Karnataka State Highways Improvement III Project (RRP IND 42513-014) Initial Environmental Examination January 2017 IND: Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project III Kollegal to Hanur Road Prepared by Project Implementation Unit, KSHIP, Government of Karnataka for the Asian Development Bank CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ i A. Introduction .................................................................................................................... i B. Objectives of the IEE ..................................................................................................... i C. Description of the Project ............................................................................................... i D. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ................................................................. v E. Description of the Environment ................................................................................... vii F. Analysis of Alternatives ............................................................................................... xii G. Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................. xii H. Public Consultation ................................................................................................... xviii I. Environmental Management Plan .............................................................................. xix J. Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................................. xx 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 .................................................................................... 5 A. Project Location ........................................................................................................... 5 B. Description of the Project Road.................................................................................... 6 C. Traffic Study................................................................................................................. 7 D. Improvement Proposal ................................................................................................10 E. Road Safety Devices ..................................................................................................16 F. Sources of Construction Materials ..............................................................................17 G. Project Cost ................................................................................................................20 III. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................21 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................21 B. Policies and Legal Framework ....................................................................................21 C. Description of Key Environmental Legislations ............................................................22 D. Applicable Indian Road Congress (IRC) Codes ..........................................................28 E. Clearances Required for the Project ...........................................................................29 F. Administrative Framework ...........................................................................................31 IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................33 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................33 B. Location – Districts en-route .......................................................................................33 C. Geology, Topography & Soil .......................................................................................33 D. Seismicity ...................................................................................................................35 E. Drainage and River System ........................................................................................35 F. Agriculture and Irrigation Practices .............................................................................35 G. Land Use ....................................................................................................................36 H. Soil Quality .................................................................................................................38 I. Climate and Meteorology ............................................................................................40 J. Ambient Air Quality .....................................................................................................45 K. Ambient Noise Level ...................................................................................................51 L. Surface Water Bodies, Rivers and Water Quality ........................................................52 M. Ground Water Quality in the Study Area .....................................................................57 N. Ecology and Biodiversity .............................................................................................60 O. Educational, Medical and Religious Properties ...........................................................73 P. Archaeological sites ....................................................................................................76 Q. Demographic Details of Affected Population ...............................................................76 V. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................80 A. General .......................................................................................................................80 B. “With” and “Without” Project Scenarion .......................................................................80 C. Analysis of Alternatives ...............................................................................................82 VI. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...........87 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................87 B. Land Environment .......................................................................................................87 C. Water Environment .....................................................................................................92 D. Air Environment ..........................................................................................................99 E. Noise Environment .................................................................................................... 109 F. Flora ......................................................................................................................... 121 G. Fauna ....................................................................................................................... 123 H. Protected Area .......................................................................................................... 124 I. Reserved Forest ....................................................................................................... 125 J. Induced Cumulative Impact ....................................................................................... 125 K. Climate Change Impacts and Risks .......................................................................... 126 L. Social Impacts .......................................................................................................... 131 M. Steps for Minimizing Adverse Impacts ...................................................................... 135 N. Rehabilitation and Resettlement ............................................................................... 136 O. Employment and Trading Opportunities .................................................................... 136 P. Migration ................................................................................................................... 136 Q. Construction Camp ................................................................................................... 137 R. Occupational Health and Safety ................................................................................ 138 S. Road Safety .............................................................................................................. 138 T. Positive and Beneficial Impacts ................................................................................. 139 VII. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ........................................................................................... 140 A. Approach of Public Consultation Meeting .................................................................. 140 B. Methodology