dunhinda (Smoky Water), Sri Lanka's loveliest, most dramatic waterfall located 5.5 km. from Baddulla. Other impressive waterfalls in Uva include Ravana Ella, Manawela, Peessa, Paraiyan and Bomburu Falls, all accessible by motorable road and footpath and set in beautiful, unspoilt wildness areas.

Air Quality and Noise: All proposed roads of the Badulla district are falls through rural areas, which are not highly commercialized or industrially superior areas. Hence vehicular usage and other factors, which are responsible for decreasing the quality of air and increase the level of noise is not in that much of considerable level. There is no currently available data for analyzing the quality of air and level of noise in Badulla district. However roads within the Township area of Badulla may pollute the quality of air and increase level of noise than the rural sector.

3.2.2 Ecological resources Among Sri Lanka's nine provinces Uva holds an undisputed first place in natural beauty. Its varied topography ranges from elevations of 2100m on the western borders, to the spreading lowlands on its Southern, Eastern and Northern limits. High mountain chains, steep peaks, precipitous escarpments and majestic waterfalls are few of them the Uva province has within it many of Sri Lanka's outstanding natural sights and wonders. The vast diversity of Badulla area are Montane, Sub Montane, Moist Monsoon and Dry Monsoon forests. These forests are covers an area of 93, 3888, 1577, 17517 and 3353 hectares respectively. Ravana Ella Sanctuary, Badulu-Oya River Basin and Gallanda Oya enhance the ecological value of the Badulla district. About 1932 hectares of Ravana Ella Sanctuary is located around the Ravana Ella falls. Large number of mammals, birds and reptiles distributed within the sanctuary of Rawana Ella. Hakgala Mipilimana Forest Reserve and Thangamale Sanctuary also provide greater diversity to this area. It lays in Haputale and Sorabora Wewa near Mahiyanganaya. Good bird watching and wild life viewing opportunities available at Horton Plains, the fascinating beauty of Horton plains contribute by fauna and flora especially flowers and butterfly fanciers live within this area.

Namunukula proposed forest reserve is one such greater example for ecosystem diversity in Badulla, because it consist hidden waterfalls, Eucalyptus Forest, Rain Forest, Pine Forest or Natural Forest, and Tea plantations across and along mountain streams. Haputale Forest Reserve provides greater diversity of avifauna in this area. Ravana and Dunhinda provide intimate aesthetic value for Badulla district. Part of the Maduruoya National Park also lies towards the Eastern border of district Maduruoya National Parks is also important Elephant habitats distributed in the area. The southern and eastern faces of Sri Lanka's central mountains which lie in the Uva province are noted for precipitous gradients, steep and narrow mountain rifts, gaps and passes, with stunning, panoramic views. The Haputale pass is a narrow file in the Haputale mountain chain through which the winding trunk road climbs several thousand feet from Beragala to Haputale (1407m) in the space of a few kilometers, with breath taking panoramas of mountain, valley and lowland stretching to the distant southern coast and the sea. The Ella gap is dramatic rift in the southern mountain wall where the land plunges 900m to the coastal plains in the far distance. The eastern extremities of the 2100m high Horton Plains, a lovely wilderness sanctuary with another of Sri Lanka's great natural sights, World's End, a precipitous 5000 ft. rift, is accessible from Uva via Ohiya. Uva also has its own little World's End at Mahadowa in the Madulsima rangers, an enchanting panorama of plunge to the eastern plains. Of the many mountain peaks in the province, the best known is Namunukula (2036 m) with its distinctive nine peaked silhouette, which dominates the provincial capital Badulla and is visible from many parts of the district.

Any of these above mentioned and non-mentioned environmental sensitive areas or their wild fauna or flora do not affected by the proposed road development activities in Badulla district. The reason is those areas are not located close proximity to proposed road sections.

3.2.3 Economic Development

Land use and the Agriculture: The total land area of the district is 2861 km2. These include 2827 km2 terrestrial lands 34km2 inland water bodies. Badulla is the third largest tea growing area in the island and both tea estates and smallholdings concentrated to the district. Over 13 875 hectares and estate sectors grow tea on 61,833 hectares within the district. The predominant tea growing areas in the district are Passara, Hali Ela, Badulla, Ella and Haputale. Paddy is the second most important crop in the district although; it is grown only in 7.1 % of the area. During the Maha season over 95% of paddy lands in the district are cultivated but during the Yala the cropped area is reduced to less than 45%. Only 4% of all the minor export crops grow in Sri Lanka is found in the district. Coffee, Cocoa, Cardamoms etc are grown in only 0.5% of the total land area either is pure stands or in mixed gardens. Minor food crops such as cereals (maize, Kurukkan) pulses, legumes, chilies and vegetables are grown in market gardens or chena. Badulla is the largest potato and vegetable growing district in the Island especially in higher elevation of Bandarawela Haputale, Uva Paranagama and Welimada. Natural vegetation of the district consists of non- productive wet zone forests, non-productive intermediate zone forests, scrublands and grasslands. The dense and open forestlands mentioned above comprise only 19.6 % and the total forest cover has been estimated as 54271 hectares within the district. Forest plantations cover 4.6 % from the total land area of the district. There are 10,230 under dry pathana grasslands especially in the crests and upper slopes of hills in Passara, Ella, Haldummulla and Migahakivula where soils are shallow. The 14,240 hectares of scrubland are concentrated predominantly in Mahiyangana and Ridimahaliyadda. These scrublands are the result of the abandoning of chena lands after constant cultivation.

Industries: Badulla is not industrially developed and majority of the existing industries are predominantly agro-based. Within the district only 11.6 % of its employed population is engaged in industrial activities. A total of 37 industrial establishments distributed within the Badulla district in 2002. Agro-based food and beverages comprised 60% of its industries while the proportion of timber and furniture industries was11.5 % of the total. Currently tourism industry pops up in this district as center for visiting up country scenic beauty.

Infrastructure: Electricity is available in almost all of the areas which project roads are located. Tele communication facilities are limited only few locations of the proposed roads. Apparently not that much satisfactory level of pipe born water is available in this area and available pipe borne water also build up by several NGOs. Proper sewage facilities and pit latrine facilities also not that much available in the rural sector of the proposed roads.

3.2.4 Social and cultural development

Population and community: A total of 15 DS divisions located within the Badulla district. Selected roads for the improvement run through 9 out of 15 DS divisions of the district. A total of 779,983 populations are distributed within the 15 DS divisions of the district while 465251 (59.4%) populations distributed within 9 DS divisions representing all ethnic and the religious group in the country. From the total population distributed in the district 72.4% is Singhalese, 3.8% Sri Lankan Tamil, 18.4% Indian Tamil, 5% Sri Lankan Moor, 0.1 % Burgher, 0.2 % Malay and 0.1% others. Mainly four religious groups represented in the district as fallows: 72% Buddhist, 20.3 % Hindus, 5.3 % Muslims and 2.4 % Catholics. Majority of the road sections selected for the improvement project is distributed in rural areas of the district. From the total population 51,500 (6.6%) people is distributed in urban areas while 728500 (93.4 %) distributed in rural areas of the district.

Health and Educational Facilities A total of 52 hospitals distributed in different locations of the district. These include a single provincial general hospital, 3 base hospitals, 12 district hospitals, a single peripheral unit, 16 rural hospitals, 2 central dispensaries and maternity homes and 17 central dispensaries. Out of these provincial general hospital located at Badulla and 3 base hospitals are located at Diyatalawa, Welimada and Mahiyanganaya.

Within the district altogether 603 schools including 568 national schools, 3 private schools, 1 special school, and 31 privens are distributed. The education level of the district is considerably high. The literacy rate of the district is 85.2 %.

Cultural Heritage: Muthiyangana is one of the sixteen most venerated religious places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It is located within the town limits of Badulla and has a shrine that was built in 4 century AD and houses the jawbone of Lord Buddha’s. It is believed that the Lord Buddha personally blessed this site during one of his three visits to Sri Lanka. Dowa Cave Temple is located 6 km from Bandarawela on Badulla-Bandarawella highway. Nestled amidst the hills, the historic cave temple complex was once the Sanctuary for King Walagamba. The temple has a beautiful ornamental gateway that attracts visitors. It has a 38 ft Buddha image sculptured from a rock and some paintings belonging to the Kandyan era, depicting various Jataka stories. In 16th century Bolgoda temple was built during the period of King Valagamba the most famous Bogoda Bridge is the only remaining roofed wooden bridge of the Kandyan period. This graceful bridge spans the rocky Gallanda Oya and is constructed entirely of wood. The gabled shingle roof is supported on eleven pairs of elegantly carved pillars and banisters and the entire structure had been painted with vermilion, turquoise and ochre natural lacquer. The Bogoda Raja Maha Vihara Rock Temple nearby has pre Christian era inscriptions and old murals and images. There is an ancient Portuguese Fort built on the summit of Haldumulla hill. Since the Fort is sited at a strategic location it gives one a very good view of the surrounding area.

