DRAFT REPORT Public Disclosure Authorized Initial Environmental Examination of Dhalkebar-Bhittamod 400 kV Transmission Line Project Submitted to Public Disclosure Authorized Indo- Nepal Cross Border Transmission Line Project Nepal Electricity Authority Darbar Marg, Kathmandu Prepared and Submitted by Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Studies Department Nepal Electricity Authority Jamal, Kathmandu Public Disclosure Authorized OCTOBER 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMl\lARY NEPALI. ..................................................................................................I-VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ENGLISH ...................................................................................................I-VI 1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INSTITUTION PREPARING THE REPORT ........................ 1 1.1 The Proponent. ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Survey License ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Rationality for Conducting lEE ................................................................................................. 1 2. GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT......................................................................... 2 2.1 Background ................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Objectives of lEE .......................................................................................................................2 2.3 Project Description .................................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Project Area Delineation ............................................................................................................ 9 3. DATA REQUIREMENT AND STUDY METHODOLOGY .......................................................... 11 3.1 Desk Study and Literature Review .......................................................................................... 11 3.2 Data Requirement, Collection Methods and Analysis ............................................................. 11 3.2. I Physical Environment ................................................................................................... II 3.2.2 Biological Environment ................................................................................................ 11 3.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment .................................................................. 11 3.3 Impact Identification and Prediction ........................................................................................ 13 3.3.1 Significance of the Impact ............................................................................................ 13 3.3.2 Magnitude of Impacts ................................................................................................... 13 3.3.3 Extent of Impact ............................................................................................................ 14 3.3.4 Duration of Impact ........................................................................................................ 14 3.4 Public Involvement .................................................................................................................. 14 3.5 Time, Cost and Specialist ........................................................................................................ 15 4. REVIEW OF PLAN! POLICIES, ACTS, RULES, GUIDELINES AND CONVENTIONS........ 16 4.1 General ..................................................................................................................................... 16 4.2 Plan, Policies and Strategies ................................................................................................... 16 4.3 Acts .......................................................................................................................................... 18 4.4 Rules/ Regulations ................................................................................................................... 20 4.5 Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 21 4.6 Convention .............................................................................................................................. 22 5. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................... 24 5.1 Physical Environment ..............................................................................................: ............... 24 5.1.1 Topography .................................................................................................................. 24 5.1.2 Land Use Pattern ........................................................................................................... 24 5.1.3 Climate.......................................................................................................................... 25 5.1.4 Air and Noise Quality ................................................................................................... 26 5.1.5 Water Quality ................................................................................................................ 26 5.1.6 Geology, Stability and Soil Erosion ............................................................................. 27 5.1.7 Crossings of Other Utilities ........................................................................................... 27 5.2 Biological Environment ........................................................................................................... 28 5.2. I Vegetation/Forest Resources ......................................................................................... 28 5.2.2 Wildlife ......................................................................................................................... 29 5.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ............................................................................. 29 5.3.1 Socioeconomic Condition of the Project Area ............................................................. 29 5.3.2 Socioeconomic Features ofthe Affected Families ....................................................... 37 6. ENVIRONMENTAL 1l\eIPACTS ........................................................................................................ 44 6.1 Beneficial Impacts ...................................................................................... , ...................... , ..... 44 6.2 Adverse Impacts ................................................................................................................ , ..... 49 6.2.1 Physical ......................................................................................................................... 49 6.2.2 Biological ...................................................................................................................... 53 6.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural ........................................................................................ 55 7. ALTER:'IIATIVE ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................. 62 7.1 General ..................................................................................................................................... 62 7.2 Routes Alternative ................................................................................................................... 62 7.3 Design Alternative .................................................................................................................. 63 7.4 Construction tvlethod Alternative ........................................................................................... 64 7.5 Construction tvtaterials ................................................................................... , ........................ 65 7.6 Construction Schedule ............................................................................................................. 65 7.7 Operation Procedure ................................................................................................................66 7.8 No Action Alternative ..............................................................................................................66 8. MITIGATION A:'IID ENHANCEME:'IIT MEASURES .................................................................... 68 8.1 Enhancement Measures .......................................................................................................... ,68 8.2 Mitigation Measu'res ...... , ........................ , ...................................................................... , ........ 68 8.3 Enhancement and tvtitigation Cost ................... , ...................................................................... 74 8.4 Institutional Arrangement ....................................................................... , ................................ 75 9. MONITORING .................................................................................................................................... 77 9.1 General ..................................................................................................................................... 77 9.2 Types of Monitoring ...............................................................................................................