Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Mathillo Sitkhola Sana Hydropower Project (905 KW), Arghakhanchi District, Province No. 5 Submitted to: Ministry of Forests and Environment through Department of Electricity Development and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation Submitted by: Prepared by: Alliance Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Environmental Services Nepal (P). Ltd. GPO Box: 8957, Putalisadak, P.O. Box: 11605 Kathmandu, Nepal Central Business Park, Thapathali, Contact No: 9851097780 Kathmandu, Nepal , Tel #: 977 - 01410 1 695 Email: [email protected] July, 2020 EIA Study of Mathillo Sitkhola Sana Hydropower Project (905 KW) Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Survey License ................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.3 Organization Responsible for Preparation of EIA Report ............................................... 1-2 1.4 Rationality of Conducting the EIA .................................................................................. 1-2 1.5 Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................... 1-3 1.6 Objectives of the EIA....................................................................................................... 1-3 CHAPTER 2: PROJECT DESCRIPTION ....................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Project Location ............................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Project Accessibilty ......................................................................................................... 2-5 2.3 Objective of the Project ................................................................................................... 2-6 2.4 Activities of Project Implementation ............................................................................... 2-6 2.5 Project Area Delineation .................................................................................................. 2-6 2.6 Project Salient Features.................................................................................................... 2-8 2.7 General Arrangement of the Project Components ......................................................... 2-12 2.8 Construction Material .................................................................................................... 2-15 2.9 Human Resources .......................................................................................................... 2-16 2.10 Construction Schedule ................................................................................................. 2-16 2.11 Project Land Requirement Table ................................................................................. 2-16 CHAPTER 3: DATA REQUIREMENT AND STUDY METHODLOGY .................... 3-1 3.1 Desk Study and Literature Review .................................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Field Investigation ........................................................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Public Participation .......................................................................................................... 3-9 3.4 Recommendation Letters ............................................................................................... 3-10 3.5 Study Team .................................................................................................................... 3-10 CHAPTER 4: REVIEW OF POLICY AND LEGAL PROVISIONS ............................ 4-1 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Constitution of Nepal ....................................................................................................... 4-1 4.3 Plan & Policy ................................................................................................................... 4-2 4.4 Acts .................................................................................................................................. 4-8 4.5 Rules and Regulations.................................................................................................... 4-15 4.6 Conventions ................................................................................................................... 4-18 4.7 Manuals .......................................................................................................................... 4-21 i EIA Study of Mathillo Sitkhola Sana Hydropower Project (905 KW) 4.8 Guidelines ...................................................................................................................... 4-22 4.9 Standards ........................................................................................................................ 4-25 CHAPTER 5: EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION ..................................... 5-1 5.1 Physical Environment ...................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Biological Environment ................................................................................................. 5-18 5.3 Socio-Cultural and Economic Environment .................................................................. 5-26 CHAPTER 6: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................ 6-1 6.1 Beneficial Impacts ........................................................................................................... 6-2 6.2 Adverse Impacts............................................................................................................... 6-4 CHAPTER 7: ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS .................................................................... 7-1 7.1 Design and Layout (Alternative) ..................................................................................... 7-1 7.2 Project Location ............................................................................................................... 7-4 7.3 Technologies, Implementation Procedure and Time Schedule........................................ 7-4 7.4 Development of Mini Size Hydropower Project ............................................................. 7-4 7.5 Less Forest Option ........................................................................................................... 7-4 7.6 No Project Option ............................................................................................................ 7-4 7.7 Construction Material Alternative ................................................................................... 7-5 7.8 Operation Procedure ........................................................................................................ 7-5 CHAPTER 8: MITIGATION MEASURE AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ...... 8-1 8.1 Mitigation Measures for Impact on Physical Environment ............................................. 8-1 8.2 Mitigation Measures for Impact on Biological Environment .......................................... 8-7 8.3 Mitigation Measures for Impact on Socio-Cultural Environment ................................. 8-11 CHAPTER 9: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION.. ................................................................................................................................................ 9-1 9.1 Public Involvement/Stakeholder Consultations ............................................................... 9-1 9.2 Public Consultation .......................................................................................................... 9-1 9.3 Public Hearing ................................................................................................................. 9-2 CHAPTER 10: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................... 10-1 10.1 Objectives of the EMP ................................................................................................. 10-1 10.2 Environmental Standards ............................................................................................. 10-1 10.3 Environmental Permits and Approvals ........................................................................ 10-4 10.4 Roles and Responsibilities of Different Agencies ....................................................... 10-5 10.5 Physical and Social Management Plan ...................................................................... 10-10 ii EIA Study of Mathillo Sitkhola Sana Hydropower Project (905 KW) 10.6 Social Management Plan............................................................................................ 10-19 10.7 Environmental Impacts Mitigation Management Plan .............................................. 10-21 CHAPTER 11: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING .................................................. 11-1 11.1 Baseline Monitoring Plan ............................................................................................ 11-1 11.2 Compliance Monitoring ............................................................................................... 11-4 11.3 Impact Monitoring ......................................................................................................