3.3 Uva Province: Moneragala District

3.3.1 Physical resources

Topography, Geology and Soil: Moneragala district is located between the Northern latitudes 6.17” - 7.2.8” and between Eastern longitudes 80.50” - 81.35”. Topographically Moneragala district is in a transitional zone form central highlands to flat lowland. According to the landscape three terrain types could be identified within the district. Highly Mountainous terrain, which covers the Western boundary towards Badulla and Ratnapura districts, the elevation is between 550 to 1400 meters and the underline parent rocks belong to highland series. Undulating and flat terrain, which covers the broad Eastern and Southern plain, is occupying about three fourths of the district. The elevation is below 160 m and this terrain is underline by Vijayan series according to the geological formation. Based on topographical and climatic variation, varieties of soil types are identified in the district. According to the great soil groups of Sri Lanka there are two soil groups in the district, namely Reddish Brown Earth and Red Yellow Padzolic soils. The Reddish Brown Earths are present in dry and semi-dry intermediate areas while Red Yellow Padzolic soils are found in wet and semi-wet intermediate areas.

Climate: Moneragala district belong to the dry zone of Sri Lanka and total rainfall in the district ranges 1300- 1800 mm per year. Over 84% of rain is received during the seven rainy months of October to January and March to May inclusive. There are also minor but significant regional differences in the amount and distribution of annual rainfall within the district. Mean daily temperatures of the district vary little over the year, as the altitude within the vast low country of the district does not exceed 91 m. The temperature varies from 21.6oC – 29oC. However, there is a high average annual diurnal temperature range of 8.9 oC. The mean annual relative humidity in the district varies from 75 % at diurnal and 86 % during the night.

Water resources: There are seven river basins, which drain the Moneragala district. These rivers originate in the West central highlands and flow towards East, Southeast and South. Most of these rivers originate outside the district boundary and strengthen the volume by several tributaries within the district and then flow outside the district to meet the Indian Ocean. Heda Oya, Kubukkan Oya, Wila Oya, Menik Ganga, Kirindi Oya Malala Oya and Walawe Ganga are the main rivers drainage through Moneragala district. Menik Ganga has the largest river basin in the district with 117,480 hectares representing 20.8% of the district’s land area. This river basin has excess water and good soil for lowland cultivations. Kubukkan Oya is the second largest river in the district, which has a river basin of 112,930 hectares while Walawe Ganga is the third largest river in the district. Malala Oya represents the smallest river basin with only 11,400 hectares representing 2% of the district’s land area.

Air Quality and Noise: All most all proposed roads of the Moneragala district are falls through rural areas, which are not highly commercialized or industrially superior areas. Hence vehicular usage and other factors, which are responsible for decreasing the quality of air and increase the level of noise is not in that much of considerable level. There is no currently available data for analyzing the quality of air and level of noise in Moneragala district. However roads near the town area of the district may pollute the quality of air and increase level of noise than the rural sector.

3.3.2 Ecological resources

A considerable extent of land in the district is under natural reserves and forest. Natural forests under National Parks and or Sanctuaries, which are not available for human settlements, cover approximately a third of total land area in the district and another 25 % of land is under different types of grasslands. The total natural forest area in 1982 was reported to be 16,000 hectares, which is about 28% of the land area. During the past decades forestlands has been cleared at an alarming rate, for chena cultivation, logging and development activities. The forest cover is mainly concentrated, which is described as tropical, dry, evergreen, mixed forest and is mainly a secondary climax developed after a long period of earlier civilization based on irrigated agriculture. Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Kanumella (Diospyros ovalifolia) Palu (Manilkara hexandra) Halmilla (Berrya cordifoila), Kuma (Gleniea umjuga), Burutha (Chloroxylon swietenia), Kaya (Memecylon spp) Kaluwara (Dispyrous ebenum) are the prominent species found in the high forests in Moneragala district. A considerable extent of vegetation cover in the district is found in the forms of savanna and grassland (pathana) both of which are ecologically categorized as fire climax or Anthropo- climax as human activities are causes for existence. The savanna in West and Northwestern area of the district (Bibile, Medegama and Madulla areas) is well known for their medicinal trees in upper strata. The common species found are Aralu (Terminalia belerica), Bulu (Terminalia chebula), Nelli (Embilica officinalis). The ground strata of savanna are dominated by grass varieties like Mana (Cymbopogon confertiflorus). The grasslands are found in Southern dry areas (Buttala and Thanamalwila divisions), bordering forest areas, and they are locally known as “Dry Pathana”. They are dominated by guinea grass (Panicum maximum) Illuk (imperata cylindrica) and Mana. The most important and divers Wild life area within the province can consider as a Moneragala district. Four National Parks (Yala, Galoya, Uda Walawe and Lunugamvehera), few Sanctuaries and number of Wildlife Corridors and Forest Reserves (Lunugamvehera-Udawalawe, Sellaka Oya Sanctuary, Yala- Lahugala, Bakinigahawela FR, Daragoda FR, NF, and Bibilehela FR) are located within the district.

Gal Oya National Park located Southeast of the country in the Eastern and Uva provinces. This park was established to protect the catchments area of the Senanayake Samudraya (lake). Damming the Gal Oya River at Inginiyagala created this reservoir and covers 78 km3 in extent. In addition to the National Park, three Sanctuaries (Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, Gal Oya Valley Northeast Sanctuary, Galoya Valley Southwest Sanctuary) were declared to protect the catchment area of this tank. Together these reserves and the national park cover approximately 63,000 ha of land. Due to the richness of this wetland, the park is a natural habitat for a wide range of fauna and flora consisting of dry mixed vegetation. The park with its thick green canopy is a haven for species of birds both resident and migratory birds such as Painted storks, Pelicans, Cormorants and Teals. A host of local birds such as the Grey dove, Malabar pied hornbill, Grey hornbill, Koel and a number of water birds are found in this jungle habitat. In addition to Elephants, the park is home to Leopards, Bear, and Spotted deer, Sambur, Wild boar etc. Among other fauna are several species of Monkeys, Porcupine, a number of Fish species; Reptiles and Butterflies have been recorded. Lunugamvehera National Park extends to Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Kataragama, Buttala and to the Hambantota district in the South was established for protection as a corridor for elephant migration from the Yala National Park to the Uda Walawe National Park's Western region and for the protection of the catchment areas of the Lunugamvehera Reservoir. The park is a habitat for a large number of wild Elephants and wild Buffaloes. In addition avifaunal species and other mammals such as Fishing cat, Grey mongoose, Bear, Wild boar, Spotted deer and Mouse deer are found here. Being a dry-mixed evergreen forest, Lunugamvehera Park has a variety of trees and plant species, which provide ample food-stocks for vegetarian animals. Udawalawe National Park straddles the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir, together with much of its catchment area. More than 2/3 of the land area of the park lies within the Moneragala district of the Uva province. The park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs. Yala is the largest strict nature reserve out of three strict nature reserves in Sri Lanka. Yala, Udawalawe, Lunugam vehera and Gal Oya are important Elephant habitats located within the district. Yala boasts one of the world’s largest population densities of Leopards.

Any of these above mentioned and non-mentioned environmental sensitive areas or their wild fauna or flora do not affected by the proposed road development activities in Moneragala district. The reason is those areas are not located close proximity to proposed road sections.

3.3.3 Economic Development

Land use and the Agriculture: Moneragala district is located in the middle of the Southeast quadrant of Sri Lanka occupies a total land area of 5639 km2 and is the second largest district of the island. Of these 5508 km2 and 131 km2 belongs to the terrestrial and inland water bodies respectively. Present agricultural land use in the district is a combination of traditional irrigated and rain fed agriculture plus the plantation crops. Intermediate and dry zone plantation of sugar cane was introduced by the government, which transformed most of the traditional chena areas and scrub jungles into sugar cane estates and out-growers plots. Paddy is the most important crop in the district, which contributes to 22028 hectares of which over 70%, is cultivated during maha season and in a normal year while only 20% is cultivated during yala season. Total extent under the permanent crops is 14000, which include tea (899 hectares), rubber (1830 hectares), and coconut (10,701 hectares). Minor crops of coffee, cocoa and cashew are grown in the district smallholdings. The subsidiary food crop extent, which varies year by year, and season by season contribute to about 13,000 hectares and together with home gardens and permanent highland cultivation. Pattern of human settlement around the roads is rural environment mainly consisting of residential places, home gardens and agricultural lands. Home gardens occupy nearly 51500 hectares of land area in Moneragala district.

Industries: Moneragala is not industrially developed and majority of the existing industries are predominantly agro-based. Livestock based industries also play significant financial support to the population in this district including Cattle, Buffaloes, Goats, Pigs and Poultry. Due to the presence of archaeological and ecological sustainability today most of the tourists’ destinations such as holiday resorts, eco-adventure parks and nature trails are available in this district. Eco-based tourism is now popular in this area, which is intimately link with traditional background of the area.

Infrastructure: Electricity is available in almost all of the areas which project roads are located at a certain extend. Tele communication facilities are limited only few locations of the proposed roads. Apparently not that much satisfactory level of pipe water is available in this area and available pipe borne water also build up by several NGOs. Proper sewage facilities and pit latrine facilities also not that much available in the rural sector of the proposed roads.

