Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 43464-026 June 2020 IND: Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program - Tranche 2 Submitted by: HP Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) This initial environmental examination report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. This report is an updated version of the IEE report posted in May 2018 available on adb.org/projects/documents/ind-43464-026-iee. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Recd. 9.06.20 SFG Log: 4181 Initial EnvironmentalExamination Project Number: 43464-026-IND June 2020 India: Himachal PradeshCleanEnergy Transmission InvestmentProgramme Loan 3001-IND (Tranche – 2) Prepared by HP Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) The initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary innature. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 1 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2 Scope of Work andMethodologyAdopted .......................................................................................... 13 2 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................................... 15 2.1 Country’sLegal Framework and Regulatory Requirements for the Project ........................................15 2.2 EnvironmentalClearance ................................................................................................................. 16 2.3 ForestsClearance ............................................................................................................................ 16 2.4 WildlifeClearance............................................................................................................................. 16 2.5 RequiredClearances/Permissions ................................................................................................... 16 2.6 InternationalAgreements ................................................................................................................. 17 2.7 Asian Development BankSafeguardPolicies ................................................................................... 18 2.8 Project Categorisation asperADB ................................................................................................ 18 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................ 19 3.1 Type of Project ................................................................................................................................ 19 3.2 Category of Project .......................................................................................................................... 19 3.3 Capacity Buildingand Training ........................................................................................................ 20 3.4 Brief Description of the Sub-Projects ............................................................................................... 20 3.5 Land Requirement ........................................................................................................................... 25 3.6 Location of Sub-Projects............................................................................................................. 26 3.7 Associated Facilities ................................................................................................................... 32 3.8 Implementation Plan ........................................................................................................................ 33 4 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT (BASELINE DATA) ........................................................................ 36 4.1.1 Physical Resources ................................................................................................................. 36 4.1.2 Climate & Rainfall .................................................................................................................... 37 4.1.3 Ambient Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 38 4.1.4 Noise Quality ........................................................................................................................... 40 4.1.5 Topography ............................................................................................................................. 41 4.1.6 Geomorphology & SoilTypes ................................................................................................... 42 4.1.7 Soil Quality............................................................................................................................... 43 4.1.8 Water Resources (Surface and Ground Water) ...................................................................... 45 4.1.9 Water Quality of theSub-Project Area ...................................................................................... 46 4.1.10 Geology ................................................................................................................................... 53 4.1.11 Seismicity................................................................................................................................. 53 4.2 Ecological Resources ...................................................................................................................... 54 4.2.1 Terrestrial Ecology ................................................................................................................... 54 4.3 Socioeconomic Profile ..................................................................................................................... 60 4.3.1 Demography ............................................................................................................................ 62 4.3.2 Employment / Working Population Details ............................................................................... 63 4.3.3 Industries ................................................................................................................................. 64 4.3.4 InfrastructureFacilities.............................................................................................................. 64 4.3.5 Land Use ........................................................................................................................................ 65 4.3.6 Agricultural Development/Other income sources Agriculture .................................................. 67 4.3.7 Horticulture .............................................................................................................................. 68 4.3.8 Beekeeping .............................................................................................................................. 69 4.3.9 Animal Husbandry .......................................................................................................................... 69 4.3.10 Fisheries .................................................................................................................................. 70 4.3.11 Mineral Development ............................................................................................................... 70 4.3.12 Tourism Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 70 4.3.13 Social and Cultural Resources ................................................................................................ 71 4.3.14 Sites of Cultural, Archaeological and Historical Significance ................................................... 73 5 ANTICIPATEDENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSANDMITIGATIONMEASURES .......................................... 75 5.1 Environment Problems Associated with Project LocationandDesign ........................................... 75 5.2 EnvironmentalImpactsAssociatedwithPre-ConstructionStage......................................................... 75 5.2.1 Acquisition of Cultivable and Noncultivablelands ................................................................. 75 5.2.2 Impacts on Temporary UseofLand ........................................................................................... 76 5.3 EnvironmentalProblemsAssociatedwithConstructionandOperationStage ....................................... 76 5.3.1 Impact onPhysicalResources .................................................................................................. 76 5.3.2 Impact onEnvironmentalResources ......................................................................................... 77 5.3.3 Impact onEcologicalResources ..............................................................................................