Initial Environmental Examination August 2020 Tajikistan: Power Sector Development Program Prepared by Open Joint Stock Company Electricity Distribution Networks and Project Management Unit for Electro-Energy Sector, with support from Mercados-Aries International for the Asian Development Bank. This draft initial environmental examination report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section of this website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Draft Initial Environmental Examination Project number 53315-001 August 2020 Republic of Sector Operational Performance Tajikistan Improvements Project - Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Grid Enhancement in Dushanbe and selected cities Prepared by Open Joint Stock Company Electricity Distribution Networks and Project Management Unit for Electro-Energy Sector, with support from Mercados-Aries International for the Asian Development Bank. This draft initial environmental examination report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff and may be preliminarв in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section of this website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Content LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. 4 ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................... 6 DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................................ 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 8 I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 14 A. Project Background ...................................................................................................... 14 B. Purpose of the Initial Environmental Examination ........................................................ 15 II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................. 19 III. POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................... 27 A. National Laws .............................................................................................................. 27 B. Applicable Standards ................................................................................................... 34 C. ADB Policy ............................................................................................................ 39 D. International Treaties and Conventions Applicable to the Project .......................... 43 E. Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Guidelines ............................................................... 44 F. Liabilities for Violations of Environmental Laws ............................................................ 44 G. Community Health and Safety ............................................................................... 45 IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BASELINE DATA) .............................. 46 A. Dushanbe Physical Resources .................................................................................... 56 B. Dushanbe: Socio-Economic Development ................................................................... 57 C. Dangara Physical Resources ................................................................................ 57 D. Dangara Socio-Economic Development ................................................................ 58 E. Panjakent: Physical Resources .................................................................................... 58 F. Panjakent Socio-Economic Development..................................................................... 58 G. Istaravshan Physical Resources ............................................................................ 59 H. Istaravshan Socio-Economic Development ........................................................... 59 I. Buston Physical Resources ......................................................................................... 60 J. Buston Socio-Economic Development ......................................................................... 60 K. Isfara Physical Resources ............................................................................................ 60 L. Isfara Socio-Economic Development ........................................................................... 60 M. Konibodom Physical Resources ............................................................................ 61 N. Konibodom Socio-Economic Development ............................................................ 61 O. Climate Vulnerability of Subproject ........................................................................ 62 V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES .......... 63 A. Project Location Impact Assessment and Mitigation .................................................... 63 B. General Approach to Mitigation .................................................................................... 63 C. Environmental Consideration during Procurement/Pre-construction Phase ........... 63 1. Lack of Environmental Capacity: Impact & Mitigation ................................................... 63 3 2. Lack of Integration of IEE/ Environmental and Social management (ESMP) in Construction Bid Documents ............................................................................................... 64 3. Temporary Use of Land ............................................................................................... 64 4. Waste Disposal ............................................................................................................ 64 5. Electronic Hardware Transport Route .......................................................................... 65 6. Cultural Heritage & Religious Sites .............................................................................. 65 7. Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan ...................................................................... 66 D. Potential Environmental Impacts during Construction Phase ................................. 66 1. Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 66 2. Noise and Vibrations .................................................................................................... 66 3. Soil, Surface and Ground Water Contamination ........................................................... 67 4. Construction waste disposal......................................................................................... 68 5. Disposal of Electronic Waste due to Hardware Upgrade .............................................. 68 6. Vegetation and Wildlife Loss ........................................................................................ 69 7. Impact of Construction Activity on Environment ........................................................... 69 8. Asbestos-containing materials, PCB oils, or other hazardous wastes .......................... 70 9. Traffic Disturbance ....................................................................................................... 73 10. Occupational Health & Safety ................................................................................ 74 11. Community Health & Safety .................................................................................. 76 12. Social Impacts ....................................................................................................... 77 13. Infectious Diseases (e.g. COVID-19) ..................................................................... 77 E. Potential Impacts Associated with Project Operation ................................................... 78 1. Aircraft Safety and Radar Interference ......................................................................... 78 2. Impact on Ecological Resources .................................................................................. 78 3. Social Safety Impact .................................................................................................... 78 4. Enhancement ............................................................................................................... 78 5. Occupational Health & Safety ...................................................................................... 78 F. Cumulative Impacts ....................................................................................................