3.3.4 Social and Cultural Development

Population and community: A total of 11 DS divisions and 10 PS divisions are located within the Moneragala district. Selected roads for the improvement run through 6 out of 11 DS divisions and 6 PS divisions of the district. A total population of 397,375 is distributed within the 11 DS divisions of the district while 236778 (59.58%) is population distributed within 6 project affected DS divisions representing all ethnic and the religious group in the country. From the total population distributed in the district 94.5% is Singhalese, 1.4% Sri Lankan Tamil, 1.9% Indian Tamil, 2 % Sri Lankan Moor and 0.1% others. Mainly four religious groups represented in the district as fallows: 94.4% Buddhist, 2.9 % Hindus, 2.1% Muslims and 0.6 % Catholics.

Health and educational facilities: A total of 29 hospitals distributed in different locations of the district. These include a single provincial general hospital, 2 base hospitals, 7 district hospitals, a single peripheral unit, 7 rural hospitals and 11 central dispensaries. Out of these provincial general hospital located at Moneragala and 2 base hospitals are located at Wellawaya and Siyambalanduwa.

Within the district altogether 281 schools including 262 national schools, 1 special school, and 18 privens are distributed. The literacy rate of the district is 86 %.

Cultural Heritage: Maligawila lies about 15 kilometers off the Buttala town towards Okkampitiya. Famous for its giant free standing Buddha statue of the 7th century, this monument was found fallen and broken in to pieces in 1951. An attempt was made in 1974 to raise this statue and failed. But in 1980 a local engineering team was able to raise this statue and restore it back to the ancient glory. This statue is carved out of a single limestone rock and stands about 14.5 meters high. This is the tallest free standing Buddha image in the country. This statue is thought to be done by a prince called Aggabodhi who ruled the "Rohana" region of Sri Lanka in the 7th century. There has been an image house surrounding this gigantic statue. The remains of this image house can still be seen. Buduruwagala is another important cultural and religious important place located in Moneragala district. About 5 kilometers South of Wellawaya and off the beaten track surrounded by a beautiful man made ancient lake is the relatively unknown mysterious historic rock sculptures of Buduruwagala. These seven colossal figures pertaining to the Mahayana Buddhist Doctrine sculptured on to a rock face is still a controversy. The Dematamal Viharaya is located at Helagama on the Buttala-Okkampitiya road which leads to the Maligawila Buddha Statues. The temple lies about 4 km from the Buttala town. Located in the middle of paddy field, the dark coloured Stupa and the bo-tree surrounded by the green paddy from the road itself is the temple. Though much attention is not paid by the average tourist the history of the temple complex is said to date back to the 3rd century BC. It is believed that this is the temple that prince Tissa hid from his brother prince Gamini (sometimes called Gemunu, later king Dutugemunu) after a major battle for power at the location now called Yudaganawa.

3.4 Northern Province: Jaffna District

3.4.1 Physical resources

Topography, Geology and Soil: Similar to Ampara District, land area distributed in the Jaffna district is also located within the 1st peneplane of the country (0-125 m above the Mean Sea Level). The topography of the district is flat the soil found in Jaffna belongs to the following three major soil groups: Calcic Red-yellow latosols, Solodized solonetz and solon chaks, and Regosols.

Climate: The climate of Jaffna is considered to be tropical monsoonal with a seasonal rhythm of rainfall. The temperature ranges from 26 C to 33 C. Annual precipitation ranges from 696 mm to 1125 mm. It is evenly spread over the area. The north east monsoon rain (October to January) accounts for more than 90 % of the annual rainfall.

Water resources: Water is extracted from open dug wells for domestic and agricultural purposes. Approximately 28,000 wells serve both domestic and agricultural purposes. Water available in these wells and its quality varies from place to place. In the majority of deep wells in the Valikamam division water is available for irrigation throughout the year. These wells are situated in the calcic red-yellow latosols and their depth varies from 20 to 25 feet. The wells available in other areas are shallow (10 to 15 ft).

Air Quality: Since the Jaffna Peninsula is highly populated in comparison to other districts of Northern Province, there is certain level of pollution of air due to lack of vehicular transport and other activities. However the studies or past literature about the quality of air within Jaffna is not present.

3.4.2 Ecological resources

There is very little terrestrial areas of ecological significant can be found in the peninsula. The significant areas include Chundikulum Santuary and Delft Island. Delft is one of the 17 sites of wild horse within the world. In addition to that, the peninsula consists of number of important lagoons including the Jaffna Lagoon.

Any of these above mentioned and non-mentioned environmental sensitive areas or their wild fauna or flora will not be affected by the proposed road development activities in Jaffna district.

3.4.3 Economic Development

The total population of the district is around 600,000. Agriculture and fisheries have been the principal economic activities of the district. Over 60 % of the work force in the district depends on agriculture for their livelihood. About 86,000 families are engaged in agriculture while 15,000 families engage in fishing. Agriculture in the district contributes substantially to the GNP of the country. The land cultivated by 48 % of the farmers does not belong to them. The average land holding area is around 0.5 to 0.75 acres. Unemployment in the rural areas is 27.9 % while in the urban area it is 25.8 %.

Land use and the Agriculture: The agriculture sector, including crop and livestock has contributed around 65 % of the total gross domestic product of the district. In terms of production, major cash crops like chili, onion, tobacco, potato and banana are produced in large extent to meet the substantial portion of the national requirement. Further fruit crops like mango, Grapes and jack are also produced in large quantities. Total paddy land available for the cultivation is 12,000 ha. Of which nearly 8000 ha (64.6 %) is being cultivated. About 2000 ha of paddy land is being identified as marginal due to the salinity problem. Paddy is cultivated as mono crop in 85 % of the paddy land and in the balance 15 % paddy is followed by vegetable and other field crops with the help of available irrigation. The average yield is about 50 bushels per acre (2.5 mt/ha). However, 30-40 % of farmers who cultivate improved varieties are able to obtain yield of 70 bushels per acre (3.5 mt/ha). Vegetables are being cultivated throughout the year with the help of irrigation from the dug wells. Low country vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, long bean, okra, snake gourd, bitter gourd and other leafy vegetables are being cultivated and available throughout the year. Exotic vegetables like cabbage, leeks, beet, beans, and carrots are also cultivated in large extent. Among the other field crops, onion, potato, tobacco, chili and banana are cultivated as cash crops because farmers obtain considerable income from these crops. Total extent of high land available for cultivation is 7,851 ha. Of which 1.642 ha (21 %) is unable to cultivate due to security reason. At present field crops and vegetables are cultivated in 4200 ha with the help of left irrigation from the dug wells. Perennial crops include the orchard crops like mango, jack, grapes and citrus and other crops like palmyrah and coconut. Coconut is grown in home stead in the extent of 1470 ha. Other perennial crops are grown in 1500 ha. Further nearly 3.5 million palmarah palms are available in Jaffna. Farmers generate considerable income from fruit crops, like mango, jack, grapes etc cultivated in 1850 ha. Grapes were cultivated in 380 ha during 1985 is reduced to 55 ha in 2004.

The livestock sector is an important component of the farming system. Up to 1950, only local cattle and goats were reared for milk and meat, with the establishment of artificial insemination in 1950 exotic cross breeds such as Jersey and Indian breeds of cattle were introduced and high milk yield was obtained. Further Jamunapari and Sannan breeds of goats were also introduced for meat and milk. With this introduction of new breeds many farmers started rearing cross breeds of cattle, goat and poultry. From 1950 to 1984 live stock enterprise developed very fast and it was a single or supplementary source of income for nearly 30 % of the district population. Backyard poultry and rearing milking cows and goat for milk and meat generate additional income for the farmers. Livestock population reduced to a considerable extent during the last two decades due to the civil war.

Infrastructure: Most of the basic infrastructure including electricity, telecommunication and pipe-borne water facilities are found in the Jaffna District.

3.4.4 Social and cultural development

Population and community: A total of 25 DS divisions comprised in the Jaffna district. A total of around 600,000 populations are distributed within the 25 DS divisions of the district. The district population density is 546/km2 and From the total population 79.8% is in rural area while 20.2% representing from urban area. Out of the total population in the district 99.91% is Tamil, Srilankan Moor is 0.06%, Indian Tamil is .01% and Sinhala is 0.01% and remain represent from other. Mainly two religious groups represented in the district as follows; 84.97% Hinduism, 12.61% Christianity and Islam and Buddhism representation is1.79% and .061% respectively.

Health and Educational Facilities: A total of 43 hospitals distributed in different location in the district including, signal teaching hospital, single base hospital, 06 divisional hospitals, 04 rural hospitals, 06 peripheral hospitals, 09 central dispensary and maternity homes, 16 central dispensaries. Besides, 05 Indigenous medical Institutes, 09School dental clinic and 13 Private hospitals are also located in the district. Altogether 409 schools distribute within the district including 04 National schools, 10 Navadaya schools and 395 are others.

