SIM ENGINEERING PVT.LTD INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION REPORT OF EXPLOITATION OF GRANITE AND DOLERITE RESERVES In Kel Seri area, District Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Green Planet Consulting Services 2/10/2016 SIM ENGINEERING Pvt. LIMITED IEE of Exploitation of Granite and Dolerite in Kel Seri area District Neelum AJK. Table of Contents Executive Summary ...............................................................................................................06 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 16 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 16 1.2 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 17 1.3 The Project ................................................................................................................. 17 1.4 The Proponent ............................................................................................................ 18 1.5 Contact Persons ......................................................................................................... 18 1.6 Approaches and Methods .......................................................................................... 18 1.7 Data Collection .......................................................................................................... 19 1.8 Impact Assessment and Mitigation ............................................................................ 19 1.9 Documentation ........................................................................................................... 19 2. Regulatory Review ........................................................................................................ 20 2.1 National Conservation Strategy ................................................................................. 20 2.2 The Biodiversity Action Plan .................................................................................... 22 2.3 National Environment Policy, 2005 .......................................................................... 22 2.4 Azad Jammu & Kashmir Environmental Protection Act, 2000 ................................ 23 2.5 Efficiency in Environmental Resource Use: .............................................................. 23 2.6 Enhancement of Resources for Environmental Conservation ................................... 23 2.7 Policy and Procedures for Filing, Review and Approval of Environmental Assessment Reports .............................................................................................................. 24 2.8 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) ................................................. 24 2.9 AJK EPA Review of IEE and EIA Regulations, 2009 .............................................. 24 3. Description of the Project .............................................................................................. 26 3.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 26 3.2 Project Location: ........................................................................................................ 27 3.3 Project Alternative ..................................................................................................... 28 3.4 Scope and Extent of the Project: ................................................................................ 28 3.5 Project Site Land Acquisition: ................................................................................... 30 3.6 Project Site Surroundings: ......................................................................................... 30 2 The Green Planet Consulting Services IEE of Exploitation of Granite and Dolerite in Kel Seri area District Neelum AJK. 4. Description of Environment .......................................................................................... 32 4.1 Physical Environment: ............................................................................................... 32 4.1.1 Geography/ Geology .......................................................................................... 33 4.1.2 Drainage: ............................................................................................................ 34 4.1.3 Elevation Bands/Relief: ...................................................................................... 36 4.1.4 Land Use and Land Cover: ................................................................................. 36 4.1.5 Soils .................................................................................................................... 38 4.1.6 Climate and Meteorology: .................................................................................. 38 4.1.7 Rainfall and Humidity: ....................................................................................... 39 4.1.8 Temperature: ...................................................................................................... 39 4.1.9 Wind: .................................................................................................................. 39 4.1.10 Hydrology and water resources: ......................................................................... 39 4.1.11 Surface Water: .................................................................................................... 40 4.1.12 Ground Water: .................................................................................................... 41 4.1.13 Air Quality and Noise level: ............................................................................... 41 4.2 Description of Biological Environment ..................................................................... 41 4.2.1 Vegetation and Land cover: ............................................................................... 42 4.2.2 Fish Fauna .......................................................................................................... 44 4.2.3 Benthic Invertebrates fauna: ............................................................................... 45 4.2.4 Large Mammals: ................................................................................................. 45 4.2.5 Small Mammals: ................................................................................................. 46 4.2.6 Reptiles and Amphibians: .................................................................................. 47 4.2.7 Avifauna: ............................................................................................................ 48 4.3 Description of Socio-Economic Environment ........................................................... 49 4.3.1 Social Setup ........................................................................................................ 49 4.3.2 Demography: ...................................................................................................... 49 4.3.3 Social composition: ............................................................................................ 50 4.3.4 Political and Administrative Set-up: .................................................................. 50 4.3.5 Conflict and Social Tension: .............................................................................. 51 4.3.6 Land Cover and Ownership: ............................................................................... 51 4.3.7 Economic Profile: ............................................................................................... 52 4.3.8 Education: ........................................................................................................... 52 4.3.9 Housing .............................................................................................................. 53 4.3.10 Language: ........................................................................................................... 53 3 The Green Planet Consulting Services IEE of Exploitation of Granite and Dolerite in Kel Seri area District Neelum AJK. 4.3.11 Water supply and sanitation: .............................................................................. 53 4.3.12 Gender issues: ..................................................................................................... 54 4.3.13 Vulnerable Groups: ............................................................................................ 54 4.3.14 Cultural Heritage: ............................................................................................... 54 4.3.15 Cultural Heritage Sites: ...................................................................................... 55 5. Impact Identification, Assessment and Mitigation Measures ....................................... 57 5.1 Environmental Impacts Screening ............................................................................. 57 5.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures ..................................................... 61 5.2.1 Soil erosion and degradation .............................................................................. 61 5.2.2 Air quality degradation and dust ........................................................................ 62 5.2.3 Water contamination .......................................................................................... 64 5.2.4 Wildlife loss ......................................................................................................