Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Power Cell, Power Division Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Updated Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for the Enhancement and Strengthening of Power Networking Eastern Region (ESPNER) Project of Bangladesh Final Report Prepared by: Power Grid Company of India Limited (PGCIL) In association with IMEX, BANGLADESH December, 2019 IEE of Enhancement and Strengthening of Power Network in Eastern Region of PGCB Project Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................................... vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... ix 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Expected Benefits of the Project ............................................................................................. 7 1.3 Legislative Requirements ........................................................................................................ 7 1.4 Main Objectives of the IEE ...................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Extent of the Study ................................................................................................................. 8 1.6 Scope of Work ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.7 IEE Content .............................................................................................................................. 9 1.8 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.8.1 Approach ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.8.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 12 2 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES, LAWS, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS ......................................... 17 2.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 17 2.2 Applicable Policies in Bangladesh ......................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Relevant National Legislations ........................................................................................ 18 2.3 Categories of Projects ........................................................................................................... 27 2.4 International Treaties ........................................................................................................... 27 2.5 World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies ................................................... 27 2.5.1 IFC Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines .......................................................... 30 2.5.2 World Bank Policy on Access to Information .................................................................. 31 2.6 GOB Environmental Clearance Procedure ............................................................................ 31 2.7 Applicable Environmental Quality Standards ....................................................................... 33 2.7.1 National Environment Quality Standards ....................................................................... 33 2.7.2 Noise ................................................................................................................................ 36 2.7.3 International Standards .................................................................................................. 36 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................. 37 3.1 Project Location .................................................................................................................... 37 3.2 Project Components/Subprojects ......................................................................................... 39 4 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ............................................................................. 42 4.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 42 4.2 Chittagong Division ............................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................ 52 4.3.1 Climate ............................................................................................................................ 52 Page | i IEE of Enhancement and Strengthening of Power Network in Eastern Region of PGCB Project 4.3.2 Physiographic Features ................................................................................................... 58 4.3.3 Topography ..................................................................................................................... 61 4.3.4 Geology ........................................................................................................................... 63 4.3.5 Soil ................................................................................................................................... 63 4.3.6 Agro-ecological Zones ..................................................................................................... 66 4.3.7 Hydrology/Drainage ........................................................................................................ 68 4.3.8 Surface Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 74 4.3.9 Ground/DrinkingWaterQuality........................................................................................ 78 4.3.10 Ambient Air Quality .................................................................................................... 82 4.3.11 Noise Level .................................................................................................................. 84 4.4 Biological/Ecological Environment ........................................................................................ 87 4.4.1 Bio-ecological Zones ........................................................................................................ 87 4.4.2 Diversity of Floral and Faunal Species ............................................................................. 89 4.4.3 Biodiversity/Environmentally Sensitive and Protected Areas ........................................ 94 4.5 Socio-Economic Environment ............................................................................................... 96 4.5.1 Demography .................................................................................................................... 96 4.5.2 Age Composition ............................................................................................................. 96 4.5.3 Marital Status .................................................................................................................. 97 4.5.4 Household by Religion ..................................................................................................... 97 4.5.5 Education......................................................................................................................... 98 4.5.6 Income and Expenditure of HHs ..................................................................................... 98 4.5.7 Occupation Pattern ......................................................................................................... 99 4.5.8 Economic Activities of HHs .............................................................................................. 99 4.5.9 Poverty and Gender ...................................................................................................... 100 4.5.10 Land Acquisition and Requisition .............................................................................. 101 5 ANALYSES OF ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................................... 102 5.1 Analyses of Alternatives forTL &LILO Route Selection - (Assessment & Management Process) ........................................................................................................................................... 102 5.2 Study of Alternatives ........................................................................................................... 102 5.2.1 Environmental Criteria for TL and LILO Route Selection ............................................... 102 5.2.2 Analyses of Alternativefor Selection of Substations ..................................................... 118 6 ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING/ASSESSMENT OF THE SUBPROJECTS ......................................... 122 6.1 General ................................................................................................................................ 122 6.2 Screening of Environmental Impacts for Substations (SS) .................................................. 122