Sites of the Cultural, Archeological and Historical Significance: Nainativu is one of the smallest inhabited island in the Gulf of Mannar and is only about 35km miles from India. According to the historical chronicles Nagadipa is the place where Lord Buddha paid his second visit to Sri Lanka. The famous sermon preached to Chulodhara and Mahodhara over their dispute was made at this kadurugodai area. The Buddhists consider the Kantagodai as an important place in Sri Lanka..This temple is located on the Hurugam (Chonnakam) Minipe (manipai) road 02 kms from Hurugam. The exact place where Lord Buddha made his sermon is called Rajyathana Chithya (stupa) located in Kadurugodai. A site situated in the Jaffna peninsula consists of 60 stupas, part of Buddha statues, several Kot kerali and Satareskotu and the remains of a Vatadage. Kantarodai was discovered in 1919. The remains of Arahants are believed to be enshrined here. The first excavation Tiles found in 1917 and 1967 are similar to Anuradhapura and Tissmaharamaya and have been dated to the beginning of the Christian era. Kantarodai in Chunnakam has been identified as the Kadurugoda Viharaya in the Nam Pota, in the book of important Buddhist centers in Sri Lanka, compiled in the Kanndyan period. Built in 1749 Nallur Kandeswamy Kovil or Nullurmuruga Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in Jaffna district. Other important Hindu Temple are Nainative Nagapoosami Amman Tempale, Nagaleswaramy Temple, Selvachannithy, Vallipuram and Buddhist Nagadeepa Vihara.

Christianity was introduced in Jaffna district in mid 16th century and they were successful in converting Jaffna people to Christianity. Portuguese took the kingdom directly under their rule in 1620. Portuguese built several Catholic churches all over the Jaffna Peninsula. The Dutch after capturing, built several churches in Jaffna but none of those survived. British captured Jaffna from Dutch in 1796 and several churches had been built during the British ruled. Several churches in Jaffna district are still can be seen, namely Anther Church in Jaffna town, St. James Church, Church at Mallakam, Church in Mylitty etc. Yamuna Eri is an important archeological site in Jaffna district it is in fact not more than a small tank. It is believed that it was built by the first king of Jaffna when he built the capital of kingdom, Nallur. As per the Tamil chronicle “Yalppana Vaipava Malai” water from the holy Yamuna River had been brought from India for the initial fill of the tank, hence the name Yamuna Eri. It is located closer to the king’s palace and the original Kanthasami temple of Nallur. It seems that Yamuna Eri formed part of the landscape around Dutch Training College built in Nallur during 18th century AD. Currently it is in ruins. Sangili Thoppu is considered as important as this occupies the site of the palace of the last king of Jaffna kingdom named Sanili. Therefore, it is known as “Sangili Thoppu Valaivu” meaning “The arch of Sangili’s garden.

4. Potential Environmental Issues Relevant to this Project

The purpose of this section of the report is to identify the possible environmental impacts that could arise as a result of the proposed project activities. The nature and scale of impacts will be determined by the type of interventions undertaken by the project to assist the road sector, which focuses on improvements to existing national and rural roads through resurfacing and provision of drainage. The section below identifies and describes the environmental implications that could possibly be triggered under the project. The table of impacts has been prepared using guidelines provided in World Bank’s Handbook on the Roads and Environment and the Central Environmental Authority’s guidelines on Road and Rail Development and it lists all possible impacts that could be anticipated from a project of this nature and the likelihood of each being caused under the proposed project. The relevant information from this section should be extracted and applied when the road-specific environmental analysis is conducted to determine the type of impacts and the degree of severity.

The roads identified for the improvement is existing C & D class provincial roads. The proposed construction activities involve to widening at least two lane operations with payments, improvement of the surface, construction of side drains, widening or replacement of culverts and bridges, removal of the roadside structures and trees. Under the improvement of project several activities have to be implemented during pre-construction and construction period for an instance removal of public utilities, burrowing of land, quarrying of metals, mining of sand and gravel, transportation of construction waste, establishment of construction materials, dispose of construction waste, establishment of construction materials processing plants and labour camps, etc. The intention of the screening during the feasibility stage is to provide potential environment impacts and possible mitigation measures throughout the project during the pre construction, construction and operation stage related to above activities.

4.1 Environmental impacts associated with pre-construction and construction stage and proposed mitigation measures

Removal and re-establishment of public utilities: Since most of the roads located within semi-urban and rural areas, sewage pipe lines are not placed within the existing ROW of the subproject roads. Pipe born water supply is also limited to several proposed project roads of some locations. Therefore accidental damage to the underground utilities due to construction activities is less. However some electric and telephone posts locate beside the roads with varying distance from the road edges may be needed to be relocate for the widening process. The risk of the accidental damage and the disruption to the connection during relocation can be minimize by • Coordinate with the relevant agency to plan the removal and re-establishment process • Provide advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption • Use of the proper equipment for removal of the utilities under the supervision and the coordination of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka Telecom and any other company. • Use of safety signs and proper barricading during removal and relocation • Re-establishment of the public utilities as soon as possible

Impacts on existing drainage: Accidental damage to the culverts, bridges and other irrigation structures, storage of construction materials beside the road and alternation of natural flow paths will be likely impact to the existing drainage facilities. This will also be significantly affected to the inundation sections of low-lying areas. Stagnation of water in some section of the drains will also affect the human health. All precautions should be taken with proper supervision by experts to ensure such accidents do not take place. The impact related to the above activities can be minimized by implementing the following measures, • Avoid storage of construction materials and disposal of debris around irrigation canals, cross drainage and natural flow paths, but use sites identified specifically for the two purposes • Take all necessity measures to keep all drainage paths and drains clear of blockage at all times • Provision of temporally drainage facilities to the construction site if existing drains are to be obstructed due to construction activities, as alternatives do not exist. • Ensure the replacement of structurally damage culverts and bridges. • Provide adequate drainage facilities for inundated sections of the all subproject roads. • Design culverts and bridges based on hydrological investigations in each subproject road.

Impacts on flora, fauna, natural ecosystems and agriculture land: Some of the roads identified are running close to protected areas under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO) and Forest Ordinance (FO) and runs through home rages of larger mammals such as elephants. In addition, most of these roads are traversing through agriculture lands, which is the main livelihood activity in the two provinces. Also changes to aquatic ecosystems due to siltation of waterways, changes to speed and volume of water flow, alterations to flood cycles and tidal dynamics and alterations to stream bed due to re-channeling of waterways can take place. The contractor should take mitigatory measures such as: • Construction activities including excavation, cut & fill operations, disposal of construction waste, quarrying and mining activities, construction material processing plants and establishment of labor camps should minimize the effects to the existing biodiversity around proposed provincial roads. • Precautions should be taken to avoid any possible nuisance from noise, vibration and emission from construction vehicles, equipment and hot mix plant to the movement of the wild animals. • No activity including establishment of quarry sites, burrow sites and disposal sites should take place within protected areas identified under the FFPO and FO. • No activity should be done to fragment any natural ecosystem • Take necessary actions to prevent the work force from gathering fire wood from the surrounding habitats, disturbing to the flora, fauna including hunting of animal and fishing in water bodies • All construction materials processing plants, materials storage yards and construction vehicle service stations will be located away from the environmental sensitive and protected areas. • Any possible disturbances to aquatic ecosystems should be avoided at all times and proper mitigatory measures to curb soil erosion, pollutions etc. (defined later in this section) should take place

Removal of road side trees: Removals of road side trees to widen and realign of the roads may take place due to proposed ROW of the roads. The impact associated with loss of trees can be mitigated by • The removal of road side trees such as religiously and aesthetically important trees, valuable timber species, fruits and shading species should be avoided, particularly in places where slight re-aligning of the road can accommodate this requirement. • Marking of vulnerable road side trees during preconstruction stage • Take maximum effort to avoid removal of road side trees • Supervision of the workers on site to avoid accidental damage to the other important trees which located close to the proposed ROW • Conduct tree planning program to compensate for the trees that were removed with the support of the local authorities and communities in suitable places.

Deterioration of water quality: Water, which is required for the construction activities, should not be extracted from perennial water bodies, streams, community water supply project and common wells. Use of surface and ground water for construction activities will affect the local communities especially during the dry season. Deterioration of the surface water quality due to construction activities over the water streams, irrigation canals and close to the water bodies also impact to the local community. Pollution and depleting the quality of water can be occurred due to construction vehicles, equipments and machineries, poor sanitation of worker camps, construction materials storage yards and vehicle service yards this will be adversely affect to local community and aquatic fauna and flora. In addition, quality of surface water can get affected due to soil erosion during road works. The impacts due to above activities can be mitigated through fallowing measures. • Ensure to make necessary arrangement to obtained water from approved sources by the local authorities • During construction, contractor will responsible to avoid obstruction of flowing water within that area. • While working close or around the water bodies contractor will not obstruct or prevent flow water • Construction work over the streams have to be undertaken in the dry season • Minimize excavation of beds of any streams, irrigation systems, and other water resources • Use of silt traps and erosion control measures where the construction work are carried out • Minimize entering of cement particles, rock, rubbles, oil, bitumen and waste water to the surrounding water bodies • Ensure that storing of construction materials which are toxic, hazardous and containing other fine partials and minimize them expose to the flowing water. • Properly maintain the construction vehicles and equipments • Collect the waste oil from the construction vehicles and equipments and properly store and dispose to the approved location

Impacts on temporary land use and their surrounding: Temporary lands will be needed for construction related activities such as construction material storage yards, construction materials processing plants, vehicle parks and labor camps. These will have a potential to affect the existing biodiversity, natural flow paths, increase risk of environmental pollution, spreading of water borne diseases and decrease aesthetic value of the project affected area. Impact related to the selection of temporary lands can minimize by. • Selection of temporary lands with the negotiation of local authorities and land owners according to local laws and regulations • These sites should be also located away from public utility area, should not be established within the bufferzone of protected and sensitive ecosystems and should be away from water bodies, natural flow paths, and residential areas • Ensure minimum removal of trees and other green cover vegetation as much as possible • Sites should be maintained to ensure that there are no soil erosion and effects to the surrounding due to dust generation, noise, etc.

