Environmental Management Plan for 120 MW Chhatru Hydroelectric Project, Dist. Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CHHATRU HEP (120 MW), IN LAHAUL & SPITI DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH Proponent: DCM Shriram Infrastructure Limited Prepared By: EQMS INDIA PVT. LTD. INDIA, Delhi Environmental Management Plan for 120 MW Chhatru Hydroelectric Project, Dist. Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh TABLE OF CONTENT Chapters ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... i 1. CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT PLAN ......................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Himachal Pradesh ........................................................................................... 1 1.3. Chhatru H.E. Project ........................................................................................ 1 1.4. Catchment Area Treatment Plan ...................................................................... 4 1.4.1. Objectives .................................................................................................... 5 1.4.2. Methodology ................................................................................................ 5 1.5. Catchment Area Treatment .............................................................................. 6 1.5.1. Drainage basin ............................................................................................. 6 1.5.2. Drainage Network ........................................................................................ 7 1.5.3. Glaciers and glacial activity .......................................................................... 8 1.5.4. Lakes ........................................................................................................... 9 1.5.5. Slope and Relief ........................................................................................... 9 1.5.6. Delineation of Sub-watersheds .................................................................. 14 1.5.7. Land use/ land cover .................................................................................. 15 1.5.8. Climate ...................................................................................................... 19 1.5.9. Soils ........................................................................................................... 19 1.5.10. Erosion Intensity Mapping .......................................................................... 25 1.6. Sediment Yield Index ..................................................................................... 26 1.6.1. General ...................................................................................................... 26 1.6.2. Critique of SYI equation ............................................................................. 27 1.7. Prioritisation of Sub-Watersheds for Treatment Requirement ........................ 27 1.7.2. Area requiring treatment vis-à-vis area actually treatable ........................... 29 1.8. Area to Be Taken Up For Soil Conservation Measures .................................. 29 1.8.2. Problem Areas to be treated in Chhatru HE Project CAT- Plan .................. 30 1.9. Activities To Be Undertaken ........................................................................... 31 1.9.1. Preventive Measures ................................................................................. 31 1.9.1.1 Contour Trenching .................................................................................31 1.9.1.2 Contour Trenching/Afforestation Programme .......................................32 1.9.1.3 Choice of Species ...................................................................................34 1.9.1.4 Fencing ...................................................................................................34 1.9.1.5 Creation of Nurseries .............................................................................34 1.9.1.6 Pasture Improvement .............................................................................35 1.9.1.7 NTFP (Non Timber Forest Products) Regeneration ..............................35 1.9.1.8 Wildlife Management ............................................................................35 1.9.2. Engineering Measures ............................................................................... 35 1.9.2.1 Gully Control .........................................................................................35 1.9.2.2 Slope modification by Stepping/ Bench Terracing ................................37 1.9.3. Eco-Tourism Development ......................................................................... 38 1.9.4. Monitoring of Silt Load ............................................................................... 38 1.9.5. Sub-watershed-wise Treatable Areas and Measures ................................. 39 1.9.5.1 Karcha Khol (ChR7) ..............................................................................39 1.9.5.2 Bara Shigri (ChR8) ................................................................................44 1.9.5.3 Chhota Dara (ChR9) ..............................................................................48 1.9.5.4 Stretch between weir site to powerhouse site (ChR10) .........................52 1.10. Implementation Infrastructure Development ................................................... 58 1.11. Period And Schedule Of Implementation ....................................................... 58 1.12. Cost Estimates ............................................................................................... 58 1.13. Monitoring and Evaluation.............................................................................. 58 2. WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................. 68 Environmental Management Plan for 120 MW Chhatru Hydroelectric Project, Dist. Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 68 2.2. Objective ........................................................................................................ 68 2.3. National Park & Sanctuaries .......................................................................... 69 2.4. Wildlife Management and Conservation ......................................................... 69 2.4.1. Habitat Improvement: ................................................................................. 69 2.5. Rural Infrastructure and Community Development ......................................... 72 2.6. Eco-Tourism and Environmental Awareness.................................................. 73 2.7. Capacity Building and Skill-Up Gradation ....................................................... 73 2.8. Research and Monitoring ............................................................................... 73 2.9. Financial Allocation ........................................................................................ 74 3. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................................. 76 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 76 3.2. Fisheries Status ............................................................................................. 76 3.3. Impact on Fisheries........................................................................................ 76 3.4. Management Measures ................................................................................. 76 3.4.1. Release of minimum flow ........................................................................... 76 3.4.2. Sustenance of Riverine Fisheries ............................................................... 76 4. PUBLIC HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM ........................................................... 79 4.1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 79 4.2. Public Health Delivery System ....................................................................... 79 4.2.1. Residential Colonies for Workers ............................................................... 79 4.2.2. Immunization and Health Check-up Camps ............................................... 79 4.2.3. Development of medical facilities ............................................................... 79 5. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN LABOUR CAMPS............................... 83 5.1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 83 5.2. Facilities in Labour Camps ............................................................................. 83 5.3. Provision of Water Supply .............................................................................. 83 5.4. Sanitation and Sewage Treatment Facilities .................................................. 83 5.5. Solid Waste Management from Labour Camps .............................................. 84 5.6. Provision of Free Fuel .................................................................................... 84 5.7. Budget ........................................................................................................... 86 6. MUCK MANAGEMENT PLAN .......................................................................... 87 6.1. Introduction