Draft – June 2018 Environment Assessment & Management Framework Himachal Pradesh Forests for Prosperity Project Submitted By Himachal Pradesh Forests Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh, India Prepared By G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development, Himachal Regional Centre, Mohal - Kullu - 175 126, Himachal Pradesh JUNE, 2018 Environment Assessment and Management Framework Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ 4 List of Tables: ............................................................................................................................................ 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 7 Chapter 1 Introduction to the Proposed Project .................................................................................... 16 1.1 Background to the HP FPP project .................................................................................................... 16 1.2 Project development objective (PDO) .............................................................................................. 19 1.3 Project Beneficiaries ......................................................................................................................... 19 1.4 Detailed Description of the Project Components ............................................................................. 20 1.5 Project Implementation Area ........................................................................................................... 24 1.6. Methodology for Preparation of EMF .............................................................................................. 27 1.6.1 Objectives of the EMF .................................................................................................................... 27 1.6.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 27 1.7 Organization of the Report ............................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 2 Environmental Baseline.......................................................................................................... 31 2.1 Introduction and overview of Himachal Pradesh ............................................................................. 31 2.2 Overview of the Sutlej Basin ....................................................................................................... 32 Catchment Area Treatment Plan ............................................................................................................ 33 2.3 Environmental Baseline .............................................................................................................. 34 2.3.1 ........................................................................................................................................................ 34 Physiographic Profile .............................................................................................................................. 34 Climate .................................................................................................................................................... 36 2.3.2 Land Use Pattern ............................................................................................................................ 40 2.3.3 Forest Area ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Flora ........................................................................................................................................................ 48 Natural Habitats ...................................................................................................................................... 49 2.3.4 Pastures and Grazing Areas ........................................................................................................... 51 2.3.5 Fuel Wood and Fodder .................................................................................................................. 53 2.3.6 Non-Timer Forest Products and Medicinal Plants ......................................................................... 54 2.3.7 Forest Nurseries ............................................................................................................................. 58 2.3.7 Forest Fires ..................................................................................................................................... 62 2 | draft report June 2018 Environment Assessment and Management Framework 2.3.8 Community Based Forest Institutions ............................................................................................ 64 2.3.3 Water Resources ............................................................................................................................ 65 2.3.3.1 River Sutlej .................................................................................................................................. 67 Chapter 3 Relevant Laws, Regulations and Development Programmes ........................................... 77 3.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 77 3.2. Applicable World Bank Policies ...................................................................................................... 77 3.3. Policy and Regulatory Framework of Government of India (GoI) and Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP)............................................................................................................................................. 80 3.4. List of Statutory Clearances and Authorizations .......................................................................... 88 3.5 Government and Donor Programmes and Synergies with HPFFP .................................................... 89 Chapter 4: Stakeholder Assessment and Consultation ........................................................................... 95 4.1 Background and Summary of the Consultation Process ................................................................... 95 4.2 Key Stakeholders and Institutions (Mapping & Roles) ...................................................................... 97 4.3 Summary of Stakeholder Consultations and implications for project/EMF design ........................ 101 4.4 Field Level Consultations ................................................................................................................ 114 Chapter 5 Environment Assessment ..................................................................................................... 128 5.1 Assessment of Environmental Impacts Associated with Project Activities .................................... 139 Chapter 6 Environment Management Framework ........................................................................... 157 6.1 Screening of Project Activities ........................................................................................................ 157 6.2 Application of Mitigation measures ................................................................................................ 158 Chapter 7 Institutional and Implementation Arrangement .................................................................. 167 7.1 Project Implementation through HPFD .................................................................................... 167 7.2 Project Level Institutional Structures .............................................................................................. 168 7.3 Implementation Plans ..................................................................................................................... 169 7.4 Environment management under HPFD ......................................................................................... 170 7.5 Monitoring and Reporting .............................................................................................................. 171 7.6 Capacity Building under Environment Management ...................................................................... 172 Identification of Capacity Needs ........................................................................................................... 172 7.7 Budgetary Provisions ...................................................................................................................... 173 Annexure 1: List of References and Sources of Secondary Data ......................................................... 174 Annexure 2: Baseline Data Questionnaire (sampled villages) .............................................................. 177 Annexure 3: List of Stakeholders Met ................................................................................................... 182 Annexure 4: Baseline Data from Field Surveys ..................................................................................... 183 3 | draft report June 2018 Environment Assessment and Management Framework Annexure 5: Environmental