Deterioration of local road net work: Quarrying and mining sites, construction material processing plants, burrowing pits, etc are generally may not be located adjoining the road network. However, main roads network may have to be used for transporting from one site to another. The impacts to the local road net work can be mitigated through • Obtain permits from local authorities to use local roads prior to using the roads for transportation of construction materials, machineries and equipments • Maintain the minor roads in good condition which will be used for the construction related transportation

Disruption to vehicle and pedestrian movements: Proposed construction activities involve widening to at least two lane operations with road side structures. Relocation of the public utilities and removal of road side trees also involve in some sections of the roads being blocked temporarily. These activities can lead to increase traffic congestion close to the construction sites, public sensitive locations and built up areas such as schools, commercial areas, residential places, hospitals, religious places, etc. The construction activities including transportation of construction materials will also increase road accidents and disturbance to the access roads. Therefore, following steps should be taken to reduce traffic disruption and minimize public inconvenience during the construction period. • Provide advance notice to general public about scheduled timing and duration of the construction activities. • Install traffic signs, temporary traffic lights or flagman to the construction sites and get the support of the local police to direct the traffic during peak periods • Provide safe and convenient passage to the vehicles, pedestrians and livestock and provide alternative routes where possible. • Ensure all work sites are properly managed with warning signs and barricades, as well as removal of equipment and construction and disposal material if not in use immediately.

Effects from temporary floods: Some sections areas within the project area are prone to flooding during rainy seasons and water stagnation as a consequence of location of the roads in low elevation to the surrounding environment, poor drainage facilities and sloping terrain. Water stagnated areas will be potential as breeding grounds of vector borne diseases. This situation can be minimized according to following measures. • Construct adequate drainage facilities to the section identified with inundation potential as per the design • Embankment height of the road should be decided according to the hydrological flow in the area and hydrological investigation should be incorporated to the detailed design • Avoid obstruction to existing drainage and ensure regular maintenance of drains and culverts • The possibility of land slides should be ascertained in areas that are prone to land slides and suitable solution as per site requirement should be identified and implemented in a timely manner • Any temporary water stagnated areas (not wetlands) should be covered immediately with soil • Avoid keeping debris and soil on the road sides or temporary sites during the rainy period at all times to avoid possible soil erosion

Generation of debris: Debris can get generated from the dismantling of existing road structures and excavation of soil. Leaving them on the sites will increase the possibility of accidents and will create an inconvenience to the people. Debris on the or at the vicinity of road will also reduce the aesthetic value of area and has a high potential to affect the road side ecology and water resources. Following mitigation measures will help to minimize those adverse impacts: • Reuse the debris, except the top soil wherever possible from the approval of engineers for the construction activities • If the material are not to be used within a few days, they should be moved to a pre-identified site for storage until needed • Disposal sites should be selected by the contractor with the guidance of environment professionals and approval of local authorities and should not be established in the proximity of residential and commercial areas, schools, hospitals and sensitive ecosystems. • Debris should not be disposed to water bodies, agriculture lands, mash lands or any environmentally sensitive areas. • Unsuitable debris generated from the dismantling of existing road structures should be used to reclaim burrow pits or low lying areas (not natural wetlands) with the guidance of environment professionals and approval of local authorities.

Generation of waste and sanitation issues in labour camps: Solid waste disposal, sanitation and sewage facilities should be properly arranged to the labour camps to avoid or minimize health hazards and environmental pollution. Waste generate from the labour camp will reduce the environmental quality in the area and increase ground, water and air pollution. Labour camps, garbage disposal sites and material storage yards have a high potential to provide favourable habitats for vectors of diseases like mosquitoes, rats and flies unless these sites are properly managed. Contamination of water bodies with waste water will create significant impact to the aquatic lives and people inhabited in the area. Thus implementation of following measures is a necessity: • Selection of the waste disposal sites away from natural habitats, water bodies and residential areas with the help of environmental professionals and local authorities • Proper drainage facilities should be established in and around the labour camp to minimize stagnation of the water • Adequate supply of water should be provided to the urinals, toilets and wash rooms of the labour camps. • Garbage bins should be provided to all labour camps and construction sites, and should be dumping regularly in a hygienic manner with the help of Public Health Inspector (PHI) in the area • Any structures that have a likelihood of collecting water such as bitumen barrels should be properly stored and disposed • Implement awareness program to the labor force about cleanliness, safety, sexually transmitted diseases as well as social and health issues.

Soil erosion and surface runoff: Removals of green cover, cut and fill operations and blasting will increase soil erosion during the rainy seasons. Removal of green cover including mature trees will decrease interception of rain water and acceleration of surface runoff. The impact related to above activities can be mitigated through following measures: • Clearing of green cover including soil cover should be minimized • Earth works should be planned to take place during the dry seasons as much as possible • Erosion control measures such as fiber mats, silt traps and deep-rooted grasses, etc. should be established in areas prone to erosion • Turfing of embankments work should be taken up as soon as possible before rainy season • Cleared areas should be treated against flow acceleration while filled areas should be carefully designed to minimize inappropriate drainage • Backfilling should be compacted properly according to design standards • If there is a likelihood of heavy erosion or land slides, preventive measures such as extra drainage, anchoring, concrete reinforcements, etc. should be established

Impact on road-side slopes: Proposed project activities including clearing of vegetation, rock blasting; site preparation, compaction of soil, etc. will have consequences such as land slides particularly in sloping areas. The impact associated with land slides due to excessive erosion can be mitigated by fallowing measures. • Minimize clearing of vegetation for construction activities. However, if there are any large trees which may have a high possibility of toppling down, such trees should be identified and weight reduced through cutting of branches, reinforcement provided or removed • Restrict blasting, cut and fill operations around deep slopes • Provide of the retention structures to the road side slopes based on the geotechnical investigations • Use of 1:4 slope angle or other stable slope angle for the embankments/ cuts • Avoid construction work during the rainy seasons. • Use manual labor rather than heavy vehicles for earth works on hilly terrains

Effects of emissions: Emissions (dust, black smoke and fine particles) from crushers, hot mixed plants, construction vehicles and other operations will increase the levels of air pollution significantly during the construction stage. High and continuous emissions will cause respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and defects of eyesight. Emissions from construction related activities and potential environmental impacts due to dust, black smoke and fine particles can be mitigated by: • Implement National Emission Standards for all construction vehicle, equipments and plants • Arrange necessary actions to reduce dust level from the construction sites, crushers and hot mixed plants. Dust extraction unit should be fitted to the road side crushers, construction vehicles and hot mixed • Watering of the construction sites and roads which are used for the transportation of construction materials and earth works at regular intervals • Use construction equipments, machineries and vehicles which are in good condition and maintain regularly • Establish construction materials processing plants away from schools, hospitals, religious places, urban and residential areas and sensitive ecosystems • Covering the construction sites at windy locations to avoid dust blowing out of the construction site. • Procurement of high quality plant, maintenance of plant in good condition and operated by well trained and experienced staff and fitting of exhaust baffles • Limiting construction operations to times when they have the least impact, avoiding construction operations during days of religious importance.

