- Draft - Himachal Pradesh Forests for Prosperity Project Environment Assessment & Management Framework 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 SEPTEMBER , 2018 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 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 ........................................................................................................... 33 2.3.1 .................................................................................................................................................... 34 Physiographic Profile........................................................................................................................... 34 Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 36 2.3.2 Land Use Pattern ........................................................................................................................ 41 2.3.3 Forest Area ................................................................................................................................. 43 Flora .................................................................................................................................................... 49 Natural Habitats .................................................................................................................................. 51 2.3.4 Pastures and Grazing Areas ....................................................................................................... 53 2.3.5 Fuel Wood and Fodder............................................................................................................... 55 2.3.6 Non-Timber Forest Products and Medicinal Plants ................................................................... 56 2.3.7 Forest Nurseries ......................................................................................................................... 60 2.3.7 Forest Fires ................................................................................................................................. 64 2.3.8 Community Based Forest Institutions ........................................................................................ 66 2.3.3 Water Resources ........................................................................................................................ 67 2 2.3.3.1 River Sutlej .............................................................................................................................. 69 Chapter 3 Relevant Laws, Regulations and Development Programmes ............................................ 83 3.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 83 3.2. Applicable World Bank Policies ................................................................................................ 83 3.3. Policy and Regulatory Framework of Government of India (GoI) and Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) ................................................................................................................................. 85 3.4. List of Statutory Clearances and Authorizations .................................................................... 91 Chapter 4: Stakeholder Consultation .................................................................................................. 93 4.1 Identification of Key Stakeholders .............................................................................................. 94 4.2 Consultation Meetings with Key Institutions .............................................................................. 97 4.3 Stakeholder Consultations at District and Village Levels ............................................................ 98 4.4 Disclosure Workshops ............................................................................................................... 100 Chapter 5 Environment Assessment .................................................................................................. 101 5.1 Assessment of Environmental Impacts Associated with Project Activities .............................. 113 Chapter 6 Environment Management Framework ........................................................................... 132 6.1 Environmental Screening of Project Activities .......................................................................... 132 6.2 Environmental Management Plan ............................................................................................ 133 6.3 Workplan for Environmental Management .............................................................................. 134 6.4 Pest Management Plan ............................................................................................................. 136 Chapter 7 Institutional and Implementation Arrangement ............................................................. 137 7.1 Project Implementation through HPFD ................................................................................. 137 7.2 Project Level Institutional Structures ........................................................................................ 138 7.3 Implementation Plans ............................................................................................................... 139 7.4 Environment management under HPFD ................................................................................... 139 7.5 Monitoring and Reporting ........................................................................................................ 141 7.6 Capacity Building under Environment Management ................................................................ 142 7.7 Budgetary Provisions for EMF Implementation ........................................................................ 143 3 Annexure 1: List of References and Sources of Secondary Data ..................................................... 144 Annexure 2: Baseline Data Questionnaire for Field Surveys ............................................................ 148 Annexure 3: Key Findings from Baseline Field Surveys .................................................................... 155 Annexure 4: List of Stakeholders Met ............................................................................................... 158 Annexure 4: Details of Institutional Consultations ........................................................................... 161 Annexure 5: Proceedings of District Level Stakeholder Consultations ............................................ 177 Annexure 6: Proceedings of Disclosure Workshops ......................................................................... 197 Annex 7: Screening Checklists ........................................................................................................... 204 Annex 8: Format for Environmental Management Plan .................................................................