DRAFT EIA/EMP REPORT Stone/Sand/Bajri Mine, (With ML Area of 5.1288 Ha) Kh. No. 1212/1 and 1215/1, Balh, Patwar Circle Balh, Joginder Nagar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh JULY 2013 Submitted by: M/s Beas Valley Power Corporation Limited Joginder Nagar, District-Mandi, Himachal Pradesh EIA Consultant: EQMS INDIA PVT. LTD. INDIA 304-305, 3rd Floor, Plot No. 16, Rishabh Corporate Tower, Community Centre, Karkardooma, Delhi – 110092 Phone: 011-30003200, 30003219; Fax: 011-22374775 Website: www.eqmsindia.com ; E-mail – [email protected] Draft EIA/EMP report of Stone/Sand/Bajri Mine, (With ML Area of 5.1288 Ha) Kh. No. 1212/1 and 1215/1, Balh, Patwar Circle Balh, Joginder Nagar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 6 1.1. Preamble ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.2. Purpose of the Report ........................................................................................................ 6 1.3. Identification of Project & Project Proponent ....................................................................... 7 1.4. Brief description of nature, size and location of the project ................................................. 7 1.5. Salient Features of the Project ......................................................................................... 12 1.6. Need for the project and its importance to the country or region ....................................... 12 1.7. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework .................................................................... 13 1.8. Scoping Of the Project ...................................................................................................... 15 1.9. Environmental Framework of the State ............................................................................. 15 1.10. Himachal Pradesh State Forest Policy ............................................................................. 17 1.11. HP State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) .................................................................... 17 1.12. Public Hearing .................................................................................................................. 17 1.13. Compliance of ToR ........................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2. : Project Description .................................................................................................. 22 2.1. General ............................................................................................................................ 22 2.2. Type of Project ................................................................................................................. 22 2.3. Need for the Project ......................................................................................................... 23 2.4. Location, Project Boundary and Project Site Layout ......................................................... 23 2.5. Size or magnitude of Operation ........................................................................................ 24 2.6. Proposed Schedule for Implementation ............................................................................ 25 2.7. Technology and Process Description ............................................................................... 25 2.8. Project Description ........................................................................................................... 26 2.9. Assessment of New and Un-tested technology................................................................. 32 2.10. Site Elevation, Working Depth and Groundwater Table .................................................... 33 2.11. Terms and conditions imposed by Director of Industries, H.P. .......................................... 34 2.12. Statutory / Necessary Approvals. ..................................................................................... 38 Chapter 3. : Description of the Environment ............................................................................... 39 3.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 39 3.2. Topography and Drainage ................................................................................................ 42 3.3. Geology and Hydrogeology .............................................................................................. 57 3.4. Meteorology ..................................................................................................................... 61 3.5. Air Quality ......................................................................................................................... 70 3.6. Water Quality ................................................................................................................... 77 3.7. Soil Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 86 3.8. Noise Environment ........................................................................................................... 92 3.9. Biological Environment ..................................................................................................... 95 3.10. Socio-Economic Environment ......................................................................................... 103 3.11. Crop Rotation ................................................................................................................. 113 Chapter 4. : Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures................................ 114 4.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 114 4.2. Impacts on Topography and Drainage ............................................................................ 114 4.3. Land Environment .......................................................................................................... 115 4.4. Impacts on Climate ......................................................................................................... 116 4.5. Water Environment ......................................................................................................... 116 4.6. Noise and Vibration ........................................................................................................ 118 4.7. Input for the model ......................................................................................................... 120 4.8. Impacts on Air Environment............................................................................................ 121 4.9. Biological Environment ................................................................................................... 123 EQMS INDIA PVT. LTD. 2 Draft EIA/EMP report of Stone/Sand/Bajri Mine, (With ML Area of 5.1288 Ha) Kh. No. 1212/1 and 1215/1, Balh, Patwar Circle Balh, Joginder Nagar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh Chapter 5. : Analysis of Alternatives ......................................................................................... 127 5.1. General .......................................................................................................................... 127 5.2. Alternative Sites ............................................................................................................. 127 5.3. Alternative Technology ................................................................................................... 127 Chapter 6. : Environmental Monitoring Programme .................................................................. 129 6.1. General .......................................................................................................................... 129 6.2. Areas of concern ............................................................................................................ 129 6.3. Environmental Monitoring ............................................................................................... 129 6.4. Environmental Monitoring Programme ........................................................................... 129 6.5. Environment Management Group ................................................................................... 133 6.6. Environment Policy/Violations of Environment Norms/ Hierarchal System ...................... 134 6.7. Cost of Environment Monitoring Plan ............................................................................. 135 Chapter 7. : Additional Studies ................................................................................................. 137 7.1. General .......................................................................................................................... 137 7.2. Public Consultation ......................................................................................................... 137 7.3. Risk Assessment ............................................................................................................ 137 7.4. Inundation ...................................................................................................................... 138 7.5. Disaster Due to Failure of Pit Slope ................................................................................ 138