Impacts due to noise and vibration: Some of the proposed roads which are for the improvement run close to temples, schools, hospitals and through the residential areas. Transportation of the construction materials, construction materials processing plants, excavation and compaction activities will create inconveniences to the people due to noise and vibration. People who live around the mining and quarrying sites are also vulnerable to the nuisance from noise and vibration. Those impacts during construction activities can be mitigated by: • Implement noise control regulations for all construction vehicles and equipments • All vehicles and equipments use in construction will be fitted with exhaust silencers • Limit noise generation and construction operations close to the schools, religious places and other public sensitive locations. • Schedule construction activities around the public sensitive locations with discussions of relevant authorities including school principals and high-priests to avoid disturbance to the schools or any religious activities • Limit the use of construction equipments in the project exceeding 75 db (compacters, loaders, vibratos, cranes, etc). • Maintain all construction vehicles and machines regularly

Effects due to extraction, transportation and storage of construction materials, crusher sites and asphalt plants: Soil erosion, lowering of the river beds, destruction of the river banks and intrusion of sea water through the river during the dry season are main consequences of mining of sand. Operation of the metal quarries and the gravel mining sites around the residential areas can cause health and social hazards to people due to noise, vibrations and straying rock particles. Stagnation of the water in borrow pits will provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and can cause accidents to people and wild animals. Transportation of the construction materials from the mining and quarrying sites to the material storage yard or constriction sites will increase local traffic congestion, generate dust and create noise. Damage to the local road network will also be a problem due to wear and tear. Storage of the materials on the sides of the roads also can cause road accidents, traffic congestions, hazards to drivers and pedestrians. Crusher sites can generate dusts becoming a health hazard to the workers and the neighborhoods. Asphalt plants will generate noise, smoke and bitumen and oil leakages. The impact related to the extraction, transportation and the storage of construction materials can be mitigated by following measures. • Material extraction sites including metal and sand, establishment of burrow pits, disposal sites, asphalt plants and crusher should be done based on GOSL regulations. All these activities should be only commenced once the necessary approvals and licenses are obtained from the relevant authorities. None of these activities should take place in areas under the protection of FFPO and FO. • Mining, quarrying, crusher and asphalt plant operations should be away from the residential and environmental sensitive areas • Approval should be obtained from the local authorities to transportation of construction materials and equipments through the local road net work • Use of the alternative sources for the river sand as much as possible such as screened crusher fines or sea sand. • Burrow pits should be barricaded properly during the time of use • Once the burrowing is completed, restoration of the barrow pits should take place immediately • Water should be sprinkled minimum four times a day along the road which use for delivering construction materials • Contractor should maintain minor roads which are used for the transportation of the construction materials • All vehicles delivering construction materials to the construction sites or storage yards will be properly covered to avoid spill out of materials and dust generation • Avoid storage of construction materials on the sides of roads, around the water bodies, environmentally sensitive areas or residential areas • Dust barriers should be established around the crusher plant and the site should be watered at least four times a day and more frequently during dry period • Time to time layers of dust being compacted on the crusher site should be scraped off. • Any leaking oil or bitumen should be collected and properly disposed. • Utilizing quarry sites and burrow pits approved by CEA, GSMG and local authorities • Operating with an EPL, obtaining prior approval from GSMB and local authorities if new sites are to be opened use of crushed blasted rock outcrops as source of metal, applying the conditions given by CEA • No pits should be left in quarry sites to gather water. Avoid stagnation of the water and creation of the mosquito breeding sites. Approved chemicals should be regularly applied to the borrow pits and stagnated water bodies to destroy adult mosquitoes and their larvae. • Selection of borrow pits away from residential areas

Impacts on personal safety: Project activities in construction sites, along the roads, construction material processing plants, quarrying, mining sites, crusher sites and asphalt plants can cause accidents to general public and to the construction workers. Therefore necessary actions to enhance personal safety during the construction should be taken at all times using following measures: • Establish warning signs, speed limits and signals in all areas of works • Provide protective footwear, helmets, goggles, eye-shields and clothes to the workers • Advance notice should be provided to the public about time and the duration of any type of blasting • Arrange first aid units and transport facilities to take injured people to the nearest hospital and provide proper guidance to the workers on how to respond during an emergency • Use experienced and well trained workers for the handling of machineries, equipments and material processing plants • Barricade all works sites including road works, burrow pits, etc. • Employ experienced and well train work force for operation of construction vehicles, equipments and machineries.

4.2 Environmental impacts associated with operations and maintenance period and proposed mitigation measures

Encroachment to the reservation: Alteration of the road reservation due to illegal encroachments will obstruct the drivers and pedestrians. The following mitigation measures will reduce the impact: • Removal of unauthorized structures from the right of way is necessary on regular intervals. • Implement the rules and regulations to minimize establishment of encroachers of the road reservation.

Effects due to debris and weeds on the reservation: For various purposes, various materials will be stored by different parties on the road side. In addition, people may start dumping waste, soil may get accumulated through time and weeds can get established on ROW. The responsible parties should: • Ensure that unauthorized material are removed regularly • Implement the relevant rules and regulations for unauthorized dumping on the ROW • Conduct regular weeding and proper weeding of the road side to reduce the re- establishment of weeds

Impact to the drainage system: While improvement of the road side drainage including culverts and bridges through the project will facilitate water flow, there is a high potential for sediments and waste materials to enter into the drainage and obstruct the flow passage. The responsible party should: o Regular maintenance of the drainage system o Periodically cleaning of side drains (especially before commencing of wet weather seasons) and cross drainages to facilitate for quick passage to the rain water before rainy season before south east and the northwest monsoons. o Setting up erosion control measures as much as possible (such as putting up a turf/ mulch)

Impacts due to establishment or rehabilitation of public utilities: Currently infrastructure facilities (electricity, telephone and water supply) are not available some sections of the project roads. With the improvement of connectivity, these utilizes will be also developed in these areas. • During the operation phase access to the new public utilities should be clearly marked within the road reservation to avoid structural damage to the road edges, payment and the drains in future. • If structural damage takes place, the re-establishment should be within the same quality of the road prior to the damage

Impacts on road safety: Improvement of the road as a two lane section will be increased both the number of vehicles and the speed. Therefore following measures should be taken to minimize road accidents and enhance the safety of the vehicles and road users: • Proper enforcement of the speed limits, traffic rules and regulations to the public sensitive areas • Install warning signs, marking of center line, pedestrian crossings, bus halts etc.

Deterioration of edges and surface of the road: Due to heavy usage and improper usage of the road, there is a potential for pot holes to occur through time. The following mitigation measure will reduce the possibility of such occurrences: • Use of the road by vehicles should be managed properly with a good traffic management plan to ensure some even distribution of usage. For example, not allowing vehicles above certain weight to travel on the road, if allowed fining system for heavy vehicles which can be used for maintenance work, timing of usage by heavy vehicles, etc. 5. Guidance to Assess Road-Specific Impacts and Develop Responses

5.1 Assessment of the level of analysis required

Since a preliminary analysis of the environment has taken place by the ADB for Uva Province and Ampara District, the implementing agency will reflect the nature, potential magnitude and sensitivity of the issues concerned. The preliminary analysis will be verified on the ground for each road selected for rehabilitation and maintenance and updated and sent for clearance by the World Bank. A detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be necessity for each road and the EMP should specify measures to be adopted to minimize the negative impacts at the road site as well as in sites where raw material will be sourced as guided by the preceding section.

5.2 Guidelines for preparation of Environmental Management Plans

Once the potential impacts are identified, the next step of the EA process involves the identification and development of measures aimed at eliminating, offsetting and/or reducing impacts to levels that are environmentally acceptable during implementation and operation of the project. EMPs provide an essential link between the impacts predicted and mitigation measures specified within the EA and implementation and operation activities. All roads that will be rehabilitated and maintained from the project should have road-specific EMPs are part of the EA. EMP is an essential tool for identified project impacts, early detection of the unforeseen impacts, and adoption of the appropriate mitigation measures and management of the environmental resources as well as to observe effectiveness of the mitigation measures.

Based on the experience of Road Sector Assistance Project (RSAP) funded by the World Bank, the likely impacts to be considered for the preparation of EMPs have been discussed under the Section 4 of this document. This will provide guidance to develop project-specific EMPs and for the implementing agency to monitor and respond to environmental requirements of the project. The EMP is important to set up base line information on the existing condition and monitoring environment quality during the project. In addition, key environmental components to be monitored by the PRDA have been provided in Annex II.

The EMP for the proposed road development project should provide mitigation measures to the project activities during pre construction, construction and operation stages based on environmental and social impacts. Incorporation of EMP (EMP) to the proposed project is also essential to manage environmental resources and surrounding environment during construction activities.

While there is no standard format for EMPs, it is recognized that the format needs to fit the circumstances in which the EMP is being developed and the requirements, which it is, designed to meet. The basic elements of an EMP are provided below. EMPs should be prepared after taking into account comments from the IDA as well as any clearance conditions. Annex C of OP 4.01 of the World Bank safeguards outlines the important elements of the EMP and guides its preparation. a. Identification of impacts and description of mitigation measures: Firstly, impacts arising out of the project activities need to be clearly identified. Secondly, feasible and cost effective measures to minimize impacts to acceptable levels should be specified with reference to each impact identified. Further, it should provide details on the conditions under which the mitigatory measure should be implemented (ex; routine or in the event of contingencies). The EMP also should distinguish between type of solution proposed (structural & non structural) and the phase in which it should become operable (design, construction and/or operational). b. Enhancement plans: Positive impacts or opportunities arising out of the project need to be identified during the EA verification process. Some of these opportunities can be further developed to draw environmental and social benefits to the local area. The EMP should identify such opportunities and develop a plan to systematically harness any such benefit. c. Monitoring programme: In order to ensure that the proposed mitigatory measures have the intended results and complies with national standards and donor requirements, an environmental performance monitoring programme should be included in the EMP. The monitoring programme should give details of the following: • Monitoring indicators to be measured for evaluating the performance of each mitigatory measure (for example national standards, engineering structures, extent of area replanted, etc). • Monitoring mechanisms and methodologies • Monitoring frequency • Monitoring responsibility(ies) d. Institutional arrangements: Institutions/parties responsible for implementing mitigatory measures and for monitoring their performance should be clearly identified. Where necessary, mechanisms for institutional coordination should be identified as often monitoring tends to involve more than one institution. e. Implementing schedules: Timing, frequency and duration of mitigation measures with links to overall implementation schedule of the project should be specified. f. Reporting procedures: Feedback mechanisms to inform the relevant parties on the progress and effectiveness of the mitigatory measures and monitoring itself should be specified. Guidelines on the type of information wanted and the presentation of feedback information should also be highlighted. g. Cost estimates and sources of funds: Implementation of mitigatory measures mentioned in the EMP will involve an initial investment cost as well as recurrent costs. The EMP should include costs estimates for each measure and also identify sources of funding. The cost estimates will be important, as these measures will be added in to the Bill of Quantities (BOQ). h. Contract clauses: This is an important section of the EMP that would ensure mitigation measures identified in the EMP will be translated into action on the ground. The EMP will become part of the BOQ where the contractor is required bid for funds for mitigation measures. In addition, the contract documents will need to be incorporated with clauses directly linked to the implementation of the EMP. There should also be penalty clauses for none compliance of the EMP. 6. Institutional Requirements

