Karnataka State Highways Improvement III Project (RRP IND 42513-014) Initial Environmental Examination January 2017 IND: Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project III Gadag to Honnali Prepared by Project Implementation Unit, KSHIP, Government of Karnataka for the Asian Development Bank TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ i A. Introduction ................................................................................................................... i B. Description of the Project .............................................................................................. i C. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ................................................................ v D. Desription of the Environment .................................................................................... viii E. Analysis of Alternatives .............................................................................................. xv F. Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................ xv G. Conclusion and Recommendations ........................................................................... xxii I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 A. Project Background ...................................................................................................... 1 B. Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................ 3 C. Approach and Methodology ......................................................................................... 3 D. Structure of the Report ................................................................................................. 4 II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................ 6 A. Project Location ........................................................................................................... 6 B. Description of the Project Road.................................................................................... 7 C. Traffic Study................................................................................................................. 8 D. Improvement of Proposal ........................................................................................... 15 E. Road Safety Devices ................................................................................................. 27 F. Sources of Construction Materials ............................................................................. 28 G. Project Cost ............................................................................................................... 30 III. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................31 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 31 B. Policies and Legal Framework ................................................................................... 31 C. DESCRIPTION OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATIONS................................... 32 D. Applicable Indian Road Congress (IRC) Codes ......................................................... 38 E. Clearances Required for the Project .......................................................................... 39 F. Administrative Framework .......................................................................................... 41 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 43 B. Location – Districts En Route ..................................................................................... 44 C. Geology, Topography & Soil ...................................................................................... 44 D. Seismicity .................................................................................................................. 45 E. Drainage and River System ....................................................................................... 46 F. Agriculture and Irrigation Practices ............................................................................ 46 G. Land Use ................................................................................................................... 47 H. Soil Quality ................................................................................................................ 49 I. Climate and Meteorology ........................................................................................... 51 J. Ambient Air Quality .................................................................................................... 58 K. Ambient Noise Level .................................................................................................. 64 L. Surface Water Bodies, Rivers and Wate Quality ........................................................ 66 M. Ground Water Quality in the Study Area .................................................................... 71 N. Ecology and Biodiversity ............................................................................................ 74 O. Educational, Medical and Religious Properties .......................................................... 89 P. Archaeological Sites .................................................................................................. 94 Q. Demographic Details of Affected Population .............................................................. 94 V. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................98 A. General ...................................................................................................................... 98 B. “With” and “Without” Project Scenario ........................................................................ 99 C. Analysis of Alternatives ............................................................................................ 103 VI. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ......... 115 A. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 115 B. Land Environment .................................................................................................... 115 C. Water Environment .................................................................................................. 120 D. Air Environment ....................................................................................................... 128 E. Noise Environment ................................................................................................... 148 F. Flora ........................................................................................................................ 163 G. Fauna ...................................................................................................................... 165 H. Protected Area ......................................................................................................... 167 I. Reserved Forest ...................................................................................................... 167 J. Induced and Cumulative Impact ............................................................................... 168 K. Climate Change Impacts and Risks ......................................................................... 168 L. Social Impacts ......................................................................................................... 174 M. Steps for Minimizing Adverse Impacts ..................................................................... 179 N. Rehabilitation and Resettlement .............................................................................. 179 O. Employment and Trading Opportunities ................................................................... 180 P. Migration .................................................................................................................. 180 Q. Construction Camp .................................................................................................. 180 R. Waste Management ................................................................................................. 181 S. Occupational Health and Safety ............................................................................... 181 T. Road Safety ............................................................................................................. 181 U. Positive & Beneficial Impacts ................................................................................... 182 VII. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ........................................................................................... 184 A. Approach of Public Consultation Meeting ................................................................. 184 B. Methodology ............................................................................................................ 184 C. Meeting Schedules and Venue ................................................................................ 185 D. Analysis of Collected Feedback ............................................................................... 186 E. Outcome of the Public Consultation Meeting...........................................................