Environmental Impact Assessment – Solar PV Park Nagalamadike Hobli, Pavagada Taluk, Tumkur February 2016 Page 0 of 65 Table of Contents I. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 4 A. Background - India’s Solar Program ................................................................................................................ 4 B. Project Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 4 C. Approach to Environmental Study ................................................................................................................... 5 D. Structure of Report ........................................................................................................................................... 7 II. Project Description ........................................................................................................................................ 0 A. Electricity generation using PV technologies ................................................................................................... 0 B. Fundamental Terminology ............................................................................................................................... 1 1. Insolation, Irradiance and Irradiating ........................................................................................................... 1 C. The proposed PV plant .................................................................................................................................... 2 III. Proposed Layout Plan ................................................................................................................................... 6 A. Site / Layout Alternatives ................................................................................................................................. 6 B. Water supply pipelines / Drainage System ...................................................................................................... 7 C. Access Roads .................................................................................................................................................. 8 D. Transmission Lines .......................................................................................................................................... 8 E. Waste Storage Areas ....................................................................................................................................... 9 F. Warehouse and Construction Camps .............................................................................................................. 9 IV. Legal Requirements..................................................................................................................................... 10 A. State Pollution Control Board Regulations ..................................................................................................... 10 B. Indian Labour Laws ........................................................................................................................................ 11 C. Land Availability / Procurement for Sub-projects ........................................................................................... 12 1. Karnataka State Solar Policy 2014- 2021 ................................................................................................. 12 2. Land Reforms Act – Karnataka ................................................................................................................. 12 D. World Bank Group Safeguard Requirements ................................................................................................ 13 1. World Bank Safeguard Requirements ....................................................................................................... 13 E. IFC Performance standards ........................................................................................................................... 14 1. Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks & Impacts ......................................... 15 2. Labour and Working Conditions ................................................................................................................ 15 3. Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention ........................................................................................... 15 4. Community Health, Safety and Security .................................................................................................... 15 V. Public Participation Process ...................................................................................................................... 16 A. Identification of Key Stakeholders .................................................................................................................. 16 B. Public Participation Process Adopted ............................................................................................................ 16 1. Initial Consultations – Fixing of Lease Rentals .......................................................................................... 16 Page 1 of 65 C. Consultation and Public Involvement ............................................................................................................. 16 D. Key Issues identified during field visits / consultations................................................................................... 19 VI. Baseline Description of the Study Area ..................................................................................................... 23 A. Biophysical Environment ................................................................................................................................ 23 1. Location ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 2. Climate ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 3. Geology ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 4. Topography ............................................................................................................................................... 25 5. Agricultural Potential ................................................................................................................................. 26 6. Ground water resources (Hydrogeological) ............................................................................................... 26 7. Surface Water ........................................................................................................................................... 29 8. Flora and Fauna ........................................................................................................................................ 29 9. Soil Characteristics .................................................................................................................................... 30 B. Archaeological and Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 31 C. Social Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 31 1. Population, Gender and Age ..................................................................................................................... 31 2. Land Ownership Status ............................................................................................................................. 32 3. Employment .............................................................................................................................................. 33 4. Land Use classification for 10 kms zone ................................................................................................... 35 5. Land use classification for selected villages .............................................................................................. 36 VII. Potential Environmental Impacts ............................................................................................................... 38 A. Construction Phase Impacts .......................................................................................................................... 38 1. Water Resource Impacts – Surface Water ................................................................................................ 38 2. Water Resource Impacts – Ground Water ................................................................................................ 39 3. Vegetation Clearing and grubbing Operations .......................................................................................... 39 4. Lighting ...................................................................................................................................................... 40 5. Proposed Access Roads and Existing Road Network ............................................................................... 40 6. Waste .......................................................................................................................................................