The World Bank requires that the implementing agency to conduct road-specific environmental assessments for all the roads to be supported by the project and develop an Environmental Management Plan as per the guidelines under Section 4 and 5 above using a qualified environmental specialist. All the road-specific assessments should be submitted to the World Bank by the project proponent as soon as they become available to review and clear. Once the road-specific EA is cleared, they should become part of the bidding documents and subsequently in the contract documents with clear indications (1) on compliance requirements of the EMP, and (2) penalty system for non-compliance. The bidding and contractual documents should be also sent to the World Bank to ensure the environmental requirements are properly captured in the documentation. The contractors should be requested to prepare and submit Environmental Methods Statements (EMSs) based on the respective EMP proposing the methodologies that will be used to ensure the mitigation measures identified in the EMP are implemented.

Contractors of the provincial roads development project will have the total responsibility for promoting the satisfactory environmental performance with respect to environmental management plan at all stages of the project, ensuring that environmental mitigation, enhancement, management and monitoring of the project activities.

While the contractor will be responsible of implementing the environmental safeguards requirements as per the road-specific EMPs, the overall responsibility to ensure timely implementation of the EMPs by the contractors will be within the Supervisory Consultants (SC) and the Provincial Road Development Department (PRDD) of the Uva Provincial Council and Eastern Provincial Councils. Since both provincial councils do not have environmental expertise to guide the contractors on environmental safeguards and to monitor the EMPs, each Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the PRDDs is required to recruit an environmental expert to provide the support. In addition, the supervisors and engineers of the PIU will monitor these activities on behalf of PRDDs. The SC and PRDDs should ensure that they identify relevant staff and specific roles for monitoring of environmental safeguards implementation, responding to non-compliance situations and reporting. The SC and PRDDs should also develop clear guidelines for the procedures to be followed during non-compliance including various actions to be taken by various parties. The contractor should recruit a qualified environmental officer to take the responsibility of implementing the EMP and providing timely reports to the client in order to monitor their effectiveness and progress.

The environmental specialist at the Project Coordination Unit centrally is responsible to coordinate with the environmental specialist of the two PRDDs in monitoring and reporting. He/she will also work closely with the environmental expert of the SC and produce consolidated reports on environmental compliance for GOSL and World Bank review on a monthly basis.

Since the project is below the threshold levels of the CEA, they will not play an overall role of monitoring the project. CEA will facilitate the licensing process and issuing of Environmental Protection Licenses (EPL), as well as monitoring the conditions of the licenses. Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and Local Government Agent (LGA) will also support the relevant licensing process and post- monitoring, as indicated below.

Activity License Types Licensing Authority Quarry Operations GSMB IML GSMB EPL CEA LGA Trade License LGA Explosives permit Crusher Operations EPL CEA LGA Trade License LGA Asphalt Plant Operations EPL CEA LGA Trade License LGA Burrow sites GSMB IML GSMB LGA Trade License LGA Disposal sites LGA Trade License LGA

It is recommended that the project utilizes the services of the Environmental Specialists of RSAP Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) to train the contractors, Environmental Officers of the contractors, and Environmental Specialists of the two PRDDs. In addition, the staff of Environmental and Social Unit of Road Development Authority will play a strong and regular monitoring role to ensure the project adheres to environmental safeguards of the GOSL and the World Bank.

6.1 Training Requirements

A phased-out field training programme will be developed and implemented by the PCU for the contractor staff and staff of the two PRDDs to get a first hand experience in understanding possible environmental issues during road rehabilitation and maintenance using RSAP field sites as examples.

7. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure

In line with National Environmental Act in Sri Lanka, public consultation and information disclosure undertakes through the public notice prior to the approval by CEA for the particular project. In addition, the World Bank also requires public consultation and information disclosure is main activity carried out during the initial stage by the client on the findings of the environmental assessment and the mitigation measures that will be taken to address negative environmental impacts. The aim of the processes is to understand the view point of the public about the project and responds to and integrates their concerns and suggestions during the design and implementation stages.

The project implementing units in each Province should hold consultations with the local stakeholders basing this EAMF and the road-specific EAs during their verification process. In addition, the project implementing agency should disclose the EAMF for public comments for 30 days prior to project appraisal.

Public consultations should be made in all roads that will be identified to be rehabilitated in the Jaffna District during the EA process.

7.1 Eastern Province: Findings of the initial public consultations held by ADB

Public consultations were made with affected persons in urban, semi urban and rural areas of selected project roads located within Ampara district during the period from 14th to 18th June 2008 behalf of Eastern province. In order to bring out the concerns of project affected people, focus group discussions and individual discussions were held with road side community, community leaders, government officers, teachers, students, farmers, drivers, road users etc,. For the public consultation session’s people were voluntarily participated and expressed their views about the project.

During the group discussions consultants were brief about the proposed improvement works including widening, reconstruction of culverts and bridges, drainage and payment work, land acquisition, surfacing works etc,. Participants were generally expressed their views about the project including current environmental, social and economic situation of the proposed project roads and surrounding area. Majority of participants were spoken about importance of the roads selected for the improvement. They also made some suggestions which are very significant for the proposed improvement work. In general it is important to emphasize that project affected communities in all most all the project roads enthusiastic to grant their public support to the project. • Majority the project roads located in Eastern province not rehabilitated during past 10 or 15 years participants suggested initiating the improvement work for the particular road sections as soon as possible. Since land acquisition is minimal for most of the project roads, some rural and semi urban communities would like to offer adequate lands for the project without compensation. Further following requests were made by the affected parties for the proposed improvement project. Since most of the sub project roads inundated during the rainy season participants suggested to restrict construction related activities during the rainy season. Also suggested to precede construction activities during the dry season with appropriate dust controlling measures such as watering of the construction sites and roads which use for the transportation of construction materials in regular intervals. • Majority of the local roads located around sub project roads are highly dilapidated. Therefore use of miner roads for construction material transportation should be avoided during the construction period. • Numbers of sub project roads are located between paddy fields, around water logged area, coastal belt and low elevation: road surface, edges and drains will damage rapidly during the rainy season. Implementation of the maintenance plan for the project roads after improvement project by the Provincial Road Development Department is very important. • Widening, realign and expansion of cross drainage (culverts and bridges) to avoid inconvenient to the road side community, drivers and travelers due to transport difficulties. • Advance notice to the road side community about construction schedule, which is very important to remove public properties from the proposed ROW with minimum impact (Trees, Building materials, Fences, Gates etc.). • Establishment of road boundary posts for the subproject roads is significant to minimize encroachment of the road reservation especially in residential areas.

7.2 Uva Province: Findings of the initial public consultations held by ADB

Public consultations were made with affected persons in urban, semi urban and rural areas of selected project roads during the period from 7th to 30th March 2008 representing all 2 districts located within the Uva province. In order to bring out the concerns of project affected people, focus group discussions and individual discussions were held with road side community, community leaders, government officers, teachers, students, farmers, drivers, road users etc,. For the public consultation session’s people were voluntarily participated and expressed their views about the project.

During the group discussions consultants were brief about the proposed improvement works including widening, reconstruction of culverts and bridges, drainage and payment work, land acquisition, surfacing works etc,. Participants were generally expressed their views about the project including current environmental, social and economic situation of the proposed project roads and surrounding area. Majority of participants spoke about importance of the roads selected for the improvement. They also made some suggestions which are very significant for the proposed improvement work. In general it is important to emphasize that project affected communities in all most all the project roads enthusiastic to grant their public support to the project.

The participants also suggested initiating the improvement work for the particular road sections as soon as possible. Since land acquisition is minimal for most of the project roads, some rural and semi urban communities would like to offer adequate lands for the project without compensation. Further following requests were made by the affected parties for the proposed improvement project: • Provide adequate slope protection measures to the hilly roads located within Badulla district of the Uva Province to minimize earth slips and soil erosion. • Upgrade selected road based on both, current traffic volume and type of vehicles that use along the particular road sections to minimize transport difficulties in the area. • Construction activities should be completed within short periods to minimize public inconvenience due to noise, dust and vibration. • Alternative access to the some road section when construction of bridges was highlighted by the road users. • Use of the miner roads for construction material transportation should be avoided during the construction period. • Implementation of the maintenance plan for the project roads after improvement project by the Provincial Road Development Department. • Advance notice to the road side community about construction schedule, which is very important to remove public properties from the proposed ROW with minimum impact (Trees, Building materials, Fences, Gates etc.). • Widening, realign and removal of some road side trees to avoid road accidents, delays and traffic in the future. • Restriction of the construction related activities during the rainy season.

Annex 1

National Environmental Act

In 1981 GOSL passed the National Environmental Act (NEA) and in 1982, created the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) as a regulatory and enforcement agency. The CEA’s statutory and enforcement powers were strengthened significantly in 1988, by an amendment to the NEA. A cabinet level ministry to handle the subject of environment was created in 1990, with the appointment of a Minister of Environment to ensure that environmental issues will be given the required attention.

Under provisions of Part IV C of the NEA No. 47 of 1980 as stipulated in Gazette (Extra Ordinary) No. 772/22 dated June 24, 1993 GOSL made Environmental Assessment (EA) a legal requirement for a range of development projects. The list of projects requiring an EA is prescribed in the above Gazette notification. In addition, the Gazette notification includes a list of line ministries and agencies that are designated as Project Approving Agencies (PAA), with environmental assessment clearance functions delegated by the CEA.

With the change of government in August 1994, and the resulting re-allocation of Ministries, a new list of PAAs were specified—under subject area rather than with the name of the Ministry, as listed originally—in Gazette (Extra Ordinary) No. 859/14 dated February 13, 1995. According to provisions of the NEA regulations, the only prescribed project type under the Transport and Highways Sector relevant to the proposed project requiring an EA is the construction of national and provincial highways involving a length exceeding 10 Km. In addition, other prescribed projects requiring environmental assessments, listed in the same regulations relevant to the proposed project include; (i) Reclamation of land, wetland area exceeding 4 hectares; (ii) Conversion of forests covering an area exceeding 1 hectare into non-timber forest uses; (iii) Involuntary resettlement exceeding 100 families, other than resettlement effected under emergency situations; (iv) Extraction of timber covering land areas exceeding 5 hectares; (v) clearing of land areas exceeding 50 hectares; and (vi) All projects and undertakings irrespective of their magnitude, if located partly or wholly within 100 meters from the boundaries of or within any area declared under the National Heritage Wilderness Act; the Forest Ordinance; 60 meters from a river or stream bank and having a width of 25 meters or more at any point of its course; any archeological reserve, ancient or protected monument as defined or declared under the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188); any areas declared under the Botanical Gardens Ordinance; and within 100 meters from the boundaries of or within any areas declared as a Sanctuary under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.

The EIA approval/disapproval can be granted by the PAA with jurisdiction over the project activity, only with the concurrence of the CEA. However, the project proponent is not permitted to perform the functions and duties of a PAA. Therefore, in the event of a PAA becoming the project proponent, the CEA will designate an appropriate PAA. In instances where the project would fall within the purview of more than one PAA, the CEA will determine an appropriate PAA or serve as the PAA. Any functions of the PAA related to the approval of the project can be devolved to a Provincial Council only with written concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Environment. Considering the scope of activities supported under this project, the most likely PAA’s would be the CEA, Ministry of Highways or Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government. The CEA will formally decide on the PAA depending on the scope and location of the project on a case by case basis.

According to GOSL procedure, all development activities require environmental clearance. In order to obtain such clearance, the project proponent has to fill in a Basic Environmental Information Questionnaire. The questionnaire requires information from the project proponent to enable the CEA to determine the level of environmental analysis required prior to providing approval for the project. Upon reviewing the questionnaire, the CEA determines whether the project requires an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or whether no further environmental analysis is required, depending on the nature of the potential impacts. The CEA review is based on the list of prescribed projects listed under provisions of Part IV C of the NEA No. 47 of 1980 as stipulated in Gazette (Extra Ordinary) No. 772/22 dated June 24, 1993. All prescribed projects have to be subjected to environmental assessments, either through IEEs or EIAs. The CEA also determines the PAA for the specific project.

Other Acts relevant for Environmental Assessment

In addition to the National Environmental Act, which is the most important legislation governing the process of EA, there are three other legislations under which EA can be required. Coast Conservation Act (CCA) No.57 of 1981 implemented by the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) and applicable to the coastal zone as defined in the Act. The coastal zone as it pertains to this project is considered to be 300 meters inland from the high water mark. Therefore, any road works within this zone falls under the jurisdiction of CCD. Director of the CCD has the discretion to request for an EIA/IEE from the project proponent if the initial screening reveals significant impacts in the coastal areas by the project. Once the type of environmental analysis required is decided, a scoping committee comprising of the relevant stakeholder agencies meet to discuss issues of the project after which a draft ToR is prepared for review by the Coast Conservation Advisory Council. The EA prepared accordingly by the project proponent is subsequently reviewed by a Technical Evaluation Committee based on whose assessment the Director can grant approval/disapproval for the project. The public consultation process is similar to that of the NEA where the public has the opportunity to comment on the proposed development within a period of 30 days from time of notification, if it is an EIA.

Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) No.2 of 1937 (amended in 1993) implemented by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This act specifies that any development activity that takes place within one mile of the boundary of a National Reserve declared under the Ordinance require an EIA/IEE. The FFPO follows a similar process as the NEA in conducting scoping, setting the ToR, preparation of EA, review of EA and public consultation and disclosure. Environmental Assessments are required for prescribed projects that have been gazetted in Gazette Extraordinary 1020/21 of 27th March, 1998. It specifies two lists of project types (a) where EIA/IEE is mandatory and (b) where the EA can be requested if the PAA decides so. The scoping process is similar to that of the NEA and will be headed by one of the two listed PAAs; (a) Provincial Environmental Authority and (b) Provincial Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Representation of the CEA and the Ministry of Environment in the scoping committee is a mandatory requirement. Setting up of the ToR, preparation of the EA, review and public disclosure and consultation, granting of the project decision are the same as specified in the NEA.

Annex II

Environmental Monitoring Plan: Monitoring of Air Quality, Water Quality and Noise Levels

Environmental Project stage Parameters to Location Frequency Standards Rate (Rs.) Approximate Implementation Supervision component be monitored per sample Cost (Rs.) Air Quality Pre construction SO2, NO2, CO, 2 randomly selected roads per A single time NAAQS of 41.000 205.000 PRDD through ESD stage Pb, PM10, district: crusher, asphalt plant and per location Sri Lanka approved TSPM road monitoring agency

Construction SO2, NO2, CO, 2 randomly selected roads per Two time per NAAQS of 41.000 410.000 PRDD through ESD stage Pb, PM10, district, but same as for pre- location Sri Lanka approved TSPM construction stage: crusher, asphalt monitoring agency plant and road Operation and SO2, NO2, CO, 2 randomly selected roads per A single time NAAQS of 41.000 205.000 PRDD through ESD maintenance Pb, PM10, district, but same as for pre- per location Sri Lanka approved stage TSPM construction stage: crusher, asphalt monitoring agency plant and road Water Quality Pre construction EC, TSS, DO, 2 randomly selected roads per A single time NWQS- CEA 11,000 55.000 PRDD through ESD stage BOD, PH Oil district, but same as for pre- location approved and grease, Pb, construction stage: Irrigation canal monitoring agency E - coli located along the road, water logged area and a stream Construction EC, TSS, DO, 2 randomly selected roads per Two times per NWQS- CEA 11,000 110.000 PRDD through ESD stage BOD, PH Oil district, but same as for pre- location approved and grease, Pb, construction stage: Irrigation canal monitoring agency E - coli located along the road, water logged area and a stream Operation and EC, TSS, DO, 2 randomly selected roads per A single time NWQS- CEA 11,000 55.000 PRDD through PRDD maintenance BOD, PH Oil district, but same as for pre- per location approved through stage and grease, Pb, construction stage: Irrigation canal monitoring agency approved E - coli located along the road, water logged monitoring area and a stream agency Noise level Pre construction Noise level (dB 2 randomly selected roads per A single time National 12,000 60.000 PRDD through ESD stage level) district: rock blasting site on the per location Environmenta approved road and quarry l regulations monitoring agency (Ambient air Quality standards, 1994) Construction Noise level (dB 2 randomly selected roads per Two time per National 12.000 120.000 PRDD through ESD stage level) district, but same as for pre- location Environmenta approved construction stage l regulations monitoring agency (Ambient air Quality standards Operation and Noise level (dB 2 randomly selected roads per A single time National 12.000 60.000. PRDD through ESD maintenance level) district, but same as for pre- per location Environmenta approved stage construction stage l regulations monitoring agency (Ambient air Quality standards Total Cost for the Monitoring 1,280.000

Notes: SO2- -Sulphur Dioxide NO2- - Nitrogen Dioxide CO- Carbon Monoxide, Pb- Lead PM10- Particulate Matter <10 TSPM- Total suspended Particulate Matter EC- Electrical Conductivity TSS- Total Suspended Solis DO- Dissolved Oxygen BOD- Biological Oxygen Demand NAAQS- National Air Quality Standards NWQS- National Water Quality Standards CEA- Central Environmental Authority PRDD- Provincial Road Development Authority PIU- Project Implementation Unit